C++ online Role Playing Game (RPG)

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+1 Q:

C++ online Role Playing Game (RPG)

So I've been learning C++ and SDL to make some basic 2d games. I want to create a game sort of like World of Warcraft but a 2D version. I want it to be on-line and use a database or something to start data like amount of Gold, HP, etc. I was wondering though, if I do this in SDL, would it still work on-line or would the user have to download SDL themselves to play?

I just want a game like this but be able to play it with some friends, just for learning purposes you know. I was also looking at DirectX because everyone has that on windows pretty much. Anyways much help is appreciated, thanks!

+2 A:

You'll probably need to include SDL's runtime library for the game to run on other computers. This will apply no matter what library you use.

Grant 2010-06-10 03:13:09

+2 A:

For the game itself some libraries are installed in Windows, but in order to achieve other functionality (online gameplay, gampad, etc)you must tell the user to install the other libraries.

HDgam3r 2010-06-10 03:26:32

+3 A:

No offense, but an RPG is definately the last thing a new programmer should attempt to create. They are the most time, resource, and skill intensive style of game one could possibly try to create. I speak from experience here and can say that RPGs are huge time sinks, even for experienced game studios. At best, you might get a basic map working before you run out of time and patience.

If you want a game you can play with your friends, why not multiplayer tic-tac-toe or even artillery or something similiar. You'll have more success and may actually have something to show your friends when you are done.

Michael Dorgan 2010-06-10 04:02:15

Though not a direct answer, you are right. I make rpg's in my spare time and I have *never* finished one. Ever, and the programming is the easiest part for me.

Ed Swangren 2010-06-10 04:05:06

-1: *Everybody* should create a RPG game. And an IRC client. And so on. A new programmer should try these things since he's motivated to do so and he's familiar with the problem domain. It doesn't matter too much whether the project ends as intended - the journey is the reward. :-)

Frerich Raabe 2010-06-10 12:42:27

@Frerich: yes and no. A project you never complete is a lot less valuable as a learning exercise than one you *do* complete. If you haven't completed it, you're unable to tell if the lessons you learned from it were actually the right ones. On the other hand, you're absolutely right that a programmer should focus on projects he's motivated to do if he wants to learn.

jalf 2010-06-10 14:00:07

As @Michael says, though, RPG's aren't very interesting from a programming point of view. If the goal is to get better at programming, most other types of games would be more productive. A RPG generally consists of fairly simple programming, and *a lot* of time "wasted" (as in, they won't make you a better programmer) on other tasks, such as writing dialogue, creating art assets and so on. If the goal is to get better at programming, it might be better to focus on a type of game that emphasize game mechanics (which are code) more than story (which is not)

jalf 2010-06-10 14:02:36

@Frerich: Perhaps everyone, eventually, should try one. Not as a beginner project and definately not an MMRPG. Learning to scope is one of the most fundamental things a professional game programmer must learn and relearn. A MMRPG/RPG is beyond the scope of most small game companies, let alone a single, beginner hobbiest. While there are lessons to be learned in the attempt (and it will only be an attempt), they are lessons best left for later on. Honestly, the biggest lesson that will be learned here is that making games is frustrating, slow, and asset intensive. Leave that for later!

Michael Dorgan 2010-06-10 15:06:08

Owen S. 2010-06-10 04:04:37

For flat 2D, probably the easiest approach is to use a web interface not SDL. Web browsers are common on Macs and Linux, too, and you might even be able to support smartphones.

Still, you would have to learn how to split work between the clients and the central server. This is not always trivial. Obviously, stuff like # of gold coins would be on the server. Keyboard input is accepted first on the client. But the direction in which your toon is looking? Should the server know that?

MSalters 2010-06-10 13:20:09

ansaurus

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C++ online Role Playing Game (RPG)

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