The Zelaron MMORPG (Discussion thread)

[Chruser]

Shinto Katana and I have discussed the idea of starting a Zelaron MMORPG development project, in which any member of Zelaron can contribute. In other words, it will be an open game development project void of financial interests, and an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to practice their artistic, musical or programming skills.

The basic premise is for players to defend Castle Zelaron (a subsidiary of The Zelaron Empire) against waves of incoming attackers. Every wave of invading antagonists will become increasingly difficult to extirpate until The Zelaron Empire is eventually defeated by its adversaries and the game is restarted. To make things more interesting, the surrounding terrain will be randomly generated at the beginning of every round of the game.

The different waves (first, second, third and so on) will stay the same in strength and number regardless of the amount of players logged into the game, but will vary the strategy of their invasion. To survive as many waves as possible, it will become necessary to co-operate with other players in co-ordinated defensive strategies, and to get as many players as possible to join the game.

High score tables will be shown, and the top players logged into the game will have an opportunity of joining The Conclave. Players who choose to be part of The Conclave will see an overview of the battlefield, and will be able to expand Castle Zelaron with additional structures (which may be used as spawn points or defensive strongholds). They will also be able to co-ordinate defensive efforts by ordering (or suggesting) players where to go.

Thoughts? Feel free to state particular areas you may be willing to contribute in.

[Shining Knights]

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

[Merryweather]

Waves are timed, I suppose? Just thinking about off-peak times.

[Chruser]

Shinto, excellent! :D

Merryweather, welcome to Zelaron! While antagonists still remain, they will attempt to destroy Castle Zelaron at any cost. Thus, there won't be any peak-off times.

[Wed-G]

Waves are timed, I suppose? Just thinking about off-peak times.

Sign me up for music. I have a slight "resume" if you look for my posts in the RPGMaker forum. I have some songs there.

[jamer123]

lets make it were there is more than one side you can chosse like dragoons for one zelaron for a nother then nights and we can battle a genst other sidesand the colors chruser can choose for the sides and you can buy diffrent weapons for the money of the people that you killed you can also buy dragons to fight with you but you have to be a high level and you can log in with your zelaron username and password

[-Spector-]

What type of graphics are you intending to use in this game? 3-D? Or what were you considering? I can come up with some excellent and creative ideas to help build this game as soon as I know the parameters that we're dealing with.

[Chruser]

Sign me up for music. I have a slight "resume" if you look for my posts in the RPGMaker forum. I have some songs there.


Sounds good.


lets make it were there is more than one side you can chosse like dragoons for one zelaron for a nother then nights and we can battle a genst other sidesand the colors chruser can choose for the sides and you can buy diffrent weapons for the money of the people that you killed you can also buy dragons to fight with you but you have to be a high level and you can log in with your zelaron username and password


Having two different sides in the game would not benefit the idea of advertising it to others. If an increasing amount of players is required to survive multiplicatively difficult waves, it will become imperative to advertise the game to others. In other words, making everyone co-operate will make the game popular.


What type of graphics are you intending to use in this game? 3-D? Or what were you considering? I can come up with some excellent and creative ideas to help build this game as soon as I know the parameters that we're dealing with.


2D, either top-down or Fallout-esque isometric; probably the latter.

[-Spector-]

I would go with the top-down idea, what programs would be required to design this project?

[Noob101]

Are the attackers going to be 12 year old kids that get attacks like "Bad Grammar" and "Improper Capitalization"? I'd play it, then.

Seriously though, this sounds like a very fun idea. What type of program will this be made in?

[Lenny]

I'm going to take a wild guess at it being flash-based.

Either way, it sounds interesting. I'm in as... something.

[Noob101]

Can you have multiplayer flash games? I have no idea how to use flash and I don't play flash games or anything, so I have no idea.

[Wed-G]

Can you have multiplayer flash games? I have no idea how to use flash and I don't play flash games or anything, so I have no idea.

Yeah, flash multiplayer is possible.

[Noob101]

Sweetness. I honestly can't help do anything, but I'll definitely be there for support. And I'll play it, if that counts as helping.

[-Spector-]

Well count me in on the design of the game. Chruser could you list what positions are needed to be filled and the ones that are already filled?

Thanks

[Goodlookinguy]

Too bad it's 2D. I could do some 3D modeling (I haven't done it in a little while).

I was also hoping it was C++, Ruby, or Python. Flash based is out of my category of scripting.

[Shining Knights]

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

[-Spector-]

Is this going to be a stand alone program or a web based program? If so, (For web based) I think Java would be the best choice.

[Goodlookinguy]

Is this going to be a stand alone program or a web based program? If so, (For web based) I think Java would be the best choice.

That's true! Though Java is out of my category of knowledge. It is only my friend who knows Java. I should ask him to teach me.

[Shining Knights]

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

[Goodlookinguy]

or ask him to join!!!

He has a 14k internet that is disconnected because they couldn't pay for it. He would only be able to get on when he goes to the library.

[osmoses-jones]

damn i would have join if it wasn't not 2d i am little bit good at 3d

[Goodlookinguy]

damn i would have join if it wasn't not 2d i am little bit good at 3d

That is to say you are joining in?

[Shining Knights]

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

[osmoses-jones]

I will join if you guys need 3d assets.

[Willkillforfood]

Osmoses will join as long as you aren't gay :P.

[Chruser]

Ideally, the game should be playable in a web browser, to be reachable at school, work and so on. This does not make it impossible to develop a 3D client per se, but it would be easier to do so. This, of course, does not eliminate the need for creating characters, "monsters", structures and terrain in 3D programs; it would merely have to be pre-rendered.

[Noob101]

I hate to say it, but we could do it like Runescape, couldn't we? Make it 3d, but tone it down? Obviously, the graphics would need to be better, but...

[Shining Knights]

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

[osmoses-jones]

i will join tell me what you guys need as far 3d goes i will do it.

[osmoses-jones]

for 2d engines i recommend this one http://www.fifengine.de/

sorry double post

[Goodlookinguy]

for 2d engines i recommend this one http://www.fifengine.de/

sorry double post


I dislike that engine. I'm running another one right now. I am testing some engines out and going to be putting up which ones are most suited for recommendation of usage in a project such as this. We do need to decide the language soon though. I can do Python and C++.

EDIT: ALRIGHT! I've locked onto 4-different Clients. I'm going to rip through with some scripting and see which one requires the least amount of scripting work and work overall.

ATTENTION: I own a 3D MMORPG Client. I would suggest using it. So it may be a real possibility to have a 3D game! So keep your minds open.

Chruser, I don't think any of us can script in Java well enough to be able to produce anything. I suggest client side. I can however use my hacking ways to allow installation on any computer that has admin blockage etc. That's what I did to Sun's Java installer so that I could install on my school computer to play RuneScape when I was going there.

EDIT: You know what? I just realized something. If I had to hack the java installer to play RuneScape at my school then we can presume that RuneScape does not work at a public school. This means we are officially ruling out a Java Browser based Game.

EDIT: IGNORE WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY HERE

EDIT: Successfully connected to my database!

Okay, I'm going to try to get this project moving! I own RealmCrafter and basically, read up on all of the stuff about it if you want to know what it is. If you know how to make 3D models, go right ahead. If you know how to make 3D anything really, just go right ahead! I want this project to start rolling.

As far as scripting goes, I can handle any and all bits of scripting. As far as I know, I really don't have to script with this beautiful engine. But the graphics are those of the olden days. I wish some good 3D modelers would go ahead and make some!

BIG TIME EDIT:

That about sums up what's needed if this project is to succeed. Man, I'm lazy, but, RealmCrafter is making it easy on me so I continue to work without getting annoyed!

By the time you read this message your eyes will be tired. Or you skipped all the way down to read the last message.

Wanna read a fun debate over the program?
http://www.onrpg.com/boards/sitemap/t-22404.html
http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm?THREAD=67175&bhcp=1 <= I had to add this. I love how full of themselves, the creator of this thread and anyone who agrees with 'em, are, ha!

--==Quick Q&A==--
Can I create a professional installer?

Yes I can!
--
Will the game be free?

Chruser's choice...(I think yes)
--
What is it for?

Hell if I know.
--
(Make a Q&A Section Chruser)

--------------
I'M FAR TO HYPER RIGHT NOW, AW!

By the way, I am going to be getting RC Professional (HD Graphics)! Yay for me!

Resources
http://www.blitzbasic.com/b3ddocs/docs.php <== Learn Blitz languages
http://www.blender.org/ <== Great 3D Program. I've yet to check if it supports .b3b format
http://www.adobe.com/ <== Great things can be built with these Programs

Jobs Needed:

3D Anything Creator, good. - .b3b
Mesh Creator, yeah, dos good - .png
Story Line (Writers) - For Quests, blah, blah, blah.
Servers! - Need two or more servers ( Yes, I will host one)
Need somebody who is going to keep their computer on for more than 99% of the day (Kagom is a good candidate)
Scripters (I guess) - Language in Use is BlitzPlus and Blitz3D
Download Mirrors (People who will host a download for the file besides Chruser and I)
ALPHA & BETA Testers! - (For glitches, etc)
Website Designer for it! Must be Professional, which is why I won't do it. Not that I can't do it, I'm just awful when it comes to color schemes and that I'm too lazy to take my time.
Icons and Logos Maker - There are probably a bunch of you who want to do that.

[Chruser]

RealmCrafter looks nice! It is definitely worth investigating more.

It should be noted that roughly 95% of computers connected to the Internet have Flash players installed[1 (http://www.flashmagazine.com/tutorials/detail/what_about_flash_can_we_really_make_games_with_it)], which thus makes Flash an ideal platform for online games in terms of user scope. In other words, it will be ideal if the Zelaron MMORPG will be playable from school and work.

We could use SmartFoxServer PRO (http://www.smartfoxserver.com/products/pro.php) as a platform, but it is only free for up to 20 simultaneously connected players. DOFUS (http://www.dofus.com/en) is an example of a full-feature Flash-based MMORPG which uses SmartFoxServer PRO.

It would also be possible to create our own server for free and connect to it via the XMLSocket functions in Flash. ActionScript is very similar to C++, PHP and Java, so it could be a good way to go.

[Noob101]

Gimme a time setting and a difficulty, and I can probably make some quests up.

[Shining Knights]

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

[Goodlookinguy]

Well, if you had read my huge statement above you would know if you could add/edit code. I specifically mention that the language used is BlitzPlus and Blitz3D.

I wouldn't do java because we simply lack anyone in the field of that scripting language.

I find the blitz languages to be rather easy to learn which is why I'm also pushing for RealmCrafter. Another reason is because of the very nice graphics that are on the Pro version of it. Not saying that the first one didn't come with nice land meshes. I've also worked with the program for a while and can conclude that it's a good program.

[Shining Knights]

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

[Goodlookinguy]

Chruser, if we go with RealmCrafter I can package up the game in a professional looking installer.

I need to know if we are going to want an installer or if you just want the game to be packed with 7zip or WinRAR. Maybe both.

file.exe (MD5: ladsfjalfa;lfjas) - 367MB
file.7z (MD5: afjoeifjaklfj) - 405MB
file.rar (MD5: alkfjfjsldkfs) -390MB

I'm thinkin' the download page would be like that with a box around it, yeah?

The great thing about packaging it altogether is that you can stick HTML links to zelaron and how to support it blah, blah, blah.

By the way, I messed around with RealmCrafter and changed the opening menu. Mine looks better than the one that they have on there. Not that I'm going to be using RC Original for much longer. RC Pro, yahooo!

[Lenny]

Wait, installer? What happened to the game being played within the browser?

[Chruser]

I don't see how installers are an option for a Zelaron MMORPG, unfortunately.

I'm in favor of SmartFoxServer Pro. It's not very hard to learn how to use it, especially not if you, as I previously stated, know C++, PHP or Java already.

Here are some examples of SFS Pro applications (which can all run in web browsers with Flash players installed, without any other dependencies):

http://www.smartfoxserver.com/showcase

[Shining Knights]

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

[Chruser]

Is anyone up for installing Adobe Flash CS3?

[Lenny]

I've got it installed already. GLG probably has, too.

[Goodlookinguy]

I've got it installed already. GLG probably has, too.

I had Adobe Flash Pro CS3 installed long ago. (That is to say, yes I do have it installed.)

[Goodlookinguy]

I just bought Autocad 2009 ($5000). I'm broke now! A good 3D program like that is worth it though. The last one I had was Autocad 2006 Student Edition. Of course, that was my brothers 'cause he was a student in a class.

[Coriander]

You have just proved your a spoiled rich boy. Anywho, So, Are you guys already working on it? Or getting things set up to start working on it?

[Goodlookinguy]

You have just proved your a spoiled rich boy.

Nope, you're wrong Coriander. I don't own most programs I get. I just love saying I bought things, when really I just did something illegal to get 'em. The broke part was a joke, but I guess I should have elaborated that I don't have a job and don't have much money at all. I really did get Realm Crafter on the other hand, but definitely don't have money for this program. To add on, my brother does own the 2006 student edition one, but there are no free upgrades. So I decided I would take another route for the upgrade.

Blah, :P

What system and scripting language are we using for the game? I've been learning Blitz BASIC and am getting pretty good at it.

[osmoses-jones]

Ok i ask my friend to write story for this game here his idea. you can change it however you want it.

Starts off with you in combat with another man but is not able to do more than 12 damage. He hits you once, and you get knocked out for awhile. When you wake up you notice that you are in a house with a woman warming you up some food. No memories of who you are, so you start your mission to find out your past.

As you travel you will encounter wild creatures along with soldiers since a kingdom has taken control of the land. Every time you find a general which will mostly happen in towns that you help save, you will learn more and more about yourself. It turns out that you were a soldier that was loyal to the king, but you were getting too powerful so he had you killed. The only problem was that you were not killed, and that is where you go to get revenge. You will get soldiers to help you fight.

There is ultimate weapons but they can only be gained once in the game. Some you will get from quests at certain parts of the game, but they are only asked once. There are some in hidden chests but only found in towns. They are gained in the beginning of the game, but you are too weak to gain. Then there is no magic. The things you gain are skills for your weapon. Magic is too over used.

[Noob101]

Sounds good, but...What does it have to do with Zelaron? :0

[Draco2003]

I have no idea why, but for some reason, I had this vision of a Zelaron based Space Invaders game....

Also, what style are you doing everything in? Anime, Marvel/DC, realistic, or Picasso-ness?

Also, as far as characters go, since it is Zelaron based, and it would pretty much only be beneficial to Zelaron members, perhaps you can make it do some server accessing in the background and use the members avatar as their face skin. This would be, in theory, quite simple as each member would automatically have a character "customized" and linked to thier account to proudly display to people who Google'd, say for instance, "Bow chika wow wow" and found us. They could see "(Member)'s Level in 'ZELARON MMO' " or something, and hopefully be inclined enough to join and inquire.

As far as sourcing out the jobs, perhaps you could post a thread in the other sub-sections (such as literature for a story-writer) to maybe get those filled.

[Wed-G]

Is anyone up for installing Adobe Flash CS3?

If you can get it to me for free, hell yeah.

[Chruser]

I've got it installed already. GLG probably has, too.

I had Adobe Flash Pro CS3 installed long ago. (That is to say, yes I do have it installed.)

Excellent! Does anyone care to set up a SmartFoxServer PRO test server? It can be downloaded from http://www.smartfoxserver.com/products/pro.php#downloads. I may be able to install it on the Zelaron server later on.


So, Are you guys already working on it? Or getting things set up to start working on it?

We're getting there.


What system and scripting language are we using for the game? I've been learning Blitz BASIC and am getting pretty good at it.

Care to explain what can be accomplished in Blitz BASIC for the Zelaron game? ActionScript looks ideal for our purposes considering no client has to be downloaded to play the game.


Also, what style are you doing everything in? Anime, Marvel/DC, realistic, or Picasso-ness?

Realistic sounds most challenging and interesting.

[Wed-G]

So... no free Flash for me?

Damn.

[Goodlookinguy]

Excellent! Does anyone care to set up a SmartFoxServer PRO test server? It can be downloaded from http://www.smartfoxserver.com/products/pro.php#downloads. I may be able to install it on the Zelaron server later on.


Does it cost money? It seems like it does, and I'm not going to set one up right now. Maybe in a day.


Care to explain what can be accomplished in Blitz BASIC for the Zelaron game? ActionScript looks ideal for our purposes considering no client has to be downloaded to play the game.


I've yet to learn ActionScript. I am taking a class on it next year and have a book that is teaching me it. BlitzBASIC is the language I'm using to do my own personal MMORPG with. I'm using RC Pro, which will be out anytime now.


So... now free Flash for me?


Figure out how to obtain it "free."

[Chruser]

So, is anyone going to set up a SmartFoxServer Pro test server? It would be nice to be able to work against something.

[Skurai]

I know it's a bit late, and I'm pretty new but...

Can I help in anyway? I don't have much experience with things, but anything I can, I will do...:)

[Goodlookinguy]

So, is anyone going to set up a SmartFoxServer Pro test server? It would be nice to be able to work against something.


I have it on my local host. I can't exactly give you a test server seeings as how I currently have no job nor does my bother. :(

[Lenny]

Sooooo...

Any updates on this?

[Chruser]

Sooooo...

Any updates on this?

I have to procure a functional connection before I can direct things properly. It'd be good to know what happened on the SFS Pro front.

[quikspy67]

Sounds like a deadly idea.