[H-GEN] Interest in a Linux game

[Chris Ryan]

Since the original post I've been mulling over the idea of a Linux/Unix
game.  Thought I'd add my thoughts:

The Fuzzy One wrote:

[snip]

> It's a big ambitious to say "let's make a game", and hope to get anything
> concrete out of it.  I think we need something more concrete to work on.

It does make things difficult to decide otherwise...

> It would be really cool if several people could jot down their ideas for
> a specific game, and bring them along for discussion, say next humbug.
> 
> I suppose we'd be looking at a requirements document for this first phase,
> not even full-blown specificiation.

You may also want to look at what resources you do have available.  In
general
Linux/Unix games have suffered from poor graphics.  Do you have the 
necessary talent available to overcome this?  

There's probably more resource issues, but I can't recall them at
present.
 
> Here are a few ideas from me:
> - Unix-based, but as far as possible portable enough to drive anywhere.

Depending on any Real Time issues, Java could be the language of choice
for this project.  It's portable, easy to use, has good network
capabilities,
has a reasonable graphics API and is steadily improving.

Also, you could probably get more Java capable programmers than just C
or C++.  (IMO, those who know C or C++ know enough to jump to Java
fairly easy - more important are design skills...)

> - It'd be nice to be able to play it on anything from a humble dumbterm
>   to the high end PC, with a scaling of graphics and sound capabilities :)

I think to save some effort you might want to drop the dumbterm area and
expect a minimum GUI.  Makes the API easier.  Scaling graphics (to 3D
support
if appropriate, etc) and sound is a definite must have.

>   AI units could attach to the server in similar ways to the standard clients.
> - Multiplayer...

Games always seem to be better if there's a multiplayer aspect.  

> - ?
> 
> I don't have to much to say about the gameplay it's self.  I'm sure there
> are a lot more expert people in humbug than I for that area.
> 
> Some questions to think about:
> Action/shoot'em-up, strategy/nethack, or somewhere in between.  Are we going
> to base the game on existing interfaces, or are we going to try something
> radically new?  If we do choose something to base it on... what?  :)  What
> are your favorite games?

Civ II
Ultimate Race Pro  (Car racing game)
SW Rebellion
 
> Personally... free warcraft sounds good to me ;)  Though that could be hard
> to play on a dumbterm without a mouse.  Something based on that kind of
> interface at least... presuming we can do it without treading on any patented
> wigets.

As I said above, I'd forget the dumbterm.  RTS games have been done to
death,
but I suppose one for Unix might not be a bad idea.
 
> As to how much of this kind of thing has already been done, I haven't really
> researched.  Anyone know of code we could rip off in the name of free
> software?  :)
 
Unfortunately, not me.

--
Chris Ryan
cryan at plugged.net.au