Discussion of application for online gaming
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 23:53
Hi,
I would like to collect the maximum possible input about an idea that has been handled down to me, the creation of an application that would allow online gaming, or just fast(er) playtesting of development rules.
I took the liberty of creating this topic so that I can easily ask questions and be able to read the responses, over and over, until I'm satisfied that I understand the purpose and all the constraints of the application.
There is a, somewhat, long list of features, most of them can be reduced to the same movements, but still, you can find the current description at the wiki in the address http://chaosrealm.net/wtactics/wiki/ind ... =Sandscape
From my understanding the idea is to create a way to play the game, WT, in a computer and also to allow for easier playtesting of development rules. In the spirit of WT the application should be open sourced, and easily customizable so that other games can be played on it. So, I would like everyone to post their thoughts about the subject so that I can mix it up and see what it is that we want to create.
Without going much into feature details, I see the project and it's development as follows:
Everything nowadays is "web-based", the browser is the application the most used application used in our day-to-day operations, but it still is a limited environment for development. Looking at the project's general UI, drag and drop and asynchronous communication is needed, and that can only be implemented using JavaScript. The reason to be web-based is that it should be used easily without downloading specific clients for different platforms (different operating systems), or is there any other?
Looking at the project's description in the wiki I started to think about a Java application instead of a web-based.
Java pros:
General comments on the system, even if repeated, and even if not technical, in fact, leave the technical aspects for latter
I would like to collect the maximum possible input about an idea that has been handled down to me, the creation of an application that would allow online gaming, or just fast(er) playtesting of development rules.
I took the liberty of creating this topic so that I can easily ask questions and be able to read the responses, over and over, until I'm satisfied that I understand the purpose and all the constraints of the application.
There is a, somewhat, long list of features, most of them can be reduced to the same movements, but still, you can find the current description at the wiki in the address http://chaosrealm.net/wtactics/wiki/ind ... =Sandscape
From my understanding the idea is to create a way to play the game, WT, in a computer and also to allow for easier playtesting of development rules. In the spirit of WT the application should be open sourced, and easily customizable so that other games can be played on it. So, I would like everyone to post their thoughts about the subject so that I can mix it up and see what it is that we want to create.
Without going much into feature details, I see the project and it's development as follows:
- (1)Freely available application that allows users to "play" the game. As in: provide the basic tools to play WT in a digital version with table, card decks, way to communicate and visual hints for card placement but unrestricted movement like a real table.
- Thin client, not much graphics/buttons, images and such, just the basic UI elements to be easy to use
- Start simple: don't plan too much features and concentrate on providing the basic experience described in (1)
- Connected to the existing database (Cardscape), allowing users to play with updated cards and devs to test the latest additions.
Everything nowadays is "web-based", the browser is the application the most used application used in our day-to-day operations, but it still is a limited environment for development. Looking at the project's general UI, drag and drop and asynchronous communication is needed, and that can only be implemented using JavaScript. The reason to be web-based is that it should be used easily without downloading specific clients for different platforms (different operating systems), or is there any other?
Looking at the project's description in the wiki I started to think about a Java application instead of a web-based.
Java pros:
- Easier to create the required UI - No messing with JS, CSS and browser limitations and quirks.
- Multi-platform - Since graphic consistency is not necessary, the same code can be used in every Java-enabled system.
- Allows for direct play/testing, no need for a central server - Easier to setup and use if the project is to be used by other people
- Not limited to a central server also allows more freedom - No need to setup accounts just to play, playable without Internet in ad-doc networks/lans
- Not browser based!
- Currently who has Java knowledge beyond me?
- Not so easy to set the interface into a fantasy style - will it ever be important?
- May be seen as a clone of existing applications
- Will need webservices to maintain updated cards and to use accounts from cardscape
- Will probably need more code? - can't really compare as both solutions are different and use different approaches
General comments on the system, even if repeated, and even if not technical, in fact, leave the technical aspects for latter