[VX] Online play.... NOT an MMO

[squidgy617 2]

So I'm looking to make an action rpg using Vampyr's ABS for four-player online co-op action. Basically, I want it not to be an MMO, but a game where one player hosts, three others join, and they all play through the game in co-op. Unfortunately, I can't think of a place to start. I would give more information, but, that's really all I can think of at the moment. Where should I start?

[Enigma 10]

Note: Sorry for taking so long to respond, the forum crashed when I posted my message at around 1:27 am. If you have ever had anything you've typed disappear at 1:27 am you would be very pissed, I know I was; I'll try and make this of the same quality as it was before.

 

I'm not going to sugar coat this for you, I will simply lay out the Cold Hard Facts.

*pay no attention to the Coors light part*

 

What you are describing is Peer to Peer Hosting, basically rather than having a single host for all of your clients, each individual client will be able to host other clients. This also eliminates the need for you to host a dedicated server for the game because players who host the Co-op the game will become the server. All you need to do is create your game and include the necessary scripts and software to host the game. However, your are going to have a plethora of problems to address:

1. The necessary scripts will probably require special firewall permissions to allow the clients computer to host other clients. That being said, it will require every one who wants to be able to host a Co-op to set these settings
   
2. Furthermore, the necessary software for hosting will need to be installed on every client
   
3. While, you do not need a dedicated server for hosting, you will need something for matchmaking to allow clients to connect to other clients, most likely a dedicated server
   
4. Lastly, there are no known methods to achieve this in RMXP or RMVX
   

 

Do not fret though. I have a theory that might work if your able to deal with problems one and two.

Follow in order:

1. Complete your game (It will make things easier in the long run)
   
2. Find and Install an MMORPG script for RMVX or use RMXOS in combination with RGSS2 Conversion scripts found in Gubid's Tactical Battle System
   
3. Create an installer that: Installs your game and neccesary software, changes firewall settings for the game/program, and allows the user to select a host name(this will allow other clients to connect)
   
4. Create a website/chat that allows users to connect with each other so that they can host games
   

:o Good Luck

btw If I remember what else I posted I'll put it

[squidgy617 2]

I've been looking into using Vampyr's Telam Ludus MMO engine for it. The biggest problem I'm having is finding a way to (A)Allow the user to connect to an IP of their choosing, rather than having to have a specific IP scripted into the game, and (B)Get rid of the requirement of a "database" and registration for the engine. The database and registration would only get in the way for this kind of game. I mean, would you want to register EVERY TIME you played on a different server? I wouldn't. So that's why I need to figure that out. The only problem is, Telam Ludus comes with its own server.exe thing that automatically REQUIRES you to have a database set up, and I don't want to have to set up a database for every server.

 

I'd also like it to progress as if the player's are together and not each in their own individual story. MMO's generally have each player talk to NPC's and progress through the story at their own rate, but I'd really like a way for the game to make it so player's MUST progress together to continue. I'm not sure how feasible this is, but I'd like to get the first problem solved first.

Edited September 9, 2011 by squidgy617

[Enigma 10]

For the first issue If you can find comprehensive installer software it can set the database for you when it installs the game

furthermore to deal with the registration issue, if you can set it up to install a predefined database and then have the accounts player 1 player 2 and player 3 the player just needs to enter one of those user names in

 

 

I'd also like it to progress as if the player's are together and not each in their own individual story. MMO's generally have each player talk to NPC's and progress through the story at their own rate, but I'd really like a way for the game to make it so player's MUST progress together to continue. I'm not sure how feasible this is, but I'd like to get the first problem solved first.

 

What you will need is a script that sets the clients variables and events equal to the hosts

you can set a common event that teleports new players to the map ID and coordinates of the main player

map ID and coordinates can easily be saved in variables

[kaboth 6]

Thing is if you get it to work with the ABS, when you attack; will it make the other player attack?

[squidgy617 2]

Okay, that sounds like a good solution for the database issue. The only problem is that I have to find a way to make a database.

What you will need is a script that sets the clients variables and events equal to the hosts

you can set a common event that teleports new players to the map ID and coordinates of the main player

map ID and coordinates can easily be saved in variables

I really don't know where to start with such a script. I don't understand how I could make a script define the difference between "clients" and "host". I'll see what I can figure out, unless one already exists, which I doubt.

 

@kaboth: I don't know about with another engine, but using Vampyr's MMO engine, it should be fine, as its already coded to avoid the issue.

[kaboth 6]

Hmm I never knew it was another game making tool, but I do now; I thought you was talking about Netplay Master VX Script

[squidgy617 2]

Vampyr's site has information and instructions on how to set up this program... but its a bit confusing.

Server Side:

First of all, if you use a router, you need to open the port 50000 on this, otherwise the server will not start!

Download and install mysql: MySql 5.1

Open the MySql Database Engine with PHP MyAdmin or another program and import the Database.sql. This file contains all the informations used by the server.

How exactly do I do that last part? I am running "mysql.exe" and I cannot figure out what to do to "import" database.sql. That is, I can't figure out what exactly they mean by import. I've used command prompt before, I just don't know exactly what they mean by "import". If I can connect to this database, perhaps I could get this working.

 

EDIT: Worse yet, it seems that the IP is saved in a script, as suspected. Is there a way I can make it so that the player can, say, type in an IP to join, rather than auto-joining an IP saved into the game?

Edited September 10, 2011 by squidgy617

[Enigma 10]

I'm sure there is a way, but you would have better luck consulting an actual scripter like kellessdee

 

As for your previous issue

If the player is hosting, the MMOscript might already automatically make all players have the same variables and switches