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iLLUNis
07-11-2002, 01:17 PM
There is something for you to think. How many of you and of course other registrants of these forums would be interested in creating or starting to create a game? I know that most of the times someone starts something and then it is all left and forgotten but i think it would be a good idea to promote these forums :wink: and also to work as a team and have first of all fun. Maybe the admins could create a poll for the subject....just a thought.... :idea:

Alimonster
07-11-2002, 01:30 PM
Yep, I quite like that idea. Of couse, the first issue is decide what game we'd make and the APIs required. We could do 2D or 3D stuff - I think that 2D would include more people in the process (i.e., the ones who've only tried out DelphiX for games dev). How about the old classic, Gauntlet? (Can we do what the gamedev.net people couldn't, and finish the project?)

Do you have a specific genre in mind, illunis, or is this something that we should decide?

FWIW, I reserve the right to run away from the project and return to it later as necessary. :wink:

iLLUNis
07-11-2002, 01:42 PM
Hehehe....Well as you can see form my short introduction i am mainly interested in RGP games and these kind of stuff....But i suppose anything goes and since we live i a democratic society i VOTE for RPG.... :P ....I think that a poll will be needed to decide on that....thanks Alimonster

TheLion
07-11-2002, 01:54 PM
I like the idea, it could help me to make my code more accessable to others and to create a better style than I have now...

I don't mind what sort of game, I'll go with the flow and learn from it...

I don't have anyone I can program with so programming with this group would be kinda cool! :)

Alimonster
07-11-2002, 01:54 PM
There's a poll over here (http://terraqueous.f2o.org/dgdev/viewtopic.php?t=35). Cast your vote!

iLLUNis
07-11-2002, 01:56 PM
that was quick..... :D

Zanthos
07-11-2002, 10:50 PM
I'd happily help :) Although I would be worried about the project collapsing after lots of work has been put in by everyone :( But can't hurt to try, i'm sure everyone will be willing to contribute :)

TheLion
07-11-2002, 10:56 PM
If the project would collapse... Well than we would have had a lot of fun and (even though it isn't finished) created something of which others can learn! :)

But most important (I think) is the fun! :)

iLLUNis
07-11-2002, 11:07 PM
If the project would collapse... Well than we would have had a lot of fun and (even though it isn't finished) created something of which others can learn! :)

But most important (I think) is the fun! :)

Yep!...thats the idea....if it goes well and we even finish what we start thats more than fine...if not no harm done...there is no commitment or contract made...just pure fun...you enjoy it?...join it....i like that actually....i think i ll copyright it.... :?

Xorcist
07-11-2002, 11:27 PM
Like TheLion, I have absolutely no one to program with around here (especially not in Delphi). I'd really like to get involved in something bigger, something that could maybe make it's way onto a resume. And I don't think anyone would really feel like they wasted their time if the game ultimately flops. We're pretty much all here for the fun of it and learning all we can.

If anyone is interested I posted a game idea I have been kicking around for a while here (http://terraqueous.f2o.org/dgdev/viewtopic.php?t=51). Sorta a meld of 2D and 3D.

Useless Hacker
08-11-2002, 09:27 AM
I voted for RTS.

I would be interested in helping (if you can stomach my programming style :) ), although I don't have any experience with working on large/distributed projects. How exactly would it work?

BlueCat
08-11-2002, 12:54 PM
:idea: If anyone does create a development team, I can set up a user group for you. Then you could have your own forum which only the members of the group would have access to (but probably readable by anyone).

lnpneil
08-11-2002, 02:15 PM
Hi,

I'd like to volunteer to try and help when this project gets off the ground! I've never worked on a distributed project before either but it would be nice to be involved in something where we have the opportunity to ...(cliche alert)... "make something that exceeds the sum of its parts"... :)

How are we standing at the moment?

Neil

BlueCat
10-11-2002, 04:37 PM
So who's in the team then?

Zanthos
10-11-2002, 06:01 PM
*puts his hand up primary-school style*

Anything but graphics programming ;)

TheLion
10-11-2002, 07:09 PM
I would like to join the project too, however I can't promise that my programming skills can be of a big use, but we'll see! :wink:

Xorcist
10-11-2002, 10:43 PM
I guess we can count me in. :)

BlueCat
12-11-2002, 04:33 PM
Ok I'm in then :D

We need someone with some experience of team-based game development to tell us what to do!!

I have very limited experience and the one thing I did learn was that the whole team needs to be organized and motivated if the project is to be successful.

Is there anyone out there who can help us? Please :shock:

iLLUNis
12-11-2002, 04:38 PM
:?: :?: :?: :?: there must be someone out there.....

Zanthos
13-11-2002, 11:14 AM
I worked in a team for about 4 months, but unfortunately as we lived in wildly differing timezones, meetings were difficult and the team split up. I'm sure though that with enough group communication and meetings via IRC and the forums we'd be able to pull it off :)

BlueCat
18-11-2002, 07:10 PM
I worked in a team for about 4 months, but unfortunately as we lived in wildly differing timezones, meetings were difficult and the team split up. I'm sure though that with enough group communication and meetings via IRC and the forums we'd be able to pull it off :)

It's not like we have a time limit so it should be fine. So where do we start?

Momor
18-11-2002, 08:55 PM
I'd be happy to give a hand if possible.

The Gauntlet idea really interests me for the following reasons:

- It deals will all the game programming aspects (gfx, sound, network, AI)
- It's a quite simple game (good idea for a first team project no ?)
- I loooove this game. Really. Get Medieval still stands on my PC :P

So what's the team decision about the kind of game ?

Zanthos
19-11-2002, 08:53 PM
ARGH COLLEGE COURSEWORK!!

sorry about the disappearing act everyone :)

When we started the group off, we already decided that the game was going to be an RPG, we then set about all making our own brainstorm as to what features would be good inside the game, these ranged from how the skills system was going be done, to the scripting engine. Nothing much really about the storyline, as people tend to get caught up in them a bit too much, so we decided to leave that until the end, when the game was finished, so even without a story to it, we still had something to release and say "we did it" :)

After that each person used their personal ISP webspace to put work they were making for the game so all of the team had access to it, some of the contents included a kind of .plan file, containing what we were doing, what we'd already done, and what we were going to be doing next, along with points that need to be discussed at the next IRC session.

The .plan file system involved the whole team checking everyones plan file once a day, taking note of any new entries and working on any 'issues' people had with their section of the game development.

We had an IRC meeting once every week to discuss progress, this is probably where we failed, as once a week was not enough really, twice a week would be about a bare minimum, and as we lived in differing time zones by half a day with some people, discussions with the whole team were difficult, so we resorted to email and offline ICQ messages, which didn't pay off and things went from bad to worse as people ended up waiting on other people who weren't comitted, etcetc. Me, I was clock watching waiting for someone in death valley to send the minimal specifications for the scripting engine I was going to implement, that never came, so I was left completing that myself, and ensuring that the project admin had the design. Someone else got on with making a mock up rendering system which we saw screenshots of, but never saw the code.

Communication with the team is definitely the key, plan and todo files, regular IRC meetings, email and ICQ/MSN through the week, logs of all the meetings for people who can't attend.

All we need is the project genre :)

BlueCat
19-11-2002, 11:17 PM
The poll (http://terraqueous.f2o.org/dgdev/viewtopic.php?t=35) is still open! I'm not sure who voted but when I last looked there were 19 votes, so it's only a fair poll if we have 19 team members :twisted:

I agree about communication, that's more important than anything in a team.

Momor
20-11-2002, 07:32 AM
Since the poll looks to be quiet, can we consider that all the team members are defined ?

I'm really impatient to begin this project. Perhaps we could all meet together on an initialization IRC chat ? I suggest a channel like #dgdev on afternet or something like that. Perhaps a week-end date would be the best choice to allow everyone to join (depending on their timezone). BTW which timezone are you from ? I'm GMT+1.

Are you ok to begin ?

TheLion
20-11-2002, 07:46 AM
GMT+1

:)

Xorcist
20-11-2002, 08:24 AM
GMT - 05:00

P.S. I've asked my buddy about costs involved in setting up a single shared Groove workspace in the preview edition of the software, I should hear back from him tomorrow. But from what I've heard so far that cost would be $0.00, and Groove has a lot of features to keep everyone up to date on what's going on.

P.P.S. How many people do we have so far 6?

Zanthos
20-11-2002, 09:44 PM
GMT -24 (promotes forward thinking)

I'd suggest that BlueCat, as he's the site admin, set up an IRC channel for the forums and another for the project :)

#dgdev (as mentioned)
and
#dgproject, or something :)

BlueCat
20-11-2002, 11:04 PM
Go to #DGDev at Gamesnet :P

Momor
21-11-2002, 05:36 AM
When shall we meet on this chat ?

TheLion
21-11-2002, 08:28 AM
Whats the full address of Gamesnet ?

BlueCat
21-11-2002, 08:47 AM
Sorry!

IRC Server: west.gamesnet.net OR east.gamesnet.net
Port 6667

Momor
21-11-2002, 09:07 AM
I'll try to connect this evening around 8 PM (GMT)

iLLUNis
21-11-2002, 02:00 PM
When shall we meet on this chat ?
thats a good question..i logged in but noone was there....i think that we should decide on a time taking into account that not all of us are from UK and come up with a time that suits everybody...almost at least :shock:

Momor
21-11-2002, 02:03 PM
Illunis, what's your timezone ?

Nobody's ok for tonight 8 PM GMT ?

Momor

iLLUNis
21-11-2002, 02:05 PM
Illunis, what's your timezone ?

Nobody's ok for tonight 8 PM GMT ?

Momor
I am GMT UK....so i should be quite fine with any of you guys as long as it is reasonable.... :oops:

BlueCat
21-11-2002, 06:14 PM
OK 8's fine with me, but I might not be able to make it :cry: I'll try to stop by at some point, but probably not for long :wink:

BlueCat
22-11-2002, 02:45 PM
Myself and Momor had an interesting chat on the IRC channel, it would be nice if everyone who would like to be on the team could post the best time for them.

I think sometime this weekend would be good.

iLLUNis
22-11-2002, 04:07 PM
Midday on Saturday would be fine....GMT...before that most people will be probably sleeping by coming back late on Friday and after that most people will be getting ready to go out again... :shock: :lol:

TheLion
22-11-2002, 05:00 PM
Midday... You mean Noon ? 12:00 O' Clock in the afternoon (GMT) ?

*Not to correct you, but just to be sure!* :roll:

iLLUNis
22-11-2002, 06:14 PM
:shock: Afternoon....yep.... :oops:

Momor
22-11-2002, 08:23 PM
I'll try to join at noon too

BlueCat
22-11-2002, 08:42 PM
Noon it is!

Xorcist
23-11-2002, 05:54 AM
So we're talking Sat. Nov. 23, at 12:00pm GMT? I'll see if I can make it, but that's like 7:00am my time, not sure I'm gonna be able to drag my butt outta bed... I mean after all it is almost 1:00am now.

P.S. My buddy said the preview edition of Groove is absolutely free to use, allows for 3 workspaces, with 5 sections/tools in each (things like pinboards, forums, schedule calenders, file sections, etc.). It even lets you chat within the environment and tracks user status. After using it myself for some time now I've found it to be a great resource, and it doesn't require eveyone to be on at once, it saves all the shared data locally. Anyone even remotely interested in using it?

Edit: I went ahead and created a workspace for us (since it's free), if anyone is interested go ahead and download Groove v2.1 (Preview Edition) (http://www.groove.net) and create an account. Then let me know by posting here and I'll send an invite to the shared space so you can check it out. I think it's worth the download... what can it hurt to try?

TheLion
23-11-2002, 08:31 AM
I'll be there at 12:00 (GMT) ! :)

Hope to see a lot of you guys, I was in the chat with Momor last time and it was really nice to talk to him real-time... So until this afternoon! :D

Momor
25-11-2002, 06:44 PM
Hey that thread is really too quiet, I must tell you what happened !

TheLion, Xorcist , Bluecat and myself had a nice chat last saturday at noon (and yes, Worcist WAS awaken 8) )

Unfortunately, we were expecting a bit more of people on this chat (Illunis ?). Anyway, if you are interested, I can send you the transcript of the chat.

We were all convinced in making a 2D platformer. Xorcist suggested us to use the Groove team tool, and it really looks like a very good one (and very slow to download for a 56K modem !!! :twisted: )

Since we were not really decided about the game concept, we first thought we could work on a generic 2D platform engine. The Delphi version should be v6, and the SDL library is one of the best candidate.

That's it for now. I'm currently finishing my Groove configuration. Anyone interested in joining the team please ask ! We are currently more looking for artist/game designer than for a programmer, but in any case you'll be welcome !

iLLUNis
25-11-2002, 06:50 PM
:o I had a chat with Xorcist also.....a bit later though....early in the morning i would say....anyway i am in there and i have already setup the Groove thingy.....i was chatting with Xorcist and it seems like a nice idea that probably BlueCat could make an anouncement about new members and as lond as we are happy we could get a kick start on the project.....

Xorcist
26-11-2002, 04:28 AM
Just to add a quick remark, we'd like to try and get all the members as soon as possible (before actualy work begins). Once we start adding files to the shared project space it can get quite large. Though the day to day transfer requirements are pretty low, and current members won't see much of a hassel, it can become a very large download for new members who want to join the Groove workspace. So if you are interested in joining the team, make it known quick, so we can get you in the doors with as little overhead as possible. Thanks :)

Useless Hacker
29-11-2002, 10:39 PM
I've started downloading this Groove thing. It's 26MB!! See ya next week...

Traveler
19-12-2002, 09:31 AM
Hello........hello..... ello....lo.....o...

Anybody in here....... nybody in here........in here..... er....

*Seeing spider webbings all over the place*

Where did everybody go?

It sure is quiet in here.... :?

TheLion
19-12-2002, 11:52 AM
I'm here! :)

Diragor
31-12-2002, 07:43 PM
I'd like to get involved as Audio Guy - I can write code and create sounds and music. On my music page (=http://www.aisle4.com/music.php) you can get some music samples and on my software page (http://www.aisle4.com/software.php) you can get my entry for the first Ludum Dare 48 hour game programming competition (ironically, it has no sound or music - I didn't have time). The "game" (it barely qualifies as a game) was written in Delphi using SDL. If I'm invited into the group I'd really like to use FMOD (http://fmod.org/) for audio code.

Hope you don't mind, I edited those links for you :twisted: - BlueCat

Diragor
31-12-2002, 07:44 PM
Why does it say HTML is on but my html code obviously didn't work?

Useless Hacker
31-12-2002, 10:13 PM
If you want to insert a link, click on the 'URL' button and type the address between the [ url ] and [ /url ] tags. Or, type a label between them and put: url=address instead.[/code]

Diragor
31-12-2002, 10:29 PM
Thanks, I got that but since it said HTML was ON, that's what I used. Just wanted to find out why it's not working or alert somebody that it's not.

TheLion
01-01-2003, 08:32 AM
Well Diragor, from my perspective your free to join the project, we don't have any sound guy at the moment, however the plans have been changed a little bit, before we write the game we first write a 2D engine, BUT we are planning to implement sound/music into the engine.

I can't promise we are going to use FMOD yet, since the real design of the sound part of the engine haven't been finished but we did make a list of things we wanted in the engine including some sound thingies! :)

I would say download groove (http://www.groove.net/) and contact one of the members (Xorcist has the most experience when it comes to groove) so they can send you their contact information, which you then have to add to your contactlist so they can add you to the project! :) If you want you can also send me a message at: lion.tiger@home.nl and I'll send you my contact info (would be my first time I think)... :)

BlueCat
01-01-2003, 12:11 PM
Hi :D


Thanks, I got that but since it said HTML was ON, that's what I used. Just wanted to find out why it's not working or alert somebody that it's not.


Actually, HTML is on! The forum software (phpBB) allows a subset of HTML tags. At the moment these are in use: 'b,i,u,pre,sub,sup'. I could add 'a' to the list but is OK when you get used to it :? I *think* I read somewhere that allowing the <a> tag (or maybe it was <img>) is a bad thing but can't remember why!! :lol: :lol:

Anyway, welcome to DGDev, it would be great if you joined the project. We're still at the stage where everyone's waiting to actually MAKE something :shock: So now would be a good time to join.

BTW While I'm on the subject of tags, if you want to include source code you can use [ code ][ /code ] (without the spaces) for unformatted source or [ pascal ][ /pascal ] for 'Delphi style' formatting!

This (http://terraqueous.f2o.org/dgdev/viewtopic.php?t=96&start=0) thread will tell you the story of how we got syntax highlighting and here (http://terraqueous.f2o.org/dgdev/viewtopic.php?t=127&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=13) are instructions for using your own colours!

Diragor
02-01-2003, 05:21 PM
Ah, ok. HTML limitations noted. :)

I'll do the Groove thing at least by Sunday, got a LAN party Saturday so not much time until then. I'll do some experimental FMOD programming soon to feel out the API and note its features and limitations (though it doesn't look like there are many limitations).

TheLion
02-01-2003, 05:39 PM
Okay, looking forward to see you appear on groove! ;)

Are you are serious online gamer? If so, what do you mostly play??? *I realise this is a tiny bit offtopic* :twisted:

Alimonster
02-01-2003, 06:08 PM
About the <a> tag: it's probably off by default because people might forget the closing quote for the address. This can screw up page layout (think of what happens at gamedev if someone forgets). The url tag doesn't have quotes in the address, which makes it a bit safer. Just a guess, mind you.

Diragor
02-01-2003, 07:30 PM
TheLion - I'm a serious gamer but not much online. I'm usually playing single-player games when not at a LAN party. Lately it's been mostly GTA3. I seriously consider it possibly the best game I've ever played in almost every way. At LAN parties my favorites are UT2003 (Bombing Run), BF1942, Midtown Madness 2 (cops-n-robbers), Motocross Madness 2 (Ball tag) and the old standby TFC where I'm a notorious sniper. :twisted:

Traveler
03-01-2003, 07:56 AM
About the <a> tag: it's probably off by default because people might forget the closing quote for the address.

It's not only that, but there are a couple of dirty tricks you can do with that tag. It depends on the browser/OS combination, but especially the older ones have some serious flaws, which can not only mess up the user's system, but also the forum itself.

Useless Hacker
07-01-2003, 09:53 AM
I was downloading Groove, but it got to 99% and then said something about not being able to resume download :( . I'm going to have another try later...

BlueCat
07-01-2003, 09:58 AM
Ouch! I hate it when that happens :roll:

TheLion
07-01-2003, 11:57 AM
Try using Download Accelerator, it enables you to resume a download when it is terminated ...

Search on www.downloads.com for DAP (or Download Accelerator Pro)

Diragor
07-01-2003, 03:41 PM
Another good one is GetRight (http://www.getright.com). It's one of the small handful of relatively uncrippled shareware that I've paid for just because it was so damned useful and well-done. The others were Winamp (back when it was shareware) and Audiograbber. I would've bought Opera by now if you got *all* platforms included for the $40 price. Woah, look at me straying from the topic...

Useless Hacker
08-01-2003, 01:07 PM
I'm using Star Downloader, which allows you to resume downloads. However, the problem seemed to be with the server.

TheLion
08-01-2003, 01:11 PM
hmmm ... weird maybe if you try another time it'll work, if it keeps telling that we have to find another method to send it over to you ... :)

Eriken
08-01-2003, 01:24 PM
I downloaded it after his attempt and except from a stop at 45% which Windows started from when I restarted the download (I was impressed) there was no problem in downloading it. :?

TheLion
09-01-2003, 09:38 AM
After a short discussion among the DGDev members we have decided to close the subscription for the DGDev project. The people that have subscribed before this post are still allowed to join the project, however we will not accept any new subscribers for the DGDev project.

There is an exception to this rule however... We are still short on people with certain special skills like graphics designers etc. however the DGDev team will post a new topic on that soon!


The DGDev Project Team

Eriken
09-01-2003, 10:59 AM
oh shoot! This just haven't been my week. Oh well, if you would like a n00b hanging around let me know.. Good luck :-)

Useless Hacker
09-01-2003, 09:25 PM
Bizarre...
http://www.mike-trim.co.uk/groove.png

TheLion
09-01-2003, 10:22 PM
hmmm ... tried it without a download accelerator or with DAP allready ?

I downloaded it with DAP I think without any problems, but some websites have trouble with more than 1 connection... :)

BlueCat
09-01-2003, 10:25 PM
The most reliable resumable downloader I've used is Opera. When you download something it opens a separate browser window and shows all your downloads and lets you resume them if they stop. Much better than IE and free (if you don't mind ads).

Diragor
10-01-2003, 07:59 PM
I hereby volunteer as audio guy for any project that wants me. I can do sounds, music and code.

Useless Hacker
13-01-2003, 10:28 AM
Finally! I have downloaded Groove! :D

Darhazer
10-02-2003, 12:47 AM
I very like this idea, too

TheLion
10-02-2003, 09:56 AM
We closed the subscribtion for programmers to the project about a month ago... sorry :?
The main reason we closed the project is that it was getting harder and harder for people to get into the design...

However if you have any special skills like audio/music or graphics, please tell us, we are still looking for people with those skills! :)

Diragor, I did send you a few PMs but you never replied to them, if you are still interested in joining the project as our audio/music guy then please let me know!

BojZ
24-03-2003, 05:46 PM
Count me in... hell I could at least make some gfx, write a story or two, or create data for items/weapons/whatever...

Something small, maybe, a mini-me (with Dr.Evil's finger-to-mouth-move)Diablo clone?

Or it could be a RPG placed in the future,... in an ISOMETRIC enviroment? Isometric games look goood... (http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/geneforge/index.html)

Or something bigger, maybe X-COM style, using a currently hot topic... like terrorists?

Or underwater with some underwater-underground bio/mech/physics research buildings, living quarters, storage facilities, training facilities for characters, and beautiful sphere shaped alge growing places, used to make O2 to sell to the surface population (The overwater surface of the planet being ravaged by BUSH's plans to dominate the world [just to make some flames start, :twisted: ]) with a main character (Fallout Tactics like characteristics), and others, too, researching and manufacturing some cool mission-oriented subs and technology, destined to explore the depths of the world, finding Atlantis, and, naturally, the long forgotten alien base from UFO 2 :wink:

Yup, let's make a game... =) It'll take us just, what, 2 years? It's doable.

And if we fail, at least the time wasted will be divided between all of us. If we succeed, we'll buy Microsoft... =)

BojZ
24-03-2003, 06:39 PM
Oh, and then I manage to see that all the posts are "old" =)

Sorry 'bout that, still, gfx can do, let me know what you need...

BojZ

TheLion
27-03-2003, 06:12 PM
for more information check our website :

http://dgdevteam.free.fr/

Traveler
28-03-2003, 08:14 AM
DGDev project's latest post was 13 february,... don't tell me you guys haven't done something in the past 6 weeks :roll:

Eriken
28-03-2003, 10:28 AM
Sure we have done something the last 6 weeks..

Like shooting balloons.. :P

Maybe we should add a post there saying.. "The Balloon popping-record is being held by Eriken which used his chance to shoot a million of those when the Unlimited-lives-bug was in" :P

We have weekly meetings so something always happens :-)
_____
Eriken

TheLion
28-03-2003, 10:37 AM
Well actually we have been doing a lot of stuff, but mostly design so that's not really usefull to mention that! :)

I'll make a new post real soon! :)

BlueCat
28-03-2003, 10:38 AM
Oh no it's like the 'war' thread all over again :rambo:

Traveler
28-03-2003, 10:58 AM
Sure we have done something the last 6 weeks..

Like shooting balloons..

Hehe, always a good thing :)


Well actually we have been doing a lot of stuff, but mostly design so that's not really usefull to mention that!

I do not think you're right on this one,... afterall no news is bad news (usually)


Oh no it's like the 'war' thread all over again
Not sure I follow you.. :|

Anyway,... glad to hear you're all still on the job :D

Any ideas on graphics yet?

TheLion
28-03-2003, 02:58 PM
Okay I found a bit of spare time today and updated the news section of the DGDev Team website 8) :

http://dgdevteam.free.fr/news.php?iebrowser=0