12.15.06
Game Creation with PHP - Planning and deisgn of an MMRPG
In putting this game together, I am finding that there is alot more to do than just writing all of the code. Planning is of the essence. I think that my game will be good since I am building upon an already established foundation of game play that is very simple and hard to go wrong with. Nonetheless, I have done some reading and noticed a very graphical MMRPG builder that is available called Realm Builder, which allows you to create your own MMRPG realm, and it uses a high-end graphics engine. I am very impressed with that they are doing and how they are running the business. Their standard version of the software is only $65, which gives you all the tools you need to get started to build your game - very affordable! Plus 3D items can be purchased or built with your own 3D modeling software - another impressive feature. There are no royalties or hidden fees. These guys are just too good to be true! So I think after I’m done with this PHP project, I might spend some time working on a realm with their program and see how it goes. By early 2007, they expect to have the professional version completed, which allows you to use your own server for their game server software - a definite plus.
Nonetheless, our PHP project will be concentrating on a nice simple HTML based MMRPG that can be played from the comfort of your office computer, without having to worry about shutting down your system when the boss comes coming in, or worry about all the sounds of sword fights and bloody gore being heard down the hall, or over the cubicle walls. The Realm Builder site is a great reference for just fundamental terminology and features that MMRPG games are expected to have. In fact, I had this idea of what they call a “pet” that I would incorporate in this game, which is basically a thing that follows you around and helps you do battle - like a guard dog, and was definitely going to include that in the game. The twist I was going to make is that the guard dog can be converted to a bad guy, by the other bad guys, so you have to go out and find a new pet to help you do battle.
If the pet is a robot, my strategy was to allow the player to either buy a new one with credits, repair features on it, add features, or find parts and build it themselves, but also with the help of a manul that they would need to find or purchase. I think in the early stages of the game, I’ll just launch the game without pets robots, but introduce them later to help do battle.
Anyway, I have a few more things to study, and am going to continue working on this. I hope to be able to get some more ideas out there and release some code, soon.
