[php/mysql] For New MMO ?

Happy new year to everyone,

After a few years planning the basic concept of a web-based text MMO I decided to start the project now.

I have study computer science and wrote programs with various languages, of course that all happened 10 years ago.

I must admin that I never programmed an internet application or used database before, so I feel pretty much like a total newbie. I will be grateful if someone with experience will help me on my first steps.

Here are my first questions to help me decide the tools i should use.

a)I plan to use php/mysql because it's simple, free and easy, any different suggestion from people that have experience ?

b)Should i use java/c for the server application that updates the game database each game turn or can be done with php also ?

Thanks for your help in advance,

George G.

Hey, welcome to the forum! :)

First and foremost, PHP probably isn't the best language for a multiplayer game. I'm sure you have a fair idea that HTML and web-pages constructed with PHP are stateless. In any case, it means, basically, that once a page is loaded, it makes it difficult to go back and connect to the server without refreshing the page. With a multiplayer game, stateless is quite a downfall to the end-user, for that reason.

What sort of game are you planning on making? Have you ever played those games like 'Mafia Wars' or 'Mobsters' on MySpace? PHP is a great language to make MMO's like that. (With a little JavaScript, it can even seem a bit less stateless). With stateless games, you can't really have like, a map or playing field with characters walking around, or interacting with eachother.. It's really better for input/response-type games.

Now, Java, you could do allot more. Runescape and many MMO's are made in Java. I don't think you really need to bring PHP into the equation, except on the web-site. You can make a great user interface (away from the game) on the main site, where players can buy/trade items, or chat with friends, take part in discussions etc.

PHP is a wonderful language, it's not really made for MMO's though ;)

I wish you the best of luck~

- Spence

Wow, judging by your amount of experience I'm surprised you've never worked with a database before.
As for your JAVA query, It can be done with PHP but it depends on which you have more experience in, JAVA or PHP.
If you don't mind me asking, what is your text-based game based on? Mafia or something?

php is very easy exept you have to make sure everythings working. because if you get 1 thing wrong on the site it will say something like 'rankings' unknown variable or 'rankings' unknown column. unknown column is caused from database. database is for people who have all the basics down. also if your going to make a game if its going to be like maplestory or free realms or any online mmorpg you have to use java. c/c#/c++ is for games single player games you can find alot of ex. at : miniclip or at addictinggames

hope i helped :):

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tyler

Wow, judging by your amount of experience I'm surprised you've never worked with a database before.
As for your JAVA query, It can be done with PHP but it depends on which you have more experience in, JAVA or PHP.
If you don't mind me asking, what is your text-based game based on? Mafia or something?

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Maybe you did misunderstood me, i did a lot of programming but i stopped at 1998. And yes back then i never really programmed anything that includes databases and internet. And university courses about databases/sql etc doesnt count t happened ages ago :wink:.
Must say that i am now 39 years old, time pass fast :/:

Now about the game, I plan the game for people who dont have much time to spent. The idea is that it will be as stateless as possible, so here is the basic idea....

the game will contain two parts
a) the main part strategy, people will build army, fight each other increase wealth , power and conquer land (similar games : ikariam but mine will be more turn based and less sim-city style)
b) a little rpg taste in it with heroes that lead players army and belong to them which are able to gain experience, increase level, ancuire items, trough quest and fights. (similar games : gladiator /lords of legents etc..)

So there will be no real moving of characters in the screen and most orders will get finished after a certain number of game turns. I am thinking about 3-6 game turns each day. Ofcourse there will be some actions that will be able to get done without waiting the next turn update.

I think more details will make the post too big and wont help much.... Back to my questions

Lets assume that for a stateless game php is ok i come back with my second question...
What is the best language to code the server aplication that will be used to update the players orders on database when the game turn time comes. I guess it must be an aplication that will continuasly run in the background on the same machine with the database.


Thanks,

George G.

PS: Sorry for the many grammar/synta mistakes

Cheap game, but a good example. Check out Empire Craft. Regardless of how they do their backend, their web interface is plain html. You can do that, or do some AJAX and give it a smoother feel yet stick with php. If you do C/C++/java/whatever as the server, you will need to look at more advanced client side solutions like flash or java.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bowser123467

c/c#/c++ is for games single player games

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Since when is C/C++ exclusive to single-player games?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by georgul

What is the best language to code the server aplication that will be used to update the players orders and the database when the game turn time comes. I guess it must be an aplication that will continuasly run in the background on the same machine with the database.

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To do what you want (all web based yes?) you can have PHP be the "server" and have a cronjob to signify a "turn" or something of the likes where it parses the queue of commands players put in during the turn.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by georgul

Maybe you did misunderstood me, i did a lot of programming but i stopped at 1998. And yes back then i never really programmed anything that includes databases and internet. And university courses about databases/sql etc doesnt count t happened ages ago :wink:.
Must say that i am now 39 years old, time pass fast :/:

Now about the game, I plan the game for people who dont have much time to spent. The idea is that it will be as stateless as possible, so here is the basic idea....

the game will contain two parts
a) the main part strategy, people will build army, fight each other increase wealth , power and conquer land (similar games : ikariam but mine will be more turn based and less sim-city style)
b) a little rpg taste in it with heroes that lead players army and belong to them which are able to gain experience, increase level, ancuire items, trough quest and fights. (similar games : gladiator /lords of legents etc..)

So there will be no real moving of characters in the screen and most orders will get finished after a certain number of game turns. I am thinking about 3-6 game turns each day. Ofcourse there will be some actions that will be able to get done without waiting the next turn update.

I think more details will make the post too big and wont help much.... Back to my questions

Lets assume that for a stateless game php is ok i come back with my second question...
What is the best language to code the server aplication that will be used to update the players orders on database when the game turn time comes. I guess it must be an aplication that will continuasly run in the background on the same machine with the database.


Thanks,

George G.

PS: Sorry for the many grammar/synta mistakes

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Wow, alright. :P:
Didn't expect somebody of your age to be surfing RaGEZONE.

So your pretty much aiming for your average text-based web game.
Will any graphics be involved?

You can use AJAX...

index.php -> Main Functions, UI
turn.php -> Page to request a turn, using AJAX. The page will query an SQL, then reload index.php, or use AJAX again to smoothly change turns.

etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xSilv3rbullet

You can use AJAX...

index.php -> Main Functions, UI
turn.php -> Page to request a turn, using AJAX. The page will query an SQL, then reload index.php, or use AJAX again to smoothly change turns.

etc.

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Agreed.

Next best alternative that I have done anything with would be using Java and ASP, which will allow you a stateless front end and excellent integration with your server and database on the backend.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xSilv3rbullet

You can use AJAX...

index.php -> Main Functions, UI
turn.php -> Page to request a turn, using AJAX. The page will query an SQL, then reload index.php, or use AJAX again to smoothly change turns.

etc.

---

I will search the internet about AJAX, looks very promising not to have to reload the main page with all the info every time user press a button....:thumbup:

Thanks

George G

Get REALLY good at JavaScript. PHP+AJAX is the way to go for this kind of game, IMHO.

It sounds like it's going to be good :)

If you have any trouble finding resources, be sure to visit the [Resources] post sticked in Coder's Paradise.

Good Luck,
- Spence