On Jul 13, 2007, at 10:56 AM, Joe W. wrote:
Inform 6.
See the solutions to this old quiz for some great ideas on how this
centers for abandoned fuzzy animals to strip clubs.
We need to get you past this Google fear my friend. Google python
PAWS and it’s the top hit.
James Edward G. II
On Jul 12, 2007, at 9:54 PM, Peter S. wrote:
easier to
make than games with moving graphics, so I might start off with a Sky
Pirate text-based game instead. It all depends whats easiest for a
beginner.If you wanna write text adventures, my recommendation would be
Inform 6.
(I don’t like 7 as much.) It’s a domain-specific language, but gets a
lot of advantages from it; on the other hand, it is probably by far
the
quirkiest language I’ve ever used.
There’s a text adventure framework for Python called PAWS. It’s
certainly something that could be redone in Ruby. I’ve considered
doing it myself.
See the solutions to this old quiz for some great ideas on how this
could work out:
http://www.rubyquiz.com/quiz49.html
James Edward G. II
On Jul 13, 2007, at 11:10 AM, James Edward G. II wrote:
doing it myself.
thread? If I
googled PAWS, I’m likely to get thousands of websites, from adoption
centers for abandoned fuzzy animals to strip clubs.We need to get you past this Google fear my friend. Google python
PAWS and it’s the top hit.James Edward G. II
Indeed, pump up your Google-fu!
Never be afraid to google an entire sentence or question.
But in general, multiple keywords will get you good hits usually.
Good books, by the way. I own all of them. Cool idea making a MMORPG
based
on the world. Good luck with that. The idea of a MUD coded in Ruby
intrigues
me though…I might look into that…
Chris
John J. wrote:
On Jul 13, 2007, at 11:10 AM, James Edward G. II wrote:
doing it myself.
thread? If I
googled PAWS, I’m likely to get thousands of websites, from adoption
centers for abandoned fuzzy animals to strip clubs.We need to get you past this Google fear my friend. Google python
PAWS and it’s the top hit.James Edward G. II
Indeed, pump up your Google-fu!
Never be afraid to google an entire sentence or question.
But in general, multiple keywords will get you good hits usually.
Okay, I found it. But guess what? It said that the new version was out,
and it lost me saying what was new. SO I’m going to go read Why’s 10
more times, and ill be back in 2 years telling you i’v made Ruby say
SYNTAX ERRORS SUCK! backwards.
And if anyone has AIM, I could really use live help.
While so many people graciously responded with helpful tips, my first
thought is that you want to climb everest before you learn to walk. You
said that you have more or less no programming experience. You just
can’t. You need to learn what kinds of things are going on inside a
computer. It is not a point and click to super gaming stardom.
Once you can write programs that do what you want, then you need to
decide just what kind of game you want? Sci-fi? Fantasy? Big graphics
or text based? etc, etc. These are not small decisions and
professional game designers spend years developing and refining their
ideas.
If you do all this and are still determined, try some form of gaming
that has a lot of the work done for you already. One that comes to mind
is the Quake engine. Several creditable games were written using it.
It is, in short, something that has most of the tough stuff figured out
already. There are other gaming engines, so choose wisely, young
padawan.
When you have chosen a gaming engine, then write in the language that
works best with. That will probably not be Ruby, I am sorry to say.
Ruby does not come to mind first for graphics intensive applications.
If all that does not deter you then I hope that it will point you in the
right direction.
On Jul 13, 2007, at 11:28 AM, Chris T. wrote:
The idea of a MUD coded in Ruby intrigues
me though…I might look into that…
Some already have:
http://rubyforge.org/search/?type_of_search=soft&words=MUD&Search=Search
http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.ruby/browse_thread/thread/
cb59d2bb0a03efe6/ea70aa8e7c2f323a?
lnk=gst&q=TeensyMud&rnum=1#ea70aa8e7c2f323a
I really miss those TeensyMud announcements. 
James Edward G. II
Lloyd L. wrote:
While so many people graciously responded with helpful tips, my first
thought is that you want to climb everest before you learn to walk. You
said that you have more or less no programming experience. You just
can’t. You need to learn what kinds of things are going on inside a
computer. It is not a point and click to super gaming stardom.Once you can write programs that do what you want, then you need to
decide just what kind of game you want? Sci-fi? Fantasy? Big graphics
or text based? etc, etc. These are not small decisions and
professional game designers spend years developing and refining their
ideas.If you do all this and are still determined, try some form of gaming
that has a lot of the work done for you already. One that comes to mind
is the Quake engine. Several creditable games were written using it.
It is, in short, something that has most of the tough stuff figured out
already. There are other gaming engines, so choose wisely, young
padawan.When you have chosen a gaming engine, then write in the language that
works best with. That will probably not be Ruby, I am sorry to say.
Ruby does not come to mind first for graphics intensive applications.
I figured as much. Considering C++ seems to make most of the games that
I play. But people say learning C++ now would be like controlling the
universe before you could control a small hamster. So, to answer your
questions, I want to make a Fantasy Sky Pirate themed MMORPG with near
unlimited character customization and a game with near unlimited
possiblilities that is always fun because you can always make another
character and follow a different path, join different factions, betray
your captain for a large reward from an mysterious benefactor, pillage,
or even join the Air-Coast Guard, and stop the pirates from being
pirates, etc. I want thousands of weapons, armors, items, etc, and loads
of enchantments, modifacations, and apperence changing things for
weapons, armors, and ships. I want gameplay in 3 locations. Land, Air,
and Sea. Simple walk (or run) about land, doing quests or just
free-roaming, cutting down whatever you want to. Use your professions to
do something for money. Cut down a large tree, cook a large meal at the
local Inn, craft a breastplate for your Captain, etc. On the sea, you
would be in a regular ship. Depending on your rank in your Sea Pirate
crew, you could be doing anything from navigating to swabbing decks to
hoisting main sails. As a member of the Coast Guard, you would be
incharge of taking down the pirates, and either arresting or killing
them. In the Air, on an Airship, you would be pillaging the Sky, either
attacking other pirates, or honest merchant vessels for their goods and
money. Maybe steal a massive load of fill dirt, and not get very much
money, or steal a load of 24 carot gold and get rich. Or, again, join
the Coast Guard. It pays solid wages, and you get to kill a few pirates.
Fun for all. Or you could become a body guard on a merchant ship. Fend
off the pirates! And you get a share of the profits when your merchant
friends get into port and sell their load. Eventually, you could gain
your own ship! Ships would need repairs occasinally, but as the captain
of said ship, you would make enough money to easily cover that and pay
your crew. And have a nice slice of it for yourself (depending on
whether you had a good run that day).
If all that does not deter you then I hope that it will point you in the
right direction.
Well, that being the case, I would like to say first off, ARRRRR! 
Making thousands of weapons is a thankless task. When you eventually
get around to that, you will want a few basic weapons
guns: piston, rifle, blunderbus, flintlock, etc
swords: cutlass, longsword, short sword, etc
knives: dagger, stiletto, throwing knife, etc
blunt: sap, club, belaying pin, etc.
etc, etc
Under each weapon, you will have the other parts:
is it usable at range?
plus to hit
plus to damage
special (magical) effects
etc.
Then, you can make a list of items in a database and not have to hand
craft each one. You might write a routine that rates each weapon’s
characteristics and randomly generates weapons with a certain value and
only players of some level can properly use a weapon like that.
This is the kind of thing that makes object oriented coding so useful.
Anyway, I wish you well with this.
Lloyd L. wrote:
Well, that being the case, I would like to say first off, ARRRRR!
Making thousands of weapons is a thankless task. When you eventually
get around to that, you will want a few basic weaponsguns: piston, rifle, blunderbus, flintlock, etc
swords: cutlass, longsword, short sword, etc
knives: dagger, stiletto, throwing knife, etc
blunt: sap, club, belaying pin, etc.
etc, etcUnder each weapon, you will have the other parts:
is it usable at range?
plus to hit
plus to damage
special (magical) effects
etc.Then, you can make a list of items in a database and not have to hand
craft each one. You might write a routine that rates each weapon’s
characteristics and randomly generates weapons with a certain value and
only players of some level can properly use a weapon like that.This is the kind of thing that makes object oriented coding so useful.
Anyway, I wish you well with this.
You think I haven’t done most of this? I currently only have about 10
weapons, and 4 types. Swords (1hand and 2hand, under same catagory),
Guns (pistol and rifle,shotgun,sniper, same catagory. I can’t come up
with a general name or the latter set), Ranged (throwing knives,
throwing axes, bows, and I think grappling hooks fall under this
catagory. Just with less range than other weapons, and are useful in
other manners as well.) and Axes. Clubs, also a good idea. But for the
dude who is being a hole about the whole coding thing, I have friends
who CAN code, and very well as a matter of fact. I would not be
surprised if I just was the ideas guy. I’m not a bad artist, but I am no
Piccasso. I can draw and color basic concepts, but when I try to go into
detail, they end up looking stupid. So I could easily become the “Ideas
Guy”. Instead, I’m trying to get the coding move along quicker. But at
this rate, you won’t be seeing any of my games for about 30 years. Why’s
Guide lost me at about chapter 3. The best thing I’v done in Ruby is
make the thingy reconize a sandwich as Ham, Turkey, Cheese. So, could
someone inform me if this is normal to not understand any of this stuff
at all? Because I’m sure the programming team at Blizzard started out
alot better than me. And who knows, If this works out, I might work at
Blizzard. NOT! And as for weapons, im gunna list em.
Sabre: Basic Sword. one-handed. Does relatively low damage alone. Level
Requirement: None.
Katana: Slightly advanced sword. onehanded. Medium-High damage. Has a 2%
boost chance for critical strikes. Level Requirement: 60. Skill
Requirement: Familiar Swords. (max level is 100, ensures good long
gameplay)
Hunting Knife: One Handed. Low Damage. Fast. Piercing Damage. Also used
for Skinning. Level Requirement: none.
Revolver: One Handed Gun, sub-type pistol. Loads 8 shots. Medium reload
time. Medium Damage. 25 yard range. Level Requirement: 40. Skill
Requirement: Journeyman Guns. Dual Wield Capable with Expert Guns Skill.
Sniper Rifle: Two Handed Gun, sub-type Rifle. High Damage. 75 yard
range. Slow Firing Rate. Loads 1 bullet. Medium reload time. Increased
chance of crit 5%. Skill Requirement: Master Guns. Level Requirement:
90.
Shotgun: Medium-High Damage at close range. Two Handed Shotgun. 2%
chance to stun enemy for 2 seconds. 25 yard range. Damage gets lower at
ranges greater than 10 yards. Skill Requirement: Skilled Guns. Level
Requirement: 37. Holds 8 shots. SLOW reload time. Higher skill in Guns
decreses reload time.
Shortbow: Two Handed Bow. Low damage. 30 yard range. Level Requirement:
None.
Hellfire Axe: Legendary Two Hand Battle-Axe. Massive Damage. Medium-Low
Speed. Fire Damage. 5% chance of causing hit foes to burst into flames
for 10 seconds. Skill Requirement: Supreme Axes. Level Requirement: 95.
Only availible through rare drops from high level monsters in long high
level dungeons. Very High Value.
And I feel thats enough for now. And people, I’m looking for HELP. I
don’t need more people telling me to “learn the basics”, or “stop trying
to run before you can walk”, or “For gods sake, use google!”. I tried
Google a thousand times. I found Ruby, Python, C, C#, C++, Java, and
loads of tutorials that DIDNT help. I have no interest in making a Text
Adventure, because, for one thing, they aren’t any fun! They have no or
bad graphics, no customizability, no nothing! Alls I want is to make a
decent graphic game, with decent gameplay, and atleast some fun. At this
rate, none of thats going ot happen soon. Soon I’m just going to take
the hard road and directly try to learn C++. But for all intents and
purposes, learning Ruby first would be an easier path. But with all the
help I’m getting now, that path has a giant wall on it. And snakes. And
a moat filled with plasma and alligators. And the entirety of the
universe is between me and the wall. And a door with a sign that says
“Stay out if you value your sanity”. Because the topic at hand was never
addressed really. The original question was how would I get started
making a game if I had no prior coding experiance?. And I haven’t
received much on that subject.
Seriously, Joe, what you can do is plan all the features of your game
now, but building games is not as easy as playing them.
Game theory is one thing to read up on,
but as far as programming, you’re going to have to learn it. It
doesn’t come easy or all at once for most people. It takes practice
and time like anything. There are lots and lots of things to learn.
Don’t be discouraged, and don’t give up!
On 7/13/07, Joe W. [email protected] wrote:
Because the topic at hand was never
addressed really. The original question was how would I get started
making a game if I had no prior coding experiance?. And I haven’t
received much on that subject.
How do you start? With this
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf(“Hello World!\n”);
return 0;
}
or, if you prefer Ruby:
puts(“Hello World!”);
You’re talking to a mailing list full of professional and/or very
talented
developers. You really don’t think people here have an idea of what it
takes
to make something like an MMORPG? Believe me, they do. The advice you
are
getting is dead on. Learn how to program first. Then learn how to make
games. If it was really as easy as you want it to be, don’t you think
everyone would be making MMORPGs?
Matt
John J. wrote:
Seriously, Joe, what you can do is plan all the features of your game
now, but building games is not as easy as playing them.
Obviously not. I’m the king of video games, but I don’t know shit about
this coding stuff. I’v got just about everything planned out for TWO
games. Think of the two ideas like recently killed corpses. Sitting in a
75 degree room. Each one rotting at about the same pace. The rotting
simulates me forgetting stuff and how I was going to do it. Now think of
my Word Documents like chunks of ice. The ice eventually melts, but
preserves the bodies for a time. The melting is me losing the documents,
or having technical problems, etc. Once the corpses are rotted through,
no more game idea, no more game. Ever. So lets just hope I have a hell
of a lot of ice cubes. Maybe even a freezer. Which is typed documents in
weather-proof envalopes in a maxium security foot locker insides a fire
proof box, inside a safety deposit box in Sweden.
Game theory is one thing to read up on,
but as far as programming, you’re going to have to learn it.
Um, DUH! How am I going to program a 3-d MMORPG without learning how to
program first? Even so, this isn’t the language I am going to program
in. Maybe I will just wait a few years until they come up with something
much muc easier. Something where you just tell the computer to do
something, and it does it. No questions asked, no weird strings and
arrays and methods and all that bull.
It
doesn’t come easy or all at once for most people. It takes practice
and time like anything.
Heh. Practice. Ya know how most of my friends /practice/ their
programming? By working on their games.
There are lots and lots of things to learn.
Take ya all night to figure that out? I still don’t know what the method
‘gets’ does! For gods sake, I made irb reconize a sandwich as Ham Turkey
Cheese! Thats the best iv done so far. How exactly am I going to make
the computer make a pirate shoot at another pirate when thats all i can
do? At this rate, my game is going to be called Sandwich=Ham, turkey,
cheese.reverse Adventures.
Don’t be discouraged, and don’t give up!
Heh. I’m about to give up right now. I got discouraged the first minute
I started reading Why’s. The guy makes learning fun, but by destroying
the learning itself.
In message [email protected], Joe
Wiltrout writes:
Why’s
Guide lost me at about chapter 3. The best thing I’v done in Ruby is
make the thingy reconize a sandwich as Ham, Turkey, Cheese. So, could
someone inform me if this is normal to not understand any of this stuff
at all?
To put it in perspective, I can program fluently in something like a
dozen
programming languages, and I found why’s guide utterly impenetrable; in
fact,
it put me off Ruby until I got a recommendation that led me to find a
book
written in a slightly more conventional style. Different people may
have
wildly different learning styles.
But it is fairly normal not to understand anything at all when you are
just
starting out in a new language. I liked Chris P.'s guide, which is
also
available online, and/or the expanded form which is a paperback book.
Because I’m sure the programming team at Blizzard started out
alot better than me.
Well, certainly, by the time they were working there, yeah. 
-s
unknown wrote:
In message [email protected], Joe
Wiltrout writes:Why’s
Guide lost me at about chapter 3. The best thing I’v done in Ruby is
make the thingy reconize a sandwich as Ham, Turkey, Cheese. So, could
someone inform me if this is normal to not understand any of this stuff
at all?To put it in perspective, I can program fluently in something like a
dozen
programming languages, and I found why’s guide utterly impenetrable; in
fact,
it put me off Ruby until I got a recommendation that led me to find a
book
written in a slightly more conventional style. Different people may
have
wildly different learning styles.But it is fairly normal not to understand anything at all when you are
just
starting out in a new language. I liked Chris P.'s guide, which is
also
available online, and/or the expanded form which is a paperback book.Because I’m sure the programming team at Blizzard started out
alot better than me.Well, certainly, by the time they were working there, yeah.
No. Not even by the time they were working there. Everyone of em
certainly understood this shit much better than I do. Or they would have
given up too. And what languages does Chris P.s book teach? Because
I’v decided to screw Ruby, because it hasnt helped at all. And if
everyone is so professional and talented, why can’t they give me
straight forward help? You guys are like Jedi or bad teachers. Either be
really vague, or kick me in the ass and tell me to do something else.
-s
John J. wrote:
On Jul 13, 2007, at 11:10 AM, James Edward G. II wrote:
doing it myself.
thread? If I
googled PAWS, I’m likely to get thousands of websites, from adoption
centers for abandoned fuzzy animals to strip clubs.We need to get you past this Google fear my friend. Google python
PAWS and it’s the top hit.James Edward G. II
Indeed, pump up your Google-fu!
Never be afraid to google an entire sentence or question.
But in general, multiple keywords will get you good hits usually.
I will use my google skills now, TO FIND BETTER HELP. All of these tips
were agravating, annoying, useless, telling me what I did wrong, telling
me to do stupid stuff like that hellish Hello World crap, or all of the
above. Not to mention, im going straight to dam C++. I have a better
chance if I tackle the lion with my sword and shield rather than wait
until the lion is hungry and attack it with the knoledge how to kill a
baby lion. If you don’t get the anology, your not as smart as you think
you are.
Matt G. wrote:
On 7/13/07, Joe W. [email protected] wrote:
Because the topic at hand was never
addressed really. The original question was how would I get started
making a game if I had no prior coding experiance?. And I haven’t
received much on that subject.How do you start? With this
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
printf(“Hello World!\n”);
return 0;
}or, if you prefer Ruby:
puts(“Hello World!”);
You’re talking to a mailing list full of professional and/or very
talented
developers. You really don’t think people here have an idea of what it
takes
to make something like an MMORPG? Believe me, they do. The advice you
are
getting is dead on. Learn how to program first. Then learn how to make
games. If it was really as easy as you want it to be, don’t you think
everyone would be making MMORPGs?Matt
How the hell is Hello World going to help me make a game? For gods sake,
no-one in the game is going to be saying Hello World. I might even
censor it because it is so damn annoying. And what exactly am I going to
learn to program? People tell me to learn to program, but they don’t say
what to learn how to program? Am I programming a window to turn pink? Am
I programming a website? NO! I’m programming a damn sandwich as Ham
Turkey Cheese, or making something say Hello World. No, not even that.
I’m not even making something say it. I am typing all sorts of texts,
just to make the computer re-type Hello World. All these tutorials and
your useless advice is getting me nowhere. Because I don’t understand
this stuff. I asked for help, not lectures about Learn To Program!. And
last time I checked, a great many people made MMORPGs. Because ya know
what? Blizzard Entertainment has over 100 people coding WoW at any given
time, in any given place.
In message [email protected], Joe
Wiltrout writes:
How the hell is Hello World going to help me make a game?
How does learning to build a simple stool help someone build a house?
You learn skills. The skills allow you to understand how things work
better and give you a broader range of things you can combine to make
the
thing you ultimately want.
I’m not even making something say it. I am typing all sorts of texts,
just to make the computer re-type Hello World. All these tutorials and
your useless advice is getting me nowhere. Because I don’t understand
this stuff. I asked for help, not lectures about Learn To Program!
Well, consider for a moment the possibility that we think that lectures
about how to “learn to program” are, in fact, helpful to you.
I can just see you with Mapquest. “I’m sick of this crap about city
streets.
I want to get from my house to Detroit, and I want to do it ALL on the
freeway.
None of this “entrance ramp” crap!”
Can you drive? Did you start out on the freeway?
-s
In message [email protected], Joe
Wiltrout writes:
No. Not even by the time they were working there. Everyone of em
certainly understood this shit much better than I do.
I certainly didn’t.
Or they would have given up too.
Maybe not.
And what languages does Chris P.s book teach? Because
I’v decided to screw Ruby, because it hasnt helped at all. And if
everyone is so professional and talented, why can’t they give me
straight forward help? You guys are like Jedi or bad teachers. Either be
really vague, or kick me in the ass and tell me to do something else.
Chris’s book teaches Ruby, too. If you want to try a different
language,
King’s “C Programming: A Modern Approach” is excellent, although
ironically,
it’s now a bit out of date (a new revision should be along soonish).
The thing is, you want to make a big program, but you seem unwilling to
learn
the skills that make for building a big program. Rome, as they say,
wasn’t
built in a day. I spent most of a decade on the ISO C standards
committee,
and to this day, people with a number of calendar years of experience on
me will
ask me questions about C. That doesn’t mean I was born knowing C; it
means
I spent months and months doing stupid little test programs – not far
from
“hello, world” – and using them as a way to learn about how things
worked.
-s
This forum is not affiliated to the Ruby language, Ruby on Rails framework, nor any Ruby applications discussed here.
Sponsor our Newsletter | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Remote Ruby Jobs