Member Discussions

Okay, I realize that this is posted in here almost every single day, but..

I want to learn how to code/build/whatever you would call it, a game. The type of game I am most interested in learning how to make is a game similar to http://www.the-night.com (the-night.com:2222). I don't want to make a game exactly like this, obviously, but I want to make that style of game. However, I have no idea what it is (MUD/MUSH/MOO/whatever) or how to tell. I think it's a MOO based on the TMC listing, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, first off I have no knowledge of coding of any kind that I've seen mentioned on this board, but I would like to learn.

Second, I want to know what programs I will need. I'm sure there has to be some sort of program where you can put in all the code and then change objects and rooms and commands and stuff and organize them through that, but I don't know what that would be called or how to look for it.

I don't necessarily want to start a big game project with a host and a lot of players and all that, I just want to sort of get my hands dirty and make something I can go through on my own computer and test out and stuff for now.

Well, which is it?

"Building" may not require any programming knowledge. You can just use online mud commands or edit text files to change rooms, items, spells, etc.

If you want to take the red pill, and actuallly modify how a mud works, you should first learn a significant amount about programming. You might as well just pick language X and use google.com to search for "X programming tutorial" - there's tons of stuff online.

I think I'll just go with building for now, then.

So, how do I start that? I've seen code snippets or whatever you call them on mushcode.com, I just don't know how to edit them or what to do with them when I'm done editing them.

Building just means your going to create areas, write room descriptions, create monsters and npcs, items and whatnot. That requires no code snippets at all. I suggest you look at the mud promotion forum and log in a mud looking for builders, and go from there.

Hmm. Well, I want to start something completely my own, that I can test out on my computer without having to worry about being on the internet or building under someone else's expectations. Isn't there some sort of default world I can download and then change stuff to my liking?

You can download just about any base code you want, just do a google search for it.

I know of 2 codebases that are readily available for download, SMAUG (simulated multi-user adventure game found at http://www.smaug.org) and SWR (star wars reality). there are lots and lots and LOTS of different codebases out there that you can get your hands on. here's a site for swr and some decent snippets...http://www.gendi.co.uk/

There are tons and tons and TONS of building guides, and i'm looking for builders on my mud, too. not to mention most muds will accept newbie builders if you e-mail the admin. It's actually easier to work for somebody else than it is to start your own just for building purposes. Anyway, I hope that helps you some.

giuseppe

Okay, I downloaded a MOO code. Now what? WinZip extracts it but I don't know what to do with it. I've heard words like 'editor' and 'compiler' a lot and I've spent several hours on Google trying to find programs like that but I've had no luck. Where can I find a good editor and a good compiler?

Welcome to the world of compiling. Say goodbye to your hair because you'll have torn it all out in less than a month :)

What you've downloaded is the source code. I hope you know what that is, if not, you don't have a chance of getting it to work. While you don't need to be a coder to compile a program from source, you do need to understand the basic processes.

An editor is just a program you use to edit code. It can be and IDE (Integrated Development Environment) like DevC++ or MS Visual Studio, Delphi, Borland, etc. Or it can be a simple editing program like Notepad. (Don't use a word processor like Wordpad, they add extra formatting that will stuff up the source code) A compiler is a program that takes the source code and turns it into executable code. The most popular one would probably be GCC. Compilers are built into IDEs, so you don't need a seperate one.

DevC++ is really good and free, but I've noticed most code needs modifications to run on it properly and these will be over your head at this time. I'd say get GCC and compile it that way as most bases will work without modification.

It gets easier if you're using Linux as most bases come with a prebuilt makefile. If you read the INSTALL file that comes with it it will tell you what to do.

Or it can be a simple editing program like Notepad. (Don't use a word processor like Wordpad, they add extra formatting that will stuff up the source code)

Never use Notepad for anything. It will destroy tabs and other non-visible characters. This wreaks havoc on makefiles and the introduction of CRLF in shell scripts screws up shebang lines in shell scripts. You can't even safely edit many of Windows own configuration files and batch files with Notepad.

Sorry, he's right. Forgot about that. Try Notepad++ from sourceforge.net. It's eons ahead of notepad anyway.

Okay, firstly I would like to thank everyone who has replied. The replies were serious and very helpful, and I really, really appreciate that. I know it's probably frustrating to have the same question filling up the boards, and I really do appreciate the helpful responses I've gotten.

So, so far I've downloaded LambdaMOO and SWR1.0 (with the original areas) and I've also downloaded gunzip (before I found out WinRAR seems to unzip them just fine..) and Notepad++. So, I've got Notepad++ opened and I've got the codebases downloaded.. and.. now what? There are like 50 text files in the codebases (I haven't been able to get SWR unzipped sucessfully yet, but I'm working on it) and I don't know which one to open. Even when I open the makefile, still nothing makes sense in it and I don't see what I need to type or where I should type it.

If possible, I can talk to someone on AIM about all of this. It would just be faster and stuff. My main sn is private but the one I use for another game is conoreisley and that's public, so just add it and mention you came from here or something. Basically I don't care that much about coding a whole new system of ways things work, I just want to change the world, which is building, I guess. Still, though, I have to do something to the code so it will turn into a game in which I can build, right? So.. yeah. I just don't know where to start, I guess.

Hmm... I'm going through the exact same problem...
If by any chance you could post the answers here, it would be much appreaciated (sp) thanks :)

Moin 11 11,

**** 11_11
Even when I open the makefile, still nothing makes sense in it and I don't see what I need to type or where I should type it.
****

become used to cmd.exe or install bash.exe. You'll need the complete GNU development chain sooner or later. So you might even do it right from start. Pick up an old computer, e.g. an Pentium with 64MB RAM. Visit the local LUG (linux user group) in town, to install some Linux, e.g. Debian Sarge, and ask some guru's there, to explain the emacs,make,make install,test cylce to you. Install EMACS and VNC both on your Linux and on your Windows system, connect them with ethernet, get SSH and VNC working between them and unplug the screen, mouse and keyboard of the Linux system.

In result, you'll have a linux server under your desk, similar to a Linux system, you might rent for a few $ per month anywhere around the world. You need to know the basics of Unix adminstration (editor, compiler, configuration files, iptables, ...) before you think about to admin a MUD.

Or pick a Windows specific code base and some skills with personal firewalls. You need to know, how to use your editor, compiler and debugger to analyse core dumps, if you want to become a coder, and you need to know how to install, maintain and secure a system, if you want to become an admin. Sorry, ... that hard is reallity.

****
Still, though, I have to do something to the code so it will turn into a game in which I can build, right? So.. yeah. I just don't know where to start, I guess.
****

I asume, you know how to play MUDs. So you know, how to create hotkeys or triggers with your MUD client to :
- capture the output of your MUD including colours
- upload sections of text file from your local editor into the MUD, e.g. by using cut'n'paste for MUD mail.

You need to integrate your editor of choice and your MUD client, if you want to become a builder. So the next step after playing would be to learn building. I advise, to start building in the MUD you enjoyed playing. But there is also the Builder Academy, a MUD dedicated teaching how to build, by using a typical Circle OLC language. Its worth to visit builderacademy.net:9091, even if your dont build for a Circle, but for LPC, LambdaMOO or SWR.

Building is a lot of real work! Start with a small zone of less than 20 rooms. Describe room by room, including exit descriptions and extra descriptions and you end up with several hundred lines of text. Use the spell checker of your editor for a first proofreading. Upload the descriptions, and ask other real players for a real proofreading. Project about a dozen rooms per month. Dont end up with big but failed dreams, like I've seen to many times, with newbie immortals in Realm of Magic. Extend your skills, by creating mobiles and special objects keeping an eye on players needs and matters of balance of your game.

ciao,Michael

Okay first problem I see. SWR, unless someone has changed something, is a MU* based code base. I /think/ its MUSH but I could be wrong on that point. LambdaMOO is just that a MOO code base. The two are not going to work together without LOTS of work. Either get the LambdaMoo Server and the MOO database or pick a MU* base and stick with it.

Go here ---> http://www.game.org/heirarchy.html <--- that should give you an idea of the develepment of MU*. I know its not complete but its the most current copy I've seen. If anyone is intersted in either locating a current one or finding out who rungs ftp.org so we can get it updated and current from 0 to today.

At anyrate you have ALOT or research ahead of you my friend. The command base, the way things work and everything is so different between MOO and MU*.

Ok, I don't know much about Windows compiling etc, but I've gone from your situation to having a CircleMUD up and running for over a few weeks.

Go to a computer fair or something, and buy a cheap Pentium 2 or 3 with 128mb ram, no graphics card or anything. You can then get Ubuntu Linux off thier website. (Just search Ubuntu Linux on Google) and install it. You should then be able to look around for guides to Ubuntu, look for one telling you how to install GCC. If there's someone you know, or a LUG around in your town just get them to help.

So, once you have a system up and running Ubuntu is easy to use, as it has a Graphical User interface.

CircleMUD will have a readme on what to do from there. I think CircleMUD also has a readme for using a Windows compiler.

Have Fun! It's not impossible! :D