Sometimes Meat is Boring - or Making Your World

Ah now we get to start programming. Which brings me to my next small, but important topic: Language. I'll be using PHP mixed with MySql for the database,
But its the boring part. (well its all exciting, just different levels of excitement, and this one just happens to fall on the bottom). Player(s) starting position and other items that make them tick. First off we're going to need a "configuration file". This file will house things such as name of game, name of various items, connection to database (db) etc. we'll call it

config.php

Now comes the interesting part. Since this style of game is played on a grid, we need to figure out how big do we want our levels to be. Well 10 x 10 is obviously too small. 1000 x 1000 might be a tad big. so how about 300 x 300. For tutorial and small game purposes, this should be a good size. Add this to your config.php file (CPF file for future reference):


// GAME VARIABLES
levelxmax = 300;
levelymax = 300;


Now we need to figure out how many virus bots per level. How about 30. we'll adjust later up or down to find a comfortable setting. This usually happens during game play. So now our file looks like:

// GAME VARIABLES
levelxmax = 300;
levelymax = 300;
maxbots = 30;

Where is our player at? For testing purposes we'll assign a x,y coordinate. This process, which we will get to later, will be done during the account creation section. So lets add a couple lines

// GAME VARIABLES
levelxmax = 300;
levelymax = 300;
maxbots = 30;

// DELETE THE FOLLOWING AFTER TESTING
playerx = 150;
playery = 150;

We'l put them right in the middle.

myspace friend
adder

Where to start.

CREATING A PBBG (SCI-FI VERISON):
This will be my attempt at a tutorial on how to make a PBBG.I am not a writer by any means. This is caled a live guide. Which means I'm making the game as I write it.
First we will start with a simple mock up that we can expand upon. Our areana will be a 10 x 10 grid.
Later when everything works, we'll take it up to 100x100 and maybe 100 levels deep:0)

GAME IDEA:

In a PBBG your players must have an ongoing objective. But with limited resources so that they will keep coming back to play. It must tantalize their sense of want and that feel of “.. ok I can do it this way” . So below is a brain storm. Most of this will change as we progress. Some things may come out or some things may be added:

Players attempt to control the majority of the network (playing area) while fending off other players as well as virus bots(?) Player is a 3^rd person view controlling a NANO bot. Top player is called the NETWORK CONTROLER. (Possible idea: network controller makes a % of other players income – gives them a reason to shoot for that level aside from prestige. Once at this level maybe they cannot play that toon, but can use their new found resources to make another NANO from scratch). We'll think about this one later.

GAME COMPONENTS:

• Sector: One unit of the Matrix (of 100 x 100)

  • Executed: Once the sector is captured, it is considered executed and will be labeled with the player that now owns it. It can only be destroyed by the virus bots, in which it will have to be re-executed. It takes 10 turns to complete the execution. Any time before that, it is subjected to attacks and destructions.

    • If an opponent captures it, the execution countdown continues, as though the capturing player started.

    • If a virus bot destroys it, the sector becomes empty.

  • Empty: A sector that has been executed then destroyed.

  • Infected: A new sector that no one has dealt with. Usually 3 – 5 mobs inhabit these area's. Level of mob is computed from 2 below to 2 above players NANO. (Idea: may keep them low level around players safe zone, and the farther they explored the higher level. Not sure yet). We'll call the mobs, “corrupted files”.

• Outpost: These are set locations at each reset. Its basically a mall with items to sell and purchase, and training for player. Since the “field” is empty first task will be to find one and make a path there. This involves taking over sectors (a unit of area in our 100x100 matrix).

• Pulse Pillar: 50? of these per 100 x 100 level. Running into these completely ruins your NANO. You still keep your XP, as well as your level, but your equipment is worthless. Maybe players can buy special detecors to find these bastards lol.

• Wall: Just an annoying obstruction. Virus bots are immune to these and can walk right through them.

• Virus Bot: The wandering bad guy. There are numerous ones of these guys. 1 hp wonders that can completely destroy your NANO. First 3 levels your imune and only return back to your starting point. After that, everything gets destroyed.
  

  • They are immune to Pulse Pillars

  • they can travel over empty areas

  • they can travel through walls

  • they can destroy a Executed sector (only while in construction)

Ok this should be enough to give us a headache :-)

Introduction

First off - I am not a writer. Period. However, I do know a lot about games as well as programming. This blog is my attempt to mix the two and show how - possibly - a PBBG can be created. I have scoured the net for such a site, and was unable to locate one. How Odd. So I will hopefully solicit some help from readers to complete this guide.

What is a PBBG?

A persistent browser-based game (PBBG) is a computer game that is both browser-based (accessed and played over the Internet only through a web browser) and persistent (able to progress with successive playing sessions).

PBBGs can provide the depth of experience and sustainability seen in some application-based games, but because they don't require any special software to play, they are more accessible and portable than such games.*

So every couple weeks or so, or when the mood strikes me (or if I recieve enough comments) I'll add an entry.

*Taken from wikipedia