I'm new and need some directions

[Sinzygy]

Welcome to the forums.

This article is dedicated to all those newcomers, who have set their minds on creating a browser-based games.

Here's what you need to know:

1. Time and Work
Before you even think about your game, you have to ask yourself if you have enough time and are willing to put a lot of work into this game. Sure, you can make a game in 2 weeks, but it will be sloppy, unbalanced and won't last very long. Creating a successfull game is a slow process with lots of testing, bugfixes, balancing, feature-requests and so on.
If you're willing to put time and effort into this, you may continue with this article, if not, please don't waste our time.

2. Requirements, Knowledge
You'll need to have a basic or advanced understanding in the following fields:
- HTML - http://w3schools.com/html/default.asp
- JavaScript - http://w3schools.com/js/default.asp
- PHP - http://www.php.net , http://www.php.net/manual/en/tutorial.php
- MySQL - http://www.tizag.com/mysqlTutorial/index.php

3. Requirements
To actually work on a game you will need a text-editor. Here you are completely free as long as the editor can save plain-text files (you can add the .php extension later on).
Furthermore you will need:
- a host that supports PHP and MySQL
- a local webserver that runs PHP and MySQL
The first one is needed to actually publish your game, the second one will be your working enviroment. You do not want to upload any code to your webhost without debugging it first on your local machine. Trust me on this one.

4. The Learning Process
I took the following out of a post made by a user called "leZourite"

Anyway you can't start to drive a car when you don't know how to walk, this is called the "basics"...

Before making a game, learn to build a website, with notepad, not some auto template things that have no creativity and give you a soup of code in a few clicks !

Once you know how to build a website, learn the basics of php : how to output html from php, functions, loops, variables, includes the list is long but when you master the basics you will have enough knowledges to get things work. Might help to learn "programming" as well, if you can do something in php with programming you will likely be able to do it in lots of other languages with little time.

Learn the basics of relational database, before getting your dirty hands on mysql, learn the hows and whys of a database, if you don't there is no point at starting right away with mysql your application design will most likely be flawed...

Then give yourself in mysql, learn how it interacts with php, how to extract content from the database, how to insert, update, delete things from the database...

Then learn how to do security ! The more your website is secured the less it will break from human errors or from hackers trying to bring your website down !

That's all the necessary step, to even think about starting a game !

5. What now?
Unfortunately, no one can be told what game development is. You will have to see for yourself.
With this said, I'm sending you out to get your hands on any sourcecode of games you can find. Look at those games, figure out how they work, start by copying them, then improve them, discard them and start your own game from scratch.
Here's some very basic stuff for you to look at:

Very very basic: Killmonster
This one is only to look at and realise how simple a game can be. I started out with this one and I have to say, it thaught me a lot.

Mod to the Killmonster script
This one shows how an already existing can be improved and extendend

Dragon Knight is an advanced example of how a game can look like and it is a good example of procedural coding.


I hope this helps to cover your most basic questions.
- Sinzygy

[Zeggy]

Great post sinzygy! I think this will help a lot of newbies

[sokii]

This helps alot...by any chance do u know any hosts that supports PHP and MySQL and/or any local webservers that run PHP and MySQL? I have created other games before but never used MySQL...just javascript and html...but very basic...and they wern't anything I wanted to be big just small things for my friends and I to mess around on...and I thank you alot...again... :]

[beam]

www.freesql.org is good for really small games, they'll give you a free database. Back when I got started, that's what I used. I had all sorts of PHP hosts though, the one that comes to mind is www.psend.com though.

[Sinzygy]

I'm from Siwtzerland so I don't think I can help much when it comes to webhosts.

As for local webservers: what OS are you using? I can only help with mac.

...
Damn, I'm pretty useless

[sokii]

OMG...i don't know what to do with the MySQL or PHP...I'm completely LOST... :S I can't believe I'm confused...and I'm using Windows 98... :/ Oh and I don't think I can do anything at all since I don't have a web server... :[ I read through the HTML and Javascript...which I new most of it...and I think the PHP and MySQL is confusing... :S

[Zeggy]

Well, first you should read  PHP tutorial, there's a link in the topic. You could also read the tutorials on W3Schools.com
Second, where did you host your HTML files? Or do you host them locally?
I think it's best if you could find a free host that supports PHP, there's quite a few of them around, then work on your PHP from there if you don't want to set up your own local server

[Sinzygy]

I would disagree with Zeggy. I think a local webserver is a vital assesment on your way to successfull game developing.

Maybe google a bit around. I'm sure there are some easy ways to install a local server on win98

[sokii]

thnx...for now im just gonna read alot unless someone decides to hire me...which would be great...

[beam]

Also, www.psend.com doesn't offer free PHP accounts anymore. But a really good tool for those who want to stay completely free is www.webcron.org -- the main site is in French, but just click the English flag at the bottom and it'll be in English. It's a web-based cron interface, so you can schedule things like resets and revives.

Oh yeah, and when you sign up, it says it will send you a verification email. Ignore that, just login and it'll work fine. The email will not come.

[Zeggy]

How does webcron work? Is it like including the 'cron' file onto your website and it depends on visits at the right times to work?

[beam]

No, it just schedules tasks on Webcron's domain. It's just like a remote cron service.

[Carrion]

I wanted to add the tools I use and love...cause they're free!
I work on windoze os so I'm not sure that they have versions for other os's

editor:
         crimson editor. wonderful free editor that will not only make php easier to read, but many other languages as well.
         tseditor, is another one I have used and is more php specific. When I last used it, it was a little rough but may be better now.

webserver:
         abyss x1. you will need to read the instructions for configuring php, but is very simple to setup. took me about 5 min. the first time.

[Zeggy]

No, it just schedules tasks on Webcron's domain. It's just like a remote cron service.

Wow, nice
Looks like it could be very useful!

[A12Alex]

Firefox can't find the server at scripts.xtreme-coders.com.    lol

[Sakurazaki]

You can find the killmonster script script at:

www.chipmunk-scripts.com/page.php?ID=16

The 2nd version is out with a third one in development.

@Zeggy: The link that you provided is dead.

[sokii]

gah I've read so much and gave up :/ TOO MUCH to learn... :/

[Rimmy]

Great post! This is really gonna help me a ton!

[knuts]

Wanted to add my two cents to this great post for new developers : Check out RangerSheck's PBBG UI design article. The bullet points about why new players leave are right on, and super useful for first time game makers (like myself). Get a few non-gamer types to try your game while you look over their shoulder, and consider removing or at least working on the first thing you have to explain to them. Practically noone reads anything, so  an hour or two spent on trying to make gameplay easy and intuitive is worth 5 or 10 spent writing "How to play" docs that most people will never look at.

[raestlyn]

Wanted to add my two cents to this great post for new developers : Check out RangerSheck's PBBG UI design article. The bullet points about why new players leave are right on, and super useful for first time game makers (like myself). Get a few non-gamer types to try your game while you look over their shoulder, and consider removing or at least working on the first thing you have to explain to them. Practically noone reads anything, so  an hour or two spent on trying to make gameplay easy and intuitive is worth 5 or 10 spent writing "How to play" docs that most people will never look at.

Great link, I really enjoyed the stuff they have on the site I did read trough all the posts, and seriously began to think game making in different perspective.

[Gaetano]

Great post! I've been following the instructions... Now looking at killmonster. I keep trying to think of simpler games to make but they get hideously complicated in my mind  -|-

[True Valhalla]

Hi, i'm new to BBG but i was looking into PHP and i came across the 'http://www.tizag.com/phpT/index.php' tutorial. I think it was extremely well written and should be referenced on the first post of this thread as well.

[Helderic]

Is there another site with the Killsmonster tut?