I'm a big noob at this stuff

[Deadlybane]

Ok, I hope I don't get flamed for this, but how do you start to make a text-based browser game? I was thinking of making a turn-based strategy game that has a little bit of role-playing involved (only the level system and the stats, etc.) but I have no clue what to do. I was thinking of doing it freely, if that is possible, but something tells me it isn't. If you guys can tell me a website or something I can use to get started creating and how to write the information and stuff I would greatly appreciate it. Again, keep in mind I have no idea how to any of this stuff. Thanks for any help in advance.

[JGadrow]

It's going to take a LOT of learning. At the bare minimum, you'll need to learn:

HTML
a server-based scripting language such as PHP, ASP, Python, Ruby, etc.
a database program such as MySQL, Oracle, MS SQL, etc.

My recommendation would be to start learning and building small programs until you start to learn the ropes and then come back to try and make a game.

[Deadlybane]

Ok, so how do you create a program? And what type of program do you mean.  :O

[JGadrow]

Ok, here's a few good starting points:

Tutorial: XHTML
Tutorial: XML

There's also a PHP tutorial there that should give you a good start, but stick with the basics first. Read the XHTML tutorial first. Try and challenge yourself to work in XHTML Strict mode (see the tutorial for how to engage different browser modes). After learning the XHTML and XML (very similar as XHTML is valid XML), Pick up on CSS which will help you in applying visualizations to your XHTML site.

After you feel you have mastered XHTML and CSS, THEN move on to PHP. Once you have a good basis with the PHP functions (especially with classes, functions, arrays and form processing) then try adding a database. Once you become familiar with a database, you should be ready to ATTEMPT a browser game. It will probably show you further need for education when working on various aspects of your game. In which case, learn what you need when you need it.

[FirePenguins]

This site has some great tutorials in my opinion.  They are generally simple and quick, but give all the needed information.

http://www.tizag.com/

Their first tutorial ( http://www.tizag.com/beginnerT/ ) is great for a complete beginner.  It assumes that you don't know anything, which generally is good when you're first starting

[Chris]

In my opinion it's pointles to start by creating a game. Become a programmer first. Once writing code become your hobby think about a game. It's better this way. If you don't find writing strange commands in notepad fun, then making a game won't be fun as well.

I would start with C, if you can manage it you can master any language and it allows you to learn the most.

[Deadlybane]

And where can I try previewing some of their XHTML? Notepad? Thanks for the info so far guys.

[JGadrow]

You can read or write any programming language using a basic text editor. In fact, I would recommend that you NOT use an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) until you're comfortable writing the language without assistance. Doing it that way will actually enable you to learn the language rather than be forced to use the IDE as a crutch.

[DonSanderino]

This site has some great tutorials in my opinion.  They are generally simple and quick, but give all the needed information.

http://www.tizag.com/

Their first tutorial ( http://www.tizag.com/beginnerT/ ) is great for a complete beginner.  It assumes that you don't know anything, which generally is good when you're first starting

Wooh thanks this really helped me

[soul_banner]

This site has some great tutorials in my opinion.  They are generally simple and quick, but give all the needed information.

http://www.tizag.com/

Their first tutorial ( http://www.tizag.com/beginnerT/ ) is great for a complete beginner.  It assumes that you don't know anything, which generally is good when you're first starting

this helped me as well thanks alot