Misc Game architecture questions - Java-Games

Hi,

"Mark Sisson" <mark@corporatedigital.com> wrote in message
news:88cc4eb9.0409111017.2c2ca782@posting.google.com...
> Hi all.
> I've been a business app programmer for 20 years and now I'm wanting
> to get into the foray of game programming. My target game is writing
> a multi-user poker site (ok, not the first on the block but I'm still
> motivated). I have some general questions regarding the client-side
> portion and some deployment best-practice questions.
>
> Language
> ==================
> The client-side is not very graphically intensive and I want to
> minimize download time during installation. I'm not a C++ guru but
> rather a VB guru (and .Net). Any problems using VB here? With VB, I
> don't think that I'll have a big problem with foot print as far as
> download size and performance is not a HUGE concern (low intensity
> interaction).
>
> Graphics
> ==================
> Any disadvantages towards using VB with graphics? Does everyone use
> DirectX now? For poker I won't have that much excitement happening on
> the screen (chips moving, cards dealing etc.). Do I even need to use
> DirectX? Am I restricting myself by using DirectX as far as platform
> support? Does it make the download more difficult?
>

I don't know about the other questions, but...

I don't think you need DirectX here. I have done a mastermind game (2D) with
animation/transparency and graphical effects in 1024x768 using just GDI
calls. ( shameless plug ;-) http://moonlit.xs4all.nl/mami101.exe
Currently I am trying to turn that into a generic client/server piece of
software so I can more easily create board/card games. A lot of work though
:-) (got the graphical part and resource management working, now for event
handling scripting and sound).


> Macromedia?
> ==================
> I thought about doing this all in Flash (which would make deployment
> simple) but I wondered about it's capabilities to handle such things
> as multi-window support/control or secured async socket support.
>
>
> Platforms
> ==================
> Am I restricting myself to Windows only with VB or can a Mac be
> supported sufficiently with Virutal PC? (I'm wondering about DirectX
> if I decide to use that)
>
> Updates
> ==================
> Are there preferred tools to use for checking for upgrades and
> auto-installing them? Is Wyse the king and the best way to go?
>
> Thanks in advance.
> mark

Hi,

"Mark Sisson" <mark@corporatedigital.com> wrote in message
news:88cc4eb9.0409111017.2c2ca782@posting.google.com...
> Hi all.
> I've been a business app programmer for 20 years and now I'm wanting
> to get into the foray of game programming. My target game is writing
> a multi-user poker site (ok, not the first on the block but I'm still
> motivated). I have some general questions regarding the client-side
> portion and some deployment best-practice questions.
>
> Language
> ==================
> The client-side is not very graphically intensive and I want to
> minimize download time during installation. I'm not a C++ guru but
> rather a VB guru (and .Net). Any problems using VB here? With VB, I
> don't think that I'll have a big problem with foot print as far as
> download size and performance is not a HUGE concern (low intensity
> interaction).
>
> Graphics
> ==================
> Any disadvantages towards using VB with graphics? Does everyone use
> DirectX now? For poker I won't have that much excitement happening on
> the screen (chips moving, cards dealing etc.). Do I even need to use
> DirectX? Am I restricting myself by using DirectX as far as platform
> support? Does it make the download more difficult?
>

I don't know about the other questions, but...

I don't think you need DirectX here. I have done a mastermind game (2D) with
animation/transparency and graphical effects in 1024x768 using just GDI
calls. ( shameless plug ;-) http://moonlit.xs4all.nl/mami101.exe
Currently I am trying to turn that into a generic client/server piece of
software so I can more easily create board/card games. A lot of work though
:-) (got the graphical part and resource management working, now for event
handling scripting and sound).


> Macromedia?
> ==================
> I thought about doing this all in Flash (which would make deployment
> simple) but I wondered about it's capabilities to handle such things
> as multi-window support/control or secured async socket support.
>
>
> Platforms
> ==================
> Am I restricting myself to Windows only with VB or can a Mac be
> supported sufficiently with Virutal PC? (I'm wondering about DirectX
> if I decide to use that)
>
> Updates
> ==================
> Are there preferred tools to use for checking for upgrades and
> auto-installing them? Is Wyse the king and the best way to go?
>
> Thanks in advance.
> mark

In article <88cc4eb9.0409111017.2c2ca782@posting.google.com>,
mark@corporatedigital.com (Mark Sisson) wrote:

> Any disadvantages towards using VB with graphics?

I wouldn't think that's a big problem for a poker game.

> Am I restricting myself to Windows only with VB

Yes. (Though RealBASIC is comparable, and would probably be a reasonable
way to port a VB app. Or to write it in the first place, since it's
cross-platform.)

> or can a Mac be
> supported sufficiently with Virutal PC? (I'm wondering about DirectX
> if I decide to use that)

Running a Windows app with Virtual PC is not viable Macintosh support
(it's what people may do for mission-critical software, not with games).

And no, Macs don't have DirectX. 3D is handled with OpenGL (which does
exist for Windows...)

--
David Dunham A Sharp, LLC
http://www.a-sharp.com/
"I say we should listen to the customers and give them what they want."
"What they want is better products for free." --Scott Adams

In article <88cc4eb9.0409111017.2c2ca782@posting.google.com>,
mark@corporatedigital.com (Mark Sisson) wrote:

> Any disadvantages towards using VB with graphics?

I wouldn't think that's a big problem for a poker game.

> Am I restricting myself to Windows only with VB

Yes. (Though RealBASIC is comparable, and would probably be a reasonable
way to port a VB app. Or to write it in the first place, since it's
cross-platform.)

> or can a Mac be
> supported sufficiently with Virutal PC? (I'm wondering about DirectX
> if I decide to use that)

Running a Windows app with Virtual PC is not viable Macintosh support
(it's what people may do for mission-critical software, not with games).

And no, Macs don't have DirectX. 3D is handled with OpenGL (which does
exist for Windows...)

--
David Dunham A Sharp, LLC
http://www.a-sharp.com/
"I say we should listen to the customers and give them what they want."
"What they want is better products for free." --Scott Adams

In article <dunham-B1D51C.15545512092004@corp.supernews.com>,
dunham@SPAM_B_GONE.pensee.com says...

> > or can a Mac be
> > supported sufficiently with Virutal PC? (I'm wondering about DirectX
> > if I decide to use that)
>
> Running a Windows app with Virtual PC is not viable Macintosh support
> (it's what people may do for mission-critical software, not with games).

Depends on the game - I've got e-mail from people who run mine on
emulators.

Gerry Quinn
http://bindweed.com

In article <dunham-B1D51C.15545512092004@corp.supernews.com>,
dunham@SPAM_B_GONE.pensee.com says...

> > or can a Mac be
> > supported sufficiently with Virutal PC? (I'm wondering about DirectX
> > if I decide to use that)
>
> Running a Windows app with Virtual PC is not viable Macintosh support
> (it's what people may do for mission-critical software, not with games).

Depends on the game - I've got e-mail from people who run mine on
emulators.

Gerry Quinn
http://bindweed.com