The path to an "MMO"

[DeliciousTomatoesYay]

Hello guys, I am new to the forums and to Java, I have some previous coding experience with VB but not a whole lot (I know stuff like Variables, Logical Operators, etc.). I am dreaming of making an online multiplayer game, just like an MMO, but of course, it will not be "massive", but the term "MMO" is rather used commonly for any game that can have servers and clients on it. I am also not asking directly right away to how to make an MMO, but rather what tutorials, things, and steps I should take before actually getting into an MMO, I've spent days looking for an engine but they're all either too good, or too bad... So I want to make a game myself, but I KNOW that I can't just jump into advanced coding, so I want to know, are there any recommended videos, tutorials, etc, to help me to the path of making the online game? Also, my game will be in 2-D because my computer isn't really that good with 3D stuff (one of the reason why I didn't use some of the engines).

Thanks all!

[KevinWorkman]

You might not like this, but my advice is to start much smaller. Write pong first, then move onto something like asteroids. Work your way up instead of jumping in head first. There are a ton of resources and code examples out there, I'd recommend googling "java tutorials" for a start, then get more specific with stuff like keyboard controls, GUI design, painting, collision detection, etc.

[dlorde]

Wise words, Kevin.

[DeliciousTomatoesYay]

Thanks Kevin, I have already pointed out that I won't jump right into MMOs so the path is to make smaller games first and work my way up? Gotcha! ;) Any recommended tutorials, though?

[KevinWorkman]

Start here: The Java™ Tutorials
Then when you get to GUIs, go here: Trail: Creating a GUI With JFC/Swing (The Java™ Tutorials)
And when you get to custom painting, read this: Painting in AWT and Swing
Also, the API is your best friend: Java Platform SE 6

[DeliciousTomatoesYay]

Thanks Kevin! Also wondering, what about the server + client thingie? :O

[KevinWorkman]

Thanks Kevin! Also wondering, what about the server + client thingie? :O

That's honestly a bit out of my depth, but again, I wouldn't worry about it until you've mastered pong, etc. A quick google of "java socket tutorial" yielded some promising results, but like I said, that's not really my forte.

[Toll]

Not knowing how network-programming is outside of Java, I've always found Javas networking to be rather straight-forward. Make a serversocket in your server, a socket in your client, connect and you can get output-and input-streams, just like using files.

[kjkrum]

Have you ever played a text-only MUD or BBS door? That might be another approach to starting small. Instead of starting with simple graphics and then learning networking, start with simple networking and then add graphics.

[Toll]

That's actually a great suggestion. I'm rather ashamed that I didn't think of that, given that I play a MUD and made my own client for it. Besides, you can do a whole lot more than just simple network programming with it; my client is currently up to a little over 500k of written code.

[DeliciousTomatoesYay]

Thanks guys!

[JDScoot]

Excellent suggestion kjkrum. Now I'm inspired to create a MUD

@DeliciousTomatoesYay
Here are some basic Java networking tutorials in the tutorials forum.

http://www.java-forums.org/java-tuto...ramming-i.html

http://www.java-forums.org/java-tuto...amming-ii.html

[DeliciousTomatoesYay]

Thanks JDScoot!

Also, I've went on Youtube to check out what those MUDs were, they were.. eh.. Kinda like a forum RP! XD Do you recommend me to make a MUD later on as a good experience or making MUD for somewhat experience??

[Toll]

Personally, I'd suggest making a client for a MUD. It doesn't really have to be very fancy for starters; just a textarea for the MUD output and a textfield for what you send to the MUD. Toss in a socket to be able to connect to the MUD, and read/write using that. At least that's what it boils down to; code-wise, it's a little more.

[DeliciousTomatoesYay]

Thanks Toll! :D