Help: Simple Online Turnbased Game

[King_Cool]

Hi
I have been wanting to create an online multiplayer for some time now, but all the stuff about servers kinda throws me off every time i feel like giving it a chop.
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Just to get the hang of it i would like to create something very small, simple and turnbased like this:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3537859/Sim...nBasedGame.mfa

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I know there is a toturial ( by Jeff i think ) on how to make an online game, but it requires i have a server available for testing which i dont have.

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A )
For such a simple game, do i really need a seperate server?
Cant one of the Computers ( Player 1 ) serve as the Host and comunicate directly with the Player 2 computer?

B )
If i want the Player to be able to browse available Games, is an online server the only option?

C )
If i want automatic matchmaking, is an online server the only option?
( with that i mean, like a "Quick match" button which automatically finds and joins a game )

I just want to get started with this, follow trough with it and not give up.
If i need a server, then a server i will get, although i dont know what kind of server.


Appreciate any information or help i can get.

[MuddyMole]

No, you don't need a server for any of those things.
You can indeed have one player act as host, and other players join them.

Basically, it goes something like this:
* Player1 enters the lobby and hosts a new game. They are then taken to a waiting area until another player joins them.
* Player2 enters the lobby, and this is immediately detected by Player1, who automatically sends a message to say that they are waiting for someone to join them. Player2 receives this message, and adds it to a list of pending games, from which Player2 can choose one to join.
Plus you have the tedious jobs of removing games that are in progress, or when the host leaves before anyone joins, etc...

To test your game, you can just build it as a .exe, and then open it several times on the same computer.

I have an example you can download from: www.sketchy.co.nf (the one called "iSOL8 Game").

[happygreenfrog]

Here is a good tutorial series: http://community.clickteam.com/threads/58247-Lacewing-Video-Tutorials

[Konidias]

No, you don't need a server for any of those things.
You can indeed have one player act as host, and other players join them.

Basically, it goes something like this:
* Player1 enters the lobby and hosts a new game. They are then taken to a waiting area until another player joins them.
* Player2 enters the lobby, and this is immediately detected by Player1, who automatically sends a message to say that they are waiting for someone to join them. Player2 receives this message, and adds it to a list of pending games, from which Player2 can choose one to join.
Plus you have the tedious jobs of removing games that are in progress, or when the host leaves before anyone joins, etc...

To test your game, you can just build it as a .exe, and then open it several times on the same computer.

I have an example you can download from: www.sketchy.co.nf (the one called "iSOL8 Game").

I don't think this is going to work the way you're expecting it to... The problem is that in order for a new player to find hosts, they would need the host information ahead of time to connect... Think about it. If a new player starts up the game, how exactly does the game know who to look for on the client side? It doesn't.

The only way you're going to get a list of available games to connect to, is to have a host server that everyone connects to.

[Danny]

The only way you're going to get a list of available games to connect to, is to have a host server that everyone connects to.

You could create a masterserver where the running servers ping, they're added to the list and the client retrieves the list of available servers via a query. Alternatively, you could connect to a private server if you know the direct IP.

[King_Cool]

Thanks for the help people!

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The only way you're going to get a list of available games to connect to, is to have a host server that everyone connects to.
That makes sense to me.
A ) So is this an accurate ( though a bit simplistic ) illustration og what i am aiming for here?

I just want to know if im having the right mind set.
B ) But what if everyone tries to join, and no one are hosting, is this a valid problem at all?

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You could create a masterserver where the running servers ping, they're added to the list and the client retrieves the list of available servers via a query. Alternatively, you could connect to a private server if you know the direct IP.
C ) Im quite green to all this, how does theese solutions differ from the one illustrated above?

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Seeing that this game is 2 Player only and Turn Based, is it safe to assume that:
D ) The geographical location of P1 and P2 does not significantly affect the games performance?
E ) The internet connenction speed of P1 and P2 does not significantly affect the games performance?

F ) Are there different types of Servers i need to consider for a project like this, or will any kind of general Server get the job done?

Thanks

[MuddyMole]

Yes, it requires a server, but you can use a free public server yourself (eg. "ledev.org:6121") - you don't have to buy any hardware, subscribe to any service, or install anything anywhere.

[King_Cool]

Yes, it requires a server, but you can use a free public server yourself (eg. "ledev.org:6121") - you don't have to buy any hardware, subscribe to any service, or install anything anywhere.

...Seriously i must be missunderstanding this...
How can i get my hands on a free public server without doing anything?

[happygreenfrog]

ledev.org

It's a public server. Connect to it. Here is a full list of them.