Am I nuts for doing this?

First, I need to preface this question with the following.

I used to, when I was 14-16 or so make games with Clickteams Click & Create game maker product. Then I stopped that and didn't do anything programming related for many years. Now, about 6 months ago I got the urge to make an old-school SNES style RPG, and I searched around for a bit and stumbled upon Blitzmax. It seemed like the ideal engine for the job (I wanted more functionality than Click and Create or RPG maker would offer), and so I started learning Blitzmax.

Well, after a bit I realized that while I do want to make that RPG, I was bummed by lack of assets (and I'm no artist) and the general overwhelming nature of the project and so I decided to work on another project that I've always wanted to do. Make my own text based MUD.

Well, that's what I'm doing. The main reason is because I'm beginning to feel comfortable w/ BMax. I'm wondering though if I'm picking the best tool for the job? Is it nuts to make a MUD server in BMax? What language would you recommend (it has to be fast, too. While a language like python would be acceptable for the scripts, the core server code needs to be darn fast to allow some of the ideas I have to be properly implemented.)

So far things have gone pretty well. BMax's underlying socket code is good/fast enough for the scale of this project so far - and if I do run into any problems I can always alter the external socket code. I've got a MySQL database that I interface through Gman's MySQL/PostgreSQL module. And BMax already has support for integrating Lua, which I'll end up using for my scripts (and Lua is much faster than most other scripting languages from what I've read.) I don't see many downsides to using BMax at the moment. Occasionally it'd be nice to have overloaded functions or operators but I can definitely do without.

So again I ask - is there a better choice that I should definitely consider switching to before going any further? Finally I want to add that I am doing this primarily as a hobby - and I don't really feel inclined to learn a language that will take much more time to realize my ideas (such as C++). I actually do know some C++, but I think I can get an equal product in about 1/3 the time w/ BMax. I'm just wondering what other RAD languages/engines are out there that are object-oriented and also have good networking support.

Thanks.

Try DX studio, its excellent..and try open source YmonkeyEngine..

Hmm, DX studio looks nice but a bit overkill for a text-based MUD server! ;)

I couldn't find anything on YMonkeyEngine but did find JMonkey Engine.

Definitely good suggestions should I move onto a 3D environment down the road.

yup..its a typo..I meant Jmonkey Engine :) I'm sorry..nre keyboard :)

Well since it was mentioned, don't forget that python is fast enough for eve online. Its handling both client and server side duties. There's a little paragraph about on this page: http://www.eve-online.com/faq/faq_07.asp

You might want to look into c#, vb.net or boo as well( boo = python + c# ). AFAIK, the .NET networking libraries are supposed to be pretty good, but then again I can't speak from personal experience.

Pity about the RPG... there is basicly no-one making oldschool RPGs in the indie world.

The major problem is that they require a lot of steps to complete. You have to have an editor, some kind of art to be able to stand playing it to test, music, story and not to mention a lot of bitch-work (such as making 1000 or so items monsters and weapons stats.)

When they do get made, they are typically dry, storyless, poor quality, and short.

If you ever want to get back into making an RPG, look me up. perhaps after this project of yours. If nothing else I can give you some tips on what -not- to do... I've done a lot of not to do things in regards to trying to get an RPG made.

Thanks for the offer Dampe. I'm sure I'll be looking you up down the road. I think for a project the size of an 'oldschool' RPG it's essential to find like minded people to not only help with the workload, but to help keep morale up during the tough and slow times. It's a lot harder to bail on a project when you'd be screwing a friend over in the process. ;)

It sounds like you've been wanting to make one for quite a while. How come you aren't working on one now? :)

You really can't make one on your own. Not just because of the workload, but an RPG isn't like a puzzle game or a platformer.. You can have the best battle system ever, and a junk story and it'll blow. You can have a great story and a lame battle engine... Junk graphics, bad music.

All these things can kill an RPG, where, in most other game styles, you can get by without a lot of idea-tossing and diverse talents.

My talents lay in the battle systems, stories, music and other conceptual assets, not so much the code or the graphics. I'm not a great programmer or a great artist, but what I know is interface design, sound, and plot.

Unfortunately, To get any clout in the indie game's world you have to be a coder or an artist.

I'm great with the high-level stuff, like working with an editor to create interesting level designs, because at its core, level design is user interface design.

That isn't to say I can't do code, I just don't enjoy it and I don't have the chops in any language to be truely useful.

I do have one big plus, though. I don't let people down. If other people are a part of something, I finish it. When it is just me, I tend to get bored and decide not to finish.

When it comes to RPGs, the big mistake I see people make, or have made myself, is not having some kind of plan. You gotta start with designing both the battle system and a story shell. Doesn't have to be really detailed, but if you don't know basicly what the gameplay is, you'll end up realizing you missed the mark with the battles and you'll never be happy with them.

If you ever get back in touch with me on it, I'll share with you battle engine ideas and psuedocode for them. Like I said, this is where I shine.

So... to answer your question more shortly.

I can't finish one on my own, and haven't been able to locate a coder to work with me. Artists, Writers, Thinkers are all over, Coders who want to make an RPG are few and far between.