Introduction to MMORPG development

This is an introductory article on how to develop a MMORPG, the author is also a game developer, the content of this article originates from the practice, has the very high reference value. Many people want to have their own game, this article for those who want to develop their own game may be a piece of gospel, or a pot of cold water. In any case, the development of the game is not a simple thing. The following is the translation text:

The central point of the article is how to start developing your own massively multiplayer online role-playing game (sic: massive multiplayer on line role Playing Games) (MMORPG) (Translator note: "Online games, online game)." The target audience is a developer with limited experience and resources. After reading the article, you should know how to get started, and some advice on what to do and what not to do. The first step is to assess your ability and resources. You have to be honest with yourself, because doing what you can't do will waste your time and make you feel discouraged.

Step one: Evaluate your abilities.

Required Skills:

Understand at least one programming language. To date, C + + has become the first choice for game developers because of the advantages of performance and efficiency. Visual Basic, Java, or C # may also be a good choice;

Familiar with a graphics library. The usual options are SDL, OpenGL, or DX/D3D. (Translator Note: There are also many free/paid engines downloaded and sold online);

Select a network communication library. You can choose from Winsock, Sdl_net, or DirectPlay. (Translator Note: Many people like to develop their own unique network library, it is not complicated, it seems that ACE is also a choice);

Have a general experience of game development. For example, event loops, multithreading, GUI design, and more.

Highly recommended skills:

c/S structure communication;

Multi-platform development. You may want to design a MMORPG, especially if the server can run on a variety of operating systems. For this reason, I recommend using SDL, OpenGL and sdl_net;

Website development. This is necessary if you want users to view player stats, server information, and other information through the site. (Translator Note: In fact, the site can be given to others to develop, if necessary);

Security management. Of course you don't want to waste your time on someone attacking your server!

Team organization ability. You need a team that you can lead and manage successfully;

Step Two: Preliminary planning

I've noticed that a lot of people are posting posts in different forums looking for team development MMORPG. Most of them are like this: "We set up a company/game studio that requires 3 artists, two programs, 1 music productions, and so on." To innovate, don't look at the MMORPG of the past, you have all the freedom to create the world you want, and so on. We'll pay you when the project is done and make money, and so on. " Unfortunately, with existing technology and bandwidth, you can't have a dynamic world. Moving towards unreachable targets will only result in failure. The right approach is to come up with some small, functional, scalable design and architecture. ,

Basic software Architecture

First, try to create a simple C/S model, like the following function:

Create a new role;

Save that role (server side);

Landing with that character;

Be able to talk to other people;

Can tour in 3D space;