Assitance Please. Program + database.

[Cear Rovaski]

Hello, this is my first post and first time on this forum. I figured it's about time I come to a Flash Help forum, because I can't figure out what I need.

I want to create a program, borderline game, that is to be used by me and about 3 other friends. An easy way to think about the features that I want, is to think of the Facebook Game, Assassins Creed Project Legacy. The main features I want to have in my app, is a Marketplace, to buy, sell, trade items. The Items would mainly be [think of how the Project Legacy's Inventory is divided up, I would like fields for buying resources, consumables, a "specials" for Space Stations, and then a unit field for Inf, Tanks, and Starships. and I like the idea of the "crafting" part, where I could possibly use this as creating Ships, training Inf, Building Space Stations, and what not.

A Technology center, to purchase upgrades, each upgrade should have different tiers, Should only be able to purchase technology's with tP [Technology points] that you gain after a certain time, You can speed up tP point's by putting money into research, I ultimately, wish for the research divided into different fields, Agriculture, Military, Civilian, Diplomatic, and then possibly sub-fields, but Whatever Is possible, I'm happy with.

Another feature would be an Interactive Map, that would have 4 "zooms", 1 being the entire map, 2 3 and 4 being specific territorial locations of the three empires. If it's possible to also include "Mouse Over" icons that would display information about planets, star systems, and other.

I know most of this possible, the map part I could possibly do, but the other parts I don't know how to code, and how to connect to a Database to stop cheating and what not. If someone could possibly help me develop my little app, Could you contact me?
Best Way to contact me is over my Windows Live Messenger, PM for my email.
I can take care of all the graphical needs. I know I'm asking a lot [of coding] and anyone to help me with this, I thank you, for helping me.


Those are just the main features, I want to also add a Private Message/Inbox System, Login [Possible/Undetermined], a Diplomacy Counter, to keep track of the level of diplomacy between the empires, It would subtract or add points daily, depending on the current status, A "Fleet System" to organize the ships that you have, Name a fleet, control the make-up[how many ships are in it] and where it's stationed, also on that part, If I could add a "Map+" so I can have it on the interactive map, send fleets, give orders, and what not.

[Vlykarye]

Hmm.. I don't mean to be rude when I say this, but if you can't handle these features by yourself, I don't think you should be making a full pledged app. I don't know what you consider an app is, but since you talked about facebook games, then I'm going to assume that you want to make a facebook app. Perhaps you should study some of the topics you posted first.

If you are really devoted to making a game like this in ActionScript of all language..., then here is a good place for you to start learning:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/FlashPla...e-summary.html

However, if what you are really after is a team of game developers, then perhaps there are people here or elsewhere who would like to join you.

[Cear Rovaski]

It's not for facebook, when I say App, I just Mean an Application, It'd more or less, specifically a program.
I chose flash + actionscript, because more graphics to implement. If You think I'd be better doing this in another language, tell me which you think will be best.
And I don't want to get a group of people to help, because in the end, the program is only for me and three other friends, it's not for a large group of people to play. It's to help manage a rpg.
Thanks for your input though.

[Vlykarye]

Hmm. In that case, you should probably go with some variant of C or perhaps even java.

However, I'm a bit confused here. Do you want to make an RPG, or manage one that has already been made?

Second, game developer does not equal game player. They are people who make games. If your friends are game developers, then I'd understand not needing other people. However, if all your friends are doing is playing games, you should consider finding someone who is enthusiastic about making games. This person will be able to help you when developing your game before and after it is created.

Third. If this game of yours is web-based, then flash will be able to handle it perfectly fine. If it is a desktop game (something like W.O.W, where you have to download and install the game), then I would go with a more powerful language. I love flash to death, but it just isn't powerful enough for that kind of stuff. People say that flash will eventually die. This, of course, is all up to Adobe. I hope they make flash even more powerful, but it's wishful thinking.

[Cear Rovaski]

Yea. I suppose I'll give C or Java a try.

and to be honest, I haven't decided if it's gonna be web or desktop.
I want to have both.
One on the website, and one that we can just open up on our Desktops. and it's for a RPG, but not an actual "Game" It's just something we've made during our spare time, we just Text roleplay like -walking across the room- and what not. We just want a way to manage our rpg, to keep the information together and to make the rpg more interactive, so eventually we could get more people to join.

One of my friend's has used C++ Before, the other's aren't that great, but I try to teach them stuff fromtime to time, and I have them read up on the language books so I can ask them for reference's, so we can toss ideas around, to get something to work.


and as far as the "Something I could handle" I'm sure it is, Just. I don't know what the code would be to do what I want. Like, For starters, how would I go about making an inventory/marketplace that I could buy, sell, and keep track of my current equipment, let alone making a "crafting" system to make new items and what not.

[Vlykarye]

In that case, I request a position in your developing team. I am far from being a real game developer, but I've finished half of my game design degree so far, so I think I can help you here and there. As for Flash, I have years of experience. I am still a beginner at C and Java. As you probably know by now, programming languages are free, but the software used to compile some of them are not. If you have purchased a version of flash, then give it a try first.

I'm a busy person at the moment, and I'm currently helping someone else with a little project he has (along with my schooling) so I won't be able to help you for a couple weeks, but you can always ask questions since I can answer those fairly quickly. If all you need to do is keep up with statistics and stuff, a simple database/forum site is all you really need. But, if you want graphics and stuff like that, then I completely understand.

The best thing for you to do first is prepare. Make a complex list of all the features you want. Write down how they should be displayed and what graphics should go with them. It may sound kind of silly to put a lot of effort into this, but preparation is key to everything: writing papers, formal meetings, wedding, using magic, etc. If you can gather all the information you need before you start developing your idea, then you will make your project 50% easier. This is the first stage, designing. Once you have the design complete, send me a message and I'll help you develop your program.

[Cear Rovaski]

It doesn't sound that silly, It's very smart thing to do, I've always believed in thinking your project out. Infact, Since I'm new to the flash language, that's exactly what i've been doing, slowly though. Just so when I go to a forum or something, I know what I want, how I want it. I have a small Word file that has some information a bit more indepth descriptions, but that's all it is, it's more of a "Overview" for a client, not really a description for developing, however I'm gonna work on that one soon, making blueprints of the Inter face, how I want things to work, and what not.

Thanks for your offer however, That'd be a bit silly, if you haven't seen my profile, then you don't know that I'm 16, and i wouldn't call it a developing team. I'm just a kid, with some friends, who enjoy modding games, making our own games/stories/universes. I'm the more graphical kid in the group, using Photoshop and Gimp, learning Flash. where the others are just kinda.. there to help brew ideas. However one of my friends is doing video editing class at highschool, and even goes as far as trying to be professional with a "Ethereal Productions" and logos and what not [which I have to make for him T_T ] It's not quite College level, :P

I'm only a junior, and 13 credits away from senior, infact, I could graduate this year. but yes, back to the point. If you still want to help answer questions and what not, That'd be amazing, I'd thank you a thousand times over, but a part of our "developing team" that'd be sorta silly.

I'm just getting tired of making mod's for games, I want to actually MAKE something of my own. My first step, is this game/application/program whatever you want to call it, for me and my friends and this Rpg like thing we play. I'll work more on my blueprints, guide and what not, and then I'll revisit the forums to ask more specific questions, focused at what I need.

[Vlykarye]

haha, then we are not very different! I may be 20 now, but that doesn't mean I'm not a kid who plays and also mods games

But very well, whenever you need help, come visit. Before you leave though, join my group! I like keeping things organized and looking professional, even if it's not. Professional is cool! http://www.flashadvisor.com/forum/group.php?groupid=3 Accept the invite. This will make it easier to keep track with.

[Cear Rovaski]

I will make sure to do that.
and yes. I find personalizing a game for personal, or community reasons very fun. I just like the idea of customization =]