Software/Script Ideas for GG members

#1 How about adding Stored Procedure support to the ODBC database resources? ;)

#2 I was thinking more along the lines of stand alone but that can be added to my list...

#3 Personally, I've always wanted the ability to browse and edit an ODBC database on the fly from an (internal) web page. I'm sure that this exists somewhere, but the searches I've done have led me in circles.

Think for example: your database contains values for the cost, power, etc. of your RPG Torque game. The web page would let you edit these values dynamically--just a front end for the underlying tables. The more generic/auto-configuring it can be, the better. Keeps my db guy out of the loop when the level designers/scripters need to rework balance levels, etc.

#4 The database interface idea is a good one.

For a stand-alone type application, I was thinking of a UML program that could generate TorqueScript objects, datablocks, and methods from class and use case diagrams. I guess in this case it would be Torque object and use case diagrams.

I know there are guys out there working on Torsion, a Torque Script editor, but don't know if they are even thinking about UML integration with it. I guess I could recommend it to them now since it came up.

It's much easier to give a coder/scripter a skeleton of your objects and methods and have him/her to fill in the details then have him/her try to create them on the fly. And, all of the dependencies would be easier to keep track of.

#5 Thomas,

I don't know if such a thing exists already, but I would love to see a TML (the Torque markup language for in-game docs) editor. I've got a macro enhanced text editor that helps out when I'm creating docs, but a Wordperfect or Frontpage style TML editor would be super cool.

By the way, thanks for starting this thread.

Aaron E.

#6 How about a program that can make dif interior files, like the soon to come torque creator, or quark, but better and it can import various formats ranging from map to wavefront obj's, to even the off 3ds objects.
Hmm
That would be great
But still just an idea.

#7 You could create a php driven web interface that would act as a development office.

Set up chat, message board, video/voice feeds, sign in / out records, source control, etc. It could be like a little mini office that plugs right into the webserver.

#8 Wow thanks for all of these great suggestions!

@Stephen: That is such a good idea on so many levels. It would even be useful to non game developers as well. It could even be released as freeware depending on how many features I develop for it.

@Charles: The UML integration would be great and extremely useful. If I develop this one I will let everyone know of course. What kind of price range do you think would be appropriate or would you be willing to pay? (GG members will get respective programs for free, or in a visit-my-website-ware fashion)

@Aaron: I don't believe one exists either, but I will search around before I start the initial design. I also agree that this utility would be fantastic for rapid development with the TML. Thanks!

@Adam: I will wait until Torque creator comes out, or perhaps I could just create a plugin for quark or milkshape3d? I believe the latter would be easier instead of a fullblown program.

@Chris: I was thinking something like this would be very useful and I like your added suggestion of voice feeds and sign in/out recording! What did you have in mind for pricing of this type of drop it web dev office?

Again, thanks for all of your suggestions and taking the time to post. It is appreciated!

-Tom

#9 Pricing isn't important. Just get it built first. Could price it around the 50 dollar mark if you wanted or host it yourself, if you have your own good server for a monthly fee (Think 5$ / month).

#10 Alright, sounds good. I will get it developed first and possibly offer both a self hosted solution as well as offer hosting from my website. Thanks for the suggestions.

#11 Groove's Virtual Office is a great tool for a virtual dev office. It's $179 for the Professional Edition and $229 for the Project Edition. If you are creating an online development team, this could be a great resource and could save you the time of trying to create your own app for the same purpose. Of course if you come up with the same features as them and can come in at a smaller price...

#12 Thanks for the information. Virtual Office looks really awesome, I might buy it sometime...

If I made something similar to it I would definitely charge less and maybe give more features ( but not bloat it )

Thanks again everyone!

#13 Groove's Virtual office is probably not aimed at indie teams. If you could price yours specifically for an indie team it would help our community. To insure it's for an indie team you could limit how many user accounts, or place an income restriction in your EULA.

#14 I would say Virtual Office isn't aimed at hobbyists but it's definitely aimed at any team who isn't localized or decides not to pay rent for a real office and still needs to collaborate often on projects. If you're commercial and have publisher funding, you are most likely going to have a real office and wouldn't need Virtual Office. That's not saying I wouldn't like to see a web based application acheiving the same kind of productivity and even coming in at a subscription rate per month.

I would just like to see something that's not already out there that can fill in some need that's more directly Torque-specific instead of general software or project related.

#15 Well, one of the biggest issues Torque teams face is communication. This would greatly enhance our ability to do that.

If you wanted it Torque specific then create it on the TAP. Just remember that you need GG's permission to create a non game app on the TAP.

#16

Quote:
If you wanted it Torque specific then create it on the TAP. Just remember that you need GG's permission to create a non game app on the TAP.

Actually, you just need a commercial license!

#17 Yes. I got confused.

#18 I just thought of a really good thing that would be awesome for TGE. A 'tabstrip' GUI control. One where you can click each tab element and see what's on the tab in design time so you can edit/change/add/etc. to it. They way you gotta fake it now you can't even see what's under so you're pretty much forced to do it in code.

#19 That's a good idea.. maybe I could make a util that has a pack of this and related code subsets? In the future...