Torque best option?
by Kiwi Leetdancer · in General Discussion · 12/05/2006 (8:52 pm) · 12 replies
I hope I dont deserve to get any stones throw at me for asking this.... Im a little worried that Torque is just to advanced for what I want to do and/or and capable of. I was hoping someone with more eperience could give me insight if Torque a good option or if maybe I should be looking for a simpler engine (like maybe something in Java.)
Basically what I envision is a 3D chatroom plus. Basically I want a 3D enviroment with multiple rooms, chat system, avatars that can run animations, clothing changes (possibly minor avatar changes like hair-do) and a small inventory system for tradeable items. Particle effects might possibly be used but probably not. It should be able to handle approximately 1000 users online at once.
The graphic level would be simular to
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Im not delusioned enough to not admit I dont fully have the capabilities to do it yet (hmm guess if I did have that knowledge I wouldnt have to be asking oppinions on a engine hehe.)
I know how to make 3D objects, textures, and animations. Just Im not a artist by any means so Im slow at it. I know the basics and theories of game design. My biggest are is total lack of programming knowledge. I realise that I will have to show some dedication and learn programming before can actually pull my idea off.
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I would really appreciate oppinions from people if Torque a good base for me or should I look for another engine. Im more then willing to purchase Torque, it is just since I know Im going to be devoting a lot of time to learn whatever system I use; I dont want to spend that time to only find out I made a poor choice and will be starting over :)
Basically what I envision is a 3D chatroom plus. Basically I want a 3D enviroment with multiple rooms, chat system, avatars that can run animations, clothing changes (possibly minor avatar changes like hair-do) and a small inventory system for tradeable items. Particle effects might possibly be used but probably not. It should be able to handle approximately 1000 users online at once.
The graphic level would be simular to
.............................
Im not delusioned enough to not admit I dont fully have the capabilities to do it yet (hmm guess if I did have that knowledge I wouldnt have to be asking oppinions on a engine hehe.)
I know how to make 3D objects, textures, and animations. Just Im not a artist by any means so Im slow at it. I know the basics and theories of game design. My biggest are is total lack of programming knowledge. I realise that I will have to show some dedication and learn programming before can actually pull my idea off.
............................
I would really appreciate oppinions from people if Torque a good base for me or should I look for another engine. Im more then willing to purchase Torque, it is just since I know Im going to be devoting a lot of time to learn whatever system I use; I dont want to spend that time to only find out I made a poor choice and will be starting over :)
#2
Thats where I learned what skills I had. When I first joined SL I needed cheatsheet just to connect to the game. I was envious (ok truth is I was jealous) of what people could make. So I started downloading every tutorial I could find, then spent many months teaching myself how to run photoshop and poser (for textures, skins, and animations. Cant explain what feeling ya get from running around in clothes ya made yourself or doing a dance you made all the steps for :) ) I became good using there ingame "prim" editor system to make homes, furniture and such but wasnt happy till eventually learned enough milkshape that I could reproduce my character in it.
As I said; Im not artist so am slow, but am still proud the skills Ive picked up and will always be thankful for my time there. But now I feel its time for me to take the next step and build something of my own. Now Im just not sure which engine would be best option for me take the skills Ive picked up and build on them to someday work on the project I envision.
12/06/2006 (12:06 am)
Yipyip :)Thats where I learned what skills I had. When I first joined SL I needed cheatsheet just to connect to the game. I was envious (ok truth is I was jealous) of what people could make. So I started downloading every tutorial I could find, then spent many months teaching myself how to run photoshop and poser (for textures, skins, and animations. Cant explain what feeling ya get from running around in clothes ya made yourself or doing a dance you made all the steps for :) ) I became good using there ingame "prim" editor system to make homes, furniture and such but wasnt happy till eventually learned enough milkshape that I could reproduce my character in it.
As I said; Im not artist so am slow, but am still proud the skills Ive picked up and will always be thankful for my time there. But now I feel its time for me to take the next step and build something of my own. Now Im just not sure which engine would be best option for me take the skills Ive picked up and build on them to someday work on the project I envision.
#3
12/07/2006 (10:23 am)
Can anyone give me insight? :)
#4
www.garagegames.com/mg/snapshot/view.php?qid=1203
12/07/2006 (10:59 am)
Something like what you describe has been built with TGE by some of the members of this community. Check out the PCD Lounge. Here's a handy link . . .www.garagegames.com/mg/snapshot/view.php?qid=1203
#5
Ill post again later lol..
But in short, you should be fine. And Yes Torque is a good engine to use.
12/07/2006 (11:05 am)
I had a nice long reply...but the forums ate it......Ill post again later lol..
But in short, you should be fine. And Yes Torque is a good engine to use.
#6
Thanks for the link.
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Mr Bloodworth I look forward to what ya got to say :)
12/07/2006 (11:55 am)
ACK!!! Someone beat me to the idea :( Not yet what I have envisioned but wont be long till someone sees the potential and takes to next step.Thanks for the link.
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Mr Bloodworth I look forward to what ya got to say :)
#7
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TGE can do that. But the question about going more simple when your asking for a lot is what's odd.
What your asking for is a lot.. a client.. a set of tools.. middleware.. SQL servers.. security etc...
Torque can do it just read up first so you know pimpin aint ez. No matter what tools..
12/07/2006 (12:08 pm)
Torque is so good you just pour in a can of old beer, a half rotten bannana peel and some plastic trash and it produces a burnt CD with a full blown MMOG using shader 3.0 materials.......
TGE can do that. But the question about going more simple when your asking for a lot is what's odd.
What your asking for is a lot.. a client.. a set of tools.. middleware.. SQL servers.. security etc...
Torque can do it just read up first so you know pimpin aint ez. No matter what tools..
#8
At this point I just dream about making a proof of concept to show people. Lets face it, noone will even let me in the door to discuss my idea if thats all it is... a idea in some unknown..wannabe's head. Its just a dream I know; Ill still probably get laughed out the room, but maybe they wont be rolling on the floor laughing when Im tossed out hehe.
12/08/2006 (10:01 am)
I realize what Im speaking of is not easy. Im not one those that think they could come with zero knowledge, buy torque and a week later release a WoW clone. As I said, if Im going to be pouring a lot of myself into learning something I just wanted to make sure Im starting at the right place. I would hate someone tell me way down the line "if you would chose XXXX instead...."At this point I just dream about making a proof of concept to show people. Lets face it, noone will even let me in the door to discuss my idea if thats all it is... a idea in some unknown..wannabe's head. Its just a dream I know; Ill still probably get laughed out the room, but maybe they wont be rolling on the floor laughing when Im tossed out hehe.
#9
Dream big, but start small. I know that sounds dumb, but it will be worth it. With some hard work, time and dedication, Torque can do a lot of cool things -- which may open doors for even bigger things.
12/10/2006 (12:53 pm)
@KiwiDream big, but start small. I know that sounds dumb, but it will be worth it. With some hard work, time and dedication, Torque can do a lot of cool things -- which may open doors for even bigger things.
#10
the different chat rooms can be actual different rooms modeled with no exits... or you can have exits if you like... to other chat areas... and only allow specific messages once someone 'walks' (is transported) to a particular room...
the avatars can be actual 3d models... and clothing changes i think can be easily done...
so far, all the stuff you mentioned is really right up the TGE alley... and can be done with just the basic scripting and tools that come with Torque... no engine mods should be required... no c++ coding... but in order to do this, you're going to need to learn a bit about how TGE works, the scripting language, how Torque networking is implemented, and how to customize the player model...
as far as the other stuff is concerned... the inventory and the 1000 people online at one time... i think that that's gonna require a lil work... back end DataBases and such... and, like i said above, unless around 30 people at a time is good, you're probably gonna have to implement some sorta dedicated server farm, or something to accomodate that many users...
anyways, if you're starting from scratch, this is gonna take you a lil while... how little depends on how fast you can pick up the essentials... the Ken Finney book will get you up to speed real fast... also, what Aaron just said to you is probably the best, most realistic advice i would offer as well...
get your feet wet before you jump into the pool... make a small test chat world... 1 room... get familiar with the gui system so you'll know how to set up user option screens, etc... familiarize yourself with how client server is implemented in Torque... test it online... plenty of people here will gladly download the client and log on to help you... assess the results and then decide on the final project.
good luck... this sounds interesting...
--Mike
12/10/2006 (1:40 pm)
I think tat TGE can handle your project, right outta the box... all except the 1000 users online simultaneously requirement...the different chat rooms can be actual different rooms modeled with no exits... or you can have exits if you like... to other chat areas... and only allow specific messages once someone 'walks' (is transported) to a particular room...
the avatars can be actual 3d models... and clothing changes i think can be easily done...
so far, all the stuff you mentioned is really right up the TGE alley... and can be done with just the basic scripting and tools that come with Torque... no engine mods should be required... no c++ coding... but in order to do this, you're going to need to learn a bit about how TGE works, the scripting language, how Torque networking is implemented, and how to customize the player model...
as far as the other stuff is concerned... the inventory and the 1000 people online at one time... i think that that's gonna require a lil work... back end DataBases and such... and, like i said above, unless around 30 people at a time is good, you're probably gonna have to implement some sorta dedicated server farm, or something to accomodate that many users...
anyways, if you're starting from scratch, this is gonna take you a lil while... how little depends on how fast you can pick up the essentials... the Ken Finney book will get you up to speed real fast... also, what Aaron just said to you is probably the best, most realistic advice i would offer as well...
get your feet wet before you jump into the pool... make a small test chat world... 1 room... get familiar with the gui system so you'll know how to set up user option screens, etc... familiarize yourself with how client server is implemented in Torque... test it online... plenty of people here will gladly download the client and log on to help you... assess the results and then decide on the final project.
good luck... this sounds interesting...
--Mike
#11
I ran out and bought both the Finney books today. Im planning to buy torque next payday (got carried away and spent my extra cash on the books lol.) Would ya all suggest I consider http://www.mydreamrpg.com/ product to help with the issue of number players online?
12/10/2006 (7:50 pm)
Thank for all the advice and especially the thumbs up Im heading in right way by chosing Torque as my future platflorm :) Im really excited and motivated to start taking the first step now :)I ran out and bought both the Finney books today. Im planning to buy torque next payday (got carried away and spent my extra cash on the books lol.) Would ya all suggest I consider http://www.mydreamrpg.com/ product to help with the issue of number players online?
#12
Here's a link to one such blog entry . . .
www.garagegames.com/blogs/4280/11470
By the way, it probably wouldn't hurt to read everything else Josh has posted in his blogs, even the non-MMO stuff. There's lots of really cool information in there.
[Edit: clarified things a bit]
12/11/2006 (1:00 am)
You might want to read everything Josh Ritter has posted on MMOs and Torque technology. He's done some amazing things with the engine and achieved large numbers of concurrent users. His posts should be required reading for anyone wanting to do any type of MMO-functionality. Here's a link to one such blog entry . . .
www.garagegames.com/blogs/4280/11470
By the way, it probably wouldn't hurt to read everything else Josh has posted in his blogs, even the non-MMO stuff. There's lots of really cool information in there.
[Edit: clarified things a bit]
Torque Owner AllynMcelrath