Creating an online game project: Where to start?

Quote:

Original post by MangaFox 2. What tools should I download/create/buy that will allow the online team to communicate and swap content effectively?

I'm not really sure, but consider checking "CVS" out. My ide came with it (devc++), so you can probably get it for free. I think it allows you to work on code online and have it constantly updated, but Im not sure.

For the second question, I would check out Sourcefourge.


Search it. The only promblem with it, is that your project must be open source. That is not bad for my projects, but maybe if you don't want yours opensource, then just check out CVS Period. CVS is good.

When posting for help and members, maintain a critical eye of who it is who is trying to join. Ask for their experience and some demo programs or an art portfolio or something before you let them on. 80% (a number I just made up now, but I want to sound authoritive) of the people who are going to apply are probably just school kids with little experience. While there are obvious exceptions, a lot of new programmers lack the dedication and experience to seriously work on a game project with as little direction and supervision as they will get. Assignments in school are one thing, defining and solving your own problems is another.

As well, you should offer the people as much information as you are willing to give. Nobody wants to invest time heavily into something that sounds poorly contrived. If you have concept art, code done, engines picked out, anything... Post it.

Be candid, and don't accept more people than you can manage.

If you decide to make your game open source, then the nice guys at sourceforge will give you the CVS repository(like ender mentioned),to act as a central store for, well, everything. You'll also get some webspace with that, mailing lists, a bug report system, and a message board, almost all the tools you need to manage a development group online. Additionally you'll want some way to interact in real-time with everybody in the group, especially at the beginning of the project. I've only been in one online project, which failed, but I suppose that's all part of the learning process.

edit: beaten by a clear 10mins :( Oh well, serves me for keeping idle tabs open :)

[Edited by - Zanthos on January 12, 2006 8:10:06 PM]

CVS, imho, is bloody 'orrible. You're much better off with a different free solution, such as Subversion (which is explicitly designed to be an 'improved CVS').

I would recommend a website as it serves both as a way to show off your project to the public (i.e. your market), and to show off to potential team members (you'll need to show that you do have what it takes to make a game if you want to recruit the best people). For hosting, you could use something like GeoCities, but you really need to get your wallet out for decent advert-free stuff.