M.A.S.S. a Browser-Based Game

Team name: No definite name as of yet, but the “MASS Dev Team” is the current placeholder. Project name: MASS (Military Advanced Strategic Shooter) Brief description: MASS is a PBBG (Persistent Browser Based Game) like no other before it, influenced by games like “Urban dead” and “Call of Duty”, MASS is a truly unique “2D” game that can be played at anytime anywhere, as long as you can connect to the internet. The basic idea is a top down view of the world in tile form such as an RPG like Zelda. You interact with most things by clicking on the tiles to shoot, build, etc. and the possibilities are unlimited. With the game set in a world of war for control, power and resources the communication between players and teamwork is crucial and many unique systems have been designed to benefit this. To summarize, MASS is a persistent battle, driven by PvP combat, in-depth options on the battlefield, the ability the build anything seen in the game (including walls), and a new array of previously unseen communication systems for a browser-based game all in your browser of choice. Target aim: MASS will be completely free to play, however other arrangements may be made depending on the amount of funds needed to keep the game running. Compensation: Any money made will be directed back into the games development, management and upkeep. Members of the development team will only be paid on the occasion of surplus, and other than that, expect only experience (and a good time) from this project. Technology: MASS is being developed for all (or most) internet browser programs. MASS will be developed with these languages primarily: -XHTML -PHP -SQL and MySQL -javascript/AJAX -CSS -jQuery Other than these languages there is no other technology. The graphical designers of MASS will use their own graphical applications and in this case any kind of graphical application is accepted. Talent needed: Right now the main talent I need is someone who is proficient or at least knows their way around AJAX and more of the front end programming related to the game. I’m not very good at that part at the moment and needed some help from friends to implement the movement so the front end or “client” is basically the main trouble as of yet. I am improving my skills so eventually I will able to help more with AJAX etc. On whole the code for this game is pretty simplistic, I say “2D client” however the only 2D involved are the tiles, there are no vectors or physics or anything you may normally see in a 2D game. So if you’re looking at joining the project don’t expect complication, this is web programming with a twist. Prerequisites: -Charismatic: I am a person who likes to talk about stuff, a lot, so expect this and understand communication is critical. -Committed: Now I’m not telling you to full out spend all your time on this project but I do expect to hear from you often, and you better expect to here from me. -Fun: This is a hobbyist project; know how to have a good time. I’m not looking for experts (although that would be nice), just people who have some hobby time to spend working on this project and won’t drop out after a week. Here are some of the main lines of work- Database Design and Implementer: This member’s job is to organize the information for MASS and design and create a scalable database to fit its needs. This person will be working mainly with SQL and MySQL, other databases or languages may be used on the request of the member, however, SQL is default. Back-end Programmer: This member will mainly be doing work with PHP, javascript and Ajax to create all the things done behind the scene. For instance helping me with the combat system, skills system etc. Game Logic/Front-end Programmer: This member’s job is to program the client that the player interacts with. This means helping to improve on the tile system, and other front-end related projects. in XHTML, javascript, AJAX and others. Website Graphical Designer: This member’s job will be to design and implement the graphical side of MASS, for example the homepage, forums etc. They will be using XHTML, XML, CSS, and some PHP, javascript and AJAX. If you think you have the skills to do any of these things please contact me no one will be forced to do one thing or another. This is just a layout of the main sectors of work related to this project. Team structure: Me: My jobs include lead game design, all types of programming, structuring and creating the database, a little bit of art direction and generally managing the development forums, benchmarks, etc. Yes, it is just me right now but I do know some friends who might be able to help latter this year like they have before. Website: The MASS Game Development Forums, is the current development website for the game. As of yet there is no real webpage for the players to go to, the actual game site will be tested in builds on a temporary server. Contacts: Contact me the fastest at the development website and give me a PM. Previous Work by Team: None, this is the team’s first collaboration, however there has already been some very basic preliminary work done for the game, I have created the login system/registration and helped (with some friends) to create a tile based movement system. Also I have created a very long and complex design document in addition to a basic one I can hand out if anyone is interested. Additional Info: If you have ever played any games like Nexus Wars, or Urban Dead the client will be similar in some aspects, mainly relating to the way the tiles are clickable and there is a sidebar for status etc. I predict it will not take very long to build MASS, many browser based games can be made in months so the more help we have along the faster we will get to something playable for us. Also many features will come in waves according to the design document; we are not making the entire thing in one sitting! Feedback: ANY