Generic RPG "backbone" ?

[jokoon]

Hello

I'm new to game programming (oh god, that's bad), but not to programming.

Since I've a project in mind, I wanted to make sure it doesn't already exist in some sort, or at least not open source.

I want to try making a simple RPG/Adventure/Action game engine that doesn't come with the levels, models, sounds, etc. so I can basically focus on a tweakable and versatile gameplay code, such as spells, weapon use, progression mechanisms, etc, so that 3D artists or game designers could start making some adventurous one player-game without the programming headache...

Does that kind of specific adventure game engine somewhat exists ?

[madmarx]

I suppose there is a lot.
Google RPGMaker for example.

[jokoon]

In 3d, not 2d

[jacmoe]

There is zillions of 'RPG' projects on Sourceforge, but only 10 % of those have any actual code...
And then only 10 % of those 10% is actually useful.
Out of those, most of them are 2D.

If we're talking about a RPG framework.

There's lots of 3D projects which calls themselves RPG's, most of those with a big 'MMO' prepended.
Again, big words, small code.

If we are going to pick one good framework, using Ogre, I would say 'WorldForge' and the 'Ember' Ogre graphical client.

IndieZen would be a very good candidate, but it's not out of the embryonic state just yet.

Then, if we forget about Ogre, there's Ryzom (NEL) - a very complete MMORPG ( ) framework.

[jokoon]

And on the type of game, what about something more like Adventure/Action/Platform ?

[jacmoe]

You talked about single player, which is excellent.
Much easier to piece together something useful then.

'Rastullahs Lockenpracht' is a fine Ogre based project which could be an interesting study in how to create a 3D RPG game which actually works and looks good and does something.

'9th Life' may be outdated, but it still has some good gameplay/logic code which can be taken to the next, more modern level.

Here's a list:
http://test.ogitor.org/tiki/Projects+Using+OGRE

And on the type of game, what about something more like Adventure/Action/Platform ?

Use Google.

[madmarx]

warcraft 3 editor?

[jokoon]

warcraft 3 editor?

Oh god...
The scripting part looks awful.
Warcraft III is multiplayer, so this is even more complicated to set up...
And for example, I HATE Dota.

Thanks for the answers !

[Stefan Lundmark]

warcraft 3 editor?

Oh god...
The scripting part looks awful.
Warcraft III is multiplayer, so this is even more complicated to set up...
And for example, I HATE Dota.

Thanks for the answers !

DotA isn't an RPG, so not sure what your point is.

[jokoon]

Classes, experience, factions, loots, mobs, spells, one single character... I don't know what dota is then... a non-MMO RTS version of WoW ?
Maybe I don't know enough game types/genres, even if the concept of game genre/type eludes me sometimes...

I guess nowadays with the computer speed and memory quantity you can make a game than embraces a lot of different gameplays at the same time.

[KungFooMasta]

warcraft 3 editor?

And for example, I HATE Dota.

Blasphemy! Out of curiousity, why do you hate Dota? Its less micro than traditional RTS, and more heroic than conquering an enemy base.

I would say Dota is not quite an RPG because there is no storyline, however there are a ton of RPG elements in the game.

[Klaim]

An open-source engine thought like NeverWinter Nights would be a good idea but an hard and long task.

[madmarx]

eheheh.
This time I know : the esenthel game engin comes with a 3d RPG (code source are given) as demo.
Should'nt be hard to tweak.

[jokoon]

Expensive, I'm not spending $200...
Just imagine the added value of an engine like Ogre... There is no way there is a need to spend money for this...

[madmarx]

Lol, next time you ask something on the forum, try to be more precise, because there is no way I can read in your first opening post that you want it less than $15... And as a matter of fact, I consider 200$ to be cheap for that kind of things (3dsmax is ... argl). An indie developer gave its costs : his 2D RPG is made by 3 people full-time during one year, and with an average cost of 110000$ ... reusing its own engin for 10 years (which means almost no devs), and the same arts (no need to buy /produce the arts).

Maybe you can go on sourceforge look for an already made 3D RGP game engin? I am certain there are a few. (ok, I am evil )
Seriously, I can't think of anything else than what has been told here. Maybe you can try to ask on gamedev or gamasutra. When you'll find something, I'll be happy to know what is your final choice.

[wacom]

An indie developer gave its costs : his 2D RPG is made by 3 people full-time during one year, and with an average cost of 110000$ ... reusing its own engin for 10 years (which means almost no devs), and the same arts (no need to buy /produce the arts).

Do you mean Jeff Vogel from Spiderweb Software?

[madmarx]

I couldn't remember his name, but I think that is him. I had the figure somewhere in my head.
EDIT : yeah that's him.
http://jeff-vogel.blogspot.com/2009/03/ ... -sell.html
And the costs are 120000$, not 110000$, my mistake.

[jokoon]

I was just making sure the software I'm thinking about is not already made, to see what already exists, but I'm not really wanting to buy something, I want to learn and I have the luck to go at a school for that.
For the 3d content, that doesn't really matter to me... that is already some expensive thing to do, and I prefer to let the choice to the 3D guys rather than asking them explicitly what to do...
I'm just doing some kind of research, that's all

[madmarx]

I want to learn and I have the luck to go at a school for that

Maybe you could try forums/website dedicated to games creation to find answer and help on these questions ?

[SomeFusion]

If you are looking for a Diablo like gameplay you could try Summoning Wars:

http://www.sumwars.org/

[Nosferax]

Currently working on one rpg-ish engine, but it's still extremely embryonic (all we have right now is data structures and managers talking to each other - and a unit controller which allows you to wander in an empty world lol). We're working on the scripting part right now. It is going to be scripted using either python or lua (i.e. no custom script language bullshit)... We are trying with python right now but none of the classes in the engine should know they are talking to python, rather they will just speak to ScriptObjects through our ScriptWrapper.

Since we are a team of two and we work on it about 5h a week each, don't get your hopes too high