Alright, the idea has been formulating in this tiny brain of mine for quite sometime. And, I decided it was best to get some feedback on the possiblity of the idea of a mmorpg done with a flash based app.
A few my questions, to anyone that can send an answer would be welcome.
First off, is it possible?
I figured that since chat rooms could be designed using a xml based socket configuration that making the use of a graphical rpg wouldn't be too much of a stretch. The biggest problem I see would be lag. Which I think could greatly be reduced by the loading of smaller .swf files into a larger (Perhaps 10 meg) flash made inteface file.
Since flash has the capabilities to load another movie and interact with it using actionscript that smaller map files could be used and generated with a max 100kb load.
For instance, for anyone who has played Morrowind III. You know about the dynamic loading sequences. Hell, for most anyone who has ever played an rpg you know about it. But, for specific example let's use Morrowind. In it you progress through the world map and to cut down on video card lag, they load only certain areas at a time. Well, think of this in an 2d flash incarnation. When you move through a certain amount of the world map another .swf file is loaded, a few seconds loading even for someone on dial up. And you travel through the world only loading a certain portion of the map so and so forth.
I figure with the add-on of using a .exe made flash file you can use the inloading of other movies quite extensively. Even for such things as character movement animations, new items, so and so forth.
With the extensibility of actionscript coupled with xml socket routing you should be able to accomplish a lot. Now, couple that with one or two Mysql databases handling log in info, and character positions etc etc.
So, say this is a fight based rpg. Like um, DBZ...since that's how this started out I will use the example here. Two characters meet, one intitiates a fight. The socket connection between the two is made, their fight's position is marked in the database for people's movements, on the world map other people would simply see a dust cloud animation showing miscellaneous arms and legs issuing out. While the other people inside in the fight are simply using the socket connection there is no lag on the world map server. So, turns are taken and the fight continues, this part has been feasibly accomplished with such examples as two player internet ping pong so it's not impossible.
Next, take a bunch of other movie files loaded with appropriate actionscript for item shops, etc etc. This gives great interactivity that also doesn't allow for lag because each file is simply loaded into the base app and sent from a different server. (Yes, many servers are used in this...but most flash movies are under a meg and the ones I am talking about under 300k. So a few free servers would allow the load.)
Updates I don't seeing being a big problem as smaller files are all you are working with, control of characters and all base game programming lies in the larger .exe file while other things, like character appearances, items, fight scenes are done in the smaller loaded files. All one would have to do to get an update is log on, all new files are loaded from the server and bam! Insta-update!
The rpg system itself really is inconsequential. The only real deal is lag on the world map caused by continous player movement and in game communication. I figure if using a mud type setup for the rooms, only people in your area can hear your chatting. Another cut on lag. Add in a minor version of an instant messanger and you have more variety in communication.
I think it could work, but I could be wrong...that's why I am asking others in the MMORPG community for some help or advice on this undertaking.
If you want more information feel free to contact me through these boards. Thanks a lot. Z...
