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Clotters · Jul 19th, 2005, 10:49 PM

Firstly, I think I should warn you this is quite a long post ...

I'm learning more about C++ as each day progresses and I think soon I should have a decent command to get into the 'nitty gritty' (as we say in England) and start the programming - at the moment I'm having difficulties with pointers and references, but otherwsie ... it's not too bad. I'd say I'm half-way there in the learning process and I'm progressing steadily and am beginning to picture mental images of how things could piece together. However, I have some questions that have arose in my learning.

I'll split this into seven different sections.

Part 1 - The Database:

I know I've touched on this earlier but would like to go back into it a little...

Obviously, for a soccer management game I'll need a stable database and I was thinking what database utilities would you recommend me to go into? SQL? Oracle? Then the question is how hard would it be to learn? Are there any other suggestions on how I could (or should) build the database.

I was also thinking of just using .txt files and using file input/output. It would be a lot simpler and easier for others to go in and edit the in-game database themselves. Do you think this would be a good option to take instead?

Part 2 - Graphical User Interface:

The other question I have is where to learn about building a GUI for my game and what would be the best language to use? Again, how difficult can this be to learn? I was thinking of using OpenGL, SDL or DirectX as opposed to Win32 or something like that. Graphically speaking, I'd be able to achieve a lot more. What do you recommend?

Part 3 - The Game Engine:

The most difficult thing I think the game will bring will be programming the match engine, especially if it's going to be in 2D, like I would eventually hope (otherwise it will just be a running commentary). I expect to start with I'll just use commentary or even just a generated match result. I already have source code on the commentary (i.e a list different possible statements to print in every situation) Any suggestions on how I could tackle this? The actual programming of how each player responds it particularly what I'm worried about.

Part 4 - Assembling a team?:

Finally, I have expectations to really get this simulation to a good standard. Would you recommend that I get some other people to work with me on this project so we can spilt up the tasks. Maybe someone would work on the GUI, someone else organizing the databse and another person coding the actual game (with the others helping complete this task when their assignments have been finished) - something like that anyway.

Part 5 - The graphics:

I doubt a football management simulation is going to require a lot of graphics, but if I used a 2D match engine, I think I would need to use one. What would you recommend? SDL? OpenGL? DirectX? How difficult will this be, roughly? And this match engine brings me to another section ...

Part 6 - The AI:

I need to look into the AI for not only the match engine, but also the computer's handling of non-user managed teams. I don't know much about the AI so any general comments about this would be appreaciated greatly.

Part 7 - Legal Issues:

I know that there are serious legal considerations to take into account with something like this. And I just wondered what my rights would be generally ... if it was freeware or if I decided it was good enough to sell. What programs can't I use if I want to sell this or don't want to release source code? Do any of you know much about the player rights aswell? I couldn't use real player names legally, without permission from whoever owns them ... could I?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, tutorials, articles and any generally relevant addition information would be recieved gladly along with any other general feedback.

Thanks in advance.

Jul 19th, 2005, 10:49 PM	#15
Clotters Programmer Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 60 Rep Power: 4	Firstly, I think I should warn you this is quite a long post ... I'm learning more about C++ as each day progresses and I think soon I should have a decent command to get into the 'nitty gritty' (as we say in England) and start the programming - at the moment I'm having difficulties with pointers and references, but otherwsie ... it's not too bad. I'd say I'm half-way there in the learning process and I'm progressing steadily and am beginning to picture mental images of how things could piece together. However, I have some questions that have arose in my learning. I'll split this into seven different sections. Part 1 - The Database: I know I've touched on this earlier but would like to go back into it a little... Obviously, for a soccer management game I'll need a stable database and I was thinking what database utilities would you recommend me to go into? SQL? Oracle? Then the question is how hard would it be to learn? Are there any other suggestions on how I could (or should) build the database. I was also thinking of just using .txt files and using file input/output. It would be a lot simpler and easier for others to go in and edit the in-game database themselves. Do you think this would be a good option to take instead? Part 2 - Graphical User Interface: The other question I have is where to learn about building a GUI for my game and what would be the best language to use? Again, how difficult can this be to learn? I was thinking of using OpenGL, SDL or DirectX as opposed to Win32 or something like that. Graphically speaking, I'd be able to achieve a lot more. What do you recommend? Part 3 - The Game Engine: The most difficult thing I think the game will bring will be programming the match engine, especially if it's going to be in 2D, like I would eventually hope (otherwise it will just be a running commentary). I expect to start with I'll just use commentary or even just a generated match result. I already have source code on the commentary (i.e a list different possible statements to print in every situation) Any suggestions on how I could tackle this? The actual programming of how each player responds it particularly what I'm worried about. Part 4 - Assembling a team?: Finally, I have expectations to really get this simulation to a good standard. Would you recommend that I get some other people to work with me on this project so we can spilt up the tasks. Maybe someone would work on the GUI, someone else organizing the databse and another person coding the actual game (with the others helping complete this task when their assignments have been finished) - something like that anyway. Part 5 - The graphics: I doubt a football management simulation is going to require a lot of graphics, but if I used a 2D match engine, I think I would need to use one. What would you recommend? SDL? OpenGL? DirectX? How difficult will this be, roughly? And this match engine brings me to another section ... Part 6 - The AI: I need to look into the AI for not only the match engine, but also the computer's handling of non-user managed teams. I don't know much about the AI so any general comments about this would be appreaciated greatly. Part 7 - Legal Issues: I know that there are serious legal considerations to take into account with something like this. And I just wondered what my rights would be generally ... if it was freeware or if I decided it was good enough to sell. What programs can't I use if I want to sell this or don't want to release source code? Do any of you know much about the player rights aswell? I couldn't use real player names legally, without permission from whoever owns them ... could I? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also, tutorials, articles and any generally relevant addition information would be recieved gladly along with any other general feedback. Thanks in advance.