Where to start making a single player, turn based (half text based) RPG

Hey,
I'm new to this idea of Game Programming in VB.NET and i'm a Student going into yr 12. For my major project, i thought it would be great to make an online, single player, turn based RPG. Does anyone know any sites/addvice that could get me on my jolly way? I want to keep it basic. :D

The only problem with this is that when i was looking through the archives, i got a little intimidated by all the other programs used, namely DirectX, BitBlz?, <insert other outlandish titles here>. Anyway, because i'm keeping it text based, single player and the only graphics would be scenery graphics that don't move, would i need to use them? :huh:

I would also be ecstatic if anywone could provide help/a link to any infomation about how to handle accounts (in case i haven't described myself properly, there will be more than one person playing, but you can't see them in "your world", theres no interaction between the players)

Well, thats my problem...Any help provided is vastly appreciated :D
Thanks for your time.

Hi Potato! Im no expert or anything, but I've had some experience in online game programming.

To manage the account, objects etc. I would recommend you to set up a MySql (its free) database. The interaction between VB and SQL is really simple to learn, and it's a ot more convenient to use than writing/reading to some home-made textfiles. You don't have to know any database theroy if you keep it simple, although I would recommend you to read about the three normal forms.

About the graphics... If all yoy have is 2D graphics, you could just use the functions in the Graphics class. They can paint bitmaps and other formats too. Maybe there are better alternatives, anyone?

But I should wait with the graphics 'til the rest is done if you haven't done it bore. Get the object and account database, and communication, to work first. That is, begin with writing the server and just some form of test client.

Wish you all luck!

Thanks Rollman, I think i'll get started on MySql, are there any good websites/tutorials out there on MySql? Again, you've saved me a lot of time, i was originaly thinking of holding data in an excel document, but if MySql can do it better, that would be Great :D

Check out www.mysql.com. You can download the software there, and they have a forum. There are also plenty of tutorials, just google sql tutorial and you'll end up with a bunch.

Setting up the database will take some time, but if you plan to make a serious game with lots of objects/players this is better. For example, SQL has support for safe transactions, that is if a transaction is half done and the program hangs it will undo it. There are other benefits. For example, you don't have to run it on the same machine as your server, and you can perform really advanced queries.

The .NET reference on MSDN or any other VB tutorial should have some DB connection code examples, sorry but I'm a Java programmer originally so Im not good with VB tutorials. Keep us updated on the progress!

Might I recommend creating a single player version first? Multiple players introduces quite a bit of complexity as you try to figure out how to synchronize the world and allow interaction.

So many good ideas, so little time. Thanks a bunch :D It kinda sucks being a yr12 studient with this, i no NOTHING compared to you guys. Thankfully i'm given a year to do it though. That should give me enough time to screw it up and come back hear PLEADING for assistance :chuckle:

I have just started a similar project partialy related to school, but more so for my own personal education. All my data handeling is using XML I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not as MySQL sounds more efficent and viable in the long run. If you wanna try to work on a project togather send me a tell on AIM. I'm trying to get a few of my friends to work on projects too, for graphics and whatnot. Writing a text base game seems the way to start, at least get the basic idea and feel for game data handeling an functions.

AIM: Arcaik71

Might I recommend creating a single player version first? Multiple players introduces quite a bit of complexity as you try to figure out how to synchronize the world and allow interaction.
Don't try hacking multiplayer into a single-player game though, start a new project with multiplayer in mind from the get go. It's a serious headache if you don't plan for multiplayer from the start. :)