Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

Geek Culture / Isometric tile based war strategy game?

Author
Message
Philip
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 15th Jun 2003
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 25th Feb 2004 07:52 Edited at: 25th Feb 2004 07:55
Link
One of my friends is considering writing a fairly simple isometric hexagon shaped tile war strategy game. He's asked me which programming language might be best for this. To put this in perspective, I think he would be classed as a beginner programmer.

I've suggested either DBC/DBP or Blitz. (My personal preference is DBP over Blitz any day of the week but its only right to let him form an unbiased opinion of the rival offerings in the marketplace on his own).

Anyway the object of this post is twofold. First, does anyone have any views as to the most suitable programming language for this? Don't feel restricted to DBC, DBP or Blitz. Feel free to suggest anything. For all I know there might be some specialist language which someone has created purely for hexagon based tile war games out there on the internet somewhere!!

Secondly, does anyone have any hexagon based tile games, even prototypes, written in either DBC or DBP which I could direct him to have a look at as an example?

Cheers

Philip

What do you mean, bears aren't supposed to wear hats and a tie? P1.3ghz / 384 megs / GeForce MX 5200 128meg / WinXP home
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Arkheii
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 15th Jun 2003
Location: QC, Philippines
Posted: 25th Feb 2004 08:13
Link
Obviously we'd say DB, but tell him to try out gamemaker (that drag n drop 2D thing). I know it's crap, but let him try out a free program before doing anything else. I'm not sure how to implement a hex grid on GM's grid though because I haven't used it.
http://www.cs.uu.nl/people/markov/gmaker/

Quote: "Secondly, does anyone have any hexagon based tile games, even prototypes, written in either DBC or DBP which I could direct him to have a look at as an example?"


http://www.hpssims.com/
Lots of expensive hex based war strategy games.

Back to top
Profile PM
Van B
Moderator
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 25th Feb 2004 10:23
Link
Scarily, he'd be better off using a 3D terrain and plain sprites for characters - Blitz is a bitch to learn - DB's 2D is not too great, psuedo 3D might just be the ticket.

I'm quite looking forward to UWDesigns PlayBASIC, it's a 2D basic based on Blitz and DB, should be pretty good for isometric RPGS and hex wargames, only in beta stages just now though.


Van-B


The nature of Monkey was irrepressible!.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
zircher
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Dec 2002
Location: Oklahoma
Posted: 25th Feb 2004 17:38 Edited at: 25th Feb 2004 17:45
Link
He can find some solid information here:
http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~amitp/gameprog.html

Since you mentioned isometric, the impression that I get is that he wants 3D models of military units. My VirMin project does exactly that. Have him check out the TCOM2/VirMin gallery and if that peaks his curiosity, you all can find the current beta of the source code at the second link.
http://www.geocities.com/tzircher/tcom_gallery.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/virmin

VirMin is written in DBP, so that language gets my vote.

If he wants something more tactical, try to find Sierra's Mission Force: Cyberstorm. It uses a turn based combat system with hex tiles to create 3D outdoor terrain. I plan to use something like that for my next project. It's a fairly ancient title, but the concepts are still viable.

The last few pages of this review show some of the tactical displays.
http://www.cdmag.com/strategy_vault/mission_force_cyberstorm_preview/page1.html
--
TAZ

Game Beavers
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Pricey
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Feb 2003
Location:
Posted: 25th Feb 2004 18:27
Link
Quote: "Blitz is a bitch to learn "


blitz took me a 2 weeks to learn but db took me 3!


Dig a pit and poo in it
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Neophyte
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 23rd Feb 2003
Location: United States
Posted: 25th Feb 2004 19:28
Link
@Philip

I'm writting an isometric game in DBPro although it is a staggered and not a hex one. I really haven't had any problems that limited me in DBPro so I'd suggest it. Of coarse, I haven't used blitz or any other language so my opinion is a bit biased.

If he is a beginner to programming though I'm not sure he wants to do hex based maps. Those are going to give him a lot of difficulties including but not limited to: Pathfinding, Tile Selection with the Mouse, and Displaying the tiles.

I'd seriously suggest that he follows zircher's first link and read through the parts about hex-based maps. Hex-based maps can be quite difficult and the info he provides is quite usefull to overcoming some of the obstacles that he will encounter.
Back to top
Profile PM
jrowe
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 12th Oct 2002
Location: Here
Posted: 25th Feb 2004 19:36
Link
Doesn't The Magic Land use a hexagonal tile combat system, and that was DBpro. It might give him a few ideas. Tell him to download the demo from Dead Glory's website:

http://www.digaw.com


For Fathers and Sons who enjoy wholy spirits.

http://www.tinnedhead.tk
Back to top
Profile PM
Phaelax
DBPro Master
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 16th Apr 2003
Location: Metropia
Posted: 26th Feb 2004 08:14
Link
Quote: "blitz took me a 2 weeks to learn but db took me 3!"

well some are slower than others.

j/k

"eureka" - Archimedes
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
TKF15H
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 20th Jul 2003
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Posted: 26th Feb 2004 08:41
Link
What I'd use is definitly not what I'd recommend for a beginner. (Euphoria+SDL)
I don't know what I'd recommend for him. I don't know how good DBP
is for 2D. I use DBP for 3D games only, and Euphoria for 2D.

(1 + 2 + 3 + 4)^2 =(1^3)+(2^3)+(3^3)+(4^3)
100=1+8+27+64
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2024-09-21 11:48:46
Your offset time is: 2024-09-21 11:48:46