Hey All!

[AlanB]

Obviously, I'm new here.

Just wanted to say hi to everyone and checking out what everyone is up to.  I also wanted to post a little bit about what I'm working on and if anyone has any helpful hints/tips I'd appreciate it.

Project: 2D First-Person MMORPG

Movement and view is similiar to games like Eye of the Beholder or original Bard's Tale series.  Players will be able to explore various lands, dungeons, and what not.

Features:

- Land Ownership (Each cell/room on map is considered a piece of land and there are various ways to seize control).

- Unique advancement system featuring NO experience point gain yet is balanced and FUN!
- Players can become that true hero or ruthless villain; they are no longer the audience.

- Consequences and Rewards based upon how you play your role in the game.

- Dynamic Siege Engine: Kingdoms or even NPCs may seize control of player land or even towns!

- Construct player towns and lay siege to other player towns via a deep and innovative kingdom system.

Small FAQ:
1. Those features are two complicated to implement are they not?
Depends.  With a little thinking and creative design they are possible due to the 2d first-person style graphical view.

2. How can you advance without some experience system? Isn't that the normal for all RPGs?
For the current generation of MMORPGs, yes; for the next gen no.  I cannot say to much more on the actual system I've come up with but I promise it works and its fun!

3. Doesn't MMORPGs take years?
Yes.  And I guess I'll be spending years developing this one.

4. Where do you wish to go with the project?
I have two options. 1. Build a prototype that displays most/if not all features to some extent then send it to various investors/publisher or 2. Self-Publish the MMORPG myself.

The following I do know:
MMORPGs take years to complete.
They are difficult to program.
Server costs are very high.
Rarely does anyone finish the project.
VB 6.0, Winsock API, Licensed Winsock API Wrapper.

What I don't know:
Any tips or advice along the lines of production of the MMORPG you may have stored away.
Anyone who maybe interested in the project.
More resources/etc that maybe hidden away on the internet that could greatly contribute to helping the project along.

Technology:
I'm torn between BitBLT and DirectX 7.0 for the graphics; I believe BitBLT has enough speed to produce the graphics fast enough yet DirectX is the norm for graphical programming.
Note: The 2D First-Person view is much less graphic extensive than even Isometric I do believe.  I'm not completely familiar with 2D First-Person though I've already formed a few algorithms for display on screen.

Networking: I'm licensing a winsock api wrapper atm.  If need be I'll simply build my own using the winsock api.

Final Note: I'm also fairly good with graphics; I prefer PSP.  

Hey if you guys wanna chat sometime contact me:
MSN: dethnoble@hotmail.com
AOL: AlanofArchnoble