A Space Game

1
A Space Game

• By
• William Sistar

2
The Problem

• What is provided
• Most network games are single player
• Some do allow team work but not in a common
  environment
• What we want
• A networked game designed around team play
• Team members work together to manage what they
  cannot on their own
• Team members play the roles they either like to
  or that they do best

3
A Solution

• A Space Game
• A team based, networked, multi-player game
• Designed to be played with at least 4 players
• Players would be in teams of at least 2
• Theme Spaceship fighters
• Roles
• Pilot Controls spaceship maneuvers
• Gunner Manage weapon systems

4
The Requirements

• Functional
• Common
• Communication protocol
• Message handling
• Data structures for managing player information

5
The Requirements

• Server
• Capable of authentication
• Ability to create and delete games
• Handle multiple games at once
• Modular for future requirements

6
The Requirements

• Functional
• Game
• Player should be able to remain logged in to
  server
• Allow for player selection of team and position
• Allow for at least 2 players and 2 teams
• For demo purposes 1 player on each team
• At least one ship with at least one weapon
• Collision detection (for weapon fire)
• Provide smooth display of enemy ships when in
  view
• Support joystick and keyboard for control
• Have a scoring system to determine a winner
• Provide basic sound effects

7
The Design

• Spiral design process
• Prototyping used for research and proof of
  concept
• Client Server model
• Design with cross-platform in mind
• Modular for future expansion

8
The Design
ASG Server
ASG Client / Game
Server Process
Client Process
Thread
Login Create Join
Login
Thread
Admin
Game Process
Game Play
Threads
Game (1)
(2)
Server communication
(3)
Client-Server Relationship
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The Design
Main
UDP Client
Game
Message Handler
Team
Pilot Display
Player
Message
Arena
Gunner Display
Spacecraft
Texture Loader
Weapon
Game Class Abstraction
10
The Design
Client Main
Server Main
_games
Message Handler
UDP Client
Message Handler
_teams
Message
Message
_positions
Client Class Abstraction
Server Class Abstraction
11
Design Decisions

• OpenGL vs. Direct
• GLUT vs. DirectX
• Command Line Interface vs. Windows Interface
• C/C vs. Java
• UDP vs. TCP
• Movement communication

12
Server Running
13
ASG Client Running
14
Client logged in to game
15
Initial view in game
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The Challenges

• Object synchronization
• Collision detection
• Graphical Display
• Client Server communication
• Development and Testing
• Time constraint
• Requirement creep
• Interest balanced with other commitments

19
Conclusion

• I have developed a networked game designed around
  team play
• Completed a project involving many facets of
  Computer Science
• Learned many lessons about game design and
  project management

20
Questions

• Thank you!