General Chatter
This section is for anything regarding FMO2 that does not fit into any of the other boards.
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Nicholas
Paladin
1033 posts
Jun 6, 2010
8:21 PM
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 Development Status
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Just thought I'd start a post that I could update every week or so to note what's been completed and what's yet to come so everyone knows how far along the progress is.
I started actual development work last weekend. I decided to concentrate on necessities first so none of the 'outer' site is done yet; no account creation, character creation, account status, etc.
As for development I've put together the main interface window. I have a full layout already worked out and in place. I've completed client and server side components for these functions: interface loading, player and group status tabs, and the minimap. I've also partially completed the main movement functionality; the map appears correctly and shows other players in range, but I don't have any movement or interaction controls in place yet.
As for the database, I have the basic reference tables in place to provide structure for everything going forward. Map and terrain tables are completed and an open grass pasture has been added as a testing zone. Account, character, and other necessary tables have been added. Item detail and type tables have also been created, but will likely be heavily modified as I get to developing the battle system.
Current plan is to develop the entire site in only HTML and Javascript on the client side. This, along with the 1024x768 resolution, should make it compatible with just about any computer or web device; even those with limited browsers and no third party controls (such as Flash).
Nicholas Bostaph
Fantasy Master Online Developer
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Nicholas
Paladin
1033 posts
Jun 19, 2010
3:48 PM
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Re: Development Status
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I've made some progress since the last post, though not as much as I would have liked. I started my new job on the 7th and I'm still trying to settle comfortably into the new schedule. I also have some prior responsibilities eating up some of my time over the next month or two.
However, I did complete the main interface, including target unit frame and informational tabs, targeting functions, and movement functions. I've still not decided where to go from here, but some tentative tasks for the coming weeks are:
1) Re-evaluate database primary key naming conventions for easier table select and join operations. I may also work on encapsulating commonly used functionality in custom tags for faster ongoing coding efforts. In other words, item 1 is infrastructure optimization.
2) Create area content manager tools. I'll need an initial area to test in, so I might as well do this first; otherwise I'll be dropping test data into the database manually
3) Create character window, equipment window, and backpack window, followed by town/city screens and basic bazaar/auction functionality. I believe many will be floating divs for more fluid interaction from the player side.
Nicholas Bostaph
Fantasy Master Online Developer
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Nicholas
Paladin
1033 posts
Jun 29, 2010
6:52 PM
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Re: Development Status
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I guess it's about time for another update. The following items have been completed:
1) Number 1 from above. I also added some debugging code around all the existing query objects to begin capturing performance data. This will be of use for database tuning going forward.
2) Number 2 from above has been my primary focus. I have the basics in place to create a new zone, edit terrain, and add 'points of interest', which include dungeons, towns, npcs, etc. Next on the roadmap is to create a POI editor.
It doesn't seem like I've done much, but I actually feel like I have. Initial tasks like these infrastructure improvements and admin tools tend to take a lot more of the total development time than one might expect. Once I get them out of the way progress should pick up nicely.
Nicholas Bostaph
Fantasy Master Online Developer
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Nicholas
Paladin
1033 posts
Jul 11, 2010
9:14 PM
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Re: Development Status
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I've completed development and basic testing on the zone editor and developed the POI editor as far as it can go before further work is done on the rest of the site. I've also completed development on the custom tag that will be necessary for floating information windows in the game.
I'll probably get back to working on the main interface soon, starting with the character, equipment, and backpack windows, followed either by economic functionality or right into the battle sequence (the most complicated and difficult part of the game by far).
Nicholas Bostaph
Fantasy Master Online Developer
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Nicholas
Paladin
1033 posts
Aug 29, 2010
1:12 PM
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Re: Development Status
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Sorry for my absence. The new job, along with finishing off some responsibilities from my old, has kept me busy over the past few weeks. This will probably happen from time to time over the next year or two as I sort my life back out, but I'll always be back eventually. :)
I hope to start working on FMO2 again in the coming week or two.
Nicholas Bostaph
Fantasy Master Online Developer
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