jastiv

Wograld has been in production since 2006. The purpose is to develop a free software player-friendly game for GNU/Linux. We want to make something similar to Ultima Online. (Skill system, no levels, virtual world aspects as well as pvp combat)
This a multi-player online fantasy rpg. Server size would ultimately depend on what bandwith could handle. We should be able to get a lot more players than the crossfire code it is based on. The world lore encompasses four playable races, human, elf, undead and orc. There are also nine stupidities. The stupidities are principles that the peoples of Wograld live by, but basically they are stupid. These stupidities are Masochism, Lust, Humiliation, Thievery, Skepticism, Indiscretion, Foolhardiness, Paranoia, and Vengeance. More about the races and the stupidities is explained on the website. Wograld Main Page


Target Aim -

Free Software Project

Compensation -
There is no immediate monetary compensation, but everyone can have access to the source code whether you are on the project or not. Hopefully at some future date we may be able to sell premium services on paid servers, but if you are just doing this just to get paid don't waste your time.

Technology -

Programming:
- GCC
- gnu-autotools
- shell script
- CVS version control
-X11 libraries for User interface
- there is also a perl script but I don't think we will be doing much of that.
2D Sprite artwork
- GIMP
- .png files, compressed animation files
Music and sound
- Rosegarden
- audacity
- .ogg not .mp3

The game is based on an already existing working code base known as crossfire on sourceforge. Massive changes will need to be made such as a better user friendly interface, as well as numerous features that need to be added. (and things removed)


Talent Needed -
Programmers
.Must have at least 10 hours a week to spend on the project
.should not expect other team members to have to spoon feed them about things like autotools, version control etc.
.know the c programming language
.No LUA will be allowed, don't add anything that makes the game another dependency hunt for users and developers. I don't care how "cool" a new language or library is, it is easy to lose intrest in games when you are spending all your time hunting for libraries. Any patch that adds to dependency hunt will not be accepted.

Artists
.License artwork under the gnu/gpl or compatable license
.Don't copy work from other projects unless it is free licensed and modified to fit the game.
.Can do pixel art from a 45 degree isometric prospective

Musicians
.License music under gpl or compatable license
.Instrumental music fitting with game theme
.No screaming radio rock.
.provide source files in the form of musical notes

Quest/Script writers
.Must be willing to learn the yet to be determined scripting language
.Ideally also a programmer
.Sample of dialog/quest before joining project
.All quests must fit the theme of the game ie no sci-fi quests in midevil fantasy land, no mentions of out of character type things.


Website -

Wograld Main Page

Contacts -

The sourceforge mailing list is probably the best place to contact team members. The forums are also a good place to post any questions or ideas, although we do not check that as often as the email. If you do not like either of thosee and want to contact someone right away, i can be found on freenode (user name jastiv)
sometimes you can find me in the c chat channel (just don't ask newbie questions there lol) or the channel for the game that Wograld forked from .. crossfire.

You can also email me directly at

jastiv at yahoo dot com

MK27

I honestly don't have time for this in any event (altho it looks interesting), but don't you think you will have better luck if you offer people the opportunity to work and learn in a friendly environment rather than saying "we need hardcore professionals who won't have to ask us for help"?

Especially considering this is the description of the Lead Programmer on your web site:
I'm sure there are plenty of equally talented people around with scant knowledge of autotools and CVS -- IMO, much more appealing to say "if you haven't used our revision or build system, we can explain it to you". Otherwise, you are (essentially) asking for people with more skills and experience than you yourselves possess, and telling everyone you're really a tough guy and the marines ain't for sissies. Who wants to work with an unhelpful, unfriendly team like that, regardless of your skill level? For free?

Like, to the point: are you in a position to be turning people down because they don't meet your qualifications? If not, time to think about those qualifications.

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"A man can't just sit around." -- Larry Walters

Epy

This must be a joke.

I <3 Ultima, but when you take a look at Wograld's website, the feeling you get is basically that of a rant. Yeah, everyone has issues with Ultima's servers, client, and the system overall, but this is no basis to make another game. Whoever penned most of the stuff on that website is pretty peeved about other MMORPGs and basically thinks that programmers are cynical and purposely make games sucky for users and that it's possible to please everyone and make PvP balanced as long as you focus on the user and not the programmer.

Ultima is the crap that it is because of so many whiners like this guy who die too many times and get angry like the guy from pwned.nl. The Ultima programmers end up focusing on the user and that's why it is messed up.

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-Jake
http://thatcadguy.blogspot.com/

Mario F.

So true! And you can replace Ultima without just about any online MMORPG. Part of the reason why the granddads of MMORPGs -- MUDs -- are still generally the only place where the large majority of the game community sticks to the game for years and years. Apart from well thought-out worlds, great game engines and truly addictive gameplay, the only other thing MUD game programmers give their players is the middle finger. And that's how it should have stayed.

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Originally Posted by brewbuck:
Reimplementing a large system in another language to get a 25% performance boost is nonsense. It would be cheaper to just get a computer which is 25% faster.