Programming in C using either Dev-cpp or Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 compilers.
I'm looking for a book that will help me create my text based game into a potential multiplayer game. I am an advanced programmer although I only know C and some C++. I haven't jumped into DirectX or OpenGL yet. Currently, my game consists of a text based adventure role playing game with real time combat. It's very user friendly (help and tutorials available) and easy to play. In the game you can hire NPC's (up to 10) to go adventuring with to get through the tough parts. And then I thought, this would be great if you can get real players to join. Just like those MUD games from the 90's.
So far I found on Amazon.com two books:
MUD game programming by Penton
Multiplayer game programming by Lamothe
but I am unsure of which one would benefit me most. What I want to learn first is to a create a program that does this:
1. Player one opens the game and selects multiplayer with player 1 being the host.
2. Player two opens the game and connects to player 1.
3. Each player can type something on the console and they see the responses.
4. More players can enter the "chat" until Player 1 decides to launch the game.
Now that's the basics of what I want to do. As far as getting the game to sync up and all that, I'll figure that out later. Right now I just want to learn how to get two computers to talk to each other like a simulated chat room.
If either of the two books would help me there, that would be great. Or if anyone has another book they can recommend.
