idea for multiplayer game

Not a game idea but a way to host and join games

the host sends his ip to an online database
the client can look through the database for games to join
user takes the ip address and types it in the client
client and server connect to each other

I tried the typing the IP address in thing with a friend and it works properly
The problem is, i dont know how to manipulate databases with scripting languages
can someone link me or explain how this would be done?

[edit]
come to think of it, do all multiplayer games work more or less the same way?

[edit2] i just realized that i don't know how to get the ip address without manually going to whatismyip.com

It seems cool, but I don't think it is very secure, I know virtualy nothing about network type programming, but I do know that showing your IP to any and everyone who is interested is a definite way to get attacked by some cyber gang.

But, since I have no skill in network programming... Nice idea.
I will try to learn it soon, I don't trust messenger, something about a Instant messenger made by me seems enticing...

Later.

yeah, I've thought of that too
i could encrypt the ip address and display it under "Game ID"

This is nothing new. Mostly all multiplayer games have some sort of server browser. When a server is created is talks to the master server (database holding lists of servers). The server browser connects to the master server listing all available servers to join. Then instead of typing in a IP address you simply click the server name and join.

regarding finding your ip address.
Type in command prompt :
ipconfig

apparently computers have more than one ip. hmm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sea_4_ever

regarding finding your ip address.
Type in command prompt :
ipconfig

apparently computers have more than one ip. hmm.

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Yes (LAN/WAN/Subnet/etc), and especially if you have more than one network card... Such as a redundant one - or extra cards to make you sound cool.

To get the IP, When you connect to the masterserver (the one with the DB on it), have it get your IP when it accept()s you - it's in the extra info, whatever.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sea_4_ever

It seems cool, but I don't think it is very secure, I know virtualy nothing about network type programming, but I do know that showing your IP to any and everyone who is interested is a definite way to get attacked by some cyber gang.

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If you don't want your IP address visible, then you can't run a host. Either you're a server or you aren't. Keeping your IP address secret is not "security," it's obscurity. If your security depends on your IP being secret, you're not secure at all.

you could just use php on your web site. ie. to check for multiplayer games the client would look on a certain page. if you hosted it would send your ip to that page with some details about your game.
for an example, go to this page:
http://diogames.com/list.php?version=1.13.5

The best way is to use port forwarding. Hide your server behind a router with a 192.168.*.* address and have the router port forward the game port to that address. Then 'cyber gangs' can only attack that port. Attacking a port is useless unless it has specifica security flaws in the application that processes the data from that port. Port 80 is a common port to atack becuase Windows has huge security problems that are alwasy availabel on that port. While a third party program such as your game can just avoid addign in any functionality that woudl allow hackers to access your system in ways you didnt want them to.

thanks for the help but I don't understand most of the explanations... I'm still quite new to network programming

I'm looking for something like the link in jothesmo's post
any idea how that would be done?

you'd have a list.php, host.php, host_remove.php, myip.php, and a verify.php

list.php > client contacts this to get a list of servers available with names and ips, other details
host.php > server sends its name and details to this
myip.php > after server sends details this script gets the servers ip, then puts it on the list.php
verify.php > every 10-20 seconds, server sends a small notice to this to verify that its still active
host_remove.php > server contacts this when the host has left, or if the verify script hasn't received a notice within 20 seconds, so its removed from the list.php

i dont know how exactly the code for these scripts would go, but you might find it on google.