In Development

[Jennifer]

The "alpha" vMG3K platform used an out-sourced die roller and only allowed basic play (without Specials) but the next launch of the game will offer both basic and advanced play.

The current vision for the platform is a Walter Zorn draggable java script foundation with open web forms to track info. We paid to have java chat rooms with embedded die rolling scripted for us that we could embed in the webpages that host the boards. Specials would be purchased with micropayments (or not at all for basic play) on IMVU and host on a player's IMVU hp in a vMG3K stamp drawer. Players could view their opponant's Specials by checking an embedded frame on the main game screen. Characters, Terrain, etc. are all draggable, place-able elements.

All of this is fine and good... but here are the problems:

The chat program creates massive records on our server and sometimes glitchs into repeating lines. We have to manually clear the records.

IMVU has upped their submission fees and so uploading 400 Specials is going to get costly for us (prices would still be tiny for players).

Problem one is more of a problem than problem two, obviously, as (eventually) all submission fees will be earned back

Problems aside, I am interested in exploring this question:

Is this system the best system? Or can we somehow build the game on ProBoards with its die roller? This would remove the scripted chatrooms from our server and stop the massive records and repeats.

Ideas? Weigh in?

Jennifer

P.S. Though I specifically asked Gille, Brianne, Pip and Teresa for help with this, I am more than willing to hear ideas or answer questions from anyone. However, I ask respectfully that you read the Player's Handbook (available for free from the website -- www.mardigras3000.com/downloads.htm -- before joining in. The handbook covers the offline, traditional CCG but the game play is exactly the same.

[GamerChick]

All right, hon, here are some options *off* the forum. I'll think about how to integrate vMG3K into the existing forum. That will be an interesting challenge.

* * *

AIM has a built in dice roller.

Go into a 'chat' (not just a conversation with someone) and type

//roll-dice x-sides y

X is the number of dice and y is the number of side.

So //roll-dice 1-sides 10 will roll 1d10

* * *

Gametable (http://gametable.galactanet.com/) is a free application that has both chat, dice-rolling and a viewable drawing map.

* * *

www.openrpg.com

* * *

If you like the look of Gametable then checkout RPTools (http://rptools.net/doku.php) where you can load your own grids in the background.

* * *

You can also avoid typing (though not die rolling) all together by using Skype with any of these platforms.

Gille

[Jennifer]

Gille lots of thesse options look interesting, especially RPTools. I'll check everything out this week.

More information:

Brianne went over to the AddonInteractive (the ProBoards chat server) support boards and it looks like they added a die roller on October 31, 2007, interestingly enough. However, the roller is only for straight rolls with no modifiers and can only be rolled by users with certain permissions (mods and admins). Also, the roller is only available on the paid version of the chat room.

Then Brianne suggested: Why not simply create a die rolling section of the forum that she can clear several times a day. Players would sign into the forum in one browser window and sign into the game in another browser window. They would start their die rolling thread. Then they'd hold down the CTRL key and click both window tabs, right click and select either side by side display or vertical depending on their OS. The windows would size perfectly and play would begin.

A third window could even be added (or a third and fourth) to display Specials.

Jennifer

[Pip]

Because vMG3K has grid and ccg elements, I really think you can't escape Zorn draggables. I would be interested in whether or not a side-hack or adapted script could allow random draw from a "stack." That would be the sweetness for sure. I say make the player do the tiny bit of extra work and open multi windows. I love the chat and dice rolling happening on the forum so there's a solid record of how players talk to each other and any brilliant moves. I want those scripts off our server all together; they sound like trouble. I mean, folks could also just use AIM with its roller and post logs of their games on the forum. that would be an option. But I like the idea of being able to offer an option all our own.

And Specials on IMVU sounds fine to me. We want to integrate that part of the brand right? Cross over and all that.

Pip

[EJ]

Can a cascading style sheet thing be designed where users plug in the URLs and the forum, their IMVU hp, and the game grid display in separate areas but in one window?

[Jennifer]

Oh, EJ. That is an excellent idea and exactly what we'll do. Some simple iframes will do the trick. Huh. Great idea. Seriously.

[Sunshine]

Jennifer? Have you considered only having the cards available in a deck available in vMG3K? That would limit the insanity.

[Jennifer]

That is an excellent idea. I may have to have a few booster assortments available in addition... just to allow people tp tweak their vdecks, but that's a great approach, Summer. I'll do that.

[Teresa]

Jennifer, you need watermarking. You also will need to place coding. Gille says to me *a lot* of coding. Can any of us help with coding? You could send me a tutorial? I understand it is a lot of copy and paste? I want you to know that I am willing.

Teresa

[Jennifer]

I have only one things to say to that, my friend: Juego de, los chicas Juego de.

[EJ]

Jennifer, what is the final platform decision on vMG3K?

EJ

[Jennifer]

I'm going to code the platform myself, after all. The more I spoke with the subscribers for the Alpha incarnation of the game, the more I heard back how much they liked it. There will be an embedded chat feature with die roller and extensive Zorn draggables, including random selection capabilities and the ability to build your own board. Players won't have to buy anything on IMVU. It will all be in one location. Pay-as-You-Play. One small price per game and then a little extra if you want to play with more Specials. Still pretty much micro-payments and no subscription.

Jennifer