Hi folks, Some would suggest using J++, some suggest Sun Java, and some even tell me to use ActiveX. I don''t know which one to choose, coz I don''t really know much ''bout ''em, and wanna learn. I want to make my game for normal PC users, on the IE, Netscape, both under Windows. And I want to make some more complicated games, not just card games and things like that. So what would you say ''bout that? Thanks for your time man!!

Baling -

If you are going to make an internet based game, why do you want to make it only for PC/Windows? Other types of computers/OSes use the Internet... as far as what language... if you *really* want your game to only run PC/Windows specific go with J++ or ActiveX - both of those are MS propriatory... however, I think that ActiveX is so MS propriatory that it won''t run on Netscape w/o a plugin (not sure about the most recent version of Netscape... but as of 4.51 I know it needed a plugin...). J++ is just a bastardized/MS-ta-sized(sp.?) version of Java. Java 1.1 level programs will run in almost every browser/computer/OS, and newer Java 2 stuff (Swing, Java2D, etc.) will run with a plugin. I would personally recommend Java, but if you already know DirectX/VC++ (and only want Windows/PCs with IE to play your game) it might be easier for you to go with ActiveX. And as far as "complicated" games... any of these can basically make any type of game you want... however, remember that all (or most of) your game content will be going over the Internet... so if you''re making something like Quake players are gonna need a dedicated T3 to play

Just my $0.02...

-Nate

- Nate

That''s not entirely true, J++ is quite capable of being cross-platform if you''re careful (it is, after all, Java. M$ just added some stuff. If you don''t use the added stuff you shouldn''t have any problems. Kind of like the difference between "generic" C++ and VC++.) ActiveX is definately not cross-platform.

What kind of game are you planning to make? If it''s a slideshow type, like, say, Myst, you can use java-script or DHTML (just say NO to VBScript, which won''t even work on Netscape last I checked). If you''re wanting to make something else, I suggest here for your reference and source code needs. If you want to see a 2d game demo I''ve been writing in Java using J++, go here. The problem I''m having with that demo is that any AI I plug in slows it down enough to thrash the framerate. If you''re curious about using Shockwave and Flash, I suggest you run by CleverMedia, which is run by a real-life friend of mine named Gary Rosensweig. He''s the guy who writes all the official Director books, and if you''re willing to pay the $800 or so to buy a Director compiler so you can write those types of games, you''re going to want his latest book which contains the source to 50 different games in tutorial format. He has some information on using Developer on the CleverMedia site.

-fel

For server related processing, consider using PHP and MySQL. This gives you the ability to create dynamic pages which can hook into a database on the server. Best of all, both are free, which means you can start developing right away as opposed to buying somehting like Coldfusion.

Besides, MySQL is highly respected for its speed and power.

Thanks guys!! Actually my friend and me wanted to make something that surfers can play on the net, and charge ''em a little little money for the usage in their phone bills. But I don''t know how to achieve that yet. If that is not possible over the whole world, we''ll just make it in Malaysia

Last night I came up with an idea, instead of runnin'' inside the browser itself, users are to download an application. That application will run and communicate with other players round the world. How''s that? Since I know DirectX already, I can implement that

What you guyz think?

I once wrote a version of pong in java-script. It ran inside the browser window, and was 2-player from the keyboard.

Ran surprisingly well!