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Chatting for the new TMW server

Posted: 06 May 2005, 06:42
by gene
I know that a server is being built for TMW from the ground up. Has it been considered how chatting will work? I have an interesting idea.

An ircd daemon can be built into the new TMW server, or have a highly customised ircd that only accepts connections on localhost. When a player leaves area1 and enters area2 they'll in effect be leaving #area1 and joining #area2. This would allow for moderators and in game help alike to do their job without having to run the TMW client. This would be extremely helpful in instances where a moderator/helper can't run the TMW client from where they are at (i.e. work, school, grandma's house, internet cafe, etc).

Plus, the learning curve for private messaging and the like would be lower. Also, it would be nice for a GM to just type `/join #area2` so they don't have to manually move around in the world. (the /join command would leave the current area before joining the specified one).

Re: Chatting for the new TMW server

Posted: 06 May 2005, 17:34
by ElvenProgrammer
gene wrote:This would allow for moderators and in game help alike to do their job without having to run the TMW client. This would be extremely helpful in instances where a moderator/helper can't run the TMW client from where they are at (i.e. work, school, grandma's house, internet cafe, etc).
Hmm this could be really helpful, we should think on it

gene wrote:Also, it would be nice for a GM to just type `/join #area2` so they don't have to manually move around in the world. (the /join command would leave the current area before joining the specified one).
Well usually GM don't need to travel, they have GM commands to warp here and there.

A con is about the traffic generated by the server, we should evaluate it in some way, probably it would be better to have only one channel or more than one for different languages...

Re: Chatting for the new TMW server

Posted: 06 May 2005, 17:52
by gene
Well usually GM don't need to travel, they have GM commands to warp here and there.
If those commands haven't been programmed into the new server, then this is how it could be done.
A con is about the traffic generated by the server, we should evaluate it in some way, probably it would be better to have only one channel or more than one for different languages...
As far as the Player is concerned, the use of channels would be transparent. They wouldn't know that they've left or joined any new channels. From what I understand of the current setup is that when you chat, only people in the same area see your messages. So, technically, there are already multiple "channels."

With the current server TMW is using there are three parts (if I remember correctly):

The main server.
The character server.
The map server.

As long as it's local, like the character and map server, traffic would not be a concern as the "chat server" would be on the local machine as well.

I don't know how far along development is on the new TMW server, but doing something like this could save a lot of development time.

Posted: 06 May 2005, 18:13
by gene
To give you an idea what I'm talking about:

Code: Select all

     Main
       |
 -------------
 |     |     |
Map  Char  Chat
          (ircd)
When a player enters a new area (leaves town, goes to desert) their client will initiate the following commands:

/leave #town
/join #desert

And now all messages they send and receive will be for that channel (read: area). This will also allow players to send private messages to other players, without having to be in the same area:

/msg Player1 Yo! Come help me, I'm stuck in the mine!
[You -> Player1] Yo! Come help me, I'm stuck in the mine!
[Player1 -> You] I can't, I'm getting it on with a NPC hottie at the tavern.

If an ircd is used for the chat server it could save a lot of development time on the new server. Why not use something that's already available and efficient, rather than spend a lot of time on making something from scrap?

Of course, if the commuication portion for the new TMW server already exists, I'll just shut up.

Posted: 06 May 2005, 20:54
by HaLLanHype
Bad idea. People could spam easier on irc and all. I just dont think irc and a game chat would work together.

Posted: 06 May 2005, 21:18
by Kyokai
Also, wouldn't you be able to log into IRC and chat with players without actually being in the game? That sounds a little odd.

Posted: 06 May 2005, 21:22
by gene
HaLLanHype wrote:Bad idea. People could spam easier on irc and all. I just dont think irc and a game chat would work together.
Kyokai wrote:Also, wouldn't you be able to log into IRC and chat with players without actually being in the game? That sounds a little odd.
You didn't fully read my first post on the idea :P:

An ircd daemon can be built into the new TMW server, or have a highly customised ircd that only accepts connections on localhost.

This wouldn't be an IRCD that anyone can connect to, only through the TMW client. In order to communite with the IRCD someone would have to be connected and authenticated through the main TMW server. And, even then, the access to the standard IRC commands will be limited, as the client would only allow access to specific commands, based on the type of access the Player has.

Posted: 07 May 2005, 15:23
by Rotonen
The idea is interesting indeed, and would adopt functional technology without reinventing the wheel on unnecessary basis. But there is one fatal flaw: what about "vincinity chatting" ? I don't think I'd like to have per map chatting in busy cities.

Posted: 07 May 2005, 16:11
by Bjørn
I think integrating IRC is actually more trouble than implementing the chat machanism ourselves. Also I'm not sure if it actually matches what we're looking for, especially for things like friends listings and area chat (whatever is in your screen).

Posted: 08 May 2005, 00:50
by gene
Ahhh. I didn't know it was area/vicinity chatting. That changes everything I understood about the chatting method the game uses. Neevermind then :P

Posted: 07 Jun 2005, 07:03
by _darkKnight_
Bjørn wrote:I think integrating IRC is actually more trouble than implementing the chat machanism ourselves. Also I'm not sure if it actually matches what we're looking for, especially for things like friends listings and area chat (whatever is in your screen).
Yeah it need a friend list to talk with my friends if I'm not in your sight. And an ignore list to, if I need ignore someone.