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[Onza40]

As the title implies, I love Minecraft and Dwarf Fortress, and just for the record, it would be godlike if they were combined.

But this is not the main point of this post.

I want to start making something along these lines, as in:
- Tile based 3D world, where each tile can have a material and properties
- Creatures and things that can live in this world
- A player who can move around the world obeying gravity etc. and interact with the tiles

Other stuff like water would be added and I would deal with that at a later point.

But what I'm asking, is how do you think it would be best to go about this?

I have some coding experience, and a lot of spare time to learn in, so I could well pick up C++ or Java and start something from scratch.

But is there an engine out there that would be suited to making something like this, or maybe just libraries to deal with some of the aspects?

I appreciate any advice people have to offer.

[mark]

Well this is basically what Minecraft is trying to achieve.

If you want to move DF into a 3D space you might have a problem because DF has so much data which would take a lot to replicate.

But if you feel that you can manage such a huge project all alone and that you will actually be able to keep up the spirit for it, and it will take some time, go for it!

[Onza40]

Thanks for the support, but any ideas on a framework/starting point?

Or even language advice, java maybe?7

Also a note, having re-read the above post, I'm not after anything complex at the moment, I just want to build a basic environment, then work from there.

[Hideous]

Work in whatever you're comfortable with.

[Onza40]

That's the thing, I'm not very familiar with any language, I know coding basics, and fundamentals of game making, but nothing specific to a language, hence I wanted to see what people thought might be most appropriate before I dived in.

I do have a version of microsoft xna 3.1 for free due to my being a student so I might use that, anyone know of any reasons why not?

[Onza40]

Project is now being built in C# using XNA framework 3.1, any tips on how to go about the style I described would be greatly appreciated, if not, then I'm getting stuck in starting 9am GMT tomorrow

[gimymblert]

Time to move to devlog

[Tycho Brahe]

If you want to move DF into a 3D space you might have a problem because DF has so much data which would take a lot to replicate.

DF is already 3d! its just rendered as 2d.
I think this would be perfectly possible. but like you said, this is what df is trying to achieve.

[Onza40]

I think the key difference here is, DF is 3D but represented in 2D, my project is full 3D and played from first person.

Also, the main purpose of DF is a sim/strategy/management game, what I'm aiming for is an RPG which will probably be story driven to some extent, with a very cool magic system (I promise very exciting things).

I'm making good headway with XNA anyway, and my teammate and myself will post in devlogs once we've started coding for the game itself (just practicing atm), then in feedback once we have something playable.

[Christian Knudsen]

I'm not very familiar with any language, I know coding basics, and fundamentals of game making, but nothing specific to a language

I think a 3D first person game with a scope similar to Dwarf Fortress seems like way too large of a project for you to take on with the experience you seem to have.

[Onza40]

Hmm, might be, but still, I'm going to see what I can get working, even if I simplify it a lot just to get a basic framework up and running, try out some of the more interesting aspects I have planned, then I can put more work into it from there.

Xna is pretty easy to work with as well.

[Paint by Numbers]

I think a 3D first person game with a scope similar to Dwarf Fortress seems like way too large of a project for you to take on with the experience you seem to have.

Don't listen to this guy. Do it. Do it hard and never look back.

If you fail, you will learn. If you succeed, you will have created a miracle of a game.

[Onza40]

@Paint by Numbers - Cheers! Be assured that the planning is almost done, and the project will soon be well underway

[adelhaid]

You could try to contact the guy form goblin camp:

http://www.goblincamp.com/

He's interested in building a game like you specified, only without the 3d (for the moment).
After completing the skeleton of the game, he'll release it as open source. If you don't know how to code such a game, the community which will be built around it could teach you.

[Christian Knudsen]

I think a 3D first person game with a scope similar to Dwarf Fortress seems like way too large of a project for you to take on with the experience you seem to have.

Don't listen to this guy. Do it. Do it hard and never look back.

If you fail, you will learn. If you succeed, you will have created a miracle of a game.

I certainly didn't mean to discourage anyone -- and it seems thankfully I haven't. I've just seen way too many inexperienced programmers with too wast a project for their first game crash and burn before even clearing the launchpad.

[Paint by Numbers]

I certainly didn't mean to discourage anyone -- and it seems thankfully I haven't. I've just seen way too many inexperienced programmers with too wast a project for their first game crash and burn before even clearing the launchpad.

Oh, I totally get you. Normally I would agree, but I have a feeling there will be no burning out here.

TIGSource generally advises people to start small, and that's fine, but I think that unless you are clinically depressed or anything else that would easily make you give up, you should shoot for the stars, no matter how little you know.

[DeadPixel]

I would recommend the lidgren network library to handle your net code bit.  It even has fancy XNA extension ready for you.  Linky

[Onza40]

Cheers for the link, but I'm not sure if we'll add any multiplayer at this point, and the block-based world is up in the air atm.
How would you guys feels about a more realistic world with slightly less generation/mining elements, more set pieces and carefully handcrafted dungeons?
World interaction and dynamic modification will still be a large part of the game, but less mining, more exploration to find entrances to places.

[DrOctapu]

Cheers for the link, but I'm not sure if we'll add any multiplayer at this point, and the block-based world is up in the air atm.
How would you guys feels about a more realistic world with slightly less generation/mining elements, more set pieces and carefully handcrafted dungeons?
World interaction and dynamic modification will still be a large part of the game, but less mining, more exploration to find entrances to places.

Sounds cool, is this project still active?

[Onza40]

Project is still live, but the biggest issue here is still the choice of what to build it in, I am exploring XNA at the moment.
I am also exploring integrating different gameplay styles into one game, see sigma star saga for how to do it right, rpg, adventure, scrolling shooter ftw.