NetherCode is now in PROTOTYPING mode. A workable game became alive on January 10, 2012 at 10:34 pm. This game consists of an onsite dedicated Debian Linux with Apache2 server, Panda 3D game engine and the server/client Python scripts. Stat and location storage is in MySql. After another 30-days of development I will begin to layout each step of the game creation process in the training modules below and will add all of the pieces for download. The idea is that if you can get a simple MMORPG up and running then you will be free to learn and work on the various pieces as you go.

** Special Note: while we are prototyping (until about June 2012) the server may go down for a few minutes at any time. This is because I do the terrains in a PC, characters in iMac, and server scripts in Linux. I do not see you in the game if I am not logged in and I just batch update the Linux server from the PC or iMac. I realize I could just walk across the room and see who is logged in but during this time it is much easier to update through batch. No one is being knocked off the server intentionally .....

*just a reminder that everything being done here is with OpenSource software so that no one has to buy anything ..

"A Fuel Stop for Your Imagination" - Bill Harvey

1/11/2012 .. The game server is alive and you can log in here --> Game Login NOTE: you need the Panda3d run-time to play and you will be asked to approve an SSL certificate which is just one I manufactured for the game.

http://www.panda3d.org/download.php?runtime

While you are waiting for us to catch everything up here, you can check these sites for some great tutorials:

http://www.gryllus.net/Blender/3D.html *excellent Blender tutorials

http://www.panda3d.org/ *Panda game engine - you may not come back after playing with this excellent project engine but learning is what it is all about

http://www.w3schools.com/ Good site for HTML and other web scripting languages.

* our first model is ready and will start the game styling in his nifty NetherCode T-Shirt.

2nd race type joins the game 1/25/2012 ... Elfs

* The trademarks used at Nethercode are owned by their respective companies and are provided as links to each website where that software is available and help keep us mindful of all the hard work done by these companies and individuals.

• Game creation overview and where to start Wiki

Available Courses

• Blender Basics

  • Teacher: Will Harvey

  Short videos covering a range of blender basics and techniques including a brief installation for anyone who doesn't know what or where blender is.
• Blender3D

  • Teacher: Bill Harvey

  This course will teach you to create your 3D characters for your game.
• Blender3D - The Game Terrain

  • Teacher: Bill Harvey

  Using Blender Ver.2.49b
• Blender3D - Game Models

  • Teacher: Bill Harvey

  The game models are created and stored here
• Repository

  • Teacher: Bill Harvey

  FREE models, items, and terrains in .egg format
• Game Plan and Design

  The Game Plan Overview - How it all works from an explanation point of view. This area also contains the project manager that we will use to schedule and track our game. Thanks go out to David Biga for this idea. Hmm.. it looks like the OpenProj has been dropped and I will need to find a replacement ...
• Introduction to C++

  • Teacher: Bill Harvey

  Start your C++ training here, which will lead to your game engine creation. *Persons new to programming should start here which is taught with the use of Code::Blocks software which can be downlaoded here: http://www.codeblocks.org/
• Adv. C++ modify Panda3d code

  • Teacher: Bill Harvey

  Here you will learn to modify the Panda3d source code
• Introduction to Python

  • Teacher: Bill Harvey

  This course will teach you the basics of Python scripting
• Python scripts for the game

  Create your Python gaming scripts
• Introduction to MySql DB

  • Teacher: Josh Forde

  Learn the basics of SQL programming in this module

• Networking and Temp Game

  • Teacher: Bill Harvey

  This area is broken into three sections. In the first tutorial you will find a link for executing the game. At this time it is just an execution to start the server for the game. The second area here is the Python code currently being used on the server side. The third area is the client side Python for the game.
• Mathmatics for Game Production

  • Teacher: Steven Johnson

  Physics and Math related to game design and programming
• Graphic Design

  • Teacher: Mark McAnally

  Study Graphics Design as related to characters and terrain.

• Game Trailers and Video Production

  • Teacher: Darlene Zamanski

  Video production related to games and advertising.
• Sound Effects and Music

  • Teacher: June Abernathy
  • Teacher: Fanis Rigas
  • Teacher: Dustin Otis

  Sound effects and music scores for games and trailers
• Server installation

  Installing your game on a server.