Hangman - Part 7

Decisions

It's time to make some more decisions about our project. So far we haven't talked about what language or platform our game is going to be on. It's time we sat down and had that talk.

This game isn't overly complex but it is my first game. My first language is Java and I could figure out how to do everything in there. That wouldn't be bad, Java is cross platform, It can "run on the web" (though it seams browsers don't like to because of security (side note the applet tag has been removed in HTML5 so...yeah)). Java sounds good. Except I don't want to. 

Since this is an experiment I might as well learn something new. I've decided to develop this using a framework called Cocos2d. Specifically Coscos2d-x. From a quick lookie loo at their docs and it looks like I can write one codebase in JavaScript and It'll convert it to native for desktop and mobile, and it'll be JavaScript so it'll run on the web too. I like the sound of this plus it'll be good to learn for other projects I plan to do personally.

What you choose is up to you. You don't have to use Coscos2d. You can use SDL if you already know that, Python, etc. Doesn't matter to me but my code will be JavaScript using Coscos2d.

Out There

Out in industry you may not do any of the coding. You may post it to freelancer.com or something similar. I have a friend who is doing great with iOS apps that he outsources. It just depends on what the project requires in terms of technology (servers n such), skill (language, framework, art, etc.), and time (deadlines). There are other considerations too but those are the big ones to think about.

My game doesn't require servers for a desktop app and a web based app can run on my web host. I want to gain the skill of using Coscos2d. And I don't care if you have to wait for me to finish it (sorry that's just the way it is).

Consider this though. You come up with an idea for a new and original MMORPG that you fondly name Ever Warcraft. You design it and give it lots of love but now it's time to start implementing. You would need a lot of servers that cost a ton, sweet graphics that would take forever to do, a huge codebase that I wouldn't look forward to, and probably a lot of other things. Doing all this alone would take a long time. Is it doable? Sure but it likely won't ever see the light of day before you get fed up with it.

There's a reason why people work together. If your project is big I recommend teaming up with some other people who can complement your skills. If you're planning on selling your idea this may mean sharing the profits or coming up with some other agreeable arrangement beforehand. Just remember some profit is better than no profit. And if your project is big the chances of you finishing it alone, and to a standard people would be willing to pay for, go down.