Embedding a full RPG game(Sim)

[Shibata Tim]

So to generally sum up what I am asking; is it possible to embed a full RPG game/Simulation game? A forum that I am apart of is attempting to go the next step from roleplaying into a full sim game. Where members may click links and dive into a full rpg/sim game. Some clicks maybe for creating characters, some for battles and of course everything else that goes into an rpg/sim game.

I've begun writing script for the game, but I do not know if Proboards will even allow them to be embedded or if I will be forced to use an off-site server. Which is where all of the code is currently held.

[Jordan]

The answer is yes, but you will have to host it on your own server, and then integrate it with Proboards.

[Shibata Tim]

I see. So, how would one integrate it into Proboards? Of course they can be links that re-directs a member to my own server, but that would just be a bit annoying. I hope that is not the only option as I might as well just have them go to the site itself. What I am looking to do is have the game function threw our Proboards forum, but the database be on my own server.

[Jordan]

There's more than one way and it really depends on how your game works. If you have a link I could give you a better answer.

One option is to use an iframe and just stick it directly into your Headers and Footers. Another way is to use Javascript to dynamically add parts of the game to various areas of your forum, but this would be really specific and I would have to see your game to see what you would need to do.

[Shibata Tim]

The game isn't functional at this point in time. However, I can provide some of the code so far; if that would help you. The game is php and mysql based, I don't know if that helps.

[Jordan]

I basically need to know what kind of information you are going to be displaying. Are you displaying stats such as "Health", "Lives", "Deaths", "Money" etc? Or are you going to have graphics where you can click on something and then something happens?

[Shibata Tim]

Links that are going to display data, to sum it up. Let's say Warrior/Ruler A is going to attack a certain region/another character B, then the script will bring up that battle. Yes, Health, Attack, Defense will be displayed. As well as an image of Characters A and B, a long with their stats. Stats would be Leadership, Intelligence and so forth. Along with that data; troops will be displayed as well. With a script that diagnoses how the battle flows out. Troops would be Ashigaru, Samurai, Catapults, etc etc.

Edit-
If at all possible; I would much enjoy embedding a full RPG game. Which is currently hosted on my own server, but it's not running at the moment. Due to my own coding difficulties I am having. Which I hope to have fixed eventually.

[Jordan]

My advice to you for now is to continue working on your server side code and get it stable so when version 5 comes out you will be able to easily integrate it with Proboards since you will have direct access to the HTML.

Currently you have to do it all dynamically with Javascript which is tedious, and if you're Javascript skills aren't very good it will be difficult. If you absolutely can't wait I can give you some of my code that accomplishes this, but it's honestly not worth the effort in my opinion. Just wait for v5 and it will be a piece of cake to do, and if you still have questions I'll still be around to help you out.

[Shibata Tim]

First off, I appreciate the assistance and your hasty replies. I've read some of the Proboards V5 features, but not all. Nor do I believe there is such a list with all of the features, but that is neither here nor there. I've been working on the code for roughly two months and been asking for light assistance on a coding website, but am still having issues with it. Hopefully I can have it fully functional around the time Proboards V5 comes out.

Will our forums be easily upgraded to V5 once it is released, will we have to pay for it? I sure hope not.

[Jordan]

Your forum will be automatically upgraded to version 5 so you won't have to do anything (and it's 100% free). However, some codes may not work so there is going to be a period of time where you can have a copy of your forum converted to version 5 so you can get your forum looking good in the new version. You will be able to save the templates you make on that copy so you can easily import them to your actual forum when it gets upgraded to version 5.

Version 5 has a lot of updates, and one of the biggest is the ability to directly modify the boards HTML which will make your job of integrating an RPG much easier. Also, you may want to sign up for the BetaZone where they will be testing the conversion process. You'll be able to have your forum copied and converted to v5 early.

Here is a post describing this process that should answer a lot of the questions you may have about the BetaZone.

Oct 8, 2012 8:59:16 GMT -8 Ryan Roos said:

So just to clarify a few points of confusion I read in this thread and to explain some other things about BetaZone and v5.

• v5 and Facebook have nothing to do with each other. Neither requires the other.
  
• For the initial batch of BetaZone signups we require that you like ProBoards on Facebook. We're giving an advanced signup to people that like us. It's an exchange of rewards. Many companies give advanced bonuses, extra benifits or even coupons and discounts for FB likes.
  
• After BetaZone starts we will accept signups from admins who don't use Facebook. These admins will get added to the invite list.
  
• Admins that like us on Facebook will be added to an invite list.
  
• When BetaZone starts we will send out invites to admins on the list in batches.
  
• The order you are invited is random. The number of invites per batch is up to us. We will start small and gradually ramp up.
  
• The email you provide on Facebook does not need to be your admin email or your facebook email. We just need an email we can contact you at.
  
• You CAN test multiple forums if you are the admin of multiple forums.
  
• Your BetaZone forum is a TEMPORARY copy. It is for you to test things. That means for us, by reporting bugs. And for you, by practicing what you will need to do to your actual forum come conversion.
  
• Only admins can copy their forums. But members and staff can access the copied forums if the admins give them the URL. Just remember it's a temporary copy. Content posted on it will be lost.
  
• Admins will be able to save and export themes and plugins they make. They can import these to their real forum after conversion.
  
• There will be a board in the beta board, here on Support, for plugin discussion, requests and creation.
  
• BetaZone will be launching soon. I can't say any more than that.
  

I hope this alleviates any concerns regarding BetaZone.

[Shibata Tim]

That is wonderful news! The features do look promising. Though unfortunately, the idea of old codes not working is a bit daunting, but nonetheless shall be solved. Hopefully skins/themes will still function properly. As well as side tables and such, but all coding can be updated at some point. I see that there is no release date of Proboards V5, but when it is released; I guess we can continue on this then.

Once again; thank you for your assistance.

[Shibata Tim]

With the V5 BetaZone now released, I was wondering if we could continue this or simply wait until its final release. I have a copy of my forum on BetaZone now and I noticed that there is a bunch of nifty and snazzy features. Including, but not limited to, Adding and Managing Pages as well as adding and Managing Plug-ins. :0