Journal FortKnox's Journal: The Porting Angle... 9
Those that know me know that I have, since the day I decided "Computer Engineering" my major (instead of teaching, physics, or music), I've always wanted to be a video game programmer. When I graduated, I only had a couple leads (Loki, and Verant), and, instead, became a J2EE consultant.
After reading this thread, I've come across a kind of enlightenment. Maybe I can start a group of people that port older games that have released code to Linux. With volunteer projects like this, I could get my foot in the door at video game studios.
Any ideas on this whole schpeel? Anyone else interested in joining in?
I've also thought about making a halflife or unreal tournament mod, maybe even making it open source.
Any experience/ideas/contributions to my ideas here?
Addendum: I'm starting to lean towards an "Unreal Tournament" mod. Maybe open source, maybe not. UT is available for linux (and has a big backing with open source tools and stuff).
After reading this thread, I've come across a kind of enlightenment. Maybe I can start a group of people that port older games that have released code to Linux. With volunteer projects like this, I could get my foot in the door at video game studios.
Any ideas on this whole schpeel? Anyone else interested in joining in?
I've also thought about making a halflife or unreal tournament mod, maybe even making it open source.
Any experience/ideas/contributions to my ideas here?
Addendum: I'm starting to lean towards an "Unreal Tournament" mod. Maybe open source, maybe not. UT is available for linux (and has a big backing with open source tools and stuff).
Heh... (Score:2)
Re:Heh... (Score:1)
If I can get an interesting game or two out, I can always put up a paypal link for the developers...
I'm more interested in play system shock 2 on my linux box...
Count me in, friend. (Score:2)
My skills decidedly DO NOT involve hacking code together, but rather testing the software. I have this knack for making stuff go haywire when no one else can. ;) Which is also why I am employed as a Software Quality Engineer. This idea certainly deserves merit, we just need to sell companies on the free publicity they would get by allowing free ports of their now out-of-print games.
So please, please, let me know any further developments we can make on this idea. I'd even be willing to take on some initial 'get-it-off-the-ground' tasks to start the whole process. I could test Civ2 until that sucker is rock solid stable under Linux! :)
P.S. NO, Freeciv IS NOT good enough for my taste! ;)
I would be interested (Score:1)
So I guess the question is, what are the first steps for getting this going? We need to get some level of project organization, a communications channel(sourceforge?), and of course we need to pick a game to port. After that we can start discussing strategies for actually doing the port.
What are your thoughts on how to get started?
Re:I would be interested (Score:1)
Questions are, what game to port (getting the source, which I'm finding frustrating. Either the source is out and the ports already done, or the source isn't going to get released), or another project (open source mod? Honestly, I think an Unreal Tournament Mod might be interesting. Even make it open source...), and settling down on an idea.
Next we need a team for the project.
Then design, code, test, debug.
Re:I would be interested (Score:2)
And don't be too interested in talking to sourceforge. I imagine any engine code you get will be replete with NDAs and other things that prevent a sourceforge hosting.
Re:I would be interested (Score:1)
So putting all the logistical issues aside for the momement, did you have any ideas for mods rolling around in your head?
Sure for System Shock on Linux... (Score:1)
At the age of 9, I started programming.. goal was to write a great game. I gave up on that long long time ago, because it didn't lead anywhere. Now (age 22) I've got a job as developer, my company's writing web based software (bah, how ugly), and I feel badly unchallenged.
I can't say for sure now, but maybe I'd join such a project.