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Massively Multiplayer (MMP) game development is one of the fastest growing areas in the game market. With the first MMP releases, the genre took off with amazing speed, and as its popularity continues to soar, so do the many challenges, internationalization, customer support, hacking, and technological advancements. To keep up with these challenges, developers need to implement the best tools and techniques available. Massively Multiplayer Game Development provides these solutions.
This comprehensive, insightful collection of articles is written by some of the industry's best MMP developers, and provides a wealth of unique knowledge acquired while working in the MMP trenches. Details on database techniques and game systems are also included. Unlike many programming books, Massively Multiplayer Game Development is intended to appeal to the entire team: programmers will find a multitude of technical ideas, and designers and producers will benefit from the detailed information on design, architecture, and customer support.
Features
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MMP Design Techniques: provides a "big picture" design process and includes valuable insights learned by the Toontown Online team, as well as practical online customer support issues learned by the Ultima Online team.
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MMP Architectures: features extensive coverage on applying object-oriented and Extreme Programming practices for building robust MMP frameworks and architectures.
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Server-Side Development: details the server side of online development, including seamless server pros and cons, development and maintenance issues, and wireless device porting tips.
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Client-Side Development: covers movement prediction, character customization, and the challenges of console MMP games.
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Database Techniques: explores this black art that very few developers have mastered. Covers the fundamentals of design and explains how and how not to use databases for online games.
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Game Systems: addresses how to design the core game system that powers MMP games.
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CD-ROM (Windows) includes demos and source code from the book in C++, Python, and Shockwave
CONTRIBUTORS
Thor Alexander, Jason Asbarh, Jason Beardsley, Mark Brockington, William Dalton, David Fox, Tom Gambill, Mike Goslin, Ben Hanson, Todd Hayes, Dale Homburg (cover), Christian Lange, Jay Lee, Glyph Lefkowitz, Paul McInnes, John M. Olsen, Sean O'Neil, Javier F. Otaegui, Jay Patterson, Patricia Pizer, Sean Riley, Artie Rogers, Paul Sage, Derek Sanderson, Jesse Schell, Joe Shochet, Matthew Walker
EDITOR
BIO
Thor Alexander (California) has been working in the game industry for over twelve years as a designer, engineer and entrepreneur. He has held lead designer and senior programming positions at Electronic Arts, Microsoft and Xatrix Entertainment. He has contributed to titles such as Earth & Beyond and Freelancer as well as the Ultima Online game series. He has also contributed to the books AI Game Programming Wisdom and Game Programming Gems 3 as well as Massively Multiplayer Game Development.
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