Python + Qt + RoleMaster = Project?

[darelf]

For gamers (that is, p&p role-playing gamers), or anyone interested in a Python + Qt project (with XML data files, printing, and networking) that wants to stretch their programming muscles.

There should be a piece for everyone on this project: UI design, XML data export, Networking(P-P or Client/Server?), Printing to mutliple formats (PS, PDF, etc), user-scripting... in short, the works.

I personally am only interested in Qt as a GUI front-end. Python has great support for all the other pieces (except possibly printing?), but if someone wants to play with, say doing the XML with the Qt classes, that's certainly doable(is that a word?).

If you are interested, let me know. I have a site to use (DSL) but we can always move it to SF or someplace if we get more than two people interested (you know, for the CVS/Bug reports and stuff).

I have only done thinking about it. I will probably do the UI design, but if someone wants that part, don't fear. I'm not picky.

I need to work up a design for the thing and could certainly use help with that. ( I may be a programmer/sys-admin by profession, but I didn't go to college for it, so I'm not up on UML, etc. )

There is a PyQt project (called d20 ListView) on my homepage (mythicrpg.com (http://mythicrpg.com) ) so you can check that out to see how sloppy I am... ;)

My email is finkbeid@bellsouth.net

[Strike]

Uh, what is RoleMaster, and what exactly is this project? I don't see anything other than "gaming" that even relates to the actual genre of the program.

[darelf]

Originally posted by Strike
Uh, what is RoleMaster, and what exactly is this project? I don't see anything other than "gaming" that even relates to the actual genre of the program.

Ack... sorry... That post was mostly stream of conciousness...

RM is a type of RPG (role-playing game). The program would be a facilitator for playing by network (internet). Similar in concept to OpenRPG, but specifically for RM. It combines concepts of chat, "whiteboard" type programs, and on-line gaming. It's possible that it could also be used to set-up for "real life" games, printing out character sheets, maps, etc. before a session.

A possible feature list:

Store and manipulate characters and their equipment
Generate random encounters.
"Map board" shared between networked users in real-time.
Chat, a la IM/IRC.
Printing facilities for maps, characters, etc.


It's really just an excuse to play with all the different facets of Python. Python is rich in its libs and its strength at making short work of complex problems. I want to explore all the different parts, and a project like this allows for just about all the practical applications of Python in a single sweep. (except for relational database management, since I'm hoping to use XML for the data storage and exchange) It's purely for fun. It's for a game. It combines two passions of mine (programming and RPGs).

If you don't have a passion for RPGs, it might not be an interesting project at all. If you do, and you have even a passing familiarity with RoleMaster ( http://www.ironcrown.com ) then you might find this project to be intensely fun to work on.

I hope that helps put it in perspective a little more.

[Strike]

Okay, thanks, that's a lot more lucid :)

I totally agree about the power of Python (you can see many code examples throughout the board that I and others have posted just to prove the point). I think XML is an excellent choice as well. Might I also suggest that for the visual and audio components that you perhaps consider using PyGame (http://www.pygame.org)? It's a pretty good set of libraries.

Regretfully, I don't really have the time to devote to such a big project, but I wish you luck :)

[Jhonas]

I didn't know what I was doing, but I tried it. I wrote an interface in VB for the client and I tried to write a server in perl based off of a telnet chat script I found. It ended up being just a crappy chat program that never passed version 0.0.1. I hate VB, I hate VB, and let me say it again: I HATE VB.

[darelf]

Originally posted by Jhonas
I didn't know what I was doing, but I tried it. I wrote an interface in VB for the client and I tried to write a server in perl based off of a telnet chat script I found. It ended up being just a crappy chat program that never passed version 0.0.1. I hate VB, I hate VB, and let me say it again: I HATE VB.

Ummm... AMEN.

However, the chat/network code is minor to me. I've already written an entire IM client in Tcl/Tk with colors, channels, die-rolling, etc. Once you get past the display of the text ( doing the embedded colors in Tk was tricky, Qt is much easier ). But that's all it was, chat. There's about a bazillion of those.

I want to round out everything and reimplement in Python with XML data-exchange and more support for PC information (creating and managing characters, etc). Python just has a lot more meat to it.

[file13]

i used to love rolemaster years and years ago. i don't have any of the books anymore though. that seems like it would put a hamper on design--importing all those massive tables is pretty much grunt work.

anyways, what's the plan? does everything run off the client, or is there a central server and the clients only do minor things?

more detail would be helpful in persuading.... ;)