39 replies to this topic

[ProgramWizard]

The TripleBuffer thread got me thinking: what if you guys offered hosting for game projects? Like what Sourceforge does. I haven't seen any other gamedev sites do it, so it would really set devmaster apart from the crowd.

[Onikhaosifix]

And what if most of those projects were to be cancelled half-way? That would waste alot of space that the admin(s) have to pay for. It's too risky.

[monjardin]

What's wrong with SourceForge? If it ain't broke...

[Onikhaosifix]

monjardin said:

What's wrong with SourceForge? If it ain't broke...

CVS is a nightmare.

[moe]

I think the iotd’s do a good job in that regard. It also assures that the projects are completed. But it would be great if there were some space where you could upload the project for those who don’t have their own webspace. Then these people could still send an iotd including a downloadable exe.

[Reedbeta]

Onikhaosifix said:

CVS is a nightmare.

Absolutely. Subversion is much better...

[ProgramWizard]

Onikhaosifix said:

And what if most of those projects were to be cancelled half-way? That would waste alot of space that the admin(s) have to pay for. It's too risky.

If a project is inactive for a set amount of time, then that project would just be deleted.

[roel]

I think it is a great idea, but I think that it will be abused as well. Maybe a protection can help, like some minimum number of (useful) posts here in the forums. When people are given a fixed amount of space, I don't think that the space will be really expensive, I think that bandwith is more an issue.

[ProgramWizard]

That's an idea. Perhaps only people with the title valued member can upload files and organize teams? How big of an issue would space be; is devmaster on a private server or a shared hosting account?

[Jynks]

An easy solution to web space is to simply install a torrent tracker into this board. It isn't to much space to make a extra section on the forum for projects, then inside that have a forum for each project. Keep the member forums as a sub forum because it might get large and you would want to separate it from the main forum for neatness and load times.

The users can host any and all files of any size they like simply through torrents. You make a release and everyone downloads it at once anyway right.. torrents are made for exactly this kind of "release" style files. I am sure many users of the board would be happy to leave their client open after downloading something for a bit to help punch the file around.

Devmaster.net
        Programming and Development
             General Development
             Graphics Theory and Programming
             Maths & Physics
             Languages
             Sound and Music Programming
             3D Engines
             Game Design
             A.I
        General
             Devmaster lounge
             Suggestions and Feedback
             Personal Announcements
        Hosted Projects
             TrippleBuffer
         Member Projects            
              Project {X}
              Project {X}
              Project {X}
              Project {X}
              Project {X}
              etc etc etc

Depending on how much the admins want to do it they could even make each project a subfourm and have fourms inside it .. like so

         Member Projects            
              Project {X}
                   Announcment / Showcase
                   Discussion

I used to run a forum with a torrent tracker ages ago when I was working on a collaborated cartoon. I still have the site though it is cleaned up awaiting when I get my new hobbie project fully underway (namely a computer game)

So the site is stripped down and empty, I will eventually get a new domain for it but no rush... still it is a fully functioning tracker and forum you guys are welcome to use it if you like.

http://theanimationclub.net

[anubis]

I don't exactly know how much space we have available, but ultimately the descision would be with garagegames, who are providing our serverspace. Personally I don't really like the idea, since projects are likely to get abandoned. Additionally there would be considerable administrative work piling up. Abuse would have to be prevented, etc.

Also you have to think about traffic and not only about space. If devmaster were to become a site where people would organize their code and publish whole games that would be likely to increase a lot.

Publishing some small binary with your daily image shouldn't be a problem I reckon, but giving people space for whole projects... I dunno.

Quote

That's an idea. Perhaps only people with the title valued member can upload files and organize teams?

That's only a couple hundred posts and won't tell you much. Granted the post count to get that status could be raised.

edit : I'm not saying it can't happen. I just have serious doubts about the idea

[Onikhaosifix]

I knew it. Devmaster has so much limitation compared to gamedev.net that has a game showcase and other big stuff. Before devmaster could even consider ideas like this and my idea for a game showcase(which was denied) they would have to make money somehow. After that they could have more control on their site and basically do whatever they want.

For starters they could open up an online store which sells commercial game engines and multimedia tools(3DS Max, Photoshop, etc.) and probably work on a deal with distributors and companies that develop these products(like keep a certain percentage from sales and give them the rest). After a couple of months or several years you guys would probably have more bread than gamedev.net :)

[SamuraiCrow]

Has anyone here looked into http://www.berlios.de for hosting?

[Onikhaosifix]

SamuraiCrow said:

Has anyone here looked into http://www.berlios.de for hosting?

Hey, thanks for the link.

[eddie]

Interesting.

I didn't know that GarageGames gave DevMaster space.

Although it seems like GarageGames might be *interested* in having a place for people to start developing their games on: as it might end up with GarageGames publishing them. The details could be worked out (who gets to start a project? Anyone? People of a certain rank? Etc?) later, as long as GG was interested.

A decent thought, but there's sites like www.berlios.de, www.tigris.org, and www.sourceforge.net, if you're truly doing an open project. And if not, subversion can be installed on any old machine, and with dyndns.org, your team can collab easy.

It's how I do it, anyhow. :)

[ProgramWizard]

How, precisely, did you get garagegames to give you space for a whole site? :huh:
You guys really should put up a "history of" page.
Anyway, if you want to make money, put up a space for donations, and open a shop at cafepress :yes:

[Dia]

GarageGames are one of our main sponsors, and they are providing the hosting services for DevMaster.net (on a private server). This does not put us in limitation however.

Quote

I knew it. Devmaster has so much limitation compared to gamedev.net that has a game showcase and other big stuff.

You shouldn't be making assumptions without basis. The game showcase idea was turned down not because of limitations, but because of the lack of certainty for success.

While the suggestions are good (game showcase, project hosting, etc.), they are not something unique and don't have that much demand considering the resources available elsewhere (SF.net for example). The best type of suggestions that can really set devmaster apart are unique and new suggestions. For example, the 3D Engines Database was a suggestion made by someone a while ago, which (at that time) was something lacking for game and graphics developers. With DevMaster implementing the 3D database, it gave it a unique edge and an exclusive resource. These types of suggestions are what will make DevMaster better.

[ProgramWizard]

Yes, I see what you mean. But maybe you should focus on getting what your competitors have first; stuff that some people might expect; to reel browsers in, and then hook them with features that are interesting and unique, like a 3D Engines database :yes:

[SpreeTree]

ProgramWizard said:

But maybe you should focus on getting what your competitors have first; stuff that some people might expect

Why would DevMaster want what others have. If others have them, then go there for that service, and come here for the services DevMaster offers. If you have been banned from using other sites services, then thats not DevMasters fault. If DevMaster sticks with copying other sites ideas, their user base will not increase, as people will stay where they are.

From what I have seen, any decent, new and individual idea's have been taken up by DevMaster (engines database, game wiki - granted there are others), while generic (or copied) ideas have been discussed bu ultimatly put down.

SourceForge and Berlios are professional and constantly maintained web sites - dedicated to the hosting of projects. I can only imagine what goes into running those sites. If you have an issue with CVS, then either go with the suggestions made, or deal with it - it is not that bad.

Anyway, thats my take on the subject - and on the 'expansion' of DevMaster. Think of something new and original that would make people want to visit both here and their usual board, and I am sure the staff will consider it.

Happy new year
Spree

[eddie]

I agree completely SpreeTree.

Also, what's with the sudden impetus to make DevMaster compete with other websites?

I think DevMaster's got a great community, and it's helped me in most of the ways I need. I'm all for constantly striving to improve themselves, but I get this feeling from some posters that it's more about "crushing the competition" then it is to keep the spirit of game development alive. Let other sites have their niche, and let DevMaster coexist.

It's not all or nothing.