Hey Cris,
hello rest of the world,

I like the DimX engine a lot and think it can be a good tool to build a MMORPG.
But the weakest part so far is the chat system I think. Most of the players that I know
play multi player games to have scocial contacts in an abstract world.
Some even use games to just hang around and chat with people ...

Right now the chat system keeps people from talking to each other because it is so
unusual to have your talking appeared in the upper window and see other peoples reactions in another.
This keeps people from following the natural flow of the conversation and leads to
not using it at all. Most people say "hello" ... and thats it by now...

I have searched for open source Java Chat engines some time ago and found some intresting
free solutions. Unfortunately I am not able to work them in...

http://rakim.sourceforge.net/
sounds promising and looks like a very good tool

http://jicra.sourceforge.net/
very small in size and simple

http://www.webdev.ro/products/webchat/
the explanation sounds good too.


After talking with you, Cris about that topic, you have told me it might be difficult to join the two systems and make the DimX SYS to display inside of the chat.
But the system informations could still be handled in another frame like it is right now. Only the talking between players online could be in the new chat window. Then private chats, guild chats, buddy lists and so on will surely strengthen our beloved
community of players wich is the key topic in an MMORPG...

Thanks for considering to rebuild the chat system,
it will be worth the time, players will love it!
Marius
:rolleyes:

Thanks a lot for the links.

I will surely look over them.

The integration with anything written in Java and web-based is possible. The only problem I have is little time.

If this chat issue is felt as a problem also to others it would be useful to know.

Hi,

another question about the problem of chatting in two windows.
I still dont like my text to be displayed in a diffrent window than my conversation partner.
Maybe there could be a workaround in case you don't see the need of implementing a better chat system.

QUESTION:
Is there a way to redirect the text that I speak, to the frame where the SYS text and my chat partner is displayed?
Or to redirect my partners words to where my text is read?

I have been looking in the source but could'nt find anything... maybe thats in the Java part again?

Greetz
Marius

The current layout is a result of how the User Interface has been conceived.

The main frame is what your alter-ego sees, thinks and says. Is your alter-ego perception. The 3-row message chat frame is there to record last messages you heard, for convenience.

I mean, I am aware of when I speak, I remember what I said by myself, no need to see it in writing more then once. This allows me to optimize space.

However I feel that all chats work this way, the users may expect this also from this one, she may think her speech did not come through at all.

I think we can put an option in the GUI section in order to let you choose whether you want your messages to be echoed here or there.

What do you think about it?

Yes,

that would be great to have the possibility to change that.
Please implement it as soon you find some time.

I have read in a topic by Cotteux that he did some manipulations on the chat before. I cant reach him over the forum to ask him. Do you know more about his current game?
I know its in frensh but was'nt able to find it...

Thanks Marius

Hello Cris,

I just have found your to-do-list in the wiki and see that you have the changing of the chat on your list. That's good! It's not first priority but it's on the list. :D

From my experience in underworld and the beginning of my my own I still think it would boost the community a lot to have private chats, buddy lists and other features that have some of the chats that I have posted in this already... and the community idea is what most people lead to mmorpg's.

And even more important -> to have a good community system will keep them playing!
Greets
Marius

Hi there,

am I right that the new "hooks feature" is a big step towards a new chat too?
Maybe it is easier now to handover messages from DimX to the chat and vice versa?

Greets
Marius

Holla

I have tested the technical possibilitis of several online communities during the last months like dating sites and other places where people meet and change informtion over a browser based mailing/chat system. I would like to integrate some of their ideas into my game.

So I want to take the chance to encourage you- Cris - to think once again about a new chat engine with a more fluent chat, personal messages, buddy lists and so on.

If DimX would be able to do stuff like that a game could be much more a group experience than it is right now.

Whats top priority on your list?
Greetings from Germany.
Marius