Game Development Community

Linux Client/Server: Your Thoughts...

by Quinton Delpeche · in Torque Game Engine Advanced · 09/11/2009 (4:18 am) · 2 replies

I would like to get all your thoughts on a Linux Client/Server. Now let me be clear, I am talking about TGEA 1.8.1 and specifically porting the Mac code to Linux. I know this is not a quick job and there will definitely be some challenges along the way, but I would like to gauge how you all generally feel about it and whether it would be worthwhile to tackle this challenge.

The basic premise is to get a dedicated server port done first and then move on the client port next. Mac is essentially FreeBSD.

Quote:Mac OS X is based upon the Mach kernel. Certain parts from FreeBSD's and NetBSD's implementation of Unix were incorporated in Nextstep, the core of Mac OS X.

This fundamentally means that it has to use OpenGL for its graphics processing which means that Linux support should theoritically be possible.

So I would like you to share your thoughts, hints and tips, and just general ideas about this. If I go ahead with this it will be released back to the community, hopefully the community will help make this a reality at the same time. There is quite possibly a long road ahead but I have a definite need for a Linux Server at this point and very possibly a Linux Client later on.

Let me just make it clear again, I am talking about TGEA 1.8.1 (not earlier versions, not TGB, not TGE, and definitely not T3D).

Look forward to hear from you all.

About the author

Gobbo Games is an Independent Games Development company operating from Durban in South Africa. We believe in creating high-quality cost-effective games that remain true to the belief of Independent Game Developers around the world.


#1
09/12/2009 (5:02 pm)
How good a programmer are you? Have you written real, large applications for both Linux and one of Mac OS X or Windows? If so, you could probably do it -- everything is possible. If you're coming at it from a "stab at it until it stops moving" direction, though, it's unlikely that you'll be very successful, because Linux interactive applications have their own sets of quirks and problems you'll need to work around.
#2
09/12/2009 (5:26 pm)
You can definitely do it if you don't give up. That might sound cheap, but that's all there's to it. I know a port would be extremely appreciated by many people - especially being able to run a dedicated server, which shouldn't be too hard to do from the Mac code. Good luck!

Edit: I just checked your site! You worked with MVS? Definitely not something commonplace. :) I did too, about ten years ago. :)