Recommended networking for text-based RPG

[Pikmeir]

I'm considering putting together an online multiplayer (not massive multiplayer) text-based RPG for me and a few friends. I've made a text-based RPG before, but I've never done one online.

I'm wondering what would be your guys' recommendations for the best way to go about this.

I'm thinking of setting up my computer as the server, storing a game-created text-file of some sort on my local machine (to hold player data, etc), and any other players can connect via my IP address through my computer (also being able to connect myself as a player using the server machine).

Or would you recommend that I host the entire game through telnet, using that for sending chat messages, and also for sending game data through?

Some more info: I'd like to make a basic but quirky text RPG game in the style of DragonRealms (if you've played it, it's just a highly-detailed text MMORPG). I'd like to have player information saved somewhere (my local machine or online), and have some format to allow for at least 5-10 players maximum to chat and interact. I'll also be working in C++.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

[clanmjc]

I would suggest first doing just the last part of your idea. Create a server-client architecture which just allows players to chat and interact. Get this part done, fumble through the problems and come up with solutions. Throw it away, rewrite it better (after realizing a hah, if I would have done it this way). Then use that model for your communication protocol. Now start building your game. Sockets, is probably what you are going to want to use, and a connection pool. I'd start with single socket examples, get that working and go from there. Add piece by piece, before you know it you will have a working chat connection server and clients.