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Is OpenAnt dead? (self.openant)

submitted ago by Rinum

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No, it's on pause.

I'll be on summer break in about 5-6 weeks. I plan on restarting the project. We made the mistake of not setting things up in a way that others can easily jump in and make progress (lack of documentation, tickets, milestones, barriers to entry with the technologies used, etc.). Thus, starting over is the only option now... we have to do this correctly from the start. Also, a lack of incentive ($) to develop the game definitely contributed to the slow progress. Therefore, I intend to kickstart it and hopefully raise enough money to create a team of redditors that can work on the game full time and get paid to do so.

If this does end up failing, I guess reddit has STILL yet to make a game /r/redditmakesagame

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[–]DarkLord7854 7 points8 points ago

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I was toying around with making an HTML5/JS version of this game, with a fully responsive design so it could be played from any browser.. mmm

[–]Rinum[S] 3 points4 points ago

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Yup, I'm definitely considering going this route. It'll be very challenging to pull off, but not impossible.

[–]flagbearer223 1 point2 points ago

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Would you be up for putting it to a vote? I'd love to do it in Javascript, and I can see it appealing to a wider number of players & programmers.

[–]DarkLord7854 1 point2 points ago*

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Wouldn't be too hard actually, can use the following:

Back-end:

  • Node.js for server, allowing realtime multiplayer and preventing people from trying to cheat by doing server-side checks for moves
  • MongoDB for database for Node.js, with a MySQL database for backups

Front-end:

  • Backbone.js (MV framework)
  • ICanHaz & Mustache.js (template system)
  • jQuery

It could be tied into the current social stuff for logins/sharing/playing with friends & FB credits for monetization to buy vanity items and the likes

[–]Rinum[S] 4 points5 points ago

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Yup, this could work

[–]DarkLord7854 1 point2 points ago

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I'm down

[–]MILKB0T 2 points3 points ago

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Vanity items? Seriously? Like hats for your ants?

[–]DarkLord7854 2 points3 points ago

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Top hat and monocle. Fancy ants.

[–]DarkLord7854 0 points1 point ago*

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Might be relevant/inspirational: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=YW5kcmV3d2lsbG1vdHQuY29tfHd3d3xneDo3MWVmZmY5ZTMwNzYzOTNk

[–]sequenceGeek 1 point2 points ago

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Yeah I think this would be awesome. JS is not my strong suit but I think this would have a much wider appeal than desktop python/java/etc...

[–]Cibrong 0 points1 point ago

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I decided that this is a good idea. It also give me an excuse to learn JavaScript.

So, I'm slowly working on a JS version of OpenAnt.

Testing Pathfinding

Unfortunately I just started a new job so progress will be slow. Right now I just have basic map generation, pathfinding for the player ant and map scrolling done.

[–]flynnski 5 points6 points ago

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NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER.

[–]Xoipos[M] 2 points3 points ago

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I dunno man. I offered various times to explain the entire thing, and someone was reaaallly close to understanding the code. But then he left because of lack of other people working on it.

And that's what I think is the biggest problem: lack of people who are motivated enough to work on it. We've got programmers, we had some artists and we had several other people willing to help in various ways. But no one to motivate everyone and keep the project together. No one to shout "HEY GUYS, THIS IS AWESOME." or "HEY YOU! ARE YOU SLACKING OFF?! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'RE MISSING?! GET BACK TO WORK!" or similar stuff.

So in all honesty? Even if you continue to work on it, I don't think you'd garner enough people to continue motivating you.

[–]Rinum[S] 2 points3 points ago

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Which is why we need a monetary incentive. If we can raise enough capital to hire programmers to work full time, we can get this made very quickly (well before our original goal of this December). We can hire entirely within reddit, I'm sure there are lots of programmers and artists here looking for a job.

And I have another idea... I was thinking we could have the public be able to view the entire development process... as in have cameras on the team during work hours so others can observe and yell at us when we slack off lol

With reddit's support, I think we can raise ~$25-30k. This is enough to hire 3 people full time for a period of 2 months at ~$20-25/hr. I'm willing to take $0 if necessary... so that makes a 4 person team.

[–]Xoipos 2 points3 points ago

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You thinking about using kickstarter? That would probably attract enough attention yes.

[–]Rinum[S] 2 points3 points ago

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Yup, it's worth a shot

[–]AthlonRob 0 points1 point ago

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looking (currently at the top) DarkLord and Rinums comments, once the technology that drives the experience is decided, it'll be easier to say we need this type of person, that type of artist, we can push this kind of audio, etc.

Basically, create your design document so the public knows what you're doing, what your needs are, and how they can contribute.

[–]ramjambamalam 0 points1 point ago

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Do you still need coders? I'm looking for a programming side-job, with loose time constraints, and an enjoyable subject (Sim Ant), and this seems perfect.

[–]Xoipos 0 points1 point ago

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Project's dead AFAIK. Fork the code from github and do with it what you like son!

[–]old_adam 2 points3 points ago

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sounds great

[–]RobotBuddha 2 points3 points ago

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Also, a lack of incentive ($) to develop the game definitely contributed to the slow progress

Yeah, I'll be honest here. Every time I thought about the idea and saw lack of progress it occurred to me that I could probably do it myself and release it on a mobile platform for a fair amount of money. Sadly, I'm just not in a place in life where I can afford to code for free. I suspect that's the case for a lot of folks. Which, frankly, really sucks. The economy is just horrible right now for what it does to people. But, that's just the way of things I guess.

[–]DarkLord7854 0 points1 point ago

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Actually, lack of time is my biggest enemy

[–]MILKB0T 1 point2 points ago

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Yay!

Hope you guys can get things together :)

[–]sequenceGeek 1 point2 points ago

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Hey,

I've been meaning to ask if your branch is still the "master" branch. It looks like there was some additions that haven't been pushed back to you so I wasn't sure what one to work on...

Anyways, it looks like you're planning on starting over. Is it still gonna be in/prototyped in python?

In any case I still think trello makes a good platform for discussing bugs and making to do lists and such:

https://trello.com/board/open-ant/4eb0d1df7f02fd00000f0a42

[–]frikk 1 point2 points ago

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When you get more documentation I'd love to see it. I think it'd be fun to program in a cellular-automata based hive mind AI. I volunteer to prototype it.

[–]suby 0 points1 point ago

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I think it'd be fun to program in a cellular-automata based hive mind AI. I volunteer to prototype it.

I'm going to apologize for replying to a comment that's 5 months old, but I'm wondering if you'd be able to elaborate on how that would work, or if you have any links that would describe something like that. It sounds like it'd be fun to make, but I'm having a hard time visualizing it.

[–]k1down 1 point2 points ago

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I want to work on the graphics for it but I still can't figure out how the fuck to do that exactly. I don't code so I don't know GIThub. I tried to figure it out, but I want to work on openant, not learn GIThub.. This happens every time I try to contribute to open-source projects. Any suggestions?

[–]Oryanna 1 point2 points ago

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I'm very excited about this! I can't wait until it's done!

[–]jibijib 0 points1 point ago

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I am currently working up to 13 hours a day until my contract ends, but I have time in evening when I'm doing nothing in the hotel.

I think the question should be is - HOW SIMILAR IS THIS GAME TO SIM ANT?

And if it's different then how much - or if it's a completely faithful rendition of it on newer hardware (which then makes me ask why should it be exactly the same?)

[–]Jorru 0 points1 point ago

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i hope not :( i just found it

[–]-Osiris- 0 points1 point ago

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If you are on summer break in 5-6 weeks shouldnt you start the kickstarter now?

[–]Rinum[S] 0 points1 point ago

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Hmmm... perhaps you're right. Though typically you need something to show on kickstarter. I'll put something together over the next couple weeks.

[–]Zikron 0 points1 point ago

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If you need any graphics help to spice up the Kickstarter page I offer my services to you as a designer free of charge.

I found a post on r/indiegaming and got excited but was saddened when I saw this post. SimAnt was one of my favorite childhood games would love to see it make a comeback.

Don't give up!