Netspace

Netspace is going to be a multiplayer action game designed as an exercise in networked applications. It is currently implemented in plain C using X Window System graphics. Some auxiliary tools used in development and not essential for gameplay use other languages like Tcl. Snapshot, 10KB

Goals

to provide foundations for a future Distributed Cm implementation.That version should stress Distributed Cm's outstanding features for distributed, object-based application development.
creating a fairly open framework for additions, perhaps as class exercises.
to be very portable, at least among Unixes with X.
to use a network in a fun, creative way

Netspace descends from TeamSim, a demonstration program for the OMNI system for support of distributed applications, and the Astra user interface library. Primary changes from TeamSim include:

a different environment set in space, not far in the future
asymmetrical, client-server architecture
much more flexible objects and scenario description
improved graphics

Architecture

Netspace's current implementation follows a simple client-server architecture. All members in a session connect to a Netspace server. Some possible clients are:

Player interface: the most essential client, used by human players. Performs graphically-intensive operations in order to present a convincing three-dimensional play arena
Robots: automated objects, usually non-human players like wingmen and foes for solo play.
Big Brother: primarily a debugging interface, presents a god's view of all clients.
Mission Manager: proposes a scripted mission, whose objectives might be achieved by human players. Should have the ability to launch robots, both friendly and enemy.
Session Recorder: stores human/robots actions during a session for later replay.

Currently the server just broadcasts messages. I am not sure if general operations like global collision detection could be moved into the server, improving performance in a faster host.

As good, credible "artificial intelligence" (hope not offending AI people) is quite hard to implement for non-player characters and Netspace is primarily designed for network play, the only available robot is currently very plain and used for tests only. Since, like several aspects of Netspace, its architecture is fairly simple and open, someone could later add stronger robots.