MMO-Like Quake Is Possible

An anonymous reader writes "OptimalGrid is a self-contained middleware designed for developers to create grid-enabled parallel applications without themselves becoming experts in grid or high-performance computing (article). The Linux compatible middleware now includes automatic distribution and provisioning on to Grid nodes. See how the first release of Quake II was made massively multi-player [pdf] by running on a Grid. Get modified Quake II from Sourceforge to run with OptimalGrid and let the massive Grid games begin." Update: 09/19 16:12 GMT by Z : Marked the pdf as such.

Hey, Rob et. al.

[wowbagger]

Hey /crew - how about having Slash automatically put a [PDF] after a PDF link - so we know we are about to download a huge PDF rather than going to a link?

added lag

[FadedTimes]

70ms of added lag between servers, I wonder how much that effects twitch reaction and firing accuracy.

Re:Hey, Rob et. al.

[metamatic]

How about learning to look at the URL in your browser before clicking on it, if it bothers you? Or installing a Firefox plugin to flag PDFs [mozilla.org]? And then quitting whining about PDF?

Re:Awesome

[Scuff]

Planetside has already been running as a MMOFPS for what, two years now? I think all they've demonstrated is that noone wants to pay a monthly fee for an FPS

Re:Awesome

[GeckoX]

Ehh? I thought Halo proved the exact opposite.

So this is..

[Achoi77]

took a quick look at the pdf, and it seems like this idea is nothing really more than having a series of localized proxy-type servers that sort of act as middle men that communicate between the servers and the clients.

I don't see how this is anything unique and different from how other mmo's are currently deployed, and there are still the same problems that plague mmos. For example, one of the things they mentioned was the partitioning of the world map into discrete pieces. To help reduce load, sure. But what happens when everbody tries to 'storm the base' all at once?

When the pvp patch came out for World of Warcraft, serveral of the largest guilds of my server (Mannoroth) for opposing factions got together to siege/defend a capital city. (I'm trying to be as vague as possible to please bear with me) The problem isn't when you have a full raid party of 40 vs another party of 40, but rather when you have multiple raid parties vs multiple raid parties. We were in Orgrimmar, and we were being stormed by almost 300+ alliance, with almost just as many Horde waiting to defend. The load got so heavy the server crashed several times (nevermind the fact that the sheer number of ppl on the screen caused video cards to choke). The lag got so bad, ppl have given up on massive sieges altogether.

Massive sieges are still the holy grail of online gaming. I don't think it'll happen anytime soon.

Re:Bleh, not what we want.

[ibullard]

The "OptimalGrid" technology only runs on an intranet. The game itself can run on the internet via proxy servers and modified game servers.

I know this is Slashdot where you're not supposed to read the article before commenting on it but reading parts of the article and then spreading false information is far, far worse.

Re:Awesome

[Scuff]

halo is neither massively multiplayer nor does it require a monthly fee, so i'm not sure what you're talking about.