September 7th, 2007
I need some project to learn PHP coding. Since I already ranted about lack of good MM online games I’ll try to create one. Keeping with KISS I’ll search for weak points in other games and try to avoid them while learning to code in PHP/MySql.
I think a game from sport genre would be easiest to make as I know more about sport then about conquering the galaxy. More difficult is to choose which sport. I need a game with relatively simple competitions system where luck plays only a minor role. When I tried to model the game on these principles only racing sport seems simple enough to simulate. League competitions are too much for now. Since manager must include some team to manage, individual sports are out. I’m left only with car racing. Formula One Grand Prix is the most interesting competition and top level of its sport category so I’ll choose to simulate the Grand Prix.
I played few F1 manager games but I remember only Grand Prix manager released in 1996 by Microprose as a good game (it still has an active community). There are fans but there is no game for them. My interest in sport is limited to managing a team, hiring drivers, staff, contracts with manufacturers, merchandising and researching new technologies. I’m really not into setting tire pressure and wing positions because there’s always only one best setting – once discovered it’s just burden.