Games Network

This is a small personal project where I want to create a games network on which I will launch some games that I will make (or hire someone to make) at a later stage. For this project I require various pieces of software which all need to interact together in different ways. The first piece is the server which must run on linux in a background daemon mode. This server will act as the authentication server, the chat server and the games directory listing server. The authentication part must use a MYSQL database. The client will run under windows and will connect via the internet to the server (see above). The server will then authenticate (via login/password from the client) the user. If authenticated the user will be allowed to select which game title they would like to play (eg Quake3, UT, CS etc). On that same screen the user will see a news section which will be loaded from a URL located on our server. Once the game is selected, the user is taken to a chat room which has the available game rooms (eg, Andy's Quake Server) The server will need to accept connections from the game servers in order to be added to the relevant game directory for display in the clients. This does not need to support any current games out there but I will require technical documentation on how to get the server listed. The connecting server should also require a username and password in order to get listed. ## Deliverables The system should support 5 userlevels, by default a user will be level 0 (no access).. * Level 0: User (default).. no access * Level 1: Guides - Just an icon in the userlist (no other access) * Level 2: Admins - An icon in the userlist and permissions to silence, kick and ban a user. * Level 3: Lead Admins - A different icon and they can do everything admins can, but they can also add admins and guides * Level 4: Developers - Another icon in the userlist and can do everything the lead admins can. They can also add lead admins and shutdown the server Bans should be able to be made by username, ip address or harddisk serial number. They will be stored in a MYSQL table on the server. Admins, Lead admins and Developers should be able to switch to "observation" mode where the normal level 0 people cannot see the observing admins in the userlist. All users (including devs, lead admins, admins and guides) should be able to ignore other users or private message them. Level 0 cannot ignore higher levels. The system should support the ability to stop anyone from registering a new account when a command is issued by a developer. The system should also allow the developers to stop any normal user from logging in when a command is issued. I will require: 1) Complete and fully-functional working programs in executable form as well as complete source code of all work done. 2) I will want to see various development stages and some testing would be required in order to make adjustments 3) Installation package that will install the client software (in ready-to-run condition). Server installation should be the source code in a [login to view URL] file with instructions for compiling on the linux server. 4) Complete ownership and distribution copyrights to all work purchased. 5) Complete documentation of how the system authenticates game servers connecting, the format of information that those connecting game servers need to provide to the main server in order to be listed (game name, server name, etc) 6) An automatic updating system which checks for new versions of the client software and downloads them if required. This is to keep everyone's version current. 7) Both the Server and Client should be in C or C++ A previous coder had completed most of this work but decided to disappear. He wanted $300 for the above project, which included a game, game server and map editor for the game. However at this stage I do not require a game to be made. All graphics for the system can be provided by me. If the work is of a particularly good standard and completed quickly.. there will be an opportunity for more coding work (maybe a game) at a later stage. More information is available on request along with some sketches of what the client layout should be. ## Platform Server needs to run on Linux in a background daemon mode. The user database needs to be a MYSQL database. This should be in C. The Client needs to run on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. This needs to be a C/C++ client ## Deadline information The sooner the better for completion. I've specified 15th of January 2003 as I go back to university on the 20th and do not want to have any problems with be not being around. If you have ever used the Total Entertainment Network (which is now closed) you will know exactly what I want. I have now managed to recover the old server software before the previous coder disappeared. The windows client would need to be made if this server was to be used. Any further functionality required could then be added on top of this code. Obviously I am not against a total recode.