29 replies to this topic

[God Ginrai]

I've been assuming a client-server model, so that you could play versus a pandora in the same room just as well as one across the planet.

Unless the pandora reaches DS type production levels, or there's a Pandora owners convention, I'm not seeing much point in developing anything peer-peer.

It *might* be nifty to develop a cross platform app that could connect to a DS. I might be interested in that. That might theoretically springboard to Pandora-Pandora connectivity.

Client-server would create so much unnecessary lag for people who ARE in the same room, not to mention you would need to have net access to do it.

-God Ginrai

[Game_over]

Bluetooth is more efficient for ad-hoc multiplayer.

WiFi-wise infrastructure performance will vary from game to game in terms of latency.

Some PSP homebrew support multiplayer emulated games.

For games made especially for the pandora, a unified multiplayer platform like POND is possible.

Edited by Game_over, 25 January 2009 - 02:08 AM.

[God Ginrai]

Bluetooth is more efficient for ad-hoc multiplayer.

WiFi-wise infrastructure performance will vary from game to game in terms of latency.

Some PSP homebrew support multiplayer emulated games.

For games made especially for the pandora, a unified multiplayer platform like POND is possible.

Really? I thought that bluetooth can't send enough data as fast as you want it for multiplayer. (Remember, your Pandora will be functioning as more than a controller)

-God Ginrai

[Game_over]

Possibly, I'm looking at it from a point of view that of other systems using bluetooth for multiplayer (n-gage, zodiac, etc.) I may be mistaking, but I think there are profiles that can be built for the task. What class of bluetooth are we using?

[CandidStan]

Previous conclusions were it has wifi and bluetooth so it's posible, but is it likely? With such a niche device, how many people are going to know and live near another Pandora owner? Are developers going to create multiplayer options to cater for such a small audience?

As always with open source, if a developer wants it / wants to do it then it may happen.

That's what I was going to say, unless you're a niche asshole who has 3 friends lucky enough to own Pandoras.


Multiplayer will most likely be over long distance wifi, opposed to the DS way of 100 feet multiplayer.

[Crunchwrap]

Well, you might've given some 3 friends or so the incentive to buy one.

[Alpha2]

Some emulators allow you to connect to a friend theough the internet as long as you have their IP address. I know I was give the option of playing my friend at Yugioh on a GBA emulator once on my laptop. So if this is possible how hard would it be to adjust that functionality to work via wifi, either throught he net or even ad hoc?

[spaceballs3000]

Well if Pandora run linux, and has linux drivers for the wifi hardware, then yes multilayer will possible as long as then the game would have to take advantage of it.

Edited by spaceballs3000, 25 January 2009 - 10:09 AM.

[PoisonedV]

I don't think that multiplayer over bluetooth would be able to send enough data, and I don't see the benefits of using wifi if you're in the same room / area, its the same as playing online normally, so I really dont think 'ad-hoc' multiplayer makes sense

[bencoder]

I don't think that multiplayer over bluetooth would be able to send enough data, and I don't see the benefits of using wifi if you're in the same room / area, its the same as playing online normally, so I really dont think 'ad-hoc' multiplayer makes sense

bluetooth should be fast enough, it's certainly faster than 56kbps and we played multiplayer games over the net back then with modems that fast.

[Miknal]

I heard someone was working on a matchmaking client for the pandora similar to xbox live
edit: It was called TINXL

As in dating matchmaking? You are aware girls can't use niche products like this, right? Their brains arn't made for it...

[Ravnos]

Not to mention, like dsleaf67:

Just a note. There still may be a need with niche devices. I have 2 zodiacs and 2 gizmondos for multiplayer gaming. Admittedly gizmondo was not the best as the bluetooth is still somewaht locked down and not properly usuable. However, the zodiac was awesome for multiplayer,

Edit: Even for non niche devices I have 2 psp's for the samething.

I have 2 DSes that I use for multiplayer.

-God Ginrai

Yeah, when I stepped up to a DS Lite, I kept my DS Phat just for multiplayer. I have a few friends who have DSes, but not that many, and they don't always have it with them. It's nice to be able to say, "Wanna play a quick game of Mario Kart?" and not have to worry about whether or not they could say yes even if they want to.

But with the Pandora, I'm more concerned about local multiplayer. Online would be nice, but with TV out this thing will be great for plugging in a couple of USB controllers and playing with friends.

Edited by Ravnos, 25 January 2009 - 04:24 PM.

[Alpha2]

I don't think that multiplayer over bluetooth would be able to send enough data, and I don't see the benefits of using wifi if you're in the same room / area, its the same as playing online normally, so I really dont think 'ad-hoc' multiplayer makes sense

Blue tooth would depend on the game. something that requires split second timeing wouldnt be very capable, Blue tooth is best for sending files or a constant connection to a single device like a headset or other controller, mouse keyboard.

I think you're confused on the use of ad hoc. This is most often used to describe a non inferstructer based connection. one person connecting directly to another. Ad hoc is how the DS and PSP connect to each other, via wifi in the same room. Wifi is also certainly capable of a stable enouh connection to a router in order to play others through the internet as I've done so with both my PSP and DS already.

[Drack]

Can the hardware do it? Absolutely, without question.

Can the software do it? Well, that's rather difficult to code, keep in sync, and deal with networking issues. Look at PC emulators: Not many have netplay, and for good reason. It's usually either very laggy or has problems with dropped packets and ping times. Local multiplayer doesn't have it nearly as bad as far as network traffic and error correction, but the code is still quite nontrivial to add in the first place, and it still has to deal with these issues.

[valhalla]

That's what I was going to say, unless you're a niche asshole who has 3 friends lucky enough to own Pandoras.

I plan to work hard to get at least 2 other acquaintances to buy a pandora, e.g. in the local LUG, but I do hope that they will be more than that.

post Linux Day Pandora LAN party FTW