Database Question

kyleknauer

I have an App idea that involves storing peoples usernames passwords and small bits of information about a person inside of the app. I am also thinking about having some small kind of group chat only involving a texting type process(no pictures). I am thinking I will need some kind of server/database to do this. Can it be done within Gamesalad if so I will purchase the full product. If not any advice/ cost estimates.

Hopscotch

@kyleknauer what you ask is quite possible, and yes, it would involve a backend server and database.

Just be aware that for a solution like this, there are many different sides, languages and tools that will all play a part and have to be mastered. The GameSalad part being the most trivial.

kyleknauer

@Hopscotch What do you think the approximate cost of the extra backend servers and databases would be? Also what's my best starting point? Thanks just trying to gather some research.

Hopscotch

@kyleknauer , cost of development or cost of running the server?

The server cost depends on the traffic. If you expect low traffic, then get a cheap amazon server (you will pay for traffic and can get pricy over time). If you expect high traffic, rent a server that includes unlimited traffic (probably around $200-$300/month).

Which country are you in?

kyleknauer

@Hopscotch I'm located in the US. And I believe I should be able to do most of the programming for it as long as I go through gamesalad. I have created a few games in the past but I've never done anything involving multiplayer or an online interaction. Is it a steep learning curve?

Hopscotch

@kyleknauer said:
And I believe I should be able to do most of the programming for it as long as I go through gamesalad.

What do you mean by this? For the functionality you are describing, ca. 80% of the work will be server side and have nothing to do with GS. Do you have experience developing web pages with database interaction?

kyleknauer

@Hopscotch I have zero experience with web pages and database interaction. I meant for the actual game idea itself I think I would be able to make it in Gamesalad I was just unsure about the usernames and other information regarding users interactions with each other. For my idea to work I need if a user gives another user an attribute they need to be able to save it as their own and subtract it from the originators attributes. And then be able to track the transactions.

Hopscotch

@kyleknauer, then you have set yourself an exciting goal and learning experience.

Check out @jonmulcahy 's introduction to this topic:

http://forums.gamesalad.com/discussion/63636/sending-and-receiving-data-using-your-own-sql-server-php-file-and-testproject-included/p1

It will give you an idea of what is involved. It is not a template, there will be a lot more server side programming to be done, but will point you in the right direction.