The distant future: Client replacement?

[Psy-Q]

I realize I'm too much of a noob to have any weight in anything, but here's a mad fever-induced dream: Writing a fresh server and building a new client for a future SoD?

There are a bunch of FOSS projects that develop an MMORPG, but those are nearly useless to us. But there is one that "only" wants to provide frameworks for MMO development, Worldforge.

The Worldforge guys have been working on this for years, and in 2009 they'll get sponsorship from the Google Summer of Code which should give the project a boost.

Would it be thinkable to reinvent SoD using a new client/server sometime in the future or will it save more time to use good old The Game until it melts?

I have no idea about 3D game development, but I lead several database- and/or media-heavy FOSS projects and I'd have some time to invest starting in summer 2010 Also, I know a guy who's developed 3D virtual environments for research projects. I don't think he'd have time, but it can't hurt to ask.

What's the level of madness in these thoughts?

Edit: Specifically, the Ember modular client for Worldforge servers could be a starting point.

Edit 2: The Saga of Ryzom, an already running and (formerly?) commercial MMORPG is also releasing their world-building tools called NeL. They include a 3D engine, networking code and everything, and it runs on Windows/Linux/Mac. NeL has also applied for Google sponsorship. It's C++, so I yell "ick!", but then again, most 3D game development is C++, no?

Edit 3: It seems we'd need a horde of graphics people just to get to the level that The Game offers at the moment, so next to all the world-building, networking and 3D client tools, I think that's one thing that makes all of this a dream.

 

[Mythryn]

They went a different route, and decided to make their own full-fledged MMORPG, Dawntide. Which is a much better time investment than worldforge or updating the archaic EQ client SoD currently uses.

 

[Psy-Q]

Ah, interesting! So there is a path into the future! That gives me some peace of mind.

So I'll enjoy what's here in "this SoD". I'm sure someone stepped up to keep running the SoD servers? I'll look through the forums to see.

I wonder what technology they're basing Dawntide on, will have a look there as well. Would be nice if it's one of the FOSS frameworks, having a solid FOSS MMO framework is important in my opinion.