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Games API and the Beta Section

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proph3t Avatar

proph3t

Posts: 219
GumPoints: 1,776

So, we are working on quite a few new and exciting features as we speak.  Two of them will be launching by the end of this month, if not within the week.  The first is the beta option when submitting games or toons as well as new areas and functions related to the beta games/toons around the site.  The other is a bit more simple and is called Content Ratings.  Content Ratings take into account the warnings you set on the game when you submit/edit them and then generate a small, colored rating ("Everyone", "Mature", "Adult") much like the ESRB rating system but for flash.



Finally, we want to begin creating a functional and well-integrated API.  This one is the largest task and will require the most code, planning, and time.  So, before we dive in too fast, I want to get some feedback from all you game developers out there and see what it is you want from an API.  Certainly we will do high scores, but besides that what are your ideas?



Also, any suggestions for the beta section?  We have our outlines and to-do lists all written up and have begun developing various parts of it, but if you have any interesting ideas by all means post them here.

  • May 1, 2007
IndieFlashArcade Avatar

IndieFlashArcade

Posts: 14
GumPoints: 109

Obviously I think a multiplayer API would be hot. This is something I've never seen before, so if somebody would make it easy, it could be a popular thing.

  • May 1, 2007
Skuld Avatar

Skuld

Posts: 851
GumPoints: 5,402

I'm getting the jist of what an API is, but I'd like a definition and how it works.

Highscores would always be good for games, and like Indie said, multiplayer games are awesome, but I think something like that is a huge task, especially for a site where it is rare to have more than one person on at once.

  • May 4, 2007
IndieFlashArcade Avatar

IndieFlashArcade

Posts: 14
GumPoints: 109

Yeah a multiplayer API is pretty hopeful. High scores APIs are cool too.



An API is something which a game programmer can include in their game, for instance, P.O.D. was sponsored by Kongregate.com and I included their API in my game for high scores and challenges. On my end, it consists of a few lines of code: I call a function to connect to the server, and then I can call another function to submit 'statistics' (such as high scores) to their server. The Kongregate server then stores the information, and it can be displayed later in a high scores list.



How do you program an API? I have no idea.



Suffice to say, having an API makes it possible for game developers to integrate a high-scores system with a Web site, quickly and easily.

  • May 5, 2007
Skuld Avatar

Skuld

Posts: 851
GumPoints: 5,402

Well, I guess that is as far as I got myself. I'll do some independent research...

  • May 5, 2007

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