Network games, what to use?

[corona800]

Hello, 

What is the latest news on using network play ( not on lan but globally ), what are the pro’s and con’s of :

a) apple’s game center
b) google play services
c) coronium gs
d) something new and shiny etc… ?

Also what is your experience in using X ( whatever of the above you are using ) ?

Regards
BK

[roaminggamer]

Someone else w/ more experience and time may answer and I’ll be glad if they do, but this is a broad question.   Network Play can mean a lot of things and different things to different people.

I am currently using Coronium Cloud (not gs) to implement several games and apps.  None is released yet, but it won’t be much longer.  

For each one, the way I used Cornium differs depending upon my needs:

• Un-Named Game 1 - Used to collect highscores and emails (opt-in) for a contest.  (This was for a client).
• Un-Named Game 2 - Used to:
  • Run ‘flash’ games where users start from same seed.
  • Run daily games where users start from same seed.
  • Enable account creation and management.
  • Create private games for friends.
  • Manage game settings and defaults after release.
  • Deliver new content without re-releasing. 
• Un-Named App - Used to connect users to each other anonymously and to gather world wide metrics interesting to users.

My point is, you should tell us specifically the usage model you’re thinking of, and we will probably be better able to direct you to options.

PS - To all Coronium Users.  Be sure to donate something to Chris to keep this project growing.  I suggest an initial donation and if your game/app makes enough money, a follow-up donation.  He has done a wonderful and very hard thing, in making Coronium and then giving it to us for free.  

[corona800]

Ed, thanks for your time.

What you write in the post, about donating to Chris, is what worries me. What happens if he decides to pull the plug on the project?

Meanwhile game centre and google play services is perhaps a safer bet. And this is with no disrespect to authors of Coronium, I am currently watching the tutorials on youtube. Looks very interesting indeed. My worry is if it’s not supported by enough donations/licenses - I basically may have to redo perhaps months of work. I prefer not to do that.

Maybe there is a pro license with more support for Coronium, but also there has to be more people/companies willing to become customers and support the project.

My project would be a turn based game, almost like a battle card game, think “Heartstone” but with sports.

/BK

[roaminggamer]

I wouldn’t worry.  At the worst, he’d stop adding to it.  Coronium is highly capable, solid, and functional.  Also, once you’ve built your base (unmodified) server, you can always make a copy as a easy starting point.  Then you’ll have it forever.

In any case,  you’ll still have to choose the best solution to meet your needs and there will be investment in learning. 

re: Your Game

Aside from the primary interaction (turn based exchange of data), consider other facets of the MP experience like:

• Score keeping
• Account creation.
• Game management

Also, I assume that in your concept of turn based, the players are all playing at the same time and that turns are not indefinitely defer able (I’ll play my turn next week.) The latter requires a totally different kind of solution.

@ all other reader

I hope some other folks respond with answers re: their own experience and knowledge on this.

[corona800]

I obviously know too little about the capabilities of Coronium. That is very good to know. 

Yeah, all valid tips Ed, thank you (score keeping, accounts, management).

I was thinking of having a “deadline” on my turns, so different limit for your turn, like “LIVE Match” or “play by mail”-kind-of one as well. 
So you pick whatever you are comfortable with. Although the LIVE match would be most fun but, people have other things in life than playing games ( even if unlikely, I know this can be true ).
 
Thanks, Ed. Keep up the great work you guys are doing with the CoronaGeek stuff.

/BK

[roaminggamer]

Someone else w/ more experience and time may answer and I’ll be glad if they do, but this is a broad question.   Network Play can mean a lot of things and different things to different people.

I am currently using Coronium Cloud (not gs) to implement several games and apps.  None is released yet, but it won’t be much longer.  

For each one, the way I used Cornium differs depending upon my needs:

• Un-Named Game 1 - Used to collect highscores and emails (opt-in) for a contest.  (This was for a client).
• Un-Named Game 2 - Used to:
  • Run ‘flash’ games where users start from same seed.
  • Run daily games where users start from same seed.
  • Enable account creation and management.
  • Create private games for friends.
  • Manage game settings and defaults after release.
  • Deliver new content without re-releasing. 
• Un-Named App - Used to connect users to each other anonymously and to gather world wide metrics interesting to users.

My point is, you should tell us specifically the usage model you’re thinking of, and we will probably be better able to direct you to options.

PS - To all Coronium Users.  Be sure to donate something to Chris to keep this project growing.  I suggest an initial donation and if your game/app makes enough money, a follow-up donation.  He has done a wonderful and very hard thing, in making Coronium and then giving it to us for free.  

[corona800]

Ed, thanks for your time.

What you write in the post, about donating to Chris, is what worries me. What happens if he decides to pull the plug on the project?

Meanwhile game centre and google play services is perhaps a safer bet. And this is with no disrespect to authors of Coronium, I am currently watching the tutorials on youtube. Looks very interesting indeed. My worry is if it’s not supported by enough donations/licenses - I basically may have to redo perhaps months of work. I prefer not to do that.

Maybe there is a pro license with more support for Coronium, but also there has to be more people/companies willing to become customers and support the project.

My project would be a turn based game, almost like a battle card game, think “Heartstone” but with sports.

/BK

[roaminggamer]

I wouldn’t worry.  At the worst, he’d stop adding to it.  Coronium is highly capable, solid, and functional.  Also, once you’ve built your base (unmodified) server, you can always make a copy as a easy starting point.  Then you’ll have it forever.

In any case,  you’ll still have to choose the best solution to meet your needs and there will be investment in learning. 

re: Your Game

Aside from the primary interaction (turn based exchange of data), consider other facets of the MP experience like:

• Score keeping
• Account creation.
• Game management

Also, I assume that in your concept of turn based, the players are all playing at the same time and that turns are not indefinitely defer able (I’ll play my turn next week.) The latter requires a totally different kind of solution.

@ all other reader

I hope some other folks respond with answers re: their own experience and knowledge on this.

[corona800]

I obviously know too little about the capabilities of Coronium. That is very good to know. 

Yeah, all valid tips Ed, thank you (score keeping, accounts, management).

I was thinking of having a “deadline” on my turns, so different limit for your turn, like “LIVE Match” or “play by mail”-kind-of one as well. 
So you pick whatever you are comfortable with. Although the LIVE match would be most fun but, people have other things in life than playing games ( even if unlikely, I know this can be true ).
 
Thanks, Ed. Keep up the great work you guys are doing with the CoronaGeek stuff.

/BK