Actually yes. We are :-) I also remember that Defense is doing high-scores in the internet using M4 card.
What I'm interested in is how to do such things? Since I got no idea about all the internet stuff it would be nice to have some kind of "manual" how to release such things.
How could we use your project to do a high-score-list in the internet for example?
This can be done either by every developer coding their own WebServices, or by using on that is available. 8bitology API provides such an API so that everyone can find each other within a Lobby type setup, but everyone can look at each other's and voteup/votedown achievement within the games too - it also would allow people to realise what other net-enabled games there may be.
The API is documented here:
http://8bitology.net/api.phpGeneral, Users and Messaging are all developed and working (hopefully bug free) and provide facilities for creation of a Lobby type application in the CPC or within a game. Having a generic Lobby application could be benefitial - does anyone want to code this? It could be coded in BASIC or Assembler, a ROMable one would be awesome...
I do plan to finish the online Lobby functionality, but it really is more elegant on the computer/device you are playing on than having to go to another computer. Having said that, this website is fully 8BML compatible, so if someone wants to finish an 8BML browser, that would be even better than a Lobby application!
Applications, Achievements and Files - these are at various stages of testing. If someone gets to the point of wanting to register an application to submit achievements for 'players they have registered', then I will work with them and finish testing these, debugging my side and ensuring it works as the game developer needs.
I provide a tool to test API calls from the web in the members area.
eg:
function=user_register&emailaddress=julian.cassin@gmail.com&name=Julian&password=BLAHBLAH
but from your app, you would call like this:
http://8bitology.net/ws.php?function=user_register&emailaddress=julian.cassin@gmail.com&name=Julian&password=BLAHBLAH(I would recommend making this bit -
http://8bitology.net/ws.php - configurable, perhaps read from a config.ini file so you can point to different servers)
For this specific API, you would usually only register yourself once, through a lobby app, or the website. Follow the emails sent and you are emailed a Secret ID. This is your Secret ID that represents yourself and you should not share this with anyone. Ideally it will be stored in a local configuration file (8bitology.ini?).
We have Secret IDs for people, but also for applications, achievements etc. As well as Secret IDs, we also have Public IDs. They are interchangeable actually - however when you use a Secret ID, you get increased permissions to the site that allows you to see your account, maintain your achievements etc - Secret IDs should NEVER be embedded within an application or shared with other people. The Public IDs are what is used in your application, and can be compiled in. These will be triggered when your application calls the API, for example:
function: achievement_setvalue
parameters: <secretuid>, <rid>, <value>
response: true or false
description: Set selfs achievement value (*usually updated by a app).
function=achievement_setvalue&secretuid=1111&rid=2222&value=1000 (in the tool)
http://8bitology.net/ws.php?function=achievement_setvalue&secretuid=1111&rid=2222&value=1000 (from within your game)
The secretuid 1111 should come from your 8bitology.ini file because it identifies you that you want an elevated permission to set the achievement 2222 for you (if 2222 was what the system allocated your HiScore achievement ID). 1000 would be your score.
So, everything is in a certain state but with an ideal state not yet reached.
Ideal State:
- Code Generic Lobby applicaiton for CPC or an 8BML browser
- Finish Website Lobby GUI (if 8BML browser option is chosen)
- Code library for use by CPC game developers (RSX for BASIC? C for other?)
Note: this entire project is open too (if that is important to you), so if this server was to one day go offline, another could be promptly brought up.
- v2 roadmap... in consideration...
Beyond completing what is there, the intention is to provide some tools for assisting developers with multiplayer games. In particular, in realtime but not limited to. Basically allowing the server to be a hub for player positions projectile positions and potentially object positions within games. Parts of this could be sooner if someone needs them sooner... and wants me to work with them in making this suit their needs.
ps. No Passwords are stored, only hashes. These days people don't store passwords unless they are big companies like... those mentioned here
https://haveibeenpwned.com/