I have a simple idea. I want to make one or two small games. By small I mean file size, 1-2MB... transferable by email, not too long to download via 56k modems, maybe even fits on a disk. The games would be free, simple, and fun... and could be shooters, platform games, RTS games, etc. Part of the concept revolves around using zlib (zip) to attach all game data to the end of an exe, effectively creating a "game in an exe" that is already compressed. Run the attachment and your playing the game... similar to some of the shockwave games you see, but with the potential to be more robust (C/C++/ASM). The other part of the concept it to tie the games and my web site together... making it easy to come download other similar games. The domain name I have reserved for this is www.gratisgames.com (meaning, free games)... it's not developed yet, but will be. I'm wondering what everyone thinks? Would you be willing to waste some time on such a simple game? Are you too worried about the recent viruses to open a EXE from a coworker? At what file size would you download and play without waiting too long ? What is the biggest file size you would send as an attachment? What button would be most appropriate for the boss key? <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Is anyone else interested in doing the same sort of thing? I'm not talking about forming myself a team here (be a while before I start hunting for artists<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>)… I'm talking about you making similar games, likely using some common libraries, and branding them with my free games publisher logo that links to a web site with more free, small games? Thanks, Nathan. <hr noshade size=1> <A HREF="http://nathany.com">nathany.com</A> Edited by - nathany on 5/6/00 12:38:47 AM

quote: Original post by jumble
Hmm.... supposedly you cant contain too much graphix if you want to keep the size down. On a dialup connection i''ld be screaming if someone dared sending me a 2 meg file. My limit is 400K. I would however accept emailled URLs from co-workers and friends etc to a site where if the game was good enough i''ld download anything upto a 10 meg file.

I have some other ideas for keeping file size down... for one, a Highcolor/Truecolor game can use 256 color sprites, but each sprite-set can have it''s own palette and be remapped. Palette overhead is hardly anything compared to the savings on going 256 colors... even for fairly small images. Of course that could reduce quality a bit, but shouldn''t be too bad. Also, JPGs could be used for static backgrounds.

Another idea is to do an episodes approach, even if all of them are freeware. Have an inbox demo game to get you hooked and then individually dowloadable follow-ups, or maybe just a 10MB full version and a smaller demo.

I''ll have to monitor the size as I make my first game. If it gets too big, maybe the answer is an install-from-the-web exe like Microsoft uses when you download IE, Apple use for QuickTime, etc.

What do others think? If a friend sends you a small game, are you likely to try it, cause hey you already have it? Where as if they just send you a URL?

quote:
It''s a good idea... perhaps you could implement some kind of "you must tell at least 2 friends about this game" thing on your website before they can download it ( i mean typing in their email addresses which then could be added to a listserver address list )...... just a thought.

That''s a good idea... I don''t think I''d make it required... but having that option would be nice. A bit like spamming, but it could be addressed from their friend.

I intend to keep the games free, but I may require free registration with a valid e-mail address to enable access to a web-based high score table and any other goodies i can think of. A "join our listserv" option would also be good.

Thanks, Nathan.



nathany.com

quote: Original post by Marauderz
It''s a good idea, but when I read the topic I thought it was games that was played through email. :D

Heh. I will remember not to call them that in the future.

quote:
But frankly I think now it''s not a good time to directly send someone an attachment that''s bigger than 200k. And I usually delete those big files without even looking at them.... might be some trojan!
A link is more than enough.

Well, I haven''t got any game to send now... but I doubt things will be any better in the future. A shame, really.

Anyway, I think that even a 10MB game you download from a URL your friend sent could benefit from being an install-less affair.

- n8







nathany.com

Why does it have to be an inbox attachment? I would suggest that you just send out a new email everytime you add a game. That way players could download games at their own discresion, and the size constraints for you wouldn''t be quite as bad.

--TheGoop

quote: Original post by TheGoop
Why does it have to be an inbox attachment? I would suggest that you just send out a new email everytime you add a game. That way players could download games at their own discresion, and the size constraints for you wouldn''t be quite as bad.

I never intended to send games through email. I was wondering what size would be low enough that other people would be able to send their friends the game through e-mail.

- n8



nathany.com

I thought that old thing was history when Java came in... You can create fun games at web with rather small/big size without too much loading. Also they are virus free. This way you could just send e-mail with only the website where the game is AND you don''t have to overload your e-mail server with 12 e-mails with 2mb attachments

Time comes, time goes and I only am.