New Game: Crossfire.

[RandomThoughts]

Hey all.  If you could take a moment and check out my new Java game:


www.randomthoughts.net/games/crossfire

It is a multiplayer fantasy themed turn based strategy game.  Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
~ Random

[kevglass]

Got one of these here:

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java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: user/ed/minigame/MiniApplet    at java.lang.ClassLoader.defineClass1(Native Method)    at java.lang.ClassLoader.defineClass(Unknown Source)    at java.security.SecureClassLoader.defineClass(Unknown Source)    at sun.plugin2.applet.Applet2ClassLoader.findClass(Unknown Source)    at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)    at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)    at sun.plugin2.applet.Applet2ClassLoader.loadCode(Unknown Source)    at sun.plugin2.applet.Applet2Manager.createApplet(Unknown Source)    at sun.plugin2.applet.Applet2Manager.access$2000(Unknown Source)    at sun.plugin2.applet.Applet2Manager$AppletExecutionRunnable.run(Unknown Source)    at java.lang.Thread.run(Unknown Source) Caused by: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: user.ed.minigame.MiniApplet    at sun.plugin2.applet.Applet2ClassLoader.findClass(Unknown Source)    at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)    at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)    at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClassInternal(Unknown Source)    ... 11 more Caused by: java.io.IOException: open HTTP connection failed:http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/crossfire/user/ed/minigame/MiniApplet.class    at sun.plugin2.applet.Applet2ClassLoader.getBytes(Unknown Source)    at sun.plugin2.applet.Applet2ClassLoader.access$600(Unknown Source)    at sun.plugin2.applet.Applet2ClassLoader$2.run(Unknown Source)    at java.security.AccessController.doPrivileged(Native Method)    ... 15 more

Kev

[Eli Delventhal]

Very nice presentation, and the gameplay was incredibly easy for me to pick up.

As a critique, though, I'd try to improve the overall look (mostly resolution) of the sprites. It all looks professional except for that bit, because the edges are all jagged and they look like they were drawn and encoded in 1999.

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[OverKill]

Did not play the game but just wanted to shout out a warning that there already exists a game with the name of 'Crossfire':
http://crossfire.real-time.com/

So you might want to rename it.

[RandomThoughts]

Kev - sorry you got an error.  Did you accept the security certificate?  I have uploaded a newer version that fixes a few lockup bugs today.

Demonpants - glad you liked it.  We are working on adding alpha tracking to the sprites to soften the edges.  We already use that technology in one of our demos for a different upcoming game.  Still, its a valid concern.  Also to lower download time for the end user I reduce all images to 256 colors.  I'm thinking about re-arranging the art files to preserve more of the color info so the images look slightly better.

Our next expansion to the series isn't due for two months, so look for the art changes then.  We are also considering changing the applet size to be slightly larger (800x600 window framed by the two chat boxes) although that could create problems for visitors who are still running 800x600 resolutions, as we'd be trying to open a window at 1024x768.  Not sure how large of a user base still runs their PCs at 800x600, but its a concern.  In general we try to keep our requirements as low as possible.

We are also looking into adding full-screen support seeing as we already have the security certificate.


Overkill - Thanks for the warning.  The name is not being changed.  This game has been in development for a while, and we have a lot planned for the future.  "Crossfire - the multiplayer RPG" both has a distinguishing subtitle from our games, and they don't appear to have copyrighted anything.  They are also not listed as having paid for a registered trademark related to the title.  Legally we are in the clear.


Thanks for the feedback so far, keep it coming!
~ Random

[Eli Delventhal]

Crossfiah, you'll get caught up in the crossfiyah! Crossssfiyaaaah!!!

Anyone remember that old game?

Anyway I understand aboout the download size.

[h3ckboy]

does the online actually work or is it just a "sry didnt get there yet" sort of thing.

[ewjordan]

Overkill - Thanks for the warning.  The name is not being changed.  This game has been in development for a while, and we have a lot planned for the future.  "Crossfire - the multiplayer RPG" both has a distinguishing subtitle from our games, and they don't appear to have copyrighted anything.  They are also not listed as having paid for a registered trademark related to the title.  Legally we are in the clear.

Just so that we're clear, this is not legally true.  See http://www.uspto.gov/go/tac/doc/basic/register.htm.  You don't need to register a trademark to receive trademark protection, though it makes it much easier to take action if your mark is violated.  Legitimate use is enough, generally, to at least sue to prevent your use of the mark; damages are perhaps trickier to obtain without registration.  Neither would a subtitle in their name be enough to protect you if it was decided that there was confusion between the products due to the names; for instance, any game that ends in "tris" is usually found to infringe upon the "Tetris" trademark, even if there are other things that distinguish the products.

Not saying that you should stress over this, but at least be aware that you're not automatically immune should they ever choose to start a fight, at least assuming they've been using the name for a while.