Techdojo
06-07-2007, 08:23 AM
Hi folks,
I'm looking for some help implementing a user registration system.
My first game is getting pretty close to completion and I wanted to start thinking about how best to distribute - at the moment I was hoping to host the game directly (or on third party hosting sites with more bandwidth), it's going to be a single file for the .exe and a fairly small download - less than 5 meg for the full version. I'm also hoping for some kind of viral effect, by encouraging people to give the game to their friends etc.
The system I want to implement will display the game in limited or demo mode for new players then (hopefully) following the player deciding they want to keep the game and submitting payment, I'd be able to email them a code which will unlock the full functionality, disable the nag screens etc. I was thinking of putting this somewhere in the registry so if the key's not found it will default back to the demo mode - I was considering encoding the players name etc into the key so the game will be able to display a personal greeting (hopefully this - and the small price point) will discourage people from distributing their key.
Does this sound like a valid system? Does anyone have any exeperiences in this area they'd like to share.
In particular I'd be intersted to know how the portals handle this kind of thing, especially as I plan to support and develop the game for a time based on user feedback and I'd like registered players to be able to get free upgrades quickly and easily (or maybe give them free bonuses linked to their key)
Thanks in advance for any help
Regards
Jon...
I'm looking for some help implementing a user registration system.
My first game is getting pretty close to completion and I wanted to start thinking about how best to distribute - at the moment I was hoping to host the game directly (or on third party hosting sites with more bandwidth), it's going to be a single file for the .exe and a fairly small download - less than 5 meg for the full version. I'm also hoping for some kind of viral effect, by encouraging people to give the game to their friends etc.
The system I want to implement will display the game in limited or demo mode for new players then (hopefully) following the player deciding they want to keep the game and submitting payment, I'd be able to email them a code which will unlock the full functionality, disable the nag screens etc. I was thinking of putting this somewhere in the registry so if the key's not found it will default back to the demo mode - I was considering encoding the players name etc into the key so the game will be able to display a personal greeting (hopefully this - and the small price point) will discourage people from distributing their key.
Does this sound like a valid system? Does anyone have any exeperiences in this area they'd like to share.
In particular I'd be intersted to know how the portals handle this kind of thing, especially as I plan to support and develop the game for a time based on user feedback and I'd like registered players to be able to get free upgrades quickly and easily (or maybe give them free bonuses linked to their key)
Thanks in advance for any help
Regards
Jon...