Firefox browser plugin

[Indiepath.T]

Our plugin is almost ready for public consumption, I need a number of people who have some time to test it and report any issues.

The plug-in is basically a firefox compatible version of the ActiveX control used by a lot of companies/portals to deliver premium games within the browser. It's fully functional, it does allow you to download and play games within the browser window - all it needs is testing and a bit of eye candy.

Anyone interested in helping out? please PM me if you are.

[GBGames]

I'm not too familiar with how the plugins actually work. When you say compatible with ActiveX, does that mean that it will work on Gnu/Linux Firefox builds as well as Win32? Or is it Win32 only?

[Indiepath.T]

It's compiled on Win32 at the moment. I will attempt to produce Mac and Linux versions in the future - I know it's possible - it's down to time contraints and my lack of experience on those platforms.

[Indiepath.T]

Thanks to everyone for thier help so far, I've uploaded the release candidate for others to test. It's not an automatic install and I have yet to sign the file.

{edit}removed.

Download the plugin to your desktop if it does not open within Firefox, and then drag the igloader.xpi file into firefox to install it.

A cross browser version will follow soon (I hope).


Tim.

[BinaryMoon]

That's looking really nice.

It doesn't do well when you open both games at the same time, and I'm not keen on seeing the game open before being slapped into the page but it's very nice for sure. Looking forward to trying the IE version as well.

[Indiepath.T]

I'm working on the window thing...

[Indiepath.T]

{EDIT}Removed Links

[Anlino]

There is a competition over at Mozilla, about who can create the most useful plugin for Firefox. The winner will get a alienware computer with a Firefox skin. Just wanted to let you know.

[Indiepath.T]

Thanks, must read those t&c.

[Indiepath.T]

Live and now running on our own site www.cloverleafgames.com

[Mike Boeh]

Sorry for the thread hijack, but Tim, I really like the look of your site. Did you design it?

[Indiepath.T]

Hi Mike, I did purchase a 1 page template from a designer which was the base I worked from. Not much from the original template remains now, perhaps a few images here and there. I did all the .php, basically everything is built on the fly from the product database.

[Dock]

How is this progressing? Do you have any examples of it working through the browser from a website, rather than having to put it on C:/ ?

[Indiepath.T]

How is this progressing? Do you have any examples of it working through the browser from a website, rather than having to put it on C:/ ?It's finished and working through the web. Works in Firefox, Opera and IE. Go to our site and try it.

[Dock]

http://cloverleafgames.com/webbed.php
Ah - it's cool, nice work. Do you plan to make this technology available to others?

I'm curious about the necessity for the Game Loader EXE also. Doesn't this somewhat defeat the point of playing the games on the web in the first place? I realise that you only need to install it once for multiple games, but other than that the player might as well be downloading a demo.

[Indiepath.T]

Hi Dock,

For cloverleaf I chose to go with the install package, this contains the files necessary for all browsers - it's a small install - infact it would be smaller if I could make the installer footprint smaller.

Anyone who chooses to purchase igLoader (when I release it) will have a number of options. You choose..

- Install Package (contains all files).
- .xpi and .cab files for Mozilla based plug (works with ie).
- .cab file for IE only plug (ATL based) - future.

[Dock]

That sounds very flexible - well done!

Is it currently possible to send any data (or file) to the application, or have the application communicate with the server in any way (read/write from the web folder, for example)?

[Indiepath.T]

Dock,

Just think of the application as stand-alone, ignore the fact that it's contained within the browser. You should deliver the application as a single file, such as a moleboxed .exe, you can then create external files for highscores etc and reference them as you wish.

If you want a better breakdown please email me.

Tim.

[Jesse Aldridge]

One question that I'm suprised nobody's asked is, "What keeps this from having the same problems as ActiveX?" Couldn't any hacker disguise malicious code as a game? Maybe they wouldn't even have to disguise it since the game is automatically loaded...? It is surely dangerous to have arbitrary code run from a browser. Maybe I'm missing something here :confused:
Even if this is a problem, it's probably ok for now, while the extension is largely unknown, but what if it takes off? Still, it's a really cool accomplishment!

[Indiepath.T]

They could do that with a normal install package. All I can suggest is that if the control is not digitally signed by the website providing the game then don't install it!