Online host for "indies"

[voxel]

For a future game of mine I would like to a server to host top scores, images, replay clips, etc... I am NOT creating an MMO.

I assume I have to run my own server, write the server app and glue as an indie? Are there any service companies that provide hosting and SDKs? GameSpy? This is what portals normally do, don't they? The problem is my game is a bit too edgy for portals and in a niche market.

[Polycount Productions]

http://indiegamebusiness.com/gamedev.inet.php

[Surrealix]

... I would like to a server to host top scores, images, replay clips, etc...

For high scores / top scores you don't need to run a server application at all. If you've got web hosting, then it's easy to write a simple php script to manage high scores.

I did this for one of my games, and it's worked really well. (The php's a bit buggy but that's my fault :o )

The php page is simply called from in your game, and the result can be parsed and used as well.

Something like this could probably also be extended to uploading/downloading images and clips, I guess...

[Sillysoft]

Yea, a straight up web server (apache) and PHP are the quick and easy way to get your server side done. If you can make it work for your needs, that is.

Then you can use any of the kajillion low cost webhosts out there.

[voxel]

http://indiegamebusiness.com/gamedev.inet.php

Thanks for all the responses. IGB sounds interesting...

I'll probably go the custom website + HTTP communication method. Orignally I was looking for an "indie" version of Xbox Live / GameSpy but I doubt I'll find that and I'll need less than 30% of their functionality.