dcsFlashGames 2.0 Release (Deuteronomy)

dcsFlashGames Version 2.0 Release Announcement
(Deuteronomy) - May 28th, 2007

We are very pleased to announce the release of dcsFlashGames 2.0. dcsFlashGames has been the most popular Joomla Arcade component to date. Now this component is FREE FOR EVERYONE to use! This is fantastic news for your Joomla arcade needs.

The new 2.0 version takes some exciting steps forward in Joomla Arcades. We will cover the new features of this great arcade here. First we will cover the new features, then list out existing features.

NEW FOR 2.0:
1.FREE HIGH-SCORES for ALL!
2.GNU/GPL modules released!
3.Game voting system to let your members vote for games, including a module.
4.Advanced Trigger system for unsurpassed integration options.
5.Favorite games for your members, including a module & Community Builder Plugin!
6.FREE Conversion from other arcades!

Details of new features:
Free High Scores! The new version of dcsFlashGames offers an unlimited arcade component for your Joomla site, free of charge!
GNU/GPL modules! We have been releasing modules under GNU/GPL to give admins absolute control over the formatting and design of their arcade sites.
Game Voting: Now your members can vote on their favorite games. Each game has a 'Vote' feature just below the game (can easily be moved), that will let your members pick a number between 1 and 5. The vote is limited to once per member.
Trigger System*: This amazing feature will let you customize your arcade and let you integrate beyond anything you've seen before! Admin has the options to add their own triggers that will get executed when a member gets a new score. The Trigger system includes a repository hosted on our servers that will let you 'Click to Install' any trigger that is currently available. This list will be updated as the Triggers evolve, and you will never need to upgrade your installation to keep up with the changes in the Triggers!
Favorites: Now members can select a game as their favorite! When clicked, the member will then be able to see their 'favorite' games via our Favs module and in their CB profile.

We're so confident that you'll enjoy our component, we'll assist you with converting your existing arcade to ours FOR FREE! Supported arcades: PU Arcade, Joomla Flash Games (rut – row) with any purchase from our store

Now we'll cover the existing features of dcsFlashGames and explain why this has been the choice for serious Joomla arcades sites on the net.

Existing Features:
1.Built from the ground-up to support high-scoring flash games. Our arcade was designed with a true arcade site in mind.
2.Admin control: Admins have always been able to control their arcade by giving complete formatting to each and every flash game on their site. You can control Height, Width, Background Color, WYSIWYG Descriptions, Titles, Game Files and Game Images. You have also been able to add whatever game you'd like...no limitations!
3.Category Control: Unlimited categories for your games. Complete with publish/unpublish control WYSIWYG Category descriptions and category image assignment.
4.Complete Community Builder Integration! This component truly integrates with CB. Giving linked names in each and every module released. There is a full CB tab that has paginated control and shows all the games/scores your member has recorded. To make it even more attractive, admins can simply turn in on or off.
5.OVERLIB support: Each link to a member in the component supports the OVERLIB library. So when your members are hovering over a linked name, they will see a window that will show the member's Community Builder avatar! This too can be controlled from a single on/off in the admin section of your site.
6.Hall of Fame: This is a core feature of the component that has redefined the nature of an online arcade. Members HOF scores are totaled and stored for however long you decide. A classic example is to store the members HOF scores for 5 days. Members can see TRENDS in scores and see where they rank on your site compared to other members. This single feature has elevated the competitive nature of arcade sites to an unheard of level, making your site more 'STICKY' than every before!
7.Scoreboard: The scoreboard shows all the games on your site in a paginated format that will show your game, game image and the members scores listed below it. Complete CB integration in each piece of this component means you see a linked name and image of the member and your members can click right into the member.
8.Game page layout: The game page is designed to create an even flow to your members. First the game is displayed, then the Description of the game. After that comes the Voting section, the Favorite section and just below that is a list of high-scores from your members. This list is of course CB enabled and the admin can even control 'how many' high-scores to show below the game.
9.Easy Layout Control: The admin has unsurpassed layout features and an easy to modify PHP file that can be customized like never before. There is even a commented CSS file in the component directory that will let the admin make quick changes to overall format and design.
10.ESRB rating system. This is another great feature that will let the admin set the ratings of the game (NOTE: NO official approval from the ESRB)
11.True search support for you arcade. We not only have a Joomla Searchbot (MAMBOT) for our component, but we have a search box as well. The admin can simply turn this on/off to show/hide this search feature.
12.Language Support: dcsFlashGames supports 8 languages!
13.Complete SEF support for Joomla.

Modules available:
We have an entire array of modules for dcsFlashGames. Many of these share similar parameter options, so to save time we'll list the most common options. Each Module also has specific parameters.
Scroll Support
Scroll Delay and Height/Width of scrolling section.
Layout option: This will let you pick Horizontal OR Vertical layout for your module. Your SCROLL option will automatically adjust according to this option!
Count: All modules have some form of count control. So for example, “Latest Games” will let you pick the last '15' games.
Community Builder Integration. Each module that links to a user has full CB support.

1.Latest Scores Module: This module will display the most recent scores on your site. Popular layout is Horizontal with scrolling support; Community Builder is supported.
2.Latest Games Module: This modules shows latest games added to your site.
3.Random Games Module: This module will show a random game (or how many admin sets).
4.MySpace Module: This module offers a way for members to get MYSPACE link codes for their myspace pages. That means your members can embed YOUR games on myspace.
5.Hall of Fame Module: This module shows your members listed by their HOF scores. Includes a link to the HOF portion of the arcade at the bottom.
6.Popular Games Module: This module will show the most popular games on your site based on the number of 'hits' a game has.
7.Top Rated Modules; This is a brand new module designed around the Voting system in the 2.0 version. This module will display games based on the average rating of the games.
8.Favorite Games Module: This module displays your member's favorite games so they can get to them easier! If you use many games, this is a must-have extension.
9.CB Plugin “High Scores”: A community builder plugin to give the dcsFlashGames tab. It's a paginated tab that shows games and scores. Even shows an image for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places!
10.CB Plugin “Favorite Games”: A great community builder plugin to display your member's favorite games in a paginated and URL friendly format.

Other important Notes:

Upgrades:
The upgrading of dcsFlashGames has never had extra steps. Most components for Joomla require the admin to so some fancy footwork to get the upgrade to work. In our case, the upgrade process is so EASY that it actually lacks any documentation!
You simply remove the component...and install the new version. This is most times unheard of in the Open Source community and other Joomla components, but it truly is that easy! No need to modify any tables, or any other juggling.

License Changes:
All current customers of dcsFlashGames will receive this upgrade FREE of charge. For those that have purchased a license already, the integration features you already have will be supported at no charge.
Licensing is now easier to understand.
FREE = High-Score arcade with all the extensions.
Level 2 = Enables advanced integration features (Triggers) + Conversion of existing arcade.
Level 3 = Enables you to add your own footer (branded) + Triggers + Conversion of existing arcade.

Requirements:
The component requires IonCube to run properly. You can download the loaders from IonCube.com or from our download section at eKith.com

Thanks, and we always appreciate feedback and ideas to help this component evolve!

eKith.com