eKith News

eKith Arcade V3

2008-09-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

Version 3 of eKith Arcade was released today!

We've fixed up some reported bugs and added some new features!

Now your Arcade can support RSS feeds. You can control all aspects of your RSS feeds for both Games & Scores.

Read more at http://arcade.ekith.com

eKith Arcade - Plugin - SMO Ajax Shoutbox new

2008-09-23T06:44:00.000-07:00

eKith Arcade - Plugin - SMO Ajax Shoutbox!

This plugin will allow your arcade to alert the scores to the SMO ajax shoutbox.

This is a great plugin to increase the competition on your arcade!

This plugin is compatible with V3 of the eKith Arcade.

http://arcade.ekith.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=25&Itemid=31

eKith Arcade V3 RC2 Released!

2008-06-18T09:45:00.001-07:00

eKith Arcade Version 3 RC2 has been released!

This download is only available to subscribing members

Quick Changes:

* Added check and disable if 'zend.ze1_compatibility_mode' is enabled in PHP. Solves issues with some PHP5 installations.
* Built multiple SEF options into core. Now you can choose to have your URL /task,view/catid,1
* Removed conversion functions from core. Added ADMIN plugins portion to allow plugins specifically designed for admin use (converter)
* Fixed js anomalies for voting
* Redesigned SEF function to accept array
* Fixed search box post parameters
* Added gen_bridge_enable to config->misc to allow enable/disable of use of gen_bridge_url
* Moved Classmap select and CSS settings to Database and can be modified from ADMIN portion.
* Removed above from installer and Config file.
* Fixed Error: Missing argument 3 for display()
* Fixed license problem

eKith Arcade V3RC2 near completion

2008-04-03T13:59:00.001-07:00

the next release of eKith Arcade (V3RC2) is near completion!

New features:
- Built multiple SEF options into core.
Now you can choose the type of URL to build. Right now there is support for standard 'index.php?task=cat&catid=2' and Mambo SEF '/task,cat/catid,2'
- Removed conversion functions from core.
- Added ADMIN plugins portion to allow plugins specifically designed for admin use. This will allow us to develop plugins to do things like conversion for various arcades without needing to re-release the core.
- Fixed js anomalies for voting.
- Redesigned SEF function to accept array (combines with SEF options)
- Fixed search box post parameters
- Added gen_bridge_enable to config->misc to allow enable/disable of use of gen_bridge_url
- Moved Classmap select and CSS settings to Database and can be modified from ADMIN portion without needing to run installer.
- Removed above from installer and Config file.
- Fixed Error: Missing argument 3 for display()
- Fixed license problem

eKith Arcade Public Beta Release

2007-12-03T10:06:00.000-08:00

The eKith Arcade public beta is now available for download!

Please be sure to report any bugs/questions/comments to our support forum at http://arcade.ekith.com.

Thanks!

A Very Sincere Thank You!

2007-11-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

I would like to personally thank all of those who have subscribed to our new support site. The new arcade is still in Alpha (as stated on our site), but you have signed up already!

All of these early-phase sign-ups have been very encouraging to the direction of the new arcade.

We will find some way to award our 'early adopters' in the future.

Again, a very sincere thanks for choosing us!

New Arcade System on the way!

2007-10-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

We're very pleased to announce that eKith Arcade is on the way!
This is a new stand-alone arcade system that is designed to plug into virtually any CMS or website.

I know it's been awhile with no news...but we've been very busy with the new arcade system. There will be announcements as we go beta with the new system.

Feel free to stop over to the new support site and post any questions on our forum.

http://arcade.ekith.com

New Arcade System

2007-08-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

We're very pleased to announce that we are well into development of a new stand-alone arcade package!

We should have a usable demo by end of August.

New Arcade System:
This will be a ground-up development of an arcade system designed to plug into any cms or web site.
It will include...
1) Class for database access
2) Class for HTML output
3) Class for Score works
4) Class for User login and management
5) Functions for internal work
6) 'ClassMapping' to allow a predefined CSS sheet from a CMS to be applied to arcade
7) Implement feature sets to cover all existing features of dcsFlashGame v2
8) Extended user interface for details on arcade members
9) Expand on further features for the arcade
10) True Plugin support via uploaded files for even better integrations
(May expand further)

Targets of supported CMSes:
1) Mambo http://www.mamboserver.com/
2) Elxis http://www.elxis.org/
3) Aliro http://www.aliro.org/
4) Xoops http://xoops.org/
5) Joomla
6) Drupal
7) Joovili
8) Standard HTML

Summary:
This development will take some time to accomplish. We already have working database and game classes at this time.
We also have output classes completed.
3pd's are willing to continue work into other CMSes so we should have no problem replicating all existing modules to other platforms.

Thanks so much for your patronage thus far and we look forward to supporting you with a great arcade system in
the near future!

Feel free to offer any feedback on our forums

dcsFlashGames 2.0 Release (Deuteronomy)

2007-06-05T09:08:00.001-07:00

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

Another open source gnu/gpl module for your joomla arcade (dcsFlashGames)

2007-05-30T14:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the Latest Games Added module for dcsFlashGames. Admin can adjust Vertical or Horizontal layout and many other options including scroll & game count.

This will offer a vertical/horizontal (scrolling) list of your games. It will show a thumbnail and admin can control:
Height of Game Thumbnail
Layout - Horizontal/Vertical
Game Count
Scroll Delay & Height
Display Height
This will work with dcsFlashGames 1.5 or later.

License: GNU/GPL

This is available in our 2.0 downloads section

Open Source Joomla Arcade modules (gnu/gpl)

2007-05-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

I have some great news about your joomla arcade! Those that use the dcsFlashGames arcade for joomla flash games will be pleased to know that we have started to release modules under the gnu/gpl!

The modules will now have complete access to the code and you will be able to revise as you see fit.

Posted announce thread on ekith.com

http://ekith.com/component/option,com_joomlaboard/Itemid,144/func,view/catid,13/id,1900/#1900

Thanks, and we'll keep working to add more modules as time goes on.

Current module released: Hall of Fame (hof)

dcsJoom, our new store!

2007-05-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to announce dcsJoom, our new online store. We will be migrating all purchasing features to the new store.

Need a flash games arcade for joomla? Visit us here: Store.dcsJoom.com

Ajax Keep Alive for your arcade

2007-05-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

We have a new OS GNU/GPL module to maintain your users session. This will keep them logged in by executing an ajax call to the server to keep them 'alive'.

It's a great addition to any arcade site to ensure your members stay logged in. The module can be made invisible by using the correct choices on the module setup page.

Grab it from here

Thanks, and enjoy!

3rd party arcade integration solved with triggers , joomla, flash, games, dcsflashgames

2007-05-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

dcsFlashGames Trigger Overview:

With the 2.0 Release of dcsFlashGames we will be introducing the Trigger system. Triggers are used to integrate dcsFlashGames arcade with any module that depends on the database.

This should cover almost every and all module/component in existence.

The basic idea of the trigger is to allow developers to write their own code to integrate the features they want and not be dependent on dcsFlashGames release cycles to cover integration features. It became obvious that as other components and modules evolve, we had to constantly modify and release fixes/updates....or no longer support an integration.

With the introduction of the Trigger we now have an easy way to separate the core of dcsFlashGames from the integration features. Things such as CB will most likely stay at the core since it's such a large integration and their release cycles are predictable and stable.

Another key target of the Trigger is to allow for rapid development of 3rd party triggers that can easily be shared, modified and distributed.

At the heart of the trigger is a specially marked up SQL statement that can be 'triggered' after a certain event with a game. Currently, the only supported entry point for a trigger is when a score is beaten by another member.

So that's enough on what a trigger is...here is how it works.

Your triggers are entered in the admin side of the component..using the 'dcsFlashGames->Triggers' menu.

In this list you can choose to

1 grab them from our site

2 add your own

3 publish/unpublish/delete triggers.

When creating your own triggers, or modifying some you already have, there are several markups that can be replaced runtime. So when a trigger is called, these markups get replaced with the runtime evaluation of the data.

They include:

{loser} {winner} {score} {game} {url}

To cover these more in depth:

{loser} is replaced with the username of the losing member

{winner} is replaced with the wining member name

{score} is replace with the wining score

{game} is replaced with the name of the game

{url} is replaced with a sef'ed url that includes "index.php?option=com_dcs_flashgames&task=view&id=GAMEID". This can of course be appended with whatever you'd like. You can even opt not to use the url and write your own url if you want!

All of this is as FREE FORM and SQL COMPLIANT as reasonably possible. Utilizing these few markups will help you in making your triggers easier to write and share!

Here is an example trigger. This one will use the Private Messenger "JIM" to send a pm from the winner to the loser. It includes a subject, message with a link to the game and a small signature from our arcade.

INSERT INTO #__jim (username, whofrom, outbox, date, readstate, subject, message) VALUES ('{loser}','{winner}',1, now(), 0, 'You just lost your rank on {game}', 'You just got smoked by {winner} with a score of {score}!
You had better redeem your good name on {game}

Just a little note from the eKith Arcade
')

You can see how beautifully simple the design is meant to be. So now if you need to extend the arcade to meet the latest message board...no problem. NO need to wait on dcsFlashGames developers to get an update to you!

We will be building a repository of submitted triggers for everyone to use. You will be able to access this directly from the Triggers page of your site's admin backend.

This document may be revised as the concept evolves during the dcsFlashGames development cycle.

Thanks, and we always appreciate feedback and ideas to help our product evolve.

eKith.com

dcsFlashGames 1.5 Release Challenge

2007-05-08T05:23:00.001-07:00

We would like to announce the release of dcsFlashGames 1.5!

To celebrate the release of our latest component we are going to have a challenge to win a free copy!

The challenge is as such: Three Games included, that will be announced at the start time of the challenge (we will update this post with links to the games). The winner of each of the games will receive a FREE copy of Level 2 licensing ($49.99 value). If one person achieves the top ranked score on TWO of the games, they will also receive a FREE copy of a Level 3 license ($149.99 value). So if you're up for the challenge, you stand to win about $300 in software!

The challenge will start at 9am EST on Wed. May 9th and continue in 1 week increments. Only 1 game will be posted at a time.

Payment Options

2007-04-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

We regret to announce that we will no longer be accepting 2checkout as a payment gateway.
In light of a severe lack of professional attention to detail, we cannot (at this time) accept payments via this method.

If you need to purchase software or eKith services and PayPal is not accepted in your country, please contact us and we will try to work out some other payment option.

In the future, once 2checkout gets it's business running correctly again, we may begin accepting 2checkout as a payment option. Who knows, maybe they are simply understaffed?

Again, sorry to report this!

If you have had similar problems with 2checkout handling your payments, I would suggest you call their toll free number and ask for Jeno. He appears to have a true understanding of the problem and I'm sure he would like to hear feedback before vendors start closing their accounts.

Feel free to post comments.

adam

dcsFlashGames Version 1.5 RC3

2007-04-25T06:52:00.000-07:00

Normally we don't release anything over RC2, but we've added some new features and fixed up some small bugs.

New Core Features:
Now logging can be enabled. This will log game activity per user and per game to help troubleshoot or spot odd activity.

Fixes:
Fixed up avatar problems under game when disabling overlib and enabling community builder.
Other minor improvements.

dcsFlashGames Version 1.5 RC2!

2007-04-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

RC2 has just been released!
Fixes:
HOF data has been fixed up to work for NON CB and NON OVERLIB settings.
Search box now uses correct url params for submit.
Minor admin interface adjustments

dcsFlashGames Version 1.5 RC1

2007-04-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

dcsFlashGames version 1.5.0RC1 has been released!

Please read below to view changes. If you have been a beta tester, you'll see which fixes have been applied.

Core Changes:

Unified avatar calling functions. If you need to use this run the following: dcsGetAvatar($stringOfAvatar, $IntegerOfApproval); this will return a string all formatted and ready to go.
Future uses, easier to allow admin to control images if needed.
Admin page of 'Global Configuration' now has an AJAX updated news section. This will keep you posted on critical update news on your flash games component!
New "BOARD LIMIT" admin feature to limit number of scores to show below each game in the scoreboard.

Misc Chages:

Removed the 'TopScore' link that really didn't do anything (legacy leftovers)
Category list now has a link like this "Enter Action category to play all 32 games after each list of games.
Now unpublished games will be shown a 'game not published' message instead of a blank page.

Fixes:

Images stuck on 'pending' or 'none'
Streamlined sql on scoreboard page
Fixed scoreboard sorting issue for lowtime/lowscore games.
Created variable called board_limit to limit how many scores are showed below a game
When entering a category, the game title is now trimmed down to the width in the admin config.
Fixed search box to post 'option=com_dcs_flashgames' for search results
Fix HOF data calls to proceed if CB in NOT enabled.

Modules: Hall of Fame

2007-04-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

The Hall of Fame module versino 1.5.1 has been released.
This includes fixes for:

Removed div for each item
Removed excessive code from 'on scroll' portion of module
Revised CB link code to this: index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=UserProfile&tab=getDcsFGTab&user=USERID

Grab it from http://ekith.com/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,92/Itemid,145/

Beta Downloads Disabled

2007-04-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

We disabled the downloads for the dcsFlashGames beta3.

Sorry to have done this, but too many people are treating this as production quality and posting support requests. This is proving to be counter productive for the component.

We'll have this back up for public release when we have resolved a few issues with the component.

If you would like a copy of the beta 3 component, and accept that this is only a beta, then Contact us.

Thanks for understanding on this!

Adam

Community Builder Plugin 1.5.5

2007-04-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

We have just released community builder 1.5.5 plugin for dcsFlashGames

- Added url params for TASK and GETTAB

I'm not sure if this will resolve problems some are having with the userid getting lost somewhere. If you have any problems, please post to our forums at http://eKith.com