Platform Development: Update 26
Hi, all! Please find below a regular development status report, this one covering the period from Apr 15 to Apr 28, 2019. Within this timeframe, we were strongly focused on the integration process, introducing a series of improvements to the browser and client versions of the platform and further infrastructure evolution.
On April 18, we have released the desktop app for Windows OS with the first client game. To make this happen, we stabilized and published API methods and libraries, that we’ve developed previously, thus expanding our SDK functionality. These included session authorization methods, server-to-server API for interaction with SDK, Adobe Flash Player and HTML5 support, etc. We are constantly increasing the number of implemented API methods in order to have more games integrated.
Another big task was devoted to the client game installation improvement. All the bugs which have been revealed earlier, in the process of system testing, have been successfully fixed. We experimented with the app, trying to find the most reasonable balance between the Chunk size, the amount of stream to download and download speed. Finally, the solution was found. The app works smoothly allowing to seamlessly install “Will To Live” (and other games that will follow).
Desktop Client update
After launch, the app itself has evolved and was updated to 1.0.1 version. The following changes were introduced so far:
- Animated progress bar of the game installation, check and download process
- Download speed increased
- Manual selection of the installation directory (added)
The next 1.1.0 version, that will include a special mechanism allowing to keep the client games always updated to the latest versions, undergoes the final testing stage and would be ready in the coming days.
License Management System (LMS)
Furthermore, we have released the License Management System and implemented the re-purchase check functionality. This one protects users from purchasing the same game or an item twice or even more times, thus preventing unnecessary expenses.
Infrastructure improvements
Based on the system performance data, obtained during the first 2 weeks after launch, we have revised the approach to caching of information. New caching levels have been adjusted and added, which boosted the app’s performance speed and improved its resilience to external influences/attacks.
Token-support campaign
Last week, we’ve launched a special token-support campaign which offers 50% discount for games and 20% off for in-game purchases if paid in ABYSS. From the technical side, this flexible marketing tool represented another task for the developers. We developed and implemented a dedicated mechanism which allows setting different discounts amount for items in store and non-store (in-game) items when Payment in ABYSS token is selected. The feature was added to the Administrator account.
My Games / Wishlist
The work on the new Library section (in the user menu) is almost done, we’re running the final tests at the moment. The Library section will be divided into two sub-sections — “My Games” and “Wishlist”. The latter allows users to add games to one convenient location in order to get back to them later. For example, it is very useful when choosing (book-marking) client games on mobile devices. In the future, Wishlist will also let other people know what gifts user would like to receive.
In “My Games” sub-section users can view their purchased games, available games, titles, recommended and recently played games. This is also a convenient navigation element helping to explore the platform and quickly access the certain game pages.
Promotional pages
The next cool feature, which is already complete, is a “Promotional pages” functionality for marketing professionals which basically includes:
- Administrator area for creating/editing promo pages;
- HTML support;
- Localization tool kit;
- Time restriction options;
- The ability to create a direct link from the main page.
“Promotional pages” functionality allows to easily create dedicated pages for promotional and advertising purposes without involving developers.
Well, that’s it for today. The Abyss team is working hard to deliver a desktop client and games integration. And we will keep you up to date with the development process twice per month, as previously. The next report is scheduled for May 13, 2019.
Stay tuned!
Best,
The Abyss Team
