Questions from an Independent Game Developer

[rorygraves]

Hi,

I'm trying to understand where the SNAP protocol is at.
We are an independent game devleoper who have been writing turn based games.

We currently have our own multiplayer API (doesn't everybody), but would be very interesting in integrating with the Nokia SNAP API.

I can play with the development servers and see docs talking about the process but I can find no links answering these questions:

1) These is obviously a testing process - its this related to JavaVerified?, otherwise what do I need to do to get an application tested.
2) How does one get a game id?
3) Who is responsible for the game servers (the carrier?, nokia?,me?)

i.e. I can use the api - I can create games - how do I commercialise them.

Cheers

Rory

[cutedge]

1) It's a little of both. Nokia has it's own QA and also hires out QA
2) I'm not sure, to be honest. I wasn't working at the company I'm at when they were at that point :D
3) The game matching is all done by the SNAP servers. Aside from that, nothing we've made has "servers", persay, but is all peer to peer with rankings being sent to the SNAP servers.

[heihauki]

So to fill in the gaps in cutedge's answers...

1) So as cutedge said, little of both. We will be finalizing the process for certification towards the end of H1 2006.

2) You can get Game Class ID (GCID) through Forum Nokia. SNAP Mobile Development server access/HUB service is available in eStore for 6 Months at a time. After you purchase the service SNAP Mobile team will send you the GCID and other information.

3) SNAP Mobile servers are hosted by Nokia.

[rorygraves]

Thanks for the v. useful feedback I still have some outstanding questions

1) It may be a bit early to ask, but is there any idea of that the verification/testing charges are likely to be?
2) I assume that I will need to be a member of Forum Nokia Pro to access these services?
3) Fair enough - is there any access to
a) The user accounts
b) The game histories
We would like to offer a browseable history of the games played online - is this likely to be possible?

[heihauki]

To rorygraves:

1) You are correct, the charges for testing and verification are not finalized yet and we cannot give out the exact costs.
If you want to get more information on the testing and verification costs, please write to fn.snapmobile@nokia.com.

2) You do not need to be Forum Nokia PRO member to be able to purchase the development server access. As a standard
member you can find the server access in your eStore for 1000€.

3) a) When you purchase the development server access you will get a bunch of test user accounts.
b) If you mean the possibility to save and retrieve the game history played by a user, you can do that by using the asset
methods in our API.