Bluster is a game organizer and launcher. Games are grouped into categories, select a game and a preview document is displayed and it's theme song is played. Click the PLAY button to launch the game. The current feature list is as follows:
- View html preview document
- Play theme song or sound
- Launch game
- Launch game's setup programs
- Supports AGS made games
- Limited support for non-AGS games
- Run from CD or hard disk installation
- Install individual game, category, or entire collection from CD to hard disk
- Open browser on link to game website
(http://www.gaia-spa.com/project/bluster/ss_main.png)
Download current version at ....
http://gaia-spa.com/download/Bluster.zip (http://gaia-spa.com/download/Bluster.zip)
Project Status11-14-03
* Release V1.00 Beta-1
11-08-03:
* Releast V0.04 for alpha test
11-04-03:
* Request for beta testers
* Changed name of application to "Bluster - The BluSoft Game Launcher"
10-25-03:
* GameBlaster is currently in production and is expected to be released before November 25, 2003. Check back for updates.
You are not making this with AGS, aren't you? My guess is Visual Basic, because it seems familiar, but I could ofcourse be totally wrong ;) It's a nice idea, of having a menu of all ags-games. But the thing that bothers me is the name, because there are tons of programs under that name. About 6 or 7 years ago, for example, we got our first cd-burner, and started making copies for others, and made lots of money in that time. It was called Gameblast. Later I found there is something similar to Twilight wich is also called Gameblast. There is a website where you can play free games, that's called Gameblaster. And I think there are much more.
So I suggest, think of another name maybee? Some more questions here.
1. Who writes (will be going to write) the html info files?
2. Can you import games to the list, by searching the exe file of the game on your pc?
Hey, this looks great.
But does that really work....?
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You are not making this with AGS, aren't you? My guess is Visual Basic, because it seems familiar, but I could ofcourse be totally wrong
It's written Borland in C++ using their cross platform CLX components making a port to linux possile at some point.
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It's a nice idea, of having a menu of all ags-games.
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But the thing that bothers me is the name, because there are tons of programs under that name. About 6 or 7 years ago, for example, we got our first cd-burner, and started making copies for others, and made lots of money in that time. It was called Gameblast. Later I found there is something similar to Twilight wich is also called Gameblast. There is a website where you can play free games, that's called Gameblaster. And I think there are much more.
So I suggest, think of another name maybee? Some more questions here.
I agree that the name is somewhat unoriginal, I'm open to suggestions.
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1. Who writes (will be going to write) the html info files?
Ideally the game author would create the preview document. It's not very much work and a template will be provided. Plain text files are also supported.
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2. Can you import games to the list, by searching the exe file of the game on your pc.
A Category is synomous with a directory. Games are sub-directories of a Category directory. To add a game to the list simply create a sub-directory and copy the game files there.
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Hey, this looks great.
Thanks
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But does that really work....?
:) yes
It'd be cool if you called it the AGS Library. Or has that already been used?
Whatever it's called, I'd find it very useful.
Would there be an option for folders to seperate different categories? eg for hour games, RoN, or Mags Games, etc?
edit: sorry, I didn't see your first reply for some reason :-X
Duzz: You will be able to create as many categories as you like, name them whatever you want, and whatever games you wish into each of the categories.
sounds cool! :D
When will it be released?
QuoteGameBlaster is currently in production and is expected to be released before November 25, 2003. Check back for updates.
Read :)
Only some cleanup and minor repairs left to do. Any one interested in being a beta tester please reply to this thread. I should have something ready by next weekend.
I need testers running Win98, WinME, win2000, NT, or XP. Thanks.
I can beta-test. The only other beta test i've done before is on the upcoming LSL3 point-click. E-mail me adanzis@loyola.edu if want my help. - Alan
I can beta test for you, on windows 95 and XP
Just private message me, or mail me at peterNOSPAM@w8ff.com
(without the nospam ofcourse ;) )
Thanks guys, I'll let you know in a couple of days, maybe by the weekend.
I really like the name change,it fits in with your title. I should get back to you soon on the other matter on icons and splash screens,especially now with a new name.
Scumm,
That would be great. I could really use some button icons. I have an acceptable splash screen, just some 3d lettering, but if you come up with something cool I'll find a way to use it. Just let me know.
I'm implementing the "Play from CD" thing at the moment. It's done except for properly handling the category paths, when runing frm CD.
Cheers
I want to beta test :D
I have: win 2000, win 98SE and if it works: win 3.11
I could also test it on my friends win me :)
Looking good. I can beta test. XP and 98SE here, plus DOS (like that matters, ha!)
I can beta test on longhorn as well. Just got it.
jannar85: no you didn't. Longhorn isn't due out for more than a year. You either mean Windows 2003 Server, or you've got a supposed leaked copy.
Quote from: AGA on Thu 06/11/2003 23:57:18
jannar85: no you didn't. Longhorn isn't due out for more than a year. You either mean Windows 2003 Server, or you've got a supposed leaked copy.
Leaked. Longhorn 4051. The latest leak.
Compatibility with an available in a year or more operation system isn't really necessary, is it? :P
Ok testers, time to sign up. Click on the forum link in my sig and register for the forum. I'll have an alpha release ready Friday AM PST. Check back then for a download and instructions.
It's alpha because I anticipate cosmetic changes to the configuration screen the necessity to add a DLL or two for some of the platforms. Other than that, everything is functional , unless I have unknowlingly broke something that used to work.
See you at thre forum....
Quote from: AGA on Fri 07/11/2003 01:22:17
Compatibility with an available in a year or more operation system isn't really necessary, is it? :P
I can beta on a beta :)
OK Roger, jannar I have a version ready for testing. I appology for being late. It took me a little longer to put an example ewnvironment together. You will find a "Bluster" discussion board and dopwnload/install instructions there.
Anyone else that wants to be a tester please register for the forum and then I will give you access to the test area. Thanks. for your assistance.
RickJ wants to get more members... ;D
No! It's a tool for getting stuff done. Nothing more, nothing less. If you want to be a tester, just get to work.
bugs i have found:
if you run the program in 800x680 resolution or lower the window is tooooooooooooooo big! :-X
I have tested it in win xp and 2k, and it worked.
PS.
i didn't mean that you made bluster to get more members, i ment that you had to register in your forum to get to test it ::)
I didn't mean to be mean to you Roger. ;). It's fairly typical for testers to recieve confidential :) (I use the word loosley) advance access to the things they are testing. Some use e-mail other's set up a forum for the purpose.
Thanks for your comments. I am sure that some folks will be glad to hear that it kind of works. If you want to post stuff like reviews and comentary over here to inform everyone of what's going on that's fine with me.
But what I would ask you to do is to post your detailed test results in the BluSoft forum I provided. This will serve as a punchlist I will be working from.
You may want to try some of the other test I suggested.
Thanks for your help
RickJ
Ok! i will post it in the blusoft forum...
I just released the latest version and made it available for everyone to try out. Please let me know what you think and what needs to be fixed before I finish.
There are provisions for translation to languages other than English. There are two fairly text files that need to be translated. One of them is the HTML help file and the other is a windows style ini file. There is a brief description of how to make a translation in the help file. I will be happy to assist anyone who wishes to make a translation.
Have fun everyone 8)
i will not be able to test the new version yet, no internet :P
Richard, I am sorry to say, that I have lost my icon and button maker, which lead to the loss of my saved files and being able to make anymore. I'm afraid you'll have to find someone else for buttons.
I had a go on possible splash screens, and if you care for any further enhancement, just let me know.
(http://invis.free.anonymizer.com/http://www.freewebs.com/agstrial/Splash12.gif)
I feel this one gives the feeling of games, especially towards older games.
(http://invis.free.anonymizer.com/http://www.freewebs.com/agstrial/Splash23.gif)
In both cases, I tried to keep your tornado feel.
Hey Scumm,
Cool idea. I like it very much and will use it. I have a couple of requests that will make it easier for me to incorporate this into everything.
1. Let's use your second version.
2. Can paint the "ster" the same as you have done the "Blu" characters.
3. Eliminate the text at the bottom of the screen. I will use text components to display this kind of information on top of your drawing.
4. Move Bluster up a little higher, possibly half the distance from where it is now to the top of the pic and still look ok.
5. Also is it possible to get a pick of just the tornado thingy with a transparent or solid background. I would use this to make icons, etc. I suppose that you would need to keep some of the sky in place and/or as an outline. I just don't want to have an icon that is square box. If I have the drawing I can o the conversion, I think :)
6. Have you done this in photoshop w/ layers? If so can you send me the PSD file?
7. If not in PSD form can you send me 3 PNG files as follows:
a) Composite that you posted
b) Bluster text
c) Logo with Background
d) Logo without ackground
8. Give your name as you wish it to appear in the credits.
Nice picture Scummbuddy. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how to draw wind. The only thing I could come up with was my crummy tornado. You have really captured the idea of a bluster.
Thanks for your help and I hope I haven't asked you to do too much more or seem to be unappreciative.
Thanks again...
Rick
I have emailed you the psd files. Itll be around 2megs, I hope you can receive them alright. Let me know if I can be of anymore help. You're a great guy to work with.
Hey, hope you're still making this.
I have a few suggestions though...
Could it be something like this?
http://www.ideiadupla.com/gbafront/
It would also be nice if we could 'name' the games ourselves.
Like LJE1 = Little Jonny Evil and so on...
Also, that we can make our own screenshots etc, based on the folder names.
::)
Jannar, I'll PM you the link. It works, but Rick hasn't been to the Blusoft forums in six months, so we've kinda given up on him and changed tracks.
nevermind, sorry about that.
I want to beta test just email me at willcaleb@yahoo.com. This would really minimize the games and just put them in an easy place to access them. My computer runs on Windows ME so I will test it on that and report if there are any bugs. Thank you.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE HAVE A NEW RECORD!!!
This thread is almost 4 years old wpowell ... please read the forum rules and do not dig up any more dead threads.