v3 Arcade - Games Arcade & Challenge System [vB 3.0.3]

v3 Arcade [3.0.3]
Games Arcade for vB3
Game copyrights belong to their respective owners.
v3 Arcade - Copyright ?2004 John Warwick, All Rights Reserved.
__________________________________
Arcade Verson: 1.0
vB Version: vBulletin 3.0.3
Author: John Warwick
Email: John[at]eovieinteractive.com
Site: www.v3arcade.com
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Updates
==========================
1.0.0 - Initial release

1.0.1 - Bug fix update
? This release addressed a couple of small bugs. Information on fixing
these issues can be found in the FAQ. (Included in this zip.)

1.0.2 - Bug fixes and new features
? This release makes all games on the Arcade main page appear in the
order which they were installed, regardless of whether or not it has
been played. (With the newest games at the top.)
? It includes a
page navigation system, allowing users to browse games by page. By default, 10 games appear per page.
? There is also a new search feature, for finding games by name/description. (Accessible through the "Search" menu in the navigation bar.)
? This release should be less CPU intensive than previous versions.

1.0.3 - Bug fixes
? Security fixes

History & Hack Information
- So, what is the v3 Arcade?
The v3 Arcade is exactly what the name implies - an online games arcade that offers seamless integration with your vBulletin forum.

The v3 Arcade is the first of the new generation of vBulletin additions. Back from its roots, the v3 Arcade is the vBulletin 3 edition of my original Arcade written in late 2002 (not to be confused with futureal's 'ProArcade', which was written during the Arcade's beta phase).

v3 Arcade Features Include:
? Integrated Flash gaming for vBulletin 3
? Advanced leader board system
? FULL Mozilla/Netscape Compatibility
? Moderation abilities for Mods/Super Mods/Admins
? PM & Email notification for events
? Advanced statistics for all users
? A higher level of security
? "Arcade Challenges", 1-on-1 contests between users
? Arcade awards system
? Automated and manual score pruning tools

This installation comes loaded with the following games:
? Tetris
? Snake
? Asteroids
? Chopper Challenge
? Space Invaders

If you have the source (.FLA) for a game that you want to use in the v3 Arcade, you can send the required files to john@v3arcade.com for conversion. (Providing permission has been given by the original author.) Within a reasonable delay, I'll post the converted game and installation script on vBulletin.org.


Testing
Tested on vBulletin 3.0.3, across multiple unhacked installations.


Thanks to...
? Kura: For helping out with vB3 difficulties!
? Erwin: Whose vB2 Flash Player inspired the original hacks
? Paul Neave: For providing the source for 4 of the standard v3 Arcade games


IMPORTANT NOTES
? If you do install this hack, please click on the INSTALL button. There are going to be some updates for this which you're really not going to want to miss!
? Each Arcade page has an Eovie Interactive and Flash Player link at the bottom. This is optional, but greatly appreciated.
? You may have noticed that this release of the v3 Arcade is not fully phrased. To phrase the arcade would require well over a hundred phrases to be added, making for a lengthy installation process! Futures version of the v3 Arcade will be phrased, with a more automated installation.
? And don't forget - BACKUP BEFORE YOU INSTALL!


Regarding the "ProArcade"
There has been a lot of debate on vb.org recently about the ownership of hack "concepts". My original Arcade hack (on which the v3 Arcade is based), was a progression of the my vBTetris Leaderboard hack - both of which came about before the ProArcade. I've spoken to Erwin regarding this, and he can confirm that this has always been an independent development; hence the v3 Arcade was authorised for release.

Fixes
If you're installing the Arcade from scratch, there are no fixes or updates to be applied. Simply follow the instructions in Installation.txt.
If you've already installed the Arcade, make the changes in Updates.txt.

[Click HERE to view a list of released games and modifications!]

Demos/Add-Ons/Beta Testing
www.v3arcade.com

Download the v3 Arcade (1.0.3) here:

[Dark Jim]

Hey John, could you add these games too: http://www.thegaminguniverse.com/index.php?page=Arcade. I took those from miniclip.com and added them until I installed your hack. No source code but since you added the other miniclip game...

[Shad]

I would kill to get Galaga on this, but can't even dig up a flash version of it let alone a .fla.

[VampireMan]

<a href="http://www.groovynet.com/javagames/SpaceWar/" target="_blank">http://www.groovynet.com/javagames/SpaceWar/</a> (galaga clone)

now about the killing ... there's this bloke in leeds lol

[Shad]

Originally Posted by VampireMan

http://www.groovynet.com/javagames/SpaceWar/ (galaga clone)

now about the killing ... there's this bloke in leeds lol

You almost had your guy in Leeds whacked, but that is java not flash

[Detomah]

Please feel free to correct me if you feel I am being paranoid with this.

I thought I better bring it to the attention of everyone that one of my members has somehow found a cheat for Asteroids and for Helicopter.

I am not totally sure how he's doing it, but it's so blatently obvious that he's doing it it's unreal.

Spot the cheat:

Skan0r - Asteroids Champion! - 79840 ownage - 1285 secs
2 Forge - 66130 - 625 secs
3 Slaya - 65650 - 625 secs

Skan0r - Helicopter Champion! - 3458 - 366 secs
2 Yadz - 2744 - 117 secs
3 Yadz - 2738 - 122 secs

For those who did not spot it, look at the times for Skan0r. It may not seem too extreme but it like this for him on ever game where he has become leader. His times are 3 and 4 times longer than anyone else. I don't think it can be put down to him having loo breaks either.

As I said I'm not sure exactly how it's being done, but I do think it may have something to do with having the right click options available.

Is anyone else having a similar problem to this? I really don't think it's just me going crazy? Is it? If someone else is suffering this, is there anyway you figured to stop it and what exactly is it he's doing?

John - Any luck figuring out anything that could be causing scores to not be submited?

[AutomatikStudio]

Detomah...I'm not really seeing how he is "blatently" cheating...plenty of people on my boards play games for a long span of time. It's called "boredom."

[MaDCaT75]

Originally Posted by AutomatikStudio

Detomah...I'm not really seeing how he is "blatently" cheating...plenty of people on my boards play games for a long span of time. It's called "boredom."

Word.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by MaDCaT75

Word.

Look at the times compared to the scores. If a member got 2744 points in 117 seconds, how could the other guy possibly get under a thousand more in over twice the time? Aren't the helicopter scores largely based on the time you've been playing?

[John]

I don't think there's anything out of the ordinary there. If you're that worried, check Skan0r's pings and make sure they're reasonable. (In the database)

[John]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Look at the times compared to the scores. If a member got 2744 points in 117 seconds, how could the other guy possibly get under a thousand more in over twice the time? Aren't the helicopter scores largely based on the time you've been playing?

Because on a slower PC, the frame rate drops dramatically for Helicopter. And the timing is server side.

Edit: Another thing you have to take into account is that timing starts as soon as the game loads... he can wait minutes before clicking on start.