Author Topic: SMS (Read 2631 times)

Renex · « **on:** January 26, 2009, 03:05:35 PM »

Hello.

I would like some help on a new feature I want to introduce in my strategy game.

I want to give my players the possibility to buy credits on the site and for how many credits they have this would be done:
- if they have a enemy attacking them they would get an SMS from the site stating that they have "hostile incoming" .

Now what I am looking for is an SMS service which I could use to send SMS from the site (maybe I would use a cron so when the tick passes the messages are sent).

Does any of you know of such a service that doesn't take very much for a SMS?

bbgames · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:30:35 PM »

I've typically used Clickatell for this - I think it costs something like $0.30 USD/text.

pavansss91 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2009, 04:03:17 AM »

if i were him i would not acceptit because if the number of players increases then the game will be in losses.

Renex · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2009, 08:13:14 AM »

pavansss91 why do you say that?

my idea was that players would pay for the sms they receive.

Scion · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2009, 08:14:42 AM »

surely you mean ....pay for the sms plus a small handling fee

Renex · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2009, 08:26:19 AM »

yes, of course.

isn't that the way it should work?

pavansss91 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2009, 08:28:44 AM »

if it is so then it would be great.

jannesiera · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2009, 09:52:53 AM »

Quote from: bbgames on January 26, 2009, 04:30:35 PM

I've typically used Clickatell for this - I think it costs something like $0.30 USD/text.

Renex, it's a good idea, bit this would be a bit pricey. Not?
If you give it a try, could you keep us up-to-date on how it works out? In any case I would try finding a somewhat cheaper service.

pavansss91 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2009, 12:11:47 PM »

yes i will be very thankful if u keep us updated about the system.

Renex · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2009, 03:20:12 PM »

thank you bbgames for the website.

I am still interested if anyone knows other SMS services probably ones that are cheaper.

Renex · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2009, 03:59:41 PM »

I have discussed with someone that has implemented this system on something similar to what I am looking for and I can say this about www.clickatell.com :

- they send sms in the entire world and it is almost 100% chance to receive the sms wherever you would be
- about costs:

"Clickatell uses a credit-based system for sending messages. 1 credit will generally = 1 message. However, some destinations may charge less than 1 credit and some may charge 2 or more credits per message. This is dependent on the network operators in the particular region.

The price of a credit ranges from 0.022 to 0.044 Euro, based on how much you buy and the product you use. By purchasing credits in bulk, Clickatell is able to offer you a cheaper cost per credit allowing you to save on your message costs."

There is a price calculator at http://www.clickatell.com/pricing/pricing_wizard.php

pavansss91 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2009, 06:20:15 AM »

i think it is going to be good.

jannesiera · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2009, 07:36:26 AM »

Yeah, it sounds like it's worth giving a try.

Murzim · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2009, 07:57:36 AM »

there is a huge potential problem though; chargebacks

mdshare · « **Reply #14 on:** February 03, 2009, 08:49:06 AM »

why not use XMPP ok it's not SMS but who doesn't have a jabber/xmpp powered IM

here is a related post about XMPP use for a game http://criminalexistence.com/ceforums/index.php?topic=27688.msg125789#msg125789

Renex · « **Reply #15 on:** February 03, 2009, 09:53:28 AM »

Murzim could you describe that problem?

mdshare I will read the article. i have never heard of XMPP.

the idea behind the SMS is that I want to tell the players when they are offline that smth important is happening with their accounts.

mdshare · « **Reply #16 on:** February 03, 2009, 11:01:10 AM »

I'm possitive you use XMPP

lets see , google talk, pidgin, trillian pro, etc are all IM's that use XMPP

raestlyn · « **Reply #17 on:** February 03, 2009, 11:09:56 AM »

that XMPP things sounds like it would become useful, thanks for the tip

mdshare · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2009, 11:14:25 AM »

it is , it's not because a player isn't online at your game that he isn't connected to the net... and most have a IM loaded, loads of IMs have even a cell phone version, so voids the use already of sms ... err well smartphones

Note also that USA isn't really used to text messaging and a lot of their providers don't have text messaging even in the standard package, is a expensive option. Most likely that voice calling is so much cheaper in the US than it is in Europe.

Renex · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2009, 02:18:32 PM »

thank you mdshare for the tips.

I have read a bit about XMPP and it sounds interesting, however I can not see there support for yahoo messenger. I know a lot of people that use this one and it is an important option that a software like this should have. do you know any software that has them all?

mdshare · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2009, 07:50:26 PM »

Yahoo as MSN and AIM are closed network protocols so you need to dig/work more on it.

However yahoo has a API available and there is also one at Orbeon http://www.orbeon.com/ops/doc/processors-messaging-im

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Author Topic: SMS (Read 2631 times)