Proposal 2 - "Torn City Manager" (TCM)

Overview

I propose to create a 'software extension' to a popular online browser-based game called "Torn City" (TC). The application would connect to the regular TC servers and use exactly the same data as is displayed in a browser. The application would use the regular code sent from the servers as a sort of 'feed' rather than a normal compiled page. The key focus of TCM would be customisation in the form of panels and styles, and the removal of the 'middleman' of a browser.




Current TC login page.

Reasoning

I think that TCM would be a popular application for the players of TC. The players currently have to go through somewhat of an effort to login and navigate the basic layout of TC, by having to go through launching their browser, navigating to the TC website, entering their login details and using a non-customisable layout.

TCM would offer the quickest and easiest way for players to login and play TC. It would also offer the customisability that the current TC does not. Players would enjoy the game more if they could choose what to display and how to display it, so as to cut out the features they don't use or find get in the way.

Customisable panels would be a great tool in TCM as it would let players arrange their layout how they want it, and where they want it, much like users can arrange their panels of tools in Adobe Photoshop. Styles would also be an improvement on the current TC system as users would be able to configure what colours or pictures they want for different functions. This could also be expanded to allow for entire themes, which could spark off a new community of theme developers for the game.

Target Audience and Implementation

This program would only be targeted at players of TC. However, it is also possible that the addition of an actual application would encourage non-players to play the game. The players would not have to be too computer literate to run TCM, but would have to be able to install or mount the application depending on what Operating System (OS) they are running.

TCM would have to be implemented on any OS for any spec. computer. As there would be players using all kinds of OSs, TCM would have to be implemented for as many OSs as possible.

If someone is playing TC then they would have to have a computer good enough to run a browser, which would show that their system specs. would be more then sufficient to run a program like TCM.

Technical Details

As mentioned above TCM would need to be able to be implemented on as many OSs as possible.

TCM would require internet access in order to run, as the program will need to connect to TC.

TCM would be able to have its panels detatched from the main window so that when the main window is minimised the panel still shows. (A good example of implementation would be if a player was bidding at an auction in-game, or wanted live updates of the TC stock market)

The software would be able to remember login details if wanted to, and would only allow the remembering of one account login, as multiple accounts are against the usage agreement of TC. (the program may even cut down the numbers of multi-account players)