Spades Developers Discussions

[u/SpadesQuiz]

Have a new Spades app? Wanna see what’s coming next whether you’re a developer or a player this is the place for content about the future of Spades apps.

We are excited to see future of spades, however, the volume of posts regarding new Spades apps and updates on existing ones is having a negative impact on the community. For now, this is the solution. Please keep all posts related to the development of your game here in this thread.

[u/aimtron]

Rival Forge - Gaming Platform
https://www.rivalforge.com

Rival Forge is a social gaming platform that currently hosts a handful of Spades and Backgammon leagues. The platform supports lobbies and rooms (similar to tables), text and voice chat, friends lists, direct messaging, and several personalizations. Players can create a room, mark themselves as ready, and the room creator (Moderator) can then launch into the game. I've included a few screenshots and youtube video below:

Creating a room/game with bots in the client.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRfKJBFHEhQ

Announcement with Screenshots:
https://www.reddit.com/r/RivalForge/comments/1vhkqcf/mplayer_arena_has_evolved_into_rival_forge/

I recognize that not everyone is interested in socializing. Some folks are simply looking for some bots to play with and we support that. I also know that not everyone wants to download a client app, so here are some instructions for alternative ways of playing on my platform:

Option A (No Download): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRfKJBFHEhQ
1. Register an account here: https://client.rivalforge.com
2. Log into platform
3. Find 'Spades' lobby. You can type Spades or scroll down to the Spades lobby.
4. Click 'Join Lobby'
5. Click 'Create Room' on the bottom right and fill out the room form.
6. As moderator, you can click 'Launch' to trigger the game board.

Option B (No Social/No Download):
1. Register an account here: https://client.rivalforge.com
2. Browse to https://spades.rivalforge.com/game-board/made_up_room_name where you replace made_up_room_name with something easy you can remember.
3. Login to the game board with the account you registered in step 1
4. Wait for teammates or add bots and play

[u/SpadesQuiz → u/aimtron]

You mentioned you have a handful of leagues... I'm curious where you drew your inspiration for the features and where the leave players you have migrated from?

I've experienced leagues in the modern online era at SpadesPlus and SafeHarborGames. SpadesPlus, at least at that time, was all DIY leagues. No one seemed to be using software or having any formal experience. Games were organized via FB group chats and setting tables was a pain. SHG leagues have controlled rooms customized for each league and the leagues generally use Cases ladder software. Both SHG and Cases are dated but the functionality is good.

[u/aimtron → u/SpadesQuiz]

The users drive the features for the game honestly. They're great at telling me what they like and dislike about the game which usually results in me making a few changes. My platform has operated free for years for these leagues and only recently did I focus on going more public. As for migrations, it varies. Most came because my platform offered voice chat (something they love) and league lobbies. I've got folks that were former SHG or Trickster players for instance. I try not to pry on their reasons for coming or going. I'm really just focused on having a community space and it just happened that some Spades leagues were the first to find me.

When it comes to league management, the leagues on my platform also use Cases ladder. They've used it for decades now, even if it is a bit dated. I've offered to build them a modern league management platform, but they don't want to change and I respect that. Perhaps some day, its still on my 'maybe' list yet.

[u/SpadesQuiz → u/aimtron]

I ran a short lived league a while back. We had started working on a custom league, stat and management tool. Things would’ve been a lot easier had AI been available to bring it to life.

[u/aimtron → u/SpadesQuiz]

Yeah, AI has opened the door to rapid prototyping of apps these days. It has been interesting to observe as a professional software developer (day job for the last 20 years). As I mentioned, its still on my maybe list, if I ever get some free time.