Sign in to follow this  
Baylan

Public Api?

Recommended Posts

Is there a public API devs can access to make tools for Wurm? I feel like there would be a lot of potential for 3rd party desktop, mobile, and web apps if we could make calls to the server. Are there any plans to make something like this available in the future?

For those unfamiliar, I am suggesting a system similar to that of Eve Online. Each entity (character, village, alliance) would have a unique API key they could supply to an application outside of Wurm. This could allow apps to serve information to the player while they are out of the game or in a web browser in a format different than that shown in-game. You could potentially have an iPhone app that told you things like the contents of your bank or how much prem time is left on your character. Those are simple examples, but the potential to make very strong tools exists if the proper access is given. Market tools are mostly what I am interested in personally.

Also, free Wurm-verse development can't be bad. :P

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Such API are always nice, but they need to be made very carefully.

The wrong developer could accidentally or intentionally overload the server with too many API requests.

It need a lot of effort and dedication to provide such a service while keeping the server save from it. Code Club doesn't really have the resources for such at the moment.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just feel like it would go a long ways towards helping Wurm grow. World of Warcraft wouldn't be where it is today without client-side extensibility. The best community-made extensions were always eventually rolled into the release client. Eve definitely wouldn't be where it is without its robust API and all of the fantastic tools that exist to make the game actually playable. Crowd source this biznitch.

The trick would be figuring out how to limit it and expose bits and pieces to 3rd party applications safely. It's no small task, for sure. I definitely understand that I am comparing Wurm to games that are generating more income and have larger teams to lean on. I work for a small software company. I know that feel. They have to prioritize in a manner that is appropriate for their company... and I don't pretend to know their goals and schedule. I'm just making the suggestion and letting them know that there is an interest.

Some security could come in the form of making developers register their applications and grab a utility key to identify the tool when it makes the requests. Calls could be throttled as to not over tax the system or applications could have a set number of requests available in a given time window.

Anyway, just a thought for the team to chew on if they aren't already. I think you'd be surprised at what we (the community) could come up with.

The seductive part (brainstorming)

  • Phone app that allows you to check how much sleep bonus, money, and favor each of your characters have.
  • A simple skill estimator that looks at your skill gain over a specific time period and projects how long it will take you to reach a target skill level.
  • Deed and writ management from your phone. One of your neighbors need access to something but you are on the road? Change the settings remotely.
  • Skill planner app that allows you to set goal levels for multiple skills to help you plan the way forward for each of your toons and/or all of your villagers and quickly compare their skills. Min-max your team.
  • In-game player-run banking system. Give money to a specific bank character. Automatically receive an email with a user name and login. You can go to that site and manage your funds. Apply for loans. Fund other players' investments.
  • Change your village MOTD via text message.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Most of my examples are only marginally useful, but I just came up with them over the course of a few minutes. Given 3rd party API tools, players could make all sorts of cool things.

Now, all of this being said... Wurm is a little rough around the edges and dev time may be better spent elsewhere at the moment. But it's never too early to start thinking about making a public API and how something like that could work down the road.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm now throwing money at my screen. :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

We need an improved web interface and account management before we even THINK of looking at API.

We can't even change our passwords, e-mail address, add reoccurring billing or anything like that, via the web. One step at a time cowboy!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

A definite +1 from me (although should probably go in the S&I section)


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow, that was a long time necroed :P

 

 

Shhh.

 

This was a bump.

 

 

 

And take my +1

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this