GameSparks Community Edition
Overview
The GameSparks Community Edition fork aims to address the limitations faced by game developers due to the deprecated Microsoft WebSocket in the original GameSparks client-side SDK. By replacing Microsoft WebSocket with WebSocketSharp, this fork provides an open-source, "plug n play" solution for Unity game developers, allowing for cross-platform compatibility and support for any current or future version of Unity. This crucial update enables a broader range of developers to benefit from GameSparks as a GBaaS solution, granting them access to features like authoritative cloud scripting and online multiplayer without being limited to Windows 10+ systems or older Unity versions (disallowing the use of older versions of Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and others).
Role:
As the creator of the GameSparks Community Edition fork, I was responsible for identifying the limitations in the original GameSparks client-side SDK, implementing the WebSocketSharp replacement for Microsoft WebSocket, and making the solution "plug n play" for Unity, thereby enabling cross-platform support and compatibility with any current or future version of Unity. Without this patch, developers must only code in ancient versions of Unity - and players must use Windows OS only (and Windows 10+, as Windows 7 would not work).
Stack:
- Microsoft WebSocket
- WebSocketSharp
- C#
- GameSparks client SDK
- Visual Studio
Problem
Game developers using GameSparks as a GBaaS solution faced significant limitations due to its reliance on a deprecated version of Microsoft WebSocket, which constrained them to Windows 10+ build targets and prevented compatibility with newer Unity versions, hindering the potential of their games and development processes and ultimately affecting both developer and player.
Solution
By developing the GameSparks Community Edition fork, I successfully replaced the deprecated Microsoft WebSocket with WebSocketSharp, making the solution "plug n play" for Unity and enabling cross-platform support, as well as compatibility with any current or future Unity version, providing game developers with a more versatile and accessible GBaaS solution.
