[ SFO's 4 Year Anniversary ] - official "reflection" thread

TMyApp · 08-08-2005, 03:54 AM

[color=#000000

ost_uid10]Looking back at it all.... wow... 4 long years...

I thought I'd start another thread for this momentous anniversary, however, instead of reiterating of "how it all began", I thought I'd mention some of the XvsSF/SFO moments that I feel made the biggest impact on me (personally) over the years... (and if anyone wishes, they can dig up my old "anniversary rants", and link them here as well)

Probably one of the more vivid in-game moments that I remember, is playing Nferno666 (for the first time). It was just few days/weeks after XvsSF was first launched on August 7th, 2001. I think the game that he and I had changed my perception of XvsSF, since he was the first person to "combo" me with the "corner of death" (and kick my ass in the process). This was something that was certainly not planned, while I heard other developers mention similar experiences with their games, it was the first time I felt like "wow... that guy did something that I never planned anyone to be able to do...". Since then, I have seen similar events happen dozens of times (but you always tend to remember your first).

On a more "negative" note/memory, weeks after the release is also about the same time I stopped telling the people I knew in "real life" (friends, co-workers, etc) about the project. Oddly enough, I noticed that a lot of them began to either resent my work, or, hate the fact that it was succeeding (it is as though they needed to see failure in other people's lives in order to justify their own disappointments ?? ).

Yet many more on the other hand, could not believe of the fact that I was never trying to make money on the game. No banner ads, no "buy now" button, and definitely not attempts to "sell out". (and believe me, I had my share of "offers"). Corporate losers from UK who wanted to turn the project into a "gambling fighting game", as well as some semi-insane person who wanted to offer me something like $50 for the entire source of SFO... *blank stare*... yeah, those will definitely remain in my memory :biggrin:

... there are a number of things I regret as well.... I think a lot of users slipped by that would have probably made good mods, but for some reason I never noticed them until they stopped being active. I also wish that I had more free time (overall) to work on the project (I'm sure most of you have noticed the fact that the updates have became more and more rare, compared to say... late 2001 and early 2002 years). There are just so many ideas and features that never made it into the game (which I still have written somewhere, on small pieces of napkin-like-napkins).... the good news is that: there is still time...

Of course everything has it's own and valid reason. (and the insane bandwidth requirements that SFO has still remains to be the biggest one). With every game change and update, I have to think "will I be able to handle the extra strain ?? "

Last month alone, we had something like 74,000 unique visitors, and at an average 20 meg SFO download, we are talking about almost 1.5 terabytes of data (a quick google search of various hosting companies will reveal of just how costly something like that is). And, to what end result ?? (way too many people have asked me that over the years).

I mean, as I mentioned before, XvsSF/SFO doesn't really "do it" for me. As most of you have noticed I don't play the game myself (outside of thousands of hours I've spent developing it). It only cost me money, and creates a number of problems and headaches in my life (servers going down, marve| threatening to sue, 300 emails a day, authentication database which now seems to want to corrupt on itself for no reason what so ever... and the list goes on). In fact, if you were to ask me "when was the last time I had fun making or playing SFO"... I don't think I can remember (I certainly haven't felt that in over 3 years). I can remember a ton of "bad times" though (such the spew of problems I just mentioned).

... yet despite all of that, I distinctly remember one point in my life... years back... when almost every person I knew (in real life, or online) was telling me to pull the plug on the game... stop it all right there and then... end the headaches, and to make sure that things in my life would not get any worse. And in that moment, I (ake: lowly ol' TMyApp) was the only person to say "no... the game will live... no matter the costs" ...

So why do I still bother ?? Why do I look at my computer screen... see my gigantic SFO to-do list... think to myself: "this is the last thing I want to do right now"... take a deep breath, and then spend countless hours trying to meet self-made deadlines for some weird-named "event" I thought up during my drive to work ??

... *thinking*... I already answered this question a number of times before, but, probably the last time I really put it into perspective was when I saw that god-awful "Spider-man 2" movie... I can't remember the exact line in the script, but, Doc-Oc had this rant of how if one were to have a talent, or a special skill... it was their responsibility to acknowledge the fact that it did not belong to them... that it was a gift for others, and that they were obligated to use it (for the good of humanity and such). Corny... yes (I'm sure Stan Lee was very proud :biggrin: ) but, somehow that concept seemed like something I could relate to (and was a big part of my own mentality)

Vanity aside... I'm not the greatest programmer... SFO is full of bugs and crappy/laggy network code that I should have re-written years ago, yet, I seem to be the only person on this planet (1 otta 6+ billion ??) who managed to create a multiplayer-capable remake of an old fighting game that spawned an active community of almost one million users (well, 916,717 to be exact :biggrin: ) ... and the fact that I did it first doesn't surprise me as much as the fact that in 4 long years, not a SINGLE knock-off has been made ?? (and I'm not talking about those crappy SF Flash games that have no 4-player, tag multiplayer support). I mean, SFO is out there... and (almost) EVERYONE knows about it (hell, it was posted on the Capcom forum a number of times, and, the first no-name person we talked to at marve| seemed to know exactly who we were).... so, everyone knows that it "can be done", yet, no one is willing to (or able to ?? ) create something better ?? (or at least as good ?? )

I suppose this... is what makes SFO unique... it's the only one of it's kind (for better or worse)...

That said, I'm staring at the top-scores stats right now... and the amount of games-per-hour is still as high as it ever has been (in 4 years)... I have never made a single attempt at advertising the game anywhere on the internet, yet, it seems to thrive and prosper on it's own. Every year I say the same thing, and every year it is true: "now, more people play the game than ever before"... and that is one thing that I don't think I (or anyone) can ever fully explain ... in short, SFO is this indescribable "gem"... and being the person who has first planted the seed (not knowing of what would eventually become of it).. it is now my responsibility to see it thru... in away, my work and abilities no longer belong to me... they are serving all those who enjoy SFO, and I am bound to dedicate myself to the project for as long as they desire for it to exist (which goes back to that Doc-Oc movie rant)

*reads above*... yeah, that train of thought just kept going eh ?? lol

Alright, before I open this thread up to wild rants and endless discussions, I thought I would leave everything on a good note, and perhaps one of my most memorable and cherished moments in the history of XvsSF/SFO:

Back in December 2001 (much to my surprise),

alamgir · 08-08-2005, 04:02 AM

Touching...

limbei · 08-08-2005, 04:10 AM

heyz, great that u followed doc oc's advice & kept the game alive.
It has been great playing the gaMe really... Once i remember, i think it was last year or the yr b4 i was totally engrossed with SFO that i really cant seem to think of other things.
Haiz... now however i will still continue to try to support SFO spirit the best way i can

nosoul4evr · 08-08-2005, 04:43 AM

Heh. I never got to see the TecTv footage before today.
I love the commentators last words before the clips ends, "Ohhh oh, I got a game!" and he quickly gets ready for his match.
Priceless.

The only time i get anything i have done mentioned on TV..usualy involves me getting arrested.

Edited By nosoul4evr on 1123501623

Dark_Paladin_X · 08-08-2005, 04:49 AM

Come October 1, i will have been here a whole year. YA ya, it's not very long, but i can say this game has went real far. Through many problems with hosting going down time to time, marve| on ur back, and handling "god knows" how much emails a day, and yet, still have the sanity to keep going. I'd say that's a damn good job. Even if others don't think so.

Just keep it up as best you can man. :biggrin:

Master_Jay · 08-08-2005, 05:00 AM

Touching, yes.
I saw my first username in the chat server, that counts as me being on television right?

machine1 · 08-08-2005, 05:05 AM

I must say it's been an incredible 4 years. I've watched the game develope so much. SFO has grown bigger and bigger each day. It's amazing how well this game has done. "The big hit" online, I say. This game can go on forever. That's what I believe. We'll lose members as they grow up and gain more members as they are young. This game will never die out as long as you choose to keep it alive.

I must say TMyApp, you've done an amazing job. Streetfighter is my favorite game and you've brought it to life over the internet. I don't think you get this enough,but "Thank You." I speak on behalf of everyone, WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE.

There's no reason to keep going on with the game. It's stressful,like you said, but you continue anyway and for that I applaud you. So once again TMyApp, thank you for your hard work and the endless hours you put in to please people all over the world. Congrats on all the success and happy anniversary

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ALL!

Edited By machine1 on 1123502957

MEGA_DRACOS_XRL · 08-08-2005, 12:19 PM

yes a very nice update TMyapp! i was impressed with the help of DPX to host the server for us, Thanks DPX!

~Mastermax~ · 08-08-2005, 12:41 PM

wow, I can't believe this game is still exists...

I can't wait to read the book once tmyapp finnally gives up on version 1.08W and decides to write the memoirs...

blanka09 · 08-08-2005, 01:04 PM

Yeah.. I'm thinking, but I don't think I can say anything... it's truely unique to have worked on something people thought'll fail but actually leave through to see the game prosper the way it has. Dreams don't die :biggrin:

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08-08-2005, 03:54 AM	#1
TMyApp Administrator Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,957 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 0 Thanks (Received): 0 Likes (Given): 0 Likes (Received): 0 Dislikes (Given): 0 Dislikes (Received): 0 Points: 0 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)	[color=#000000ost_uid10]Looking back at it all.... wow... 4 long years... I thought I'd start another thread for this momentous anniversary, however, instead of reiterating of "how it all began", I thought I'd mention some of the XvsSF/SFO moments that I feel made the biggest impact on me (personally) over the years... (and if anyone wishes, they can dig up my old "anniversary rants", and link them here as well) Probably one of the more vivid in-game moments that I remember, is playing Nferno666 (for the first time). It was just few days/weeks after XvsSF was first launched on August 7th, 2001. I think the game that he and I had changed my perception of XvsSF, since he was the first person to "combo" me with the "corner of death" (and kick my ass in the process). This was something that was certainly not planned, while I heard other developers mention similar experiences with their games, it was the first time I felt like "wow... that guy did something that I never planned anyone to be able to do...". Since then, I have seen similar events happen dozens of times (but you always tend to remember your first). On a more "negative" note/memory, weeks after the release is also about the same time I stopped telling the people I knew in "real life" (friends, co-workers, etc) about the project. Oddly enough, I noticed that a lot of them began to either resent my work, or, hate the fact that it was succeeding (it is as though they needed to see failure in other people's lives in order to justify their own disappointments ?? ). Yet many more on the other hand, could not believe of the fact that I was never trying to make money on the game. No banner ads, no "buy now" button, and definitely not attempts to "sell out". (and believe me, I had my share of "offers"). Corporate losers from UK who wanted to turn the project into a "gambling fighting game", as well as some semi-insane person who wanted to offer me something like $50 for the entire source of SFO... blank stare... yeah, those will definitely remain in my memory :biggrin: ... there are a number of things I regret as well.... I think a lot of users slipped by that would have probably made good mods, but for some reason I never noticed them until they stopped being active. I also wish that I had more free time (overall) to work on the project (I'm sure most of you have noticed the fact that the updates have became more and more rare, compared to say... late 2001 and early 2002 years). There are just so many ideas and features that never made it into the game (which I still have written somewhere, on small pieces of napkin-like-napkins).... the good news is that: there is still time... Of course everything has it's own and valid reason. (and the insane bandwidth requirements that SFO has still remains to be the biggest one). With every game change and update, I have to think "will I be able to handle the extra strain ?? " Last month alone, we had something like 74,000 unique visitors, and at an average 20 meg SFO download, we are talking about almost 1.5 terabytes of data (a quick google search of various hosting companies will reveal of just how costly something like that is). And, to what end result ?? (way too many people have asked me that over the years). I mean, as I mentioned before, XvsSF/SFO doesn't really "do it" for me. As most of you have noticed I don't play the game myself (outside of thousands of hours I've spent developing it). It only cost me money, and creates a number of problems and headaches in my life (servers going down, marve\| threatening to sue, 300 emails a day, authentication database which now seems to want to corrupt on itself for no reason what so ever... and the list goes on). In fact, if you were to ask me "when was the last time I had fun making or playing SFO"... I don't think I can remember (I certainly haven't felt that in over 3 years). I can remember a ton of "bad times" though (such the spew of problems I just mentioned). ... yet despite all of that, I distinctly remember one point in my life... years back... when almost every person I knew (in real life, or online) was telling me to pull the plug on the game... stop it all right there and then... end the headaches, and to make sure that things in my life would not get any worse. And in that moment, I (ake: lowly ol' TMyApp) was the only person to say "no... the game will live... no matter the costs" ... So why do I still bother ?? Why do I look at my computer screen... see my gigantic SFO to-do list... think to myself: "this is the last thing I want to do right now"... take a deep breath, and then spend countless hours trying to meet self-made deadlines for some weird-named "event" I thought up during my drive to work ?? ... thinking... I already answered this question a number of times before, but, probably the last time I really put it into perspective was when I saw that god-awful "Spider-man 2" movie... I can't remember the exact line in the script, but, Doc-Oc had this rant of how if one were to have a talent, or a special skill... it was their responsibility to acknowledge the fact that it did not belong to them... that it was a gift for others, and that they were obligated to use it (for the good of humanity and such). Corny... yes (I'm sure Stan Lee was very proud :biggrin: ) but, somehow that concept seemed like something I could relate to (and was a big part of my own mentality) Vanity aside... I'm not the greatest programmer... SFO is full of bugs and crappy/laggy network code that I should have re-written years ago, yet, I seem to be the only person on this planet (1 otta 6+ billion ??) who managed to create a multiplayer-capable remake of an old fighting game that spawned an active community of almost one million users (well, 916,717 to be exact :biggrin: ) ... and the fact that I did it first doesn't surprise me as much as the fact that in 4 long years, not a SINGLE knock-off has been made ?? (and I'm not talking about those crappy SF Flash games that have no 4-player, tag multiplayer support). I mean, SFO is out there... and (almost) EVERYONE knows about it (hell, it was posted on the Capcom forum a number of times, and, the first no-name person we talked to at marve\| seemed to know exactly who we were).... so, everyone knows that it "can be done", yet, no one is willing to (or able to ?? ) create something better ?? (or at least as good ?? ) I suppose this... is what makes SFO unique... it's the only one of it's kind (for better or worse)... That said, I'm staring at the top-scores stats right now... and the amount of games-per-hour is still as high as it ever has been (in 4 years)... I have never made a single attempt at advertising the game anywhere on the internet, yet, it seems to thrive and prosper on it's own. Every year I say the same thing, and every year it is true: "now, more people play the game than ever before"... and that is one thing that I don't think I (or anyone) can ever fully explain ... in short, SFO is this indescribable "gem"... and being the person who has first planted the seed (not knowing of what would eventually become of it).. it is now my responsibility to see it thru... in away, my work and abilities no longer belong to me... they are serving all those who enjoy SFO, and I am bound to dedicate myself to the project for as long as they desire for it to exist (which goes back to that Doc-Oc movie rant) reads above... yeah, that train of thought just kept going eh ?? lol Alright, before I open this thread up to wild rants and endless discussions, I thought I would leave everything on a good note, and perhaps one of my most memorable and cherished moments in the history of XvsSF/SFO: Back in December 2001 (much to my surprise),

08-08-2005, 04:02 AM	#2
alamgir Senior Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 5,865 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 0 Thanks (Received): 0 Likes (Given): 0 Likes (Received): 0 Dislikes (Given): 0 Dislikes (Received): 0 Points: 0 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)	Touching... __________________ [img:sig_uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/alamgir/advancedborder-ice.jpg[/img:sig_uid] When your the number one public enemy, who do you turn to?

08-08-2005, 04:10 AM	#3
limbei Senior Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 741 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 0 Thanks (Received): 0 Likes (Given): 0 Likes (Received): 0 Dislikes (Given): 0 Dislikes (Received): 0 Points: 0 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)	heyz, great that u followed doc oc's advice & kept the game alive. It has been great playing the gaMe really... Once i remember, i think it was last year or the yr b4 i was totally engrossed with SFO that i really cant seem to think of other things. Haiz... now however i will still continue to try to support SFO spirit the best way i can __________________ "For those who believe, no explaination is necessary. For those who don't, none is sufficient." [img:sig_uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/madbun/tmyapp.jpg[/img:sig_uid]

08-08-2005, 04:43 AM	#4
nosoul4evr Senior Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 1,343 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 0 Thanks (Received): 0 Likes (Given): 0 Likes (Received): 0 Dislikes (Given): 0 Dislikes (Received): 0 Points: 0 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)	Heh. I never got to see the TecTv footage before today. I love the commentators last words before the clips ends, "Ohhh oh, I got a game!" and he quickly gets ready for his match. Priceless. The only time i get anything i have done mentioned on TV..usualy involves me getting arrested. Edited By nosoul4evr on 1123501623 __________________ Helping to build a better player one beginer at a time http://nosoul4evr.cyberfuturism.com [img:sig_uid]http://nosoul4evr.cyberfuturism.com/images/xf.gif[/img:sig_uid]

08-08-2005, 04:49 AM	#5
Dark_Paladin_X Senior Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: T.O Posts: 2,118 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 0 Thanks (Received): 0 Likes (Given): 0 Likes (Received): 0 Dislikes (Given): 0 Dislikes (Received): 0 Points: 0 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)	Come October 1, i will have been here a whole year. YA ya, it's not very long, but i can say this game has went real far. Through many problems with hosting going down time to time, marve\| on ur back, and handling "god knows" how much emails a day, and yet, still have the sanity to keep going. I'd say that's a damn good job. Even if others don't think so. Just keep it up as best you can man. :biggrin: __________________ [img:sig_uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/Dark_Paladin_X/Screenshots%20Unique/66dcda27.jpg[/img:sig_uid]

08-08-2005, 05:00 AM	#6
Master_Jay Senior Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New york Posts: 670 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 0 Thanks (Received): 0 Likes (Given): 0 Likes (Received): 0 Dislikes (Given): 0 Dislikes (Received): 0 Points: 0 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)	Touching, yes. I saw my first username in the chat server, that counts as me being on television right? __________________ [img:sig_uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/MastaDeeJay/banner-less.jpg[/img:sig_uid] [i:sig_uid][color=red:sig_uid].:Making your comedy Dreams come true:.[/color:sig_uid][/i:sig_uid]

08-08-2005, 05:05 AM	#7
machine1 Senior Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jersey City Posts: 1,622 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 0 Thanks (Received): 0 Likes (Given): 0 Likes (Received): 0 Dislikes (Given): 0 Dislikes (Received): 0 Points: 0 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)	I must say it's been an incredible 4 years. I've watched the game develope so much. SFO has grown bigger and bigger each day. It's amazing how well this game has done. "The big hit" online, I say. This game can go on forever. That's what I believe. We'll lose members as they grow up and gain more members as they are young. This game will never die out as long as you choose to keep it alive. I must say TMyApp, you've done an amazing job. Streetfighter is my favorite game and you've brought it to life over the internet. I don't think you get this enough,but "Thank You." I speak on behalf of everyone, WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE. There's no reason to keep going on with the game. It's stressful,like you said, but you continue anyway and for that I applaud you. So once again TMyApp, thank you for your hard work and the endless hours you put in to please people all over the world. Congrats on all the success and happy anniversary HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ALL! Edited By machine1 on 1123502957 __________________ [img:sig_uid]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a58/7w17ch/machine1.jpg[/img:sig_uid] Jersey City..... We on top....

08-08-2005, 12:19 PM	#8
MEGA_DRACOS_XRL Senior Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: TENNESSEE Posts: 1,051 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 0 Thanks (Received): 0 Likes (Given): 0 Likes (Received): 0 Dislikes (Given): 0 Dislikes (Received): 0 Points: 0 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)	yes a very nice update TMyapp! i was impressed with the help of DPX to host the server for us, Thanks DPX! __________________ [img:sig_uid]http://images.neopets.com/creatives/brightvale_468x60.gif[/img:sig_uid]

08-08-2005, 12:41 PM	#9
~Mastermax~ Senior Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fetus of God (it's a level from darkstalkers, smartass!) Posts: 1,983 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 0 Thanks (Received): 0 Likes (Given): 0 Likes (Received): 0 Dislikes (Given): 0 Dislikes (Received): 0 Points: 0 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)	wow, I can't believe this game is still exists... I can't wait to read the book once tmyapp finnally gives up on version 1.08W and decides to write the memoirs... __________________ [img:sig_uid]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/52/AllYourBaseAnimated.gif[/img:sig_uid]

08-08-2005, 01:04 PM	#10
blanka09 Senior Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 3,884 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 0 Thanks (Received): 0 Likes (Given): 0 Likes (Received): 0 Dislikes (Given): 0 Dislikes (Received): 0 Points: 0 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)	Yeah.. I'm thinking, but I don't think I can say anything... it's truely unique to have worked on something people thought'll fail but actually leave through to see the game prosper the way it has. Dreams don't die :biggrin: __________________ [img:sig_uid]http://www.boomspeed.com/blanka09/banner2.jpg[/img:sig_uid]