latest version: 1.4  
In brief: The above applet is set to win after a couple of tries, and is provided here only for demonstration purposes, mainly to showcase the winning features of the applet. In addition, the applet can be given a payout percentage. Click on the applet to get redirected to your prize when you win, but it could have just been set to automatically take you to the winning page without the extra click. Notice the code at the bottom of the applet when you win; unique every time, and check-out how it gets passed along to the winning page from the applet's "link" parameter which can be hidden for extra security in a special file. Many other of the applet's options can also be placed in this file. An encryption scheme for the contents of the special file is also supported.
Registered users get access to information regarding the applet's inner-works, and tools to assist them in deciphering the codes produced by the applet. Unregistered users get a fully operational applet, but all the applet's setup information has to be placed in the hosting HTML file. You can easily become a registered user though! Intrigued? Read on...
  • What is it?
    A little game applet (slot machine) designed to be placed next to banners, or to give away quick prizes to users. Even though the applet operates like a real slot machine, its main purpose is not to simulate one i.e. calculate payouts and bets, but instead, will let you play until you reach a certain limit. When you reach that limit, you're confronted with a winning picture or taken to a specified link. In addition, a uniquely generated code is shown to verify that user has really won. So, taking these features into consideration, the applet can be used just for fun (See "    Examples"), but can also be taken seriously (See "Showcase").

  • Instructions
    Simply click anywhere upon the applet to start playing. At the bottom of the applet is your credit followed by the amount you must reach in order to win. On the right, is the virtual representation of your score.

  • Parameters
      Name Value Description/Comments
    width number e.g. <applet code="VideoSlot.class" width="160" height="90">
    When the "width" is set to 160, coins stack-up on top of each other infinently. If the value is larger than 160, the coins span the area of the applet. Note that the width of the applet without the coin panel is 124 pixels wide. In "match4" mode (see bellow) the numbers are 200 and 165 respectively i.e. 200 coin stack-up and 165 no coins panel.
    height number e.g. <applet code="VideoSlot.class" width="160" height="90">
    The height parameter can be either 90 or 80.
    credits number e.g. <param name="credits" value="3">
    The credit the user gets to start with. Default is 5.
    limit number e.g. <param name="limit" value="10">
    The amount of credits required to win. Default is 10.
    value number e.g. <param name="value" value="100">
    A multiplier for the credits. Default is 1.
    sound boolean e.g. <param name="sound" value="on">
    Turns the sound on/off. Default is on.
    verify boolean e.g. <param name="verify" value="on">
    Makes the applet display a unique code, every time a user wins. Default is off.
    speed number e.g. <param name="speed" value="10">
    Performance factor. If the applet is running too fast or too slow, adjust this parameter. 1 is fastest. Default is 5.
    autolink boolean e.g. <param name="autolink" value="on">
    Makes the applet automatically go to the link specified in the "link" parameter. Default is off, meaning that the user must click upon the applet to go to the winning link. Note that with this parameter set on, you can't see the winning picture because it is pointless.
    link URL e.g. <param name="link" value="http://your.link.com">
    The applet's destination link upon winning. Note however, that with the unregistered version the user will be able to see this link by viewing the source of the page. You can also insert the {getExtendedCode()} macro anywhere in the link. e.g. <param name="link" value="mailto:youremail@com?subject=User with code {getExtendedCode()} is indeed a winner."> Again, you will need the register the applet to decipher the code, but, to offer you something, the last 3 numbers of the code (separated with "-") is the user's current score, limit and spin count. Default setting is no link.
    victory URL or
    relative dir.    		 e.g. <param name="victory" value="Images/victory1.gif">
    Lets you specify the winning picture. Default is "Images/victory.gif".
    defeat URL or
    relative dir.    		 e.g. <param name="defeat" value="Images/tryagain.gif">
    Lets you specify the losing picture. Default is "Images/defeat.gif"
    bkcolor hexadecimal e.g. <param name="bkcolor" value="#FF00000">
    Lets you specify the coins panel background color. Default is red.
    bkimage URL or
    relative dir.    		 e.g. <param name="bkimage" value="Images/backdrop.gif">
    Lets you specify the coins panel background image. Default is no image.
    coins boolean e.g. <param name="coins" value="off">
    Display the coins in the coins panel. Default is on.
    3D enumerated e.g. <param name="3D" value="low">
    Display the applet in a 3D perspective. Valid values are "high", "low" and "off". Default is off.
    match4 boolean e.g. <param name="match4" value="on">
    Display four slot-columns instead of three. In this mode, you must match four of a kind to win. Very hard. Default is off.
    target text e.g. <param name="target" value="_blank">
    Specifies the frame in which the "link" parameter will be opened. Default is "_top".
    payout number e.g. <param name="payout" value="0">
    Specifies how often the applet wins. When set to zero, the applet never wins.
  • JavaScript
      Method Returns Description/Comments
    roll() void e.g. document.applets[0].roll()
    Spins the reels if possible i.e. if you haven't already lost first.
    getScore() int e.g. if (document.applets[0].getScore() < 0) alert("You lose, I win!");
    Returns the current amout of credits multiplied by the applet's "value" parameter.
    getLimit() int e.g. if (document.applets[0].getScore() >= document.applets[0].getLimit()) alert("You win, I lose!");
    Returns the amount of credits you must reach in order to win in the applet. This is set by the applet's "limit" parameter.
    getCode() String e.g. alert("My winning code is " + document.applet[0].getCode());
    Returns a uniquely generated code every time the applet wins.     You need to be a registered user to decipher it though. Additionally, you must have first reached the applet's winning limit for this method to return a correct value.
    getSpinCount() int e.g. if (document.applets[0].getSpinCount() == 100) alert("This might be a bad time to mention this, but you can press CTRL and click on the applet at the same time for it to automatically spin the reels for you.");
    Returns the total number of reel spins and through as many instances of the applet currently loaded. In other words, it accesses a static var.
    getExtendedCode() String e.g. document.applets[0].setLink(
    "http:/eg.com/check.cgi?code={getExtendedCode()}&test=123");
    Returns getCode() + getScore() + getLimit() + getSpinCount() all numbers separated by the minus symbol "-". Notice also how the function is called from within the string value in the example above. When the user wins, the applet will attempt to go to a URL like this: http:/eg.com/check.cgi?code=72474347E-50-50-30&test=123
    This feature is provided because, calling the getExtendedCode() method directly at the wrong time i.e. when you haven't won, will produce an erroneuous value. So, if you where to do something like this:
    e.g. document.applets[0].setLink(
    "http:/eg.com/check.cgi?code=" + document.applets[0].getExtendedCode() + "&test=123");
    and if the above snippet was called before the applet is in a winning state, the URL would be for example:
    http:/eg.com/check.cgi?code=-50-50-0&test=123 which is of coarse, wrong.
    setLink() void e.g. document.applets[0].setLink("http:\\example.com/youwin.html");
    Set the applet's destination upon winning. This is similar to specifying the "link" parameter. You can if you wish, embed the getExtendedCode() method in the link (See getExtendedCode() above).
    Fields Type Description/Comments
    sound boolean e.g. document.applets[0].sound = false;
    Turns sound on or off.
    speed int e.g. document.applets[0].speed = 1;
    Makes the applet spin fast or slow. The value 1 is the fastest.
    autospin boolean e.g. document.applets[0].autospin = true;
    Allows the applet to spin the reels automatically, whithout the need of clicking upon the applet itself.
    loaded boolean e.g. if (document.applets[0].loaded) alert("Are you ready?");
    Is "true" when the applet is finished loading its graphics.
    showCoins boolean e.g. document.applets[0].showCoins = true;
    If "true" displays coin graphics in the applet's coin panel. This is similar to setting the applet's "coins" parameter.
    target String e.g. document.applets[0].target = "_top";
    When the applet attempts to go to a winning link, you can specify in which frame you would like this to happen. This is similar to setting the applet's "target" parameter.
  • Examples
    Applet Visual Variations Demo.
    Multiple Instances and JavaScript Demo.

  • Download
    You can download the Video Slot Machine applet     here.

  • Registration
    The register the applet you must pay for the applet's shareware fee ($25) via PayPal. In addition, registered users get a verification checker (and other tools) which is used to check the unique winning code generated by the applet.
  • Showcase
    Play the applet in its own window, and take it with you around the web. Upon winning, you'll be prompted to send an email. Click     here to get an idea on how you could include the applet on your site.

  • Conclusion
    The Video Slot Machine applet is not intended to compete with a client/server based casino game. Instead, its main purpose is to entertain and to allow for an adequate prize give-away system by sprucing up your web pages at the same time. The class file is only about 20K in size, so go for it!


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    Enjoy!

    sithiro@hotmail.com