What is RealArcade?
RealArcade is a virtual game console that you download and install on your computer. It allows you to download and try out new games via the Internet, and purchase the games you like, and connect you to a network of other players for game-play, chat, or reviews.
My work for RealArcade spanned 10 months and involved the creation, development, and deployment of all technical documentation for the project.
Were you the sole author?
Yes, I was the sole author for this Help project. I built this from the ground up.
RealArcade first rolled out to game developers in March, 2001, at the Game Developer’s Conference in San Jose. I was fortunate enough to participate in the conference, and witnessed the overwhelming positive reactions we received from game developers.
I gave live demonstrations of RealArcade in a “pod” where I used a headset microphone, overhead speakers and large monitors. Furthermore, I explained how the product would benefit all parties involved: the game developer, the user, and RealNetworks. RealArcade went Beta in June, 2001.
What were some challenges you faced?
One of the real challenges I faced was the size of the help. Since RealArcade is graphics intensive, I decided to use graphics in the Help to match the user experience. However, this increased the size of the help beyond the constraints allowed by my manager. I faced a challenge, either use less graphics (making it less user friendly), or find a better way to compile the help.
I experimented with different image types, even discovering a “back door” in RoboHelp that allowed me to compile the Help with non-standard images types. Furthermore, I independently researched other methods to compile the Help, and other compression methods, to discover what combination brought the file size below limitations. I even used non-RoboHelp components (i.e. Microsoft HTML Help Compiler, WinRAR, NetZIP) to get the WinHelp down to the smallest size possible.
By release date, the Help was below size constraints and had most of the images I wanted, making it optimally user-friendly.
How do I launch the WinHelp?
See the RealArcade WinHelp PDF.