Apr 11
13
Quantum1 Version 1.5.2
Thanks to a friendly user (kudos, Jef!), I discovered a nasty bug that would crash your Mac if you entered a high score name that was more than about 16 characters, such as, “I beat my brother’s score and I am now Lord of Quantum1 for all time.”
The bug is fixed in 1.5.2, however until the new version gets the stamp of approval from Apple and made available at the App Store, brevity is the soul of stability. Look for the update in a few days.
UPDATE: 1.5.2 is now available through the App Store!
I am pleased to announce updated versions of Quantum1 (formerly Quantum) and Treasure Chess are now available, exclusively on the new Mac App Store, which was introduced today.
Both apps have new, lower prices too! Formerly $14, Quantum1 is now only $6.99. Treasure Chess was $9 and is now $4.99! Fortunately for consumers (and unfortunately for developers), the last couple of years have a seen a flood of low-cost entertainment options, thanks to the App Store and the like. Consumers demand lower prices, and so I have followed suit.
If you are a current owner of Quantum or Treasure Chess, you will be relieved to know the new versions at the App Store are largely the same, so there is no need to buy the apps again. Yes, both apps are now version 1.5, and both have received tweaks and small upgrades, but you should feel you are missing anything.
However, going forward, the apps may receive substantial upgrades. At some point, you may want to consider purchasing the low-cost App Store versions so you can enjoy the benefits.
Jun 10
8
Should I Add iAd?
With Apple’s upcoming iOS4 (formerly iPhoneOS), the operating system that powers the iPhone and iPad, developers can show advertisements in their apps using Apple’s iAd framework.
Like many people, I hate intrusive ads. I recognize that ads are an important and indispensable part of our capitalist system, and God knows I love capitalism, but when I sit down to play a game or use an app, the last thing I want is an ad in my face. Nevertheless, I think Apple is on the right track with iAd.
Here’s why. The unfortunate truth about the App Store, now that it has “matured,” so to speak, is that it is extremely hard for most small developers to make money. You might have a great idea, but it’s hard to get noticed and compete against the 225,000 other apps in the App Store. Economics 101 tells us that a such a huge supply will drive down prices. That has been demonstrated in spades, with most apps either free or 99¢. Many consumers will balk at paying even a paltry 99¢, given the enormous selection of free apps.
Sure, the AAA apps produced by the big companies, with their teams of programmers and designers, and with their substantial marketing budgets can charge a bit more and they can semi-reliably count on a large volume of sales. They, however, are the exception.
So, if you aren’t a large developer, and assuming you haven’t discovered an untapped niche (good luck), you almost have to give your app away. Yes, you could go the route of then charging the user money to unlock new levels or what have you, but some apps don’t lend themselves to that paid icadd-on concept.
The only other solution seems to be in-app advertising. Here’s where Apple’s approach is brilliant: if the user taps on an ad, they don’t actually leave the app. They view the ad, no doubt cleverly and engagingly designed, right then and there. No switching to Safari. When the ad is done, or if the user cancels it, the ad disappears, and they are right back in the app, right where they left off.
The only problem is that ads take up screen space, oh-so-precious screen space. For Zoo Clues and Treasure Chess, I need every last pixel for the game’s presentation and user interface. I can’t imagine fitting an advertising banner into the game-play space. There is simply too much information to convey to user as it is.
There is only one spot it might work: the home view. Zoo Clues has one, with buttons for Play, Help, About, and so on. An ad would work there. It would fit, and wouldn’t be annoying (hopefully). Treasure Chess doesn’t have a home window; the user jumps right into the game window. So, if I want to show an advertisement, I’d have to create a home view. Programmatically, it’s not a problem.
But what about the user? Will they mind seeing an ad? Would they rather pay 99¢ for no ad? Do I need to have two versions of my apps, one free with an ad, and paid version with no ad? Hmmm, time to do a little thinking, but my gut is telling me I need to strongly consider using Apple’s iAd.
May 10
7
Friday Humor
Not a much to report on the development front except that I’m working on a generic engine that I might use as the core for a number of games. How about a little Friday humor instead? This is an oldie, but it’s still funny.
You Might Be A Redneck Jedi If…
• You ever heard the phrase, “May the force be with y’all.”
• Your Jedi robe is a camouflage color.
• You have ever used your light saber to open a bottle of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill.
• At least one wing of your X-Wings is primer colored.
• You have bantha horns on the front of your land speeder.
• You can easily describe the taste of an Ewok.
• You have ever had an X-wing up on blocks in your yard.
• The worst part of spending time on Dagobah is the dadgum skeeters.
• Wookies are offended by your B.O.
• You have ever used the force to get yourself another beer so you didn’t have to wait for a commercial.
• You have ever used the force in conjunction with bowling.
• Your father has ever said to you, “Shoot, son come on over to the darkside…it’ll be a hoot.”
• You have ever had your R-2 unit use its self-defense electro-shock thingy to get the barbecue grill to light.
• You have a confederate flag painted on the hood of your landspeeder.
• You think Han Solo would look better in a flannel cause he looks like a little sissy in that vest.
• You ever fantasized about Princess Leia wearing Daisy Duke shorts.
• You have the doors of your X-wing welded shut and you have to get in through the window.
• Although you had to kill him, you kinda thought that Jabba the Hutt had a pretty good handle on how to treat his women.
• You ever fell in love with your sister.
• You have ever accidentally referred to Darth Vader’s evil empire as “them damn Yankees.”
• You have a cousin who bears a strong resemblance to Chewbacca.
• You suggested that they outfit the Millennium Falcon with red wood deck.
• You were the only person drinking Jack Daniels on the rocks during the cantina scene.
• In your opinion, that Darth Vader fella “just ain’t right.”
Dec 10
3
Thoughts on Apple’s Mac App Store
Apple will introduce a Mac App Store, similar to the iTunes App Store for iPhone, iPad, etc. in mid-January 2011. When Apple does something like this, it tends to shake the Earth underneath developers’ feet, so the news demands attention.
For better or worse, developers will have to release a separate or new version of most existing applications. Those versions must not contain licensing or self-updating features. Oh, and Apple is not going to allow trials and demos, those must be hosted on the developers’ own sites.
It’s awfully tempting for a small developer like myself to jump onboard Apple’s thundering train and simply eliminate the licensing and update code from Quantum and Treasure Chess. It’s not trivial (at least to me) and a bit of a pain to maintain one code base that can produce both the traditional application (the kind I now offer) and the Mac App Store application (without the licensing and update bits).
But going exclusively Apple’s way means that any demo version I offered could not be updated to a full version simply by entering a licensing code. That’s great from a piracy point of view, but awkward for users who must exit the demo version and go to the Mac App Store to get a separate, full version of the application. Then the demo version would need to be deleted. That’s undesirable friction for the consumer.
The truth is that, despite the Borg-like feeling that I’m getting from Apple these last few years, they have been unbelievably successful with the iTunes App Store and I expect the same from the new Mac version. My time is limited as it is, and eliminating licensing issues and update code means I will be able to focus on more important matters. I’m still weighing the issue, but I’m leaning Apple’s way.