Social Features

danlbryant

I think it's about time that Gamesalad give us more social features like Facebook connect, Twitter publishing, leaderboards and open feint. This should not be a pro features to match corona.

Gamesalad has a LOT of catching up to do with corona. But i think social features would be a step in the right direction, and do it soon!

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Daniel Bryant

Website: ByteMonster
Most Recent game: Fallen Sky

synthesis

They need to catch up on optimization and stability first (IMO). I also think inApp purchasing is by far the most important feature GS could integrate next.

BTW: The Corona GE defaults at 300KB vs. GS at about 10-15MB.

quantumsheep

Yep, in-app purchases are a mixed bag really.

I'm looking forward to twitter/facebook integration. Probably more than online high score tables.

Mainly because being 501st in the world on a game has no real charm. Whereas being 5th in a list of your friends on facebook is far more interesting!

It also aids in viral marketing. If you're playing the game and a message is posted to twitter about it, 'word of mouth' is more likely to spread. Think 'Canabalt'.

QS

Threepwood

Twitter and Facebook are crucial to grassroots markering and getting eyeballs on your product. Especially Twitter.

OpenFeint or worldwide leaderboards are just expected in most games today and reviews will actually lower the score or review for not having them.

These features are as basic as having Pause, imo. They just have to be supported. They are not luxury items. They are necessities.

quantumsheep

Threepwood said:
Twitter and Facebook are crucial to grassroots markering and getting eyeballs on your product. Especially Twitter.

OpenFeint or worldwide leaderboards are just expected in most games today and reviews will actually lower the score or review for not having them.

These features are as basic as having Pause, imo. They just have to be supported. They are not luxury items. They are necessities.

Agreed!

danlbryant

Yeah i agree too! it's very simple to implement. I'm surprised it's not in GS already

AfterBurnett

danlbryant said:
Gamesalad has a LOT of catching up to do with corona.

It could be argued that Corona has a lot of catching up to do with GameSalad... after all, you still have to program with Corona No point having all that extra power and features if average Joe can't use them!

But yeah, looking forward to Facebook integration and MORE SPEED!

danlbryant

@POLYGAMe i think programming with Corona is actually a feature. Way more control over the app. I guess it's the price you have to pay for some simple Social networking features

quantumsheep

danlbryant said:
@POLYGAMe i think programming with Corona is actually a feature.

I'm not a programmer. This is not a feature. It's an obstacle!

QS

danlbryant

@QS Haha! Fair enough!

synthesis

tshirtbooth said:
In app buying has been getting hit hard with bad reviews. A lot of people dint think they should have to pay for more content.

It's a catch 22

I disagree...
There are reports that SIGNIFICANT revenues are being generated by in-App purchases (ex: fieldrunners).

Plus...its a great way to make money on a free app. Release a trial as free...use in-App to purchase more levels (puzzles) - ie Farmville. Since an app is 100-1000 times more likely to be downloaded as free...inApp makes it simpler to upgrade or expand the game...vs an href link to a separate app.

By initially releasing your game as free...you can build the paid version right into the free version...and sell content within the app. - Not to mention the potential of using GS in Utility and Entertainment apps with this feature.

Of course if Gendai is planning to make this a pro feature...then forget it. +1 to list of reasons to use Corona.

AfterBurnett

synthesis said:
I disagree...
There are reports that SIGNIFICANT revenues are being generated by in-App purchases (ex: fieldrunners).

Plus...its a great way to make money on a free app. Release a trial as free...use in-App to purchase more levels (puzzles) - ie Farmville. Since an app is 100-1000 times more likely to be downloaded as free...inApp makes it simpler to upgrade or expand the game...vs an href link to a separate app.

By initially releasing your game as free...you can build the paid version right into the free version...and sell content within the app. - Not to mention the potential of using GS in Utility and Entertainment apps with this feature.

Of course if Gendai is planning to make this a pro feature...then forget it. +1 to list of reasons to use Corona.

yeah, I'd say In-App purchases is a must. Some people may not like it but I also had requests on my TA thread to NOT add Openfeint etc... a lot of people don't like that, either...

TymeMaster

POLYGAMe said:
yeah, I'd say In-App purchases is a must. Some people may not like it but I also had requests on my TA thread to NOT add Openfeint etc... a lot of people don't like that, either...

I agree 1000 times over, in app purchase is something that would greatly benefit Game Salad developers!

JamesZeppelin

While i agree social stuff would be great there are alternatives.
Don't hesitate to put a nice fat facebook "F" or a twitter "T" and remind people to twitter their high score.

At the base of the social concept is having people advertise for you rather they know it or not.

If you have pro you can always have the "T" open up www.twitter.com

I they use it they are already logged in and being addicts like most tweeters are they will go ahead and tweet while their page is open.
Without pro it's tougher but, at list use the twitter or facebook logo as a reminder for people to put your game on their wall. Sometimes a reminder goes a long way. Actually thats is basically marketing summed up to one word: REMINDER!

Make the best if what you have. TRUST ME.... If you have a good game that little twitter reminder will go a long ways.

JamesZeppelin

IN APP PURCHASING

I'm toying with it myself, Not that easy. I dont see this being a feature anytime soon.
It is a lot more complex than i ever thought it would be.