RE: Microsoft... MS is in the software business primarily. Apple's focus is mostly hardware. I don't expect to see Apple try to create a game-maker software anytime soon. If they did...I would suspect it would be a small experimental project. Odds are...they will focus the time and energy and assets towards XCode.
But again...who knows.
If Apple ever dumbed down XCode, their developers would stop using it and be really pissed off. Imagine if Adobe dumbed down Photoshop instead of releasing the dumbed down version as a different product. It never works that way in software, never. When I worked on ray tracing software for the Amiga and PC back in the 80s and 90s, we made some changes to the software to make it easier for new users (we didn't remove power, but we sort of moved it around in the UI). Our customers were pissed off
I don't think Apple will "dumb down" anything. My suggestion was they would invest their resources into expanding XCode's capabilities...in lieu of creating a simpler platform.
4 reasons why: 1) Most apps are capably being created with XCode...about 95+% (estimate) 2) Most devs building apps are expert coders...and don't need a dumbed down GUI. 3) Not sure Apple wants more amateur content or junkware...which is the primary thing that is killing the Android app store. Making it easier invites more crap into the system. 4) Improving the GUI in XCode will not dumb it down...but simply make it FASTER to develop with by making API integration quicker...something Apple would be for. I would think they would choose speed of use over ease of use.
Photoshop is not easy to the layman...but with practice and experience it becomes easy to use. The improvements to Photoshop made it more capable...not easier to use. Autocad is the same way as is 3DStudio...both platforms got MORE complex with time but MUCH MORE capable too.
Yes...Apple is into software development...but they have always focused on software that made their devices more marketable and unique. Not sure a GUI game maker for the novice computer user fits their business model.
In short... I think GS is on their own and not going to be bought out. I also think other competitors will arrive in the next year or 2 with similar products...giving them a run for their money. I have a feeling Apple will enjoy the options arriving to the market...so long as they do not impede on or threaten their device's stability (which is why Flash got jammed).
I disagree about Photoshop not being easy to use. It's incredibly intuitive and I've found nothing that comes close. It could be because Photoshop was the first app I started doing graphics on back in the day but every other gfx app I use I seem to struggle with... everything seems "hidden". I really like Photoline because of its great value for money and excellent performance but compared to PS, it's a pig to use. Then there are simpler, "easier to use" apps, such as Pixelmator but they are only easy to use as there are far less features. The basics are just as simple with PS, if not more so.
Same goes for 3D apps. It seems that most "industry standard" apps are easier to use. Maya, Photoshop, Logic... all easy to get into but take a long time to master.
@Polygame... Have you ever tried to teach someone over 40 how to use Photoshop or 3DStudio or any robust software platform for that matter? It can be mind-numbing.
I remember the first time I used Photoshop (1996). It was easy to crop, paint and so on...but took a while for me to get past beginner. I've been using Autocad for 15+ years...and every new update to it is like starting over. 3DStudio still is difficult to use after 8+ years with it. I still avoid Illustrator because I "just don't get it" (and don't have the time to try and learn it).
For someone new to the platform it can be difficult. They tend to get overwhelmed with all the tools and icons in the GUI.
But for experts in similar platforms...it can be easier to transfer over...if you have experience in the like. For example...my programmer partners used XCode for the first time last fall. They have years of experience in C, C+, C++ and the like. But picking up XCode for the first time made them trip at first. But after about 4 months or so...they liked it...a lot. Now they prefer it as it is easier to use than MS platforms and the API libraries are exciting to them.
GS is cool because it is SOOO incredibly simple...but I feel almost too simple. A few more tools in the GUI would be quite helpful.
synthesis said: For example...my programmer partners used XCode for the first time last fall. They have years of experience in C, C+, C++ and the like. But picking up XCode for the first time made them trip at first. But after about 4 months or so...they liked it...a lot. Now they prefer it as it is easier to use than MS platforms and the API libraries are exciting to them.
The problem I have is the GNU compiler, used by XCode, it sucks when compared to CodeWarrior. As far as development IDE's go its completely a matter of preference (and what your job calls for). For example at JASC we used strictly PC's with Visual Studio and Perforce, at Adobe we could use either the PC or the Mac, but once on the platform you use whatever IDE they licensed (CW and Visual studio at the time). The API help in XCode would be meaningless because Adobe has their own cross platform API, and that is what you use. So even in Windows, none of the help was really valuable because we used a custom API for window management, asset management and graphics.
Clearly they don't use CodeWarrior anymore, its gone now. if I were still at Adobe, I'd be doing the work on a PC with Visual Studio though and just using XCode to compile for the Mac. Then again, I would also be comfortable writing assembler code in a notepad, I am crazy like that.
synthesis said: I still avoid Illustrator because I "just don't get it" (and don't have the time to try and learn it).
That's because Illustrator is awful - I think it's over priced and over rated. If I want to make vector graphics, I usually use Flash.
...and that's why I think your argument is wrong. What if Illustrator was easier to use? Would you make better artwork or worse? It's a lot easier to make a movie today. If you look at YouTube, there are lots of garbage clips. Yet, some "amateurs" can make movies that rival professionals. So sure, YouTube has brought bad movies to the world... but also some good ones.
By opening up the App store to hobbyists, Apple has become a serious threat to Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. The consumer can now buy games... good games... for 99¢... and occasionally for free. Sure, you get lots of lame apps on the iTunes App Store. But overall, the market has changed... in favor of the consumer. We now have better games for less money, you just have to carefully sort through them.
...and that's why I think Apple acquiring GameSalad makes sense. Apple has to review thousands of apps. What would make that process easier?! I think more GameSalad games would! I think that's why GameSalad games get featured more often, because Apple knows what to expect. I'm thinking it would be easier to review GameSalad games, rather than a game with a unique physics/game engine.
Comments
But yeah, who knows. Its fun to speculate
4 reasons why:
1) Most apps are capably being created with XCode...about 95+% (estimate)
2) Most devs building apps are expert coders...and don't need a dumbed down GUI.
3) Not sure Apple wants more amateur content or junkware...which is the primary thing that is killing the Android app store. Making it easier invites more crap into the system.
4) Improving the GUI in XCode will not dumb it down...but simply make it FASTER to develop with by making API integration quicker...something Apple would be for. I would think they would choose speed of use over ease of use.
Photoshop is not easy to the layman...but with practice and experience it becomes easy to use. The improvements to Photoshop made it more capable...not easier to use. Autocad is the same way as is 3DStudio...both platforms got MORE complex with time but MUCH MORE capable too.
Yes...Apple is into software development...but they have always focused on software that made their devices more marketable and unique. Not sure a GUI game maker for the novice computer user fits their business model.
In short...
I think GS is on their own and not going to be bought out. I also think other competitors will arrive in the next year or 2 with similar products...giving them a run for their money. I have a feeling Apple will enjoy the options arriving to the market...so long as they do not impede on or threaten their device's stability (which is why Flash got jammed).
Same goes for 3D apps. It seems that most "industry standard" apps are easier to use. Maya, Photoshop, Logic... all easy to get into but take a long time to master.
Have you ever tried to teach someone over 40 how to use Photoshop or 3DStudio or any robust software platform for that matter? It can be mind-numbing.
I remember the first time I used Photoshop (1996). It was easy to crop, paint and so on...but took a while for me to get past beginner. I've been using Autocad for 15+ years...and every new update to it is like starting over. 3DStudio still is difficult to use after 8+ years with it. I still avoid Illustrator because I "just don't get it" (and don't have the time to try and learn it).
For someone new to the platform it can be difficult. They tend to get overwhelmed with all the tools and icons in the GUI.
But for experts in similar platforms...it can be easier to transfer over...if you have experience in the like. For example...my programmer partners used XCode for the first time last fall. They have years of experience in C, C+, C++ and the like. But picking up XCode for the first time made them trip at first. But after about 4 months or so...they liked it...a lot. Now they prefer it as it is easier to use than MS platforms and the API libraries are exciting to them.
GS is cool because it is SOOO incredibly simple...but I feel almost too simple. A few more tools in the GUI would be quite helpful.
PS: Most professional developers did not use XCode, they used CodeWarrior. At least thats what we used at Adobe back in the day.
Clearly they don't use CodeWarrior anymore, its gone now. if I were still at Adobe, I'd be doing the work on a PC with Visual Studio though and just using XCode to compile for the Mac. Then again, I would also be comfortable writing assembler code in a notepad, I am crazy like that.
...and that's why I think your argument is wrong. What if Illustrator was easier to use? Would you make better artwork or worse? It's a lot easier to make a movie today. If you look at YouTube, there are lots of garbage clips. Yet, some "amateurs" can make movies that rival professionals. So sure, YouTube has brought bad movies to the world... but also some good ones.
By opening up the App store to hobbyists, Apple has become a serious threat to Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. The consumer can now buy games... good games... for 99¢... and occasionally for free. Sure, you get lots of lame apps on the iTunes App Store. But overall, the market has changed... in favor of the consumer. We now have better games for less money, you just have to carefully sort through them.
...and that's why I think Apple acquiring GameSalad makes sense. Apple has to review thousands of apps. What would make that process easier?! I think more GameSalad games would! I think that's why GameSalad games get featured more often, because Apple knows what to expect. I'm thinking it would be easier to review GameSalad games, rather than a game with a unique physics/game engine.