BeyondtheTech said: This thread is moving rather quickly, so let me inject my thoughts into the mix.
Going through StusApps' list: - While we do lose "independence as iOS developers," but as GameSalad emerges as a publishing company in the likes of Chillingo, Ngmoco, Electronic Arts, and other similar large brands, we will be similarly backed by a strong presence in the App Store community, and therefore their "cut" will be justified by the marketing blitz, press releases, and publicity that your app may never would have gotten as an independent publisher.
- While we do lose "ability to publish unlimited games for $99," GameSalad, as a viable publisher, will assist in making sure that every title that goes out under its name will have passed a certain level of quality control. Let's be honest and frank here for a moment - there are a lot of titles on the market that are just crap, and some of those titles have been created with the GameSalad engine. We, as developers, have taken a hit because of that, so we should be working together and GameSalad will be working with all of us to make sure that future titles will be worthy of its price tags.
- While we lose "our line of contact with Apple," GameSalad already has excellent rapport with Apple, with its engine being one of the first to be in the "safe zone" when that whole "Section 3.3.1" incident hit. Apple regards GameSalad to be a positive force on the App Store, so rest assured that they will properly represent us should any situation arise. With over 1,000 apps in the App Store making money, our line of contact with Apple has never been stronger.
- While we lose a portion of our "revenue," again, GameSalad will be there to provide the additional push that your apps need, justifying their costs. Remember, 70% of $1,000 is still a lot less than, say, 50% of $10,000. As an independent developer, I just do not have the muster, nor the pull with magazine companies, websites, and reviewers to get the exposure my game might deserve. With GameSalad, that picture completely changes for the better.
- While we lose the "ability to have a Pro account and remove all traces of GS branding," again, I'm going back to how GameSalad is drastically turning themselves around towards the likes of the other major hitters on the App Store. Unless you're a runaway hit, or only have an Express membership, this should have little impact on you as it is.
- While we lose "our own brand identity," this again will affect a small group of individuals here at best, but for the most part, it should actually strengthen your titles, as it will be part of a growing library of other quality titles that GameSalad will push out to the frontlines.
- While we lose "our iTunes Connect facilities," I believe that GameSalad will still enable us developers to access the necessary features to cross-connect to the iTunes Connect equivalent, such as metadata, pictures, and pricing, not to mention daily/weekly/monthly sales reports and analytics. As a matter of fact, without having to sign up for various services (some of which can be costly), GameSalad may in fact bring us all the analytics we need to monitor our game's sales performance.
As you stated, we're mixed in with a wide variety of quality apps - some that don't deserve a "FREE" price tag on iTunes, and others that are greatly undercharging themselves. I believe that it will all change as GameSalad turns to publishing mode. I, for one, would like to have an additional set of eyes to tell me if my game is worthy, or what I can do to improve it. After all, the more I make, the more they make, so it's obviously in their best interest to make your game as profitable as possible.
Alone, it's tough to survive in the App Store. What some of us are earning right now are peanuts. Literally peanuts. I can only look at this thing in a good light - as long as the numbers are fair, of course - and it will hopefully give me the push I need to make my games more prominent in the ever-growing App Store.
SORRY! BUT YOU KNOW THIS HOW? HAS GS BEEN GIVING YOU INFORMATION THEY HAVEN"T GIVING US? THIS IS MY FIRST POST AFTER ARRIVING HOME FROM WORK BUT ONCE I'M DONE I WILL REALLY BEGIN TO POST JUST NOT IN CAPS LOL.
GS is a good program for non programmers, it however needs to be complete, the keyboard, the gps, the camera, etc the whole magila. If it is short of that then what are they going to offer, better exposure, how? We all need a totally new program that gives us the full power of ios4 and nothing less. For that I will be glad to share the revenue whatever it may be. ... I will watch the people I think are the best developers and see what they do, success is possible, but I want to now a lot more than I do right now. Enough secrets, which they have no reason for, just tell us like adults what is going on and then work the plan.
VegasMike1 has got the right idea. We need to see what else GameSalad has next to offer in terms of engine features, especially for those who have current memberships that are time-ticking away. If GameCenter or OpenFeint integration won't be available within a few months when my current Express subscription expires, there's no need for me to stick around. AFAIC, especially with Apple's own GameCenter officially introduced, if a game doesn't have some sort of online capability, I believe it severely affects its sales.
If you want to be successful, the quickest way is to model after someone else's method. That being said, if the top devs or best sellers are leaving for Corona, iTorque, Unity, or some other new platform, they might be onto something.
I think everyone just needs to sit tight for a bit. Waiting for these yellow stickies are becoming a bit painstaking, especially after today.
Learn to invest your money better Gendai, because this idea will never succeed! You're trying to improve GS but you're really making it way worse...great job
Devils said: SORRY! BUT YOU KNOW THIS HOW? HAS GS BEEN GIVING YOU INFORMATION THEY HAVEN"T GIVING US? THIS IS MY FIRST POST AFTER ARRIVING HOME FROM WORK BUT ONCE I'M DONE I WILL REALLY BEGIN TO POST JUST NOT IN CAPS LOL.
Umm..
Wow, how things change over the course of a few hours and a few posts by peachpellen.
peachpellen said: Sticking around is NOT the right idea - you know why? Because they're treating us like crap by attempting to take our god damn NAMES.
Think the end of The Crucible.
If that doesn't bother you, consider the fact that you will lose more than half the money your app makes.
That is so awesome. I quoted the Crucible to GS in some of our correspondence!
From memory, "You've taken my soul, leave me my name!"
BeyondtheTech said: "I think everyone just needs to sit tight for a bit. Waiting for these yellow stickies are becoming a bit painstaking, especially after today. "
...at least you have the luxury of being consulted and given information some time ahead of the rest of us. Youve known about this crap for a while... most of the community are still reeling from the bombshell.
I'm glad that I've only tried the free version of GS for about a week now. There's no doubt in my mind that as someone who does not want to relearn another programming language, it's the easiest way to prototype my ideas. That being said, it's severely lacking in features and stability.
If you completely ignore all the new BS they're throwing at the community, you get down to a program that you have to quit and restart every 5 minutes. Quick prototypes or not, version 1 better rock my face off if they want my money.
This looks amazing but they are being pretty restrictive as to who they are letting into their testing program. But if you like coding (HTML5/Javascript), it could be really cool.
Just maybe make sure they aren't just all fluff before signing up...
yes you can create 2D games with Unity. They have a plugin specially built for doing 2D games. Basically the games just ignore one of the 3D axis and just work in 2D space.
If you think about it, its probably the best option going forward, as it gives you the option to do 3D too... with GameSalad, Corona etc, your always going to be limited to just 2D.
How Im really wishing I'd have invested my time over the last 5 months in Unity instead of GameSalad....
I hope things get resolved..that GameSalad sees sense and changes their plans, and that the new update delivers. But even with all those, Im not sure I want to carry on with a company that treats its users so badly.
yes you can create 2D games with Unity. They have a plugin specially built for doing 2D games. Basically the games just ignore one of the 3D axis and just work in 2D space.
If you think about it, its probably the best option going forward, as it gives you the option to do 3D too... with GameSalad, Corona etc, your always going to be limited to just 2D.
Don't worry I don't care about 3D. PS: would you give me the link of the 2D plugin for Unity? I'm also considering iTorque...
Comments
If you want to be successful, the quickest way is to model after someone else's method. That being said, if the top devs or best sellers are leaving for Corona, iTorque, Unity, or some other new platform, they might be onto something.
I think everyone just needs to sit tight for a bit. Waiting for these yellow stickies are becoming a bit painstaking, especially after today.
COMMUNITY
IS
BEING
TORN
APART
I just read all 19 pages...Im devastated
Learn to invest your money better Gendai, because this idea will never succeed! You're trying to improve GS but you're really making it way worse...great job
No need for xcode.
We (Gamesalad) publish your game.
No need for a Mac ??????/
Do I sense “Gamesalad for Windows” ??????????
Wow, how things change over the course of a few hours and a few posts by peachpellen.
Think the end of The Crucible.
If that doesn't bother you, consider the fact that you will lose more than half the money your app makes.
There are PLENTY of other options out there, and you will thank yourself for learning a new program.
What are the realistic options here:
Unity
Corona
iTorque
Or maybe the newly hyped Rocket Engine
http://rocketpack.fi/engine/
From memory, "You've taken my soul, leave me my name!"
QS
Dr. Sam Beckett never returned home...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Quantum_Sheep
Web: https://quantumsheep.itch.io
"I think everyone just needs to sit tight for a bit. Waiting for these yellow stickies are becoming a bit painstaking, especially after today. "
...at least you have the luxury of being consulted and given information some time ahead of the rest of us. Youve known about this crap for a while... most of the community are still reeling from the bombshell.
Unity is for 3D development. Can i build a 2D game with it?
If you completely ignore all the new BS they're throwing at the community, you get down to a program that you have to quit and restart every 5 minutes. Quick prototypes or not, version 1 better rock my face off if they want my money.
I hope you will venture over to Photics newly created forum in the coming weeks/months. I've grown so fond of you, Sheepy.
I loved you Gamesalad, but you did me wrong!
Or to quote NeNe Leeks from Atlanta Housewives: "Is your wig squeezin' your brain too tight heffa?!"
Wake up Gamesalad!!
ZING!
Dr. Sam Beckett never returned home...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Quantum_Sheep
Web: https://quantumsheep.itch.io
Just maybe make sure they aren't just all fluff before signing up...
My poor little Wooly sheep, I'll sing you a lullaby
yes you can create 2D games with Unity. They have a plugin specially built for doing 2D games. Basically the games just ignore one of the 3D axis and just work in 2D space.
If you think about it, its probably the best option going forward, as it gives you the option to do 3D too... with GameSalad, Corona etc, your always going to be limited to just 2D.
How Im really wishing I'd have invested my time over the last 5 months in Unity instead of GameSalad....
I hope things get resolved..that GameSalad sees sense and changes their plans, and that the new update delivers. But even with all those, Im not sure I want to carry on with a company that treats its users so badly.
PS: would you give me the link of the 2D plugin for Unity?
I'm also considering iTorque...