Looking forward to GameSalad Direct! - more speed, pro features & new stuff

StormyStudio

Ok, I know its going against the grain a bit.

But I thought I'd try and get some excitement built up for the pending release!

Yes, some Pro users seem to hate the idea, and some hobbyists also not seeing a lot of love for it.

But I'm one user looking forward to it. (and just so you know I'm a lazy developer, maybe that's the target market)

Looking forward to improved performance, always gonna be a good thing.

Access to the pro features,
- So a lite version when completed can link straight to the app store page to buy the paid version.

- Custom loading screen.

New Stuff:
- GameSalad app on device for testing. Hopefully be easier than all the apple adhoc setting up, which was a pain in the derrière.

- Easy uploading of apps. The process has always been a bit annoying and if it is made easier with GS Direct, I won't complain. Though I may miss using ITC mobile a wee bit on my phone.

- To know I wont have to pay Apple and GS the membership again when the time comes is nice.

- And to tell the truth when ever there has been an update to GameSalad its just as exciting if not more that when Apple do a Keynote and announce an updated iphone. Which spurs me onto carry on working on a game.

Anyone else care to share some excitement...

LAdrian

"- So a lite version when completed can link straight to the app store page to buy the paid version."
I'm not sure, if they are the publishers they will want that link to whatever app they have in the appstore. And let's say that you make a free app that has a link to a paid one made with something else than GS, do you think that they will agree with this? It's a rare scenario but can happen and I don't think GS will allow this.

"- Custom loading screen."
Ummm, what? You can have a custom screen with the express version. Hell you can have 10... you entire app can be just a series of custom screens... AS LONG AS GS logo come's first. Sure you don't think that if they publish the game they will allow your logo to be the first... will be just like EA, Gameloft or any other publisher is doing, first their logo, than (if) yours.

"- GameSalad app on device for testing. Hopefully be easier than all the apple adhoc setting up, which was a pain in the derrière."
You can already test your app fast and easy using the Viewer, how much easier can it get? Plus setting up apple adhoc and stuff is not rocket science... really now if you make a game you should be able to get past these - even if you need a little documentation from the internet.

"- Easy uploading of apps. The process has always been a bit annoying and if it is made easier with GS Direct, I won't complain. Though I may miss using ITC mobile a wee bit on my phone."
Again, if you're not able to upload the app by yourself I don't think you should make a game either.

"- To know I wont have to pay Apple and GS the membership again when the time comes is nice."
To know that both Apple AND GameSalad takes a percentage from my work is a lot worst than just having to pay 99$ / year to Apple. At least they are managing the store, updating all the charts, taking care of credit card setup, making payments... what GS do? Why would I pay them % of profit? Are they gonna make a marketing campaign for every single app? Really, they don't even bother to answer to support, how can I trust them to make the campaign for my game?

"- And to tell the truth when ever there has been an update to GameSalad its just as exciting if not more that when Apple do a Keynote and announce an updated iphone. Which spurs me onto carry on working on a game."
Yes, GS updates are exciting because they are quite rare and because the software lacks so many features and improvements... so of course I'm eager for the next update that should fix the huge loading times which should never be here in the first place.

Sorry if i'm pessimistic it's just that I don't see any good thing in GameSalad Direct, not from what they told us.
Again, my main problem is why should I pay GS a percentage of my profit?

StormyStudio

Well.... not exactly the positive input I was looking for, but hey ho.

ok, quick replies...(its home time at work) and wanted this to be a positve GS direct thread.

.....

Linking to another version. Maybe we wont be able to link to another game published else where, but you could have a free version, which links to a paid one (published with Direct). Better than I can currently do. But I can't imagine they would take away the ability to link to a website.

......
the head GS guy said:

"When you publish through GameSalad Direct, you will still be able to brand your game uniquely to you. We do not want to interfere with your reputation or growth as a developer."

Whether that means your own loading screen or one with GS I guess remains to be seen.

....

And as to why pay GS percentage of your profit, you are getting software for free, with no lines of code needed, very shallow learning curve. (and hopefully their support will improve).

.....

RH

stormystudio said:and just so you know I'm a lazy developer

Same! I like the fact that I will be able to finally afford to publish something

Are you sure we will get the custom loading scene like the pro feature? (I know we are getting pro features but I assumed GS would just remove custom loading scene as they will want to shove a GS logo in there, especially as it will be their apple account).

StormyStudio

RH said:
Same! I like the fact that I will be able to finally afford to publish something

Are you sure we will get the custom loading scene like the pro feature? (I know we are getting pro features but I assumed GS would just remove custom loading scene as they will want to shove a GS logo in there, especially as it will be their apple account).

No not sure about the custom loading screen, possibly just reading too much into what the GS head guy said but we shall see.

AfterBurnett

I agree (I'm lazy, too). And as for LAdrian saying "if you can't upload an app, you shouldn't make a game", well, that's just rude. It's not that we don't know how too but the whole process can be a little annoying. Once you're up and running, it's fine, but go back and look over these forums... LOADS AND LOADS of posts can be found about non-working dev certificates etc... and as for getting the GS Viewer to work... it ain't that easy (although I followed TSB's video and it worked sweet).

I think the GS Direct option is fantastic for people who just want to create for the sheer fun of it.

I do agree that there should be a self-publishing option, but I'm not going to use it... no point unless I have a runaway hit! And in all reality, most games aren't going to make that $200 (GS + Apple fees) in royalties anyway, so the free software is a total bonus to me.

Also, interesting that the "ayes" outnumber the "nays". I guess it's true that people are more likely to speak up to moan, rather than be positive (looking at the BIG thread). LOL

alcamie

What was that Poly? Looks more like the Nays out weigh the ayes.

quantumsheep

Heh - if I'm honest, I misread the first option as:

"I just can't see how its all gonna work! Woo Pee Doo!"

I'm sure I'm not the only one!

QS

StormyStudio

Current stats....14 votes positive, 10 votes negative. and 3 don't give a monkeys.

AfterBurnett

alcamie said:
What was that Poly? Looks more like the Nays out weigh the ayes.

They do?

CannonFodder

It's neck and neck! Lol

Mixel

Good example of how to set up a biased poll.. of course even the most negative people are interested in how its going to work.. The biggest reason for negativity is that nobody has a clue how it will work, causing a lot of worry and doubt.. You make the negative almost unvotable with the "worst day of my year comment".

I don't like the model from what we know sofar but its still interesting and I can't wait for more info. I can see why some people would be excited about t though.

guru-at-zidware

but when will this happen? no one really knows when GS Direct will appear?

AfterBurnett

guru-at-zidware said:
but when will this happen? no one really knows when GS Direct will appear?

Probably around the time the human race makes "first contact", the rate things are going.

LAdrian

I apologize if I sounded rude, really not my intention but you're making a game, you should be able to find your way with setting the stuff up with apple. And I also mentioned that you can easily find help on the internet. Anyway, my point was that it doesn't represent a reason to need a publisher.

AfterBurnett

LAdrian said:
I apologize if I sounded rude, really not my intention but you're making a game, you should be able to find your way with setting the stuff up with apple. And I also mentioned that you can easily find help on the internet. Anyway, my point was that it doesn't represent a reason to need a publisher.

No, we don't NEED one. I'm happy to utilise the service, as are others. It'll make things much simpler for me. I do understand the need for a self-publish option too, though.

AfterBurnett

POLYGAMe said:
No, we don't NEED one. I'm happy to utilise the service, as are others. It'll make things much simpler for me. I do understand the need for a self-publish option too, though.

In other words, I reckon we should have the option and not be forced into using GS as a publisher.

StusApps

POLYGAMe said:
Also, interesting that the "ayes" outnumber the "nays". I guess it's true that people are more likely to speak up to moan, rather than be positive (looking at the BIG thread). LOL

Not sure that the poll is asking that though. I think everyone wants the new release as it asks (which is version 0.9). I voted the top option, I want the new version and also I can't wait to see how direct works out (a train wreck is what i am expecting).