Which app do you want the most?

PhoticsPhotics Member Posts: 4,172
edited November -1 in Miscellaneous
So now that BOT is done, I'm getting ready to start work on my next big project. Which app are you most interested in?

A side-scrolling shooter - I like these types of games. Plus, GameSalad is pretty good with parallax scrolling and particles. Maybe I could make a fun shooter.

A cutesy platformer - Not much to comment on this. The general idea is something with a cat.... population control for all the bird games perched at the top of the iTunes App Store.

A comic book - Maybe I shouldn't make a game at all. Maybe I should make a comic book. I think I have a good storyline for a sci-fi comic.

A Mac Desktop version of The Unofficial GameSalad Textbook - I keep getting requests for an alternative version of The Unofficial GameSalad Textbook... like pdf, epub, print and Mac. Since GameSalad is Mac software, a Mac desktop version might be popular. Do people really want this though? I think the iOS version is pretty cool.

Also, I'm considering the creation of a new pinball game. That's not on the list because it's not that hard to build a pinball game. I like the pinball game that used to come with Microsoft Windows, so creating my own pinball game would be a nice replacement. I think I've figured out how to do some pretty cool effects.

Comments

  • tenrdrmertenrdrmer Member, Sous Chef, Senior Sous-Chef Posts: 9,934
    The mac Textbook would prob be the no brainer there. Although with many people Already having one $25 version on their iOS devices not sure many would drop another $25 on the desktop version.
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  • PhoticsPhotics Member Posts: 4,172
    tenrdrmer said:
    The mac Textbook would prob be the no brainer there. Although with many people Already having one $25 version on their iOS devices not sure many would drop another $25 on the desktop version.

    Yeah, the Mac version might cannibalize sales of the existing app... while many already have the textbook and wouldn't need a Mac version. Meanwhile, I checked the feedback on Touch Arcade. They seem to like a platformer more than the textbook. So while it's close here, it's pretty much no contest over there.
  • PhoticsPhotics Member Posts: 4,172
    OK... I finally picked a direction.

    It's not a cutesy platformer, a comic book, side-scrolling shooter or a spin-off of the textbook. Maybe I'll post more details later.

    I don't think comic books or shooters are popular enough to warrant the amount of effort required. The textbook as an iOS app is fine for now — I can revisit this when GameSalad leaves beta. As for a platformer, that's too hard. And after all that work, it could easily crash and burn too.

    So instead, I'll be playing around with GameSalad. I'll be running some experiments with camera zoom. If I can get it to work, then I'll be better prepared to announce my new game.
  • butterbeanbutterbean Member Posts: 4,315
    I'm a sucker for cutesy platformers, was playing Kirby's epic Yarn last night, and the game is drop dead gorgeous with so many fun gameplay elements.
  • PhoticsPhotics Member Posts: 4,172
    butterbean said:
    I'm a sucker for cutesy platformers, was playing Kirby's epic Yarn last night, and the game is drop dead gorgeous with so many fun gameplay elements.

    I like platformers... Mega Man, Sonic The Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros., Super Metroid... these are popular games. Yet, it's not easy for me to create something on that level. After BOT, I'm not really in the mood to waste another five months — and a bunch of money — on another GameSalad failure.

    So, I'm trying a smaller project. When players would complain that BOT is too large, I think that means I should focus on candy bar apps. I thought players would be happy that they're getting 150 MB of content for only 99¢. Instead, they were concerned about storage space.

    After looking at the top 10 iTunes games, I didn't see any platformers. Technically, those run-and-jump games are platformers, but even those are lower down the charts.
  • old_kipperold_kipper Member Posts: 1,420
    If you want to produce something with less computer time and risk, perhaps go for something puzzle based with a mathematical multiplier of complexity to give deep game play. Then it's down to thought... and you can do that lying down... on holiday... or weeding the yard... And the very act of creating one is a game in itself.
  • butterbeanbutterbean Member Posts: 4,315
    @Photics:

    The most recent platformer that did well was "Storm in a Teacup" but that was published by Chillingo, and was featured by Apple.

    I agree, platformers are a very hard sell in the app store. I think you're headed in the right direction with a more casual app, like a puzzler or something.

    Platformers, and RPG's definitely carry the highest risk rate.
  • giacomopoppigiacomopoppi Member, PRO Posts: 914
    @Photics can I suggest a future project you could take on?
    How about writing a book: "From GameSalad to Programming" showing all the similarities between GS login and programming logic, teaching how to make GS projects by coding...ect
    I think that would be a great seller if done properly. I'd be willing to pay up to 100 bucks for a copy!

    Just a suggestion!

    Giacomo
  • RedlerTechRedlerTech Member Posts: 1,583
    giacomopoppi said:
    @Photics can I suggest a future project you could take on?
    How about writing a book: "From GameSalad to Programming" showing all the similarities between GS login and programming logic, teaching how to make GS projects by coding...ect
    I think that would be a great seller if done properly. I'd be willing to pay up to 100 bucks for a copy!

    Just a suggestion!

    Giacomo

    YES :D
  • PhoticsPhotics Member Posts: 4,172
    giacomopoppi said:
    How about writing a book: "From GameSalad to Programming" showing all the similarities between GS login and programming logic, teaching how to make GS projects by coding...ect

    I have thought about a similar project... something like GameSalad to Lua/Corona... But unfortunately, that might be considered as reverse-engineering by GameSalad. Even just creating a cheat-sheet of GameSalad behaviors to Lua code is frowned upon.
  • giacomopoppigiacomopoppi Member, PRO Posts: 914
    :( have you tried asking them? I doubt it would influence GS a lot in terms of sales because many people would still use GS even though they knew how to program due to GS's speed atmaking games.

    I'm sure the project would also be worthwile for you Photics, I bet it would be your most sold book ;)

    Giacomo
  • PhoticsPhotics Member Posts: 4,172
    giacomopoppi said:
    :( have you tried asking them? I doubt it would influence GS a lot in terms of sales because many people would still use GS even though they knew how to program due to GS's speed atmaking games.

    I'm sure the project would also be worthwile for you Photics, I bet it would be your most sold book ;)

    I have discussed this matter with GameSalad. That's how I know they don't like the idea.

    If they add something like a code editing mode, then maybe I could make a more advanced GameSalad book. But right now, I'm actually looking forward to making my next game.
  • PhoticsPhotics Member Posts: 4,172
    Bah... I was looking forward to creating my next app... but the name I was planning might cause some issues with an existing business.
  • RedlerTechRedlerTech Member Posts: 1,583
    GameSalad is an amazing software. Brilliant. But, it limits all of us. I will always stick with GameSalad as most GameSalad users. It's just so easy! But from a developer's perspective you should never be limited; no matter how easy it is to develop in a certain language. During my spare time now I am trying to learn Corona, & this book would be amazing for all the people taking the massive step that I am currently taking. I know all the GameSalad logic, bring it to code and I can't focus (for now). This book "From GameSalad To Corona" is a massive business move & would help so many people. Reverse-engineering? Nah. You're helping the people that want to explore. I will stay by GameSalad for my clients, but you have to move on at the same time. Move on for my sake. Explore the unlimited possibilities with actual code. Think about writing this book.

    Matt
  • PhoticsPhotics Member Posts: 4,172
    NextGen said:
    Think about writing this book.

    I've already thought about it. GameSalad is against the idea. Even though GameSalad never mentions The Unofficial GameSalad Textbook on this website, I know that they like it. A book about moving from GameSalad to Corona is something that they don't like. To create such a book would be dishonorable. Legal issues aside, I'm friendly with the GameSalad team. I'm not going to backstab them just because I could make money.

    It's fun to imagine a possible alliance between GameSalad and Ansca Mobile... but that seems unlikely. That's unfortunate! If the two programs were merged or at least worked together... wow... that's amazing software! Yet, with 6.1 million to spend, GameSalad is working on more professional features. They've said so...

    http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219812

    So... it seems like a good idea to improve and expand my game library and wait for GameSalad to catch up.

    Right now I'm playing with an iPad version of BOT. I think I've discovered a new trick to speed up the conversion of games from iPhone to iPad.
  • PhoticsPhotics Member Posts: 4,172
    OK... so here I am again... wondering what I should work on next.

    I am considering the creation of a Corona book... but not as a way to port GameSalad games. Instead, it could be more about general app development. Yes, games too... but I'm starting to wonder if I should get away from game development. People look at me weird when I talk about the games I make... but they seem to think highly of my other stuff. That's why I thinking that I should build on what works. The feedback for my textbook has been great, so maybe I should make another book. Supposedly, there's a big announcement from Ansca Mobile on August 2. I'm waiting to see what happens before then. I think I could finish a project before that though... and I'm waiting to see how "Project: Salvage" does.

    I'm also considering the creation of a pinball game. Maybe this isn't the smartest of plans, but I miss the Windows pinball game. I haven't found a suitable replacement on the Mac. War Pinball HD seems cool, but I've seen enough of Charlie Sheen's face in the news already. So, I was thinking of making a pinball game for myself. If people buy a copy, cool. If not... whatever.

    And of course, I could just buy Knights of the Old Republic for Mac and relax for a few days. It's been about half-a-decade since I played it. Maybe it will feel like a new game. HA!
  • RedlerTechRedlerTech Member Posts: 1,583
    Photics, create the Corona book! I think it would be great if it covered regular app development & a few chapters specifically on game development. Really looking forward to something to help me with Corona.

    Matt :D
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