Thinking about ditching GameSalad...

11clock

Sorry, but the massive amounts of bugs and lack of very important features are making me want to switch to something else. At the moment I'm looking at Cocos2D.

Cocos2D requires code, but I have a book called Objective C for Dummies that teaches code. It also looks to be more flexible than GameSalad.

After Survival of the Tiltest, my current game in progress, is finished I will make the decision whether to move to Cocos2D or stick with GameSalad.

Before I make my leave, I'd like to hear from others on why I should or should not leave GameSalad. I'd like to know if moving on is the right thing to do and whatever.

Krogothic

You have a video of that game ? Id like to see on what playing field you are on.

beefy_clyro

GameSalad is in Beta .. It will have bugs. A good dev will know the program he/she is using, you shouldnt need to hear from GameSalad members telling you why not to leave, you should fully know what it achievable within GameSalad. You are correct is has limitations but again, a good dev before any project will analyse what needs to be done and will use a tool that delivers what is needed. You shouldnt need a list of pro's and con's, you should know whether you can do what you want to do within GameSalad, if not, then by all means, use something that can. If that is the case, then leave for that project, if the following can be done within GameSalad then come back, it is after all the quickest thing out their to complete your project with.

DreamLab

beefy_clyro said:
GameSalad is in Beta .. It will have bugs. A good dev will know the program he/she is using, you shouldnt need to hear from GameSalad members telling you why not to leave, you should fully know what it achievable within GameSalad. You are correct is has limitations but again, a good dev before any project will analyse what needs to be done and will use a tool that delivers what is needed. You shouldnt need a list of pro's and con's, you should know whether you can do what you want to do within GameSalad, if not, then by all means, use something that can. If that is the case, then leave for that project, if the following can be done within GameSalad then come back, it is after all the quickest thing out their to complete your project with.

+1

Plus, Gamesalad to cocos2d is a huge jump. Bigger than you can even think. I also had that objective c for dummies book. Didn't help much. Cocos2d is definitely more flexible, but if you are going to LEAVE gamesalad for good, the best option would be corona as it's the closest to gamesalad so it will seem more familiar. Even that, programming isn't anything like drag and drop.

Like everything in the world, Gamesalad has its strengths and weaknesses. Whether you choose to outsource the weaknesses and stick to the strengths is up to you.

ultima

cocos2d has some great games under their belt. but unless your game requires some of the more advanced function i don't see why game salad can't make it. people here know that i complain about GS all the time, but I also looked at cocos2D and decide to stick around because my time is better spent on designing the game, if i need advanced function/feature i can always hire a programmer who knows cocos2d or lua or objective c. but if you got a lot of time on your hand... learn to code, it's better for you in the long run.. some of us just don't have the luxury of time.

11clock

Alright, I guess I'll stick around and see what's to come with GameSalad. The full release is obviously somewhat close, so I'll just wait and see.

beefy_clyro

The roadmap will give you a good sense of whats to come

ultima

just know that GS will always be behind unless they reach some substantial milestone that apple is willing to fork over SDK before it was even released to developer. but during spare time by all means start reading that book, i'm telling you man it won't hurt.

the roadmap is out-dated/over-rated.

RedlerTech

GameSalad is great *beta* software. It is great for making games in fast time. For g-d's sake I made a wack-a-mole game last night for someone in around 3 hours! But then it has it's issues too... Bugs, Loading Times/Performance, Missing Primary Features, Etc.

If you'd like to stick with Mobile Gaming you have 5 options.
1) GameSalad - Drag & Drop Beta Software 2D
2) The Corona SDK - Programming in Lua, a simple yet limitless language. Has all features on GS Roadmap (2D)
3) iTorque - Programmed in some sort of script created by Garage Games. 3D & 2D
4) Unity - Not sure what language, very good engine. 3D & 2D
5) Unreal Engine - AMAZING ENGINE. 3D & 2D
6) Cocos 2D - Fantastic 2D Engine. Programmed in Obj C

I myself am not ditching GameSalad, but I am learning other engines simultaneously. I'm focusing on the following engines.

1) GameSalad
2) Corona
3) Cocos 2D

But, I'm not limiting myself to iOS only. So I am also looking into the following engines.

4) Torque 2D & 3D For Xbox 360 & Wii Development
5) C# For Xbox 360 Development (No Engine)
6) Unity for Xbox, PS3, iOS, Android, Mac, & PC Development

To break it down, some interesting engines would be
-- Corona for its ease
-- Cocos 2D for its mind blowing performance
-- Unity for great performance & publishing to about all platforms including consoles

Do me a favor, email me at matthewredler@gmail.com I'd like to talk to you.

Regards,
Matt

old_kipper

It doesn't matter which platform you look at there are few stunners, and lots of average games coming out on each one. Rather than move to another platform I would dive into game design, and theory. Invest in exploring, playing things you love, and finding new inspiration. It is a very cheap and fun way to educate yourself. I am doing it and I'm a skinflint... And don't restrict your research to just mainstream games, or even games. I have perhaps about 250 apps I have downloaded over the months- lots of experimental ones, some that are software for completely non game purposes, lots gleaned from hours of searching the dark recesses of the net, and many from far afield.

And then there are inspirational people. I have listen to hours of podcasts like 'another castle', read books and articles from the likes of Chris Crawford (master of interactive story structure), looked at japanese apps and software toys, and so much more. And the result of this is I am fired up. Not by the tools but by ideas I want to make. But all of this is against of a background of learning GS, and having a list as long as your arm that I would like to make. And.. oh yeah.. there is world outside the box of real life that is so giving for ideas.

I do think that getting my own 'game' up to speed is probably my best chance of making something good that will sell. It is a chance but I am so having fun working at it.

so enough waffle. in the end it is down to you.

kipper

quantumsheep

I love these kinds of threads

I'm going to make a very simple analogy using Beethoven (or Beef-oven if you're a Bill & Ted's fan!)

And let's use a Piano standing in as GameSalad.

A piano allows you to create and play music. So let's say you know very little about music, and try and play the piano.

What happens?

Well, you'll come up with *something* but it's not going to be very good, is it?

Do you blame the piano at this point?

Well, you know, one of the keys is sticky. It doesn't work all the time. It must be the piano.

So, let's go to Beethoven's grave. We dig him up, and open the casket. He sits bolt upright and starts drawing lines roughly across his sheets of music.

"What are you doing, beefy?"

"I'm decomposing!"

Anyway, we put him in front of the same piano that you just played rather badly. He pushes you aside, sits down at the piano, and out pours the most magnificent music you've ever heard.

You both used the same piano, with the same sticky key. But the difference in the two performances is astronomical.

Do you still blame the piano? Do you think "I could make better music if I had an orchestra?"

"Ok, let's do this!" says Beethoven!

So you go to an orchestra and give them the music you've written. You're sure that with so many new instruments, your music will be given a huge boost!

It turns out horrid again

Then Beethoven brushes you aside again, hands everyone some music, and the most amazing sound pours forth from every instrument.

Do you blame the orchestra?

So what do you do now?

You PRACTICE.

And as you practice, and get better and better at playing the piano, you will get technically more proficient.

Is this enough?

Maybe. But you have to have passion as well. There are some awesome guitarists that can play the guitar faster than the eye can see. Then you get some guy play five notes that will touch your soul. Because there's passion behind the playing.

Some people will never do it. It doesn't matter if they use a piano, an orchestra, or a GameBoy - they will produce crap, and blame the tools.

If you want to blame the tool, please go right ahead. You'll be wrong, but if it makes you feel better, sure, blame the tool.

QS

old_kipper

Dear QS.. we are both at it again.

quantumsheep

old_kipper said:
Dear QS.. we are both at it again.

/hi5

11clock

I've decided to stick with GameSalad. Thanks!

...However, I'd still like to be aware of the bugs in the current version of the program. I can't find a list of bugs anywhere. Can someone list me some of the bugs so I can be aware and be ready to work around them later?

beefy_clyro

old_kipper said:
Dear QS.. we are both at it again.

Get a room

old_kipper

beefy_clyro said:
Get a room

it would not be pretty...

gamedivision

11clock said:
Sorry, but the massive amounts of bugs and lack of very important features are making me want to switch to something else. At the moment I'm looking at Cocos2D.

Cocos2D requires code, but I have a book called Objective C for Dummies that teaches code. It also looks to be more flexible than GameSalad.

After Survival of the Tiltest, my current game in progress, is finished I will make the decision whether to move to Cocos2D or stick with GameSalad.

Before I make my leave, I'd like to hear from others on why I should or should not leave GameSalad. I'd like to know if moving on is the right thing to do and whatever.

you shouldn't of mentioned this your gone get it now,your easiest jump would be to corona.with objective c you'll have to learn about memory management whereas corona takes care of most of the memory usage

DreamLab

old_kipper said:
it would not be pretty...

Lmao

You guys crack me up

gamedivision

or you could put it in the context of, I'm a rock climber,am i going to use this brittle old looking carabiner,or should i use this graphite one with a locking nut, looks much more safe or shall i wait for the company to make a better carabiner which really doesn't have a future date in mind. The climb is still going to be the same but with the safer carabiner your not going to fall to your death half way through the climb..

HAHA

ultima

we are all Shakespeare by now.

quantumsheep

gamedivisionuk said:
or you could put it in the context of, I'm a rock climber,am i going to use this brittle old looking carabiner,or should i use this graphite one with a locking nut, looks much more safe or shall i wait for the company to make a better carabiner which really doesn't have a future date in mind. The climb is still going to be the same but with the safer carabiner your not going to fall to your death half way through the climb..

HAHA

No, you're missing the point.

Oh well...

QS

gamedivision

quantumsheep said:
No, you're missing the point.

Oh well...

QS

Sorry QS just having a bit of fun

GamersRejoice

I'll tell you what's fun. Jumping out of an airplane with a parachute, which the makers of, told you in a road map that around this time it should have a parachute inside.

jonmulcahy

This thread should have been closed after QS's response

JohnPapiomitis

QS nailed it on the head

Closed