How to reserve a game name? a useful post :)

FirstDan

Hi all

In a recent post, a member named @theCodeMonsters said the following:
"You can log into iTunes Connect and try to make a iPhone app with the name you indicated. Just like you would any other way to get your app onto the app store. I also recommend you create your ITC app profile as soon as you come up with your name and app to reserve your idea/app name"

Can anyone explain further in how to accomplish this?

I thought this would be useful for everyone to know.

Thanks

Dan

Manto

Do you have Apple Developer account?

MarkOnTheIron

If you have a Developer Account just login to iTunes Connect and create a new app. You will be prompted to insert a title and, if the name is not already taken, you will have to add a description and some images. Just use placeholders.

At this point the name of the app will be reserved to you for up to 4 month (I think). If you still haven't finished your app yet before the 4 month expire, just upload a binary (with the right provisioning profile, of course) and then reject it. This should reset the count.

FirstDan

Yes I have a developer account. Ok but my game isn't finished yet, I presume this doesn't matter??

tenrdrmer

No you are just filling in information. Not submitting your app.

FirstDan

@tenrdrmer - thanks for your reply

In Itunes connect it requires App Name, SKU number and Bundle ID.

In the bundleID, I have 'GSViewer' and 'MyAdhoc'.

Can i use these? or a new bundle ID is required specific to publish app to apple?

and is the SKU number the unique identifier that i specified in the provisional centre?

I love the GameSalad community!!

Dan

MarkOnTheIron

BundleID: You create it on the Developer Portal along with the AppID. It is unique for every app. So you'd better create a new one for your app. It should be something like com.yourcompanyname.yourappname

SKU: Anything that's alphanumerical can go there. Write something and then forget it. I never had to reinput it again.

FirstDan

@MarkOnTheIron - thanks so much

Am i right to think that I can update my details for my app Itunes connect, once my game is completed?

thanks

MarkOnTheIron

Yes, before you upload your final binary you will be able to update all your apps infos.

FirstDan

@MarkOnTheIron

One final question, how long will apple reserve my app name for? did you say 4 months earlier on?

thanks

MarkOnTheIron

I'm not entirely sure about the timeframe, I remember it was 120 days. However Apple will send you regular e-mails reminding you of the deadline so it won't be a problem.

FirstDan

@MarkOnTheIron - you are awesome thanks for your help

SingleSparq

And if you reach close to your deadline an need more time, just rename your app in connect, save then delete the app. Start up a new one as you did origioanlly with the same name you want and your good to go again.

MarkOnTheIron

@SingleSparq No need to rename, delete and recreate. Just upload a useless binary with the correct BundleID and then reject it.

SingleSparq

@SingleSparq No need to rename, delete and recreate. Just upload a useless binary with the correct BundleID and then reject it.

Just following the sheep of the quantum's orders!

xxTigerShark

Just a quick warning though, once the app is created you have 120 days before the name and bundle id are no longer able to be used.

JohnPapiomitis

@xxTigerShark

Like posted above, you just upload a binary then reject it, then the 120 days starts all over.

imGua

@xxTigerShark

Like posted above, you just upload a binary then reject it, then the 120 days starts all over.

Does this method still works?

jonmulcahy

@xxTigerShark

Like posted above, you just upload a binary then reject it, then the 120 days starts all over.

Does this method still works?

Yes

KevinCross

Apple haven't made it easy have they?!

I started to set up my game on iTunes Connect a day or two ago so that I can start looking at setting up achievements etc. and proceed further with my game, and was asked to upload icons, screenshots & everything else as if I was publishing a finished game. That part of the process doesn't make much sense to me because you have to do all that before you can start setting up achievements, which would mean your game probably isn't finished.

In the end I just took a risk and uploaded blank pictures to match all of the sizes they needed for screenshots and icons. It would have been nice to have had the uploading of pictures a completely different part of the process, something you could do once the game was registered, or for them to say it's fine to upload placeholders. You can't even set up achievements without pictures >.< Don't get me started on the process of setting up achievements, one at a time!

I just wished I'd checked here before I started, as I wouldn't have wasted time wondering if I should load blank pictures or not, and wondering if someone from Apple was going to check it and reject it because they were blank.

I'm glad you guys upload placeholders too.

RP

Apple is not making it easy? You are lucky to even have place holders. Be grateful that you can at least do this without having to actually file a trademark for your application name, submit proof etc. etc.

It could be FAR worse.

The_Gamesalad_Guru

@kevincross how about having read the iTunes connect developer guide apple provides as how to prepare an app? Yes building and selling apps take work and effort surprise, surprise there is work involved. Gheezzz.