G'day all, I'm the solo dev of Star Nomad Elite. Ever since the release of iOS8 I've been trying to port my PC/MAC Star Nomad over to take advantage of the greatly enhanced performance of the new javascript engine in iOS8. It's available in HD wide-screen for both iPhone 6/Plus (yay, bigger screens!) and iPads with Retina displays. Star Nomad Elite Anh Huy Phan Star Nomad is an arcade top-down 2D sandbox space-adventure-sim. It was created as a tribute to classic spacesims of old… TouchArcade Rating: $1.99 Buy Now Watch Media DetailsStar Nomad is an arcade top-down 2D sandbox space-adventure-sim. It was created as a tribute to classic spacesims of old such as Elite, Wing Commander Privateer, Escape Velocity and Freelancer. If you are a fan of these games, then you're in for a nostalgic ride! [Key Features] * Simple one-touch intuitive UI, no digital joysticks, just smooth easy flight & fight with one-touch! * Be a Cargo runner. * Be a Mercenary unleashing firepower for wealth! * Be a Miner seeking rare ores. * Be a Merchant trading in goods! * Be a Smuggler dealing in lucrative drugs & evade the law! * Be a Pirate attacking merchant ships, become infamous & fight for anarchy! * Join huge multi-faction Fleet Battles! * Dynamic faction standing system, where your actions will determine friends or foes. * Multiple ship classes to fly, including drone carriers & the mighty Yamato Battleship! * All ships are up-gradable with modules. In Star Nomad, you roam free in the Wildlands Sector while immersed in a sci-fi noir setting rich in humor. While a sandbox, it's also story driven with a personal plot inspired by classic cyberpunk such as Blade Runner, Johnny Mnemonic & Gundam that puts you right in the pilot seat to determine the outcome of an escalating corporate war! [Death!] There is no perma-death, but there is a death penalty, so take care! When your ship blows up, the life-pod will be rescued & towed to a safe location. Insurance will give you a starter ship, and payout to cover most modules, however, the excess can be expensive. [Factions] Below the Star Map, there's a dynamic faction standing indicator (green = ally, crosshair = enemy). Your actions will change the way the four major factions treat you. Happy to receive feedback via email ([email protected]) or twitter @AH_Phan Information Seller:Anh Huy Phan Genre:Adventure, Role Playing, Simulation, Strategy Release:Dec 02, 2014 Updated:Apr 18, 2019 Version:2.0.0 Size:38.5 MB TouchArcade Rating: User Rating: (11) Your Rating:unrated Compatibility:HD Universal Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhibABT0-EE If I could succinctly describe Star Nomad, it's a top-down fast-paced spacesim that tries to reduce complexity as much as possible but also retain a good level of depth. Combat is twitch based, requiring player skill to avoid taking fire, as well as positioning for AoE attacks (later ships have giant C-Beam Cannons with cone AoE or drones that deal line AoE damage). For the trader at heart, there's many routes to be discovered to rake in the profits. For those more adventurous, smuggling illegal drugs (Contra) to the right market yields ridiculous profits, but beware, militia patrols will scan your cargo and drug-smuggling is punishable with extreme force! For those who just wish to be a law unto themselves, the life of a pirate is a dangerous but rewarding one. There's dynamic faction standing with allies & enemies, where your actions can align you to a faction or vice versa. Don't like the iron rule of the mega corporations? Join the pirates to bring about anarchy! While it's a sandbox game at heart, there's also a lengthy story filled with exciting & varied missions to embark upon. There's also a plot twist where you can switch paths! Ultimately, your task is to resolve a conflict between two mega-corporations by revealing the truth behind the cause of the war... but are they ready for the truth and will it matter? I've included a brief tutorial in this version (? icon in title screen), but because I wanted players to think and discover for themselves (harken back to the old days of gaming), there's no hand-holding in-game after a brief intro. I know some will be turn-off by this, thus, I've tried to make an easy tutorial on my devblog. I'll do a few gameplay videos covering different aspects soon. Why Elite version? I had released an earlier toned down, low res version as a free game with a few 100% optional IAPs. However, due to the major changes in my new javascript compiler (I coded it for PC primarily so performance was poor until iOS8's major engine overhaul), a simple update was impossible as it would override save-data. I decided since its the same quality as the PC/MAC version, I would go with the same pricing model, upfront paid, no IAPs. If there's any questions, ask away I will try my best to respond to all queries. I can also provide some dev insight to gameplay for tips if you're struggling (it's not an easy game by any stretch of the imagination!). AH_Phan Well-Known Member Aug 27, 2014 275 4 18 #2 AH_Phan, Dec 2, 2014 Last edited: Dec 3, 2014 Youtube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6UPWb-Xe6Y Longer trailer (older art, but content is there): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsV9JTYDHQE Edit: I have to warn potential players, the game starts out a little slow compared to nearly all mobile games. Progression is modeled on one of my favorite all-time PC spacesim, Wing Commander Privateer. In that old game, the starter ship is trash (& will die if anything bad looks its way, teaching players early on when to fight/run), no modules, not even a jump-drive so it could not leave the starter system until trading earnt some money to buy the drive. Star Nomad isn't a casual game that tells players where to go, what do to, where to sell something at the best prices etc etc, it's all up to the players to explore, discover & think for themselves like in the old days (though merchant npcs often give trading tips as you encounter them, among other random chatter). There's no hand-holding in-game. I know it will turn off some players, so I've tried to make a simple tutorial/manual on my devblog: https://halfgeekstudios.wordpress.com/tips-tricks/ that covers all the basics & provide some advice in all aspects of gameplay. A lot of players do just fine without reading it, but they are often veterans of spacesims who enjoy a bit of cerebral along with twitch gaming. In short, Star Nomad is intended for hardcore gamers & lovers of PC/MAC spacesims. I have tried my best to distill all the fun elements of such a complex genre and simplify it as much as possible, taking into account the platforms. amusing Grace Well-Known Member Dec 23, 2008 1,685 8 38 Music, Muse, Magick Berlin, Germany #3 amusing Grace, Dec 2, 2014 a 2D version of Elite? I´m intrigued. heringer Well-Known Member Oct 2, 2011 807 0 0 #4 heringer, Dec 2, 2014 Also on Android? psj3809 Moderator Jan 13, 2011 12,971 722 113 England #5 psj3809, Dec 2, 2014 Arrrrgh iOS 8.1 and above. Looks like I'm out Shame looks really good AH_Phan Well-Known Member Aug 27, 2014 275 4 18 #6 AH_Phan, Dec 2, 2014 Sorry about that, I needed iOS8's improve Nitro-JIT engine to really run my PC code super fast so that I didn't have to cut-down anything. Apple did an amazing thing with iOS8, their Metal and JIT addition means PC code actually runs faster on Apple devices than on PC! Maybe by multiple factors given the weaker CPUs compared to full blown Intel i7s (in my internal benchmarks). I believe it works fine on iPhone 5S with iOS8.1 as well, but it's probably too small to enjoy on 4' screens. AH_Phan Well-Known Member Aug 27, 2014 275 4 18 #7 AH_Phan, Dec 2, 2014 Yes. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.halfgeekstudios.starnomadelite&hl=en The current Android build is due for an update with graphics overhauls (which is present in the iOS version). However, the major difference is that its really smooth on Apple, 60 fps while consuming ~15-20% of the CPU cycles, so the device lasts much longer on battery. The reason is due to 10x faster Javascript processing on iOS8 compared to Android (I believe Android L improves it somewhat, but still nowhere close to what Apple managed with iOS8). Also, on Android its freemium with very generous 100% optional IAPs. I'm honestly not sure which approach is better, but since my PC/MAC version is $3.99 upfront no IAPs/DLC nonsense, I thought I stick with that approach for this identical iOS build. I've found its much easier to port games to iOS than Android, due to no fragmentation. I have nightmares with so many Android devices and custom mods/roms. AH_Phan Well-Known Member Aug 27, 2014 275 4 18 #8 AH_Phan, Dec 2, 2014 It's more a 2D version of Privateer's lovechild with Escape Velocity. 2Desserts Active Member Oct 26, 2014 39 0 0 Developer Wales, UK https://www.facebook.com/2Desserts #9 2Desserts, Dec 2, 2014 Wow, love the look of this, will certainly check it out. curtisrshideler Well-Known Member Patreon Bronze Jul 30, 2011 3,097 25 48 Male Video Producer/Editor Texas http://twitter.com/curtneedsaride #10 curtisrshideler, Dec 2, 2014 Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I'm staying on iOS 7 on my 5S, so I probably won't be playing this until my next phone. But I watch listed it! Looks like fun. ramzarules Well-Known Member Sep 13, 2014 2,112 128 63 Greece #11 ramzarules, Dec 2, 2014 One thing i don't get, -and i am only using this game as an example-: Why do we get the same games PAID on ios when android users get the same for free with 100% OPTIONAL iaps? i mean, what gives? This isn't the first game that does it, so i honestly want to know the reason why. If anything, from a quick glance on my first mobile gaming days at the start of the year, i saw several android hacks that allow to illegally download games for free. So are we basically, the ios users, feeding the devs so they can afford to release free versions with iaps in android? If anyone can enlighten me, please do. It's not about the price, i wouldn't care if it's 1$ or 99$, it's the feeling of unfairness. Mischief61 Well-Known Member Sep 8, 2012 58 0 6 #12 Mischief61, Dec 2, 2014 But will it play on 5S with iOS 8.1? I'm confused. Lazer Kat Well-Known Member Sep 29, 2013 2,596 0 0 #13 Lazer Kat, Dec 2, 2014 The reason is because people buy games on iOS, on android (in most cases) they simply won't. Piracy is very high on android. After all, I can go to Google Play and simply download an app for free which allows me to then download paid apps for free. Apples more strenuous approval process keeps this from happening. Almost all of the "FREE" apps on android, which are paid on iOS, are different than their iCounterparts. They contain ads, less features, and usually are just not the same experience. Of course this isn't always true, but from my experience it is usually the case. Dragan Well-Known Member Aug 21, 2014 365 7 18 Belgium #14 Dragan, Dec 2, 2014 I'm very happy that i can still pay for games on ios because i hate the freemium concept. If some games are 'free' to play on Android, so be it, its a platform that i bought before ios and i'm never returning to it, no do i care what goes on in that corner of the universe. That devs make this distinction between ios and Android says a lot about the platform and even more about the customers that use it and feel that everything should at least be free and if possible even cheaper then free as in pirated. Pagan Fox Well-Known Member Jul 20, 2012 476 32 28 #15 Pagan Fox, Dec 2, 2014 This. Couldn't have put it better myself. +1 ramzarules Well-Known Member Sep 13, 2014 2,112 128 63 Greece #16 ramzarules, Dec 2, 2014 Last edited: Dec 2, 2014 Ah, so they make it free since they already know most people will pirate it, and add iaps. That's a great solution, if the iaps are practically mandatory to enjoy the game. But free with *optional* iaps? That's like, get all the game for free on android, while pay to get the game on ios. Aren't they pushing users for a turn to android like this? Edit: i am sorry, it seems i am derailing this thread from discussion about the game itself, to ios paid vs android free, and i realise i should do this on a separate thead. I will leave it at that, although i am honestly curious about this. Apologies to the dev for derailing the thread. ImJPaul Well-Known Member May 23, 2012 840 0 16 Male MGMT! Baltimore #17 ImJPaul, Dec 2, 2014 Anybody with a 5S care to take the plunge to see how this is on the device? hellscaretaker Well-Known Member May 27, 2012 1,098 6 38 Im a youtube gamer/streamer https://www.youtube.com/user/touchgameplay #18 hellscaretaker, Dec 2, 2014 I already have, i will be doing a video of this thats going to be in a weeks time when i had a good go on it but thats playing on a ipad 2 air. I will give it a quick go on the iphone 5s when i get back as i need to step away from the keyboard for hour or so. Ayjona Well-Known Member Sep 8, 2009 3,295 21 38 Freelance journalist and writer, amateur musician Stockholm, Sweden #19 Ayjona, Dec 2, 2014 Whereupon any possible reservations are promptly abandoned It has been one of my greatest iOS-related consternations that no one has tried to bring the EV experience to the platform (especially seeing as there are already at least two competent 3D-based space sims for the platform in Galaxy on Fire 2 and Dangerous). Well, consternation ended, downloading initiated. Have ship, will travel, will return with impressions, when or if I tear myself away PoloBaquerizoH Well-Known Member Dec 30, 2013 636 0 0 #20 PoloBaquerizoH, Dec 2, 2014 Yes please some impressions (You must log in or sign up to post here.) Show Ignored Content Page 1 of 12 1 ← 2 3 4 5 6 → 12 Next > Share This Page Tweet Your name or email address: Password: Forgot your password? Stay logged in
Youtube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6UPWb-Xe6Y Longer trailer (older art, but content is there): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsV9JTYDHQE Edit: I have to warn potential players, the game starts out a little slow compared to nearly all mobile games. Progression is modeled on one of my favorite all-time PC spacesim, Wing Commander Privateer. In that old game, the starter ship is trash (& will die if anything bad looks its way, teaching players early on when to fight/run), no modules, not even a jump-drive so it could not leave the starter system until trading earnt some money to buy the drive. Star Nomad isn't a casual game that tells players where to go, what do to, where to sell something at the best prices etc etc, it's all up to the players to explore, discover & think for themselves like in the old days (though merchant npcs often give trading tips as you encounter them, among other random chatter). There's no hand-holding in-game. I know it will turn off some players, so I've tried to make a simple tutorial/manual on my devblog: https://halfgeekstudios.wordpress.com/tips-tricks/ that covers all the basics & provide some advice in all aspects of gameplay. A lot of players do just fine without reading it, but they are often veterans of spacesims who enjoy a bit of cerebral along with twitch gaming. In short, Star Nomad is intended for hardcore gamers & lovers of PC/MAC spacesims. I have tried my best to distill all the fun elements of such a complex genre and simplify it as much as possible, taking into account the platforms.
Sorry about that, I needed iOS8's improve Nitro-JIT engine to really run my PC code super fast so that I didn't have to cut-down anything. Apple did an amazing thing with iOS8, their Metal and JIT addition means PC code actually runs faster on Apple devices than on PC! Maybe by multiple factors given the weaker CPUs compared to full blown Intel i7s (in my internal benchmarks). I believe it works fine on iPhone 5S with iOS8.1 as well, but it's probably too small to enjoy on 4' screens.
Yes. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.halfgeekstudios.starnomadelite&hl=en The current Android build is due for an update with graphics overhauls (which is present in the iOS version). However, the major difference is that its really smooth on Apple, 60 fps while consuming ~15-20% of the CPU cycles, so the device lasts much longer on battery. The reason is due to 10x faster Javascript processing on iOS8 compared to Android (I believe Android L improves it somewhat, but still nowhere close to what Apple managed with iOS8). Also, on Android its freemium with very generous 100% optional IAPs. I'm honestly not sure which approach is better, but since my PC/MAC version is $3.99 upfront no IAPs/DLC nonsense, I thought I stick with that approach for this identical iOS build. I've found its much easier to port games to iOS than Android, due to no fragmentation. I have nightmares with so many Android devices and custom mods/roms.
Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I'm staying on iOS 7 on my 5S, so I probably won't be playing this until my next phone. But I watch listed it! Looks like fun.
One thing i don't get, -and i am only using this game as an example-: Why do we get the same games PAID on ios when android users get the same for free with 100% OPTIONAL iaps? i mean, what gives? This isn't the first game that does it, so i honestly want to know the reason why. If anything, from a quick glance on my first mobile gaming days at the start of the year, i saw several android hacks that allow to illegally download games for free. So are we basically, the ios users, feeding the devs so they can afford to release free versions with iaps in android? If anyone can enlighten me, please do. It's not about the price, i wouldn't care if it's 1$ or 99$, it's the feeling of unfairness.
The reason is because people buy games on iOS, on android (in most cases) they simply won't. Piracy is very high on android. After all, I can go to Google Play and simply download an app for free which allows me to then download paid apps for free. Apples more strenuous approval process keeps this from happening. Almost all of the "FREE" apps on android, which are paid on iOS, are different than their iCounterparts. They contain ads, less features, and usually are just not the same experience. Of course this isn't always true, but from my experience it is usually the case.
I'm very happy that i can still pay for games on ios because i hate the freemium concept. If some games are 'free' to play on Android, so be it, its a platform that i bought before ios and i'm never returning to it, no do i care what goes on in that corner of the universe. That devs make this distinction between ios and Android says a lot about the platform and even more about the customers that use it and feel that everything should at least be free and if possible even cheaper then free as in pirated.
Ah, so they make it free since they already know most people will pirate it, and add iaps. That's a great solution, if the iaps are practically mandatory to enjoy the game. But free with *optional* iaps? That's like, get all the game for free on android, while pay to get the game on ios. Aren't they pushing users for a turn to android like this? Edit: i am sorry, it seems i am derailing this thread from discussion about the game itself, to ios paid vs android free, and i realise i should do this on a separate thead. I will leave it at that, although i am honestly curious about this. Apologies to the dev for derailing the thread.
I already have, i will be doing a video of this thats going to be in a weeks time when i had a good go on it but thats playing on a ipad 2 air. I will give it a quick go on the iphone 5s when i get back as i need to step away from the keyboard for hour or so.
Whereupon any possible reservations are promptly abandoned It has been one of my greatest iOS-related consternations that no one has tried to bring the EV experience to the platform (especially seeing as there are already at least two competent 3D-based space sims for the platform in Galaxy on Fire 2 and Dangerous). Well, consternation ended, downloading initiated. Have ship, will travel, will return with impressions, when or if I tear myself away
