nice. I wonder if you can give us some insight- how are things going to work as far as the iPad/iPhone sharing of software? Is it going to be stand-alone versions for the iPad that people would purchase in addition to iPhone versions? It would obviously be great for consumers if it were possible to have software run 'natively' on both the iPad and iPhone, but I guess there's not much incentive for developers to go through the effort to make software compatible for both when they could potentially make and sell 2 separate versions. But maybe an iPhone only version for something like 4.99, and an iPad+iPhone version for 6.99? Just as an example, is it even possible to have a piece of software that would auto-detect whether you were using it on the iPad or iPhone and adjust the screen size accordingly? For instance, in Labyrinth 2, you could have iPad specific levels and iPhone specific levels with the iPad levels obviously being much larger. I've been thinking of getting Labyrinth 2, but I have to say, I would love a souped up version for the iPad that could also run on the iPhone. I'd definitely pay more for something like that, not twice as much, but certainly something like $6.99 or even $7.99. I guess I'd look at it as the special edition of a DVD vs. the regular edition. And with that kind of added value, it would have been a day 1 purchase for me instead of still being on the fence. anyway, I look forward to any insights you guys could provide into the process. Did you get any advance notice of the iPad or the SDK?
The iPad will use the same App Store as the iPhone/iPod. Apps you have purchased for iPod/iPhone can be installed on your iPad for free. Apps can come in three flavours from now on: a) unmodified iPod/iPhone version, that will also run on iPad (at 1x or 2x resolution) b) iPad-only apps c) something called Universal Apps, which means they work just the same on iPod/iPhone, but if it's run on an iPad it will be adapted to the bigger screen (in terms of another layout on menus, bigger images and textures etc) So it's up to us dev. We can a) leave our games the way they are, they will run just fine in the iPad b) we can create a new version and sell it as a separate game. the customer will have to buy it again, just like you would do for the iWorks apps. c) we can soup up our games to take advantage of the bigger screen and better hardware It will take time, and hence money, to adapt games to the new format. The original games are designed for one format, and now they have to be redesigned a great deal to suit the iPad. For instance, iPod/iPhone are based on a single-screen design, the iPad is not (the new UI element is called split-screen). All textures will need to be much bigger, so in worst case you need to redraw all textures and images. Labyrinth 2 have around 100 or so. Now, devs can get money for their work in different ways: A. If you soup up your existing game you expect hope to sell more copies, even for the iPod/iPhone. B. If you release it as a new app, you'll get money that way. C. Release the update as an in-app purchase. People seem to expect to get everything for free, for instance new updates with new content, probably the same about iPad versions (updates don't sell copies btw, except for Pocket God). If you go with option B, I guess a lot of people will be pissed as they are used to get everything for free. I think we'll go with option A -- update for iPad and release for free. But we haven't really decided yet so I can't guarantee anything C is also possible I guess, but we are leaning towards A. We didn't know anything. Some companies did know though, like EA and Gameloft.
so what you will do?replace this little bug with a new update? also..sadly i must admit that i'm little disappointed about this update,because i was expecting the 1.1 version (cause you said about a month ago on this forum that the 1.0.1 was rejected but IL team will release the first and the second update -the one with new obstacles etc..- in the end of january)...you say something that is not and release an update with other little bugs instead of
Anders, Thanks for the excellent and detailed reply! The most interesting possibility to me is the in-app purchase aspect. I think it's a great idea to allow devs to make the iPad improvements available in-app. It's pretty cool that you can run existing iPhone apps on the iPad, and maybe that's fine for most people. But it's also nice that you can give current customers the option without making them buy a totally new version- maybe it will make devs more likely to bring real improvements to current iPhone/iTouch software for the iPad. Of course free works for me, but I think it's unreasonable for people to expect it for everything. I think you guys have the right idea about things- It would be amazing if you did the iPad updates for free, but in app updates aren't the end of the world- I trust that you guys in particular will make it worthwhile. I just worry that some devs will move the virtual d-pad around and shrink it a little, then double the resolution without improving textures or anything and call it a day, then charge $3.99 for the 'new and improved iPad version'. I am imagining touchgrind with much more of the course visible around the board- that was definitely my biggest gripe with that game- could never remember where I was going even with the indicators- maybe my reaction times were just too slow. It would be AMAZING with the larger field of view. I saw the multitouch trackpad demo you guys put together for that one- awesome. As far as updates not increasing sales- it does seem to be the case- usually. But I think it's harder to predict what an iPad update (with improved textures, more control options, larger field of view, etc.) would do. Personally, I think if I saw a company push out a huge iPad-centric update for free (like your option A for Labyrinth), I'd almost certainly buy it if I had any previous interest at all. It just helps the whole community if quality devs like that are supported and rewarded for doing something nice like that- provided their stuff brings the goods of course. But I realize that's maybe a little idealistic in the current app store climate and good will doesn't pay the bills (directly, at least). In fact, I think I might go buy Labyrinth 2 right now just to show support for you guys (hopefully you'll still go with option A when I get the iPad). Thanks again for the reply.
The update we uploaded back in dec was 1.0.1, and since you cannot change version numbers afterwards this one is called 1.0.1 and not 1.1.0 which would be more correct as we introduced new features. Things took a lot longer than expected, so instead of waiting another month we decided to release what we had. Which me reminds me, never promise anything again. New obstacles and themes are coming, I just don't know when. I have recorded the new sounds for the new theme, but the graphics aren't ready. And since Apple announced the iPad, the iPad version is priority 1 so Mirabelle is busy doing graphics for that (we have 60 days to get it ready) instead of graphics for the new theme. Don't know when she'll be ready.
If anyone can make me change my mind about the iPad it's Illusion Labs. Jebus, you should buy Labyrinth 2 just to show support for your sanity
pretty cool ... iPad have big screen and it`s like you hold a real labyrinth in your hand. and touchgrind will be cool on iPad ,play whit your finger on a big screen
I'm really disappointed about the update. Here's why: First: I still got my bug which I posted before, that after a while Labyrinth 2 reacts late. First a little bit, later whole seconds. It's really annoying. Second: You didn't give us what you promised: extra obstacles. Third: I still got the 'beating the developer's time award' bug. Fourth: I got another bug, I finished a level, but at the mean time it says I didn't finish it. Fifth: I don't have the option in the level editor to let the merry-go-round turn in both directions, which you also promised. Sixth: You didn't add any awards, which sucks. You only deleted two of them. Some idea's: http://forums.toucharcade.com/showpost.php?p=814293&postcount=1184 Come on Illusion Labs, you can do better!
this explains a lot...i'm a little less worried now. keep in mind that at the moment (a moment that lasts a year i think) you guys are my favourite dev on the appstore...and i feel near you..so my reactions in what you do are often amplificated i think
yea still a few bugs..the beat-the-creator's-time awards weren't fixed for me, also I have 32 awards since the time awards weren't fixed, but it says I have 33. I do v1.01
Bug? this is the very end of the last level of a pack called "EXTREME 47" (ID: AEYPXRR8.01) and I couldn't roll the ball through the tunnel thing into the goal hole. It just kinda spazzed at the entrance, but wouldn't go through. I kept trying to roll back away from it and go through but it wouldn't
From a marketing perspective though, it doesn't make sense. All the people who don't have the game for the iPhone and download the game for the iPad are going to be P.O.ed when they have to pay even more money for the iPad version. Which means that Illusion Labs will need to create a new iPad-only version anyway, thus negating the point of the in-app purchase.
I think it's pretty unreasonable to complain about paying a little extra for a superior version. Yeah it's gonna happen, but those people are idiots.
I would be thrilled to pay $0.99 for the iPad version DLC (provided I had an iPad) instead of rebuying the app in an iPad version of this game. Mostly I'd say it depends on the amount of work to 'port' it to the iPad. Since this is a 3D game, it shouldn't be too hard to up the res on the polygons - the real work comes from possibly redoing textures and/or any other programming differences required for the iPad (from what I've seen of the architecture it doesn't look to be too different...)
on the ipad, will we be able to create bigger levels/boards? or is everything just gonna be bigger/proportional?
Duh, good call. I was just thinking of those who already own the game. Never mind then, it is a stickier situation than I initially thought.
