[mobile] Real cross platform with Marmalade SDK part 1 #dev

Over year ago we have started a new direction of development. Previously we were flash platform developers and we were happy. Later we moved to Unity3d and were surprised by simplicity of developing 3d game and awkwardness while working with 2d in compare to Starling framework. But when I felt discomfort with Unity I could not even believe that soon I'll just dream about it. We took a chance and choose the hardest solution at those time for our new application not a game this time %)

R&D for Mobile Game Development

I haven't coded two of our latest games and now, one is on App Store and Google Play, here is browser version with links to mobile and the other is going to be available at FGL pretty soon. Now I go further I haven't tested technologies just set a task, publishing demos, sharing impressions and conclusions :) Now I can be called R&D manager for sure :P

The task is to get our next games work properly in Browser, on iOS, Android and Windows Phone. The last requirement makes AIR not a variant, so in focus HTML5+JavaScript and Unity. We made AIR/Flash based performance test demo too anyway. Also Visual Studio was involved %)

The laziest and easiest solution is PhoneGap

[Windows Phone] Zombie Derby #review

As it was announced quite a while ago I'm writing a bit more detailed article about Zombie Derby. It was planned as guest post to mobile blog and then was rejected, so publishing it here as usual but a bit delayed :)

[Windows Phone, Windows 8] Halo SA #game #review

I wanted to play a game of Halo series for ages. I don't have Xbox and PS as well, so I was waiting for PC version.

Unexpectedly it appeared a game for Windows Phone: Halo: Spartan Asslt. I installed free demo Halo: SA Lite and it appeared interesting, strange but suitable controls, gamepad emulation on touchscreen, texts are too small and it's was only one level.

I tried to installed the full Halo: SA game to my Nokia Lumia 720 and it said "not enough space". Google helped me to get to know that 1 GB Memory Needed Nokia Lumia 820 and higher, 925 or 930 will do :)

[Windows Phone] Asphalt 7 Heat #mobile #game #review

Asphalt 7 Heat -  I've ascendantly stumbled into the 8th chapter Asphalt 8: Airborne in the list of the best apps of the year by Nokia and it appered that it can't run on my Nokia Lumia 720, 820 or higher with  1GB or more memory needed :)

[Windows Phone, XBOX, iOS, Android, OUYA] Square Off #game #review

Today in focus is Square Off . It's my first #game review with OUYA version :)

First of all I like loaded trip-hop sound track, then oldschool graphics stylization in intro and best of all that there is a version for my Windows Phone :) Free version has permanent banner and completely playable besides this limitation.

In game music is still great, active and not too electronic. Controls are similar to Halo: Spartan Assault (next in review queue), now too easy to jump in for #PC #gamer and looks like the only solution for the #shooter on smartphone and natural for #console #gamers.

Cartoon graphics, perspective and depth for 2D view enhancement and proper #hardcore rush gameplay makes really good game. I've played several levels and going to play more and maybe buy the full version too. And just forgotten a bit too cute but still great designed characters and aliens for sure :P

Available on Xbox 360, iOS, Android and OUYA, 9/10 Recommended.

Have an amazing day, see You, work less, play more (c) ;)

[r&d] Unity First Impressions #4: testing performance #gamedev

We are making our first 3d with Unity. It recalls all my old general 3D and applied Maya experience.
Today we are talking about light sources, environment and number of polygons vs FPS on different devices :)

Here’s the project. There’s an android computer appliance in the “build” folder.

A figure I’ve (Artur) blendered up myself is in the heart of events)))

• there are figures for 1000, 10 080 and 99 844 triangles, I thinks there’s no point in making more
• the x button changes the figure
• to change the light, tap somewhere on the screen besides the x button and the name of the light source will appear above
• light like “area” is available in the pro version

FPS are:

Sony Experia Play, Android

figure   spot   point directional

1000      44.6     46.6    50.7

10800    39.2     39       46.9

99844    17       17.2     26.5

Galaxy Note 2014 Edition, Android (2560х1600)

figure   spot   point directional

1000      63     61      61

10800    61     62      61

99844    47     47      49

Nokia Lumia 720, Windows Phone (800x480)

figure   spot   point directional

1000      60     60      60

10800    60     60      60

99844    35     38      52

Tested only hardest configuration then to save time :)

PC q8200, Radeon 3700, Win Vista Business 32 bit (960x600)

figure   spot

99844     60

PC i5 661, GeForce GTX 770, Win 8.1 64 bit (960x600) (3D Monitor)

figure   spot

99844     107

MacBook Pro (960x600)

figure   spot

99844     60

iPhone 5 (1136x640)

figure   spot

99844     N/A

Didn't found plug cable and time to set up all provisioning stuff %)

Looks like it vertical sync to 60 FPS and 100 on 3D Monitor.

It’s best to take into account, that the standard sphere for about 80-100 triangles with skybox mobile shader plays the role of the sky and the camera is the one that moves, not the object.

There’s no textures and animation as well as programmed logic and typing reaction etc. in the demo version, so the mentioned FPS can be easily cut in half.

Generally, the phone readings don’t exactly make me smiling and I hope that our games will have at least 40 FPS on most devices.

I think we'll manage to optimaze everything properly to get game run smoot on highest range of devices.

You are welcome to download benchmark source or build for Android .apk and share the results of Your beloved smart and fast phones and tablets ;)

Thanks in advance, have an amazing weekend ahead of you :)

+ More R&D posts ;)

[Windows Phone] Memory Battle Time #review

@KazkerSoft  asked to review their #game, so here it comes:

I disliked two things, first I was promoted to type in Windows Live login and password, I think it's possible to access without typing, Fruit Ninja managed and my next review is about it BTW, second I'm not a big fun of stickman style graphics %)

The game is good, nice idea to make multiplayear one of simplest gameplays and add some modern bonuses and perks 7/10.

I'm keep on exploring my new Windows Phone game ecosystem, welcome to suggest what to play and possible #review :)

Happy Friday, play more! ;)

[Windows Phone] Angry Birds Star Wars, Contre Jour, Zombie Derby #game #review

Naturally I'm exploring ecosystem of my new Windows Phone's #game world. After several random #games I've decided to try hit games:

1. Angry Birds Star Wars - graphis and music are impressive, level are hard I've got bored after 7 levels, didn't bought a game.

2. Contre Jour - had to find a time to try, found at night while looking titles after Battlefield 4 campaign. Passed 10 levels of the first chapter, admitting that game is atmospheric, stylish and innovative but realized that it's not my cup of tea, too slow for me. Also haven't bought.

Then I thought that search criteria is wrong and taken top rated game and It's definitely of my kind, hard, fast and hardcore:

3. Zombie Derby - it's free, monetization technique is too perfect, so It's interesting how developers pushes You to buy something the next time. I'm stock at the place on screenshot, going to play to the end, then buy something to in-game support developers and write separate review :) #recommended 9/10

Hope You like it and I have some time to play and write more #mobile reviews :)

AE Fruit Slash, Windows Phone

I've got new phone that can be called smartphone finally and It's Nokia on Windows Phone. So from now I can review one more platform.

Today is legendary #game, I guess it's rip of and anyway, perfect addicting slasher, strongly recommended: don't even try it :P #game