Over the last few days; "toys" arrived - Mobile 1UP has the iCade
and 60beat GamePad.
alternative controllers - both of these will be / are big for gamers
Mobile 1UP has worked with so many companies over the years
integrating third-party controllers on many different platforms; so
we figured adding support for these two cool gadgets wont be difficult.
60beat provided us a development sample free - we had to buy the iCade
on ebay (SUCKS - support developers?)
since they never responded to our emails.
HOW DO THEY WORK?
The iCade is effectively a blue-tooth keyboard which sends various keyUp and
keyDown events so adding support is a matter of catching these events and
handling a key pressed state within the games for processing.
The GamePad uses an interesting approach of providing input events by
translating audio signals via the microphone of the head-phone jack on
the device into event callbacks - which is done by linking against a third
party library at compile time to process the audio signals.
Cool stuff - we really cannot wait to play around with both of these devices.
2012-01-16
>> Caveman - work in progress : bug finding (not our code)
A number of fans have requested the ability for our games to handle
orientation changes correctly - as some devices have special sleeves
that force the game in a specific orientation and the games end up
being up-side down.
So we did the research; followed all the guidelines presented and implemented
a custom UIViewController to handle rotation events only to find that open
GL draws everthing with anti-aliasing when in Landscape mode, however Portrait
mode everything is drawn as expected. Talk about head-scratching - our
conclusion, bug in iOS.
this is how it was looking (grr - anti-aliasing)
this is how it should look (no anti-aliasing)
Notice how the "version 1.0" font is being messed up - unwanted anti-aliasing
in effect.
// ensure that scaling up/down (should not matter) is nearest neighbour
glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, GL_NEAREST);
glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, GL_NEAREST);
Mobile 1UP has found a working solution to handle rotation events
and display the game the appropriate way based on the way the device is
held for iOS devices. The way to do it is to Keep the device in "portrait"
model and translate the view and touch events appropriately.
We kept a copy of the code that shows this bug - since we have a work
around; all is good.
2012-01-12
>> Caveman - work in progress
Mobile 1UP has received the new artwork and music for the game tutorial.
these icons will now sit in the game tool bar for use
The only thing left to do now is finalize the last set of levels and define
the difficult balance - then we are ready to submit. It has been a long time
since the update, but we are confident everyone will be very happy once it
is available!
>> HP/Palm webos - is anyone still out there?
Mobile 1UP over the last twelve months saw a complete drop in the activity for webOS!
It seems that somewhere along the line - the application management for webos
applications was changed such that the developer had to specify what devices
were compatible and were supported (MANUALLY!). The only devices marked as
supported was the Palm Pre, but we all know the Palm Pre2 (it's replacement)
is also good for running all the games.
all the metadata has now been updated and submitted for review
Mobile 1UP will update Caveman for the webos devices - but we need to
really get an idea if it is worth releasing a version for the HP Touchpad. It
will not be difficult for us to do - we will ping a few people inside to see
what is going on exactly.
2012-01-08
>> Caveman - work in progress
Mobile 1UP actually managed to get a lot done this weekend - recap below!
a little of fiddling with photoshop and viola! :) much better
With the new functionality (zoom, lock) - it makes sense to move them to
the game toolbar and move the pause/fast forward options out. Just need
some new artwork for integration. A list of changes (nearly all done):
correction to medium: 29 (added stone to avoid 'simple walk to exit')
added a tutorial (how to play) section to the application for newbies
implemented save state of game (so can pause, exit, re-open and resume)
must complete a level pack before unlocking the next (no cheating!)
+30 levels (OBSCURE SET) - yippee!
+30 levels (INSANE SET) - yippee!
re-ordering and balancing of all 120 levels to match the difficulty
Mobile 1UP will also include the remaining 60 levels - giving the
complete set (120 - 30 in each: easy, medium, obscure and insane). In this
update however, there will be some re-schuffling and configuration of the
levels so the game levels are much more balanced.
2012-01-02
>> Caveman - secret goodies (party like it's 1991)
Mobile 1UP has decided to throw the new year with an easter egg in
Caveman - see below:
secret features - who will find the warpcode for this first?
Let's see if we "forget" to remove this in the update. There are a
number of warpcodes defined (unlock levels, jump to a specific level et al)
but it is your job to find them. :)
2011-12-27
>> Caveman - work in progress
Mobile 1UP loves the holiday season - "vacation" (from day job) to
work on games!
The next version is soon to be ready for us to submit for update:
zoom option: get a closer look at what is going on
lock option: pick a caveman, follow him to avoid assigning wrong caveman
tool selection: hide used, ensure one is always selected (if possible)
allow holding of +/- to increase/decrease release rate (no more tap-tap-tap)
correction to bashing logic (allow early exit if path is clear)
correction to bashing mask to avoid "bashing behind caveman" on turn around
correction to building logic (continual, straight build line possible)
clarification of "tool assignment" language on OPTIONS screen
TIMEWARP: added some 'secret' codes (unlock all levels + more) *g*
correction to "background" art: easy: 10,24 medium: 1,9,27 (missing layer)
First tackle the bugs and major requests (done) - then start the process of
integrating the final 60 levels (32 re-configured, 28 new!). If things go
to plan, a new version for submission will be available just around the
new year - meaning Caveman will rock in 2012!
2011-12-25
>> MERRY XMAS - wow; what a crazy year!
Mobile 1UP wishes all our visitors and fans a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.
Over the last few months the "day job" has been higher priority - as you may
remember the company Aaron Ardiri works for was acquired by
"Research In Motion". It has been both a challenging and interesting journey,
but unfortunately has put the Mobile 1UP project on the back burner. With the
xmas break - it is great to be back!
>> Caveman - work in progress
Mobile 1UP has received a tonne of feedback about Caveman - mainly
suggestions, and "where is my update" messages (yes, we agree); the
great news is over the last few days a few improvements have been made to
the game engine itself and the integration of more levels has begun
(let's not forget - play testing). The next update should be ready for
submission around the new year - Mobile 1UP promises that you will
not be disappointed!
>> BlackBerry Playbook - native development kit
Mobile 1UP also started to investigate the NDK (native development kit)
of the BlackBerry
Playbook - in a matter of hours the basics (environment, compiler,
foundations, core libraries, windowing system) have been tinkered with; it
wont be long before the cross-platform engine used by Mobile 1UP will
be up and running on the platform.
... of course, Caveman update is our highest priority right now!
2011-05-31
>> ubitexx GmbH - acquired by Research in Motion
Research in Motion - creators of the Blackberry mobile device
family has completed the acquisition of ubitexx GmbH; a mobile device
management solutions company based in Munich, Germany to extend their
management portfolio to include android and iOS devices.
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH MOBILE 1UP - YOU ASK?
Mobile 1UP is directly affected by this news as Aaron Ardiri;
the main guy behind the scenes works for ubitexx GmbH as the VP of
Development and after the acquisition becomes a Technical Director
(ie: he keeps his job - to focus on new exciting opportunities).
The excellent news is that Mobile 1UP will continue to operate and
add new titles to its portfolio of games and applications - in fact,
soon a new device type will be added - the Blackberry Playbook! We already
have a device are waiting for the native SDK!
2011-05-01
>> Caveman - zoom functionality "prototype"; will be in 0.9.3!
Mobile 1UP has a lot of requests for providing better control
mechanisms in the game; one of the most requested functionality is being
able to zoom to get a closer at the action - we were able to quickly add
this to the code, the results are shown in the video above.
2011-04-25
>> Caveman - update submitted to webOS app catalog >> Caveman + Caveman HD - update submitted to iOS app store
v0.9.2 is coming your way soon (subject to approval times)
HD version (1024x768) scrolling/panning correction
slight correction for basher logic (stopping too early at times)
tweaking to Caveman selection/assignment (no more double assignment)
audio improvement: multiple similar sounds can be played at once
level corrections - easy:25
allow panning/scrolling while paused (no auto un-pause)
goal requirement shown on top game gave (out: x in: x - xx% req: xx%)
timewarp = level codes to jump to specific level
added options screen:
specify action (can be used together)
assign tool to caveman by clicking on caveman (original logic)
assign tool to caveman by clicking on toolbar (alternative logic)
support for user to "flip" the display (180 degree rotation)
+30 levels (MEDIUM SET) - yippee!
Mobile 1UP wants to continue to hear your feedback and comments -
as you can see, we did a lot in the last two weeks listening to users
and putting more levels in - work has already started on the next version.
Be sure to check out the SOLUTIONS GUIDES we put together if you get stuck -
they are available on the main
Caveman game information page.
2011-04-19
>> WORLD TRAVELS
Aaron Ardiri is on the move!
If you are located in Perth, Western Australia and want to join
up for a beer over the next two weeks after easter, send us a
message and you can get a sneak peak of what we are working on
and, most importantly down a nice refreshing beer in the process!
>> Caveman - submitted to the webOS app catalog >> Caveman & Caveman HD - submitted to the iOS app store
Mobile 1UP has completed the first build of Caveman
and is in the process of making it available to everyone.
To kick it off - webOS and iOS versions are now under review.
in-game screenies - completely new but totally familiar?
Caveman will be priced at $4.99 USD for the complete version
(480x320) however as an introductory price and in parallel while we
complete the other levels we will start it at $1.99 USD and
increase as levels are added - all updates are free!
Mobile 1UP is also working on a HD (1024x768) version (iPad, TouchPad).
2011-03-30
>> webOSIGNITE - INVITED SPEAKER
hp launched their new "worldwide" developer program efforts with
the webOSIGNITE starting with a session in London on March 30, 2011.
Mobile 1UP was invited to give developers some insight about
writing games for webOS.
presenting with a sneak-peak preview of Caveman running on a Pre 2 device
We couldn't resist the opportunity to show a preview of our Caveman game.
It was great to see the enthusiasm at the event from the community of
webOS developers in europe - hopefully more events like this will start
showing up all over the world.
2010-06-23
>> LEMMINGS - developer porting challenge
Mobile 1UP will demonstrate the power of cross-platform
mobile development by porting a classic Palm OS application to
the latest mobile platforms via a live development-blog.
mock-up of user interface based on original
Mobile 1UP will focus its efforts to port its timeless
classic implementation of Lemmings (from Palm OS) and release it
as a free download containing all 120 original levels on
the following platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac OSX, iPhone/iPod/iPad
and the Palm Pre.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
12:30pm - 2:30pm
SEB Enskilda
2 Cannon Street
EC4M 6XX London
Mobile 1UP was invited to speak at an event hosted by SEB Enskilda
to discuss the state of mobile platforms - specifically identifying
the various operating systems available and their maturity, which target
groups exist, what is the relevance of press/hype and what are the new
trends coming into play that will influence them moving forward?
The audience considered of financial advisors/strategies within the mobile
space, particular interest was around Nokia and what Symbian and MeeGo
mean for them moving forward.
2010-05+
>> MESSAGES ARCHIVED
older blog entries have been archived and are no longer relevant or visible.
DISCLAIMER:
"iPhone" and "iPod Touch" are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.
Aaron Ardiri is on the move!
