Also hire some level designers for some level packs, not just in space but probably against a space armada and on some planets

The inverted controls should now be available on the App Store via an update. I've got the 1.0.3 out for review now with the following updates:

-A new class of grey asteroid that is virtually indestructible (with normal weapons).
-More feedback when you are hit and/or you hit the minelayer.
-New "pretty" menus which really help make the game look polished.

I'm working on the 1.0.4 update which will have a level based game mode. I still haven't quite figured out how to add a "story" but I'm working on it. I imagine the 1.0.3 update will be available on Thursday (hopefully) so I'm shooting for having some basic levels by then (its going to take a slight redesign of the game engine, I had really imagined a single level game when I designed it). I'm thinking about splitting it into a level-based mode and a "free fly" mode which will basically be the same as the 1.0.3 update.

How does one's finger feel after playing this game for a half hour. Most game players have buttons that give and flex, but this just as a hard solid surface. I guess the tip of the finger would get a bit numb, right?

Other than those questions, this looks like a fairly nice game that should be fun to play.

Anyway I'm really looking forward to playing the game once the update arrives. And I hope to see more work from you in the future - given the response here and in the App Store to this game, I'm assuming (and hoping!) that you're going to see enough income from this app to warrant devoting more time to this and future projects.

Also, I would like to mention again (in case any other developers see this!) that your price point is PERFECT - so many developers are trying to extract every last penny from their customers and in doing so are really limiting their sales, IMO. It's great to see a game like this priced so reasonably - very refreshing! Keep up the good work!

Inverted control option.
Game difficulty settings.
Way vamped up control acceleration (50%).

It will probably take a little more getting used to with the new acceleration b/c it will require a bit more finesse, I think. I'm going to start a thread in the forum to discuss the controls b/c I would really like to talk this out with everyone and come to some consensus on the best way to move forward.

Thanks for the suggestions. The ranking is after the credits, I'll put it first so you don't tap out of it. I'm working on how to deal with the sounds. As for the controls, I'll play with them a bit. They are acceleration based to create that smooth feel but I understand that a bit faster could be better so I'll see what I can do.

I think there should be more reaction when flying into asteroids. Currently, the ship is gently moved to the side of the asteroid. I didn't even recognize this, until I saw that my shield power decreases each time. It would be nice if the shields could flicker a bit and there should be something like a "bzzzzzzzzzz" sound when "touching" the asteroids.

The controls are to soft. I don't want to fly faster, but I want to steer faster.

I'm also missing a ranking. Or was I just blind?

And of course, well, some music would be nice. Like in the old Wing Commander games.

Currently, I like the game (and bought it), but I don't see myself as being long-time motivated .

Bye,
Oliver

I'm testing the inverted controls right now and hopefully I'll have an update out to Apple within the next hour. The new update (1.0.2) will have the a new settings menu that allows you to change the "difficulty" (game speed) between easy (which is what it is set on now), medium, and hard (of course, I personally find easy pretty hard but some people just want to fly faster, you know?), invert the controls (as requested), and a rudimentary calibration feature.

The calibration feature doesn't work if the device is calibrated to be completely vertical, or way outside the normal operating bounds (like tilted sideways), but you can change the angle a bit between completely horizontal to a little more than 60 degrees or so without problem. In fact, before I submit to Apple I'd like to hear back from you guys (so maybe I'll give it until this afternoon): would you rather have a calibration feature that works when the device is not in too crazy a position but basically doesn't work at all otherwise or have no calibration feature at all until I can figure out how to do it better?

I'm going to keep working on the calibration but I decided it would be better to give some control over the center even if its not perfect.

My current plan for releases is now this:

1.1: Complete overhaul of the UI to use multiple views and less GL text.
1.2: Rewrite of the sound engine and find or engineer some better sounds. (I personally play without sounds because I like to listen to my iPod while playing, as such the sounds suffered a bit, I think, because I didn't pay as much attention to them.)

Anyway, the game has lots of potential and we're glad to have non-greedy + talented developers like yourself making apps for our phones! Keep up the good work!