I don't think that the new license is against game engines, most developers use some (or their own) middle ware. What Apple doesn't want is middle ware which is just working as wrapper around the API and makes it harder for Apple to make changes in the API once such middle ware is widely popular. To be honest, even with the new export-to-ipa feature of Flash it's not nearly running as fast as native apps because the flash programs still have to use the flash runtime to draw things, use things like garbage collector and be victim to huge memory usage and memory leak problems in Flash.
I totally agree. Ground Effect was written with a library that, for historical reasons, also works on Windows and (theoretically) PS3. Another iPhone game that was written using it now supports another 'smartphone' which will be released, along with the windows version, some time in the future. My windows version was vital for development as it has the editor built in. I also found 95%+ of the bugs in that version because the VS debugger is way better than the one in xcode. I think it's very different from being able to write a flash game and press a button. I can sort of see why Apple are against it.
this changes is just Apple telling Adobe to piss off n keep flash from the Idevices. I dont think it will affect game engines in anyway
Lets hope so. Just (4 days ago) bought an mac mini to develop games with gamesalad That would be rely bad timing...
I think this is exactly right. I can easily imagine a situation where a popular middle-ware vendor (Adobe, for example) gets de-facto control over the API by choosing what innovations to implement. That's not where Apple wants to be, and in the end does a disservice to the end customer. I think Unity is not really the issue here.
Ah, so then, if I understand correctly, Apple just doesnt want "export-to-ipa" insta binary generators that are not from them, right? Other programs and development environments that for example generate native code that has to be compiled on Xcode are ok. I know about lots of non-mac frameworks like glbasic and freepascal that can be used to write apps for the iphone, but they only generate code and project files that still have to be compiled on Xcode with the official iphone SDK. Those are ok, right?
It is very possible that this will affect Unity. Steve Jobs reasoning on quality though is total bs. Quality doesn't come from the tools people use, it comes from the skills and drive they posses. In the end this all retarded, if Apple is concerned about quality then they can reject apps based on that, not how they are made. Oh their worried about apps working on Android and other platforms? Well many apps on the iPhone work on other platforms already. If you have to move a bunch of dirt are you going to use a shovel, or a bulldozer? Which one will get the job done better and faster? Apple wants to take its developers back to the stone age so that it can hand out the rocks. Guess what less indie developers means? Higher prices on the games made by Gameloft and other mega corps, and a whole lot less variety. In the end if Apple does decide to screw its developers, they will end up screwing the consumer and their precious little App Store as well. We can all only hope that there is enough backlash to have the T.O.S. changed. I'm all for Apple blocking flash apps, but can't they do it with less collateral damage?
Not going to happen, Android was too late to the party and Palm is not really seen as a proper rival to the iphone (look at sales figures too), the iphone/touch market is huge now, not a chance of the others catching up.
Hey guys due to these new terms of service I have started the website http://www.StopTheMadnessSteveJobs.com Please help digg it and get it spread so maybe Steve will see exactly how this new policy screws so many of us. Share your stories and support, now is the time for us to band together and give Steve Jobs a reality check.
How about you hold up till we know exactly what we're talking about? We may know much more about this on Monday.
Agreed. If a response is needed, be it petitions, boycotts, protests, fasting, goat sacrifices... we only get to do it once! So lets finish getting the FULL information first. I can see indie developers banding together in some form of protest if it turns out that a lot of good games are going to be kicked off the platform. Even developers who arent affected wont like the precedent. Of course, the iPhone could lose 10,000 developers and Apple still wouldnt have to care about device sales. But they HAVE shown some flexibility and responsiveness to outcries in the past. Sometimes...
For those curious, it looks like Shiva will be okay under the new restrictions. A quote from the devs- Does anyone know if there's been word from the Unity devs on the subject?
Well - Shiva guys are different about their press release stuff than unity folks... Shiva release information early, to a highest possible extent, even if things are'nt really ready or confirmed. Unity follows the somewhat opposite, more conservative route: fix things first, contact and talk serious with partners (apple in that case) first, and talk to public later. For me i clearly favor unity's way of doing it.
What on earth are you on about? Here's what's happening- people are asking about the Shiva devs plans and what they know (so people's minds are put to rest), and the developers are kindly answering. There's no crazy throwing around of non-confirmed information. Thread is here. Shiva will conform to Apple's requirements. What's there for them to talk to Apple about? EDIT: Am I talking to the spacefrog from Cgtalk?
If Unity was to list all the Apps made with their engine I'm sure it would include many of the top selling, most well received, titles (and some duds too. ) I can't believe it's Apple's intent to do away with them and their ilk. We'll see what this week brings. Mark
Love new Apple, Inc strategy . They proceeding like a big world wide company. Apple will be souch a big brand ,in finally nobody will stand apple . They make their tehnology and this is key to succes. Good job apple , rape alll!
Ouch. Big companies are there to make money. Yes, they can be nasty and stupid. Even Google (do no evil) went evil with their China escapade. Gotta feed the shareholders. Mark
