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Could this be a way to avoid having a mac for iphone development?

by Joshua Wharton · in iTorque 2D · 03/21/2011 (10:32 pm) · 9 replies

Just wondering if maybe theres publishers out there who can finalize and transfer my iphone game to the app store so I dont have to spend a ton of money on a mac computer. Is there any company or publishers who can do that so I can get away with just using an iPod to test the game? Or is a mac required to transfer the game to the iPod unit itself?

I appreciate any answers but on the same note something still tells me Im screwed.
But thanks all the same.
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Torque 3D Owner Ronny Bangsund
Torque Cheerleaders
#1
03/21/2011 (10:38 pm)
The most common way to install it on an iPod is via Xcode, so you'd need a Mac. There might be some engines which have also have their own signing tools, but really, you want a Mac so you can do it the proper way and get to use Instruments for debugging.

Torque Owner Joshua Wharton
#2
03/21/2011 (10:49 pm)
thanks for that ronny, I appreciate it

from what I gather a mac is like specially atuned for signing these games to the ipods, etc/
So thats it then? no mac no dice? I mean theres absolutely no alternative? No companies that can finalize and sign it for me for a fee?


Torque 3D Owner Marc Dreamora Schaerer
Gayasoft
#3
03/21/2011 (11:47 pm)
Correct, no mac no dice, no alternative, cause no mac = no xcode = no compilation of iOS applications at all = nothing to put on the device.

Also, mac minis, especially refurbished ones, don't cost "a ton" :)

Torque 3D Owner Ronny Bangsund
Torque Cheerleaders
#4
03/21/2011 (11:52 pm)
Yeah, you can get by with a mini just fine :)

Make sure it's Core 2 Duo (not Core Duo), and you'll be able to run the next major release of the OS.

If you want a company to handle it for you, you will probably have to hand over your soul, in addition to a large cut of the sales. Companies like Gameloft do that sort of thing, although they probably expect a working game already. If you've never run yours on a real device, there are many things that could surprise you.

Torque Owner Chris Labombard
Premium Preferred
#5
03/22/2011 (5:39 am)
Joshua - Search the forums for Matt Mitman's game Jounce (Dev Interviews). He made it without a Mac, using iT2D with the windows binary and after he finished it he had someone else build it for release on the App Store. He doesn't have a Mac.

So... YES! you can do it if you put the effort in. Keep in mind, you will need to test it once it's on the device (ad hoc distribution from whoever ported it for you) because the performance, etc. will be a lot different once it's on device.

Also note, I am not recommending this approach, just letting you know it IS possible.

Torque 3D Owner Ronny Bangsund
Torque Cheerleaders
#6
03/22/2011 (6:55 am)
Possible, but not much fun. The porter in the case of Jounce did a ton of work. More than a publishing house would be willing to do for you.

Torque Owner Chris Labombard
Premium Preferred
#7
03/22/2011 (6:59 am)
That is true.

You could contract someone (like me) to do it for you, but then you might as well just buy a Mac and do it yourself.

Torque 3D Owner Marc Dreamora Schaerer
Gayasoft
#8
03/22/2011 (7:32 am)
Will likely be cheaper to just buy one normally, as we talk of 1-2 weeks of work depending on the reasonable usage of resources on the game created on windows and handling of resolving potential rejection backfires from apple.
Worst is you have no possibility to experience the input and without that you can't create any reasonable iOS game as its all about the experience, not the bling bling :)

Torque 3D Owner Ronny Bangsund
Torque Cheerleaders
#9
03/22/2011 (4:53 pm)
If I was to port an untested game I'd expect about the cost of a new Mac, and not just a mini ;)