iTGB 1.3 Planning
by Michael Perry · in iTorque 2D · 06/01/2009 (10:50 am) · 218 replies
The iTorque Updates Blog contains the iTGB Roadmap, which announces plans for v1.3. Here is a recap:
iTGB 1.3: The highest priority is upgrading the engine to work with the 3.0 OS and SDK for iPhones. This includes compatibility and integrating the new features.
* Compile iTGB against 3.0 SDK, with GCC 4.2
* Full motion video playback, with examples exposed to script
* Displaying pictures from device library
* Playing music from device library
* Camera access from device
In addition to 3.0 compatibility and new features, the following improvements to the base engine will be made.
* Integration of Melv May’s memory reduction code
* Significant load time reduction
* PVR for cell-based sprite sheets
* New iPhone features exposed to TorqueScript via C++ handlers
* Gesture callbacks for swipe, pinch, and zoom
* More documentation on creating optimized games, using iPhone specific features, and general reference to frameworks (engine code)
* Community member contributions
o Vibration by Dave Calabrese
o Loading and saving game data to device by Dave Calabrese
o Multi-Touch and gestures by Dave Calabrese and Justin Mosiman
* General optimizations that will increase fps
Please use this thread to post feedback about the upcoming features, or 3.0 specific functionality you might be interested in. Try not to clutter this with current bugs or 1.2 issues, which are addressed elsewhere.
iTGB 1.3: The highest priority is upgrading the engine to work with the 3.0 OS and SDK for iPhones. This includes compatibility and integrating the new features.
* Compile iTGB against 3.0 SDK, with GCC 4.2
* Full motion video playback, with examples exposed to script
* Displaying pictures from device library
* Playing music from device library
* Camera access from device
In addition to 3.0 compatibility and new features, the following improvements to the base engine will be made.
* Integration of Melv May’s memory reduction code
* Significant load time reduction
* PVR for cell-based sprite sheets
* New iPhone features exposed to TorqueScript via C++ handlers
* Gesture callbacks for swipe, pinch, and zoom
* More documentation on creating optimized games, using iPhone specific features, and general reference to frameworks (engine code)
* Community member contributions
o Vibration by Dave Calabrese
o Loading and saving game data to device by Dave Calabrese
o Multi-Touch and gestures by Dave Calabrese and Justin Mosiman
* General optimizations that will increase fps
Please use this thread to post feedback about the upcoming features, or 3.0 specific functionality you might be interested in. Try not to clutter this with current bugs or 1.2 issues, which are addressed elsewhere.
About the author
Programmer.
#42
blog.admob.com/2009/08/27/an-open-mediation-solution-for-app-developers/
AdWhirl supported most ad services *except* AdMob, and now that should be sorted too. They're going to open source their kit, which I hope means "zlib" or "BSD" or suchlike :)
08/28/2009 (7:11 am)
AdMob just acquired AdWhirl:blog.admob.com/2009/08/27/an-open-mediation-solution-for-app-developers/
AdWhirl supported most ad services *except* AdMob, and now that should be sorted too. They're going to open source their kit, which I hope means "zlib" or "BSD" or suchlike :)
#43
08/28/2009 (4:38 pm)
Some of the replies mentioned that push notification is useless for games. That isn't true for all games. There are a couple of turn-based iPhone games I currently play that this feature would be perfect for.
#44
www.imgtec.com/powervr/insider/powervr-sdk.asp
This should include a GUI-based texture compressor, so no need for the current hack ;)
08/28/2009 (6:40 pm)
There are now SDKs for Mac from the makers of the PowerVR GPU:www.imgtec.com/powervr/insider/powervr-sdk.asp
This should include a GUI-based texture compressor, so no need for the current hack ;)
#45
Also are we getting any revised iPhone tutorials on optimizations etc with this release?
Thanks in advance and good luck =)
08/31/2009 (6:38 am)
Is it possible we get any info if 1.3 is going to be deployed roughly around the previously given August e.t.a.?Also are we getting any revised iPhone tutorials on optimizations etc with this release?
Thanks in advance and good luck =)
#46
1. GG team is planning to give us a big surprise.
2. They´re having problems and feel ashamed so they choose to not say nothing.
3. They don´t care about customers and think that customers will be waiting forever no matter what since customers can do nothing about the delayed update.
4. Will be released today.
5. ?
Thanks GG for being so patient with your customers
Mike
09/01/2009 (12:29 pm)
I think that lack of info and/or an apologize for the lack of info about 1.3 is caused by:1. GG team is planning to give us a big surprise.
2. They´re having problems and feel ashamed so they choose to not say nothing.
3. They don´t care about customers and think that customers will be waiting forever no matter what since customers can do nothing about the delayed update.
4. Will be released today.
5. ?
Thanks GG for being so patient with your customers
Mike
#47
right on this with some reply...not good for customer loyalty. But I guess many devs have
games now on the app store.....so hard one to call?
i even requested "paid" support a month ago and no one ever contacted me for actual support?
All I know is we are down (waiting) at Zidware and can not release any code to the app store.
John
09/01/2009 (3:00 pm)
A tough one to answer. If I was running the marketing (or was the President) I would be right on this with some reply...not good for customer loyalty. But I guess many devs have
games now on the app store.....so hard one to call?
i even requested "paid" support a month ago and no one ever contacted me for actual support?
All I know is we are down (waiting) at Zidware and can not release any code to the app store.
John
#48
I had some pretty high hopes of making the next game with iTGB. Its strong point is (and probably will always be) source code access so I can add external API functionality myself. The biggest complaints we got from our customers were load times and the splash screen. Those are things which I only have partial or unacceptable answers for. Compared to the relative ease in which I'm using other engines right now, it would really feel like pulling teeth to have to come back and use iTGB again. I wish I could say differently, I've been a STAUNCH supporter for years.
Additionally, it is utterly puzzling why our concerns haven't been addressed in the slightest way beyond some basic lip service. I've seen vapid defense of the support experience for this very product by GG employees on external forums. I have no doubt that they believe what they're saying... but wanting to provide good products and providing good products are two different things. Posting about updates isn't the same as providing an update.
When we couldn't support our product (Combat Starter Kit) anymore, we at least pulled it from the store. It stinks to have to do that, but sometimes you need to admit you are spread too thin or can't live up to what you want to do.
I also admit that T3D looks good, great even. But my experience with iTGB and with the additional effort required to make a complete polished game make me want to steer way away from it.
I think the real painful part is that this is one of the most expensive released products in the GG lineup already. If it is receiving 0 support, how am I to expect that T3D will do any better? This is not my first venture with GG products, I own quite a few of them and I have loved em all.
I am just surprised and taken aback here. This wasn't a free or low-cost product. It was a major purchase. Very very surprised.
Just venting... back to work!
09/01/2009 (4:09 pm)
The problem with pointing to all the games on the app store is that: just because I managed to tie my shoes with mittens doesn't mean I wouldn't rather use gloves. It's all the folks who personally know the misery of working with iTGB. Why are we so forlorn? We can fix any problem we have: we've got the source code!I had some pretty high hopes of making the next game with iTGB. Its strong point is (and probably will always be) source code access so I can add external API functionality myself. The biggest complaints we got from our customers were load times and the splash screen. Those are things which I only have partial or unacceptable answers for. Compared to the relative ease in which I'm using other engines right now, it would really feel like pulling teeth to have to come back and use iTGB again. I wish I could say differently, I've been a STAUNCH supporter for years.
Additionally, it is utterly puzzling why our concerns haven't been addressed in the slightest way beyond some basic lip service. I've seen vapid defense of the support experience for this very product by GG employees on external forums. I have no doubt that they believe what they're saying... but wanting to provide good products and providing good products are two different things. Posting about updates isn't the same as providing an update.
When we couldn't support our product (Combat Starter Kit) anymore, we at least pulled it from the store. It stinks to have to do that, but sometimes you need to admit you are spread too thin or can't live up to what you want to do.
I also admit that T3D looks good, great even. But my experience with iTGB and with the additional effort required to make a complete polished game make me want to steer way away from it.
I think the real painful part is that this is one of the most expensive released products in the GG lineup already. If it is receiving 0 support, how am I to expect that T3D will do any better? This is not my first venture with GG products, I own quite a few of them and I have loved em all.
I am just surprised and taken aback here. This wasn't a free or low-cost product. It was a major purchase. Very very surprised.
Just venting... back to work!
#49
09/01/2009 (4:56 pm)
If 1.3 is free for 1.2 users, why don't we just get svn co (or whatever source repo) access since we've paid for the source. If that's too much, maybe just a daily snapshots?
#50
The point is that iTGB is based in an engine that is supposed to be for "beginners" and it is really annoying to found that in some cases the engine is not for every people. The most annoying point is the fact that GG doesn´t show interest in fast and real support for people that is spending its life using a not yet top notch quality product.
They seem to think that because people is releasing games (including me with Solitaire Siege) using iTGB the engine is good and stabile, but people is complaining about the stability and engine speed and that´s not good for the business. Not for us and not for GG.
So, GG team, when will you speak about the 1.3 release? Should we wait for it soon or should we start learning to use another software?
Mike
09/03/2009 (2:38 pm)
So GG doesn´t have nothing to say to make its customers happy? Too bad.The point is that iTGB is based in an engine that is supposed to be for "beginners" and it is really annoying to found that in some cases the engine is not for every people. The most annoying point is the fact that GG doesn´t show interest in fast and real support for people that is spending its life using a not yet top notch quality product.
They seem to think that because people is releasing games (including me with Solitaire Siege) using iTGB the engine is good and stabile, but people is complaining about the stability and engine speed and that´s not good for the business. Not for us and not for GG.
So, GG team, when will you speak about the 1.3 release? Should we wait for it soon or should we start learning to use another software?
Mike
#52
At this point its been almost a month without any real news. That's really not acceptable when your product is in this state.
09/05/2009 (2:14 pm)
I find this silence very alarming. We've given you our money, and now we must while away our time too? It would be nice to have a update so we know we haven't wasted both.At this point its been almost a month without any real news. That's really not acceptable when your product is in this state.
#53
The thing is, you just know that you will not buy any other products from them as the service suck. I realize that it’s still part of the holiday season (just), but it’s still no excuse for not replying to the forums.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been out a year now and the program is in such a bad state. You would at least expect a couple of minor point upgrades at least to show that it is been worked on.
What is really, really sad is that I’m now use to this total lack of service from them and I’ll get the upgrade when it comes out and I’m now slowly migrating over to Unity which really does seem to beat iTGB hands down (just need the time to learn a new system, but it’s picking up a lot of supporters now and GG really need to pull their finger out if they don’t want to get left behind).
09/05/2009 (4:30 pm)
I’m afraid its just what happened last time. Gave time frames that passed without any mention to the customers and when you ask/complain, you get shot back that they don’t know of any other company that helps it customers as much as they do. Well at least we didn’t get that this time, you just get a wall of silence from them (not sure if that’s any better).The thing is, you just know that you will not buy any other products from them as the service suck. I realize that it’s still part of the holiday season (just), but it’s still no excuse for not replying to the forums.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been out a year now and the program is in such a bad state. You would at least expect a couple of minor point upgrades at least to show that it is been worked on.
What is really, really sad is that I’m now use to this total lack of service from them and I’ll get the upgrade when it comes out and I’m now slowly migrating over to Unity which really does seem to beat iTGB hands down (just need the time to learn a new system, but it’s picking up a lot of supporters now and GG really need to pull their finger out if they don’t want to get left behind).
#54
09/06/2009 (12:33 am)
Hey guys, although this really doesn't mean GG isn't irresponsible for not giving us updates; I have fixed all my current problems with this thread. Anyone whose frustrated with the 1.2 crash after ~15 minutes memory bug needs to look at that.
#55
09/06/2009 (6:22 pm)
We need 1.3 due to Snow Leopard requiring Xcode 3.2 and iPhone SDK 3.0.
#57
Hope we get an answer soon!
David Leverton.
09/07/2009 (6:14 am)
Michael has been logging on and posting on other forums if you look at his profile. How difficult can it be to come into this forum and post an update? It's starting to get a little annoying that August was suggested and now August has passed without an update.Hope we get an answer soon!
David Leverton.
#58
09/07/2009 (10:24 am)
I made another pot of coffee....
#59
To give you a heads up on what in your projects will need to change:
- Filter pad is no longer used
- A new field as been added to the t2dImageMap. Without adding this to your datablocks, your game will not render correctly
- To make proper use of the new optimizations, your images MUST be powers of 2
- Memory reduction code mostly affects the editor, but you will see the adjust in your games. This is not necessarily a video memory optimization
- You will want to be very frugal with your datablock loading. Only load datablocks when you need them
- Scripts using touch input are going to need updating to work with new gestures
If you are mainly developing on the Mac, you are in a better place than Windows developers will be after this update. The only editing you should do on Windows will be for basic scripts, but a lot of the input changes are only going to work on OS X.
09/07/2009 (12:59 pm)
Tuesday is my deadline. A blog will go up announcing the release and what has changed, as well as a peak at the future of our iPhone engines.To give you a heads up on what in your projects will need to change:
- Filter pad is no longer used
- A new field as been added to the t2dImageMap. Without adding this to your datablocks, your game will not render correctly
- To make proper use of the new optimizations, your images MUST be powers of 2
- Memory reduction code mostly affects the editor, but you will see the adjust in your games. This is not necessarily a video memory optimization
- You will want to be very frugal with your datablock loading. Only load datablocks when you need them
- Scripts using touch input are going to need updating to work with new gestures
If you are mainly developing on the Mac, you are in a better place than Windows developers will be after this update. The only editing you should do on Windows will be for basic scripts, but a lot of the input changes are only going to work on OS X.
Torque Owner Mike Mann
Thanks!