My game, Galaxia Interface, is 98% coded, but so far i only have one 5 minute long level. I was thinking of putting a beta version of Galaxia Interface on itunes as a way to early on get some feedback and to see how it runs on other people’s devices. The beta version would have one finished level. And instead of a level select button in the main menu, put a send feedback button that links to my email.
I know itunes can be kind of strict with the apps they approve. Would they let me put up an app that will only be up for maybe a week or two?
if you name it like the real release.
if its named or described with beta, test and alike or has some usage problem it will automatically get rejected by the reviewer
That’s what beta testing with ad hoc builds is for. Expecting the general public to serve as unwitting beta testers isn’t a nice thing to do. (I say “unwitting” because even if you explain very clearly what you’re doing, 95% of people won’t read it.)
–Eric
what if i were to put up a “full version” with only one level at first, but add the rest of the levels over time? im kind of worried that id get a bunch of reviews saying “this game sucks, there’s only one level”.
yeah, good point.
what’s ad hoc builds?
eteeski,
It’s mentioned briefly in the iPhone Dev Program User Guide, but there’s a much more in-depth walkthrough here:
http://www.oogtech.org/content/2010/09/12/iphone-dev-creating-ad-hoc-distributions-for-beta-testers/
Hope that helps.
Why don’t you just complete the coding, 100% and put up the small level you have ready as the FREE version and state that there will be the FULL version for one or two dollars? That’s usual.
NO, NO, NO…dont do that, thats not what putting stuff on iTunes is for and Apple reviews will downright reject you for this… if you want beta testers, use this website http://ibetatest.com/iphone/controllers/welcome/
That’s what its built for, I’m using it and its been great help so far…you will get applicants very quickly.
As others have mentioned. You DO NOT put beta builds up on iTunes. If you do this Apple will reject your app and you run a real risk of not being able to publish with them at all in the future.
Their terms and conditions are very clear that the software must be complete. Apple do not take kindly to those who willingly break those terms and will cancel your developer membership if they find out about it.
Use either ad-hoc builds or hold beta sessions with friends, family, associates etc. etc. The beta test site jrricky mentioned is ok for this stuff, though I don’t tend to use it as I’m a bit paranoid about letting my baby out of my site.
Any other experiences using http://ibetatest.com/iphone/controllers/welcome/ ?
How do you build an ad-hoc Unity deliverable? I keep getting an error trying to do a build and archive… Unable to copy dSYM file into archive, but the recommended Debug Info format is already set to what they say.
ty!