Rocking Pocket Games Development Blog

I have been updating almost all of my IOS apps so they can be compiled from Xcode 4 instead of Xcode 3.  This is really needed internally so I can build the apps easier and keep them all up to date with the latest SDK.  I have discovered that older devices such as the original iPod Touch with IOS 3.1 are not working with the last round of updates, and more updates are coming to fix that.   If you have an older device you may want to hold off on updating until the fixes are available.

As well, OpenFeint 2.12.7 is being added to transition away from UDID’s which Apple is not going to allow in the future.

Some of the iFishing games have problems recording achievements and will crash when you get a fish up to the boat.  This has also been fixed in the next patch.  Thanks to all those who reported the problem and if you have any other troubles let me know at support@rockingpocketgames.com.

I am pleased to announce the name of my new game is Mech Pilot.   Visit MechPilot.com for development screenshots and videos as the game progresses.

I am working full time on my Mech game for IOS now.  Today I have the mech aiming and following the camera around, in preparation for a waypoint system.

I’ve been working on some improvements to the Power Render 7 engine on IOS.

1) Milkshape file format support, with skinning and bump mapping
2) Full scene soft shadows with dynamic light with large scenes (city)
3) Shadows that fade out based on distance (to keep shadow map size requirements down)
4) Texture based fogging

All of that is running at a smooth 30 fps and will be used for a mech game for starters.

Steve Jobs passed away yesterday, a day after iPhone 4S was announced.    It is hard to believe his work changed us all so much in the last 5 years.  I’m sure Apple will be fine.

There is an update coming to fix the black screen when the time runs out on a tournament.   You can get around that by manually ending the game from the in game menu before the time runs out.    There were a couple of lines of code that were commented out because the function hadn’t been ported yet and I just had to uncomment them to fix it.

There are also reports that the game won’t start on some phones.  Email me at support@rockingpocketgames.com and let me know which models don’t work so I can buy them and fix the problem.