Xcode Beta, Fallout Shelter, Newzoo May Report - and other mobile news of the week


    Viva La Xcode Revolving!


    New beta pre-release version of Xcode released . As always, bug fixes plus a minor update for Obj-C. A larger update for Swift: version 2.0, finally with support for error / exception handling. Added SDK for watchOS 2.0 in the kit, if you can’t wait to build something new, not yet implemented on an Apple watch. Support for iOS 9, well, that’s right, in working order.

    We pass to heavy artillery. So, new tools are included in the struggle to optimize application resources! Added support for Bitcode: optionally, in itunesconnect, you can send an application not assembled for all architectures, but an intermediate code, which already on Apple servers will be assembled under the user's target platform and will be ready in that form. Moreover, an application will be assembled with all the latest libraries and updates that will be at that moment on Apple servers (we don’t know at what point and how often this assembly will take place). From the point of view of reducing the executable file, this is good, but from the point of view of stability, it can be both good and bad, depending on how the application is built without your control, so it may be worthwhile to be careful.

    What else? Slicing: you can specify how much of the application’s resources on which device will be required, and Apple servers will give the user only what he needs. This is a good thing, no more overhead for starting the application pack!

    On demand resources: the built-in ability of the App Store to load the necessary and delete content that is currently unnecessary for the application. The most controversial innovation for games, if the content download server is already there and is one for all platforms ... Well, let it be, maybe it will come in handy. In addition, we will not be chauvinists, non-game native applications can benefit from this.

    And finally, most importantly, the most revolutionary change for such a conservative apple company: Free Provisioning! Now, to build and debug the application on your device, you no longer need to buy a subscription to the Apple Developer Program. No hassle, no doubt, just take the device, Xcode and run.

    I don’t know who came up with this great idea, but nevertheless, the threshold for entering iOS development has significantly decreased. Apparently, competition with Android is paying off. Although, maybe you just need more gold developers. “Developers! Developers! Developers! Developers” - knocking ash in our hearts, Steve!


    Mobile game in the Fallout universe




    The other day, Bethesda introduced players a mobile game in the Fallout universe. The game turned out to be a mixture of a city builder and a time manager and personally reminded me of another game based on the famous movie franchise Tiny Death Star. In fact, the player needs to manage the residents of the post-apocalyptic refuge, who, in the best traditions of the Sims, get resources, pump skills, get tired and multiply.

    The game is not very demanding on the donation and in many respects thanks to this it was very well received by the franchise fans. However, paying players can still get some advantage by investing real money in the game.

    Fallout Shelter can already be downloaded from the App Store, but the Android version, as often happens, is late. See you soon!


    May rating from Newzoo


    Newzoo analytic company continues to publish its monthly reports on the state of the mobile market. The May report presented tops on downloads and revenue for mobile games for the App Store in three regions: the USA, Europe and China. Although the report provides an analysis of only one platform, but the monthly analytics from Newzoo comes out earlier than the nearest competitors of App Annie.

    So, the top 10 gaming iOS applications in May 2015 in three regions:

    USA


    Europe


    China



    What Apple features: ratings, price and categories




    Appbot demonstrated the results of the analysis of applications for the iPhone, which are now registered in the US App Store. As a result, 3 charts are presented showing the percentage ratio by rating, price and categories of applications that are on the main page of the App Store.

    An application does not have to have a rating of 5 stars in order to get into firing - about 70% of applications with a rating of 4-4.5. There are also games with a rating of 3 stars or lower - user ratings are important, but one unsuccessful update that spoils the overall rating of the application will not cut off the way to featured.

    Despite the fact that most of the locked applications are free, still more than 35% of the applications are paid. If we consider applications whose cost is below $ 5, then we see that they are approximately equally found on the main page of the App Store.

    In the categories of the game, there is no chance for anyone, although there are not a few applications from the sections: “Lifestyle”, “Education”, “Photos and Videos”.

    The average age of applications that got into phishing is 1.3 years. You can find applications with the release 6-7 days ago, but there were also those that are already 6 years old.


    Twitter shows ads for user installed applications


    The new Twitter tool, available to advertisers, helps target ads by application category, which opens up the ability to select users who are interested in a particular topic.

    For example, advertisers who promote a task management application can select the Productivity category and reach those users who have recently installed similar applications, writes Twitter. They can also choose the Finance category, as there may also be people interested in the application.

    But it’s too early to talk about the use of this tool for game developers. The category of games does not break down into any specific genres or subcategories, and this does not provide special assistance in targeting an advertising company. Perhaps in the near future, Twitter will somehow independently process the collected information on applications, in particular games, and offer a more accurate selection of users who may be interested in a particular game.


    From games to cartoons, designers and parks




    It is very interesting to watch the development of brands of characters created by games. Rovio is actively promoting its birds in a wide variety of niches: they have already switched from the series to the feature film and even open their theme parks. Here I wanted to focus, but their actions are quite natural and logical. If you can’t make good and profitable games, then you need to develop and consolidate existing achievements.

    Apparently, Rovio finally accepted themselves, realizing all the advantages and disadvantages, decided to move away from the image of the publisher towards the entertainment company. Even with Lego collaborate, released a branded designer . Lego goes to games actively, and Rovio - to the real world.

    ZeptoLab decided to follow a similar path along with Blockade Entertainmentshoot a cartoon about his most epic freak Am Nyam. Such are the movements of heroes from cartoons to games and from games to cartoons. We are waiting for the final merger of the film and gaming industries :)

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