Game Progress Update #90

Hello world, and welcome to the ninetieth Dev with Dave Game Progress Update.

It’s not the largest update I’m afraid. There was a big End-of-August deadline which I could not put off, so I haven’t had any spare time to myself. (This is a great shame, as we set the hot-tub up last weekend, and haven’t really had chance to use it yet)

I did however manage to get everything done with a day or two to spare, so fingers crossed 🤞, I will spend the weekend relaxing in the sunshine. Although I should probably mow the lawn at least first, lol.

I have tried to get as much done as I could this time round, so let me tell you what I managed.

In App Purchase bug

After spending way longer than I would have liked trying to resolve this issue, I think that it’s actually an issue with the way AGK Studio has implemented the resetting of In App Purchases.

I added the issue to the AGK Studio GitHub page, and now I just have to wait until it gets fixed.

Compiled and uploaded a new test build

For those of you on the test team, I have compiled and uploaded a new test build.

This build replaces the previous version which wouldn’t even open. The compilation issue has not been resolved, but we have found a workaround for now.

There are a list of known bugs on the Trello board, click on the link to see.

For those of you not on the test team but who want to be, then just send me a message. I’ll get you set up with early access to the game.

Marketing and Promotion

As is often the way at this stage of preparing for release, most of the work has been aimed at marketing and promotion.

I have been creating a document which details what I have been doing to market the game pre-launch, as well as what I plan to do after the launch as well. It is proving to be a handy check list in allowing me to check everything is ready.

Following on from the email sequences, and the Flappy-vaders website, the next important step in our “funnel” is the store page itself.

I had left creating much of the store details until later in the development process, as I needed to have a better idea of what the finished game would look like before grabbing screen shots to use. I also need to do some keyword research in preparation of writing the store page copy.

I also had a look at Canva, after I was recommended it, although it didn’t really seem hugely suitable for what I wanted.

It seemed more suitable for social media posts relating to portrait apps. I will bear it in mind, and perhaps revisit it for another project.

And that’s all for now

That’s all for now guys. I’ll be back in two weeks with another update. I’ll try and share the Marketing strategy document with you in the next update (if it’s done in time).

In the mean time, I need to go as I still have to do post production on this blog, and create social media posts to share.

Until next time 👋

Game Progress Update #89

Hello world! And welcome to the eighty ninth Dev with Dave Game progress update!

I was planning on sitting outside today to write this weeks game update, but I lent my MacBook to my son the other day and it was completely flat when I went outside with it. So instead, I’m sat inside, surrounded by fans (The spinning kind, not the screaming and adoring type), trying to keep cool.

I’ve not had as much time at the computer working on the game as I’d have liked, but I took the opportunity to review how the game is going, and my marketing efforts for it.

Fixing the IAP issue

As I said in the last update, although the compilation issue isn’t resolved, we have worked out a workaround.

The issue with the IAP in Flappy-vaders involves the purchase not resetting. I have followed the documentation regarding resetting a consumable purchase, and it has not worked.

I have attempted moving the reset command, and adding delays and extra sync commands, but sadly to no avail.

The last thing I had to try was to add a repeat loop containing the purchase reset. I did this, uploaded the build to the store, and it still didn’t work. 🙁

I am still working closely with the Developers of AGK regarding the compilation issue, so I will mention this in the next email and add it to the AGK GitHub bug list.

Email sequences

I was hoping to do some more work on the emails for the email sequences. I made a start, adding to and tweaking the content of a couple of the emails.

The first sequence is pretty much complete now, but the second sequence still needs a little work.

I was called away however when I was trying to do this. We noticed that the kittens had been going to toilet behind all the furniture. So I had to immediately pull all the furniture out and mop the floors to within an inch of there lives.

The office is much cleaner now, and does not smell like a cat litter tray. I didn’t however, get the email sequences done

Planning and Strategizing

As I said earlier, I did review the game, and the marketing plan. I was hoping to include it in this blog post, but it was rather larger than I thought. I am thinking I might post it as a standalone blog post.

That’s all for this week.

Well, That’s another two weeks over and done with. I’m really not overly impressed with how slowly preparing for the games release is going. I have several areas (bug fixes, running ads, etc.) which have ground to a halt for reasons beyond my control.

Hopefully next week will be a better week.

So until then 🙂

Game Progress Update #88

Hello World! And Welcome to the eighty eighth Dev with Dave Game Progress Update!

Like the previous update, this update is split into two main halves. Fixing the IAP issue and getting compilation to work again; and also ensuring everything is ready to launch the website and start sending out the email sequences.

It’s been a ridiculously hot week again this week again, and I have spent as much time outside as I can. It has been unbearable at my desk even with the fan going.

This has caused it’s own problems, as the MacBook is still quite new and I haven’t managed to configure everything yet.

However, let me tell you about what I have managed to get done.

Compiling updates

Although the issue with compiling updates has not been resolved. We have at least discovered what was causing the issue. It’s the json configuration file for the Firebase analytics. If I remove these details from the compilation dialogue, then the game compiles and runs fine.

I am still working closely with the guys at TGC to resolve the issue, as obviously, just removing the analytics is not a particularly brilliant solution.

However it does now mean I can compile and test updates, and hopefully get the IAP problem fixed.

Fixing the IAP problem

There is a problem with purchasing coin packs in Flappy-vaders. When you buy a coin pack, it works the first time, which is nice. This is actually as far as the initial testing went, so it went undetected for a while.

The second time that you buy the same coin pack, then it throws up an error saying that you already own the coin pack. It then works properly the third time you purchase the coin pack.

I am not sure if this bug relates to the way I have handled changes to the way Google handles consumable purchases, or if it’s a bug with the In App Purchase commands in AGK Studio.

I have so far tried a couple of things to help resolve the problem, but being unable to compile and upload a test build has put a delay on rectifying this problem.

Although I have made another attempt to solve this, I have not had chance to upload it to the store for testing as yet.

Hopefully I have cracked it though, and shall endeavour to get a fixed build published to the store ready for testing.

Email sequences

I actually couldn’t access the Bravo website today as I couldn’t remember the login details! I’m sat outside working on the MacBook instead of my usual desktop PC. This is super annoying as I usually use OneNote to keep a track of stuff like this.

Although I did look at what I have managed so far with the email sequences, I didn’t really expand on what was already there.

I have a rough idea of what each email will say. So far, two of the emails are more or less complete. The others become less detailed as the list progresses.

Instead I focussed a little more on which type of ads I would be running to promote the website.

Website

Another important promotional tool is the website. It converts visitors directed to the site by ads to subscribers.

It doesn’t look like the site has a privacy policy currently. Make sure all the other links and stuff work.

I used a free privacy policy generator from PrivacyPolicies.com which took me a while to find. But after a few false starts, I managed to get this done in a few hours.

I tweaked a few other details on the website also.

That’s all for this week

That’s all I have time for this update. I’m trying desperately to get everything wrapped up so I can go outside and enjoy the sunshine 🌞

I will be back as always in a fortnight with the next update. Hopefully with news of the update, and something positive to show with the promotional planning.

So until next time..

See you all then.