GG @ iGames Summit and new iTorque games previewed!
by Brett Seyler · 03/20/2009 (2:18 am) · 17 comments
Hey everyone. I wanted to share some really cool news from my visit to the iGames Summit yesterday. I participated in the Summit's closing panel "Where do we go from here?" We talked a lot about the iPhone 3.0 announcement, which everyone thought would be a huge improvement to the API for game developers. We'll certainly be looking at how to incorporate this new functionality in iTorque. Everyone at the conference was really engaged, and we saw great discussions in several breakout sessions and panels, all broadcast 140 characters at a time via Twitter.
And speaking of iTorque, we got some really good preview coverage for some exciting new Torque games coming to the iPhone. First up, Kachinko from Max Gaming. Check out the story on the iPhone Games Network...
We also previewed Marble Blast Mobile, which is really coming together nicely. Check out the video below:
I definitely recommend checking this out in HD on Youtube.com (
since I can't figure out how to embed here in HD :/ )
Both Slide to Play and the iPhone Games Network gave MBM pretty favorable writeups too.
Huge thanks to Luma Arcade for doing such a fantastic job with the porting and optimization of this game so far. I think we're just scratching the surface here of what you can do with 2D and 3D games on the iPhone. I'm really excited to see these games hit the App Store!
About the author
Since 2007, I've done my best to steer Torque's development and brand toward the best opportunities in games middleware.
#2
03/20/2009 (3:56 am)
Glad to hear it all went well Brett! 
#3
03/20/2009 (5:47 am)
Marble Blast Mobile looks great 
#4
I am looking to get an iphone engine but, your iTGE seems to be stuck in the same limbo as TX 3D.
Seriously what the heck is going on with that?
03/20/2009 (9:46 am)
Hi BrettI am looking to get an iphone engine but, your iTGE seems to be stuck in the same limbo as TX 3D.
Seriously what the heck is going on with that?
#5
03/20/2009 (9:48 am)
Awesome job on Marble Blast! That looks great, and the controls look like they will really work. Nice. 
#6
iTGE has been available to our commercial licensees since its announcement. We are putting the polish on the indie release (more documentation, etc). I believe it drops today.
EDIT:
TorqueX, as you know, is caught up in certification right now.
03/20/2009 (9:59 am)
@PeteriTGE has been available to our commercial licensees since its announcement. We are putting the polish on the indie release (more documentation, etc). I believe it drops today.
EDIT:
TorqueX, as you know, is caught up in certification right now.
#7
I'm trying to forget TX3D. Even the people I know in good old MS don't have a clue what is happening to that little gem.
Good to know iTGE drops today but, why was it only available to commercial developers? Seems like an odd thing to do given GG is an indie developer.
03/20/2009 (10:27 am)
@DavidI'm trying to forget TX3D. Even the people I know in good old MS don't have a clue what is happening to that little gem.
Good to know iTGE drops today but, why was it only available to commercial developers? Seems like an odd thing to do given GG is an indie developer.
#8
At any rate, Indie license holders are getting their hands on it today.
03/20/2009 (10:37 am)
@Peter - We wanted to make sure it had a more stable release than iTGB. I have been running the engine through some tests to make sure it was easy to deploy a TGE project to the iPhone. It's pretty stable and fast now, but there is still room for improvement and new docs.At any rate, Indie license holders are getting their hands on it today.
#9
I have been able to preview and QA all of the games coming out, and they have blown me away. The amount of polish and fun factor pushed into these games is impressive.
Great work with the projects and coverage Brett! =)
03/20/2009 (10:39 am)
Btw...this is one of my favorite blogs. I've been working closely with the iTorque technology for several months now.I have been able to preview and QA all of the games coming out, and they have blown me away. The amount of polish and fun factor pushed into these games is impressive.
Great work with the projects and coverage Brett! =)
#10
Fair do's
I know it's an odd place to ask (but I am about to spend 500 dollars on iTGE) but, can you run through a quick summary of the iphone deployment process with iTGE. I just want to get a feel for what my dev process is going to be.
cheers
Edit: My wireless keyboard also seems to be developing characterless operations too :P
03/20/2009 (10:44 am)
@MichaelFair do's
I know it's an odd place to ask (but I am about to spend 500 dollars on iTGE) but, can you run through a quick summary of the iphone deployment process with iTGE. I just want to get a feel for what my dev process is going to be.
cheers
Edit: My wireless keyboard also seems to be developing characterless operations too :P
#11
A fantastic execution and a great demonstration of what iTGE can do.
Way to go Luma!
03/20/2009 (10:58 am)
For those who have been around the Garage scene for a little while you, know I'm hardcore a Marble Blast dominator. When Luma was first in our office discussing MBM, I was skeptical that the polished feel of the game's physics and play control could translate to the iPhone. Boy was I wrong! Because of the physicality of playing Marble Blast on the iPhone this version is even more fun than the PC or XboX version. Tilting the screen to move forces you to really get into the game and hold your breath when you're close to the edges. A fantastic execution and a great demonstration of what iTGE can do.
Way to go Luma!
#12
03/20/2009 (11:06 am)
Very nice guys. I'm almost tempted to go buy an iPhone now.
#13
1. Create your TGE game using script and editors
2. Optimize your assets, and move as much heavy logic as you want into the engine to increase speed
3. Compile your DSO files
4. Add your project files to the Xcode solution
5. Set your code signing info
6. Build and go
03/20/2009 (11:39 am)
@Peter - A detailed description would derail the blog, and might be best discussed in a thread. I can provide a short answer, though:1. Create your TGE game using script and editors
2. Optimize your assets, and move as much heavy logic as you want into the engine to increase speed
3. Compile your DSO files
4. Add your project files to the Xcode solution
5. Set your code signing info
6. Build and go
#14
Thanks for the props :)
Make sure to shoot through an email to me if you have any feedback for our final push, as you are no doubt the Marble Master ;)
03/20/2009 (11:53 am)
@Davey:Thanks for the props :)
Make sure to shoot through an email to me if you have any feedback for our final push, as you are no doubt the Marble Master ;)
#15
Thanks that's all I was looking for. I have some assets cooking on TGE standard and wanted to see if that was a good idea or not.
Looks like my poor old macbook (ok so it's actually brand new) is in for a long hard life.
Edit: better ask the obvious question I guess. Any idea what time the drop is likely to happen. I'm in england so it's starting to get late here!
03/20/2009 (12:05 pm)
@MichaelThanks that's all I was looking for. I have some assets cooking on TGE standard and wanted to see if that was a good idea or not.
Looks like my poor old macbook (ok so it's actually brand new) is in for a long hard life.
Edit: better ask the obvious question I guess. Any idea what time the drop is likely to happen. I'm in england so it's starting to get late here!
#16
03/20/2009 (4:08 pm)
@Peter - Torque X 3D *will* be coming out, I can promise you that. Believe me, I want to see it get out as badly as you do. John Kanalakis has been working on tutorials and other goodies as well and has put a TON of work into this project. I think the results will speak for themselves :) ..and hopefully SOON!!
#17
03/24/2009 (11:08 am)
I am using Unity3D for the moment. I look forward to having a Torque solution for iPhone development as well.
Torque 3D Owner Brett Seyler
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