More info on the next version

May 6
Phew - it has been a couple of hectic weeks and I want to update you on the progress on the new version!

The picture is from the current state of the game and shows one of the new vehicles and one of its uses. The focus of this version really is on enabling you to transport things easier and it ties in with the mission system as well. It is not much fun to drive an excavator across the quite big new scene, so of course we need to be able to transport machines and building materials!

The time spent these two weeks have been on very necessary but "uncool" things. Like memory and performance optimization. Lots of work went into rewriting some of the physics code as well to enable a truck and semi to couple and decouple while being under load (from a heavy machine for example). The week starting tomorrow will be spent on polishing the new scene and adding missions and props for them. There is some sound work needed as well for the new machines, but I do hope we will enter beta testing soon and that it will be a quick process. 

I really can't wait to make this update available to you! Nearly there now... :)
 

A small teaser for the next version

April 26
It has been a while since the last proper status update on the next version. I have posted some info in the forums, but no pics or detailed info - until now!

The image shows one of the new machines almost finished. It is a fully functional mobile crane with 8-wheel steering, telescoping arm and extending and individually adjustable support legs. The hoist wire is realistically simulated, as is the forces on the wire and the result they have on the arm and crane as a whole. So, for example, if you lift something heavy you really want to make sure that you have the support legs positioned correctly and that you don't extend the crane too far or make any unwise movements, otherwise it may tip over - exactly like in real life.

Oh, and you can lift everything that is not fixed. Other vehicles and props such as containers and other things can be moved around freely!

What else have we done in the past month or so? Well, the ground deformation system is up and running. You will be able to dig anywhere in the scene and leave permanent holes, ditches and mounds. The new deformable terrain system is in fact more optimized than the current one, meaning that we can afford to plant many more trees, buildings and other nice things in the scene while getting better performance - so the new scene is much more populated and realistic.

We are currently implementing the last bit on the mission system. So perhaps I can get into that and the other machines in the next update... In the meantime, visit us in the forums and say hi!

 

A status update and a Thank You!

(March 12) We are still working away on the next update (1.5), which will feature more machines, a new very detailed and quite big map for both iPad 1 and 2...and missions!

Before I go into more details (in english - promise! ;) ) I want to say a few words to my fellow Swedes as Machine World is currently #1 of all Apps in Sweden:
Ett stort tack till alla ni som visat intresse för eller köpt Machine World! Det är oerhört roligt att det blivit så pass uppskattat här hemma..! Tack!

So, what exactly are we doing? Well, we have spent some time building a new and detailed map which should work equally well on iPad1 and 2 due to some optimizations. We have built loads of buildings and other stuff to include...and machines! Also, we're working away on the mission system and the ground deformation system.

If all goes well, you should be able to dig anywhere you please in the next version and make an impact - dig holes, create mounds of dirt/rock and make way for construction of...well...stuff. Don't want to reveal to much yet. ;)

As always, if you have feedback of any kind - please let us know in the forums! Thanks! 

The road ahead: next update!

So, version 1.0.5 is out the door. It features an entirely new control system and has been well received by our users. All reviews this far (except a grumpy one in Norway) has been 5 or 4 stars. Thank you!

In all the reviews, the most common request is more machines and missions.
Guess what? We're working on it!

The next update will feature new (and much improved) scenery for both the iPad 1 and 2. Everything will look that much better and both platforms will have a big scene to play around in.

It will also feature new machines and missions. You probably want to know which machines and how the missions are going to work. Right? Well, it's a secret for now but as we get closer to release we'll reveal it here - so keep your eyes on this page.

It is still not too late to influence things. Do you have a really good idea for a machine or something you would like to do? Tell us in the forums! 

New controls! 1.0.5 is in review and out soon!

Update! Version 1.0.5 with completely new controls just went into review with Apple after one week spent in queue. Hopefully the update is approved quickly. It should then be available on your device in a few hours.
We will keep you updated!

(Old post:)
Earlier this week Apple approved version 1.0.1, and it is now available on the App Store. 1.0.1 was a bugfix release, focusing on memory use and performance.

We are already working on the next update that will feature a new control system, rebuilt from the ground up based on the feedback from our customers. Do you want to have your say on the new controls? Post your ideas and thoughs in the forum!

Machine World is still doing well in Europe, and we have been told this weekend will see the publication of a new review on an App Site we like. We hope they have nice things to say. :)

As always, let us know what you think about Machine World. We do appreciate all feedback!