How to best test/set GameCenter? (I am using GGGameCentre module)

Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#1

Hi guys,

I am thinking about adding GameCenter to a current app but I am not sure how to proceed without too much problem later. I want to use the excellent GGGameCentre module (at least a simple leaderboard part for now) and not sure how to proceed on the iTunes side for testing.

I have implemented GGGameCentre (super simple!) and I can see that the leaderboard I setup is receiving and showing the highscores (every time I play the game on my device…adhoc… I sent the new highcore to GC) and it works great. I also see that the game center when it start shows that I am in a “sandbox” mode. I am assuming it is normal since I did not send the (modified) app with GC for review. Correct?

This is (GC) is all new to me so I am not sure what to expect but want to make I am going at the correct way. So I will assume (since the code works fine on my device) is to send the new binary to Apple for review. At that anybody who download the app will be able (if they choose) to upload their high score to GC on the leaderboard that I setup for that app with that bundle name?

Thanks for any suggestions/comments!

Mo [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 334566[/import]

#2

@Mo, what you describe sounds good. I’ve got 2 apps that use GC and working on a new one.

What you are seeing is what I see. When your app goes live, the “sandbox” designation will go away on the live app GC screen.

I have noticed that you can continue to access the “sandbox” GC screen when you are working on an update for your app. I can’t remember for sure, but I think you have to setup a “new version” of the app in ITC to work in the “sandbox” once your app goes live. You’d use you GC “test user” id when doing this.

I haven’t played with the GG/GC module. Do you have a GC icon button users can select to go to GC whenever they like to review the leaderboards?

Nail [import]uid: 106779 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 137487[/import]

#3

Thanks so much Nail! I feel better knowing that. Yes it seems to work great. I have GGGameCentre upload the highscore to GC every time I load the main menu (I should probably only upload when there is an actual new highscore!) and on the same main menu there is a GC button that bring the user to the leaderboard that I setup on iTunes. I am not sure if Apple will accept but I just copy and past the GC from the apple site! I could not find a formal icon for GC in their marketing materials (I found device images but not GC)

In any event, I hope that when I submit the app, the GC code will behave as expected! At this point GGGameCentre do not cover achievements but I will add it when it does. It amazing how 3 lines of codes can do! (Of course thanks to the module behind from Glitch Games:)

Thanks again for your help.

Mo

Ps: I will assume Apple would need to see the leaderboard set on iTunes during the review process correct? [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 137489[/import]

#4

@mo, Yes, you will want to enable GC in your app details before you can upload the binary. You will get an error when uploading or building (can’t remember which) for the app store if you haven’t enabled GC in ITC in the details setup section.

GC will work while testing without GC being “enabled” in the details section. When enabling GC, you also select which leaderboards will be enabled when you app goes live.

I agree with you, You don’t have to upload the “highscore” each time you connect to GC, but I don’t think it will hurt anything if that’s how the code is setup already in GG/GC module and it’s easy for you…

With my GC button, I simply make the call to “show leaderboards”, the code looks like this.

gameNetwork.show( "leaderboards", { leaderboard = { category = "YourCategoryName", timeScope="AllTime" }, listener=requestCallback })

I don’t understand why Apple doesn’t give us a GC icon. It seems it’s the only proprietary graphic Apple seems willing to allow developers to use in their apps. It only makes sense.

I got my GC icon from a link in Stack Overflow I think.

Anyways, as long as you enable GC in your apps details and enable the leaderboard you want to incude, I think you are good to go from what you’ve described.

Hope this helps,

Nail
[import]uid: 106779 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 137503[/import]

#5

@xnailbender

Thanks a lot. That a lot of great info. Yes GGGameCentre allows you to simplify the call like:

gameCentre:showLeaderboards()

You can of course decide which board and timescope. I can see that even acheivements!!! Thanks Glitch Games!

Can’t wait to release Space Command with GC…

Thanks again Nail.

Mo [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 137534[/import]

#6

@Mo, what you describe sounds good. I’ve got 2 apps that use GC and working on a new one.

What you are seeing is what I see. When your app goes live, the “sandbox” designation will go away on the live app GC screen.

I have noticed that you can continue to access the “sandbox” GC screen when you are working on an update for your app. I can’t remember for sure, but I think you have to setup a “new version” of the app in ITC to work in the “sandbox” once your app goes live. You’d use you GC “test user” id when doing this.

I haven’t played with the GG/GC module. Do you have a GC icon button users can select to go to GC whenever they like to review the leaderboards?

Nail [import]uid: 106779 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 137487[/import]

#7

Thanks so much Nail! I feel better knowing that. Yes it seems to work great. I have GGGameCentre upload the highscore to GC every time I load the main menu (I should probably only upload when there is an actual new highscore!) and on the same main menu there is a GC button that bring the user to the leaderboard that I setup on iTunes. I am not sure if Apple will accept but I just copy and past the GC from the apple site! I could not find a formal icon for GC in their marketing materials (I found device images but not GC)

In any event, I hope that when I submit the app, the GC code will behave as expected! At this point GGGameCentre do not cover achievements but I will add it when it does. It amazing how 3 lines of codes can do! (Of course thanks to the module behind from Glitch Games:)

Thanks again for your help.

Mo

Ps: I will assume Apple would need to see the leaderboard set on iTunes during the review process correct? [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 137489[/import]

#8

@mo, Yes, you will want to enable GC in your app details before you can upload the binary. You will get an error when uploading or building (can’t remember which) for the app store if you haven’t enabled GC in ITC in the details setup section.

GC will work while testing without GC being “enabled” in the details section. When enabling GC, you also select which leaderboards will be enabled when you app goes live.

I agree with you, You don’t have to upload the “highscore” each time you connect to GC, but I don’t think it will hurt anything if that’s how the code is setup already in GG/GC module and it’s easy for you…

With my GC button, I simply make the call to “show leaderboards”, the code looks like this.

gameNetwork.show( "leaderboards", { leaderboard = { category = "YourCategoryName", timeScope="AllTime" }, listener=requestCallback })

I don’t understand why Apple doesn’t give us a GC icon. It seems it’s the only proprietary graphic Apple seems willing to allow developers to use in their apps. It only makes sense.

I got my GC icon from a link in Stack Overflow I think.

Anyways, as long as you enable GC in your apps details and enable the leaderboard you want to incude, I think you are good to go from what you’ve described.

Hope this helps,

Nail
[import]uid: 106779 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 137503[/import]

#9

@xnailbender

Thanks a lot. That a lot of great info. Yes GGGameCentre allows you to simplify the call like:

gameCentre:showLeaderboards()

You can of course decide which board and timescope. I can see that even acheivements!!! Thanks Glitch Games!

Can’t wait to release Space Command with GC…

Thanks again Nail.

Mo [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 137534[/import]

#10

@LairdGames

I am also trying to use the code from GlitchGames to implement GameCenter. It does seem fairly straight forward, yet when I test it on my Ipad, I only get a small icon at the top ‘welcoming’ me back to game center. No leader board shows etc…

I see in your original post you say ’ I can see the leader board I setup…’ I was wondering if you mind sharing how you ‘setup’ the leader board? I take it the GGGameCentre.lua does not handle that part?

Can you tell me, as I am only in testing phase of my app(it has not been submitted to AppStore), can I even ‘setup’ a leader board as the app is not live yet?

Thanks for any advice or ‘code snippets’ you may care to share.

[import]uid: 148857 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138157[/import]

#11

Sure!

I decided to put a GC button on main menu so i added the there (menu.lua) as:

local GGGameCentre = require( “GGGameCentre” )
local gameCentre = GGGameCentre:new()

Then a little bit down i upload my current local high score to GC like this:
Please

gameCentre:setHighScore(“com.LairdGames.SpaceCommandFree.Leaderboard”,hiScore)

Finally I have a button on the main menu with this code to show the leaderboard:

gameCentre:showLeaderboards()

I suspect that your problem maybe on the iTunes Connect side. I added a leaderboard to an upcoming free version of my app (Space Command) so it is not yet on the app store (beta version for now) Still I already added to the iTunes Connect. So I simply added the leaderboard there gave it the ID of “com.LairdGames.SpaceCommandFree.Leaderboard” So make sure the Corona code refer to the ID you gave to your leaderboard on Itunes Connect.

I do see that pull down everytime i open the app that welcome me to GC then if I press the GC button on the main menu, I get leaderboard. Unfortunately it is only me there since so far i am the only one using the app at the moment. i hope some of my beta tester will play with this feature so I can see them there!

I hope this help.

Mo

[import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138234[/import]

#12

Mo,

Thanks for taking your time to help. I have bought your paid version to check out your game… it plays very well.

I have my code very similar to yours and am still missing something. In my test app I have been trying to use the app name used in the Corona Sample App for Game Center(since I have nothing setup on itunes connect) … but when I try it within my app, using GGGameCentre code I get no leader board to show. So, what works in the sample app from Corona, does not work within my test app.

It may very well be on the Itunes Connect side of things, as I have not even attempted that yet. I have to figure that out how to do that, having never done that. Thanks for your advise on this.
I want to send you an email to info@lairdgames.com

Are you a one man indie, and will you get that email directly, or is there a more direct email where I can contact you, if you don’t mind??

Thanks
Bob
[import]uid: 148857 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138511[/import]

#13

@cyberparkstudios

No problem, happy to help. Yes you need to add leaderboard on your app (even if the app is not yet on the app store) or it won’t work. When I do this

gameCentre:showLeaderboards(), it will only show a leaderboard IF that leaderboard has been added to the app. So

1- You need to add (have an already) on Itunes Connext

2- Go that app and click on one of blue button on the top right labeled “manage game center”

3- Just choose “enable for a single app”

4- Add a leaderboard (mine as the ID of “com.LairdGames.SpaceCommandFree.Leaderboard” You need to use that ID in the Corona code.

That should work. Right now I think I am the only one using the beta test of my new version (Space Command with Game Center) so I can only see my high score!) So I am not completly sure that implementation of GGGameCentre is correct. But at least I can see the leaderboard!

If you have more questions simply post here (so other people can be helped) or shoot me an email.

Hope this help and good luck!

Mo

ps: Thanks for the purchase, that was very kind of you. I hope you like it! [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138553[/import]

#14

Mo,

This info should be what I need. I should be able to get it to work.
Thanks
[import]uid: 148857 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138559[/import]

#15

Great! Please post back (or email) if you need help.

Mo [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138561[/import]

#16

@LairdGames

I am also trying to use the code from GlitchGames to implement GameCenter. It does seem fairly straight forward, yet when I test it on my Ipad, I only get a small icon at the top ‘welcoming’ me back to game center. No leader board shows etc…

I see in your original post you say ’ I can see the leader board I setup…’ I was wondering if you mind sharing how you ‘setup’ the leader board? I take it the GGGameCentre.lua does not handle that part?

Can you tell me, as I am only in testing phase of my app(it has not been submitted to AppStore), can I even ‘setup’ a leader board as the app is not live yet?

Thanks for any advice or ‘code snippets’ you may care to share.

[import]uid: 148857 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138157[/import]

#17

Sure!

I decided to put a GC button on main menu so i added the there (menu.lua) as:

local GGGameCentre = require( “GGGameCentre” )
local gameCentre = GGGameCentre:new()

Then a little bit down i upload my current local high score to GC like this:
Please

gameCentre:setHighScore(“com.LairdGames.SpaceCommandFree.Leaderboard”,hiScore)

Finally I have a button on the main menu with this code to show the leaderboard:

gameCentre:showLeaderboards()

I suspect that your problem maybe on the iTunes Connect side. I added a leaderboard to an upcoming free version of my app (Space Command) so it is not yet on the app store (beta version for now) Still I already added to the iTunes Connect. So I simply added the leaderboard there gave it the ID of “com.LairdGames.SpaceCommandFree.Leaderboard” So make sure the Corona code refer to the ID you gave to your leaderboard on Itunes Connect.

I do see that pull down everytime i open the app that welcome me to GC then if I press the GC button on the main menu, I get leaderboard. Unfortunately it is only me there since so far i am the only one using the app at the moment. i hope some of my beta tester will play with this feature so I can see them there!

I hope this help.

Mo

[import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138234[/import]

#18

Hello guys.

I am back again!

Ok, I can see the leaderboard i made and my highscore ( works great using GGGAMECENTRE ) but i was wondering if I sent my app to beta testers (via testflight) would they be able to see my highscore and vice-versa? Even so the app is not on the store? I will think all they have to do is log in with their GC account and launch my app Correct?

I want to make sure there is nothing else I need to setup on the adhoc app before sending it to them for testing.

Thanks for any suugestions/comments.

Mo [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138769[/import]

#19

Hey Mo,

Here’s what I “think” I know.

From my experience, I think your test users will have to have a GC “sandbox” test user account.

We’ve got several devices, 3 @ iPod 4 and a new iPad Mini (which is very cool) and in order to test GC “sandbox”, I have to log into the GC “sandbox” login prompt with a “test user” account that is set up in ITC.

I do forget though, if the test user has to log out of their “live” GC account or not, I think when you are prompted to log into the GC “sandbox”, you are automatically logged out of the “live” username/account.

So, if your test user’s don’t have an Apple Dev account, you will have to setup their usernames and passwords and give them to them so they can log in.

The only reason I know Dev’s can use their own Dev “sandbox” ID’s, is that when my iText Faster app launched in the app store, I mentioned it here on the board and I prompted Peach to give it a try.

Well, I never saw her name on the leaderboards, so I didn’t think she tried it.

A few weeks later, I had to cancel my Tapit adds because they were not working properly, loading blank screens without user input for instance. Anyways, I had coded in functionality with my PHP script to enable or disable adds in the app. When I was testing if it was working properly, I made a new device build of the app and played a few rounds.

When the GC leadboard launches after a round, I noticed I was in the GC “sandbox” and not in the live GC leaderboard. It surprised me when I saw Peach’s name on the board and realized she had downloaded the “live” app, but was logged into GC with her “test” user account and it recorded her times there, along with mine, on the GC “sandbox” leaderboard.

So you can still access your GC “sandbox” leaderboard after your app launches so you can continue to develop an update without effecting the “live” board.

So, long story short if you user’s aren’t Apple Devs, you will have to set up GC “test user” accounts for them in ITC.

You will also have to get their UDID’s so you can register their devices in the Provisioning Portal and I believe make a new Ad Hoc distribution certificate that includes their devices and build you app with the new Cert. I don’t think just registering their device UDID’s alone is enough, I think you need the new Ad Hoc Distribution Cert and possibly even have to make a new Developer Cert for the app, I’m not sure.

Hopefully someone from Corona can clarify if you need to make new Certs or not, I just don’t know for sure as I just go ahead and make new Certs when I add a device.

Hope this helps,

Nail [import]uid: 106779 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138770[/import]

#20

Thanks so Nail!

My beta tester is a developer so I am assuming all i to do is ask him to add a test user to his account** onITC (if he does have one setup yet) and then log in into GC (with his test account ID) on the device and play the game. At that point we should both see our highscores on the leadboard correct?

In any event, I cannot thank you enough. I was getting crazy figuring out why I could not see his highscore and vice versa.

Cheers.

Mo

** Or do you mean I need a new test user for him? (I already have a test user that i am using for me on GC) [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 34566 reply_id: 138854[/import]