Is corona really for me?

Solar2D Daily Builds and Public Releases
#1

I’ve heard about corona SDK, and have the android sdk installed on my pc. Have programmed simple programs in python and SDL but not really complicated ones.

The thing is, 150 dollars a year for android or ios sounds like quite a bit of money, and I want to make a stable game without my head melting in complex code. I really want to make a marketable game. Should I still try it out the non commercial version or do you think I am barking up the wrong tree?

Advice.

[import]uid: 104850 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 317831[/import]

#2

I suggest your to use the trial version (it is free), get familiar with that, then decide if it is worthy or not for you.

Honestly, I couldn’t find anything easier to use than Corona. You may check also giderosmobile.com (cheaper) or getmoai.com (free), however they are not easier neither have all APIs already available in Corona.

My two cents… [import]uid: 4883 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68040[/import]

#3

Of course you should try it since the trial is free. No harm-no foul.

I will say this. I’ve put out one game and a lite version and an app I didn’t expect to make anything on since it was a microscopic market. At this point, I’ve barely paid for my Apple yearly fee and I’ve not come close to covering my Corona SDK costs. I don’t think my first game was bad, but it was a first game and you learn a lot from it. My marketing sucks and I pay a price for it. But many studios use Corona SDK and it can produce very professional products. I’m a very experienced programmer and I love programming with Corona. I just wish I had better access to art and more time to work on games.

I’m trying to justify the upgrade to Pro from iOS Indie but I don’t know that Android sales are going to be any better than iOS sales, though the Kindle Fire/Amazon market sounds like it might be a bit worth while.
Give it a spin and see what you can do?

FWIW, the game I’m hoping to submit tonight, I started on November 2, a mere two weeks ago, and if I wasn’t waiting on some art work, I’m one bug from submitting it.
[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68041[/import]

#4

Hey there,

I know I’m Ansca staff but I’m also a developer - and a HUGE Corona SDK fan, (I run http://Techority.com/ - a free tutorial site teaching users about Corona. There’s a 4 part series there, Corona For Newbies, you might find handy,) but yes - Corona is for everyone.

I can say that personally I’ve been using Corona for a year now and in that time, even without any wildly successful apps, I have earned (a lot) more than enough to cover my initial licenses.

There are “alternatives” as mentioned in the first comment, however they lack the functionality, power and ease of use that Corona provides. They also lack the community - and our two best features, Carlos and Walter, the cofounders :wink:

$150 a year is not expensive at all when you consider the others who charge over $1000 and one, still in BETA, charging $500. (Per year.)

Anyway, the free trial lasts an unlimited amount of time, so check it out - when you fall in love with the Corona SDK, then you can buy - there’s no hurry :slight_smile:

Either way, welcome to the community!

Peach :slight_smile: [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68084[/import]

#5

Corona SDK is well worth its price, 150$ is nothing for this undeniable awesome software [import]uid: 16142 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68160[/import]

#6

Honest,

After being part of the Ansca - CoronaSDK Community Members here for almost 3 months now, I can tell you that the price pass to be more irrelevant yet when you see the POWER and HARD-WORK of the Ansca Staff Team, inlcuding the Boss! Mr. Carlos.

So IMHO its almost a “no thinking” thing anymore.

Get into and see for yourself. You Welcome :slight_smile:
Best regards,
Rodrigo. [import]uid: 89165 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68207[/import]

#7

It doesn’t matter which tree your barking up at… With Corona, it’s always the right one :slight_smile: [import]uid: 70847 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68220[/import]

#8

I’ve looked at a couple tutorials, but they don’t seem to cover what I want to make? What I had in mind for corona was making a game with the player falling down a area and dodging. [import]uid: 104850 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68256[/import]

#9

Corona SDK is a 2D game engine. It doesn’t have much if any in the way of 3D support. So if you are thinking of a first person shooter game, Corona SDK is probably not the right engine for you.

You’re description isn’t all that helpful. A side scroll-er, or a platform game (Mario bros.) are all easily doable in Corona SDK. Call of Duty: MW3 not so much. [import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68260[/import]

#10

3D wasn’t what I had in mind for corona. I want tutorials that cover a topdown style of game but going down instead of up. Like a player is falling down to the ground. [import]uid: 104850 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68277[/import]

#11

That’s just a matter of reversing the direction… Are you talking more doodle jump but going the other direction?
[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68283[/import]

#12

That is perfectly doable in Corona. It sounds somewhat similar to Tilt Monster - have you seen that sample code?

Peach :slight_smile: [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68317[/import]

#13

I was thinking more of the player falling down, like from a building or ship and dodging items. [import]uid: 104850 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68309[/import]

#14

Downloaded the source code but what file would I have to look at? [import]uid: 104850 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68471[/import]

#15

for see your code in simulator you need to open main.lua file in it
and in main.lua file there’s basically your main code, place where you want to code in a first place) [import]uid: 16142 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68482[/import]

#16

Isn’t there a tutorial that explains how things work in the tilt monster game. I feel a bit lost. Theirs more then one lua file. [import]uid: 104850 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68626[/import]

#17

It would be a good idea to learn some basics about Corona before trying to dissect a game such as tilt monster - it is more at an intermediate level.

http://learningcorona.com has several good tutorials :slight_smile:

Peach [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 17831 reply_id: 68691[/import]