Is there an alternative solution for the need of Corona Native?

Corona Marketplace Corona Community Plugins
#1

I got disappointed with a point about plugins (correct me if I’m wrong):

I have to use Corona Native in order to create plugins that talk with native APIs (from Android / iOS), right?

So it means I’m obligated either to buy it to make my own plugins or buy them from market place.

This implies I’d have to pay every year for the plugins like Splash Screen Control (to change / remove Corona logo that shows up when game starts) and to have AdMob ads, for instance. Or I had to buy Corona Native.

Don’t take me wrong. I’m not against anyone making money.

But one thing is to be able to choose if I prefer to use a paid plugin or a free one (quality and stability of them will influence in the decision, not only price).

The other thing is do not have an alternative. Either one pays for plugins or pays for Corona Native.

Is it that way? Are this going to change anywhere in the near future?

Thank you all.

#2

Well, let me correct you then.

Corona Native is free and to my understanding you do not require Corona Native in order to create or use native plugins.

You are free to purchase any plugin or write your own, whichever saves you the most money and makes you happier. The choice is completely up to you.

#3

Thank you for correcting me.

#4

Corona Native is free, but the Splash Screen Control is still enforced with Corona Native.

You want, you can use Corona Native, implement your own AdMob setup (either create a plugin you use in Corona Native, or directly implement it with the Lua-C bridge.) The drawback is you have to build using Xcode and you loose the benefits of using the Corona Simulator immediate updates, Live builds, Corona’s packaging system. But other than paying for the splash screen control, there isn’t anything stopping you from using any other native feature that you like.

Re: the splash screen control: If you like Corona and want to use it, you need to support its ongoing development in some form either through free advertising, or contributing financially.

There is a way to build a plugin that you built in the simulator, but it’s a paid add-on. You develop your plugin using Corona Native, purchase the self-hosted plugins feature, then you can link to plugin files you host on your own servers.

Rob