levels - memory management tips

Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#1

Hi all, I’m going to release my first game very soon and am trying and optimize the code before sending to the App Store.

My game is made of 10 levels and I would like to clear the memory and remove all the objects before passing from one level to another. In particular I have a main.lua being the level 1 and then calling level 2. Level 2 calls level 3 and so on.

How do you optimize memory usage? Indexed tables create 10 times the amount of data I need. On the other hand, initializing the same variables level after level is the easiest way but at what cost?
Thanks in advance for your tips. [import]uid: 67641 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 317797[/import]

#2

Put necessary local (!!!) variable into database, clear all, load next level and variable fron database. [import]uid: 12704 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 67924[/import]

#3

Thanks for your answer.

Using the storyboard api just now from the latest daily build, will update the community about my progress.

Also intending to save/load data, level after level, and not sure if ice from Graham Ranson is still needed in this new environment.
edit: got the answer for load/save from http://blog.anscamobile.com/2011/11/common-storyboard-api-questions/ !! :slight_smile: [import]uid: 67641 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 68994[/import]

#4

The final touch to my game is going to be a leaderboard.

I am not going to use Open Feint at this stage because I can’t connect to any wi-fi network from my ipod touch, so it is impossible to set up and test it properly.

Instead, I’m going for a local leaderboard: I want to store the best scores in a local file and retrieve them every time the game is launched. Is this a legit thing to do? [import]uid: 67641 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 69555[/import]

#5

For a local leaderboard Ice should be able to help you there. I have included a helper function in it called “storeIfHigher” which will allow you to automatically have a new score saved if it is higher than the already stored one. Of course you could just use it to store all scores or both, it’s up to you. [import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 69560[/import]

#6

I’ve been using Ice - it’s superb and I would certainly recommend it. Thanks @GrahamRanson. [import]uid: 74503 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 69572[/import]

#7

Thank you! Really happy to hear that it is getting used and liked! [import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 69593[/import]

#8

Many thanks, Graham, I’m going the Ice way too! [import]uid: 67641 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 69610[/import]

#9

It’s what all the “cool” kids are doing. Oh yeah, I want there. [import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 69611[/import]

#10

@GrahamRanson Nextone lib you should call moustache :wink: [import]uid: 12704 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 69612[/import]

#11

Haha good call, just got to decide what to make now :slight_smile: [import]uid: 5833 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 69614[/import]

#12

@GrahamRanson

BTW. Graham, can you help me with GC?
http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2011/11/24/game-center-through-support-how-jump-game-center-without-restarting-game
Regards [import]uid: 12704 topic_id: 17797 reply_id: 69615[/import]