When an app (either iOS or Android) is built, can people reskin all content using show package contents?

Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#1

I know that ipa’s are basically zip files, and that you can extract the package content and then look at it’s contents.

Is there something in place which prevents people swapping the images for their own, and effectively “creating” a reskinned version of your game? I just wondered whether code-signing etc prevents this from being possible.

I realise that you could download the images etc, but that’s not a particularly good user experience.

I’m sure there’s nothing to be worried about, but I was just curious. Does anyone have any info on the matter? [import]uid: 84115 topic_id: 32746 reply_id: 332746[/import]

#2

They would need to re-sign the application.

The build process does a CRC-style check on the contents of the entire package, and if there are modifications after signing, neither iOS nor Android should run your app. With a re-signing tool however (and valid profiles/certificates/keystores) you can add content, re-sign and then upload back onto the device. iOS has put many measures in place to prevent people from modifying and re-uploading apps that are not theirs, and while you can kinda hack around it in some cases, it’s likely to get you dropped from the app store if you try to support it as a feature.

Also, I would argue that providing a UI, for downloadable content packs, and downloading images would be a much better user experience then “Open up the .app; replace the image contained within imageBorderL.png with your own content (make sure sizes match); repeat for other individual assets” sort of instructions since you can hide all that from the user, and they get 1 click download/install sorts of processes. [import]uid: 134101 topic_id: 32746 reply_id: 130167[/import]

#3

For downloadable packs I completely agree, I was thinking about this more in terms of people not being able to rip off other peoples work.
Thanks for the info though, I had a feeling it was probably secured when it is signed but it’s nice to have some reassurance. [import]uid: 84115 topic_id: 32746 reply_id: 130170[/import]

#4

They would need to re-sign the application.

The build process does a CRC-style check on the contents of the entire package, and if there are modifications after signing, neither iOS nor Android should run your app. With a re-signing tool however (and valid profiles/certificates/keystores) you can add content, re-sign and then upload back onto the device. iOS has put many measures in place to prevent people from modifying and re-uploading apps that are not theirs, and while you can kinda hack around it in some cases, it’s likely to get you dropped from the app store if you try to support it as a feature.

Also, I would argue that providing a UI, for downloadable content packs, and downloading images would be a much better user experience then “Open up the .app; replace the image contained within imageBorderL.png with your own content (make sure sizes match); repeat for other individual assets” sort of instructions since you can hide all that from the user, and they get 1 click download/install sorts of processes. [import]uid: 134101 topic_id: 32746 reply_id: 130167[/import]

#5

For downloadable packs I completely agree, I was thinking about this more in terms of people not being able to rip off other peoples work.
Thanks for the info though, I had a feeling it was probably secured when it is signed but it’s nice to have some reassurance. [import]uid: 84115 topic_id: 32746 reply_id: 130170[/import]

#6

I thought this Kickstarter project was beyond cool. These brothers are building a 3D flight simulator using a robot ball as the controller. It appears that its for the iPad and iPhone. I think this is a very unique idea and I want to try their app! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/858730843/sphero-glide [import]uid: 193761 topic_id: 32746 reply_id: 130214[/import]

#7

I thought this Kickstarter project was beyond cool. These brothers are building a 3D flight simulator using a robot ball as the controller. It appears that its for the iPad and iPhone. I think this is a very unique idea and I want to try their app! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/858730843/sphero-glide [import]uid: 193761 topic_id: 32746 reply_id: 130214[/import]

#8

I thought this Kickstarter project was beyond cool. These brothers are building a 3D flight simulator using a robot ball as the controller. It appears that its for the iPad and iPhone. I think this is a very unique idea and I want to try their app! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/858730843/sphero-glide [import]uid: 193761 topic_id: 32746 reply_id: 130225[/import]

#9

I thought this Kickstarter project was beyond cool. These brothers are building a 3D flight simulator using a robot ball as the controller. It appears that its for the iPad and iPhone. I think this is a very unique idea and I want to try their app! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/858730843/sphero-glide [import]uid: 193761 topic_id: 32746 reply_id: 130225[/import]