Question for any iOS devs out there. Is 3GS support needed?

gizmo1990 · 24 May 2012 at 11:32

I'm thinking of creating a small game for iOS but don't want to shell out the $100 yet till I've found out the answer to this question.

Can you develop a game solely for iphone 4 and above? Or do Apple force you to make sure it runs on older, lower resolution, versions? Thereby greating 2 sets of graphics and different resolutions.

Any help greatly appreciated.

durbs · 27 May 2012 at 21:21

You can target a minimum iOS version but not a device so it's easy to rule out the standard 3G but not the 3GS. You'd want to develop for the 3GS anyway as it has a high % share and is still being sold by Apple.

Doubling up on some of the assets isn't too bad - what in particular is causing you concern?

gizmo1990 · 31 May 2012 at 18:16

Thanks for the reply durbs.

The GUI is what has me worried. It would require new assets and also completely new layout positions for all the elements - a total nightmare for the programmer.

So are you saying that Apple would 'require' the game to run on a 3gs to pass certification?

Tbh I wouldn't be too bothered about the % of 3gs owners. The game is pretty core'ish and I've read stats that show 4 and 4S owners as being the major drivers.

topdog@OC · 31 May 2012 at 19:17

It's clumsy but you can include/exclude the availbility of your app from devices based upon your app's requirements and the device's ability to fulfil them:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/75175860/121/Appendix-C-Device-Compatibility-Matrix

You would have to choose what to require such as it nets you the closest set of devices you wish to target.

I'm also not sure you are required to make it work on each and every device, but if it appears available to one and it doesn't, regardless of disclaimers in your app description before anyone downloads/buys, prepare for some hate-reviews to start marking your rating down.

Dunks · 1 Jun 2012 at 14:05

topdog@OC said:
I'm also not sure you are required to make it work on each and every device, but if it appears available to one and it doesn't, regardless of disclaimers in your app description before anyone downloads/buys, prepare for some hate-reviews to start marking your rating down.

These type of reviews annoy me, look at the iPad/iPone Spotify app, insane amount of people giving 1 star because they didn't realise they needed a premium subscription.

durbs · 1 Jun 2012 at 23:33

gizmo1990 said:
So are you saying that Apple would 'require' the game to run on a 3gs to pass certification?
.

Not 100% sure but I'd say that if you targeted the app build to ios 5.x then programmatically checked for the 3GS hardware signature and added some way of stopping it running then they'd refuse approval of the app.

I'd check on the iOS developer forum but pretty sure it'd be tested on a 3GS by Apple as the minimum platform you've indicated it will run on. Have been through the approval process myself a number of times and never had a problem but know people who've been refused for things far more minor than that.