I was wondering if it was possible to upload a game to the AppStore set the release day way in the future, and then generate download codes for it, and have users download it before it is released? I would like to send it out to the press as a special VIP sorta thing. Does anyone know if this is possible. And if it is, how do I generate codes for a game that will be free? Thanks!
Im not sure that you can. PromoCode are for games that are on the appstore as far as I know. If you wanted to give press a preview, you could either simple come up with a preview video, or send them an AdHoc release, but they would have to give your their UDID codes
Yes you definitely can do this - I remember downloading another dev's app via promo code before it was actually released (the utterly brilliant Codea). You request the promo codes for it in just the same way as a paid app, so this is a great way to give out exclusive previews to the press without the hassle of getting UDIDs.
@DemonJim Thanks for the tip. That makes it so much easier to do a VIP release. Hopefully others will find this if they need it.
You can use Testflight too. https://testflightapp.com/ It is designed and positioned as a 'beta testing tool', but will work for VIP releases.