Universal vs Split

Discussion in 'General Game Discussion and Questions' started by craighinrichs, May 14, 2013.

  1. craighinrichs

    craighinrichs Well-Known Member

    Jul 24, 2009
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    There are pros and cons to getting games that are either universal or split between the iPhone and iPad.

    Universal
    Pro - Buy once and have on both devices
    Con - Download size is larger (esp. if iPad 3 is supported)

    Split - opposite of above.

    Which do you prefer and what other considerations do you take into account.
     
  2. Royce

    Royce Well-Known Member

    Mar 22, 2011
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    Universal is way better for an enormous number of reason. The apps can share leaderboards. People can sync between devices using iCloud. Developers only have to test and troubleshoot one app. There is just no reason to make separate apps unless your goal is to anger customers.
     
  3. psj3809

    psj3809 Moderator

    Jan 13, 2011
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    I mostly do my gaming on my ipod touch than my ipad but its sensible as anything to go universal, that seems to be the standard and you'll upset quite a few people if you split it so you have to buy it twice.

    Standard things for a game on iOS...

    Choice of controls
    Auto-rotate (Still cant believe when games dont have this)
    Universal
     
  4. dancj

    dancj Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2011
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    Yeah. I would consider spending money on an app that wasn't universal unless I really only wanted it on one device.
     
  5. copaeci

    copaeci Well-Known Member

    Nov 2, 2012
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    I like universal, I don't care about the size, I can delete some apps to make more space for games which I like. The universal mode also made me easy to play it on iPhone or iPad. Moreover, if it has GameCenter, i don't need to unlock same achievements twice. That's why I prefer universal
     
  6. chimpman252

    chimpman252 Well-Known Member

    May 8, 2012
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    You forgot the main pro of "split", which is price (see World of Goo). The only problem is that once you upgrade to an iPad, you'll have to be paying for both the standard and Universal versions.

    My dream would be a non universal app with the ability to upgrade to universal as iAP for a cheaper price.
     
  7. MidianGTX

    MidianGTX Well-Known Member

    Jun 16, 2009
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    That's also the main pro of universal, because prices shouldn't differ when we're talking about exactly the same game.
     
  8. iPadisGreat

    iPadisGreat Well-Known Member

    Dec 10, 2012
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    I prefer universal because I use both iPhones and iPads. That is mainly for productivity apps.

    For games especially, I would buy the iPad version over the iPhone version as the iPhone versions typically have problems auto rotating on my iPad.
     
  9. craighinrichs

    craighinrichs Well-Known Member

    Jul 24, 2009
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    Ok, this is great! Thanks for your input.

    The reason this question came up for me was the last couple of games I have worked on were all Universal and some of them had a lot of assets making the app really large. I worried that the size was a deterrent to downloading.

    Kingdom Rush (one of my FAVORITE games!) did a split of the game and I happily bought both versions because I would throw money at them any day to make more content or finish Kingdom Rush 2.

    For people who might really enjoy the next game we are working on right now I wondered if the benefit of having a smaller install and targeted platforms would allow people to help support us that liked what we were doing.

    Does that make sense, my line of thinking?
     
  10. psj3809

    psj3809 Moderator

    Jan 13, 2011
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    Get your point.

    Its funny really as if you released your app at $1.99 and universal i'm sure everyone would be happy and not say a word.

    If you released two versions, each 99c (and the ipod/iphone version with a smaller installed size) you would probably get people ranting at you if they had to pay twice for the same game !

    Cant win !
     
  11. iPadisGreat

    iPadisGreat Well-Known Member

    Dec 10, 2012
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    Small download and install sizes are important if your game is good. Case in point, Frozen Synapse released today. Download size above 50MB. I literally cannot buy it as the App Store forbids downloads greater than 50MB while I am on the road using 3G.

    Another example, Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition. Weighing in at 1698.2GB download and who knows how large installed, just won't fit in my iPad, unless I junk a lot of other apps. Is your target buyer someone with one or two apps and so tons of space, or does he keep buying a lot of apps, so is always running out of space, like me, current free space 281MB on my iPad 2?

    Also, of the two types of gamers shown above, which one is more likely to download your game? The one with one or two games who hardly plays, or the one who downloads several games every week, and so is pressed for space?

    I found that the sweet spot for me are games that are below 200MB once installed, as I can just delete a few apps to make that kind of space easily. Anything bigger is a hassle to clear space for.

    Also remember that silly 50MB download rule. Frozen Synapse was a no buy for me tonight. Tomorrow, when I have access to Wi-Fi, another game might have caught my eye and my money instead...
     
  12. chimpman252

    chimpman252 Well-Known Member

    May 8, 2012
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    Wow! Over a Terabyte! :p
     
  13. craighinrichs

    craighinrichs Well-Known Member

    Jul 24, 2009
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    I think I might be able to keep the app under 50 megs so I think Universal is the right choice. If that is not the case (under 50) then I might reconsider going split.

    These are great! Thanks!
     
  14. Sylvr

    Sylvr Well-Known Member

    Dec 22, 2011
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    what i find annoying is when a developer releases an "iphone" version and an "ipad" version. why not an iphone version and a universal version? i dont mind paying more for the universal, but i do mind paying more for an ipad version. at that point ill just get the iphone version and 2x it.
     

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