We’re aware that there are a fair number of Android devices out there, and that some of them are owned by King of Dragon Pass fans.
We also know that things have changed since we began development about 20 months ago. Unlike then, the Android Market is now available in Finland (which is one of our most important markets). And unlike then, the Android Market will now accept apps as large as King of Dragon Pass. (Sadly, we’ve heard about some problems facing developers with Amazon’s Android App Store.) So unlike when we started, an Android version is at least conceivable.
It would still face a number of hurdles. The biggest issue is the same one that the iOS version faced: King of Dragon Pass is a big game, with around 40 screens. We’ve worked out the new layout, but that’s for a 480 x 320 screen, and many Android devices vary. The UI would need to be reworked for a new API and a new language (i.e. all the code would need to be rewritten). Even if it’s easier the second time, it would still be a long-term project.
Is it financially worth undertaking such a major project? The easiest way to justify it would be if the iOS version sells really well. So ironically, the best way to convince us to port King of Dragon Pass to Android would be to buy it for iOS. (You don’t need an iPhone, after all. Used iPod touches are apparently under $100 on eBay, and if you want a larger screen, iPad is still the only choice that really makes sense.)
One thing hasn’t changed: A Sharp is still a small studio, and can only do one project at a time. (And we’re not done with iOS once the game releases. More on that in the next post.)
Thanks for the info. Here's one finn who's chained to this Android device for 14 more months. Fortunately I can play the original PC version, but I would buy the Android version in a flash if such would be available. KoDP has been fixed on my all-time top five games since it's debut. Been enthusiastically playing computer games for 30 years now so that's not a little thing to say. :P Amazing game with amazing atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to be buying an Apple to play the game, but if it ever rolls out for Android, I'd be all over it.
ReplyDeleteCome out with an Android version, and I'll update the FAQ.
ReplyDeleteIts nice to hear Finland is one of your largest markets. What can I say, we've got good taste (well, sometimes).
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see an Android port and would definitely buy it. I hope the iPhone version sells well enough to justify it - I for one have been eager to see a sequel or remake ever since the original.
Not going to buy an iDevice especially for this, but I'm likely to buy it if it comes out for Android.
ReplyDeleteWould a kickstarter project get you the funds to perform dual android development at the same time?
ReplyDeleteBruce is the only one to tempt me…
ReplyDeleteI don't know how well Kickstarter works with something sold through an app store — so far as I know there's no real way to directly reward contributors to say an iPhone sequel.
David Dunham:
ReplyDeleteFor Android, I'd say that it's possible to gift contributors with apps, or at least with the .apk (~= .exe)
I don't know much, though. Sorry if this is wrong.
Im Brazilian. Just bought the game for my ipad2 and love it. Asharp game is the most amazing strategy/rpg game for IOS devices. Me and others android phone owner(galaxy s2),really want the game for android.
ReplyDeleteI can't buy it for iOS to support the idea, but promise to buy it for two Android devices.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should think about creating a web version or implemented in Java and use an HTML interface. So the "android port" will also work properly on PCs
ReplyDeleteA brand new implementation is a brand new implementation — a LOT of work no matter what might run it.
ReplyDeleteI really would like an Android version .. kickstarter ? Please :)
ReplyDeleteWow, just saw this: http://polyclefsoftware.blogspot.com/2012/07/end-of-indie-game-development-on.html
ReplyDeleteI read the article and found it fairly amusing that a software company that was releasing the spam apps ("Dunkin Donuts Finder" and "Joy Buzzer"? Seriously?) that got the What's New section shut down in the first place are now complaining about how the only way to market their trash apps on Android is gone, and they decide to proclaim it the End of Indie Games on Android. Hilarious.
DeleteTheir only games are "Dominoes," "Solitaire," and cheap, knock-off numerical/word puzzle games with the simplest of graphics and they think they speak for every indie game developer? One of the editors of the "Android Police" blog in the comments section put it pretty plainly: if you send out your game for review, and you have a nice, well polished, fun game then it will get press on multiple sites, and thus lots of page views. However, if your company is busy coding useless junk apps and half-ass versions of more fun, better polished, high exposure games that are already available, then yeah, of course you won't have a chance in the market.
I found this page through word of mouth on a games forum that was discussing the older Windows/Mac version of KoDP, and when I saw you had an iOS port, I immediately googled "King of Dragon Pass Android." No one is talking about their games and their apps simply because they're not worth mentioning...ever. If your game is good (this game is great) people will find it, they will talk about it, and it will also get press on the Internet blogs dedicated to this sort of thing.
Marketing solely through the app store is a terrible marketing concept, and only companies that release terrible apps that couldn't get exposure, except through a "What's New" style section, are the only ones that need to worry about releasing their games on Android, from an exposure standpoint.
Android version please
ReplyDeleteIf this was on kickstarter I would pledge at minimum $150 and I know a few other who would jump on board.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I do factor that in to my estimates of Kickstarter.
DeleteFrom Spain, Android version please.
ReplyDeleteI really hope that the King of the Android Pass will see the light of the day. I own it on a PC but cannot spend 100$ + just to get a portable version. Trust me, the market is out there...even outside of Finland ;)
ReplyDeleteNot just portable, but significantly updated. And we’re slowly working on yet another content update.
DeleteDoes that mean that the version sold on GOG.com will be updated (one hopes; KoDP for Windows runs perfectly under wine)?
ReplyDeleteIt can’t be (see http://kingofdragonpass.blogspot.com/2013/06/architecture-redux.html).
DeleteI can only really echo the above sentiments. I'd love an android version to come out so I have some 'light reading/gaming' before I sleep. I love this game a lot but am more than happy to wait for it to come to android (I'd be willing to pay up to $15 USD for a decent port).
ReplyDeleteDoesn't seem you are interested in an android port. Not meaning to sound negative, but it's 2014 and still no love for us droid users ._.
ReplyDeletePlease consider Android again. It's a viable market, and I heard that iOS version did sell well. I can't justify switching platforms as someone who doesn't own iAnything,but would certainly buy this game. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePlease consider Android. I can't switch platforms to iAnything for one title, but would certainly pick up version that's actually updated on google's platform. I heard iOS sold well, so please don't let this be forgotten. Thank you.
ReplyDelete