iPhone Development: Everything You Need To Know
There's no doubt that the iPhone is one of the most talked about platforms in game development today. While there is a lot of great information available for developers looking to get into iPhone development, there is also lots of misconceptions and misinformation that can be difficult to filter out for anyone not actively engaged in the process of developing for the platform.
This article, originally presented as a lecture at the recent IGDA Leadership Forum, will cover the overall process of developing an iPhone game from start to App Store and beyond. The goal is to separate facts from myths and give developers an accurate idea of what to expect.
Overall, iPhone projects follow a fairly similar process to that of most console games: start with an idea, go into development, perform some final testing, then submit to cert, launch, and then follow up with ongoing marketing. Developers who approach their titles anticipating each of these steps will be the ones that have the most success and least frustration with the process.There are a couple points in this process that are fairly unique to iPhone development. If this is your first iPhone game, then there is a crucial business and legal step to go through before completing development. The submission process is also a little bit unique, and finally marketing is perhaps the single most important aspect of having a successful launch.

Mockery : Blue Screen of Death iPhone
Thank you for submitting your application to Apple's App Store. Unfortunately, your application, Mockery, cannot be added to the App Store because it uses standard iPhone screen images in a non-standard way, potentially resulting in user confusion. Changing the behavior of standard iPhone graphics, actions, and images, or simulating failures of those graphics, actions, or images is a violation of the iPhone Developer Program agreement which requires applications to abide by the Human Interface Guidelines.
If you would like to share this app with friends and family, we recommend you review the Ad Hoc method on the Distribution tab of the iPhone Developer Portal for details. This will allow you to distribute your application to a small group of people of your choosing.
Regards,
iPhone Developer Program
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Why a Pear?

But "Apple Inc" sent an email saying:
Your application, Join the Dots, is requiring unexpected additional time for review. We apologize for the delay, and will update you with further status as soon as we are able.
Thank you for your patience.
Regards,
iPhone Developer Program
Searching in google we noticed that the process could take months, we decided to change the logo and 7 days after:
Your application status is Ready for Sale

App Store and The FreeMACsonry

We check a little the main rituals and some of its corporate structure. Every candidate must have at least among its tools a computer Mac OS X (10.5.6) and if he wants an iPhone (or iPod Touch), this will entitle him to be initiated in the Lodge. Once the candidate expressed interest in joining should perform the ritual of initiation (admission process) that allow him to enter the brotherhood (iDP) as an apprentice (Developer). Once inside, they know of 2 degrees, Fellow (Evangelist) and Master (Directors) which are reserved for more experienced members in the fraternity. Being accepted the apprentice has access to the secret FreeMACsonic (official documentation of the SDK) and if he wish will notify of his progress to the Lodge (He sends an App). If members of the brotherhood considered appropriate the work presented by the apprentice, they will communicate this to general public (App available on the iTunes Store). The revenue generated by the work of apprentice (sales of the App) are distributed in 70% to him and 30% for maintenance of the Grand Lodge 2.0 (App Store).
Due to the inconformity of some Initiates in the Lodge and what they consider abuse from Fellows and Masters FreeMACsonics, they decided to form a brotherhood alternative of the Grand Lodge, The Cyduminati. Although the Grand Lodge 2.0 professes 3 main principles:
- Freedom = To develop any application that conforms to the contract signed.
- Equality = Everybody (big or small) get the same treatment.
- Fraternity = Share acquired knowledge with other members (abolition of the NDA).
Although Cyduminati are not the only ones who have decided to open his own guild, there are other Minor Lodges that unlike the Cyduminati its members are affiliated to the Grand Lodge 2.0. Some Lodges are:
- Lodge of North
- Lodge Anglo-Saxon
- Lodge of West
- Lodge Hispanic
Although there is a "legend" that the Grand Lodge 2.0 has its origins in the vaults of Xerox, which said that the Order of the Knights Templars found the "Saint Mouse" does not detract to the impeccable work done by them as throughout history. So if you feel that you have the skills to be part of this Grand Lodge 2.0 do not hesitate to apply for admission to this fraternity.

La App Store y la MACsoneria

Pero analicemos un poco como son sus principales ritos y algo de su estructura corporativa. Todo aspirante debe poseer como mínimo entre sus herramientas acceso a un Mac OS X (10.5.6) y si desea un iPhone (o iPod Touch), esto le dará derecho a poder ser iniciado en la Logia. Una vez que el aspirante manifiesta su interés en ingresar debe realizar el ritual de iniciación (proceso de admisión) que le permitirá ingresar a la hermandad (iDP) como Aprendiz (Desarrollador). Allí conocerá de 2 grados más, Compañero (Evangelistas) y Maestro (Directores) reservados para los miembros de mayor experiencia en la fraternidad. Al ser aceptado el aprendiz tiene acceso al Gran Secreto MACsonico (la documentación oficial del SDK) y una vez considere oportuno debe notificar de sus avances a la Logia (Enviar una Aplicación). Si los miembros de la hermandad consideran apropiado el trabajo presentado por el aprendiz lo dan a conocer al público en general (publicación en iTunes Store). Los ingresos generados por el trabajo de los Aprendices (ventas de la aplicación) son distribuidos en el 70% para ellos y el 30% para mantenimiento de la Gran Logia 2.0 (App Store).
Debido al inconformismo de algunos iniciados en la Logia y a lo que ellos consideran abusos por parte de los Compañeros y Maestros MACsonicos, decidieron formar una cofradía alterna a la Gran Logia, Los Cyduminati. A pesar que la Gran Logia 2.0 profesa 3 grandes principios :
- Libertad = Para desarrollar toda aplicación que se ajuste al contrato firmado.
- Igualdad = Todo miembro (grande o pequeño) recibe el mismo trato.
- Fraternidad = Compartir el conocimiento adquirido con otro miembros (abolición del NDA).
Aunque los Cyduminati no son los únicos que han decidido abrir su propia cofradía, existen otras Logias Menores que a diferencia de los Cyduminati sus miembros si están afiliados a la Gran Logia 2.0. Entre estas Logias encontramos :
- Logia del Norte
- Logia Anglosajona
- Logia del Oeste
- Logia Hispana
Aunque existe la "leyenda" que la Gran Logia 2.0 tiene sus orígenes en las bóvedas de Xerox, donde se dice que los Caballeros de la Orden del Temple encontraron el "Santo Mouse", no le quita mérito al impecable trabajo realizado por ellos a lo largo de toda la historia. Por tanto si consideras que cuentas con las capacidades para formar parte de esta Gran Logia 2.0 no dudes en solicitar la admisión a esta fraternidad.

Join the Dots : Who is?
To participate should send an email to join.dots@gmail.com with the correct answers (where and who). The first 5 emails that arrive with correct answers will be winners. The contest ends on May 31 (sunday) at 23:59:59 (Samoa hour). The prize consists of a code (by winner) to download the app "Join the Dots" from the App Store USA.
Luck you,
