Angry Birds Space Launches on iOS and Mac

[js369]

So which version should I get, for iPad or iPhone?

I just got a new iPad so I have been looking at getting some awesome new apps for it to test it as a game playing machine, but was second-guessing it since the HD version is 3 times as much. Then I became slightly ashamed of myself for being so cheap. Now I am definitely getting the HD version to prove that I am a real man and can afford to drop $3 on a great game. I did get about 100+ hours of gameplay out of the first 3 SD versions while getting 3 stars on all levels for only $3 so I can pay a little bit more for this one. Also my wife hates when I steal her iPhone for hours at a time to play with my birds, so the choice should have been obvious but the extra $2 just seemed like too much to pay.

Does anyone have a definite preference of which is the better platform to play this game? I suspect that this new game is going to feel slightly cramped on the smaller screen, because all the gameplay videos look pretty hectic. Does it benefit from being played on the larger iPad screen in terms of precision aiming? I don't have my own iPhone to play on and my 2G iTouch is way too old to play this, so portability isn't an issue at all. I haven't done any long term gaming on the iPad so I hope it doesn't feel too unwieldy when playing for hours. Is there any reason I shouldn't get it for iPad?

 

[MJedi]

Also -- the one star reviews in the App Store for this app over the fact that there's an option to pay $1 for extra levels in a $3 game are incredibly charming.

So is this confirmed? You can't play the next level unless you pay? If so, then that's totally ridiculous. Just charge $4 and be done with it.

Guess I'll get the iPhone version then, which no one has reported to have this "feature."

 

[romjet]

You're right. Nowadays, most of the major games are being released as an universal app, so I don't see a single rational reason why Rovio couldn't do the same with the Angry Birds. Greed is the only possible explanation.
Just think about it: It is by far the best-selling iOS game or maybe the best-selling iOS app whatsoever. iPad version is basically just upscaled from iPhone. It's the same friggin' game for Christ sakes! Then why on earth does the iPad version cost three times more than the iPhone app!? Why is it not universal? It *IS* technically possible. All those "HD" versions are pissing me off BIG time.

With due respect, what is so hard to understand? If you own a VHS movie but decide you want to move to the digital and HD era, do you expect Best Buy to just give you the DVD and blu-ray for free? No, you buy the dvd and bluray because they are new and improved products over what you have.

I really hope Apple will issue some kind of regulation against this kind of crooked business manners which will prevent developers from releasing two separate versions and which will force them to universalize their apps.
Charging the customer twice for a one thing is *NOT* cool.

No one is forcing you to buy the iPad version. iPhone apps run on iPad just fine, just like VHS and DVD displays on HDTVs just fine... but if you want amazing quality with blu-ray you have the option to purchase it.

 

[romjet]

Greedy? You've got to be kidding! Would you spend thousands of hours developing a game for free? I don't think so.

I think people don't realize how little money most games actually make. Angry birds is a rare exception but I don't blame even them for wanting to make an extra $1 for additional content.

 

[NameUndecided]

So is this confirmed? You can't play the next level unless you pay? If so, then that's totally ridiculous. Just charge $4 and be done with it.

Guess I'll get the iPhone version then, which no one has reported to have this "feature."

I'm going by the petty complaints in the app reviews and the list of "in app purchases" shown on the app's store page.

I'm personally amazed at how people can hold the perception that they're being ripped off because an inexpensive game is offering extra content for only a dollar more. If they charge $3 and then you take the option to spend a dollar more for the extra levels, it makes no difference on whether or not they've chosen to charge $4 in the beginning.

Now… while I'm on the subject of people being uptight and silly about $3 or $4 -- I'd still like to know for sure if this game is optimized for the iPad's retina display before I buy it. (edit: oops, never mind. already been answered.)

 

[iPadPublisher]

These guys are getting greedy, no Universal App, you have to pay an extra .99 to play the full levels available in the game and you have to pay even more if you want to play with the mighty eagle, up to 19.99 !

Your sense of entitlement is dripping all over my Cinema Display. Please make it stop.

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Can anyone confirm whether or not the iPad version has retina display resolution?

I'm sure someone else may have answered this already... but just in case... yes it does, and it looks great!

 

[NameUndecided]

I'm sure someone else may have answered this already... but just in case... yes it does, and it looks great!

Thank you. I somehow just missed Lukeyy19's earlier post.

 

[iPadPublisher]

I think people don't realize how little money most games actually make. Angry birds is a rare exception but I don't blame even them for wanting to make an extra $1 for additional content.

Ditto. I don't mind paying for something I appreciate. Soon people will be demanding that Angry Birds is free, ala the mp3 download revolution. Support the artists and companies you appreciate, and they'll stick around and keep giving you cool stuff.

I want Rovio and team to do well, and honestly with all the FREE updates they've handed out over the past two years, I was starting to feel like I'd ripped THEM off. Angry Birds has been a game that keeps on giving.

 

[Farplaner]

Universal app takes a lot of space. Especially with Retina display. You rather pay $4.99 for Universal app or $0.99 for iPhone app and $2.99 for iPad?

Maybe I'm the only one, but I'd actually pay $4.99 for a Universal app vs having 2 separate apps

 

[adztaylor]

I want Rovio and team to do well, and honestly with all the FREE updates they've handed out over the past two years, I was starting to feel like I'd ripped THEM off. Angry Birds has been a game that keeps on giving.

Absolutely, just look at Angry Birds Seasons which constantly gets revised throughout the year and all for a one time purchase. Some people really ask for too much these days. I had no qualms about buying both the iPhone and iPad versions.

 

[bretm]

Maybe I'm the only one, but I'd actually pay $4.99 for a Universal app vs having 2 separate apps

Are you the cashier at Target that I tried to explain to that the 4 pack of tennis balls at $7.99 wasn't such a good deal considering individual cans were $1.99?

 

[deecasey]

With due respect, what is so hard to understand? If you own a VHS movie but decide you want to move to the digital and HD era, do you expect Best Buy to just give you the DVD and blu-ray for free? No, you buy the dvd and bluray because they are new and improved products over what you have.

No one is forcing you to buy the iPad version. iPhone apps run on iPad just fine, just like VHS and DVD displays on HDTVs just fine... but if you want amazing quality with blu-ray you have the option to purchase it.

That's a pretty dumb comparison considering these media's were released years apart and that blu-ray's now come in optional universal packs (dvd & digital download). Its more likened to designing a client a flash website then on near completion saying 'oh by the way you need a html version to be optimised on your shiny iOS device' lol

If you had an iPad 1 or 2 you would know it runs at less than half size, magnifying x2 up and becoming pixelated. Or, so I've read, the new iPad magnifies iPhone Retina games up without pixelation which begs the question, why not create the universal app in the first place!

Its all about MONEY people hence having to make an in-game purchase to fully unlock an app you've just bought! The new Flight Control Rocket game is a perfect example how to design an universal app!!

 

[romjet]

That's a pretty dumb comparison considering these media's were released years apart and that blu-ray's now come in optional universal packs (dvd & digital download). Its more likened to designing a client a flash website then on near completion saying 'oh by the way you need a html version to be optimised on your shiny iOS device' lol

Release date has nothing to do with it. Playstation and XBox are not released years apart, yet no one buying a playstation game expects to get the xbox version for free.

If you had an iPad 1 or 2 you would know it runs at less than half size, magnifying x2 up and becoming pixelated. Or, so I've read, the new iPad magnifies iPhone Retina games up without pixelation which begs the question, why not create the universal app in the first place!

Because in the first case, no additional development is required, same as how you can watch your existing VHS tape on HDTV and it costs the studios nothing. In the second case of creating a universal app, additional development, testing, and high resolution art assets are required.

Its all about MONEY people hence having to make an in-game purchase to fully unlock an app you've just bought! The new Flight Control Rocket game is a perfect example how to design an universal app!!

Developers like everyone else have to earn a living, or we won't have these apps. I'm simply disputing the original poster's notion that non-universal apps are somehow a "scam" as he put it... It's the deverloper's choice. Look, I enjoy blu-ray + dvd bundles as much as the next guy, but if a studio decides to release blu-ray only, that's a perfectly valid business decision.

 

[kirk26]

Wirelessly posted

Yes

 

[kirk26]

Wirelessly posted

I got both.

 

[deecasey]

Release date has nothing to do with it. Playstation and XBox are not released years apart, yet no one buying a playstation game expects to get the xbox version for free.

Release dates have everything to do with it as with the iPhone coming out first, 5 years ago, apps were only designed for that intention, then with the release of the iPad, 2 years ago, apps had to be redeveloped for it, hence the need for a further purchase. But we're now the 3rd gen in for the iPad, developers have had the time and encouragement from Apple to design universal apps, a little more development can go along way.

And whilst I'm on it, comparing Playstation and XBox to the iPhone and iPad is simply idiotic, your comparison is more likened to iOS and Android, and no-one has mention of a free app if purchased on the other's device!!

Because in the first case, no additional development is required, same as how you can watch your existing VHS tape on HDTV and it costs the studios nothing. In the second case of creating a universal app, additional development, testing, and high resolution art assets are required.

You also seem to be totally missing the point that the media types again, as all that you have mentioned are physical items, this is the digital era dude, where its a hell of a lot easier to develop for universal use.

Developers like everyone else have to earn a living, or we won't have these apps. I'm simply disputing the original poster's notion that non-universal apps are somehow a "scam" as he put it... It's the deverloper's choice. Look, I enjoy blu-ray + dvd bundles as much as the next guy, but if a studio decides to release blu-ray only, that's a perfectly valid business decision.

True, that was an idiotic notion from the original poster's view that non-universal apps are somehow a "scam" but the point is what is the true value in the cost for iPad apps in comparison to iPhone apps, is there really 3-5 times the development needed reflected in price when other developers have showcased universal apps as recent in Flight Control Rocket, Rage HD, Jetpack Joyride, Zombie Gunship, Monster Dash, Temple Run all costing 99 cents or even free in some cases.

 

[roadbloc]

The Angry Birds fad still hasn't worn off? Wow...

 

[Ashyukun]

So is this confirmed? You can't play the next level unless you pay? If so, then that's totally ridiculous. Just charge $4 and be done with it.

Guess I'll get the iPhone version then, which no one has reported to have this "feature."

1. The iPhone and iPad both have the Danger Zone as an in-app purchase. You can play the first level free to get a taste of it since they're designed to be more challenging so you're not buying it completely blind.

2. The game comes with 60 levels (2 worlds of 30 levels) inherently, plus 5 'Eggsteroid' bonus levels unlocked through playing the normal levels. That's at least as many- if not more- than the previous games have had. There's also a 'Coming Soon' world, implying that like all the previous games, there will be more free levels added in updates.

About the only reason I'd really have complained about it not being a universal app (I bought it on both my iPad and iPhone) would be if the universal app would have let me sync progress between the two devices. THAT I would likely have been willing to pay extra for, since yesterday I played through a whole lot of the game on my iPhone over lunch, and then had to re-play the levels on my iPad at home.

The iPad version though is WELL worth the extra cost. It looks FANTASTIC on the new iPad's retina display, and it's a LOT easier to line up shots on the iPad than the iPhone. I love the gravitational/orbital physics gameplay too- there are some really fun and creative levels in there. My favorite so far has to be the 'asteroid drop' level (1-18) where you have to knock rocks out of space and rain them down on the pigs below.

 

[Navdakilla]

Am I the only person left on Earth that thinks that Angry Birds is a mediocre game at best? It's really not that entertaining.

Don't worry, I feel the same way, played angry birds when it first got released.. it was meh, I even played the other seasons,
might get this one just to play it, but not really into it.
It's crazy how it's taken over the world tho

 

[tann]

Do the two versions (iPhone and iPad) sync your progress between them?

 

[0098386]

Greedy? You've got to be kidding! Would you spend thousands of hours developing a game for free? I don't think so.

It's not free, though. It's making a full game and then splitting it into two purchasable sections. The industry is going down this route and some big developers are doing it (EA being the most horrible with it). Personally I don't mind buying a cheap game and buying the rest of the game at some point - the problem I have is buying a game today, 30 levels for 70p one week, another 70p the week after, etc. That looks to be the route they're going down rather.

Should have been a universal app, should come with all currently existing levels.

Akk, they're also selling some in-app currency thing. Yeah I won't be getting this. Millions will, though.

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My obligatory link to a The Oatmeal comic:
http://theoatmeal.com/blog/apps

The difference with that and reality, is that in reality iOS (as it hasn't infected PC+console developers too much) developers artificially raising prices of games and masking those prices. "Pay2win" games are ruining what otherwise would be a fun experience.

This is one of the reasons why I don't bother much with iOS gaming. I bought and enjoyed the original Angry Birds because it was a cheap game to make (repackage existing game with very basic artwork and sound), they sold it at price that reflects that, disposable content and one price got you the whole thing.

 

[Floris]

I played Angry Birds for a week, had a great time, going through the Rio, Seasons, etc, and getting extra levels.

I thought the magic was over, and I wouldn't play it anymore. I tried Space anyway and can't put it down. It's a different approach to 'more of the same', and I am glad I bought it.

These games are great when you have 5 minutes to spare at the chinese place waiting for your order.

 

[GenesisST]

The difference with that and reality, is that in reality iOS (as it hasn't infected PC+console developers too much) developers artificially raising prices of games and masking those prices. "Pay2win" games are ruining what otherwise would be a fun experience.

This is one of the reasons why I don't bother much with iOS gaming. I bought and enjoyed the original Angry Birds because it was a cheap game to make (repackage existing game with very basic artwork and sound), they sold it at price that reflects that, disposable content and one price got you the whole thing.

I understand what you mean about pay2win... I haven't tried new games lately, but I usually look at "top in-app purchase" to see if this is the case and do not bother it it is.

Regarding your signature: "Maybe if everyone who'd ever been close to you had died, you'd be sarcastic, too.", I totally agree with that. My wife doesn't understand that, and it's a point of contention for us. But she still has both parents and had a grandmother that was close to reaching 100 and still has the other grandmother...

 

[romjet]

Release dates have everything to do with it as with the iPhone coming out first, 5 years ago, apps were only designed for that intention, then with the release of the iPad, 2 years ago, apps had to be redeveloped for it, hence the need for a further purchase. But we're now the 3rd gen in for the iPad, developers have had the time and encouragement from Apple to design universal apps, a little more development can go along way.

And whilst I'm on it, comparing Playstation and XBox to the iPhone and iPad is simply idiotic, your comparison is more likened to iOS and Android, and no-one has mention of a free app if purchased on the other's device!!

Ok it seems we agree in principle... our only disagreement is whether iPhone and iPad are different enough devices or not. My opinion is that, due to the difference in resolution aspect ratio, form factor, and redesign required (not the case for iPhone and iPod) they are different devices despite both carrying the Apple brand.

You also seem to be totally missing the point that the media types again, as all that you have mentioned are physical items, this is the digital era dude, where its a hell of a lot easier to develop for universal use.

Xbox and Playstation are in the digital era too. There's downloadable content for both.

True, that was an idiotic notion from the original poster's view that non-universal apps are somehow a "scam" but the point is what is the true value in the cost for iPad apps in comparison to iPhone apps, is there really 3-5 times the development needed reflected in price when other developers have showcased universal apps as recent in Flight Control Rocket, Rage HD, Jetpack Joyride, Zombie Gunship, Monster Dash, Temple Run all costing 99 cents or even free in some cases.

I'm an ex-iOS developer, I no longer develop because lets face it when everything costs 99 cents it's hard to make a profit unless you're in the top, and only a handful of apps are on the top. I understand why some devs choose to price iPad apps more, because of the different demographics and more detailed graphics. I just hope most consumers understand that it's not easy and not bash the devs over charging a few bucks beyond 99 cents.

 

[Farplaner]

Are you the cashier at Target that I tried to explain to that the 4 pack of tennis balls at $7.99 wasn't such a good deal considering individual cans were $1.99?

You're right, I'd pay 2 cents more for having 1 app instead of 2 separate apps.