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iOS Game Idea, Need help.

M

mgav1210

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 27, 2012
7
0
I have had an idea for a game for a while now but I have no knowledge of programming besides a little html and css. I downloaded xcode and started watching tutorials on objective C. For a school project I have 18 weeks to complete the baseline idea for my app and have it running. Do I have enough time? Should I start with C first then make my way to objective C? Whats the easiest way to attack my situation?

Thanks

Edit: I just bought an objective C book on amazon to start reading, should help.
 
Hmpf, if it's a quite big idea, I recommand you not to go on with Objective-C for just this task, since you have HTML/CSS skills, isn't it better to look at some game engines? Some of them support HTML which transforms it into a game for you.
I think the steep hill of Objective-C might suprise you, specially when it's for a project due.
 
18 weeks... That sounds pretty tough to go from knowing nothing to having a game, particularly if you're expected to work on it alone.

I would suggest you pop open Learn C the Hard Way and go through the first ~20 chapters. That should take 2-3 weeks. It's a free ebook, google it. We can help if you run into problems (although actually, any questions you have about it might go in the Mac programming section of the forums better.)

Once you've done that, hit Stanford's iTunes U iOS development lectures. Those will take 4-8 weeks to get through. They're free.

At that point, you should know enough C, Obj-C, OO concepts, Xcode, and iOS SDK to be able to put together some sort of simple game with the 7-12 weeks you'll have left.

Also... Don't expect to make something very fancy in that time. Your game is going to be 2D and about as complicated as a board game, I think. You can propose whatever you have in mind, and I'm sure we can let you know about how long it could take.
 
Alright, sounds good. The idea has gotten to the point where lots of people who I talk to think it can go alot bigger than just a School Project. They think it has a possibility to go big with some nice $$$$. I'll try to learn coding starting with C then using Stanford's U Itunes videos, but I think I might try and get a loan and outsource the coding just to get the app out there. You guys think it is worth it to split up the coding process throughout many workers, so each worker doesn't get the jist of the project or just stick with one.
 
mgav1210 said:
Alright, sounds good. The idea has gotten to the point where lots of people who I talk to think it can go alot bigger than just a School Project. They think it has a possibility to go big with some nice $$$$. I'll try to learn coding starting with C then using Stanford's U Itunes videos, but I think I might try and get a loan and outsource the coding just to get the app out there. You guys think it is worth it to split up the coding process throughout many workers, so each worker doesn't get the jist of the project or just stick with one.
Click to expand...

No, splitting the project into tiny pieces so nobody knows what the whole project is will doom the project to failure. Developers need to be able to run the whole project, test it out, make sure the pieces fit together, etc.

There are things called NDAs (non disclosure agreements) and non-compete agreements. Professional developers sign them all the time, and they have legal teeth to them. If you get somebody under NDA and/or a non-compete and give them the spec to the project and they steal it, you have a very clearcut case to sue for breach of contract, punitive and actual damages, legal costs, etc. You can kick the crap out of them in court, in other words.

Also, a developer is risking his career by stealing ideas from a client. It's a small world, and word gets around.

As long as your developers are in the same country as you, and you hire working professionals, you should be able to protect yourself just fine with a standard NDA agreement. It could be more complicated if the developers are in a different country, or if you are hiring some high school kid who doesn't have any assets to sue for, or the good sense to understand the consequences of his/her actions.

Our company ASKS our clients to put us under NDA before talking about their project ideas with us. That way there is a clear understanding and a paper trail, and everybody's interests are protected. We earn our livings by developing software for people, and want our clients to be happy with us. Ethics aside, the risks of trying to steal a client's idea far outweigh the possible benefits.
 
Great very well said. I'll do some looking around in my city and try and find a programmer, my guess is a college kid or recent grad will do just fine. I'll put a word out and see if I get any responses. I will keep you guys updated on how the project goes and if I have any questions I guess I know where to come.

Thanks
 
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