Virtual Pool

[TopToffee]

#3 - Shoot button is easy, but at what speed? Moving your finger on the touchscreen is part of the skill aspect of the game. We have a 'shoot' button and a 'force' slider in practice mode that controls tracking lines. This option will be available in the next release, but only in practice mode.

I think what the guy meant was have a SHOOT button which, when you press it "locks" the aim of the shot, so that you can then concentrate on sliding your finger to get the right power of shot, without having to worry about accidentally changing your aim.

 

[BergerFan]

Once you have your finger on the cue, you can't go left and right anyway. Also it allows you to change your mind about a shot easily. I like it as it is.

 

[nickels]

I think what the guy meant was have a SHOOT button which, when you press it "locks" the aim of the shot, so that you can then concentrate on sliding your finger to get the right power of shot, without having to worry about accidentally changing your aim.

This is exactly what I meant, sorry for the confusion. I'd like the aim locked, NO POWER METER button pressing, just the same finger dragging technique that is used right now. It is just like me saying, OK I am done aiming now and I want to shoot. This would also eliminate the issue with not being able to grab the stick when it is lifted.

I am glad there are no help lines, as this is a pool SIM and when you play in a pool hall you don't get magical dotted lines showing you where to hit the ball. Maybe in a practice mode, but not during the actual game.

I am very impressed that you come here and explain everything to us.

 

[bojado71]

#1 - OK, we can look at some of those ideas. #7 - That would be nice but we don't know how to do it. As soon as we init the audio object (for the in-game sounds) the 'iPod' player stops playing. Are other games able to do this?

I bought Virtual Pool and Missile Command last night and both are awesome. I did notice that Misslile Command has a prompt when you start it that asks if you want to use Game sound or Ipod sound, so there does seem a way to offer this option.

 

[bojado71]

One update I would like to see is being able to save the zoom out angle as your default instead of having to zoom out for every shot. When you zoom out you have a much bigger portion of the stick to control which gives it more realism compared to the standard close-up where you do not get the same feel of holding a cue. All in all, love this game.

 

[VirtualPool]

One update I would like to see is being able to save the zoom out angle as your default instead of having to zoom out for every shot. When you zoom out you have a much bigger portion of the stick to control which gives it more realism compared to the standard close-up where you do not get the same feel of holding a cue. All in all, love this game.

Press 'Settings' from the Main Menu and make sure that 'User View' is set to 'Last Distance'. This should do what you are looking for. I just tried it to make sure and it worked fine.

 

[VirtualPool]

This is exactly what I meant, sorry for the confusion. I'd like the aim locked, NO POWER METER button pressing, just the same finger dragging technique that is used right now. It is just like me saying, OK I am done aiming now and I want to shoot. This would also eliminate the issue with not being able to grab the stick when it is lifted.

I am glad there are no help lines, as this is a pool SIM and when you play in a pool hall you don't get magical dotted lines showing you where to hit the ball. Maybe in a practice mode, but not during the actual game.

I am very impressed that you come here and explain everything to us.

OK, now I understand. We did give that a try one time but it got voted out as it added an extra step, plus an extra step if you decide to tweak the aim at the last minute (ie; after locking into shoot mode). Another reason was it took longer to explain.
Now that I understand what you are asking for, it brings up an immediate question... Are you changing the aim when you mean to be shooting? I would assume your request implies that.
If that is the case, maybe we can make the 'touch area' on the stick a little wider and easier to grab... and hopefully less likely to change the aim when you mean to shoot.
Thoughts???

 

[VirtualPool]

I bought Virtual Pool and Missile Command last night and both are awesome. I did notice that Misslile Command has a prompt when you start it that asks if you want to use Game sound or Ipod sound, so there does seem a way to offer this option.

So if you select Ipod sound, does Missile Command make any sound at all? If not, then we could probably do something similar. If it does make some sound and also lets the normal iPod music play... eek, dunno how to do that.

 

[nickels]

So if you select Ipod sound, does Missile Command make any sound at all? If not, then we could probably do something similar. If it does make some sound and also lets the normal iPod music play... eek, dunno how to do that.

Let's take another app as an example - Mix Master Scratch. This app gives you the ability to listen to iPod music while the app plays sound effects over top of it. Also, the More Cow Bell app does the same thing. So there must be a way to have the iPod music playing while overlapping the apps own sound effects. I don't know how to do that, as I am not a game developer no matter how much I wish I was one!

And yes, my issue with the shooting in Virt Pool is that while I am trying to shoot I accidentally adjust the aim too often. I am getting better with practice, and found that zooming out really helps (as mentioned above).

 

[BergerFan]

OK, now I understand. We did give that a try one time but it got voted out as it added an extra step, plus an extra step if you decide to tweak the aim at the last minute (ie; after locking into shoot mode). Another reason was it took longer to explain.
Now that I understand what you are asking for, it brings up an immediate question... Are you changing the aim when you mean to be shooting? I would assume your request implies that.
If that is the case, maybe we can make the 'touch area' on the stick a little wider and easier to grab... and hopefully less likely to change the aim when you mean to shoot.
Thoughts???

I like that idea. Also, maybe you could have an option to have a virtual cue on the side, so we can utilise a more zoomed in viewpoint(choice is good ).
Finally, how about a portrait mode option and maybe moving the score overlay to the bottom?

 

[VirtualPool]

I like that idea. Also, maybe you could have an option to have a virtual cue on the side, so we can utilise a more zoomed in viewpoint(choice is good ).
Finally, how about a portrait mode option and maybe moving the score overlay to the bottom?

I'll look into having an alternate method to shoot. A couple of good ideas have been posted.

Playing in Portrait mode is next to impossible as you don't have a wide enough field of view to make anything more than a slight cut shot. We tried years back on the older smartphones but it just wasn't possible to play a good game. It is hard enough as it is now with the 480x320 screen. The Dell X50v (a couple years old by now) at 640x480 was a great device to play on. I still keep it charged just to play with every now and then.

 

[WilliamG]

Can I just say, I greatly appreciate a Cerelis rep coming on here to speak to us about their product. It's one of the reasons I bought Virtual Pool for the iPhone. I'm a long-term fan, having played pretty much every iteration of VP! I definitely look forward to whatever updates are planned for the iPhone version!

 

[yelnref]

Video demo here ... http://www.celeris.com/games/VPMobile/overview_iphone.html

Wow. I thought this looked terrific so I've just gone and bought it.

Plus, kudos to any developer who's gonna hang out on forums and discuss stuff with their existing and potential customers!

 

[bojado71]

So if you select Ipod sound, does Missile Command make any sound at all? If not, then we could probably do something similar. If it does make some sound and also lets the normal iPod music play... eek, dunno how to do that.

Just tried it again to confirm. When you boot up the game it gives you an option to use "Game Music" or "iPod Music". If you select "iPod Music" you still do hear the game sounds in the background, but can lower them in a game settings menu. It would be terrific if Virtual Pool had this option as I love listening to Podcasts and playing games at the same time.

 

[bojado71]

Really love this game

 

[wastedyuthe]

Hello Virtual.
I have been hoping for an update ever since I bought the app months ago, as the over head view needs working on.
1) When you are asked to nominate a pocket when potting the black for example, you have to tap the Call Shot button twice to return to the shot view.
2) Then when once you tap on Call Shot (twice of course) why doesn't it automatically aim at the black ball? It's should do so automatically as that's the ball to hit after nominating.
3) Also I would ideally like something more attractive than a simple yellow square to highlight the nominated pocket. It doesn't look polished enough.

Are any of these to be addressed in an update? Thanks.

Also, I just want to say I love the rest of the controls exactly as they are. I think the sensitivity is spot on, and I love how you swipe the screen to rotate your view etc. For people who find it too sensitive, perhaps a setting for this in the options might help (at least for when taking the shot). I do think the menu's look out of date now too. But like I say, the main game plays great, and in my opinion, looks great too (I like the ball textures and reflections).

 

[BergerFan]

Would it be possible to see your shot from the view you've aimed at, rather than jumping instantly to the full table view?

 

[nickels]

Heads up! Virtual Pool is on sale for $2.99. If you're on the fence about buying this game, now's the time. It was worth it at full price, so I can assure you it's a must buy at the discounted price!!!

 

[VirtualPool]

I just sent an update to Apple (still being reviewed), unfortunately I didn't see you comments. I will make the suggested changes for the next release.
I don't play eight ball much (if at all) so the Call Shot path doesn't get a lot of attention. I did fix one problem in overhead view (move ball was active) but I don't know of anything else... so let me know if I missed something.

For those who are interested, the update included...

1) New sound effects.
2) You can play your own music in the background.
3) Aim Line option for play against CO or Human.
4) Full Tracking lines in practice mode.
5) 'Fat Finger' grab for cue stick. ie; you can't possibly miss the cue stick now.
6) Corrected problem in velocity calculation for stroke speed. Stroke speed is much more accurate now.
7) Fast scroll method added to Text List items in GUI.
8) Move ball in overhead view is disabled (as it should have been).

Hello Virtual.
I have been hoping for an update ever since I bought the app months ago, as the over head view needs working on.
1) When you are asked to nominate a pocket when potting the black for example, you have to tap the Call Shot button twice to return to the shot view.
2) Then when once you tap on Call Shot (twice of course) why doesn't it automatically aim at the black ball? It's should do so automatically as that's the ball to hit after nominating.
3) Also I would ideally like something more attractive than a simple yellow square to highlight the nominated pocket. It doesn't look polished enough.

Are any of these to be addressed in an update? Thanks.

Also, I just want to say I love the rest of the controls exactly as they are. I think the sensitivity is spot on, and I love how you swipe the screen to rotate your view etc. For people who find it too sensitive, perhaps a setting for this in the options might help (at least for when taking the shot). I do think the menu's look out of date now too. But like I say, the main game plays great, and in my opinion, looks great too (I like the ball textures and reflections).

 

[VirtualPool]

Would it be possible to see your shot from the view you've aimed at, rather than jumping instantly to the full table view?

The camera needs to pull back so that it can make sure it follows all moving balls. The poor little ARM processor and graphics chips just can't handle a dynamic camera. I could probably add an option to leave the camera where it is, but you might not see the balls. If that is acceptable, I could make it an option.

 

[VirtualPool]

Heads up! Virtual Pool is on sale for $2.99. If you're on the fence about buying this game, now's the time. It was worth it at full price, so I can assure you it's a must buy at the discounted price!!!

Just a note...

We got several really, really, really bad reviews posted in the last week or so. One person gave it one star because it didn't have background music and customized cue sticks. Nice ideas... but really, one star?? These reviews killed our sales and we fell out of the top 100.

If you own Virtual Pool and you like it, we need you help. Please post a positive review. If you don't like something, send me an email or post here. I promise to make a best effort to fix it. Some of our best features have come from use feedback. We do listen.

Thanks!

 

[wastedyuthe]

Just a note...

We got several really, really, really bad reviews posted in the last week or so. One person gave it one star because it didn't have background music and customized cue sticks. Nice ideas... but really, one star?? These reviews killed our sales and we fell out of the top 100.

If you own Virtual Pool and you like it, we need you help. Please post a positive review. If you don't like something, send me an email or post here. I promise to make a best effort to fix it. Some of our best features have come from use feedback. We do listen.

Thanks!

Hi VP,
Firstly, thanks for the heads up on the update. The changes you have made sounds like good ones. However I am disappointed nothing has been done regarding my points above. However, I hope as you say, that you will be able to make those changes for the next update. Having to press the Call Shot button twice just to return to the table, and THEN having to rotate the view manually just to aim at the black ball, which should be automatic, gets annoying very quickly (and please please change that horrible yellow square- what about either a circle over the pocket or an arrow pointing to the pocket?)
You mention the iTunes reviews. That's bad that someone can put 1 star just because of the reasons listed. For your information, even with the issues I have listed above, I had given the game 5 stars, because otherwise I love it, and think you have done a great job.

 

[dalvin200]

bought this yesterday as been waiting on a very decent pool application..
used to have one on my jailbroken iphone... (i think it was made by Adikus Pool)

the thing that I am finding quite hard is aiming shots precisely.. as the angle you're cueing at is quite small and sometimes you cant even see the pocket you're aiming at.. I know you can switch to top view, but you can't actually move anything in this view, which is a shame.

Maybe I've just got to get used to it all, as I only played for about 10 minutes, but overall its a very slick app... nice graphics, and i really do like the video clips

 

[wastedyuthe]

The new update is available as of now!

After my first play, I think the new shot action is better, and I do like how we see more of the cue so it is easier to drag for the shot. Definitely better.
However, the over head view can end up looking a mess with the bottom buttons-

It seems the table graphics are still showing at the bottom of the screen below the over head view of the table, and make it look messy. Plus, what is the Aim Line supposed to do? On mine it isn't doing anything that I notice other than take me back to the cue view if I'm in the over head view when I press it.
As before, it's the over head view that really spoils the polish you have given the rest of the game.

[EDIT] Found out why Aim Line wasn't doing anything- Firstly it was disabled in the settings. Then when I enabled it, I STILL had to start a new game for it to take effect.

Note to the developer. Some serious work needs to be done here, as this is looking even more messy than before. If Aim Line is disabled in the menu, WHY have we still got the Aim Line button visible in the game when it won't do anything (not only that, I don't want to see it there cluttering the screen when it's not needed/used)? When you enable it, why did I have to start a new game for it to take effect? Why does the Aim Line button take you out of the over head view when all you want to do is see the Aim Line IN the over head view? In Settings, why can we still press the yellow arrows to toggle room graphics etc, but not for Adversary View- you MUST drag that one to change it, which isn't smooth at all by the way. All this without even bringing up my previous points that you failed to spot because you don't play 8-ball yourself.
I'm sorry, there are some welcome changes in this update, but I am really seeing it as a step back rather than a step forward.

 

[MillieWales]

Just a note...

We got several really, really, really bad reviews posted in the last week or so. One person gave it one star because it didn't have background music and customized cue sticks. Nice ideas... but really, one star?? These reviews killed our sales and we fell out of the top 100.

If you own Virtual Pool and you like it, we need you help. Please post a positive review. If you don't like something, send me an email or post here. I promise to make a best effort to fix it. Some of our best features have come from use feedback. We do listen.

Thanks!

I posted a review for you, this app deserves a 5 star rating, as I said in the review its the only app I play and I'm ashamed to say I have spent a lot of money and downloaded dozens of games looking for the one that could keep me entertained, yours is the only one that has succeeded.

A couple of issues if I may....

When your opponent is taking a shot along the top cushion the top status bar is in the way, having the ability to tap it to hide it would be great. I don't need to know the score 99% of the time, I don't need to see the menu button either, the name and the ball next to them is useful but I think they could be put down in the bottom right corner, less obtrusive.

This is going to sound strange but I would like that same top menu bar to have more info in it, but only when I want to see it. So touching the screen there would show/hide it, in there I would like to see (if possible) the time - I don't wear a watch and to see the time I usually have to quit out of the game - and the battery level if thats possible. I often play at the end of the day and I find I am getting battery warnings pop up (your app does eat the battery for breakfast!), I have to have enough juice left for emails and calls and so I just stop playing as I'm worried of running out of power.

Lastly, if the brightness is turned low on the iPhone it can be hard to see the balls, especially when looking overhead, could you do anything to make the stripes easier to see like putting a black line after the colour? That only really applies to the yellow and orange but it would be a great help. I sometimes click overhead after the break to see how many of each are left on the table, its hard to see. I too play 8 Ball, as I suspect most in the UK do as its pretty much the only pool game we play in the pub, so don't neglect 8 Ball just because you don't play it!

Sorry if that sounds overly critical, just telling you what I think. The game is fantastic and if it never improved from where it is now it would still be at the top of my list, however some tweaks to the UI to make it better for us users would be great.

The new update is available as of now!

After my first play, I think the new shot action is better, and I do like how we see more of the cue so it is easier to drag for the shot. Definitely better.
However, the over head view can end up looking a mess with the bottom buttons-

It seems the table graphics are still showing at the bottom of the screen below the over head view of the table, and make it look messy. Plus, what is the Aim Line supposed to do? On mine it isn't doing anything that I notice other than take me back to the cue view if I'm in the over head view when I press it.
As before, it's the over head view that really spoils the polish you have given the rest of the game.

I haven't updated yet, but from your screenshot yes the overhead view is a bit of a mess now. It's pretty much just interface issues that I think they can fix quite easily, but it will get annoying if left for a while before they sort it out.