A glimpse at ZunTzu 2

Post by **Jerome** » 07 Jun 2012, 09:49

Hi!

Here is a glimpse at the current state of ZunTzu 2.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mYTMFMNiqt0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

ZunTzu 2 is meant to be a multi-platform boardgame prototyping tool.
The first iteration will focus on the design of the game components, and solitaire and face-to-face playtesting.
Future updates will address remote playtesting, first turn-based - play when you like - and eventually live over the Internet.

I am planning on making a beta version available in August - yep, I am slow and lazy. The beta will target only iOS devices - any iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch except 1st iPhone and 1st iPod Touch.

ZunTzu 2 will be a paid app on iOS devices. I mean to target other platforms as well.

This new version will use a new format for game boxes but will be compatible with most of the boxes made for ZunTzu 1.

Bill Barrett · Post by **Bill Barrett** » 07 Jun 2012, 10:03

sleevan · Post by **sleevan** » 07 Jun 2012, 16:18

Wow. Well worth the wait. One question though: Will Apple allow this app onto the store? I thought they blocked stuff like this.

If you need testers, I'm happy to volunteer.

Post by **Jerome** » 07 Jun 2012, 18:08

sleevan wrote:One question though: Will Apple allow this app onto the store?

The terminology is crucial with regard to that issue. The new version of ZunTzu should be thought of as a boardgame prototyping tool, aimed at game designers.
Game designers will use ZunTzu to virtually test their game components.

Apple will object if they have the feeling that game boxes contain executable code. There is no 'plug-in' or 'module' in ZunTzu... Boxes are just dumb sets of game components built up using the app. It is identical to what happens with productivity apps like iMovie or Garage Band.

I will make sure that the phrasing of the submission to Apple has no ambiguity.

sleevan · Post by **sleevan** » 07 Jun 2012, 18:18

Jerome wrote:
sleevan wrote:One question though: Will Apple allow this app onto the store?
The terminology is crucial with regard to that issue. The new version of ZunTzu should be thought of as a boardgame prototyping tool, aimed at game designers.
Game designers will use ZunTzu to virtually test their game components.

Apple will object if they have the feeling that game boxes contain executable code. There is no 'plug-in' or 'module' in ZunTzu... Boxes are just dumb sets of game components built up using the app. It is identical to what happens with productivity apps like iMovie or Garage Band.

I will make sure that the phrasing of the submission to Apple has no ambiguity.

Why not partner with publishers and sell the game boxes as in-app purchases? I'd happily pay up to $5 for a 'dumb' set of components if I could PBEM with friends.

Post by **Jerome** » 07 Jun 2012, 18:33

You read my mind.
5$ seems a bit excessive though.

sleevan · Post by **sleevan** » 07 Jun 2012, 18:43

Jerome wrote:You read my mind.
5$ seems a bit excessive though.

$5 does seem excessive considering there are games with rules implementation and AI for less, but I think you'd be surprised what people would be willing to pay for effectively a better version of Vassal that you can play on your iPad.

basem2502 · Post by **basem2502** » 08 Jun 2012, 16:44

sleevan wrote:
Jerome wrote:You read my mind.
5$ seems a bit excessive though.
$5 does seem excessive considering there are games with rules implementation and AI for less, but I think you'd be surprised what people would be willing to pay for effectively a better version of Vassal that you can play on your iPad.

Agreed! Price point is not material and can be 1,2 or $5.

What matters is people will pay to play their fav wargames on iPad epecially if interface is well executed. There is a huge untapped market here!

Heath · Post by **Heath** » 09 Jun 2012, 03:24

Wow! That looks great, nice work!!

sharky6000 · Post by **sharky6000** » 09 Jun 2012, 07:27

Looks awesome, nice work.

However... I have to ask: will ZunTzu 2.0 be only ever be available as an app? In other words: if I have a laptop or desktop with no intention of ever purchasing a tablet device, will I be able to use ZunTzu 2.0 ?

Pokke · Post by **Pokke** » 09 Jun 2012, 14:24

Great news!

VPG is also working on something similar though, I was not allowed to convert their Nap20 series for the EveryGame app because of this.
(Every Game now appears to be out of the app store completely, I wonder what they did wrong?)

And people are working on Vassal for iOS.

But ZunTzu still is the one I prefer the most, so having that on iPad would be wonderful!
I really do hope that it makes you rich!

Post by **Jerome** » 12 Jun 2012, 07:53

sharky6000 wrote:if I have a laptop or desktop with no intention of ever purchasing a tablet device, will I be able to use ZunTzu 2.0 ?

Yes, that's the plan.

Pokke wrote:I really do hope that it makes you rich!

I'll be pleased if I break even.

robtsuk · Post by **robtsuk** » 12 Jun 2012, 23:29

This looks great. Are you using one of the game toolkits to implement it or writing straight to UIKit?

Post by **Jerome** » 13 Jun 2012, 07:14

robtsuk wrote:Are you using one of the game toolkits to implement it or writing straight to UIKit?

I am using mainly C++ and straight OpenGL, with minimal reliance on UIKit.

GJK · Post by **GJK** » 13 Jun 2012, 12:57

Will legacy gameboxes be supported in 2.0 or will they only run in 1.0?

Thanks for all of your hard work Jerome!