xu4 Needs iPad Beta Testers!
Darren “Time Machine Dragon” Janeczek from the xu4 project team has an exciting announcement to make:
NorwegianRockCat, who has been working on an iPad-specific interface to xu4 is looking for iPad beta testers. Effectively, the beta test is xu4 as-is with a few additional iOS-based tweaks and control interfaces.
It is currently at the playable proof-of-concept stage, but most certainly not final — so we ask beta testers to please focus on functional gameplay issues vs graphical and layout concerns.
Our forum topic for the beta test is here:
https://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/xu4/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31And the specific signup page: http://bit.ly/mwiWHb
Later in this month, our primary goal in xu4 will be to open up the possibilities for alternate layouts of the visual game components and underlying command infrastructure in xu4 to facilitate more sophisticated UI in iOS and any other (mobile) platform. But before that, the priority will be official Linux releases and CLEAR step-by-step instructions of how to get the official “ultimaforever.com” download to work with an installation of xu4.
As always, feel free to join the discussions on IRC @ #xu4 on FreeNode.
Or https://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/xu4/
They are using TestFlight to deliver the app to testers that sign up. If you want some additional information about how TestFlight works (because the process does sound a bit convoluted), this Macworld article explains it in layman’s terms.
Key takeaway: Jailbreaking your iPad should NOT be required in order to participate in this beta test.
So…if you have an iPad or iPad 2 and a keen love of Ultima 4, why not sign up? The team would very much like to see this get released as an official app one day, and your help will be invaluable in pursuit of that goal.
Wohoo. Just signed up. :)Fingers crossed they have used the midi music files 🙂
Whoa! I should have remembered to submit the call here. Thanks, WTF Dragon 🙂
Just to recap, you do NOT need to jailbreak, this is all following the rules. We do need the Device ID for the iPad, but following the instructions should be pretty straight forward.
@Zygon Dragon. The music are the MIDI files “remastered” through Garage Band. I think they turned out OK, but then again, I never played the original on a system that had good MIDI support.
Anyway, thanks for the article. I have just upload the new build for the new testers!
This is of course great stuff. Glad to be a beta tester, and of course I mentioned this on Armchair Arcade as well.
Hand me an iPad and i’ll gladly lend a hand 😉
Niceone NORWEGIANROCKCAT,
Just sent in my Ipad ID this morning. Eagerly awaiting the download links 😉
I did some testing for DosPad. I managed to hook up my real Roland MT32 and Sound canvas to the ipad for full true midi support 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvBISiYbvyg
IF you want to send me the garageband files I can take a look. Got a nice setup with Logic Studio at home.
@ZygonDragon Cool stuff! I’ve sent you an email with info about the GarageBand files.
Build should be showing up shortly as well.
Ooh. Looking forward to the slick music enhancements.
Now with this iPad buzz buzzing, I wonder if we can get some tileset artists interested.
Saw the demo video (other post). This interface is looking very good. I’m looking forward to making some of those displays available on regular xu4 as well.
You want a “tileset artists needed” post?
Because I can totally write one of those.
We’re currently working on a complete music re-write based on the original midi files. If NORWEGIANROCKCAT likes the demo we will do the entire score. This could be a good moment to upgrade the graphics too?
I think it would be good to have an option to use old school graphics and music and new graphics and music would work quiet well? Then your staying true to the original and also giving new enhancements. I think Laireware did this with his Ultima III remake. Worked very well.
Ok, went to the link and it says that the beta is closed. So, as much as I love Ultima (especially 4-7) I can’t play 🙁
I’ll have to make a note about that; thanks for the update.
Hey I want to help! I played this game on the Apple II and C64. Would love to help with the beta.
I would also like to test this. I played the original on an Atari 800 many years ago.
Sadly, the beta test ended some time ago.