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Chapter 6Testing & Publishing

mrbash.com| stencyl development

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Lesson Objectives

•State the different modes of game testing.Testing

•State the different methods of publishing the mobile game application into the software market of respective mobile OS platforms.

Publishing

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Game Testing Occasionally during your game development progress, game testing is necessary.

Game testing allows a developer to test the game out for functionality and bugs.

It also allows the developer to improvise on the game by visual and hands on simulation of the game.

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Game Testing(Modes)

There are various modes of cross platform game testing that is bundled in Stencyl.

There are certain differences when testing on a Windows pc or Apple Mac book/iMac with the latter allowing more platform options.

Windows PC Apple Mac book/iMac

Flash (Player) Flash (Player)

Flash (Browser) Flash (Browser)

Windows Windows

Android Android

iOS Simulator

iOS Simulator (Retina Display)

iOS Device

iOS Device(Retina Display)

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Game Testing(Flash Player)

Game testing is simulated on a flash player.

Requires Adobe flash player.

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Game Testing(Flash Browser)

Game testing is simulated on a default browser that has adobe player plugin.

Requires Adobe flash player.

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Game Testing(Android)

Game testing is performed on an actual Android device.

The following are the requirements for Android testing

1. “USB Debugging” enabled on phone.

2. Java JDK 6 (not 7) installed on pc.3. Install Android SDK within

Stencyl.4. Select Android platform and test.

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Game Testing(iOS Simulator)

Game testing is performed on an actual iOS Simulator.

The following are the requirements for iOS simulator testing

1. Install Xcode.2. Install Xcode simulators.3. Select iOS simulator and test

game.

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Game Testing(iOS Device)

Game testing is performed on an actual iOS Device.

The following are the requirements for iOS device testing

1. Install Xcode.2. Set up certificates.3. Select iOS device and test

game.

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Game Testing(Print to console)

A console helps in the debugging process in logging functions.

Logs help to keep track of events or logic that takes place in the background of the application which is not apparent in the simulator.

It helps by telling whether a piece of logic took place and stating the actual value of an attribute.

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Game Testing(Print to console)

Printing to console involves using the following block.

The console in game can be viewed by pressing the “ ` “ button.

Another way is using View > Log Viewer.

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Game Testing(Debug Drawing)

Debug drawing allows the collision shape to be drawn during testing.

Collision and physics problems can be solved using this feature.

Enable debug drawing from the command, Run > Enable Debug Drawing.

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Game Testing(FPS monitor)

FPS monitor reports the frame rate and memory usage of the game.

This testing mode monitors memory usage and “garbage collection” problems.

Enable FPS monitor from the command, Run > Enable FPS monitor.

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Game Testing(Compiler Errors)

Compiler errors occur when Stencyl is unable to test or export a game.

Errors will be pin pointed at the behaviour, event and line of code.

Blocks at fault will be highlighted in red once the OK button is clicked.

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Game Testing(Runtime Errors)

A game at times “freezes” during runtime.

This indicates runtime errors.

Check the log viewer and observe the text that appears.

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Game Publishing

After you have completed your game in Stencyl, it is time for the final phase which is to publish your application on the apps stores or web! Stencyl provides cross platform publishing.

Windows PC Apple Mac book/iMac

Web (Flash) Web (Flash)

Web (Chrome) Web (Chrome)

Stencyl (Arcade) Stencyl (Arcade)

Stencyl Forge Stencyl Forge

Desktop (Windows) Desktop (Mac)

Mobile (Android) Desktop (Mac App Store)

Mobile (Android)

Mobile (iOS)

Mobile (XCode Project)

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Game Publishing(SWF – Shockwave Flash) SWF is the format for all exported Flash games.

SWF exports can be uploaded to famous game portals such as Kongregate and Y8.com.

Publish > Web > Flash.

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Game Publishing(Stencyl Arcade - Flash) Publish directly to Stencyl’s very own game portal, Stencyl Arcade.

Stencyl community will be able to test the game and provide useful feedback.

Publish > Stencyl> Arcade.

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Game Publishing(Site Locking) Site locking is a feature to prevent other users from stealing your game and upload it to other websites.

A whitelist of sites can be created on websites that you want your game to work on.

Game Settings > Loader > Site Lock

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Game Publishing(Desktop - Windows) Stencyl allows a game to be exported in the .exe or .zip file

These extensions can be executed on a desktop and run as a standalone application.

Publish > Desktop > Windows

On the first time doing this, you will be prompted to install Microsoft Visual Studio Express.

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Game Publishing(Desktop - Mac) Ensure the latest version of Xcode is installed from the Mac App Store.

Install the Command Line Tools from Preferences within Xcode.

Publish > Desktop > Mac

2 options are allowed of publishing on Mac App Store (.pkg) or as an app bundle (.app).

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Game Publishing(Chrome Web Store)Stencyl also allows your game to be exported to Google Chrome Web Store

Publish > Desktop > Chrome Web Store

Fill in details of the application.

A .zip file will be exported. This file will be used to be uploaded to Google servers.

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Game Publishing(Mobile - Android)Set up the certificates.

Game Settings > Mobile > Certificates (Android)

Fill in all the information.

Export the signed APK file.

Publish > Mobile > Android

Upload APK file to Google Play using Google Play developer console (require developer account).

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Game Publishing(Mobile - iOS)Set up the certificates.

Game Settings > Mobile > Certificates (iOS)

Fill in all the information and certificates require.

Export the IPA file.

Publish > Mobile > iOS

Upload IPA file using Xcode application loader (require Apple developer account).

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Questions?