Want to create iOS games on a budget from the ground up? (Potentially £356 or less.)

[Mantis]

Well, I found a thread on an iPhone dev forum with a programmer who has a method which, and I quote, "allows you to build on a 5.1 device with xcode 4.2 on snow leopard without installing xcode 4.3.1". This is the link to the thread. I must warn you though, Google Chrome flagged it as having malware. The site, however, appears clean. View at your own discretion. Still, the method seems a little risky with regard to submitting apps to Apple. Despite this discovery, I might just send a message to the guy on eBay who I bought the netbook from (I bought it a little before the evening today) and request cancelling the sale, paying him a little for his troubles.

I saw this whole thing as an opportunity to get into iPhone development cheaply since I'm only on a very low income right now and I'm just starting resuming my MMF2 development. I know iPhone apps usually generate more income than Android, not to mention this runtime presently has more support and functionality than Android's currently does. I guess colej_uk's advice is sound with regard to moving to iOS later on. Right now, it's bringing me more stress than anything.

[colej_uk]

I know the feeling. I'm on a really tight budget too. I bought a second hand macbook off ebay this time last year (no battery charge left, slightly damaged screen) as it was pretty much the absolute cheapest option. I looked into doing the Hackintosh thing but just decided to go the official route in the end as I didn't want to run into any set backs.

When I had to upgrade earlier this year, I just sold that machine on ebay and bought the next model up. It cost me another £100 or so on top of the selling price of my old one. I fully expect to have to do it next year as well. But since last year I've managed to make enough through my games to justify this. iOS is, as you say, a good market to be in. It's a crowded one but there's a lot of opportunity for good games to make money.

If you are unsure or just saving up to be able to afford the stuff to get it working, you can always design your game now with regular mmf2. I did this when I was waiting for the iOS exporter to be released- just make a game with the right resolution, use only the extensions that work with your desired platform.

[paobrasil]

Shaun..unfortunately you will need a MAC....the mac mini it's a good option....

[ratty]

I got a used mac mini on craigslist for $250 bucks. I'm sure you could sell a few android games in order to make that much cash, then invest in a mac.

[RhysD]

I was running xCode on a 11" netbook Hackintosh a few months ago. Ran fine, just took longer to compile and using the simulator was pretty horrible on the smaller screen.

[AndyH]

Using the simulator is pretty horrible on any screen.