Friday, January 21, 2011

NumberFun - My first Android application

OK...Here is my first app written for the Android smartphone. Although you can find the instructions on the phone by using the device's Menu button and selecting "Game Info", I am putting it here for an easier read. Plus it should be better to understand with the picture. Additionally, I've include a little more info here that I didn't include in the game's info on in the app.

So here goes:

-- General Instructions: --
There are three rounds to a game. Each round starts with a new set of 6 "Working" numbers to use in equations (Top of the screen). The objective is to solve all the answers (Bottom of the screen) as quickly as possible by creating equations with the working numbers along with the (add, subtract, multiply, and divide) operations.

NOTE: You cannot string multiple operations in one equation. An equation consists of (number) (operation) (number).

As soon as an equation result matches one of the answers, it is automatically taken, and marks the answer as solved. If, however, the equation result does not match an answer, you can choose to use it in a subsequent equation by accepting it using the OK button--thereby adding it to your working numbers at the top.

Note that using a working number in an equation, removes it from the available numbers (ie. you can only use each starting number once). Then, as mentioned above, accepting an equation result (using OK button) adds that number to your working number set.

The rounds are timed...you have 5.5 min/round. You are given a results page at the end of each round showing the points accumulated. Bonus points are awarded by completing the round before time runs out (the quicker you finish, the more bonus points). Also, larger numbered answers (further to the right) are worth a little more than the smaller numbered ones. (to the left).

Thus, as an incentive to solve the smaller answers first, each group of numbers indicates game progress with its background color (successively left to right). When a group's background color is fully changed, the answers in that group are locked out. Any unmatched answer in that group when it gets locked out will no longer be usable. See the picture. Greyed out numbers have been matched. The ones in blue are yet to be matched. Obviously, the ones with the big red X are locked out.

In addition to the points accumulated, the results page provides solutions to the answers you did not match during the round. These solutions may or may not be the most efficient method of solving an answer.

-- Game Controls --
Reset ............... Abandons equation being built (if any) and restores the original working numbers for the round.
Back ............... Backs out the last working number (or operation) entry from the current equation being built. (can use multiple times)
OK ................. Accepts the result of the current equation and adds it to your working numbers.
Give Up .......... Ends the current round.
Pause .............. Pauses the game timer, and hides all working numbers and answers. (toggle action)
New Round .... Start the second or third round.
New Game ..... Start the first round.

-- Menu --
Change Player .. Launches the Player Selection dialog
Top Scores ...... Launches the Top Scores dialog
Options ............ Opens a sub-menu.
      Sound Muting .... Mutes game sounds.
Game Info ........ Launches the information dialog (shows this information).
Quit ................. Ends and closes the game.

Watch out though, this can be addicting.

I hope you find it fun as well. If the population finds this game interesting, I'll be developing more applications. So, keep an eye out.

Thanks to all who have shown an interest and purchased this game.
JRDevApps

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Welcome to JRDev Applications

Thank you for visiting!
This is simply a short introduction to my blog to let you know who I am and what I'm doing here.

I've been a software engineer for about 10 years now and have finally delved into the world of Android apps. Actually, I've only created one so far. Which I will be releasing within the next few days.

In this blog, I intend to introduce expanded information about the application(s) that I put on the Android Market. This should be easily accessibly information for the app users to find things like instructions on the app's use, my responses to frequently requested features, known bugs, etc. --  BUGS? Well as much as I'd like to say my applications will be completly bug free, one thing that my 10 years has taught me is that it is extremely rare to find a piece of software that is completly bug free from the get go. Therefore, I will post any that I (or users) discover along with my intent to fix them.

At the start of this venture, I expect to be making applications that lean toward sparking your brain into a little excercise routine. I'm not particularly the scholarly type, but I think pushing your brain once in a while is a good thing :-)

Well, that's my short intro and the primary (at least the initial) intent of this blog. Again, thank you for stopping by, and check back once in a while...I may just have something new and fun.