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Ad Astra Games AVID Assistant

Created by Ken Burnside

A tablet-based assistant for Ad Astra's 3D space games.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

August Developer Update
over 6 years ago – Fri, Sep 01, 2017 at 01:18:03 PM

Mike here with this month's update from the developer meeting.  

Not much to report. As mentioned in a previous update, my focus for the last two months has been on the rewrite of SSPDF, the tool that creates the SSDs for Squadron Strike. As part of that effort, I have been adding in support so that the AVID Assistant 2 (web version) will eventually be able to pull-in ship data so that it does not have to be entered by hand. 
On the iOS front, Ken has been stymied in his efforts to obtain a Dunn & Bradstreet DUNS number, which Apple requires for corporate developer accounts on iTunes. 
We discussed two minor tweaks to the user interface: 
1) The label for Missiles will be updated to indicate turn of launch and put an @ symbol in front of the target name. 
2) The List Page will have the actions "Clone", "Update", and "Remove" added to it. Those functions are currently available on the Ships page, but user feedback indicated that they should also exist on the List page. Both of these tweeks will be in the next release of AVID Assistant 2, which will likely be around mid-September. 
User Feedback As always, send feedback to [email protected]. We do discuss all feedback and use it to determine what needs improving in the app.

July Feature Update & Status Report
almost 7 years ago – Wed, Jul 26, 2017 at 09:42:58 PM

Time for this month's developer update!

Remember, you can always find the AVID Assistant at:  http://services.adastragames.com/avid/

Usage Stats & Downloads

We're creeping up on 100 downloads on the Android Store.  Game logging so far shows very few games that aren't Mike or Ken (or Mike AND Ken) running playtests or AVID feature tests.

If you've downloaded the app and are having difficulties, please email [email protected] so we can know what to fix.

AA2 Feature Update  

The missile interface has a few new features. The most obvious one is that when in Incoming Mode, the window that will be hit by the currently selected missile will blink. (Remember, in Incoming Mode, the arcs page shows where all of the incoming missile fire is located as a heat map.)  

Added a new feature that will allow users to randomize ship's names from a list. Useful for users, like myself, that have a hard time coming up with different names.  

A few bugs have been identified and squashed.

2.1.0 should be releasing this week.  

User Manual Update  

The User Manual is now completely updated for Squadron Strike. 

Training Material Update 

This is on Ken's todo list. It has been awaiting the completion of the User's Manual.

 iOS Release 

The paperwork for Apple is stuck in committee. Actually, we don't know what the holdup is as nobody is responding to Ken's emails and calls.  If anyone has experience with getting a Dunn & Bradstreet DUNS number (needed for a corporate developer account on iTunes), please contact Ken.  

Torpedo and Fighter Movement Update:  

We are still designing an interface for torpedo and fighter movement. One of the stumbling blocks is that pivots can occur before and/or after movement/thrust for these units.

'til next month!

June Coding Update
almost 7 years ago – Fri, Jun 30, 2017 at 09:09:58 PM

Mike here with an update from this month's developer meeting.


Overall App Status  

At this point, AVID Assistant 2 has implemented all of the features promised in the Kickstarter. 

Further support for Missile, Torpedoes, Profile Numbers, ECM/ECCM are on the todo list.  

There is a new release (2.0.9) scheduled for next week that will include more support for Missiles as well as a few minor bug fixes.  

Android App Status  

Has been released. No issues have been reported.  

iOS App Status  

Jon has built an iOS version of AA2 and we are currently going through the processes of getting onto Apple's store. It is a slow process.  

User Manual Status  

The User's Manual is in dire need of updating. Between attending the Origins Game Faire and including missile support, I haven't had much time to update the manual.

Training Material Status  

Ken is awaiting the updates to the User Manual.  

Summer Development Plans  

After the release of 2.0.9, work on AVID Assistant 2 is going to take a break. Instead, I'll be working on a new version of SSPDF, which is the software used by Ad Astra (and players) to create their own SDDs. Because Ken keeps doing weird things with ship designs, it needs some updates to support RocketPunk, 

I am taking the opportunity to rewrite the entire thing from scratch. The software is 7 years old and needs a facelift. 

I'll be taking the opportunity to add in support so that AVID Assistant will eventually be able to load in ship data from a file the that SSPDF generates.

Feedback  

As always, feedback can be sent to [email protected]. Seriously, send us feedback. We can't fix things if we don't hear about problems.  We'd love to see usage spikes on days when neither Kens nor my group is gaming, or when Ken isn't at a convention!

AVID Assistant 2.0.8 is up on Google Play!
almost 7 years ago – Thu, Jun 08, 2017 at 09:58:57 PM

We've updated to version 2.0.8, and it will be up on the services website by this weekend.

It is also available on the Google Play Store

AVID Assistant

The iOS version is working well in emulators, but needs a small bit of tweaking for the narrower screen (it may be forced to just landscape mode to accommodate this.)

Features added:

* Long-pressing the left arrowhead by the target selector will get you the closest target.
* Long-pressing the right arrowhead by the target selector will get you a list of target sorting options.
* It is now possible for one player to use the app and shift positions for all units in the game.
* The app now allows you to launch missiles, specifying the target and the number of missiles - these then appear as targets on the target selection list.  When you cycle through targets, missiles have a triangle prepending their name; when the missiles are targeted on your currently selected ship, the background color behind the name changes to reddish pink.

Mike and I are both heads down on getting ready for Origins, so the documentation may not be updated for a couple of weeks.

May Developer Update
almost 7 years ago – Wed, May 24, 2017 at 12:30:25 PM

Mike here with this month's developer update.  

Status 

1) Version 2.0.5 has been deployed to http://services.adastragames.com/avid/ . See the previous update for all the fun details. 

2) The "User's Guide", located here has gone through several revisions and is pretty much complete. 

3) Ken has started planning out tutorials. 

4) All of the 3D renderings promised are now complete and will be included in the next release. 

5) Mobile Apps - In preparation for Mobile Apps, the Calculator and SS variants have been merged into one program. An Android Apk has been created and is out for testing. If you wish to try out the Android App, please email [email protected] . It requires Android 5 or later. Plans are in the works for the iOS app creation; however, it will likely be closer to the end of the summer before that is completed. 

Issue Review 

The following items were discussed at the Developer Meeting 

Issue 1: Recentering the map 

We are working on an interface to allow users to relocate the origin point and adjust the coordinates of all ships in the game.

Issue 2:  Notification for horizontal and vertical plotting resets

As pointed out last update, some users forget that if they change their thrust or pivot that their horizontal and vertical plotting "resets" as their old plot is no longer valid. The interface will be updated so that the position and speed bars on the "Plotting Scoreboard" will turn red when the plot resets. 

Issue 3: 

Fleet Name and IFF mode 

The ability to enter a Fleet name will be added to the Setup page and an IFF button will be added somewhere (we are not sure where yet). When in IFF mode, players will not be able to target "friendly" ships. This will make scrolling through targets faster.

Issue 4: Target sorting order

Options to sort by range or name will be added. The exact interface is still being debated. 

Issue 5: Increase/Decrease Thrust Icons. 

There have been a few complaints about the Increase/Decrease Thrust Icons, so they are being updated. 

 Issue 6: Ships held in Reserve 

A new ownership option will be added called "Reserve". Ships in reserve will not appear in targetting lists. This will allow all the ships for a fight to be added at the start of the game and then claimed when they arrive. 

Issue 7: Range 0 bearings. Right now, bearings at range 0 do not follow the rules. This will be fixed as soon as objective rules can be worked out. (The actual rules depend on players making a "common sense" choice, which isn't possible to program) 

Next release 

The next release will be 2.0.7 and will occur this week. 

2.0.7 has the following updates: 

1) Combines the Calculator and SS variants.
2) "Saves" data locally. Most notably, it saves preferences.
3) Includes all promised 3D renderings.