It’s Not an App or a Game, it’s a Real Toy and a Real Treat! Pt 2.
A SAHGeekMom & Pump Featured Article.
by: Playtime Theater (Seth and David) Make Believe Worlds, LLC.
Price: 2.99 (Introductory Sale!)
Version 1.0
Platform: iPad Only
MultiPlayer & MultiTouch
SAHGeekMom gives it 5 STARS
Pump Insists Playtime Theater gets an unprecedented 6th STAR!!
Recommended age: 7 to 107 (4-6 with adult help)
What’s Missing and What’s Coming
As David is quick to admit, the first question every user asks is why can’t I save more than one story and why can’t
I save my child’s work.
This is a big drawback. For now the best way
to keep your child’s hard work is to use you video camera or smartphone to film
your screen.
But don’t worry. The guys at Playtime
Theatre are currently at work on adding both of those features, as well as
having a YouTube channel to showcase user’s creations. This is already in the
works and should be part of the first update.
David Katz, co-developer says:
The answer for now is only one at a time. But that will be
addressed in the next version. Most people carry cell phone video cameras
nowadays and an easy solution right now would be to video your child's play to
keep it forever. We also are asking our users to send us some funny or creative
videos that they have done with their Kids. We'd like to post those on
our YouTube channel.
He also offered some
tips as to how to get the best video (which you will need to do to enter the
contest, See my CONTEST PAGE for detailsJ
iPhone 4 takes great video. I actually used
a rubber band and tied my iPhone to a microphone stand. There probably is a
more elegant way, but it worked. The iPad emits a lot of light, so you really
don't need to worry about lighting too much, other than possibly overexposing
by or being too close to the iPad and going out of focus. Experiment and see
what works.
Sharing:
We all love to show off our kids and their accomplishments
across the social media platforms. For many of us W/SAHM’s it borders on a
full-time occupation, so obviously when you discover your daughter is going to
be the next Spielberg (or Bergman) you would want to be able to show your
friends and family.
across the social media platforms. For many of us W/SAHM’s it borders on a
full-time occupation, so obviously when you discover your daughter is going to
be the next Spielberg (or Bergman) you would want to be able to show your
friends and family.
Again this is something Seth and David are
working on. The YouTube channel, as I said is in the works, but in the future
they are going to be adding more exporting options. They do have some user
video live, you can find them on YouTube here. Personally I just want a Facebook
upload, but for now we’ll just have to wait.
working on. The YouTube channel, as I said is in the works, but in the future
they are going to be adding more exporting options. They do have some user
video live, you can find them on YouTube here. Personally I just want a Facebook
upload, but for now we’ll just have to wait.
More More More!
As much variety as this app already has, you
are going to want more. Well more is coming both for version 1.1 and for a
little further down the line. David Katz, co -developer says
are going to want more. Well more is coming both for version 1.1 and for a
little further down the line. David Katz, co -developer says
We are working on
[a] castle courtyard, 3 towers, princess, prison, wizard, and a forest. As you
know these sets are complex and require a lot of labor to produce, so we really
need all the support we can to keep them coming! Most of the elements for the
additional sets have been drawn and we are beginning the coloring process now.
[a] castle courtyard, 3 towers, princess, prison, wizard, and a forest. As you
know these sets are complex and require a lot of labor to produce, so we really
need all the support we can to keep them coming! Most of the elements for the
additional sets have been drawn and we are beginning the coloring process now.
Seth Levine, the other co-dad-dev expands:
Future versions will include more stages,
costumes, props, sound effects and music (starting with the rest of the castle
world and eventually other worlds including Pirates [yay!] and Space).
costumes, props, sound effects and music (starting with the rest of the castle
world and eventually other worlds including Pirates [yay!] and Space).
There are a Few Bugs.
We have had instances of the app crashing
instead of playing back, which is very disappointing to a child especially.
Pump doesn’t really care about saving his work for posterity, but he likes to
view it over and over and show it to mom and dad. Repeatedly. As Murphy’s Law
would have it Pump made a terrific show using every feature for you all, but
after playing it once, the app failed and we couldn’t record it.
instead of playing back, which is very disappointing to a child especially.
Pump doesn’t really care about saving his work for posterity, but he likes to
view it over and over and show it to mom and dad. Repeatedly. As Murphy’s Law
would have it Pump made a terrific show using every feature for you all, but
after playing it once, the app failed and we couldn’t record it.
Seth Levine, co-developer, let me know,
however, that the issues is known and will be fixed in the next update. In the
meantime what seems to fix the problem for us is shutting down all other apps
running in the background and if that fails a reboot of the iPad does the
trick. If Pump feels up to trying again later after homework, I’ll update the
piece with his creation.
however, that the issues is known and will be fixed in the next update. In the
meantime what seems to fix the problem for us is shutting down all other apps
running in the background and if that fails a reboot of the iPad does the
trick. If Pump feels up to trying again later after homework, I’ll update the
piece with his creation.
Seth said Version 1.1 will include:
·
Bug fixes (The app was designed for an earlier
version of iOS that
Bug fixes (The app was designed for an earlier
version of iOS that
didn't have multitasking which allows the
app to stay running for long periods of time - this is the biggest bug fix in
the works).
app to stay running for long periods of time - this is the biggest bug fix in
the works).
·
The ability to save more than one show.
The ability to save more than one show.
·
An updated help system.
An updated help system.
·
If time permits, some more goodies too.
If time permits, some more goodies too.
A Quick Tip for Getting the Most out of Playtime Theater.
Seth and David both
wanted to make sure all their user know this.
wanted to make sure all their user know this.
One cool thing about our app is that it
takes uses the iPad's multi-touch
capabilities so you can move more than one character around at a time.
This is great for single users wanting to perform actions with more than
one character at a time, but it also allows more than one user to move a
character at a time so kids can collaborate and make shows together acting out
different parts.
takes uses the iPad's multi-touch
capabilities so you can move more than one character around at a time.
This is great for single users wanting to perform actions with more than
one character at a time, but it also allows more than one user to move a
character at a time so kids can collaborate and make shows together acting out
different parts.
A Development Team Worthy of
Your Support
Your Support
A few words about and from the Playtime Theater Devs
Don’t expect
many of this sort of full-length feature article on a single app from the
SAHGeekMom. I have multiple reviews to do daily, round-up app guides, and I
want to keep you posted on everything I can, while still being the same SAHGM I
am now, and there are only so many hours in a day, even for insomniacs! But
once in a while when an app and team blows both Pump and I away I will invest
my time to give you the complete picture and insight into how apps come
together. This is such a case:
many of this sort of full-length feature article on a single app from the
SAHGeekMom. I have multiple reviews to do daily, round-up app guides, and I
want to keep you posted on everything I can, while still being the same SAHGM I
am now, and there are only so many hours in a day, even for insomniacs! But
once in a while when an app and team blows both Pump and I away I will invest
my time to give you the complete picture and insight into how apps come
together. This is such a case:
As I said at the beginning, I really care
about who is behind the apps I buy. I promised to contact developers to let you
know if they are responsive and so I did. David was quick to reply with answers
to all my questions. He was affable, friendly, and genuinely interested in my
feedback and is in yours as well. Then I met Seth via Twitter and he too was a
really nice guy.
about who is behind the apps I buy. I promised to contact developers to let you
know if they are responsive and so I did. David was quick to reply with answers
to all my questions. He was affable, friendly, and genuinely interested in my
feedback and is in yours as well. Then I met Seth via Twitter and he too was a
really nice guy.
The first thing I learned was that
the motivation behind Make Believe Worlds, LLC. was to make something
their own kids would love. It’s obvious they care about providing us with the
best possible app and with the best possible inspiration. Seth told me:
the motivation behind Make Believe Worlds, LLC. was to make something
their own kids would love. It’s obvious they care about providing us with the
best possible app and with the best possible inspiration. Seth told me:
Being a dad helps me look at the world from
a kids perspective again and
a kids perspective again and
reminds me how important nurturing
imagination is for kids and adults.
imagination is for kids and adults.
I am grateful to my wife and daughter for
all the patience and support
all the patience and support
they've given us in this endeavor.
Apple was started by two guys that liked to
tinker and now with the App
tinker and now with the App
Store, they've created a place for other
tinkerers to share really great
tinkerers to share really great
(and sometimes not so great) things with the
world. They have provided
world. They have provided
the tools and resources for non-developers
like David and me to create
like David and me to create
an app for kids that is inspired by the toys
and activities we loved as
and activities we loved as
kids and that our kids love today.
David added,
We are a :"2 dad" company with day
jobs and represent the "little guy" We feel we have developed a
sophisticated app that offers a deep level of interaction and creativity.
jobs and represent the "little guy" We feel we have developed a
sophisticated app that offers a deep level of interaction and creativity.
When asked how they
compare themselves to apps like Toontastic they said that while they others may
have larger budgets, larger staffs and a marketing division, they are dedicated
to their craft, and are aided by the fact that they both work in ‘show biz,’ on
the editing side of things:
compare themselves to apps like Toontastic they said that while they others may
have larger budgets, larger staffs and a marketing division, they are dedicated
to their craft, and are aided by the fact that they both work in ‘show biz,’ on
the editing side of things:
I personally think that aspect and that we
are both Television editors with experience in post production is pretty cool!
are both Television editors with experience in post production is pretty cool!
SAHGeekMom thinks so too.
A final note from Seth:
We are busy parents with day jobs but we are
working hard and
working hard and
committed to updating the app in stages.
Speaking of time - we have to
Speaking of time - we have to
give a shout out to our artist Diane who has
been generating amazing
been generating amazing
hand drawn art in her spare time too.
We are very fortunate to be
We are very fortunate to be
working with her.
A Topical Tangent…
Remember as consumers
the vote you have that is heard the loudest is the one you cast with your
dollars. The best way of ensuring that people such as ourselves have a fair
chance in a market glutted with huge multinational corporate entities is if we
support each other.
the vote you have that is heard the loudest is the one you cast with your
dollars. The best way of ensuring that people such as ourselves have a fair
chance in a market glutted with huge multinational corporate entities is if we
support each other.
I am not condemning
corporate culture (at least not here, anyway,) but it’s a well-known reality.
In regards to the App Store neither Apple itself nor game powerhouses like EA or
Disney needs much help from the likes of me. They have the infrastructure and
insider information that gives them a tremendous advantage over everyone else.
corporate culture (at least not here, anyway,) but it’s a well-known reality.
In regards to the App Store neither Apple itself nor game powerhouses like EA or
Disney needs much help from the likes of me. They have the infrastructure and
insider information that gives them a tremendous advantage over everyone else.
That said, I think
everyone knows at least one app that went from small beloved project to
superstardom, Angry Bird, and Doodle Jump come to mind, as once independent
RovioMobile and LimaSky now have major distribution contracts and even feature
film tie-ins.
everyone knows at least one app that went from small beloved project to
superstardom, Angry Bird, and Doodle Jump come to mind, as once independent
RovioMobile and LimaSky now have major distribution contracts and even feature
film tie-ins.
We all know our see the
power of the public, else how could Justin Beiber have gone from YouTube
sensation to the mega-pop-star he is so quickly, but we don’t often think about
how decisions about what to purchase effect what fad we will next be served and
saturated with. If you want the best to shine, not just the richest, support
independent everything, including app development.
power of the public, else how could Justin Beiber have gone from YouTube
sensation to the mega-pop-star he is so quickly, but we don’t often think about
how decisions about what to purchase effect what fad we will next be served and
saturated with. If you want the best to shine, not just the richest, support
independent everything, including app development.
Pump’s Points
A final wrap up by the real expert
SAHGM:
Is this game easy or hard?
Is this game easy or hard?
Pump:
It was kinda hard in the beginning ‘cause you have like a million hats and
dragons and swords and girl stuff and you have to choose it all and make
everything. But now it’s easy. (He made me a movie for this review in 10
minutes and it was great!)
It was kinda hard in the beginning ‘cause you have like a million hats and
dragons and swords and girl stuff and you have to choose it all and make
everything. But now it’s easy. (He made me a movie for this review in 10
minutes and it was great!)
SAHGM: What is your favourite thing about it?
Pump:
The cool dragons and the sounds and the swords and night-time and the monsters
and all the dragons ekspecially [sic] when they have fire.
The cool dragons and the sounds and the swords and night-time and the monsters
and all the dragons ekspecially [sic] when they have fire.
SAHGM:
What would change if you could change something?
What would change if you could change something?
Pump:
I want more characters and stuff and I need more, you know, like places for
them to be. [He means backgrounds.] And for it not to lose my movies. They should
fix that first.
I want more characters and stuff and I need more, you know, like places for
them to be. [He means backgrounds.] And for it not to lose my movies. They should
fix that first.
SAHGM:
What would you like to tell other kids?
What would you like to tell other kids?
Pump:
This is really fun and you can make really fun shows with dragons and knights
and monsters!
This is really fun and you can make really fun shows with dragons and knights
and monsters!
SAHGM:
What would you tell parents?
What would you tell parents?
Pump:
You should buy it for your kids if they love monsters and dragons and making
shows and stuff. It’s ok for girls too because they have girl stuff.
You should buy it for your kids if they love monsters and dragons and making
shows and stuff. It’s ok for girls too because they have girl stuff.
Don’t Forget Check out: It’s Not
an App or a Game, it’s a Real Toy and a Real Treat Pt 1, for screen
shots, a how-to video and more.
an App or a Game, it’s a Real Toy and a Real Treat Pt 1, for screen
shots, a how-to video and more.
OK, that’s it from The
SAHGeekMom for this week. Between all this writing, the blizzard and Pump’s
being sick, I have avoided my real life for too long and weekends are always
frantic. But check my blog
often for updates on my various contest and for the odd App Stalker Report or Edu-App No
Brainers, of even a story about my Uncle Joe’s Cabin in Abitibi-Témiscaminque
(Kidding! Don’t panic!)
SAHGeekMom for this week. Between all this writing, the blizzard and Pump’s
being sick, I have avoided my real life for too long and weekends are always
frantic. But check my blog
often for updates on my various contest and for the odd App Stalker Report or Edu-App No
Brainers, of even a story about my Uncle Joe’s Cabin in Abitibi-Témiscaminque
(Kidding! Don’t panic!)
Thank you all so much
for your interest and support and to the developers my thanks for all the swag
and support. To get up-to-the minute updates subscriber to my rss feed or the
blog itself, or better yet follow me on Twitter @sahgeekmom. I am always
tweeting
for your interest and support and to the developers my thanks for all the swag
and support. To get up-to-the minute updates subscriber to my rss feed or the
blog itself, or better yet follow me on Twitter @sahgeekmom. I am always
tweeting
As always developers are
welcome to contact me if they want a review, email mailto:sahgeekmom@gmail.com.
welcome to contact me if they want a review, email mailto:sahgeekmom@gmail.com.
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