Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Multimedia, Developer, iPhone, App Store, App Review
Capsuleer 2.0 for iPhone helps you track EVE Online status
Massively has a good look at an iPhone app that's a must-have for players of the space-based multiplayer EVE Online -- Capsuleer 2.0 isn't an actual client, but like the desktop app EVEMon, it allows you to monitor and track your EVE pilots from outside the game. It's also got skill queues built in (unlike other MMOs, EVE allows you to have your pilots level even while you're away from the game, so most of the strategy in leveling actually comes in choosing the next skill to work towards), a skill library, more pilot details, and even a mini-RSS feeder, incorporating a few popular blogs from around the EVE blogosphere.The two developers of the app tell Massively that their biggest issues in developing the app were mostly by way of the limits CCP (the company behind EVE Online) places on what third-party apps can do with their info.. Most of the things they can't do are built into the game itself, and so it makes sense that a certain amount of functionality can't leave the game client (or else people might never log into the game). The app is currently free in the App Store right now, and the devs aim to keep it that way, but just recently added ads to the mix from the game's official magazine to cover server costs and bandwidth.
Finally, they say they're excited about the possibilities with iPhone 3.0 -- notifications are mentioned, and of course it would be cool to get a popup reminder every time a pilot is about to hit a skill. They're also working on a way to provide stats about the ingame Faction Warfare. Sounds cool -- EVE Tracker is still another possibility if you want to follow your EVE progress on the iPhone, but it looks like Capsuleer adds even more innovation to the mix.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mart said 11:07AM on 4-14-2009
"it's interesting that Apple's API offered almost no issues to them"
Why would it?
Reply
Roc Wieler said 12:21PM on 4-14-2009
Actually, I feel to need to correct a couple of things please.
The Apple SDK was actually very difficult to work with, as many of its default components performed horribly.
Part of the delay we had in releasing 2.0 was the need to pretty much rewrite all of the components we used from scratch, for better performance and lower footprint.
Thank you for the view on the app, it is appreciated, just didn't want it to sound like CCP wasn't delivering, as the fact they offer an API for their game at all is amazing.
Reply
josef said 3:51PM on 4-14-2009
then maybe you should go back to java2me ... seems like that's on your skill level.
slaw_dawg said 4:09PM on 4-14-2009
@josef maybe you should go back to digg with the rest of the kiddos. If your so great where's your app that got a good review on tuaw.
blip said 5:10AM on 4-15-2009
Roc: Amazing app for us capsuleers out there! Thank you and keep up the good work!
Josef: I have this nagging feeling that you:
1. Do not play EVE Online.
2. Therefore have not tried this app which is quite an accomplishment in what you can do and an awesome companion to the game. It works and performs very well in every aspect.
3. Know more about java2me than the rest of us, so maybe you should just continue developing on that platform since you seem to know it so well and stay away from the iPhone SDK
It's called constructive criticism, otherwise nothing would evolve, by the way. So get out of that Digg-bar (or don't), and make use of those grey cells.
Here's a comic you might do well reading:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19/
Reply
p0lar said 8:58AM on 4-15-2009
Capsuleer is a fantastic app - a must-have for any pod pilot with an iPhone! It's one of the apps that make me love my iPhone even more.
Reply