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@ralph okay these are the qeustions. Just a warning, there may be more coming soon and this may feel like an interview.
1. What inspired you to make this app?
2. How long did it take to make the first version?
3. How many beta testers did you have/need?
4. Where did you learn to code?
5. Are you a full time developer, or is this just a side job?
6. If you are a full time developer, how good does the career support you?
Thank you. This will more then likely be very useful, especially when we present or project. Once again, thanks!
Stick Nodes®
A stickfigure animation app created for mobile devices!
Create your own stickman animations on your Android or iOS device!
I think he wanted to rip off pivot and make a better version for mobile devices alike.
Aight let’s do this.
1. What inspired you to make this app?
I started it near the end of college, simply to put something on my resume “hey look what I can do” and get a job. But then it started doing well, so I added more features. And it continued to do well, so more features. And now we’re here.
2. How long did it take to make the first version?
It took about 5 months from start to the Android release. I never planned on doing an iOS version but I also never planned on MP4 export, sounds, text, camera, transparency, etc…Lol. First mention of SN on the internet is here (http://fortheloss.org/new-app-under-development/).
3. How many beta testers did you have/need?
At the end of development, I did in fact open a beta-testers group on Google+ which is still live lol (https://plus.google.com/communities/114805917973577642177). So anyone could download and use/test the app before its official release. I learned of a few bugs at this time, mainly device-specific crashes and stuff.
4. Where did you learn to code?
Oh boy. Um…well I learned on my own. It was probably around 2004-2005 when I first downloaded GameMaker (it’s still around today, but is vastly more advanced). I made a few small nonsense “games”, if you could even call them that, mainly only for myself and family/friends.
Then, because of my interest in animation, I moved onto Flash. And from there I got into Flash’s coding language, ActionScript. There I made quite a few games, learning along the way (http://rdamiano.com/category/recent-work/).
And from there I moved onto Java/mobile games. But overall I was self-taught, though I did get my degree in Computer Science, it’s more of a useless piece of paper confirming that “I do computers kinda goodly”.
5. Are you a full time developer, or is this just a side job?
Right now this is my job, it brings in okay money. It wasn’t about the money at first and I know that’s cliche to say but it’s true. I wanted to just put something “good” on my resume, while at the same time recreating the experience I had with Pivot when I was younger, but for the new generation and their fancy mobile devices.
But then it did start bringing in some money, which is why I’m able to allow myself so much time/effort on continuing to improve the app. Make no mistake this isn’t any Minecraft, lol. If I can get the app even more popular and “out there”, I may very well one day be able to make things more “official”, and then a “Stick Nodes Desktop” will become a very epic reality…
6. If you are a full time developer, how good does the career support you?
Kinda answered above a little.
That was fun let’s do it again.