Orangutangy

Tag: Sifteo

  • Sifteo Cubes: Notes on Developing

    Warning Sifteo cube development is still very ALPHA. And as usual, Documention is sparse/erratic. Here’s my personal notes trying to “get started”.

    • Need to download Sifteo’s developer’s kit, SiftDev SDK. It includes:
      • 6 Demo projects, with some brief documentation on features used
      • SiftDev, a developer’s version of Siftrunner
      • Siftulator (A cube simulator – kinda broken!)
    • Download & install the MonoDevelop (the IDE that your use to compiles/runs the apps)

    Running the demos:

    1. Open up the MonoDevelop app.
    2. Open up the .sln project.  File > Open Project > … navigate to the demo folder and find the demo you want to run
    3. Fix the broken project references.
      • Project > Edit references
      • Delete the reference to Sifteo
      • Find the Sifteo.dll file by navigating to the Sifteo_SDK/Siftdev.app/Contents/Resources/Runtimes/Mono/Current/Sifteo.dll
      • Click Add, and it will appear in the right pane.
      • Hit OK to apply changes
    4. Run the code. Menu Run > Run
    5. Open up the SiftDev app.
    6. Connect/pair your cubes
    7. Load the app by going to the Developer menu > load apps… > Select the folder of the demo
    8. Click on the app and hit Play!,

    PS: I’m running Mac 10.6.8, SiftDev 1.1.2, MonoDevelop 2.8.6.5, Siftulator 00_05_09

  • Sifteo Cubes: Review

    Sifteo Cubes: Review

    Mom gave me a set of Sifteo cubes for my birthday. I took them out for a trial run that weekend, but haven’t sat down with them to develop until today. (Potentially) awesome gift?

    Here’s the lowdown:

    • For about $150, you get 3 cubes, a charging/storage box, and a wifi adapter usb dongle.
    • To play with your cubes, you must have a base computer to run the Siftrunner app. This app hosts the games that communicates (via the usb dongle) to your cubes.
    • In the Siftrunner app, you can switch games, purchase new ones (using their credits), and pair/disconnect 1-6 cubes. Currently only 19 games on the marketplace.
    • The cube inputs/sensors include: 1 main button (on the screen), an accelerometer, a 129x129px display, NFC sensors along the edges (detects contact between cubes)

    Pros:

    • Lots of potential. Input methods are diverse.
    • Build quality: The cubes feel solid, screens are bright, button is buttony
    • I like the charging box. Great idea. Nice that the dongle hides inside when not in use.

    Cons:

    • Don’t like having to have a computer host without the ability to use it as an additional input/output device (Although it outputs an app’s sounds- which is odd.)
    • Wish an ipad or tablet could host.
    • Already bored with the games. With only 19 games and no near plans for a paid marketplace, hard to justify developing new games. (forum posts mention developers should use a paypal donate button. Seriously?)
    • Their “Creativity Kit” is very very limited. It allows you to make a list of “Put 3 words in the right order” puzzles.
    • Pricey for potential

    Final word

    By themselves, I think Sifteo cubes are kind of lackluster. To be honest, I even feel a little cheated for my mom’s sake. Sifteo used the media to drum up a noise for the holiday push before their games and infrastructure was even ready for prime time. I saw them at a GDGT event back in November 2011, and they didn’t have any games running at the time. Now I see that they still have ways to go. Until they get a better infrastructure for developers (a payment method), I can’t truly see it as a viable game system/platform or even endorse it for my friends.