C2 --> CocoonJS --> XCode --> WHAT!?

All I'm trying to do is get a version of my work-in-progress game on my iPad, to get friends and family to play test it. Please tell me I wasn't foolish in thinking this would be simple?

I learned I needed to use CocoonJS, so I exported the game for that process. I jumped through all their hoops, creating yet another online account, uploading a ton of images for the compilation, uploading my project to be compiled, and was eventually sent a download link with the final product.

Only it wasn't the final product. It came with a ReadMe file saying that I now need to upload this file into yet another program called XCode. And the real kicker is that I finally learn through a tucked away tutorial that you can't even use XCode without a Mac computer. And I thought I couldn't hate Apple any more than I already do.

So what this seems to suggest is that you can't test your game on iOS devices outside your home without a 3G connection (using the "test" setting in the CocoonJS launcher), and that you can't release your game at all unless you have a Mac computer. Please, tell me I'm missing something!

Well, provisioning profile and compiling iOS which is required to use a Mac computer.

It's hard to work with iOS development than Android.

Good News: I found a way of getting the zip file for testing on to my iPad, so I can now play test it without an internet connection. It still forced me to install iTunes though, refusing to let me simply drag-and-drop like EVERY DAMN DEVICE should. I swear, if I find a Genie, my first wish will be for that Genie to break Tim Cook's legs. He'll call an ambulance, and they'll answer "Oh, you want to go direct to the hospital? Sorry, but we'll have to insist you go through some completely unnecessary additional steps before we can do that. Drive to Texas and sign up for the ambulance transfer service, and then we can talk about getting you to hospital." I would need no other wishes.

Bad News: It seems there's no way of getting around the necessity of owning a Mac computer to publish games to iOS. My hatred of Apple continues. I have a friend with an iMac though, so hopefully I can just use his when that day comes.

Yep, gotta own a mac to get it out on iOS. Something I learned early on.

Check eBay for a cheap homeless mac. Especially the ones that take the current xcode.

Yes you need a mac to compile an app for iOS, it's like that since 2007. The only way you can make an iOS app with windows is by using adobe flash CS6

Good News: I found a way of getting the zip file for testing on to my iPad, so I can now play test it without an internet connection. It still forced me to install iTunes though, refusing to let me simply drag-and-drop like EVERY DAMN DEVICE should. I swear, if I find a Genie, my first wish will be for that Genie to break Tim Cook's legs. He'll call an ambulance, and they'll answer "Oh, you want to go direct to the hospital? Sorry, but we'll have to insist you go through some completely unnecessary additional steps before we can do that. Drive to Texas and sign up for the ambulance transfer service, and then we can talk about getting you to hospital." I would need no other wishes.

Bad News: It seems there's no way of getting around the necessity of owning a Mac computer to publish games to iOS. My hatred of Apple continues. I have a friend with an iMac though, so hopefully I can just use his when that day comes.

Apple sucks nowadays, yeah. The only thing they still remember to do right after Jobs's death is computers, and they still aren't as innovative as they could be. Well, at least they are good. AND iSTUFF IS BULLSH*T! They are useless!

silver, All this time and you didn't know?...iOS = I Own Silver... <img src="smileys/smiley36.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

Another alternative if you don't have a mac, is to rent one online in the cloud such as macincloud.com

its a $1 an hour, or they have other pricing options

Since you are just using xcode to compile, you dont need it for long.

iOS = I Own Silver... <img src="smileys/smiley36.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

iOS = You must have Apple everything to use an Apple anything. So anti-consumer friendly it boggles my mind how they've become so popular.

justifun - Thanks! Though if it really doesn't take long to sort out, I'll just use a friend's Mac I think.