LiveCode reaches version 5, includes support for iOS 5
updated 07:00 pm EDT, Tue October 11, 2011
Now includes more game-design elements
RunRev have updated their flagship cross-platform application-development environment, LiveCode 5, which now includes a new high-performance graphics engine and more game-play dynamic elements, along with support for iOS 5, faster app performance, support for in-app purchases and a free animation engine along with other effects and mechanics that allow hardware-accelerated graphics to be use across all types of apps for better experiences.
LiveCode provides developers with an environment that allows them to focus on app development, which can then be deployed to mainstream desktop OSes like Mac, Windows and Linux, along with mobile OSes like Android and iOS, and specialized server and web-based applications. The addition of game-play elements and the engines to improve performance to game standards means than almost any app can be made more engaging, with superior animation and motion graphics, more share-ability and user loyalty by making the app more interesting or fun to use.
The new version offers app performance that is 10x faster than previous LiveCode versions, and now supports OpenGL, animated sprites, textures and scrolling backgrounds, collision detection, support for vector graphics, drop shadows, transition effects and multi-channel audio and video. The addition of in-app purchasing support will give mobile developers in particular an opportunity to increase revenue. The company says in-app purchases account for 72 percent of all revenue made from apps that support it.
For a limited time, RunRev is offering the $79 add-on Animation Engine for free with purchases of LiveCode 5. Overall, the company says that over 2,000 features were either added or improved in the new version, which specializes in rapid prototyping and visual development that slashes creation and debugging time compared to using JavaScript or Objective C.
The program's pricing begins at $99 for a single-seat license, and starts at $49 for upgrades. Application codebases written under previous versions of LiveCode can be re-compiled without rewriting to take advantage of the new feature-set and speed enhancements. An extended trial with a free course in mobile app development is also available.
