[sohmer]

Two newsposts in Two days? Believe you me, I’m just as surprised as you are (if not more so).

Nonetheless, after spending months in the deep black well known as the “Apple Approval Process�, Zeitgeist Games and Blind Ferret Entertainment are pleased to announce the release of the Looking For Group: Iphone App.

In short, it’s a reader that will let you read the comic in issue form, as well as a few other surprise features. Overall, I’m really pleased with how it came out, and talking with Chris at Zeitgeist, I’m already drooling over the next release.

Available right now in the App Store. Please let us know what you think!

- Because I Can.

[Rogerborg]

Nice move, Grandad, just as all the cool kids are getting Droids to play their hippety-hop music on. Loudly. On your lawn.

[Dice]

Ok, so how do I find it on the store? What is it called? Typing "looking for group" "LFG" "Blind Ferret" doesn't find it....

[Barbarian At The...]

Congradulations. I hope the deal exposes some new people to the comic through their phone. Personally I can't imagine wanting to read it on a screen that small but I like cell phones less than most people.

Also am I the only one bothered by Iphones spreading the belief that App is a word. I understand abbreviating it on the screen but in commercials they really have time to say application and sound like they and their customers actually know the English language.

[Gertlex]

It costs a dollar. No likey.

It's being sold by Zeitgeist Games. And the application icon looks dumb – It should be something that sticks out much more than it does.

[Chris Oltyan]

It costs a dollar. No likey.

It's being sold by Zeitgeist Games. And the application icon looks dumb – It should be something that sticks out much more than it does.

The app store wasn't finding lfg until about an hour after it got approved, and the tweet was almost immediate. The search is now appearing for "LFG" and I'll go ahead and add Blind Ferret to the mix too. Please post if you can't find it going forward.

It costs a dollar for book 1, and books 2-4 can be purchased in app (for a dollar each as well).

The comic reader has a bunch of additional features that make reading on the iPhone not horrible, and if you want to see a preview, you can check out the video that explains the features : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRyLzA4JdY8

And we changed our name mid-production from Zeitgeist Games to ZeeGee games.

Lastly, Gertlex, if you want to create or suggest a new app icon, and can get the Blind Ferret Crew to approve it, we'd be happy to use it in the next version, as we'll continue to update the reader and add some minigames.

[Akoi Meexx]

The app store wasn't finding lfg until about an hour after it got approved, and the tweet was almost immediate. The search is now appearing for "LFG" and I'll go ahead and add Blind Ferret to the mix too. Please post if you can't find it going forward.

It costs a dollar for book 1, and books 2-4 can be purchased in app (for a dollar each as well).

The comic reader has a bunch of additional features that make reading on the iPhone not horrible, and if you want to see a preview, you can check out the video that explains the features : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRyLzA4JdY8

And we changed our name mid-production from Zeitgeist Games to ZeeGee games.

Lastly, Gertlex, if you want to create or suggest a new app icon, and can get the Blind Ferret Crew to approve it, we'd be happy to use it in the next version, as we'll continue to update the reader and add some minigames.

Actually, I'd be up for designing an icon and the app image for iTunes, if possible. Goes without saying I'd love to give back to LFG like that.

[Wellsy89]

It costs a dollar for book 1, and books 2-4 can be purchased in app (for a dollar each as well).

One problem. Why need I pay money for this when I can just type www.lfgcomic.com into the Safari application and view the artwork there for free in the same resolution? I've yet to find an instance where I have no wi-fi AND a massive need to read through a comic I know off by heart anyway. Also there's already a youtube app that comes free with the phone that I can use to watch the LFG shorts.

The comic reader has a bunch of additional features that make reading on the iPhone not horrible

Here's my next qualm. You haven't really reinvented the wheel here. I see no reason I can't just change the page or highlight panels in Safari and as far as additional features all I have seen is a feature which allows you to scrawl flames over Lar's artwork. Why would I want to cover up Lar's artwork with anything let alone a generic black stain effect.

You also made mention of games but I have a feeling these are just going to be remakes of tetris, bejeweled, pacman, pong, etc. etc. Using LFG sprites instead of the original ones.

I'm not trying to be rude here as I'm sure people put some real hard work into this app but I'd rather donate money directly to Sohmer and Desouza than have it funneled through Zeitgiest.

Good idea, but not something I should pay money for when I get it free and when I can give more than just 25 cents to the guys behind this comic. I'm surprised noone spotted this during development.

[Rutger]

I know how everyone seems to be an iPhone-fan here, but can you consider rewriting/converting these apps for Android?

As has been said, you don't really need an app to read LFG (or LICD for that matter) but it's still a lot of scrolling for me. If this reader makes it possible to read more easily then it might be a succes.

[General_]

I feel a little dissapointed and mislead . Got the app and only issue 1 is available with the app.

The application description says you can download issues 2-4, but does not mention that it costs additional moolah to get 2, 3 and 4.

Am i right in assuming that we do not get to see current strips with this app? (IE are we now reading issue#5 ? )


I do like the way you can read it panel by panel though.

[Devin Austra]

One problem. Why need I pay money for this when I can just type www.lfgcomic.com into the Safari application and view the artwork there for free in the same resolution? I've yet to find an instance where I have no wi-fi AND a massive need to read through a comic I know off by heart anyway. Also there's already a youtube app that comes free with the phone that I can use to watch the LFG shorts.

Here's my next qualm. You haven't really reinvented the wheel here. I see no reason I can't just change the page or highlight panels in Safari and as far as additional features all I have seen is a feature which allows you to scrawl flames over Lar's artwork. Why would I want to cover up Lar's artwork with anything let alone a generic black stain effect.

An iPhone app to read LFG has been requested several times on the forums, so they made one, even though it's pretty much redundant, as you said.
Also, Sohmer is madly in love with his iPhone, so I'm not surprised they've made an LFG app for it. Nor does the "burnout" feature surprise me; I can see a lot of Richard fans playing with that.

You also made mention of games but I have a feeling these are just going to be remakes of tetris, bejeweled, pacman, pong, etc. etc. Using LFG sprites instead of the original ones.

Not necessarily. ZeeGee seems to have several original games across multiple platforms, including a couple for the DS and apparently some coming for the Wii.
However, BFE has an LFG game (probably PC) in the works. It may be on the back burner though, as we haven't had any recent news for a while.

I'm not trying to be rude here as I'm sure people put some real hard work into this app but I'd rather donate money directly to Sohmer and Desouza than have it funneled through Zeitgiest.
Good idea, but not something I should pay money for when I get it free and when I can give more than just 25 cents to the guys behind this comic. I'm surprised noone spotted this during development.

There may not have been any other reasonable options besides working with Zeitgeist. The fine folk of BFE probably doesn't have the expertise to do an iPhone app completely on their own, and ZeeGee apparently already has a reader that could be customized for LFG. Beats starting from scratch and not knowing what you're doing.
I believe any apps have to be approved by Apple as well and can only be sold on their site, so most likely they're getting their share as well.

[Chris Oltyan]

I feel a little dissapointed and mislead . Got the app and only issue 1 is available with the app.

The application description says you can download issues 2-4, but does not mention that it costs additional moolah to get 2, 3 and 4.

Am i right in assuming that we do not get to see current strips with this app? (IE are we now reading issue#5 ? )

I do like the way you can read it panel by panel though.

I'm glad you enjoyed the Panel mode, shake to advance works nicely when you get the hang of it as well. As far as download 2-4, I'll make sure that is more clear in the description. Originally we had noted you could download the other books for .99 each, but due to restrictions from apple, we had to cut that language (you cannot mention costs at all, because it may be misleading to other countries currencies). We never added language back in, but I think its certainly something worthwhile to do.

We plan on updating the app as we go along. Specifically, adding minigames, and new features, and potentially new books. Adding the ability to use the reader format on the most recent strips would be cool, but impractical for how the reader currently works. We could probably just include links directly to the site for the most recent strip. Given, you could do that anyway with the built in browser, if people would be interested in it we could investigate.

Here's my next qualm. You haven't really reinvented the wheel here. I see no reason I can't just change the page or highlight panels in Safari and as far as additional features all I have seen is a feature which allows you to scrawl flames over Lar's artwork. Why would I want to cover up Lar's artwork with anything let alone a generic black stain effect.

The particle effect system was put in place as a trial for a special effects system in general. It is our intent to eventually use that same system to generate flames on torches, waving cloth, and other procedural animations that would be embedded in the comic pages. So, if there is fire on screen, there is FIRE on screen. We weren't able to do this in the first pass so we just included burn mode.

You also made mention of games but I have a feeling these are just going to be remakes of tetris, bejeweled, pacman, pong, etc. etc. Using LFG sprites instead of the original ones.

The first game we are planning is "Death to Butterflies", in which you burn butterflies on screen with Richard. The games are closer to things you would find in WarioWare, as opposed to BioShock. But, the flipside is you'll get all the games we release for the same .99 cents you paid up front.

Good idea, but not something I should pay money for when I get it free and when I can give more than just 25 cents to the guys behind this comic. I'm surprised noone spotted this during development.

While I can't comment on the specifics of the deal, Sohmer and crew come out ahead.

[Muchacho NL]

Two newsposts in Two days? Believe you me, I’m just as surprised as you are (if not more so).

Nonetheless, after spending months in the deep black well known as the “Apple Approval Process�, Zeitgeist Games and Blind Ferret Entertainment are pleased to announce the release of the Looking For Group: Iphone App.

In short, it’s a reader that will let you read the comic in issue form, as well as a few other surprise features. Overall, I’m really pleased with how it came out, and talking with Chris at Zeitgeist, I’m already drooling over the next release.

Available right now in the App Store. Please let us know what you think!

- Because I Can.

I has only one word for it: "Awesomesauce!"

[squeefluff]

Two newsposts in Two days? Believe you me, I’m just as surprised as you are (if not more so).

Nonetheless, after spending months in the deep black well known as the “Apple Approval Process�, Zeitgeist Games and Blind Ferret Entertainment are pleased to announce the release of the Looking For Group: Iphone App.

In short, it’s a reader that will let you read the comic in issue form, as well as a few other surprise features. Overall, I’m really pleased with how it came out, and talking with Chris at Zeitgeist, I’m already drooling over the next release.

Available right now in the App Store. Please let us know what you think!

- Because I Can.

Okay I read about people giving this alot of crap but I love it. I'm using it on an Ipod touch and not an Iphone so i can see the point in not needing it when you have access to the internet and no need in paying for an app that gives you something you can get identically for free. But when I'm at work in the break room where I can't connect to WiFi I think its great.

The Tutorial is extremely useful if you're not used to the lay out. I'm not a huge fan of the burn but its very easily turned off in the options. I like the way you can flip panel to panel as well. There is an extras page which currently only has the 'Slaughter the World' video which you can only access with the net, but knowing the boys, I doubt they would make a whole page and only plan to add one thing to it. I also like how you can go from page to page and book to book at leisure. I was also plesantly supprised when I turned the app off and re-opened it, it had stayed at the same spot on the same page as when I had left it previously. The icons are easy to use and only pop up one you tap the screen that way it dosent mess with the pages.

As for the price, here in the UK i'm paying £0.59 per issue which usually means its $0.99 in the states (gotta love the exchange rates). And I don't think thats all that much. To get these in book form its about $20.00. I can read the comic I absolutly love where ever I want when ever I want (as long as i have battery). And I dont think the £2.36 ( $3.96) I spent was wasted. And I know with BF Ent. I will definatly get my moneys worth in the long run.

And hey I'm a chick that can say 'I have Dick in my pocket!' What more does a girl want?


PS Where is the LICD version? I need my Rayne fix to. And definatly more Issa!

[General_]

As for the price, here in the UK i'm paying £0.59 per issue which usually means its $0.99 in the states (gotta love the exchange rates). And I don't think thats all that much. To get these in book form its about $20.00. I can read the comic I absolutly love where ever I want when ever I want (as long as i have battery). And I dont think the £2.36 ( $3.96) I spent was wasted. And I know with BF Ent. I will definatly get my moneys worth in the long run.

Here in Ausland, its $1.19 (which is about $1.09 US) So i also feel ripped off by iTunes/Apple who are taking advantage of exchange rates around the world


BTW, When you select a book, it initially says that it costs .99 cents but after you got a bit further with the purchase, it says $1.19 ... not sure how you can fix that. Regarding additional books, in the discription, can you just mention that you need to purchase issues 2-4. just saying downloading implies that you can just download them.

lastly, are each of the issues the same as the books?

[Kenoscope]

Pah, I own a 2002 Sanyo from Sprint. No I-phone applications for me thank you.

[DickPwnz]

I feel a little dissapointed and mislead . Got the app and only issue 1 is available with the app.

The application description says you can download issues 2-4, but does not mention that it costs additional moolah to get 2, 3 and 4.

Am i right in assuming that we do not get to see current strips with this app? (IE are we now reading issue#5 ? )


I do like the way you can read it panel by panel though.

Actually, we're on Issue 12 as of THIS most recent comic. Unless the iPod issues are much larger books?

[nPeep]

Congradulations. I hope the deal exposes some new people to the comic through their phone. Personally I can't imagine wanting to read it on a screen that small but I like cell phones less than most people.

Also am I the only one bothered by Iphones spreading the belief that App is a word. I understand abbreviating it on the screen but in commercials they really have time to say application and sound like they and their customers actually know the English language.

It's not a big deal, mate. Just look at your post - cell phones? Try Cellular Telephones. Names change and evolve just like everything else. And Apple is in a position to do it.
Besides, app has been used by nerds for at least as long as I've been one.

[Paul]

I would also be pleased to see an Android application. Not all of us are iPhone/iPod Touch users.

[Kermit Und Ich]

Android app, Android app!

Droid > iPhone