GameChanger

GameChanger 2.5 Now Available

With 10th fielder, selectable sync, and now for iPad

By Kiril Savino (@kirilnyc)

GameChanger 2.5 hit the App Store this evening, and we’re very proud of what is, without rival, our most ambitious release since its debut. Most noteworthy, especially for our iPad users, is that GameChanger 2.5 runs as a “universal” app, which means the same app can be installed on either an iPhone, iPod or iPad — and it looks sweeeet on the iPad (if we do say so ourselves).

Here’s what you get in version 2.5:

Just the BIG Stuff

• Fully native iPad re-design with high-res graphics and split-pane scoring.
• Optional 10th fielder: softball scorekeepers, rejoice! Choose either Rover or Right-Center from the game “Settings” view.
• “Smart Sync”: the app automatically adjusts performance depending on battery life.
• Adjustable sync speed: if “Smart Sync” isn’t what you want, you can choose “Battery Saver” or “Real Time” to get the performance you want.
• Auto-resume: phone call while you’re scoring? The app jumps right back to where you were in the game.

Complete List of Changes

Features

• ability to edit Game information on the phone.
• ability to re-used opponent teams when creating games.
• ability to set “TBD” as opponent name when scheduling a game.
• add links to video tutorials on YouTube.
• added automatic crash reporting.
• adjustable sync speed in settings.
• allow a DH’ed player to be a Courtesy Runner.
• auto-resume after pausing the game.
• button in “Game” menu to send a message to fans.
• manual on-base: tap any base to simply place a player on that base (good for fixing mistakes, and for some tie-breaker scenarios)
• native iPad support with split-screen and full screen rotation.
• pre-game roster editing for any team you administer.
• pre-game roster editing for opposing teams.
• score a batter as out with “other” option for odd rules/situations.
• scroll between players using “flipper” button in top right from lineup or roster views.
• support for Shortfielder, aka 10th fielder, as either an infield Rover, or outfield 2nd Center Fielder.
• warn against log-out in order to allow offline-scoring.
• warn when resuming scoring a game that has already been finalized.

Fixes

• batter # on main screen shows more digits.
• better error messages when trying to sign up with email address already used.
• better handling of memory usage, particularly on older devices.
• count AB properly in “today” stats during a game.
• don’t show “<None>” in the Batter area when reaching the end of the lineup.
• make My Teams screen refreshing more reliable.
• miscellaneous play descriptions.
• prevent Login screen from popping up when offline.
• prevent some invalid test data from being sync’ed to servers.
• problem with games becoming “live” before first pitch thrown.
• put outfield positions in correct order in selectors (LF, CF, RF)
• reliability issues with home/away swapping at the field.
• remove ability to accidentally set a DH for an EH
• resume Game button on main screen properly shows the most recent in-progress game.
• scheduled games show in proper order.
• showing some players as “error” participants erroneously.
• some players incorrectly shown as ineligible to be Courtesy Runner.

Enhancements

• ability to create multiple placeholders in the opposing lineup at once (rather than adding 9 players one at a time).
• allow selection of fielder who made the out on a Dropped 3rd Strike where the batter was out at 1st.
• allow selection of the put-out defender on a pickoff.
• better Hints view, with more detail, and revealable at any time by hitting the “?” icon on the main scoring screen.
• choose whether a Dropped 3rd Strike was looking or swinging.
• clearer info and typing area on Feedback screen.
• faster sync & lower battery usage with HTTP compression.
• faster sync response after periods of inactivity.
• new play: “Bunt (Error)” in the Ball In Play menu, for a player reaching 1st on a bunt.
• on end-game, message and “spinner” showing when data has been fully sync’ed to the server.
• play numbers on GameStream screen easier to read.
• play-by-play descriptions include hit type (“hard hit ground”, etc.)
• reduced UI “freeze-up” when syncing data in the background.
• runners auto-advance on an error where the batter reached 1st on a ground ball.
• score multiple runners as having advanced on the same Error, Wild Pitch, or Passed Ball.
• show more useful two games on Team Home screen, typically the last game, and next scheduled.
• show player uniform number on the swap-position selector.
• tapping batter area when at end of lineup gives consistent options.
• updated signup and other forms to better match web.
• various performance fixes to make app more responsive on older devices.
• when auto-activating players from the bench, add them in the positions they’re configured to play (if they have positions set in the roster).

You might say we’ve been busy. You think we’re going to slow down now? Nope. Expect version 2.6 to hit the App Store soon. If you’re asking when we’re going to give you a Scorebook view, the answer is very soon. :)

Thanks to everyone for feedback, help, and patience. As usual, hit us up in the comments or over email with thoughts and ideas.

— Kiril and the GameChanger Team (with special props to Jerry)