Opinion: Game developers must act fast to meet iOS7 challenges

The release of iOS7 on Wednesday ahead of two new iPhones brought with it some headline-grabbing features which will change what we can do with Apple’s products.

For those with older devices there will be disappointment at being left behind as their phones and iPads are shut-off from some of the new tools.

Yet a more pressing concern for both operators and suppliers in our industry is how the upgrade will affect the customer experience of those who enjoying betting and gaming on their mobile devices.

The release of each new piece of software or device ““ be it Apple or Android ““ brings with it new hurdles for operators and suppliers to negotiate. For casino games suppliers like Realistic Games the challenge is around the presentation of our table and slots games.

iOS 7 is certainly no exception, and may even have given suppliers more to wrestle with than previous incarnations.

Chief among the changes on this version are the upgrades that Apple have made to the Safari browser.

For example, in previous versions of iOS6, it was possible to use a function that would allow us to hide the address bar without any need for the user to get involved in the process. This primarily affects a supplier’s ability to maximise the real estate of the games.

In iOS7 this is not possible. Instead, the address bar and the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen work in unison, and there are no available functions that allow you to hide them.

This can only be achieved by user interaction, so we have had to implement prompts in the customer journey that allows the user to hide the address and navigation bars.

Other issues include changes to the way image processing is achieved, which we have addressed. In addition, other functions have also changed or been deprecated, bringing with them further complications for development teams.

At Realistic Games we’ve always created our content in the widest possible variety of formats in order to provide players with the best possible experience, no matter what their device, operating system or channel.

That’s because we’re players ourselves and always have been. We share their frustration when features they enjoy on other people’s games are inhibited by a quick fix, off-the-peg gaming solution.

For that reason we have tried to make the move from iOS6 to iOS7 as seamless as we can for the players who interact with our games.

For other suppliers and operators, time is of the essence.

iOS 7 will be pre-loaded on iPhone 5s and 5c as of today, with people owning older Apple devices able to download it too should they wish. Many already have – in their droves ““ so much so that Apple’s servers crashed.

Those reaching for their favourite slot game or hoping to have a spin on the roulette table provided by a supplier who has failed to deal with its intricacies will notice a big difference.

If it’s not to their liking they may well be tempted to switch to an operator who have, with the consequent impact on the bottom line for both.

The challenge for all of us is to stay one step ahead of the game – because as soon as we’ve all got comfy with iOS 7 you can bet your boots iOS 8 will be on its way.