iPad Version

[ArielEco2014]

Problem

I am always frustrated when I want to play MineTest with my friends. They only have iPads and they don’t have Mac.

Solutions

I would want an iPad version of MineTest, as I think this is a very good game. Please try to make it a downloadable app in the App Store.

Alternatives

Nil

Additional context

Nil

[DragonWrangler1]

There was some reason that minetest wasn't on ios (was it due to the modding ?). I just can't remember.

[sfence]

Multicraft is for iOS and iPAD also. It is based on Minetest 5.2.0. It is possible to install modes and games. But everything is somehow preprocessed and Lua is precompiled.

[kromka-chleba]

Apple Store policy is in some way incompatible with GNU GPL v3, because the policy restricts the users:

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/6109/is-it-possible-to-have-gpl-software-in-the-mac-app-store

https://opensource.stackexchange.com/questions/9500/is-apple-allowed-to-distribute-gplv3-licensed-software-through-its-ios-app-store

https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/more-about-the-app-store-gpl-enforcement

But Minetest is under LGPL v2.1, so I'm not sure if the issues persist:

https://forums.developer.apple.com/forums/thread/27709

And Multicraft is there with the very same LGPL v2.1 code they took from Minetest.

[chmodsayshello]

This MIGHT be an option: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/117767 However:

Only users based in the European Union are able to install apps through alternative app distribution. The country or region of your Apple ID must be set to one of the countries or regions of the European Union, and you must be physically located in the European Union.

[nininik0]

yes, but multicraft has visual glitches too, such as oversized mesh nodes etc, unstable client, somehow they crashed my server by rightclicking a helicopter, yet minetest client no

[red-001]

Unfortunately

2.5.2ASR & NR Apps should be self-contained in their bundles, and may not read or write data outside the designated container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps. Educational apps designed to teach, develop, or allow students to test executable code may, in limited circumstances, download code provided that such code is not used for other purposes. Such apps must make the source code provided by the app completely viewable and editable by the user.

Some apps like Roblox I think use client sided Lua but they might have special permission for that which CDB might not get. Would in that case have to limit the app to only a client without the ability to play singleplayer games. Perhaps it could fall under 4.7

4.7ASR & NR Mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. Additionally, retro game console and PC emulator apps can offer to download games. You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws. Software that does not comply with one or more guidelines will lead to the rejection of your app. You must also ensure that the software adheres to the additional rules that follow in 4.7.1 through 4.7.5. These additional rules are important to preserve the experience that App Store customers expect, and to help ensure user safety.

[sfence]

@ red-001 The biggest problem is to make the luajit work well in arm64 builds on macOS. A self-contained app means only that the path to data should be changed.

[red-001]

@sfence I was pointing out the "no downloadable code" requirement for app notarization, I think that's a separate process from MacOS notarization.

[red-001]

I see the core technology fee got mentioned on the forum, but that wouldn't apply to Minetest. Not sure if this was the case from the start but:

Developers that earn no revenue whatsoever. This includes offering a free app without monetization of any kind (physical, digital, advertising, or otherwise). This is intended to give students, hobbyists, and other non-commercial developers an opportunity to create a popular app without paying the CTF.

https://developer.apple.com/support/core-technology-fee/

Would still need to pay the fee for the account.

[red-001]

Probably worth keeping open actually @Zughy unless all stakeholders are already aware that Apple is no longer requiring additional per-install payments for free apps.

It's a pretty significant change from the old situation around this issue - it would actually possible for ordinary players to install Minetest without jailbreaking their devices provided they live in the European Union. Rest of the world would have to stick to side-loading but at least some players could use an official build.

[rubenwardy]

We accept donations so may not count as non commercial

[sfence]

@sfence I was pointing out the "no downloadable code" requirement for app notarization, I think that's a separate process from MacOS notarization.

So there is a question if MultiCraft solution is ok. They does not distribute Lua code but Lua bytecode.

Btw: they use luajit with disabled compiler.

But in future, we will have to finish macOS support, or to go through this at least for macOS.

Actually, luajit is etc 1000 times slower for arm64 minetest in comparation with luajit from standalone binary or from x86_64 minetest. It is probably something with entitlements. But I try entiteiments for jit and it does not help.

[sfence]

@rubenwardy I don't think so. We are not oriented to generate profit.

[red-001]

even if you consider the 22 Euro a week on librepay to be revenue, I don't see how that would be tied to a potential app. There isn't in-app prompts to donate and barely any links to that section of the website.

Alternative, I think setting up a non-commercial legal entity is fairly straightforward in some countries. I think France might be one of them if anyone is based there.

[sfence]

@red-001 https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#software-requirements

(iii) They may not auto-launch or have other code run automatically at startup or login without consent nor spawn processes that continue to run without consent after a user has quit the app. They should not automatically add their icons to the Dock or leave shortcuts on the user desktop.

I think this can fix one windows which ask user if he really wants to run singleplayer server and execute downloaded Lua code from user mods.

[red-001]

@red-001 https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#software-requirements

(iii) They may not auto-launch or have other code run automatically at startup or login without consent nor spawn processes that continue to run without consent after a user has quit the app. They should not automatically add their icons to the Dock or leave shortcuts on the user desktop.

I think this can fix one windows which ask user if he really wants to run singleplayer server and execute downloaded Lua code from user mods.

That's only for releasing on the App Store itself, which I think still could have ToS issues. Not for notarization, there should be an toggle on the side of that page to only highlight notarization requirements not the full app store requirements.