Grasslands Map Missing

[thepoch]

Thanks for the FYI.

I'm assuming that the uninitialized data is being permanently saved by Fieldrunners to some preference file on first run? If so, then perhaps simply attempting to reinstall multiple times may get the map working for some, without having to go through the whole "restart iPhone" process? I'm assuming, of course, that uninstalling Fieldrunners clears out all of its preference files as well, giving it a slight chance of making the map finally show up.

Would love to know exactly what uninitialized data causes the map to not show up at all though as it doesn't sound like the game would need some specifically initialized variable to display the default enabled map.

Sorry, my technical side is getting overly curious at 5:37am local time. You guys can ignore this. I, and most probably others affected by this bug, appreciate the quick fix you've submitted (and slightly annoyed at Apple's slow approval of this).

[PixelMonkey]

A preference file is saved for each map which stores certain attributes about that map. This preference file gets created the first time an unlock is triggered. Because you unlock Crossroads on Grasslands (before playing Crossroads), that file is initialized before it is referenced. However, because the preference file for Grasslands is not created until you play Grasslands, it is unknown what state it will be in when game requests its unlock state. Because we didn't create a "locked" version of the Grasslands icon (so as to save disk space), nothing shows up in its spot.

[qdos]

Also have the same problem with missing Grasslands map. As for me, I bought and played the game on my iPod the first time, and then I installed it on my iPhone without playing before upgrading to 1.3.

Also, I played through Frostbite on Classic/Easy without getting any achievements on level 50 or 100

[annoyedfieldrunner]

Not so Technical Issue: Updated to new version and lost a map. Also gained unwanted advertising for two others?

It's only after these sorts of marketing strategies fail dismally that companies like yours learn to respect your EXISTING customers.

I hope those bean counters counted on those new maps paying for a whole new customer base. And that said new customers fail to read reviews on the iTunes store.

EPIC FAIL.

[bert]

I've been a big fan of Fieldrunners since for many, many moons. I convinced friends to download it. Today I accepted and update and lost my main map, Grasslands! I don't want to have to play some other way. I paid you money for this app. I should be able to have my map back the way it was. At least I also have Defender Chronicles which I'll play until my map comes back. Saynonara!

[vipkl]

I just updated to v1.3.1 on my iPhone 3G (via iTunes on the desktop). It brought back the missing Grasslands map, BUT the maps for Crossroads and Drylands are still locked

I then tried to remove and reinstall Fieldrunners (again via iTunes on the desktop) and apparently made things WORSE, because now the two new maps that I had previously purchased (Skyway and FrostBite) are no longer showing as purchased. Now the map icons prompt me to buy them again.

Is this normal for all in-app purchases, in that removing/reinstalling the main app means losing all in-app purchases?? I would've expected the iTunes backup process to also back up the in-app purchases, so that when you reinstall the main app iTunes would make sure everything is restored again...


Bottom line is, even after I get access to Crossroads and Drylands again via the next fix (1.3.2?), would I have to purchase Skyway and FrostBite again?

[PixelMonkey]

It brought back the missing Grasslands map, BUT the maps for Crossroads and Drylands are still locked

Crossroads and Drylands are always locked with a fresh install. To unlock Crossroads, you need to get to round 50 on Grasslands. And to unlock Drylands, you need to get to round 50 on Crossroads. The game keeps track of which maps get unlocked and saves them on your device, but when you uninstall the game, that save data is wiped from the disk.

I then tried to remove and reinstall Fieldrunners (again via iTunes on the desktop) and apparently made things WORSE, because now the two new maps that I had previously purchased (Skyway and FrostBite) are no longer showing as purchased. Now the map icons prompt me to buy them again. [...] Is this normal for all in-app purchases, in that removing/reinstalling the main app means losing all in-app purchases??

That is incorrect. Purchasable maps behave just like apps as they use the same payment system. They are tied to an account, not a particular device. Once a purchase is made and linked to an account, the item can be deployed to all devices authorized by that account for free. This also means they can be re-downloaded like apps without having to pay for them again.

[vipkl]

Crossroads and Drylands are always locked with a fresh install. To unlock Crossroads, you need to get to round 50 on Grasslands. And to unlock Drylands, you need to get to round 50 on Crossroads. The game keeps track of which maps get unlocked and saves them on your device, but when you uninstall the game, that save data is wiped from the disk.

Ohh I see, sorry I must've forgotten.

That is incorrect. Purchasable maps behave just like apps as they use the same payment system. They are tied to an account, not a particular device. Once a purchase is made and linked to an account, the item can be deployed to all devices authorized by that account for free. This also means they can be re-downloaded like apps without having to pay for them again.

You're right, thanks for the info! I was concerned because the map icons had the word "Buy" again, and when I click on the "Download" button for each map the popup confirmation dialog asked if I really wanted to buy it (again) for $0.99. But after I confirmed, it did later pop up a second dialog saying that I had already purchased that map, and I can re-download for free. Whew

Sorry for the false alarms...

[PixelMonkey]

Sorry for the false alarms...

No problem! The first time I needed to re-download an app that I had purchased on the store, I wondered the same thing!

[RJosef]

Well done GREAT update fix and it didn't take long thank you very much!!