Aquaria for iPad Released!
At long last, Aquaria for iPad has been released.
This version of the game has been development in some time, mainly because we wanted to make it the best version of the game yet.
To that end, we employed the generous talents of Andrew Church - the programmer behind the homebrew PSP version of the game. I was impressed that he could get a heavy game like Aquaria running so well on that portable device that I knew he’d be able to squeeze every last ounce of performance out of the iPad1 and iPad2.
Andrew reprogrammed a lot of the lower level parts of the game engine, greatly improved the way the game loads and stores scripts, came up with crazy algorithms to generate polygons for sprites, so that they could be drawn more efficiently… and much more. The game runs at a beautiful, silky smooth 60fps with all the water ripple effects and plant movement on iPad2. On iPad1 the game runs at a solid 30fps without the extra visual effects.
In terms of the game design, we’ve added a few things to make the game more accessible. The mini-map now displays your progress through an area, which makes it much faster to figure out where you’ve been. There’s a new “guide glow” that hints at the next area of importance around the edges of the screen. There are a couple different ways to fire off shots, either by tapping with a second finger while swimming, or using an onscreen button. There is also a button that provides easy access to the help screen from the main game screen. And most of these new features can be completely disabled if you’d like to play the game like a purist. 
The new save system kicks in when you travel between areas and at various other points, so you won’t have to worry about finding a save crystal as much as you used to. You can feel a bit more relaxed, not having to freak out about when you last saved. We’ve also tweaked a ton of other minor details that never got cleaned up in the PC version.
The game also features a Japanese translation by the fine folks at 8-4.
I also want to tell you folks about a new trailer we made. I wrote a new arrangement of “Traveller” for this one and Jenna Sharpe recorded a couple new lines of voice over for us. I hope you enjoy. 
Stop by the new Aquaria for iPad subforum to let us know how you’re getting along! You can also find a number of wallpapers for your iPad’s home screen on there…
Special thanks to Adam Saltsman and Eric Johnson who helped us publish Aquaria for iPad. They made the release process very smooth and relaxed, which is unusual for us.
You can find Aquaria for iPad on the App Store. It’s a steal at $4.99 USD. Tell your friends, your loved ones, your pet hamster and your Mom! She’ll knit you an extra special xmas sweater if you do.
App Store Link
SemiSecret Blog Update
P.S.
It is also Jenna Sharpe’s birthday today! Wish her well.
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:55 am
Great to see it on a tablet. The controls seem very fitting. And awesome to see this cooperation after opensourcing Aquaria and the PSP port!
Now it seems obvious to ask:
Will it come to Android too? If not, will the optimized code also be opensourced?
November 3rd, 2011 at 1:30 pm
[...] More here. [...]
November 3rd, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Hey, haven’t played the PC version yet… Does it have a mini-map? If not it would be cool if it was added in an update.
November 3rd, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Woah! Very very awesome to see. Now I wish I owned an iPad. xD
Happy birthday Jenna!
Tee hee
@#3: Yes the PC version has a minimap, though if you want to see progress through an area then you have to open up the full map.
PS. Dammit Alec, every time you compose something new its beautiful. Can has download link for new Traveller composition?
November 3rd, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Are the new futures going to be released for the PC version as well?
November 4th, 2011 at 8:09 am
Hi Alec and Derek at Bit Blot!
I was really impressed with Aquaria. It’s a great game!
I compose and produce music and sound effects for animation, games, film, tv, audiobooks, and iPhone/iPad applications.
If you’re in need of original music, sound design/effects or audio editing for any of your apps, or know any other developers that are looking for such services, please let me know! You can check out my online portfolio here:
http://www.mikeweisermusic.com/mikeweisermusic/soundtracks.html
Nice job on all your application development so far! Let me know if I can be involved with future apps as well as updates of current software.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks!
Mike Weiser
November 4th, 2011 at 11:35 am
Aquaria is one of the most beautiful games I have ever played. Even after more than 20 hours spent exploring the world of Aquaria, I didn’t want the adventure to end.
I hope the IPad release will be a success, and that the story of Aquaria will continue.
Thank you for this game.
November 4th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Any chance that some of these new features could be pushed to the PC Steam version?
November 4th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
[...] and and!! – you’ll want to check out the Bit-Blot blog for some trailers for the new iPad version of AQUARIA. The list price is a ridiculously low $5. [...]
November 6th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Please keep us up to date with sales trends and your experiences on the App Store!
It would be interesting to learn how it all went for you guys.
I’m keen to see how big the Xmas sales spike will be for you guys compared to launch week
November 8th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Please keep us up to date with sales trends and your experiences on the App Store! tens/ems,tens electrodesIt would be interesting to learn how it all went for you guys.
thanks
November 9th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Sweet jebus! Awesome sauce! I’ve been waiting for this for a long time!! Man wish my Ipad 1 was a 2 after reading those frame-rate difference with visuals! :/ Kudos on making it to an iDevice Alec!
November 11th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Hey Alec, will you release the new arrangement of “The Traveler”?
November 26th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Today I tried to beat the end boss again. Has anyone who isn’t a computer game obsessed maniac ever defeated the end boss? I’m seriously thinking about cheating and adding a god mode or something (the engine is open source and I compile it from hg anyway) so I can finally see the ending.
December 21st, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Are the new futures going to be released for the PC version as well?
December 22nd, 2011 at 7:58 pm
I find very interesting
January 2nd, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Thank for useful information
January 2nd, 2012 at 8:53 pm
so beautiful
January 23rd, 2012 at 11:56 am
I played this game last year it is was awesome; specifically the soundtrack, I absolutely loved it.
———
SPOILERS
———
Any word on a sequel? I know at the end after collecting all of the memories, it hinted towards there being something more. Feel free to shoot me a message about any updates, it was such a great game I would love to play any additions in line.
Thanks!
–James
January 26th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
Is it gonna be released as pc.
January 30th, 2012 at 11:02 am
Brilliant game really impressed with Aquaria.
March 12th, 2012 at 2:38 am
[...] Software, sortit en 2009 pour plateformes iOS, et à qui on doit Gravity Hook et le portage d’Aquaria sur iPad, met à l’épreuve nos réflexes en nous demande d’éviter les obstacles ainsi que de [...]
March 26th, 2012 at 6:00 am
Will this be available for the Kindle Fire?
March 26th, 2012 at 6:54 am
I read that the new Ipad2 could over heat. Any truth to that?
May 23rd, 2012 at 7:11 am
Mẫu Sơn - Điểm đến Lạng Sơn…
[...]Bit Blot[...]…
June 16th, 2012 at 1:39 am
I downloaded this app for my younger sister’s ipad, she really love playing Aquaria for Ipad.
July 25th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Woah! Very very awesome to see. Now I wish I owned an iPad.
Thank for useful information
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August 22nd, 2012 at 4:54 am
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October 2nd, 2012 at 9:31 am
Oh Wow! The visuals on Aquaria are SO beautiful! It boggles the mind
November 4th, 2012 at 7:27 am
Hey, Thanks. I am on recovery mode (itunes logo), but when launch Tinyumbrella, it does not recognize my device. All I see under recovery devices is ?0. What am I doing wrong. Thanks for the help…
February 28th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
Hey yo! I downloaded Aquaria kast year but started playing only this month
I have to say it: WHAT AN AWESOME GAME! Thanks a lot for making such an wonderful game. The soundtrack, controls, story, graphics, it’s just beautiful
Wish the best for you guys.
PS: I’m stuck on the semi-boss in The Abyss, that thing kill me in a blink of a eye xD
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