Buildbox 3.4.2 Is Officially Live With Google Play Android App Bundle Support & More!

Discussion in 'Official Announcements' started by Hue Buildbox, Aug 1, 2021.

  1. Hue Buildbox

    Hue Buildbox Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2017
    Messages:
    456
    Likes Received:
    209
    [​IMG]

    Our new update, Buildbox 3.4.2 is officially live! This latest update features Google’s Android app bundle (AAB format) support to help you stay updated with the new Google Play app publication requirements, starting August 1st for developers. We also added some other fixes and additions for performance improvements!

    Here’s a quick rundown of Buildbox 3.4.2 New Features!
    Android App Bundle Support
    Google is officially switching over from APK to Android App Bundle (AAB) as their default Android app format for all new apps or games. According to Google, app bundles are ideal for games and offer better loading and support for large assets, significantly reducing download size compared to an APK. So, we added AAB format support in Buildbox 3.4.2 to help our creators continue publishing incredible Android-based games. You can learn more about this new format on Google’s Android Developers Blog right here.

    Android 32-Bit Support
    In Buildbox 3.4.2, we also added support for Android 32-Bit. 32-Bit apps generally require less memory space to run on mobile devices than standard 64-Bit applications. Previously, Buildbox 3 only supported 64-Bit, but you now have both options with this latest release.

    You may update within the application or use the links below:

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    For a detailed list of changes, you can view the full changelog below:
    Change Log:

    • Added: Google Android App Bundle format (AAB)
    • Added: Android 32-Bit support
    • Added: Ability to follow specific asset with camera setPositionFollow()
    • Fixed: An error occurs on Xcode when loading a game that has Use Encryption checked
    • Fixed: Offline mode error crash
    • Fixed: UI Screen Grid Snapping
    • Fixed: Android encryption crash
    • Fixed: If Collide does not update properly in certain setups
    • Fixed: UI Screen Right Click forward/backward options don’t work as expected
    • Fixed: User fails to drag and drop the submarine into the 3d world and proceeds to the next step in interactive tutorial
    • Fixed: An extra obj is added when adding any asset after importing an obj and fbx files.
    • Fixed: Label node: 2 sided mode doesn’t work
    • Fixed: UI Joystick Move node has inconsistent max values
    • Fixed: Changing the resolution after maximizing the preview window shows a black screen
    • Fixed: The “Inherit color” parameter in the debris node is not functioning as intended.
    • Fixed: When ground object is selected with Multitool, it becomes impossible to select other entities via clicking in the center editor view
    NOTE: The team is also aware and actively working on integrating the new Google Billing Library for Android games with in-app purchases into Buildbox in the coming months, so stay tuned. In the meantime, only new games that add in-app purchases may be affected.

    We appreciate your patience as we continue to update Buildbox. Feel free to reach out to our support team for further questions or guidance at support@buildbox.com.

    Thanks so much for your continued support and feedback. We’ll be working hard on future updates to make improvements and bring more of the features and functionality that you want to see to the platform. We can’t wait to see what you create with Buildbox 3.4.2!
     
  2. jcalle

    jcalle Miniboss Boxer

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Messages:
    1,192
    Likes Received:
    540
    Do you plan that BB will generate the .AAB file automatically in future versions?
     
  3. AppNasty

    AppNasty Miniboss Boxer

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2016
    Messages:
    1,484
    Likes Received:
    890
    Whhaaaattt better android support!
    Requests: Ability to press F to focus cam on object again.So, it used to be that when you select object from left side menu, you can press F and cam will jump to it. Now, you MUST click the object in the world to do it. For some reason that option to click object via menu and then press F doesn't zoom cam doesn't work anymore. This new version and past 2 or so versions.

    Also, Some ability to keep play screen in front. Before it would stay on top of all windows but now when you click BB, it drops behind it. So inconvenient. Not using dual screens so its important to be able to play test and modify without switching screens. Now for speed i just shrink BB to left side of screen and leave just enough room on right for play testing.

    AND GET BB WORLD ON ANDROID GOSH DERN IT. lol.
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2021
  4. Istiaque Zaman

    Istiaque Zaman Boxer

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2020
    Messages:
    28
    Likes Received:
    4
    It would be better if BB exports the game directly to .apk file.
     
  5. Vlad-NY

    Vlad-NY Serious Boxer

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2018
    Messages:
    604
    Likes Received:
    360
    This is something that they heard before and are aware of, when the right time comes we will get it but not that soon (or at least that's what I think)

    The issue that I see is the integration of new frameworks inside bb engine before compiling it to apk
     
    AppNasty likes this.
  6. batahf

    batahf Boxer

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2021
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    2
    Does this mean that we can export files in AAB format directly from the BuildBox without the need for Android Studio ???
     
  7. Taxus baccata

    Taxus baccata Boxer

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2020
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    11
    Someone explains to me what the custom ads option means. Is that like my old buildbox versions. You just need to add the admob announcements in the SDK box or you have to add them in the source code.
    Please.
     
  8. Taxus baccata

    Taxus baccata Boxer

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2020
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    11
    I want to add my admob in my games to analyze traffic data. Because it helps me when launching advertising. I don't want this ADBOX option.
    Ps : I have the Plus version of buildbox
    Thanks.
     
  9. Green Fennec Studio

    Green Fennec Studio Boxer

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2021
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    18
    What About Buildbox Classic ???
     
  10. Sean Buildbox

    Sean Buildbox Serious Boxer

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Messages:
    902
    Likes Received:
    1,076
    We're working on an update for Buildbox Classic currently
     
    johnnydakoxx and HG-2018 like this.
  11. batahf

    batahf Boxer

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2021
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    2
    @Sean Buildbox
     
  12. Sean Buildbox

    Sean Buildbox Serious Boxer

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Messages:
    902
    Likes Received:
    1,076
    Not currently, Android Studio is still needed for the process at this time
     
  13. DariusGuerrero

    DariusGuerrero Avid Boxer

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2016
    Messages:
    474
    Likes Received:
    399
    I thought Buildbox always had AAB support. I've been exporting the games as AAB in Android Studio for the past two years now I think. Build then Generate Signed Bundle instead of APK in Android Studio. I chose to use AAB ever since because from what I understand it saves a few MB since from the AAB Google Play generates more optimized APKs based on the device a user has. Here's a screenshot of me mentioning AAB in the BB discord back in January 2020:

    [​IMG]

    Either way, I think this update is great since people would be more aware of Google Play's new policy that accepts only AAB.
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2021
    DanteSavy and AppNasty like this.
  14. DanteSavy

    DanteSavy Boxer

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2020
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    6
    A question. Before when I exported and created the abb or apk with android studio, it generated the app in the right size. Now it generates the same games in higher dimensions like a 50mb app becomes 400mb. I don't understand why. Even doing the exported test and compiling a test app exceeds 100mb. Could you tell me if I'm wrong in something? Thank you.
     
    Taxus baccata likes this.

Share This Page