Happy Holidays All!
Today we have something very different, especially those who are using Delta in the US App Store. We know that there are many of you who want to try out our new beta features using the App Store version, which is why we have been working with Apple to finally include our Patreon-only features in the US App Store version of Delta — including DS Online Multiplayer!
TL;DR Apple has graciously agreed to let us link out to our Patreon in Delta. We tried to submit an update to Delta earlier this year that allowed patrons to connect their Patreon accounts in order to unlock their benefits, but Apple rejected it because only “reader” apps (magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, or video) are allowed to do this.. for some reason. However, as of earlier this year, Apple does allow us to link to external purchases — as long as we provide a way for users to access those purchases in the app (such as allowing them to connect their Patreon account 🙂). So that’s exactly what we did!
First and foremost, this Delta update adds the option to connect your Patreon from the Settings tab. To do this, Apple requires that we include a specifically worded link to our Patreon in exactly one place in the app. So underneath “Connect Patreon Account” you’ll now see a button that states “Buy for $3 on altstore.io/patreon” — this is the external purchase link. In general, anytime someone uses this link to donate to us, we owe Apple a commission. But if you’re already a patron, there is no need to open this link to receive your Patreon benefits — just connect your account.
However, Apple also required us to do even more before approving this. We must also make the same goods and services available through their own in-app purchases. So we did that, but because we love using Patreon and we want to keep all of our users there, we’ve TRIPLED the price for In-App purchases in order to dissuade people from buying them as much as possible. To be clear, this is a terrible deal and is not because we want to make more money, but simply because it’s easier for us to handle everything we do with Patreon (e.g. Apple doesn’t allow us to handle refunds for or even send messages to our In-App Purchase users). In summary, please DO NOT BUY 🙂
Besides this, we also have another small surprise coming in this update — a whole set of brand-new icons from Louie Mantia inspired by retro Nintendo controller buttons. Even better, all these icons fully support Dark Mode! And best of all, just like our existing Patreon-exclusive icons, a single donation will unlock them forever 🎉
Lastly, we’ve also added a few small QOL changes, such as a new “Resume” button that appears when pausing a game and going to the main menu screen. And if you're still using Delta with AltStore Classic or AltStore PAL, don't worry, we’ll also be updating the beta version of Delta shortly once approved. You can check the full release notes with all the changes below.
Riley + Shane
Release Notes
New
General
“Resume” button to quickly resume paused game
Dark + tinted variants of primary app icon
Toggle between light and dark mode variants to view both in settings
Patreon Integration (U.S. App Store only)
Access to patron-exclusive features by connecting Patreon account
Includes alternate app icons and Experimental Features
"External Purchase Link" to join our Patreon directly in-app
Alternate App Icons (Patrons)
New "Button Pack" icon set by Louie Mantia
Asks user to reboot device if attempting to choose existing app icon
Previous patron-only icons now available in U.S. App Store
Experimental Features (Patrons)
Now available in U.S. App Store
New OpenGL ES 3.0 renderer fixes many common graphical issues
DS Online Multiplayer (Patrons)
Play Nintendo DS games online with friends!
Connect via 3rd-party Nintendo WFC servers (e.g. Kaeru)
Available in U.S. App Store via Experimental Features
Fixed
Fixed incorrect mappings for iPad landscape GBC controller skin
Install Instructions
These instructions are only for those using Delta outside the App Store
AltStore / AltStore PAL
To use this beta, you'll need to first install AltStore PAL or AltStore Classic.
Once you have it installed, follow these instructions: https://faq.deltaemulator.com/getting-started/beta-access
If you’re already using the Delta beta, you can update to this version from the My Apps tab.
Direct Sideloading
You can download the .ipa files from the linked post for use with your preferred sideloading tool: https://www.patreon.com/posts/105173733