BenPlaysGames Soundboard
Date: 2018-10-10
BenPlaysGames Soundboard was the second soundboard application for Android developed by Dynamotivation and published by Mr. Unp3rf3ct in late 2018. This time it featured sound clips of the UK based YouTuber BenPlaysGames which Dynamotivation befriended before age 16. Hence this time the stage was set for a release without copyright troubles.
Development
The development of the first version of the BenPlaysGames Soundboard happened in around a day in October 2018. Rather than reuse the limited codebase of the previous soundboard GerMemz, the decision was made to base the entire project around an Apache-2.0 licensed template application developed first by Caleb Sabatini and having its UI built by Kate "firekesti" Kelly.
The app was developed entirely free of charge and published with approval, but without direct involvement of the Ben.
Features
Drawing more parallels with GerMemz, the template also relied exclusively on Java in an Android Studio project. Therefore, given the previous experience, it was not hard to modify. While the first version only included library updates, minor sorting state bug fixes, new sounds and a differently themes UI; the second version expanded upon the template by incorporating a livestream indicator utilizing the youtube API. What ordinarily used to be a simple channel link, turned into an "on the air" indicator during live streams.
Challenges
There were only 2 real challenges this time around, both of which boiled down to waiting on Googles confirmation:
- Getting granted access to the YouTube Data API
- Finding out what mild foul language to censor store listing content
Availability
The BenPlaysGames Soundboard was a well received, low effort gag application for a small circle of friends and audience members. It was mainly used in lieu of a proper stream deck. Availability was limited to Android as this is what most participants used at the time.
Lessons Learned
Since this was a quick and short lived project there really was not much to be learned. It mainly marked a turning point away from the "solo developed from the ground up"-mindset which would eventually culminate in Stellenwerttafel Plus.