So, C3 does not build a native app and for games to run on android they need not only to have something called WEBVIEW installed, it has to be updated... I released a game on the play store and got many users saying the app does not install... I have received one screenshot and it is indeed the webview issue, since the game is for the Brazilian market and most of the users don't speak English, they just think the app is broken or even that is some kind of virus, which is simply terrible...
I have even released a Web Version of the game for testing, and again some testers tried playing it online and again the webview message... They have a not-so-old android versions, they go all around the internet with the browser doing all sort of stuff, but cannot run a simple html5 game...
I am aware now that C3 Team has tried to contact Google to make things easier for the users on this thread: issuetracker.google.com/issues/133202038 But google doesn't post anything for almost 2 years now...
I have no idea how many users gave up on trying the game simply because they didn't know what the webview message was, and when you see it it just kills the whole expectation, it is something very abnormal too see after installing successfully a new game... Most users wont bother to report the problem and some will even just leave a negative review...
I might start selling commissioned games soon and I am not confidant and ready to tell clients that the game I will sell them might not work initially for some of their customers or that they will need to install a second software to play the game... For me this is the biggest hindrance using C3 right now...
What could me done to move this forward? Is that webview message something from google or scirra? I mean, at least that message could be more user-friendly and translate depending on the users location...
Also, is this Webview just necessary on Android? How does IOS handle that?
Cant Scirra program a built-in message that will pop-up during the first run of the APK if Webview is now installed/updated on the user's phone? How heavy is Webview? Couldn't we have the option to have a "webview" package ready for installation automatically when it is missing on someone device?
Image creating a game for kids, how frustrating that is going to be...
I also read something on a blog saying: "Many versions will show Android System Webview as disabled on default as its best for the device. By disabling the app, you can save up battery and the background running apps can perform faster."
If having Webview enabled on an android phone, and some or most will come with is disabled because IT IS BETTER FOR THE DEVICE, why will someone continue to insist on using it?
I'm on the verge of renewing my yearly subscription to C3 and now I'm just very confused if I am investing my time on the right tool, specially if I want to sell games how will I "sell" the webview thing to customers??
I also think Scirra should be more clear about the necessity of webview for mobile gaming on android, it is not mentioned even once on the manual: construct.net/en/tutorials/building-android-apps-apks-19
It should be also mentioned more that Construct 3 doesnt build native apps, as what it does is to "wrap" a browser game into a playable apk or something, and webview is the key to make it work... This is something to big to try to hide away... It crushes your heart after doing some hard work, having everything working fine and then "oops you dont have webview", most users are just ready to give up and go download something else!