Solution for relative position of nodes in Sprite kit scene editor?

Question

I am just a beginner in game developing. Right now I am developing a game using Apple's Sprite kit and found out that the best way to position nodes on the scene is to provide percentages of width and height of the window boundaries as it makes sure all the nodes maintain their positions almost regardless of change in device display size. Using pixels to position nodes is not a peculiar idea as with the change in device display size of iPhone, nodes are either cut off or the scene squeezes leaving empty space around the scene boundary. I have watched how Apple recommend using scene editor but my issue is, using scene editor it allows you to position nodes by choosing pixels and not relative to to scene width or height. Am I making a mistake in understanding the scene editor capability. If I position all my nodes using scene editor as its saves a lot of time, how can I avoid problem with different iPhone sizes. I appreciate your help.

Answer 1

This is an age old problem, from all media formats.

You must decide, personally, what your favourite and most desirable target device is, and then make choices best for both it, and your creative process.

After making that decision you'll have to make your own decisions on how compromised you become on other devices, or how much you compromise your creative and production processes to benefit other device sizes and aspect ratios.

It's a balancing act.

And I strongly suggest favouring your favourite device and putting off all consideration of adaptation to other devices until after you've made something great.

Others will disagree.