I emailed about long startup delay before first layout appear, but haven't heard back.

Hello!

It's been a week since I emailed in regarding an "Intermittent black screen / long startup delay before first layout appears in Android export and Preview" and the Google Play Store will not publish the app until it is fixed. I have tried reading forums and I can't figure out the issue, I am wondering if it is a bug?

The delay is 1-4 seconds before the MainMenu is visible, and the rest of the app works fine.

Info:

Construct version: r495.2

Platform: Chromebook

Project: UNWIND

Export target: Android via Cordova

I am fine sharing my file with support if that will help get it resolved, I just have no idea what is causing the issue.

I have also reproduced the startup delay when using Construct 3 Preview, so it does not appear to be limited to the Android export.

Troubleshooting already performed

I changed the Project Properties → Startup settings:

First layout: MainMenu

Use loader layout: OFF

Loader style: Construct Splash

Preload sounds: OFF

Disabling Preload sounds did not resolve the startup delay.

I also checked Project Properties → Advanced:

Use worker: Auto

Enable WebGPU: originally Auto, changed to No

Framerate mode: V-synced

Changing Enable WebGPU from Auto to No did not resolve the startup delay in Preview.

I also temporarily investigated using a Construct loader layout, but understand that loader layouts are not intended to provide the normal loading screen for Cordova app exports.

Project details

The project is a relatively small 2D relaxation app called UNWIND. It contains three simple mini-games.

The project uses a 1080 × 1920 portrait layout.

The Android AAB produced from the project is approximately 8 MB.

Thank you for any help!!

If you think it's a problem with Construct (and not something like your project accidentally waiting with a black screen on startup), then it is difficult to help unless you can file an issue following all the guidelines. Otherwise all we really have to go on is guesswork.

> I have also reproduced the startup delay when using Construct 3 Preview, so it does not appear to be limited to the Android export.

So you see the same 1-4 seconds delay every time you preview it in the editor? Have you checked the console log?

Can you share your project file?

I do! I even tried to change the background color to the same color as my main menu, but there is still a delay.

I can share the file, I am just not sure how to, I don't see an attachment option.

Here is the console though, is there something in particular I should be looking for?

Thank you!!

If you think it's a problem with Construct (and not something like your project accidentally waiting with a black screen on startup), then it is difficult to help unless you can file an issue following all the guidelines. Otherwise all we really have to go on is guesswork.

Thank you for the reply!

Do I need a GitHub account to file? I saw that page, and I have all of the guidelines to submit, I just couldn't figure out how to do it - which is why I emailed.

Thank you again!

I can share the file, I am just not sure how to, I don't see an attachment option.

You need to upload it to a file-sharing service (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.), generate a public link and post it here.

Here is the console though, is there something in particular I should be looking for?

That's the debugger. You need to press F12 in Preview and select the Console tab. Check if there are any errors or unusual messages in the log.

> I can share the file, I am just not sure how to, I don't see an attachment option.

You need to upload it to a file-sharing service (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.), generate a public link and post it here.

> Here is the console though, is there something in particular I should be looking for?

That's the debugger. You need to press F12 in Preview and select the Console tab. Check if there are any errors or unusual messages in the log.

I appreciate the help! Here is the file: limewire.com/d/otMJG

For the "F12", on Chromebook, I don't have that option, but I'll try to figure out how to get that screen.

Thank you for helping me make progress on this!

You need to share your project file (C3P), not the exported game.

As for F12 on Chromebook, this is definitely possible:

youtube.com/watch

You need to share your project file (C3P), not the exported game.

As for F12 on Chromebook, this is definitely possible:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mpbdd6nIws

Sorry! Here is the .c3p file: limewire.com/d/otMJG

And from that tutorial, when I click the search and plus/"F12" key, nothing happens. I will keep trying though!

If it helps, this was the latest rejection response from the Google Play Store:

Thank you again for your eyes on this!

There's no delay whatsoever on my PC, the preview starts instantly, and there are no errors in the console log.

Do you have this delay when running other projects, say, C3 examples like the Kiwi Story? Maybe your Chromebook is just too slow.

From the Google Play screenshot, it looks like the MainMenu layout loads and some of the graphics appear (the blue tiled background), but other sprites and text are missing. I have no idea why this happens. Have you tried building an APK and running it on your phone?

There is one problem I noticed - you are using Fantasy font. You need to add it to the project, and make sure all text objects are using the project font, not the system one.

You are an amazing human for helping me! Thank you so much!! Let me check on those other things-

Google Play rejected it again, and suspended the app because they say it doesn't load? I am so confused because I can't reproduce the issue they are seeing.

The closed testing was successful, so I really don't know what it could be. I might just have to give up on it, unless maybe you have any other ideas to try?

Thank you again!

I might just have to give up on it, unless maybe you have any other ideas to try?

I don't, sorry.

You can publish this game for free on the Arcade, itch.io, etc.

construct.net/en/free-online-games

itch.io