A fast, easy to use, free, and community supported 2D game engine
ajlondon
Member
I just came across this game... AND IT IS FREE.
Unbelievable... I am not promoting the game. I have no idea who did it.....
But look at it. It is a 40 hour minimum HD graphic monster Role playing game that they are giving away for free.
FREE. How is anyone supposed to compete with that?
If customers get acclimated to games like this for no charge, what is the point in paying for anything?
Free--with lots of in-app purchases so they can still make money.
Don't panic. You've obviously not been watching the trends :) Looking at the iTunes App Store charts right now, 20 of the 25 Top Grossing apps are free for both iPhone and iPad.
(I heard at a conference that Jetpack Joyride made MORE money after switching to free. Even ourselves, the most money we've ever made on an app in one day was a free app with an in-app purchase.)
ajlondon
Member
You, Birkenmose and a few others MIGHT be able to compete with something like that...
But for the other 99%....
To me the idea of an INDIE game, is an INDIE game..... Simple but well designed and not 'big studio'.
There is nothing wrong with a sale... But it is a race to the bottom.... and when one 'big studio' starts giving away huge projects for free, then others start doing it, and before you know it customers will now be wanting free games that take over 10,000 hours of work.
If you read some comments on paid games, sprinkled throughout is the ubiquitous (my SAT word for the day!)' Its great but I wish I didn't have to pay for it.....'
I was telling a chick at the bar about my game, and how I'm going back and forth on whether to go free (with something like double coins IAP for $1.99) vs charging between 0.99 and 2.99 for the game.
Her response was simply "I don't pay for things on the App Store anymore".
The sentiment is growing.
We're cannibalizing ourselves. $5 Peppermint Mocha? Yum! $2.99 Indie video game? Yuk!
I think we HAVE to go free. Sucks but must adapt.
The full TA Free Play deal:
http://toucharcade.com/2012/12/12/introducing-toucharcade-free-play-get-amazing-games-for-free/
They contact the developer and ask if you want to promote your game for free. They shouldn't care whether the game is indie or from someone like EA.
It all depends what market you are appealing to, if you are going for the casual market then free and IAP is probably your best bet. Hardcore games can still charge a premium whether that is an upfront charge, or a one off IAP unlock on a free game.
You have to understand that the convenience of a free app on a mobile platform is going to outweigh the payed model for small time entertainment (which defines what most of us are creating as indie developers.)
Paid models work when:
*There is substantial enough hype about the product and the quality of the product is high enough to warrant a purchase and subsequent positive discussion with a friend/colleague etc.
*Your app library is large and your previous titles are enjoyable/free and reference your paid products.
You do not ever get console-quality entertainment from a mobile app, especially from indie developers. It's tough to get people to even dip their toes in the water because of this. This is why the freemium model is shining so much - it's significantly less challenging to get on the radar by delivering a powerfully amazing product for free that offers internal knick-knacks for a premium.
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