@Tone very well said
Hope you are not serious about getting good $ from appStore
(48 posts) (29 voices)-
JohnM
MemberI will share my opinion on this subject.
First, how I decided to make a game. One day I was reading a local newspaper about success of Iphone indie game maker. His success was huge, I saw game on internet and said to myself "why not me, I can do even better".
This is how I decided to invest my money and time into game development.
It took me a 9 months to finish game, but I noticed some things were changed a lot while I was making game.
- better games started to release, current games when I started was nothing special, I thought I can do any of this
- Apple introduced free games with inapp after some short time
- and most: big names come into market, big companies-playersSituation now is I think sooo hard to be successful in Apple Store, so many good games with top graphics are released each day, that it looks virtually almost impossible to be successful and make living of it.
I think if you look that you invest not only money, but time as well, minimum cost of game is no less than 15,000$. And you spend this amount in your money or time hoping you will get at least return. I believe most people do not return 1/3 of this sum.
Apple did not make a good market as someone above mentioned, only one top 100 list is there.
There should be split of this top 100 in App Store:
- top 100 sports
- top 100 adventure
- top 100 arcade
- top 100 puzzle
- top 100 strategy
etc.
This way many more developers would earn and people would get a chance to success. Seems that Apple does not care about it.Posted 10 months ago # -
Duckwit
MemberIf I am right, this topic isn't specifically about being able to live off of App Store sales, but being able to get some extra money.
It is unlikely that you can live off the money you would make, IF your application isn't what people want/doesn't get any sort of promotion. But this gives you no less reason to be inspired and enthusiastic about making a game in the first place, you make the game you want to to the best of your ability, and if you don't get $$$ from it, too bad. It IS absolutely worth your time, absolutely worth trying.
My mindset is that I am using iPhone Development (At the age of 14) to really put a lot of effort in to make a superb game, but not only (in attempt) to make hundreds of dollars, but to build knowledge and experience for the future.
Posted 10 months ago # -
JohnM
Member@Duckwit
Yes, I understand your point.
But, I am not only one who thinks other way. Companies also do the same and lots of indies as well.
You are trying to make game which you will have fun while doing. I wish I can do games only for fun, but it is not the case. At least, even if I do invest only my time, my time still costs a lot. I could earn money working for others or I could have fun with my family and give my time to them.Posted 10 months ago # -
Duckwit
Member@JohnM I can see how it would be hard to find time to develop, especially when making money is actually a very important objective, and definitely spending time with family and friends.
I am making a game for fun, for money, for experience, and anything else that comes along with it.
Whether I really want to make money or not, I will always have fun making games.
It is a big sacrifice for me as well, it means I don't go on Xbox and just chill out every evening like my friends. It means I don't watch TV except with family on not-so-regular occasions; I manage to spend at least 1-3 hours a day programming despite school, homework (GCSEs) a paper round, church, exercise and daily tasks. My time is precious too ;) (And I am not saying you didn't acknowledge that, just mentioning)Posted 10 months ago # -
I think the lesson in all of this is do what you love. If you don't like doing it then don't do it. If you want to become rich I think it is possible but what I am hearing from people on this thread is that the price is too much.
Developers go through stages, I think. They get excited and put a lot of work into their app. Then when it doesn't perform the way they like they then get upset and angry. They see what they think are not as good apps getting featured. "Why didn't mine get featured! Mine is so much better." Then they start to get bitter and want to give up. People give up everyday.
Why are you making apps?
Posted 10 months ago # -
I can understand not wanting to take a gamble and go all out developing iPhone games when you have a family or are already strapped for cash. But when I see App Store apps that look like they took a month, if not days to make I just think why did they even bother? What did they gain? What did they hope to achieve? What did they even learn?
Posted 10 months ago # -
Most developers will become disillusioned after their first release and give up.
There are always the few lucky ones who become the poster boys to draw in the next batch of developers however for the rest of us it is a case of hard graft. Angry Birds developer Rovio started in 2003, they had to put in 6 years of work before they had major success.
If you love what you do, it will keep you going...
Posted 10 months ago # -
zaaroth
MemberI think there isnt success on any business without persistence. Unless you cheat or get really lucky.
I will stick with the persistence. If you are a dev take a look at the definition of persistence on the dashboard's dictionary. There's a sentence there that says it all.
Posted 10 months ago # -
MisterX
MemberI agree about actually "liking" what you do. I made the mistake of become a "realtor" five years ago. I was chasing "money". I did not enjoy the real estate business and couldn't give a crap about houses and socializing with buyers and sellers about their family life.
As a result, I was a total failure in the real estate business.. I finally recognized it was NOT for me, and got out of it after wasting 2 years trying doing it.
In contrast, I actually find developing an App, to be interesting. I'm still plugg'in away on my first game. I haven't made a dime yet, but at least I know I will have at minimum, made something that is available for purchase by millions of people. Maybe, some of them will actually buy it! Imagine that.. It is a hell of a lot less costly than making a theatrical release movie (something else I'd love to be able to do some day).
Console games (Xbox, Playstation etc.) require the same time and money to develop as a motion picture, so after hearing of the App Store, I thought, this is something that I can realistically, possibly do, even when "strapped for cash" (as another poster put it).
Posted 10 months ago # -
I think it's worth keeping in mind that creating an app is great training for becoming a better coder. Truly skilled coders, esp. those with mobile skills, are in extremely high demand. You create a well coded and polished app, and even if it doesn't sell, you've got a great ticket to getting well paid freelance work.
I've been lucky enough to be successful in the app store, but I spent 10 years making games before that. I don't think people should be surprised that the first game they ever make doesn't turn into a success right away.
Posted 10 months ago # -
I agree wil maphigian. The more app we create the more experience we gain. the more polished and successful game created. Since i release the my first game Qalvinius. it was not success but it not a failure because from the experience on this game i got a lot of freelance projects and deal with some big companies.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Duckwit
MemberToo many people seem to be following the 'I'll create a 'test' app first, release it, see how it does, and then improve on my mistakes'. Not good.
I will put in as much effort as it takes, to make it perfect before release. (Perfect not as in 'appealing to everybody' :P) There is no point releasing an App that you are not fully, absolutely 100% comfortable with. Don't rush the development, if it takes years, if it takes years and years and testing and lots and lots of work, you have the motivation, do it. ;)
+Like some famous entrepreneur said "If there is someone better than you in that area, you may as well go home". It's got to be the best. So don't get disheartened by Apps not selling well, that will happen. But keep in mind your enthusiasm and knowledge, make things better.
Posted 10 months ago # -
I didn't see anyone mentioning it before, but there's one more thing to take into consideration:
"Serious $" for one person != "Serious $" for another
AppStore / Cocos2d forum is multinational, with people from all around the globe. Now if you earn say $2k monthly - is it a lot ? If you're American - that's really bad I guess. If you're from Norway - borderline of starvation. But here in Poland that's well above average salary. Still - go lower on the GDP charts and you'll find out that in some countries the same $2k pretty much puts you in the higher class
Posted 10 months ago #
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