7 ms·

I can maybe add a "Remove Ads" IAP. This is such a niche game I didn't think anyone would be willing to pay for it. Also if you sell the game or offer IAPs you

by Sanctor 10y ago

I can maybe add a "Remove Ads" IAP. This is such a niche game I didn't think anyone would be willing to pay for it. Also if you sell the game or offer IAPs you have to get into some sort of merchant agreement with Google, I don't quite know how that works. But I'll work on it. Thanks for the feedback!

tomrod 10y ago
I look forward to buying it -- always looking for good/educational apps that both my kids and I can enjoy together.
soneca 10y ago
I would also recommend a paid version without the ads. I had never saw a full screen mobile ad before. I was quite annoyed and surprised with that.
- Sanctor 10y ago
  They are called Interstitial Ads. I know it's annoying but I think banner ads are worse. They are usually placed at clever positions so you'll click on them by accident. I'll release a paid version.
  - soneca 10y ago
    Yes, these indeed look more professional and less dark pattern. Just a shock as a first time.
certifiedloud 10y ago
It may be worth noting that some parents wont let their kids play games with ads. There are two good reasons that I can think of for this: 1. The content of some ads can be inappropriate, even in children's games. 2. Fear that an ad will lead to a purchase of some kind. I think an IAP would be a good solution for you.
- Sanctor 10y ago
  I'll start working on the ad free version ASAP.
- nsxwolf 10y ago
  It's also annoying for younger kids that accidentally open the ad and haven't learned how to get back into their app yet.
- exDM69 10y ago
  Reason 3: some of the ads are a downright scam. Seriously, using some free apps makes me feel like it's 1998 again with the "you are visitor number 1,000,000" and "your phone might have a virus - click here for free removal" ads. I would not be comfortable with a kid playing games containing ads like that.
karmajunkie 10y ago
Yes, I second that... I'll pay for a good math game for my kid—I don't let him play ad-based games though.
- Sanctor 10y ago
  It is decided then. I'll release an Education version without the ads.
  - Humdeee 10y ago
    I've learned this the hard way with interstitial and banner ads throughout releasing a dozen or so apps. You really need a rather large user base to make them even a bit worthwhile to a developer. Scratching out pennies will have a huge downside if it lowers the experience of the app to your whole userbase. It's an art form not to make the user feel like a product. Everyone thinks they know how but really so, so few do, myself included. I've also put down many apps because of ads. It's stopped one of apps from moving as quickly as it should. I've since moved away entirely and incorporated IAP that unlocks slightly more features or a straight up price tag from the get-go. Anecdotal, but I believe this led to much less moaning and groaning from users, higher ratings, and a better overall experience (and yes, better returns)!
    - Sanctor 10y ago
      Thanks for sharing your experience. It's very valuable to me. I'm very much a stranger to this world, and I don't have anyone to ask for advice. I don't like putting ads in the game. If nothing, it breaks the retro atmosphere I'm going for. But I also have the dream of doing game development for a living and have to make money somehow. I'll try the paid method. I guess I couldn't imagine people willing to pay for something I do as a hobby for now.
      - soneca 10y ago
        "If nothing, it breaks the retro atmosphere I'm going for" I commented before about finding the ads annoying. But really, this is the crux of it. It completely breaks the experience, as I am playing a pixelized retro game and a modern looking clean ad appears on the screen. Tangentially, why don't you consider also publishing the same game, but with a different art style. An art style that might be more relatable for kids these days (no idea which, just suggesting you research that).
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
Declanomous 10y ago
I'm going to add on to the calls for a "Remove Ads" IAP. I don't typically buy games, but I will pay to remove ads in a game I like. I don't mind ads while I'm testing a game, but I hate how they break up the flow of the game, and they use a lot of data as well. I uninstall the game within a week or so if I can't get rid of the ads. I haven't downloaded the game yet, so I can't really say if your ads would bother me, but I hate ads so much that I'd gladly pay to get rid of them.
- Sanctor 10y ago
  The clearest message I got from this comments section is that there should be a way to remove ads. This will be my first priority.

by Sanctor 10y ago

tomrod 10y ago

I look forward to buying it -- always looking for good/educational apps that both my kids and I can enjoy together.

soneca 10y ago

I would also recommend a paid version without the ads. I had never saw a full screen mobile ad before. I was quite annoyed and surprised with that.

Sanctor 10y ago
They are called Interstitial Ads. I know it's annoying but I think banner ads are worse. They are usually placed at clever positions so you'll click on them by accident. I'll release a paid version.
- soneca 10y ago
  Yes, these indeed look more professional and less dark pattern. Just a shock as a first time.

certifiedloud 10y ago

It may be worth noting that some parents wont let their kids play games with ads. There are two good reasons that I can think of for this: 1. The content of some ads can be inappropriate, even in children's games. 2. Fear that an ad will lead to a purchase of some kind. I think an IAP would be a good solution for you.

Sanctor 10y ago
I'll start working on the ad free version ASAP.
nsxwolf 10y ago
It's also annoying for younger kids that accidentally open the ad and haven't learned how to get back into their app yet.
exDM69 10y ago
Reason 3: some of the ads are a downright scam. Seriously, using some free apps makes me feel like it's 1998 again with the "you are visitor number 1,000,000" and "your phone might have a virus - click here for free removal" ads. I would not be comfortable with a kid playing games containing ads like that.

karmajunkie 10y ago

Yes, I second that... I'll pay for a good math game for my kid—I don't let him play ad-based games though.

Sanctor 10y ago
It is decided then. I'll release an Education version without the ads.
- Humdeee 10y ago
  I've learned this the hard way with interstitial and banner ads throughout releasing a dozen or so apps. You really need a rather large user base to make them even a bit worthwhile to a developer. Scratching out pennies will have a huge downside if it lowers the experience of the app to your whole userbase. It's an art form not to make the user feel like a product. Everyone thinks they know how but really so, so few do, myself included. I've also put down many apps because of ads. It's stopped one of apps from moving as quickly as it should. I've since moved away entirely and incorporated IAP that unlocks slightly more features or a straight up price tag from the get-go. Anecdotal, but I believe this led to much less moaning and groaning from users, higher ratings, and a better overall experience (and yes, better returns)!
  - Sanctor 10y ago
    Thanks for sharing your experience. It's very valuable to me. I'm very much a stranger to this world, and I don't have anyone to ask for advice. I don't like putting ads in the game. If nothing, it breaks the retro atmosphere I'm going for. But I also have the dream of doing game development for a living and have to make money somehow. I'll try the paid method. I guess I couldn't imagine people willing to pay for something I do as a hobby for now.
    - soneca 10y ago
      "If nothing, it breaks the retro atmosphere I'm going for" I commented before about finding the ads annoying. But really, this is the crux of it. It completely breaks the experience, as I am playing a pixelized retro game and a modern looking clean ad appears on the screen. Tangentially, why don't you consider also publishing the same game, but with a different art style. An art style that might be more relatable for kids these days (no idea which, just suggesting you research that).

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

Declanomous 10y ago

I'm going to add on to the calls for a "Remove Ads" IAP. I don't typically buy games, but I will pay to remove ads in a game I like. I don't mind ads while I'm testing a game, but I hate how they break up the flow of the game, and they use a lot of data as well. I uninstall the game within a week or so if I can't get rid of the ads. I haven't downloaded the game yet, so I can't really say if your ads would bother me, but I hate ads so much that I'd gladly pay to get rid of them.

Sanctor 10y ago
The clearest message I got from this comments section is that there should be a way to remove ads. This will be my first priority.