5 ms·

Market it against the Nintendo DS. I bought iPod Touches for my 2 oldest kids and my wife last Christmas. So, this year, instead of buying $30-$40 games, they

by dpcan 15y ago

Market it against the Nintendo DS. I bought iPod Touches for my 2 oldest kids and my wife last Christmas. So, this year, instead of buying $30-$40 games, they have been able to buy several $2 games throughout each month. It's been a blast, the savings are starting to really show, and they even like the games better.

georgemcbay 15y ago
"they even like the games better." That's just what they tell you so you don't feel bad for getting them iPod touches. They secretly play Nintendo 3DS games at friends' houses.
- dpcan 15y ago
  They have DSs too :) No 3DS, but they haven't seen one yet, so who knows, maybe this Christmas things will change.
- ericd 15y ago
  Yeah, I really wish people would start making some meatier games for the iPhone to go with all the 5 minute junk food distractions that are about as entertaining as bouncing a ball. There have been a few games of more substance, but for the most part, it doesn't hold a candle to the DS' library.
  - mdemare 15y ago
    For "extremely meaty", try King of Dragon Pass, an indie PC hit from 10 years ago just released on iOS.
    - ericd 15y ago
      That looks like what I was talking about, thanks! I just downloaded it. Any other recs?
      - Gring 15y ago
        Carcassonne is also very complex and rewarding to master. It's also a great social game when everybody sits around one iPad.
  - nazgulnarsil 15y ago
    price anchoring is a problem. expensive apps seem to do poorly regardless of quality.
    - avolcano 15y ago
      This isn't true with big publishers - Square Enix's $10-14 games are consistently in the "Top Grossing" list. For smaller devs who can't market well, you're right.
      - ericd 15y ago
        Yeah, it probably requires a brand or a recommendation from someone to get over the price anchoring. Are there any very reputable review sites a la Gamespot/PC Magazine/etc. that focus on writing high quality reviews of apps?
        Gring 15y ago
        Metacritic features an iOS section: http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/release-date/available/ios/metascore?view=detailed http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/release-date/availabl... They do aggregate scoring and have established themselves as the main way to rate "greatness" on PC and consoles, going as far as landing game directors a bonus if their creation gets a score above 85. They're quite valuable for iOS as well. "King of Dragon Pass" gets a 90 at MC. Most critics review games based on what they are. So a simple jump&run game might rate highly if it's a truly original+fantastic one. I would suggest you go through the list - anything above 80% is a game absolutely worth your while - then see if the genre and complexity fits you.
  - anonymoushn 15y ago
    Cave's games are pretty solid, if you're willing to pay $10 for an iPhone game.
  - cageface 15y ago
    As a developer I view the rise of the $1-$2 price point with some concern. There's not much room between Angry Birds and the massive piles of junkware to make a living as an indie there. As in most things, you get what you pay for.

by dpcan 15y ago

georgemcbay 15y ago

"they even like the games better." That's just what they tell you so you don't feel bad for getting them iPod touches. They secretly play Nintendo 3DS games at friends' houses.

dpcan 15y ago
They have DSs too :) No 3DS, but they haven't seen one yet, so who knows, maybe this Christmas things will change.
ericd 15y ago
Yeah, I really wish people would start making some meatier games for the iPhone to go with all the 5 minute junk food distractions that are about as entertaining as bouncing a ball. There have been a few games of more substance, but for the most part, it doesn't hold a candle to the DS' library.
- mdemare 15y ago
  For "extremely meaty", try King of Dragon Pass, an indie PC hit from 10 years ago just released on iOS.
  - ericd 15y ago
    That looks like what I was talking about, thanks! I just downloaded it. Any other recs?
    - Gring 15y ago
      Carcassonne is also very complex and rewarding to master. It's also a great social game when everybody sits around one iPad.
- nazgulnarsil 15y ago
  price anchoring is a problem. expensive apps seem to do poorly regardless of quality.
  - avolcano 15y ago
    This isn't true with big publishers - Square Enix's $10-14 games are consistently in the "Top Grossing" list. For smaller devs who can't market well, you're right.
    - ericd 15y ago
      Yeah, it probably requires a brand or a recommendation from someone to get over the price anchoring. Are there any very reputable review sites a la Gamespot/PC Magazine/etc. that focus on writing high quality reviews of apps?
      - Gring 15y ago
        Metacritic features an iOS section: http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/release-date/available/ios/metascore?view=detailed http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/release-date/availabl... They do aggregate scoring and have established themselves as the main way to rate "greatness" on PC and consoles, going as far as landing game directors a bonus if their creation gets a score above 85. They're quite valuable for iOS as well. "King of Dragon Pass" gets a 90 at MC. Most critics review games based on what they are. So a simple jump&run game might rate highly if it's a truly original+fantastic one. I would suggest you go through the list - anything above 80% is a game absolutely worth your while - then see if the genre and complexity fits you.
- anonymoushn 15y ago
  Cave's games are pretty solid, if you're willing to pay $10 for an iPhone game.
- cageface 15y ago
  As a developer I view the rise of the $1-$2 price point with some concern. There's not much room between Angry Birds and the massive piles of junkware to make a living as an indie there. As in most things, you get what you pay for.