This is it? I think I made a big mistake.

Yeah man there are hundreds of apps released on the mobile market each day. Looks okay to me, but discoverability is the problem.

 

You are probably right. Maybe I should have focussed more on something like that.

@Misterselmo
I will take it into consideration my next project. Not much I can do about it now.

 

What? Sure there is. Release an update that focuses on the graphics.

Or, make The Return of Ted's Mower or something as a sequel.

Also, something I thought of randomly on the way home tonight, a quick way to get easy colour/level variation is to make some night levels.

 

You're doomed to fail then. You can't be that closed minded and expect to succeed. Some do, but very rarely.

 

I wouldn't say "doomed" but, if this is a genuine attempt at developing an income stream then, yes, making sure that people want what you're selling is critical.

 

Yeah perhaps I was being overly dramatic, but you get the idea.

 

Did you do research? By Dec, 2013, the articles clearly showed it was BLOODY HARD to earn a solo living in the mobile space. As founder of a profitable, 3.5 years old startup, here's some things I've learned:

• Num of prior releases is the only metric directly correlated to income
• Build faster, smaller apps - Minimally Viable Product (MVP)
• Try; Fail; Improve - is how you become excellent.
• Bullet's Then Canonballs
• Get in the black ASAP! Cashflow = money-in minus money-out.
• Each market is VERY different (iOS, Android, Amazon, web).

From here, it will improve SLOWLY, as you learn the hard lessons needed to create successful products. Having already quit your job, you have some hard lessons ahead.

PS - Attached an image of worthwhile concepts to research.



Gigi

 

I've known some people who find it relaxing to mow their lawn. Especially if they have a riding lawn mower. It gives them an excuse to get away from the kids/wife.

 

Ready for some cold water? You ARE making the same mistakes. You spent a long time building a game, without understanding the market, the audience, or the ecosystem. Quit building complex products! Become scrappy, hungry, lean!

Some might argue for more complex, bigger, better graphics! My experience over 22 years of professional development, with 11 in the game industry, and 3.5 as an Indy argues differently. It says: BUILD SMALLER PRODUCTS! Based on your existing capabilities, if this is your full+ gig, you could crank out a new game every 4 weeks!

Ted is both a failure and a success. The key is it's just the first of many.

Gigi

 

The original Hover Bovver for C64:



This game actually is fairly popular and a remake is desired by many retro gamers. In the original game a big part of the appeal is due to the opening. Where you need to mow your lawn and have no working lawn mower. So "I'll just borrow Bill's" and he goes to neighbors takes his kower brings it back then level begins. Something like that been a long time so I don't remember exactly.

But anyway there is more to it than you might think... here I found a vid:

 

Throw a blue tint on your ambient light and things look good, fast.

 

How do you find these old games?

 

Yeah, that and making sure there's a few windows around to spread touches of warm glow are pretty much exactly what I was thinking.

 

Wasn't sure if I should post here or private message you. But figured might as well post it here.

There is a whole other world out there man. That is how I know the people here represent only one part of the population. Mainly wanting 3D and cutting edge and so forth.lol

Here is a quick intro in this other world at some of my favorite retro game sites:

Game Oldies
This one has games for many systems including coin-op arcade games play in browser. Probably my favorite for all around variety and true classics. No remakes here.

Classic Trash
A lot of old school type games. These are PC downloads. Many are remakes of classic games. Actually found a 3D Christmas game on here that was pretty cool. I like remakes as much or more than the originals. A big part of the appeal of classic games beyond just being able to play the original games again is being able to take a game that had so much potential and fix the obvious flaws. That's where remakes come in.

Classic Games Arcade
Remakes of many classic games.

Beyond this there are numerous communities around the web. But I think just seeing the sites above will show just how popular this stuff is especially with older games like myself.

In addition to just older games "in general" there are sites and communities centered around each and every home computer and console from the spectrum, intellivision, c64 to Amiga, old DOS games, NES, and on and on and on.