"The way mobile games are priced, they're typically an impulse purchase vs. someone seeking them out based on coverage."
That made me stop and think a bit.
Ok. I can't argue that once a game is in front of someone's face its not an impulse buy. BUT, it can only be an impulse buy when its in the checkout lane, not when you have to ask the store clerk what aisle its in.
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| Where are the swedish fish!? |
The holy grail for many app developers is to become a Staff Pick, Featured, and then ultimately hit the Top Charts. Once you do that, then you have the impulse factor working in your favor. But this all occurs well after the snowball has already started down the hill. The real question is how do you get noticed by Apple and hit one of those lists?
Going back to my initial conversation, could reviews and positive PR lead to being Featured in the App Store?
With that question fresh in my mind I started noticing chatter about "SuperBrothers: Sword and Sworcery". Do a quick search, there is a fair amount of buzz about the game online. [insert LMGTFY link here... ] 9.5 from IGN. Now that is nothing to sneeze at.
OK, so we have positive PR and positive reviews. Lets check out the top iPad apps... its not listed. Featured? Nope. Staff pick? Nope. Hot? Nope.
Ah, Release date is tomorrow. Hmm, that is weird. I still was able to purchase it. (downloading now)
So I am wondering, can their positive PR and Reviews lead to being featured? Lets watch and find out. Its not a fool proof case study... not even close. I don't know if they are advertising. I don't know if a staff member will feature this game because they like it, without even reading a review.
Still, I find the exercise interesting.
If you see any advertising for the game, please let me know. As well as if it hits any of apple's charts.
I'll be keeping an eye on it and will report back what I find. In the meantime, my download is done so its time for some sworcery.
1 comment:
I am really interested to see how this plays out too. Most of the praise that has gushed out of the media has been from journalists who love indie games. I am not sure if this game can extend to crowd that is just angry bird players. This could go down as a game that gets a lot of buzz but sells moderately well.
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