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Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#21

Hi guys,

One last thing.

Sensor tower numbers are very odd (for JULY 2016).

POKEMON GO - 46m downloads, 159m $ revenue
COLOR SWITCH - 2m downloads, 30k $ revenue
JELLY JUMP - 400k downloads, less than 5k $ revenue

Can somebody please explain this? :slight_smile:

Thanks.
Ivan

#22

Explain what you mean by odd.

  • Why do you think those numbers are odd?  
  • What would you expect them to be?

Also, I believe App Annie, Sensor Tower, and all the other companies are partially guessing.  I could be wrong, but I don’t see how they could know exact numbers unless they pay for them from the sources (Apple and Google).

#23

Number of downloads is not linear to profit revenue (not even close!) :slight_smile:

Data is not linear when you compare these three apps.

#24

Ah… Nope. In that context the numbers make total sense.  

If it was a simple as X downloads == Y dollars that would be awesome, but that is not how this industry works.  It’s way more complicated and harder than that.

While more downloads generally is better, it doesn’t mean 1M downloads of 1 game will make the same as 1M of another.

Consider these factors (a short list from a uber long one):

  • Ad Networks don’t pay the same rates.
  • Ad Networks don’t pay for the same things (impressions, clicks, etc.)
  • Two apps using the same ad network and getting the same ads may not get paid the same rate.  Deals get cut all the time.
  • I’m not sure, but I thinks some of these games are making money from IAP too, which throws another curve into this equation.

In a nutshell, there is no sure recipe.

In some ways, this is what makes this business so brutal.  The big boys and the lucky are the ones who make the ‘dream money’.  The rest of us are stuck trying to figure it out and hoping for lightning to strike.  It wasn’t always this way, but with the Indie explosion and after the big studios entered the ring, well… brutal.

#25

@Ivan,

If you’re thinking, “How can I make money with games?”, and that is what drove you to research App Annie, etc. You should do some other general reading (Just google “make money game development”):

Great series on Gamasutra (“How much do indie PC devs make, anyways?” Parts 1 … 7; started in 2010, last installment in 2015):

I know, you’re asking… “What does this have to do with Mobile games?”  A lot of the lessons and difficulties faced by Indie developers breaking into PC games are the same ones you’ll face here in Mobile late.  

This guy shares some of his earnings numbers so you might find that interesting too:

http://www.theappreneur.info/

#26

Ok Ed :slight_smile:
So no rules regarding money figures, everything changes from case to case…

I will check your links!

Many, many thanks!
Ivan

#27

@Ivan,

I wouldn’t spend a huge amount of time reading from those links.  Rather a quick browse to set the bar so to speak.  

I firmly believe this can be a brutal business, but that breakout successes happen every week.  So, my final suggestions to you are,

  • Do game development for fun first.  If it is just about making money, this industry will burn you out fast.
  • When you’re good at it, think about making money.
  • In any case, don’t be depressed if you don’t make it big the first, second, … 49th time.  Success could be just around the corner.
#28

Got you!

Thanks Ed, you’ve always been precise!
Ivan

#29

Adding to what Ed said. Angry Birds was Rovio’s 21st title and their first hit. You just have to keep plugging away.

#30

Correction:  Angry Birds was Rovio’s 52nd title.

:smiley:

#31

Do not depress me :smiley: