Harry and the Octopus (Android Game)

General (non-technical) New Apps / Works in Progress
#1

Well time to show my game off to the world. Go easy on me! It’s an isometric projection squirt’em up.

http://www.harryandtheoctopus.com

Free Version
Android Market: http://market.android.com/details?id=com.goldstonesoftware.harryfree
Amazon App Store : (Under Review)

Full Version
Android Market: http://market.android.com/details?id=com.goldstonesoftware.harry
Amazon App Store: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/dl/android?p=com.goldstonesoftware.harry

My name is Steve, I downloaded Corona at the end of November 2011, I have gone from knowing nothing about Corona, Lua or Android development to having my first game published in 3 months. (And if I’d produced a simpler game\app that would have been a lot quicker!) I have had to learn so much over the past few months its been like having a 2nd full time job. At times I’ve wanted to give up and although it’s not as good as a lot of the corona apps I’ve seen, I am proud of what I’ve acheived.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to say how impressed I’ve been with not only the Corona SDK but the help documentation and forums. In the whole development time I never once needed to ask a question because everything I needed to know had either already been asked and answered in the forum or was in the documentation. Specifically Peach Pellen, without knowing it you’ve helped me loads, thanks!

Sorry, no iphone/ipad version of the game yet. Although I bought a Pro license, I don’t have a Mac! But hopefully if the game makes a little money on Android it’ll give me the confidence to go buy one.

All comments welcome (good and bad).

Please help with ratings.

Thanks
Steve

(Free version just submitted via showcase form) [import]uid: 107098 topic_id: 22429 reply_id: 322429[/import]

#2

Wow, thats looking really nice!

Good Work!:slight_smile: [import]uid: 119384 topic_id: 22429 reply_id: 89441[/import]

#3

@Steve,
Congrats! The video of the game in your site is very nice!

You learned really QUICK! :slight_smile:

Cheers and all success you deserve mate.
Rodrigo. [import]uid: 89165 topic_id: 22429 reply_id: 89488[/import]

#4

Thankyou for the kind comments. I now need to start looking at marketing, becuase I’ve only had a handful of downloads.

So still even more to learn! But the information all seems to be on this site so I’ve just got to use it. [import]uid: 107098 topic_id: 22429 reply_id: 89983[/import]

#5

2 weeks in and 28 downloads, 14 active. Oh dear. :frowning:

This week I have upgraded the game to include a timing system and OpenFeint leaderboards and achievements. So hopefully now there is a reason to replay levels and compare scores with friends.

If anyone has any other ideas how I should improve this game please let me know. Even if that means completely reskinning it. (I’m a big boy I can take critisism!)

[import]uid: 107098 topic_id: 22429 reply_id: 92386[/import]

#6

Not sure if anyone is interested but here are some stats after 6 weeks.

Google Play Stats
Harry and the Octopus Free: 117 installs (42 active)
Harry and the Octopus Paid: 1

Amazon Stats
Harry and the Octopus Free: 40
Harry and the Octopus Paid: 1

GetJar Stats
Harry and the Octopus Free: 13

OpenFeint Stats

Inneractive Stats
Requests–Impressions–Fill Rate–Clicks–CTR—eCPM–Revenues
–3,160------3,117------98.639%-----5----0.16%–$0.04–$0.13

Although the Inneractive Fill Rate looks good inneractive ads don’t work with mobile connection only wifi. So I think I should have had alot more impressions.

For me the OpenFeint and active install stats are the most telling. They show that players quickly lose interest in the game. People aren’t completing the free version so they will never pay for the extra levels.

I’m not sure how to improve things. If anyone in Corona Land has and ideas could you please let me know?

Is it Too Easy to start off with? I.e. too slow to get going.
Is it too Difficult? Do I need slower opponents?
Is too boring\repetative? What else could I add?
Is it something else?

If this post has been of interest to you please help promote the game by liking the facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/HarryAndTheOctopus

Thanks
Steve

[import]uid: 107098 topic_id: 22429 reply_id: 99049[/import]