Indie Gems

Clone clone clone, it's an easy or probably the first word that out from y our mouth(s) while we're seeing a similar game pop out on the app store/ play store. Ironically, not few of us also knows more about the clone itself more than we know the original one. I'm a gamer who enjoy to play games on mobile, so I'm bit annoyed while in fact, most of my friends more know and play the clone version of the game rather than play the original one. Alright... so what's actually a clone is? Clone definition is a new thing that was made identically with the original one without even put some improvement inside it. Easy example, let's just take Flappy Bird game. Well, most of us know how the IronPants clones Flappy Bird, just few weeks after its released. Basically the first version of that game just a re-skin without effort to put anything else inside the game. It just turning the bird into superman alike.. Other examples are Timberman clones, Shredd clones,...

Few days ago I found an interesting discussion topic from my internship office. A brief story, every Friday on my office, we talk about games that popular nowadays, along with its retention, monetization, also the virality of the game itself. Back then, yesterday's topic was pretty interesting in my opinion. The topic was a freemium model along with all the 'equipment' inside it. Alright, I believe I ever write about how much does a mobile game should be cost before. However, today I want to share my point of view only for a freemium game. How I change my sight into freemium game right now. You might see some repeated words may be sentences here, but just to make sure if I don't skip anything to tell you about freemium model especially for the games on mobile platform. What is Freemium? Few years ago, a free game means a truly free game. Something that you can play without paying any single penny. Unfortunately, it's kinda hard to be found on that time. You ...

I know this question may sounds weird and unimportant for some people. However, sometimes I'm wondering what's on your mind when you buying a mobile game. Do you always compare the playtime/ quality/ other thing with the money that you spent on it? Or you just let it go and feels like a little way to support indie developer? May be yes, may be no. So actually how much does a mobile game should be cost? Here is my opinion about how much a mobile game (iOS/ Android) should be priced. First, let's see how much in average a PC game cost.. Five until ten dollars. Then, see how much a mobile game cost in average... one until two dollars. Actually I don't see any difference why the mobile games are being so cheap in price? I believe the development cost may cheaper than a PC game did, but while we talk about effort, doesn't it feel same? The value (not money) but the game's soul, the heart which given by the developer on it. However, still most of mobile user t...

It might be funny when I talk about this topic, but seriously I'm feeling bad with this kind of label as a gamer. If you take a look into wikipedia or search about 'female gamer' on google, the result comes with; girl gamer was such kind of sex material only. Even there's a difference between girl gamer with gamer girl, which to be true, I don't see any necessary for doing that. I won't post any pictures of that, you can search it by yourself. In fact, I also read if so many people said gaming world needs more women, but what should we do if we're just 'used' as 'sexism symbol' only. Do we want for that? Of course, Not. To make it brief, there're 2 different type of  female gamers in this world in my opinion. First, the one who actually play games. Second, the one who only act as a gamer and feeling great because of that. via Herbalcell So, you're asking how about me? I'm playing games, because I like them, I won't say.....

Few weeks ago, I just shared my opinion about the IAP also opinion about being a mobile gamer. Today's topic may be feel bit silly and unnecessary. However, it keeps bothering me when I saw some silly reviews on the App Store because of stupid reasons. - One star review just because the game was crash on their iOS device Come on, everybody know about this. First, please make sure if you've read the app description about the compatibility of the app, either the minimum OS nor the device. Sometimes, it's annoying when Apple doesn't allow the developer to choose which device that can run their apps properly and put it directly on requirement area, not inside the app description. So, when it's not compatible with your device, though you've the minimum OS, you shouldn't be able to install it. Second problem comes from the app which crash constantly. Have you try to restart your device first? Is that solve the problem? No? Then try to do hard reset ...

I believe most of us have knowing about what's IAP. IAP or in app purchase definitely not a wrong 'thing'. In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with it. However, time goes on, people might changed and of course IAP too. In beginning, IAP was kind of micro transaction to download additional content from an app only. It also used for premium feature or full access (one time only) unlock, but right now there're so many type of IAP. Here is the list of IAP which might be found nowadays: IAP for buying more energy (usually freemium, but now there's energy on paid game too) IAP for buying secondary currency (freemium, paidmium) IAP for buying costumes (freemium, paidmium) IAP for buying speed timer (freemium, paidmium) IAP for removing ads (freemium) IAP for extra levels (paid and freemium) IAP for unlocking all levels inside (in a paid game, usually on puzzle/ level based game) IAP for buying cheat/ hint (freemium, paidmium) IAP for buying skip level (freem...

You're a gamer. I'm also a gamer, but what kind of gamer are you? Casual, mid-core or hardcore? Well, I won't talk about that this time. Today I want to share my opinion about being a mobile gamer, start from for buying games pattern on mobile world, basic mobile gamer's think, and more. Since there're so many unpredictable reality happened on gaming world nowadays, I think I need to write and list it all. However, like I said above, my main point here is for mobile gaming since I'm a mobile gamer. What do you think before purchasing any game? What kind of aspect that decide you to buy any games? Gameplay, price, graphic, description? Okay, those are the main aspects that give you clear reason for buying a game. However, I feel something has been changed... changed so much on mobile gaming world. First reason, why I love mobile gaming because it's easy for me to play any games anywhere, anytime I want from my phone/ tablet. Time after time, mobile gaming ...

Read the previous post here ... II. Developer Side - My Opinion for Developer After talk about the application, let's see from the developer side. I'm quite active on a Mobile Gaming forum and right there, I've observed and learned some pattern about the developer of apps especially games. Here is the list what I expect... no... what us expect from every developer should do for their apps. A. Introduce your app (games) either it's still early built, almost releases nor released This might works the best among others. If your game still in early built. Introduce that to us on forum. You might choose popular forum such as TA forum, tigsource forum, etc. Tell us about the progress of the development. Share some pretty nice screenshots, complete it with a teaser trailer and brief description about the gameplay of your game. If your game near (almost) finished, you can ask some help to test your game ( can be on beta stage). You can use testflight or iPhone Confi...

There're so many new games that released on the App Store also Google Play. Sometimes it's easy to found the hidden gems inside App Store but sometimes not. Today I want to share my opinion as mobile gamer and talk about what kind of games that give the most appeal in my sight. Before you said anything further, this is internet where you're free to post anything in your mind (**as long as it's still respectful). So, all the contents that you read below is pure my opinion.. Just in case, you want to share your comments too, please don't hesitate to post it below this post :) I. Application - Buying Time A. The Icon I think this is the main point which decided if a game will be success or not. An eye catching icon is a must. An icon must give a clear identity about the game. We can clearly know what game is it just by looking on its icon only. I bet all of you must see this first before deciding to learn more about an unknown game that you never seen before. More...