Early in the days, when i started developing for IOS devices, i liked how Apple handeled the App Store and the review process and the level of accepted games. On the other hand i hated how the Android Market was handeled and how that there was basically no review process, just about and junk game, goes in no problem.
Thus, Apple App Store seemed like a good choice for a decent developer and it brought is good money in return for the hard work.
Android Market, was not a good choice and didnt make enough to even cover the expenses!
Now adays, its a shame to see the App Store lowering its level of accepted games, so we see junk all over the place, crowded scene, with games in top 100, that could be made in 1 hour or less!
Bought out reviews and ratings!
Apple does not seem to be the same, since Steve left!
I am being honest here, 5 years developing for IOS and i came to a conclusion that i am strugling!!!
Yes, its not quit the same, but its going that way!
I dont want to mention specific game names, but i guess if you take one look, you would see the multiple versions of basically the same game, named slightly different, but at the end, they all belong to one dude, and he split the game into 5 or 6 mini games, same menus, almost same everything!
How did those games get to the top?
I cant be 100% sure, but mostly bought out reviews and ratings from one of those new IOS hungry dudes that are trying to make a buck of off hard working developers!
I got many emails asking for money for certain amount of reviews and ratings, plus other emails offering Facebook advertising for some cash!
I get about the same number of downloads per day on both google and Apple stores of my games BUT I get about 100x more income from Apple than I do from google play. android players just want everything for free, complain if I try and as adverts because they won’t pay even 99 cents. I am at a point where I am seriously debating not creating android ports anymore.
Agreed, it seems everyone wants everything for free these days, I just released a new game on iOS and first email I got from a user was “Can you create a free version” simple answer, no I cannot. I hate adverts and will never create ad versions of games, simply because I know if i was to download a game I would not like it to be full of adverts. I do not also understand ppl who do not wish to pay, when the cost of one application is so small, it cost you a chocolate bar in the shops here in London anyway…