Q1 - What platforms are more profitable (e.g. IOS, Android, PC, Mac, Xbox) for the lower cost / simpler games developed by a solo developer? (i.e. not talking about the larger commercial games that have multiple developers, designers etc)
Any stat’s or articles on this topic?
BACKGROUND
Have developed a couple of simpler iPhone apps was looking at a simple 3D game app. Then wondered about using Unity with IOS as opposed to native development. Now I’m looking into Unity (cross platform) it begs the question well would I target it at IOS still or actually make it cross-platform? Understand however for mobile devices the complexity of the Unity game may need to be kept in check for performance purposes.
So in fact another way to ask the question might be:
Q2 - Assuming I am creating an IOS targeted game in Unity, would it make sense to also target it to some of the other platforms, and in this case which ones?
PS. This is a new area for me so just responses which are generalised are fine.
I find the business model of Spacetime Studios (creators of the two MMOs Pocket Legends and Star Legends) working very well.
Their games run on Browser, Android and iOS, and the servers are single shard regardless of what platform runs the game. If you want to capture as many gamers as you possibly can, this model should work.
I would advise against porting an iOS game to desktop. Even if that game shows the best graphics the mobile devices can pull (ie. Shadowgun, Infinity Blade 2, etc), it will be decimated by the competition on the desktop platforms. You need to have minecraft-level ideas for your game in order to make it survive on the desktop with mobile graphics.
I think the most profitable is Iphone. You can make dumbest game under sun and still you will have some sells. Iphone community is great for selling wretched aplications for very dumb people like iFart ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IFart_Mobile ). It reminds me movie Idiocracy and scene in cinema.
It is not politically correct to say this, but truth is, that you can make best sales if you aim at really stupid people (and you are able to take advantage of their stupidity). And Iphone community is ideal for this (people very easily influented by marketing).