Rolf! Accepted ! How (NOT) to Make Money on Apps

 Rolf! Big Dumb Fighters has been accepted!  This is just the base game.  Plans are to have in app purchases of additional scenarios, characters, weapons, etc.  This will be an experiment in how to generate revenue.  


First a little background.  I am an indie developer that can barley afford the tools to make apps, let alone any budget for marketing or advertising.  I knew going in that I could not compete with any well funded organization such as PopCap or EA.  I also had no visions of grandeur or unreasonable expectations.   I was looking at this as a hobby that would at least pay for itself and something to have fun doing.   So far, my assumptions have been correct.  I am having fun,  It sorta self sustaining and its fun to watch the results.  I also started this blog, which seems to be pretty much me talking to myself.  At least I have an interesting, and educated audience!

Results to Date:

• Free Version - larger Pay Version  FAIL  No one wants to buy something that they can get for free
• Niche Market     Sorta Works My best sellers fall into this category.  iScry, Witch Board, etc.  Also by best sellers I mean a couple a day from this category.  Hardly sustainment income.
• In App Ads       FAIL  Apple changed the rules and my revenue cratered!  Was doing pretty well at 2x sales, now not so much.

So Now I have a niche  app (dont tell me that these games are not a niche!)  that lends itself nicely to in app purchases.   I have updates in work to Rolf! that will have scenarios, characters, weapons, etc for sale inside the application.  Future posts will chronicle progress.