Mac games, Wow!
by Jeremy Alessi · 05/19/2006 (12:08 am) · 9 comments
Beach Ball Break is the first Mac game I've released or really even completed. It's a bit of a shame that it's really nothing great because the Mac download scene is truly incredible. I've managed to rack up around 1,000 hits in ... what is it 2 days for the Mac build? That's pretty sick. The PC build which is actually on more sites has only a tenth of the what the Mac has. So all total I'm around 1,100 hits on the game.
Anyway, I've already started updating the title because I do see it as being a very calming game that's addicting for me at least. If I can just get the execution to express what I feel then I'll be pretty successful with it ... but perhaps it'll be the next game.
More and more I'm beginning to believe game development is a crapshoot. Put ideas out there and see what catches. It's so subjective that it's ridiculous and there have been many a successful game that didn't take a long time to develop and there have been many catastrophes which took ages to develop. Effort and time have nothing to do with success, at least in the short term. If they did then my first large scale PC game would have been a mega hit because I never worked so hard on a project! I suppose I'm still pouring on effort and time ... and with each passing title it gets easier and easier. Still, I stick to the notion that the easier something is ... the better because it probably means you're working efficiently.
Bottomline for tonight though is that I'm glad I finally made good use of that Mac Mini I bought last year!
Anyway, I've already started updating the title because I do see it as being a very calming game that's addicting for me at least. If I can just get the execution to express what I feel then I'll be pretty successful with it ... but perhaps it'll be the next game.
More and more I'm beginning to believe game development is a crapshoot. Put ideas out there and see what catches. It's so subjective that it's ridiculous and there have been many a successful game that didn't take a long time to develop and there have been many catastrophes which took ages to develop. Effort and time have nothing to do with success, at least in the short term. If they did then my first large scale PC game would have been a mega hit because I never worked so hard on a project! I suppose I'm still pouring on effort and time ... and with each passing title it gets easier and easier. Still, I stick to the notion that the easier something is ... the better because it probably means you're working efficiently.
Bottomline for tonight though is that I'm glad I finally made good use of that Mac Mini I bought last year!
About the author
#2
05/19/2006 (12:22 am)
Well those are downloads ... but of course complete downloads are lower at about 750. Thanks BTW, it feels good to have something new (to me at least ;) out again no matter what.
#3
Back on topic: The mac market is definitely worth supporting. By their choice of computer, they define themselves as a market of people who are willing to pay a little extra for what they consider a well crafted experience. But clearly, if you can make an indie game that reaches the bar, the sales will follow.
Sure, I'm over simplifying, but my armchair analysis thinks there is a correlation there...
05/19/2006 (8:04 am)
Perhaps cheesy, but if you are going for a mellow beach scene, have you considered kites instead of bricks in the sky? Why not go all out on the theme? Back on topic: The mac market is definitely worth supporting. By their choice of computer, they define themselves as a market of people who are willing to pay a little extra for what they consider a well crafted experience. But clearly, if you can make an indie game that reaches the bar, the sales will follow.
Sure, I'm over simplifying, but my armchair analysis thinks there is a correlation there...
#4
Nice to actually see what your sales has been so fare. Wish more will share their sucess to. :)
05/19/2006 (10:38 am)
Gratz on the sales so fare, let there be many many mores to come! :)Nice to actually see what your sales has been so fare. Wish more will share their sucess to. :)
#5
05/19/2006 (12:32 pm)
Mark, I've been thinking of expanding it like you're saying and playing up the theme more so by pulling the mechanics and the theme even closer together in ways as you suggest. I never really intended to go very deep into this but it could be worthwhile. There are quite a few new gamepaly concepts that could be used to good effect with this. 
#6
05/20/2006 (10:50 am)
Jeremy - I think what you're doing is awesome. If you don't mind, could you give an overview of what you're doing to market the title? Also, what are you using to count your downloads ?
#7
05/20/2006 (1:02 pm)
Chris, thanks a lot! I'll be doing a .plan/blog about this very soon actually ;) There's quite a bit to outline.
#8
05/20/2006 (1:44 pm)
Awesome Jeremy. I look forward to it with great anticipation.
#9
05/21/2006 (1:50 pm)
Congratulations Jeremy - gonna be posting actual links to where we can download it? ;)
Associate Stefan Beffy Moises
Anyways, congrats for finishing your game! :)