GDC 09 - breakfast club
Hi folks,
Just got back from a week of hectic meetings, games-playing, talking, eating and drinking in San Francisco for the Game Developers Conference 2009.
One of the things Game Republic got up to was a couple of "business breakfast" sessions organised by UKTI (UK Trade & Investment) which included Apple US and Nintendo US.
So, to help anyone developing for iPhone/iPod or Nintendo WiiWare/DSiWare - here are the top three tips for both...
Apple iPhone/iPod Touch
1. Don't build your business around just being featured on the App Store. The store is just that - a shop. Without adequate promotion/marketing/reviews, your game could just sit on the shelf.
2. 48% of the iPhone/iPod games market is non-English - localisation is important if you want to maximise your reach and therefore your profits.
3. Don't just do "dumb ports" - take advantage of the format. The best, most successful games have used the unique features of the iPhone/iPod Touch.
Nintendo WiiWare/DSiWare
1. Nintendo isn't interested in advergaming - so don't bother with it!
2. On WiiWare, the market is already crowded with puzzle games and space shooters - unless you're doing a genre-defining game in these categories, do something else. Like the iPhone, the most successful games are unique titles such as Lost Winds that take advantage of the format.
3. DSiWare for the moment only offers free games from Nintendo.
That's it - hope that's a help. Back soon with more stuff from GDC 09!
Jamie
Currently playing: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS), Rhythm Heaven (DS).
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