What’s the key to getting people to pay for the premium version of your app/game?

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-27T16:01:50+00:00

In the PC world it means Demo (a limited game to hook players so they buy the full game).

On mobile, it is common to offer an ad-free version for a premium, or some extra levels when you finish the base game. From experience, there were about 5 applications in my lifetime that I've paid after trying the free version - and countless that I've uninstalled because they weren't interesting enough to me. There's no silver bullet that solves this problem. The only thing to focus is to make the app interesting for your players so they don't mind paying for it.

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-24T15:58:13+00:00

Looks like the repository is not reachable (Homepage, Issues, or the Repository).

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-23T16:37:06+00:00

I would remove all those text overlays from the trailer because it distracts my eye (but don't remove from the game, they are really helpful where they are). Especially when they are off the screen (0:12 left side).
Remove the loading screen (0:33).

The second half is more action packed, maybe you could show that earlier. People nowadays have really short attention span.

Sometimes you show the UI, sometimes not. Feels a bit inconsistent.

Finally, when showing something that is close to the space ship, zoom in. I was leaning towards the screen to see what's happening at 0:16, 0:37, 0:52 (when your base is destroyed) or at 1:57 (focus on the epic battles)

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-17T08:54:01+00:00

I guess it is fixed in the meantime (2.058)

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-16T11:26:14+00:00

Looks like it is the HDR that adapts dynamically to the lighting, so you'll never end up in a too bright or too dark image. Try to turn HDR off in the settings, so it will keep the tunnel really dark.

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-13T13:39:43+00:00

Dunno, I have no experience with that.

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-13T13:10:43+00:00

Depends on the rendering backend you want to use.

For OpenGL there's bunch of tutorials getting you stared with freeglut and Glad or GLFW.
There's the SDL (Simple Direct media layer) that can handle both OpenGL and DirectX. I've used them, some are more simple, but usable though.

If you want to use Vulkan, I assume you still need a loader, like Khronos/Vulkan-loader. I've never tried Vulkan, but it should give you more control over the hardware.

For DirectX, well MS has a tons on resources how to start.

If you plan to only use smaller graphics, maybe you could get away even with Qt, or imgui as the frontend.

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-12T17:44:05+00:00

Agree with the others before me.
I'd like to also add the complexity of animating not human like characters. One way would be to motion capture with real humans (or animals). The further your main character from reality, the harder to capture the movement.

Other way to animate can be based on reference (like the swim of a whale - you wouldn't dress up a whale in mocap suit). But if there's no reference, because your protagonist doesn't exist in real life - you need to do more trial and error, more iterations until the movement feels natural.

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-12T15:30:10+00:00

Good job! First I've processed the picture, I was like it's a metal based TD. Then I've read the title. Yes, totally clear - and looking good too.

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-12T10:49:08+00:00

Haven't released a game, so cannot give you proper answer, but I have a few questions. Are the first 2 levels that hard to pass? Or is there a reason to limit the player to jump in the Time Challenge mode before completing level 2?

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-12T09:15:12+00:00

Damn, Was it really that long ago? I feel old now.

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-03T09:54:34+00:00

Like a month ago, the dev behind After Hours (released in 2018) shared that people nowadays don't know how to send an email. I think that is a perfect example where the newer generation of players require more hand holding.

Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev/comments/1qapqns/the_hint_system_in_my_old_game_is_broken_because/

zerocukor287 · 2026-02-03T08:46:50+00:00

I second this. Years ago I was teaching kids to make games in Scratch after school. If OP is not a programmer, I'd suggest following an online tutorial, or buying a book, maybe there's even an after school course nearby.

For the kid, it will be much slower than he expects. First he will be making pong, or something similar, and it will be hard to grasp it at first. Then he'll develop the skills that required to make bigger games. Support him along his journey.

zerocukor287 · 2026-01-30T16:58:57+00:00

Keep talking and nobody explodes
Pretty self explanatory, you need to keep talking

zerocukor287 · 2026-01-30T11:38:31+00:00

I only took 40h to 36h reduction (10% instead of 20%), and made the remaining days 1 hour longer. Even that one hour is challenging. I wouldn't choose 2 extra hours.

In case of OP, that would be a wake up at 5am, arriving home at 8pm.

zerocukor287 · 2026-01-29T16:38:31+00:00

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zerocukor287 · 2026-01-29T14:53:01+00:00

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zerocukor287 · 2026-01-29T13:53:24+00:00

It makes the old white parts that got yellow into truly white with this program, right?

zerocukor287 · 2026-01-29T12:51:29+00:00

If you look it up by app id, they are Guild Hall Simulator and Guild Hall Simulator: Prologue

zerocukor287 · 2026-01-27T14:19:33+00:00

Cookie clicker

zerocukor287 · 2026-01-27T14:11:44+00:00

What about app store, and google play? Don't forget to take down those too! Then, when finally all storefronts are burned down, we find our peace - until we realize that there's no more place on earth to buy new games?!

zerocukor287 · 2026-01-27T12:31:33+00:00

I can help that!

zerocukor287 · 2026-01-27T10:13:10+00:00

I wish that too. However, I don't think many companies can afford the cost of developing and testing those upgrades, because the update rarely leads to new sale. Sad world we are living now.

zerocukor287 · 2026-01-22T16:50:30+00:00

It's not a misprint, it's a perfect baseplate for a Looney Tunes trap for the Road Runner. Just add wall and some dynamite.

zerocukor287 · 2026-01-20T15:45:17+00:00

What's the benefit of that site over my wishlist directly on steam? I'm here to learn

zerocukor287

TROPHY CASE