Doubloons! free this week
by Samuel Cartwright · 08/12/2012 (2:24 pm) · 7 comments
My first completely independent game 'Doubloons!' has been 'selling' for about a month now on iTunes. This was the first project I completed with iTorque2D, and my first attempt at making a game by myself (I was a senior programmer at Gameloft), so I was feeling pretty pleased with myself when I was able to tell all my mates to buy my game.
As it turns out, my marketing skills need a bit more work. I didn't make the game to get rich - with a small project like 'Doubloons!' its more about what you learn than how much you make, at least for me anyway - but it would have been nice to have at least been able to cover my cost. But such is the world of the App development, where an idea is rarely enough on its own.
I'd like to get a few more people actually playing the game so that I can get some honest feedback to take into my next project. So for this week, from Monday August 13 to midnight Sunday 19, I've made the game free. I'm hoping that this will give me the boost I need to get at least a couple hundred people trying it out.
If you're reading this and have an iPhone, give it a try and post a comment to let me know what you think. I know its not perfect, I know its not completely original, but I hope its at least a bit of fun.
You can download Doubloons on iTunes now.
Cheers,
Sam
As it turns out, my marketing skills need a bit more work. I didn't make the game to get rich - with a small project like 'Doubloons!' its more about what you learn than how much you make, at least for me anyway - but it would have been nice to have at least been able to cover my cost. But such is the world of the App development, where an idea is rarely enough on its own.
I'd like to get a few more people actually playing the game so that I can get some honest feedback to take into my next project. So for this week, from Monday August 13 to midnight Sunday 19, I've made the game free. I'm hoping that this will give me the boost I need to get at least a couple hundred people trying it out.
If you're reading this and have an iPhone, give it a try and post a comment to let me know what you think. I know its not perfect, I know its not completely original, but I hope its at least a bit of fun.
You can download Doubloons on iTunes now.
Cheers,
Sam
About the author
#2
08/13/2012 (5:41 pm)
Downloading it. Will definitely give it a shot! 
#3
Nice little game - enjoyed playing and lovely artwork! Some constructive criticism:
1) I don't think the music matched the game at all - I found it a bit jarring
2) I liked the fact like I felt like I was making progress as my character moved from the left of the tavern to the right but then he started moving back and I was a bit gutted! I assume it is not linked to progress but just an animation?
3) When my first bomb was fired I didn't know I had to tap it - maybe the first one has an arrow pointing to it?
4) Same with the juggling monkey - not sure what triggered him or if I could prevent him.
All in all good fun and congratulations on your first game - it's a hell of a lot more complete than ANY of mine!
Rob
08/14/2012 (4:38 pm)
Hey there!Nice little game - enjoyed playing and lovely artwork! Some constructive criticism:
1) I don't think the music matched the game at all - I found it a bit jarring
2) I liked the fact like I felt like I was making progress as my character moved from the left of the tavern to the right but then he started moving back and I was a bit gutted! I assume it is not linked to progress but just an animation?
3) When my first bomb was fired I didn't know I had to tap it - maybe the first one has an arrow pointing to it?
4) Same with the juggling monkey - not sure what triggered him or if I could prevent him.
All in all good fun and congratulations on your first game - it's a hell of a lot more complete than ANY of mine!
Rob
#4
I can sympathize because interface design is my weak point. I get that stuff is a pain to design. :)
08/15/2012 (9:50 am)
I have to echo Rob's sentiments about the game. I think you've got a good thing going there and I bet some interface updates would help it a lot.I can sympathize because interface design is my weak point. I get that stuff is a pain to design. :)
#5
Thanks for the feedback. I know its not perfect, but you raise some good points.
I don't like the music either, but I ran out of money and had to use what I could.
To get the bombs off the board, if you make a match while the bomb icon is in the corner then the bomb won't fall. If it does fall and you make a match next to the bomb, it will disappear. I like your tapping idea to destroy the bomb better.
There are 3 attacks that rotate. When the cannon fires it will fire either a cannon, monkey, or the coin drop. All these attacks can be stopped by making a match while the bomb icon is in the top left corner. Only the bomb can be stopped after its dropped.
A new attack is spawned once the countdown timer above the cannon reaches the bottom (you can add more time by making a match)
I know, these rules are a bit chaotic and not too clear. I've learnt many lessons with this game.
Thanks for taking the time to play it. I appreciate the feedback.
08/16/2012 (4:55 am)
Hey Rob,Thanks for the feedback. I know its not perfect, but you raise some good points.
I don't like the music either, but I ran out of money and had to use what I could.
To get the bombs off the board, if you make a match while the bomb icon is in the corner then the bomb won't fall. If it does fall and you make a match next to the bomb, it will disappear. I like your tapping idea to destroy the bomb better.
There are 3 attacks that rotate. When the cannon fires it will fire either a cannon, monkey, or the coin drop. All these attacks can be stopped by making a match while the bomb icon is in the top left corner. Only the bomb can be stopped after its dropped.
A new attack is spawned once the countdown timer above the cannon reaches the bottom (you can add more time by making a match)
I know, these rules are a bit chaotic and not too clear. I've learnt many lessons with this game.
Thanks for taking the time to play it. I appreciate the feedback.
#6
Thanks for playing.
I'm really a programmer at heart, so any kind of design is not my strong point.
I'd love to do some updates for this game - the controls still bug me - but time management is always a struggle for me, so I'll have to wait and see how popular it is first.
Thanks for playing,
Sam
08/16/2012 (4:58 am)
Luis,Thanks for playing.
I'm really a programmer at heart, so any kind of design is not my strong point.
I'd love to do some updates for this game - the controls still bug me - but time management is always a struggle for me, so I'll have to wait and see how popular it is first.
Thanks for playing,
Sam
#7
08/16/2012 (5:00 am)
Oh, and here's a youtubes for all those who don't have an iPhone and want to take a look 
Torque Owner 000
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