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Show HN: Math Attack – My side project of 3 years

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Re: Show HN: Math Attack – My side project of 3 years

#51

Post by Sanctor »

mathattack wrote: post #49
Sanctor wrote: post #2

Hey everyone! I've been working on this game for about 3 years in my spare time. It's a simple puzzle game utilizing arithmetic operators. I made it using Unity3D. All the visual assets are made from scratch and the sound effects come from various free sound effect sites. Although the idea is simple I've put a lot of effort into it to make it look polished. For example there is a day/night cycle which serves no other…

I must say you've chosen an auspicious name! :-)

Wow, your membership is older than my idea for the game.

Don't sue me please :)

Re: Show HN: Math Attack – My side project of 3 years

#52

Post by nsxwolf »

certifiedloud wrote: post #29
Sanctor wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can maybe add a "Remove Ads" IAP. This is such a niche game I didn't think anyone would be willing to pay for it. Also if you sell the game or offer IAPs you have to get into some sort of merchant agreement with Google, I don't quite know how that works. But I'll work on it. Thanks for the feedback!

It may be worth noting that some parents wont let their kids play games with ads. There are two good reasons that I can think of for this: 1. The content of some ads can be inappropriate, even in children's games. 2. Fear that an ad will lead to a purchase of some kind. I think an IAP would be a good solution for you.

It's also annoying for younger kids that accidentally open the ad and haven't learned how to get back into their app yet.

Re: Show HN: Math Attack – My side project of 3 years

#54

Post by Sanctor »

Humdeee wrote: post #48
Sanctor wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is decided then. I'll release an Education version without the ads.

I've learned this the hard way with interstitial and banner ads throughout releasing a dozen or so apps. You really need a rather large user base to make them even a bit worthwhile to a developer. Scratching out pennies will have a huge downside if it lowers the experience of the app to your whole userbase. It's an art form not to make the user feel like a product. Everyone thinks they know how but really so, so few…

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's very valuable to me. I'm very much a stranger to this world, and I don't have anyone to ask for advice.

I don't like putting ads in the game. If nothing, it breaks the retro atmosphere I'm going for. But I also have the dream of doing game development for a living and have to make money somehow.

I'll try the paid method. I guess I couldn't imagine people willing to pay for something I do as a hobby for now.

Re: Show HN: Math Attack – My side project of 3 years

#55

Post by Sanctor »

philbarr wrote: post #50
mkagenius wrote: post #44

I had made a similar game, or all math games just look similar : http://mkagenius.github.io/

I also did something very similar: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplyappe... It's supposed to be like the "numbers" round from the show Countdown in the UK.

I love that show! Especially the 8 out of 10 cats version.

Re: Show HN: Math Attack – My side project of 3 years

#56

Post by matthuggins »

karmajunkie wrote: post #31
Sanctor wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can maybe add a "Remove Ads" IAP. This is such a niche game I didn't think anyone would be willing to pay for it. Also if you sell the game or offer IAPs you have to get into some sort of merchant agreement with Google, I don't quite know how that works. But I'll work on it. Thanks for the feedback!

Yes, I second that... I'll pay for a good math game for my kid—I don't let him play ad-based games though.

Yep, I can second this. I can put up with ads myself, but I don't want my 5 year old to play a game with ads since they no longer know what they're doing once an ad pops up.

Re: Show HN: Math Attack – My side project of 3 years

#57

Post by Chive »

Sanctor wrote: post #2

Hey everyone! I've been working on this game for about 3 years in my spare time. It's a simple puzzle game utilizing arithmetic operators. I made it using Unity3D. All the visual assets are made from scratch and the sound effects come from various free sound effect sites. Although the idea is simple I've put a lot of effort into it to make it look polished. For example there is a day/night cycle which serves no other…

Just downloaded and played it, very cool! One comment: the font is sometimes hard to read, especially the 8s on the balloon (at first) (at least for me, Nexus 6P) http://i.imgur.com/oz11sy3.png

Re: Show HN: Math Attack – My side project of 3 years

#58

Post by Sanctor »

simooooo wrote: post #53

When the hints stopped I had no idea how to determine which number I had to calculate Edit:ah they're on the balloons. I assumed as they were so pixelated they couldn't

The short visual tutorial might help with this as well I imagine. I wrote it as an answer to another comment, I can't copy paste as I had to go on mobile.

Re: Show HN: Math Attack – My side project of 3 years

#59

Post by dyarosla »

Sanctor wrote: post #35
soneca wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Great! To be perfect, just use a less formal wording. Write in a way that a kid will understand and not find weird.

Awesome feedback! Something like "Let's create the equation!"

Better suggestion. Dont use words. It's a math game. You should be able to showcase what to do with ONLY visuals. Darken out the game on the first missile. Highlight the missile with a focus circle. Then point to one specific equation in the bottom (actually create it for the player). Show that 1 + 5 = 6. Something simple. Then have the missile explode, lighten out the tutorial intro, and let the player continue. Or add a secondary tutorial section with two missiles at once and a multiplication solution.

This also has the benefit that your game becomes internationally-friendly to play (independent of language).

Also, like others have said, dont put in ads. Not for an educational game. Not lucrative at all, and totally goes against what your audience (parents getting this game for their kids) want to see.

Re: Show HN: Math Attack – My side project of 3 years

#60

Post by randlet »

karmajunkie wrote: post #31
Sanctor wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can maybe add a "Remove Ads" IAP. This is such a niche game I didn't think anyone would be willing to pay for it. Also if you sell the game or offer IAPs you have to get into some sort of merchant agreement with Google, I don't quite know how that works. But I'll work on it. Thanks for the feedback!

Yes, I second that... I'll pay for a good math game for my kid—I don't let him play ad-based games though.

Thirded. This game is a little advanced for my 4 y.o. but I would MUCH rather pay a couple dollars to have ad free games. Most of the free educational kids games are crappy to use for a 4 y.o. because they pop up ads over the game. Inevitably she clicks on them by accident and then ends up in the Play store and confused about what happened or how to get back to her game.
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