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Flappy Bird is proof that no one knows what the audience wants

polygon.com

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Re: Flappy Bird is proof that no one knows what the audience wants

#11

Post by bunkat »

joeconway wrote: post #6

I have been wondering if the developer has made much money from the app at all really. In spite of the overwhelmingly vast number of downloads, the adverts only show whilst you are playing the game. Aside from the momentary lag when they appear, most users probably don't even notice them because they are concentrating so hard. Users are almost guaranteed to pay the adverts no attention lest they risk the possibility…

Apparently they make $50k a day in ad revenue (http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/5/5383708/flappy-bird-revenue...). Seems like that would be 'much money'.

Re: Flappy Bird is proof that no one knows what the audience wants

#12

Post by awj »

greyfox wrote: post #4

The audience is whatever flavor of the week all the sheeple are downloading to be cool and fit in with their friends. I have never played nor downloaded angry birds flappy bird or W/E

... not sure it's that simple. Angry Birds became popular in part because it's a fun game to play. The gameplay probably doesn't live up to the hype, but it's at least capable of living up to some amount of hype.

Flappy bird is just incredibly awful. It's like QWOP[1], but much simpler.

[1] http://www.foddy.net/Athletics.html

Re: Flappy Bird is proof that no one knows what the audience wants

#13

Post by corresation »

joeconway wrote: post #6

I have been wondering if the developer has made much money from the app at all really. In spite of the overwhelmingly vast number of downloads, the adverts only show whilst you are playing the game. Aside from the momentary lag when they appear, most users probably don't even notice them because they are concentrating so hard. Users are almost guaranteed to pay the adverts no attention lest they risk the possibility…

I played the game momentarily this morning just to try to understand the craze, and on my Nexus 5 the ad at the top only glitched in every now and then. After I exited I discovered my browser on a link clearly opened by an ad: I've heard tales of the maker posting huge daily ad revenue, and congrats to them, but I wonder how much of that were errant clicks. Such revenue is extremely unsustainable.

Re: Flappy Bird is proof that no one knows what the audience wants

#14

Post by kingnight »

Flappy Bird does have viral appeal. I haven't downloaded an iOS game in over 6-12 months probably, but I got this one. I initially saw 'Mario knock off' screens on tumblr, but didn't bother to seek out what it was. I then randomly viewed the iOS top charts and saw the same bird in the icon so I thought I'd give it a shot.

The game is tough. It does remind me of iCopter that was a jailbreak game back for the original iPhone before there was an App Store. It's not nearly as complex, but in some ways more enjoyable once you figure out the ridiculously difficult way in which you have to navigate since the pace is slower and maybe more soothing in motion? (prob not...)

I think this games appeal is all looks.

Re: Flappy Bird is proof that no one knows what the audience wants

#15

Post by MaybiusStrip »

greyfox wrote: post #4

The audience is whatever flavor of the week all the sheeple are downloading to be cool and fit in with their friends. I have never played nor downloaded angry birds flappy bird or W/E

You're completely missing the point. Something has to be popular before you download it to "be cool and fit in with your friends."

Re: Flappy Bird is proof that no one knows what the audience wants

#16

Post by teej »

kcorbitt wrote: post #2

I haven't played Flappy Bird, but it seems really similar to a helicopter game that was inordinately popular in my middle school 10-12 years ago. It looks like it's still up. http://www.addictinggames.com/action-games/helicoptergame.js...

That's why Flappy Bird is so interesting. A lot of people have played the helicopter game or a variant of it. But despite its cheery exterior and familiarity, Flappy Bird is brutally difficult. That juxtaposition makes it surprising. The challenge makes it delightful.

Re: Flappy Bird is proof that no one knows what the audience wants

#20

Post by smtddr »

I've said it before[1], you just don't know what the public wants or what will become popular. If you have an idea & the technical ability to execute, just do it. Doesn't matter if you think you're building a terrible app... just do it; especially if you have nothing else in particular to do.

Seriously, someone should just make this game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is12anYx2Qs ...it's meaningless. Don't bother with a story, or points, or anything. Just a Title screen that says "Disks in Funnels!" with a big start button. Then the game goes forever, maybe it starts to speed up or something. Sell it for 99 cents; you'll be a millionaire.

1. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7008449

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