If "getting famous" is such a devastating thing for an app developer, quit making games for popular devices. There is plenty of scientific computing projects that are far more interesting and have tiny audiences... lack of fame surely awaits you!
Flappy Bird by the Numbers
131–140 of 149 posts
Re: Flappy Bird by the Numbers
#132Earlier quoted context omitted.
The article presents some (non-conclusive) evidence of a sudden, steady influx of reviews, and more is coming up: https://sensortower.com/flappy-bird-scripted-reviews-analysi... . What kind of game developer doesn't want it's creations to succeed?
He's explicitly stated in an interview that he didn't do anything to game reviews, so do you stand by what you say, or are you calling him a liar? Not very game developer would resort to nefarious tactics for their own profit. Why does everyone have to look for a cause behind every event - can't you just accept that something might just have ... happened?
I'm not taking any conclusions yet. The episode is unusual, accepting that "things just happened" is not my cup of tea. As a developer I'm interested in the dynamics of the app store rankings, if it's still possible for an indie dev to succeed without "help"; and as a former media student, how exactly a little crappy game clone went viral and made it to the top spot in a month.
If it turns out it was just a fluke, still more interesting it is.
Re: Flappy Bird by the Numbers
#133This is a good example of the "Lemming Economy" that mobile phones have created, and which I cannot heap on enough derision.
The Lemming Economy follows a model where dozens upon dozens up near pointless applications are created in an attempt find just something that will get enough momentum to drive an ever increasing number of lemmings over the cliff (purchase). Upon succeeding more lemmings scramble to create copy-cats of the game to cash in on the stampede. There's no point except to try and generate cash out of they prevailing whims of the lemmings.
This model neither creates a viable business model (because you can't rely on quality equaling sales) nor useful software (because that doesn't drive the lemmings over the cliff).
Maybe Flappy Birds isn't horrible, I don't know. But the developer obviously didn't like getting caught in the stampede and all of a sudden getting exposed to the general population. I would have taken down the app, too.
Re: Flappy Bird by the Numbers
#134Earlier quoted context omitted.
He's explicitly stated in an interview that he didn't do anything to game reviews, so do you stand by what you say, or are you calling him a liar? Not very game developer would resort to nefarious tactics for their own profit. Why does everyone have to look for a cause behind every event - can't you just accept that something might just have ... happened?
I'm not taking any conclusions yet. The episode is unusual, accepting that "things just happened" is not my cup of tea. As a developer I'm interested in the dynamics of the app store rankings, if it's still possible for an indie dev to succeed without "help"; and as a former media student, how exactly a little crappy game clone went viral and made it to the top spot in a month. If it turns out it was just a fluke, st…
It was linked to by a major YouTuber.
It is a tiny simple free app. You do one thing, you get one number back.
A bit like nananca bike crash. These very simple games are great for the "just one more go" factor, and the bragging rights of "hey! I just beat your top score".
Over analysis could lead to incorrect conclusions so I'd be wary of any analysis that explained Flappy Bird without explaining the failure of all the other similar games.
Re: Flappy Bird by the Numbers
#135What disturbs me most about this is the complete lack of empathy people have for the guy. Just look at the comments on the link explaining that Flappy Bird was removed from the app store. Our culture is so completely and utterly obsessed with money that everyone says he's an idiot for taking down an app without realizing the chaos one goes through in a situation like that. They hurl insults like "weak" and "fragile"…
If I found something I enjoyed and wanted to share it with my friends, and then someone made it so I couldn't do that, I'd be upset - I think understandably, and not in a particularly greed-motivated way. And that's effectively what the developer has done here.
Re: Flappy Bird by the Numbers
#136If "getting famous" is such a devastating thing for an app developer, quit making games for popular devices. There is plenty of scientific computing projects that are far more interesting and have tiny audiences... lack of fame surely awaits you!
In fairness the whole app feels like someone experimenting with building something simple for the iOS platform rather than trying to make a mega-successful game.
Re: Flappy Bird by the Numbers
#137Earlier quoted context omitted.
The thing is, at this point, there was literally zero additional involvement this guy had to have to anything related to the game. Just sit back and check in on an ever increasing bank account. Once the fad died down, enjoy the money. He didn't have to show himself, do interviews, anything at all . Just accept the cash and fade off into obscurity. It's hard to empathize with somebody who had to take a specific action…
You've perfectly illustrated the post you are replying to, from my perspective
I'm aware of that. But what exactly am I supposed to empathize with? It's like empathizing with anybody who actively takes an action that's not helpful to them.
It's like somebody taking up smoking, drugs and drinking when they have no interest in those things at all and would be much happier and healthier without. Or actively going out of their way to not learn to read.
Even if he does have an emotional/psychological problem (which I do empathize with), he could roll that money into a stellar long-term treatment program and come out better on the other side. Or just donate the money to a charity or something.
Vague "I can't take all this opportunity to do nothing and solve many of my life's problems" is not something that's easy to empathize with.
Re: Flappy Bird by the Numbers
#138Earlier quoted context omitted.
He's left handed ( https://twitter.com/dongatory/status/431336238985920513 ).
^^^ hey look everybody, here he is ! but seriously best of luck to you if it is you. you should remake the game now with a black swan in place of yellow bird.
I'm not him. Just happen to be a Vietnamese with the same last name :) "Nguyen" is a common last name in Vietnam, like 40% (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nguyen).
Re: Flappy Bird by the Numbers
#139Earlier quoted context omitted.
The thing is, at this point, there was literally zero additional involvement this guy had to have to anything related to the game. Just sit back and check in on an ever increasing bank account. Once the fad died down, enjoy the money. He didn't have to show himself, do interviews, anything at all . Just accept the cash and fade off into obscurity. It's hard to empathize with somebody who had to take a specific action…
The minute he exposed how much money he was making, he made himself a huge target in Vietnam. Making that much money is dangerous in SEA if you don't have any connections.
He may be a target, but I don't think everyone would chase him for money. Someone who has a net worth of 1 or 2 millions USD is not so rare in Vietnam.
Re: Flappy Bird by the Numbers
#140Earlier quoted context omitted.
Average monthly salary for a software developer in Vietnam is, what, $600/mo? Nguyen was making around seven years' salary per day for two weeks. A lot of the doors that could be opened with money were already opened at that point.
This random dude makes $1200/mo. I don't know what the average is. Maybe he is set for life, but it's only been really big for a couple of days, and I'd imagine he's not quite yet, and certainly not as set as he could be. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23497561
AFAIK, a good fresh graduate can make from $600 to $800/month (of course, depends on multiple factors: what he can do, experience, school, type of company, English, etc).
That "random dude" got a Master's degree in Korea, so his salary is reasonable I think.