So I've lately been contemplating releasing my app for free including the source code after getting a mediocre-at-best review on the content of my first app.
The app itself is fairly simple and pretty solid. Essentially an interactive fiction app. (Choose your own adventure is trademarked I do believe). The content was praised in only the artwork, but the few choices and shortness of it was criticized. There were also other things that were criticized that were related to the content and not the app itself.
For budget reasons, I've had to make the decision to not get more artwork for the second part (if the reviewer even knew it was part 1 of 4). As for continuing with the content development, I'm really struggling with it as well. With the lack of sales, I keep thinking I might as well refund those who have purchased and abandon the app. Yes, it's only been a little over a month, but things don't seem to be getting better.
I had a thought that if others are interested in my code, that I might release all code for this app for others to use. If I can't make money on it, then maybe someone else can. Let me know if you're interested.
If it's your first app you could consider opening the code making it free and continue working on it in a very light capacity and use it as a loss leader (something to get you known, get people ready to check out your next app).
Also, month is a TINY amount of time; I'd say hang in there. I'm a big supporter of open source too but would feel guilty trying to advise you on a personal decision like that.
Like someone (AngryHatter, I think) on these forums said, any time you put yourself on stage, you have to be prepared for an audience, and some of them may have opinions that are near worthless
For what it's worth, it took me nearly a year and 50+ updates to get a decent following for Listables. (Though I admiteddly suck at promotion).
I think I just might do that. I'll release it as open source minus the content and accept requests for new features (if others don't wish to do it themselves). I'll be sure to take every suggestion with a grain of salt as you suggest
Any feedback is welcome. A review on pocketgamer gave this app a 5/10. Simply due to the content and not the app itself.
This code has been modified from the one that was reviewed. Simply to remove some unnecessary security code checking... that kind of code is up to anyone else who uses it.
The Following User Says Thank You to antihero For This Useful Post:
Thanks for posting this -- I'm going to bookmark and see if I can find some time to dig through the code -- at first glance it looks nice and clean though
If you dont mind I would like to link to this thread from our development sticky. I think even though this is your first apps, this is great code for beginners to look at
To release Source or not to release source.
