Comments on: The Pressure is On for the iShoot Developer http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/ ... keeping in touch with the latest in iPhone gaming Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:13:10 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: CaseyLay http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/#comment-40713 CaseyLay Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:21:17 +0000 http://toucharcade.com/?p=23461#comment-40713 That's a cool story about Ethan. I didn't like iShoot, but I still give him credit for his accomplishments. I might get this game if it turns out to be a Fallout type game. That's a cool story about Ethan. I didn't like iShoot, but I still give him credit for his accomplishments. I might get this game if it turns out to be a Fallout type game.

]]> By: Bird http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/#comment-40680 Bird Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:54:14 +0000 http://toucharcade.com/?p=23461#comment-40680 I had this same post written. Its like trying to teach little kids about real business. They each start out with one 'basic' idea that they heard someone else spew here, and then run with it... "Follow this formula" - There is no right formula. "Dont make this genre because I personally dont like it" - Really?! Who cares!! "Dont quit your day job even if you have 800K" - 200K should be more than enough to consider it for most people. He has 800K.. He's covered his salary for like 5 years and has enough to invest in new development and try again. But dont quit your day job this market cant support that.. Whats that. Oh you are the one guy that this market did support that way... "Spent 100K, crazy" - Yeah, real businesses cost real money. And most actual developers (programmers) make big boy salaries. And then hire a graphic designer or programmer and then actual game and development assets for a real company setup... Thats not really that much. It wouldnt surprise me if that number doesnt even include his "hypothetical" hourly rate. I had this same post written. Its like trying to teach little kids about real business. They each start out with one 'basic' idea that they heard someone else spew here, and then run with it…

"Follow this formula" – There is no right formula.

"Dont make this genre because I personally dont like it" – Really?! Who cares!!

"Dont quit your day job even if you have 800K" – 200K should be more than enough to consider it for most people. He has 800K.. He's covered his salary for like 5 years and has enough to invest in new development and try again. But dont quit your day job this market cant support that.. Whats that. Oh you are the one guy that this market did support that way…

"Spent 100K, crazy" – Yeah, real businesses cost real money. And most actual developers (programmers) make big boy salaries. And then hire a graphic designer or programmer and then actual game and development assets for a real company setup… Thats not really that much. It wouldnt surprise me if that number doesnt even include his "hypothetical" hourly rate.

]]> By: David http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/#comment-40674 David Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:22:12 +0000 http://toucharcade.com/?p=23461#comment-40674 I've seen an early version of the game in person (he lives in the area and spoke at a local iPhone Dev Meetup.) It didn't use the compass. It looked nice for the stage it was in. I've seen an early version of the game in person (he lives in the area and spoke at a local iPhone Dev Meetup.) It didn't use the compass. It looked nice for the stage it was in.

]]> By: Nausicaa http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/#comment-40640 Nausicaa Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:47:10 +0000 http://toucharcade.com/?p=23461#comment-40640 Thanks for saying this. I really don't understand the beating this game is taking for its visuals. I personally think it looks quite good, except for the arm (but who knows if the model is even final). The forest pic especially is impressive with a decent draw distance, nice shadows and textures, and a smooth landscape. Looks as good as any of the other 1st person shooters out there. And when you consider most of the others are simple corridor shooters, I think this is pretty impressive. You can debate whether or not the developer should have tried something so ambitious instead of establishing more of a name for himself with smaller games he could have released sooner. I think he probably assumed that even if he made iShoot 2, there was no guarantee it would be any more successful that this game, so he just went for it. I mean, his first app was already more successful than the vast majority of apps will ever be. Thanks for saying this. I really don't understand the beating this game is taking for its visuals. I personally think it looks quite good, except for the arm (but who knows if the model is even final). The forest pic especially is impressive with a decent draw distance, nice shadows and textures, and a smooth landscape. Looks as good as any of the other 1st person shooters out there. And when you consider most of the others are simple corridor shooters, I think this is pretty impressive.

You can debate whether or not the developer should have tried something so ambitious instead of establishing more of a name for himself with smaller games he could have released sooner. I think he probably assumed that even if he made iShoot 2, there was no guarantee it would be any more successful that this game, so he just went for it. I mean, his first app was already more successful than the vast majority of apps will ever be.

]]> By: Gil http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/#comment-40577 Gil Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:55:45 +0000 http://toucharcade.com/?p=23461#comment-40577 totally agree. Since he already has a fan base form ishoot, he might as well try to create something that would enable him to continue with the success totally agree. Since he already has a fan base form ishoot, he might as well try to create something that would enable him to continue with the success

]]> By: Twitchfactor http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/#comment-40551 Twitchfactor Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:52:13 +0000 http://toucharcade.com/?p=23461#comment-40551 1. If you guys did ANY research instead of just shitting on things, you'd know that the developer of iShoot WAS (IS) a programmer. He's more than likely the programmer on this product, too. 2. It is NOT CHEAP to live in California. 3. When you are a REAL full-time developer, there's nothing "hypothetical" about your hourly rate. It is the rate at which your time is worth. It is what is needed to survive, no matter where you live, unless it's in the basement of your parents' house and you pay no bills. 4. If you are a programmer that made a very simple game before (successful or not) and you want to try something graphically intense, it is likely that you yourself are not an artist. This means there are costs incurred for art, whether it be purchasing models off an online store or contracting. Most people don't do things for free, since they have livelihoods to make (see point #3). Now, my opinions: The guy had great timing and a ton of luck before. I would quit my job right now to work fulltime on games, if I could ensure my family had the necessities. If I came into $800k, you bet your arse I'd quit and produce fulltime. I don't think he should be doing some 3D FPS magnum opus though, as his second game. A smarter bet would've been to make iShoot-2, in a shorter amount of time. But, it's his time / money and opportunity. 1. If you guys did ANY research instead of just shitting on things, you'd know that the developer of iShoot WAS (IS) a programmer. He's more than likely the programmer on this product, too.

2. It is NOT CHEAP to live in California.

3. When you are a REAL full-time developer, there's nothing "hypothetical" about your hourly rate. It is the rate at which your time is worth. It is what is needed to survive, no matter where you live, unless it's in the basement of your parents' house and you pay no bills.

4. If you are a programmer that made a very simple game before (successful or not) and you want to try something graphically intense, it is likely that you yourself are not an artist. This means there are costs incurred for art, whether it be purchasing models off an online store or contracting. Most people don't do things for free, since they have livelihoods to make (see point #3).

Now, my opinions:

The guy had great timing and a ton of luck before. I would quit my job right now to work fulltime on games, if I could ensure my family had the necessities. If I came into $800k, you bet your arse I'd quit and produce fulltime.

I don't think he should be doing some 3D FPS magnum opus though, as his second game. A smarter bet would've been to make iShoot-2, in a shorter amount of time. But, it's his time / money and opportunity.

]]> By: RawrReptar http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/#comment-40531 RawrReptar Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:13:53 +0000 http://toucharcade.com/?p=23461#comment-40531 he also enjoys producing games and the cost to him is probably not a big deal because he loves doing it. He still has 700k to live off interest with. I am also sure he can remake that 100k easy. he also enjoys producing games and the cost to him is probably not a big deal because he loves doing it. He still has 700k to live off interest with. I am also sure he can remake that 100k easy.

]]> By: RawrReptar http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/#comment-40530 RawrReptar Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:12:20 +0000 http://toucharcade.com/?p=23461#comment-40530 Watch this game be pretty successful and fun. I mean come on screw graphics its a freaking iPhone/iPod not a ps3 or 360. Phone games just need to be able to make you go woah thats cool and have fun with it. Sounds like a bizarre fun game. Making critters explode I'm sure it will interest a genre of people out there, plus dev supporters. Watch this game be pretty successful and fun. I mean come on screw graphics its a freaking iPhone/iPod not a ps3 or 360. Phone games just need to be able to make you go woah thats cool and have fun with it. Sounds like a bizarre fun game. Making critters explode I'm sure it will interest a genre of people out there, plus dev supporters.

]]> By: danny http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/#comment-40529 danny Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:07:49 +0000 http://toucharcade.com/?p=23461#comment-40529 I don't know about compass use in games.. in theory seems cool but actually having to be standing as you play a game(or sitting in a revolving chair) seems cumbersome and annoying... I don't know about compass use in games.. in theory seems cool but actually having to be standing as you play a game(or sitting in a revolving chair) seems cumbersome and annoying…

]]> By: Kevin Dent http://toucharcade.com/2009/10/24/the-pressure-is-on-for-the-ishoot-developer/#comment-40528 Kevin Dent Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:02:22 +0000 http://toucharcade.com/?p=23461#comment-40528 Ethan is a great guy and he puts a lot of love into his games, most guys out there that get a number one change personalities for a while. I have dealt with Ethan numerous times and I can tell you he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and he did not let the success of iShoot change him one single bit. The thing I really like about him most of all is the fact he has the balls to do this. Say what you want, but he is not saying "I had success once and it is a given that I will have success again". Personally I think that, that is the must have attitude on the app-store and it will stop you from going crazy :) So if success is kind enough to greet you again, great! However if it does not, you are not going to be crushed i.e. expect the worst, hope for the best. Ethan is a great guy and he puts a lot of love into his games, most guys out there that get a number one change personalities for a while. I have dealt with Ethan numerous times and I can tell you he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and he did not let the success of iShoot change him one single bit.

The thing I really like about him most of all is the fact he has the balls to do this. Say what you want, but he is not saying "I had success once and it is a given that I will have success again". Personally I think that, that is the must have attitude on the app-store and it will stop you from going crazy :)

So if success is kind enough to greet you again, great! However if it does not, you are not going to be crushed i.e. expect the worst, hope for the best.

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