At the risk of alienating more of our early adopters, developers have cut prices on a few prominent titles we’ve looked at recently.
Loopy Laboratory ($6.99 -> $2.99) – Enjoyable puzzle game in which you must navigate numerous obstacles to find your way to each level’s exit. 50 levels in all, but the levels are a bit too easy for a bit too long. Gameplay video in full review.
Venger ($6.99 -> $3.99) – Probably the best 3D space shooter currently available on the iPhone, though the boss battles get a bit repetitive. Gameplay video in our full review.
Nanosaur 2 ($3.99 -> $1.99) – We didn’t actually take a close look at this application but readers seemed to like the game with the notable exception of a lack of mid-level save feature.
I was an early adopter of Loopy Laboratory, even though I initially said I was going to wait for the inevitable price-drop.
But then I thought, no, firstly, the price of this isn't going to be dropping any time soon, it's only just been released, and secondly, this is a highly polished game and the developer's spent a lot of time making it look and play really good, so he's not going to be cutting it by much.
How wrong I was...
If I'd known it was going to be dropped by more than half just a mere few days later, then I would have waited.
Do I feel ripped off though? Naah, that's just the way these things seem to work, I guess...
But I do darn well hope more levels are going to be added on to this game, because like Arn says, this game stays way too easy for way too long.
I'm just starting level 40 (of 50) and only now am I starting to see any real challenges and do any real thinking.
Bas, are you reading this?
"If I’d known it was going to be dropped by more than half just a mere few days later, then I would have waited."
Ditto. I've been waiting on new releases to drop in price, but I picked this one up at $6.99 a couple of days ago, haven't played it since that first day, and wish I had waited (or skipped it altogether) ...
Whatever. I refuse to be penalized for being an early adopter again. Developers keep pulling the same **** every time, and I think the point is finally sinking in: DON'T BUY UNTIL THE PRICE DROPS. It's not a matter of if, but when ...
By the way, having said that above, I feel I should just make the point that I absolutely love this game. That's why I REALLY want more levels to be added...
I bought Loop Laboratory at full price. I knew the price would probably drop but I bought it anyway because I loved Chip's Challenge on my old Atari Lynx. I'm not upset about the price drop - I knew it would happen. I'm happy to support the developer, but I also hope that the developer will reward us with more levels. The game is good, but it is, as has been said, too easy for too long. I'm at level 44 and really none of the levels have been *that* hard. Definitely tougher starting around 36 or 37 or so, but still not that difficult. It's been a long time, but I remember Chip's Challenge on the Atari Lynx being a lot more difficult. The game is *fun*, so don't get me wrong. In fact I'm thoroughly enjoying it. For $2.99 it's a no-brainer. Definitely pick it up. But please give us at least, say, 20 more, and tougher levels.
"I refuse to be penalized for being an early adopter again. Developers keep pulling the same **** every time, and I think the point is finally sinking in: DON’T BUY UNTIL THE PRICE DROPS. It’s not a matter of if, but when …"
Maybe thats why the price was lowered in the first place?..
I'm sorry to hear that some of you are ticked off at the price drop. It's a dog-eat-dog world in the App Store and to put it blunt: I simply priced myself out of the market. At release I figured the $6.99 price was justified but the sales figures made it clear that obviously most people didn't think so. Hence the price drop.
Like I said, I regret the negative sentiments. I really appreciate all of you who supported me by buying the game. I too am trying to make a living and I try to make decisions that make sense, business wise.
If any of you feel cheated or simply feel the game was not worth what you paid for it then please contact me at the mail address listed on my website and I'll try and work it out with you.
On a more cheerful note: I can confirm that additional levels are on the way.
Regards,
Bas Tossings
Loopy Laboratory creator
@bas thanks for commenting.
I'm actually fine to have paid the $6.99 price. Overall, I think it had more depth than most games I've run across. I think the game has great level vocabulary that could be put together into harder/more levels. As it stands it's easily worth $2.99.
With more levels (hard ones please :)), it will be easily worth $6.99.
arn
I bought it at 6.99, it's delivered just fine. I knew it would go down-faster than i thought, but i don't feel bad at all with it dropping so soon. I like it when individual developers compete with the big name developers. I never have a problem supporting well written apps or the 'small guy'. (I'm not made of money)
developers are often under appreciated (imho), i hope the developer adds more levels eventually, and develops other apps, i'll certainly check them out.
I've played for a few hours and not once did I run into any issues. Very few apps come out this way, kudos to the developer for his testing. I look forward to updates.
game is great fun, a Chip's Challenge clone though - a very sluggish clone. i like the visuals and the gameplay, but i hope the dev increases the overall game speed.