As MacRumors reports, a recent study from ComScore reveals that iPhone and iPod touch users are far more likely to download games for their mobile device than other smartphone users, a truth that comes as little surprise to many iPhone developers out there.
ComScore indicates that gaming on mobile phones is up 17% over the previous year due to growth of mobile handsets such as the iPhone.
With its touch screen, robust processor, and 3-D graphics capabilities, it’s no surprise that the iPhone 3G has been a hit with gamers. Apple iPhone owners accounted for 14% of mobile game downloads, ComScore said. Overall, 32.4% of iPhone users have downloaded a game, compared with a market average of 3.8%.
And it’s not just games that are seeing huge downloads in the App Store. Looking at the smartphone app landscape, Pelago CEO Jeff Holden determined that the current base of 13 million iPhone owners had already downloaded as much software as the equivalent of 1.1 billion owners of other mobile phones.
To a developer, what this means is that if he launches an app for non-iPhones (assuming he has deals with all carriers and has ported to every handset in distribution on which people can download apps), he needs to have a reach 94 times as large as the reach he needs in the iPhone community (which does not require any carrier deals and is via single platform, so no porting) to achieve the same number of downloads. In other words, the 13MM iPhone audience is equivalent to 13MM * 94 = 1.6 *billion* non-iPhones. Of course, we know there are only 250MM non-iPhones in the U.S., so there is no way to achieve the same effective reach inside the U.S.
According to AppShopper.com, there are already over 17,000 titles in the App Store–the largest category of which are games. Noting that these apps have all appeared within the last six months, and looking at recent indications that Apple plans to take things to the next level by bringing a Premium Games area to the App Store, the future of mobile gaming–of iPhone and iPod touch gaming–is looking rather bright, indeed.
I can't wait for these additions. That is the fastest rise up the charts that I've seen. Pretty impressive too with all the other quality games released in the last couple weeks.
I'm one of the many who own this game. Fantastic game! Can't wait for the updates. I do agree though with one review I read before (I think I got it from here). The music needs to change, or maybe have some variety. The current loud rock music doesn't quite fit. I'd enjoy it more were the music more mysterious and dracula-ish (LOL!).
I think had Zombieville USA followed suit and launched at 99 cents for the first couple of days, it would have been number 1 as well. I'm waiting for the price drop on that app which I'm sure will inevitably happen.
For now, iDracula rocks!
Yeah, I also want to see Zombieville in the top 5.
iDracula is awesome game. And I think that music fits.
Just tried it and can't say I'm that impressed. The graphics are indeed nice, but there is not depth to it and I got bored rather quickly. Graphics 5/5, gameplay 2/5, replayability 3/5. Menus etc could use a bit more polish as well, not graphics wise but they aren't very intuitive.
3/5 in my book.
Only reason it's #1 is probably due to the nice screenshots and the low price (everybody will buy anything for $0.99, we are all freetards), which usually mean rocket fast up to #1 and then drop like a rock. My two cents.
@Meoff; I agree exactly the main reason this game skyrocketed up
the rankings were for it's bone-headed play, the price if it was any higher it never would have made it because of all the prepuberty kids buying it. Once the price goes up it will drop like a rock. Zombieville by far is the better game, the dev. chose to keep his price at $2.99 can't blame him. It's sad that a shallow game like idracula makes it to number one, I guess when you have a braindead fan base that's to be excepted.
@moff @imakegames - try not to make it sound too easy guys. if you can figure out the pattern for apps to "usually" rocket up to #1, you'd be rich indeed. :)
arn
@imakegames
Starting at 99 cents definitely played a major role in pushing iDracula to the top. There's no question about it. But I think iDracula deserves credit for its gameplay and graphics also. Only braindead people wouldn't. At 2.99 this app would still without a doubt be at least in the top 75 of the Top Paid Games. Would you rate Kitty Kannon, Blocked, Flick Fishing, and iSniper, as better games that iDracula? C'mon... Just looking at the screens and not even owning it, it's safe to say it's clearly worth at least 2.99. and that's why people easily jumped on the bandwagon. Perfect strategy.
And trust me, Zombieville will soon drop to 99 cents. And it's been loitering for too long already at the 90's range in the Top 100. Not that I'm so cheap. But since I've bought a couple of apps just recently and I'm not really THAT INTO Zombieville anyway, I'd rather wait for the price drop. Only games like Hero of Sparta, Fieldrunners, Brothers in Arms, Spore would never HAVE TO price lower than $5.
Oh and if the developers of iDracula are reading this: Please add new music if you can, like some classic dracula or castlevania type of music.
It is a good game for $0.99, sorry if I made it sound otherwise. But I guess I was expecting too much from all the raving reviews ;) It is worth one dollar, no question about it.
I loved tis game since its release, and did my best to push it to number one in my country's store.
I'd like to see more weapons, not more powerfull ones, but weapons with a twist, we all know that rocket launcher and vulcan are the best. but I like how the crossbow gets better with perks, having bowmaster and faster reload makes it really good.
Also maybe they should add a desperation move, maybe with an effect tied to the weapon equiped. it should probably be a perk though.
its a little disheartening to see your health dwindle with no way to catch that little green bottle..
good game I hope it evolves beyond what it is right now.
I bought the Game and i really love it BUT i want a campaign mode in the future. It would be awesome to see this game with a real story.
Been playing this game everyday. I love it!
so good control- SOLID GAME !
MY FAV!!!!!
Congrats to the developer. It's a fun game
Congrats to MoreGames. Awesome game already with the potential to get way better. And strange, I really like the music thats in there!
This game really does deserve the #1 spot. The devs took into consideration the platform they were developing for and built the game so that it could be enjoyed in small [and awesome] bite-sized chunks. It's well polished and should only get bigger and better with upcoming updates.
You can see my full review here: http://vimeo.com/3332703
@Ryoma: There actually are a few perks that give you either a health boost or allow you to go out Kamikaze style.
Is this the iPhone's first Robotron or Smash TV? if so i'm sold
@imakegames
You have to kidding me, I hope that your retired. This game is awesome and the crew at Chillingo deserve alot of credit, making it to #1 worldwide. I'm a huge gamer and hopefully there effort helps to raise the bar for all future games. Looking forward to future updates and your upcoming releases. Thank you.
I thought this game would be a bit dull, but I actually really like it! I love the music too. It reminds me of my Amiga days.
What I would like to see in an update is different areas. You battle through, say, 10 2 minute waves of monsters and you can then move to a different area. This would be a great incentive to keep playing to unlock new areas.
Forgot to say this earlier, but I think they should make the screen reorient to how you hold the device. The main reason for this is that with the current orientation, where the home button of the device is on the left side, the directional circle pad sometimes gets in the way of the headphone jack. Anybody feeling the same way? I really hope it could be reoriented. In fact most landscape view type of games use the other orientation (home button on the right side), and not the current one that iDracula is using.
The graphics are good, but more importantly the controls are excellent. This same type of control (one circle for movement, the other for firing direction) are used for Dropship, but for some reason they don't feel right on that game to me. At least, they're much harder to master on Dropship. For iDracula, the control is spot-on.
The game is shallow, but entertaining. I love it. At $1, it's a no-brainer.