Jason Howell I hate Amazon Underground

[G+_Marlon Thompson]

Jason Howell  I hate Amazon Underground

 

When I heard about it I cringed, the reason is two fold, its not sustainable and it reinforces a bad model which may lead to worse apps.

 

First off IAP is not the problem , bad IAP is the problem and in my mind Amazon underground reinforces bad habits. Instead app stores should be rewarding those developers that are providing unique experiences and are building a business model around that. Best example I can think off is Hipster Whale the developer of crossy road and Pac Man 256. In both these games you can play for free all you want but you gain benefits by watching video ads or you can choose to buy characters, or you can play the entire game without doing either and just play the game. And the developer made 10 million in 3 months which isn't too bad, Its not candy crush dollars but its nothing to sneeze at. http://www.polygon.com/2015/3/3/8142247/crossy-road-earnings-10-million-gdc-2015

 

We also have the option of subscription services for games and apps, especially education apps which give the expectation of ever increasing content and value added features. Plus I don't believe that Amazon will indefinitely continue this program as I don't think it will catch on and I fear we will get inferior apps being put out in an atempt to game the system. 

 

That is one of the reasons I personally started doing my weekend app recommendations, highlighting fun apps that give good value for money and fill the same itch like the apps we will see in underground.

 

I will revisit this in a year to see where Underground is , 

http://www.polygon.com/2015/3/3/8142247/crossy-road-earnings-10-million-gdc-2015

[G+_Byron S]

Hopefully they don't end up like the so many one or two hit wonder developers, like the ones that made Angry Birds, Farmville, that friends draw picture quiz game app (???).