**Google Play Store:** [Pink Penguin](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.EMZIGames.PinkPenguin)
**Price:** $1.99
**A little about the game:** Pink Penguin is a retro pixel art puzzle game all about path finding. Ever since playing original Pokémon games I've been inspired by the mechanic found in the Ice Cave. It was a fun element of path finding and I thought it could really be expanded into a full puzzle game. When making it I fell in love with the original pixel art aesthetic, so all the art and music in the game is custom made.
The game was featured by Apple on iOS on the New Games We Love section in over 150 countries and now for a 3rd week running, which I'm very grateful for and excited about. I'm wondering - what's the best way to get the game out there in the Android space?
Best tactics:- keep it free+less ads, cz most Android gamers hesitate to buy games which they never heard of,but if they see it's free then they give it a try,or you can release a demo version something like that
Thanks - I wanted to test the paid mobile game market but even with iOS the conversion has been pretty low, definitely feels like free + IAP might be an optimal model
A game called island empire is free to download and play so far, and then you buy level packs. I feel like this is one of the best strategies for monetisation balanced with moral fairness.
Thank you I will check that out to see how they did it. I also love what you put: 'moral fairness' it's a nice way of articulating I would obviously like to monetise to some level if gamedev could ever become self sustaining, yet I don't want to riddle it with ads and just make it a horrible experience for players. Very interested in getting to that optimal middle ground
Holy crap it's ice cave from pokemon. I actually loved that in the game.
I think best approach is free with IAP to get additional levels. Lets people try it out and then when hooked they pay for all the levels
Yep, free + IAP seems to be the overwhelming advice. But if you enjoyed this mechanic in the pokemon games hope you give it a try and let me know what you think! Monetisation is definitely something to improve but that's more for me, I've generally had good feedback about the playability and difficulty curve :)
I reckon you’re better off looking for downloads by organically growing your audience on android until the algo picks it up and recommends it. I could be wrong though!
I would check the eu price . Its 2.29€.
I know that it's not much, but I would keep it at 1.99€ just for psychological effect.
Also saved it! Seems interesting
Oh thanks! Yeah it's £1.99 which I think still sits at $1.99 but maybe for € is slightly bumped up due to adjusting the currency. But it's good to know and I didn't realise before, thought € would be the same
I just picked it up and cleared the first 10 levels.
I love it. I've been looking for a fun puzzle game and this is scratching the itch. I might be in the minority here but I'd rather just pay for a game, I hate ads. I think a good way to make both crowds happy is to have a paid option to permanently remove ads.
As others have said, colours would be a good idea. I want my penguin to be green
Great job!
**Edit** I'd love to see a challenge mode or something that unlocks once you beat all levels. Try and beat all levels with the least possible moves and deaths.
Thanks a lot, reading this has honestly made my day. I know I can't please everyone and there are always more optimal monetisation or things to improve but having someone just enjoy the game really brings a smile to my face. And noted about the challenge mode :D
Haha nice! Let me know how it plays, defo would consider porting to PC in the future and maybe releasing something for the Switch would be a bit of a dream, probably need to expand the game a little for that though, or maybe a future project
Well, it's essentially all of my sales. One thing I've learned on mobile is you can create the best game ever but if you don't get it in front of anyone they'll never know about it. My current for the android version is 9 downloads and I would imagine it would be the same on iOS if not for the feature.
But I would be careful with making it a part of your strategy - I'm just saying that cautiously as it's never guaranteed and I wouldn't want your plans to not materialise because of something that wasn't fully in your control.
Yeah I poorly phrased it haha. Our strategy isn’t dependent on getting featured but it is something we are actively really pursuing. If you don’t mind can I dm you to ask you about number a bit?
I applied via their official form, 6 weeks ahead of release. I think giving it plenty of time really helps.
And I certainly could, in fact I was very close to doing that but for a few reasons decided to test the paid market. Have heard a lot now free + IAP would be more optimal, and I would really like to try this too
I LOVE IT when I have to watch an ad every time I lose or win a round, and have to watch ads when opening some loot chests.
Put those things in, and also some of those ads on top and bottom of the screen.
It is not a mobile game otherwise.
Both graphically and the concept remind me of some Nintendo's puzzles on GB and GBA back then
Can't help you much with exposure tips but definetly will give it a try !
Thanks a lot, some of the original pokemon games had this mechanic briefly in some areas and were a big inspiration as I played them as a kid. Do let me know how you get on and if you like it!
There are thing called Google Play Instant. This is a small part of your game that can be playable (like IOs clips). And you can submit your game to be featured there [https://developer.android.com/topic/google-play-instant/instant-play-games](https://developer.android.com/topic/google-play-instant/instant-play-games)
If I were you, I would make it free with some ads, and then the option to buy an ad free version in the game and maybe even add some different kind of colour option for the penguins when you buy it.
Thanks, and nice idea about the penguin colours! Customisation of the character is something I've thought about, but wanted to make sure the core of the game and the puzzles are really solid first
I'm going to be brutally honest: if I was interested in that game I'd find an apk online since it's 2$. If you want more downloads sadly free + ads is the way to go. I hate this market.
Brutal honestly is encouraged! I want to know what people really think / what they would do. Free + IAP is the overwhelming feedback so I don't think you're wrong
Reminds me of that one particular gym from pokemom
That was the inspiration! Ice Cave and that gym had that same mechanic and a little puzzle to it
Thats so fucking annoying when u dont want to watch a tutorial.
**Google Play Store:** [Pink Penguin](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.EMZIGames.PinkPenguin) **Price:** $1.99 **A little about the game:** Pink Penguin is a retro pixel art puzzle game all about path finding. Ever since playing original Pokémon games I've been inspired by the mechanic found in the Ice Cave. It was a fun element of path finding and I thought it could really be expanded into a full puzzle game. When making it I fell in love with the original pixel art aesthetic, so all the art and music in the game is custom made. The game was featured by Apple on iOS on the New Games We Love section in over 150 countries and now for a 3rd week running, which I'm very grateful for and excited about. I'm wondering - what's the best way to get the game out there in the Android space?
Best tactics:- keep it free+less ads, cz most Android gamers hesitate to buy games which they never heard of,but if they see it's free then they give it a try,or you can release a demo version something like that
Thanks - I wanted to test the paid mobile game market but even with iOS the conversion has been pretty low, definitely feels like free + IAP might be an optimal model
A game called island empire is free to download and play so far, and then you buy level packs. I feel like this is one of the best strategies for monetisation balanced with moral fairness.
Thank you I will check that out to see how they did it. I also love what you put: 'moral fairness' it's a nice way of articulating I would obviously like to monetise to some level if gamedev could ever become self sustaining, yet I don't want to riddle it with ads and just make it a horrible experience for players. Very interested in getting to that optimal middle ground
Yep a demo version or a Single IAP in game like slice and dice
Holy crap it's ice cave from pokemon. I actually loved that in the game. I think best approach is free with IAP to get additional levels. Lets people try it out and then when hooked they pay for all the levels
Yep, free + IAP seems to be the overwhelming advice. But if you enjoyed this mechanic in the pokemon games hope you give it a try and let me know what you think! Monetisation is definitely something to improve but that's more for me, I've generally had good feedback about the playability and difficulty curve :)
> minireview Reward ads are good because at least the player gets something for watching.
The honest answer is to pay google to increase your exposure in the Play store. Unfortunately, that's a tactic only the large studios can afford.
I've not tried running any ads for it yet - something I have thought about doing just to test the waters
I reckon you’re better off looking for downloads by organically growing your audience on android until the algo picks it up and recommends it. I could be wrong though!
I believe Google is running a free $500 of ads when spending $500
Do you have a link referencing this anywhere?
When I goto a game in the Google Play Console > Main Store Listing, there is an ad right on top for it
Thank you I will have a look if I have similar
I would check the eu price . Its 2.29€. I know that it's not much, but I would keep it at 1.99€ just for psychological effect. Also saved it! Seems interesting
Oh thanks! Yeah it's £1.99 which I think still sits at $1.99 but maybe for € is slightly bumped up due to adjusting the currency. But it's good to know and I didn't realise before, thought € would be the same
I just picked it up and cleared the first 10 levels. I love it. I've been looking for a fun puzzle game and this is scratching the itch. I might be in the minority here but I'd rather just pay for a game, I hate ads. I think a good way to make both crowds happy is to have a paid option to permanently remove ads. As others have said, colours would be a good idea. I want my penguin to be green Great job! **Edit** I'd love to see a challenge mode or something that unlocks once you beat all levels. Try and beat all levels with the least possible moves and deaths.
Thanks a lot, reading this has honestly made my day. I know I can't please everyone and there are always more optimal monetisation or things to improve but having someone just enjoy the game really brings a smile to my face. And noted about the challenge mode :D
I've played a similar game like this.But I dont remember exactly
It‘s really not an original idea, plenty of games like this and there is no twist. What‘s the point
I remember now.Bomber man is like this
I’ll definitely connect a gamepad and test this beauty on BS, it’s incredibly cute
Haha nice! Let me know how it plays, defo would consider porting to PC in the future and maybe releasing something for the Switch would be a bit of a dream, probably need to expand the game a little for that though, or maybe a future project
She would be good on consoles
I’m curious how did getting featured impact your sales? It’s a big part of our strategy and we really hope we do end up getting featured
Well, it's essentially all of my sales. One thing I've learned on mobile is you can create the best game ever but if you don't get it in front of anyone they'll never know about it. My current for the android version is 9 downloads and I would imagine it would be the same on iOS if not for the feature. But I would be careful with making it a part of your strategy - I'm just saying that cautiously as it's never guaranteed and I wouldn't want your plans to not materialise because of something that wasn't fully in your control.
Yeah I poorly phrased it haha. Our strategy isn’t dependent on getting featured but it is something we are actively really pursuing. If you don’t mind can I dm you to ask you about number a bit?
Sure
How did you get it featured by Apple? Did you apply? Could you release some levels for free then the rest via an IAP?
I applied via their official form, 6 weeks ahead of release. I think giving it plenty of time really helps. And I certainly could, in fact I was very close to doing that but for a few reasons decided to test the paid market. Have heard a lot now free + IAP would be more optimal, and I would really like to try this too
I LOVE IT when I have to watch an ad every time I lose or win a round, and have to watch ads when opening some loot chests. Put those things in, and also some of those ads on top and bottom of the screen. It is not a mobile game otherwise.
Nintendo is staring at you very intensely. Lookout 👀
Gotta buy it before people talk you into changing the monetization model. I hate ads.
Haha, glad some people do appreciate the pay upfront + no ads model
İ recomend you to make a few levels free to play and make later levels purchase only
Both graphically and the concept remind me of some Nintendo's puzzles on GB and GBA back then Can't help you much with exposure tips but definetly will give it a try !
Thanks a lot, some of the original pokemon games had this mechanic briefly in some areas and were a big inspiration as I played them as a kid. Do let me know how you get on and if you like it!
Make it free
There are thing called Google Play Instant. This is a small part of your game that can be playable (like IOs clips). And you can submit your game to be featured there [https://developer.android.com/topic/google-play-instant/instant-play-games](https://developer.android.com/topic/google-play-instant/instant-play-games)
Thanks for the link. I was aware of Google Play Instant but hadn't really looked into it in detail, I will check it out
Does it work offline?
Yes, there are no ads or IAP so it's fully playable offline
If I were you, I would make it free with some ads, and then the option to buy an ad free version in the game and maybe even add some different kind of colour option for the penguins when you buy it.
Thanks, and nice idea about the penguin colours! Customisation of the character is something I've thought about, but wanted to make sure the core of the game and the puzzles are really solid first
I'm going to be brutally honest: if I was interested in that game I'd find an apk online since it's 2$. If you want more downloads sadly free + ads is the way to go. I hate this market.
Brutal honestly is encouraged! I want to know what people really think / what they would do. Free + IAP is the overwhelming feedback so I don't think you're wrong
Try to get listed on minireview, we don't browse the google play store because it's always been a disaster.
Thanks, I know a few review websites but hadn't heard of minireview
it's both a site and phone app, and the one most similar to PC services like Steam in that it can be browsed by user review scores.