Is it worth making a game if something similar already exists?

StormyStudio

Evening. I have just discovered a game on the app store very similar to one I am in the early stages of making. I had searched before but this time tried some other varied key words.

Although mine would be graphically different and play a bit better (I would hope) the ideas are very similar. Don't think the previous one has ever been a hit. Not many reviews.

Is it worth continuing and try and make it bigger better and more fun or go for another idea. Lots if ideas floating around and jotted down, this one seemed do able with my current gs skill level with a slight learning curve.

Any thoughts welcome. Basically isnit worth trying to better someone elses creation or should I try and think of something original. Is there still original ideas to be had for the app store that could commercially sell?

Eastbound

I would definitely say go for it.

Some games are over saturated, though. I would not attempt a tower defense game or scrabble clone, but if it is a good game go for it.

Kill the King has been successful amongst multiple similair apps.

Sparkyidr

I'd say go for it... if there are not a load of games in that style, and you think yours will be the best of a small bunch, then it's gotta be done. )

ktfright

Do something to make it stand out more.

StormyStudio

Cool there is only 1 game that I would say is similar, and another trying to be similar but so bad I can ignore it . Cheers for the upbeat replies. Now I feel like rocky balboa ready to run up a big flight of stairs. The game has a cannon in it but not like kill the king, which I still play after downloading last week. Great game. .

Fingers crossed my game will be better than the current one on the app store. Might slowly work on it over the next 2 months to get it just right. Cheers

butterbean

I would say, no matter what, go for it! You never know which "version" of that game might turn popular, you have nothing to lose

quantumsheep

Is the idea that's similar to yours an originial one, or part of a genre?

I think there's nothing wrong with having similar ideas, so long as you add something new to it. My latest project could be dismissed as a top-down shooter - but it has lots of nice little touches in it which I think elevate it above the norm.

And with 140 thousand apps available, being truly original could be very hard!

So, er, Go For IT!

As to whether original ideas can be profitable, I think that's harder to quantify. However, if you think that every falling game, every scrolling shooter, every game of a 'type' or 'genre' had a starting point, there's nothing to say you won't kick off something new and exciting

Good luck fella!

QS

beaudoin_n

Absolutely go for it... and don't forget the reviews are not always a good indicator of downloads.
Also the images make a big difference in choosing an app.. go for something that will get the users looking at your description.

Of course if your competitors are giving it away for free and you want to sell it for 2.99 i'd say good luck... but same or almost price, a few more marketing punches on your side and you can get downloaded too.

Have fun

JamesZeppelin

Sonic never gave up over Mario. Or for that matter I could be wrong bit I don't think doodle jump was the first "doodle" game. Or what if someone said oh there is already a FPS out there called doom let's do something else

Vmlweb

With 140,000 apps already on the AppStore it's hard to even think of new ideas

Hunnenkoenig

Go for it.
Make it better, shinier :-)
And advertise, advertise, advertise :-)

StormyStudio

ok, I'll go ahead the and make Doodle Hop... :-)

a highly original game where you control a small alien with a big nose and guide him the up the level hopping as high as you can go before falling to your doom....

That was a joke, but now I've written it and actually sounds ok and would probably sell ... hmmm