Release date strategy question/suggestions

Holderness_Media_Inc

My new game was approved today (October 9th), and I'm trying to decide how best to release it.
I apologize that this is kind of a few questions in one post.

Originally, I had planned to release the game on Friday when the new iPhone 4s is released in the U.S. I submitted my app only 4 days ago, I had set my release date in ITC for October 14th, expecting that I would barely have enough time to get the app approved by then. Apple was really fast this time, ive never had a game for iPhone approved that fast, usually it's around a week to 10 days.

So now, I'm thinking perhaps I' might be better off to release the day BEFORE iPhone 4s launch, on Thursday the 13th. I've read a few posts on here suggesting it may be smarter to release a bit before a major launch since tons of games will likely be released on major launch days/holidays and it will be easy to get lost in the sea of apps on that day.

To boil it down:

1) What is your opinion, release on Friday October 14th when the iPhone 4s launches?
Or release 1-2 days earlier?

2) Are there still bugs with iTunes Connect regarding release date? My original release date is October 14th, will changing it an earlier date mess up my game showing up properly on the new releases category?

Thanks in advance!

tenrdrmer

I always try to release on a Thursday it gives the longest time to be noticed before the next N&N selections are made. Although I have seen ppl release on Wed and make N&N so my reasoning is prob pointless. LOL

Holderness_Media_Inc

tenrdrmer said:
I always try to release on a Thursday it gives the longest time to be noticed before the next N&N selections are made. Although I have seen ppl release on Wed and make N&N so my reasoning is prob pointless. LOL

I've been following this "release on Thursday" advice, as per previous threads. It's hard to say what works, I've had a few of my music apps get on New and Noteworthy on iTunes, but not on devices yet. Most were released on a Thursday, some with a little marketing (music forum posts and PRmac), and some with no marketing whatsoever. Seems like reasonable logic though to release on Thursdays, I'm just wondering how it pertains to this particular iPhone 4s release.

It seems like, if I were buying an iPhone for the first time, or even as an upgrade, there's that tendency to load up on new apps. That makes me feel like being listed on the new releases category on Friday would be a good thing... unless theres a million other big name games released the same day.

Anyone tried a release strategy relating to holidays or new device launches?

quantumsheep

Holderness_Media_Inc said:
Anyone tried a release strategy relating to holidays or new device launches?

I think that the general consensus is that it's a bad idea to launch at these times.

The main reason being that the big boys will muscle in with sales and promotions as they're thinking just like you do!

Imagine going up against a big EA or GameLoft game that's priced the same as your game. Which are people more likely to go for?

QS

Edited to Add: As an aside, once Sunshine is out, that'll pretty much be it for me this year. I could finish another game before the end of the year, but with Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Xmas coming up, it seems silly to me to rush and finish and try and compete. Better to wait till January I reckon!

Holderness_Media_Inc

quantumsheep said:
I think that the general consensus is that it's a bad idea to launch at these times.

The main reason being that the big boys will muscle in with sales and promotions as they're thinking just like you do!

Imagine going up against a big EA or GameLoft game that's priced the same as your game. Which are people more likely to go for?

QS

Edited to Add: As an aside, once Sunshine is out, that'll pretty much be it for me this year. I could finish another game before the end of the year, but with Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Xmas coming up, it seems silly to me to rush and finish and try and compete. Better to wait till January I reckon!

True. So, release before? Maybe Wednesday even? Or wait until the following week?

quantumsheep

Holderness_Media_Inc said:
True. So, release before? Maybe Wednesday even? Or wait until the following week?

I really wouldn't want to tell you! I could be way off!

I'm *planning* to release on October 21st - it's more than a week before Halloween.

However, if I get delayed (grrrrr) then it'll probably be the week after Halloween as then there's a bit of time before thanksgiving...

Who knows, eh?

QS

Holderness_Media_Inc

quantumsheep said:
I really wouldn't want to tell you! I could be way off!

I'm *planning* to release on October 21st - it's more than a week before Halloween.

However, if I get delayed (grrrrr) then it'll probably be the week after Halloween as then there's a bit of time before thanksgiving...

Who knows, eh?

QS

Haha, I understand.
Going to think it over for a bit and decide. I still have to finish my game trailer, Ive been trying to give my poor eyeballs a rest the past few days since they've been pummeled lately.

BlackbirdStudios

I'm working on a game that is holiday themed. (Christmas and Winter) But I am going to shoot for a very early December release date, (Maybe even late November) because of the "Big Guys."

I think it also depends on the type of game. If it isn't really seasonally themed, then try to avoid those big guys as much as possible. Actually, ALWAYS avoid the Big Guys

-Matt

Holderness_Media_Inc

BlackbirdStudios said:
I'm working on a game that is holiday themed. (Christmas and Winter) But I am going to shoot for a very early December release date, (Maybe even late November) because of the "Big Guys."

I think it also depends on the type of game. If it isn't really seasonally themed, then try to avoid those big guys as much as possible. Actually, ALWAYS avoid the Big Guys

-Matt

Thanks for the feedback. I'm leaning towards releasing Wednesday or Thursday, just need to get everything in order in time. I'm going to research release dates of some other popular indie games first, just to see if that reveals anything.

quantumsheep

Holderness_Media_Inc said:
Thanks for the feedback. I'm leaning towards releasing Wednesday or Thursday, just need to get everything in order in time. I'm going to research release dates of some other popular indie games first, just to see if that reveals anything.

Let us know what you find!

BlackbirdStudios said:
Actually, ALWAYS avoid the Big Guys

Sage advice!

QS

BlackbirdStudios

Holderness_Media_Inc said:
Thanks for the feedback. I'm leaning towards releasing Wednesday or Thursday, just need to get everything in order in time. I'm going to research release dates of some other popular indie games first, just to see if that reveals anything.

Yea let us know. I would be interested to see the results...