Early January Release - GOOD or BAD idea?

DigiChain

Having taken community advice and witheld from releasing my game in December, I'm wondering what opinions (hopefully based on experience) are for an early January release?

I haven't yet submitted the game for review, so obviously the review time would determine the exact release date. Is January another bad month? I don't think I can hold out much longer... I'm out of work, and out of time so need (hope, hope,hope) a success before they send me back down the mine!...

MarkOnTheIron

I'm in the same boat as you. I have a new game to release and some HD versions. I will submit them planning on releasing them starting from mid January. Hopefully the big companies will have stopped with their crazy sales and hopefully Apple will fix the new release page bug that let also updates to be shown here.


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Mcreator83

yup i delayed my game until January 8th because of this so I'm wondering if i should delay it even more :P

mikelowe

Why would January or December be bad months? One of my apps is thriving more than it ever has. This month has been the best month I have had since I started developing. I hope January will be good too. Its right after the holidays and many people probably have fresh new iTunes cards/money to spend. Hope this helps.

@MarkOnTheIron I actually really like the fact that updates go to new releases. It has helped my sales a lot. I would not call it a bug.

DigiChain

Well seems everyone has differing views on this one.

I guess what I'm really concerned about is whether there is generally still a flood of new releases in January meaning less exposure for each of us in the new releases lists?

osucowboy18

I too am curious if releasing say around the second week in January would be a good idea. Could someone with a little more experience confirm weather or not to release in January?

- Alex

firemaplegames

December and January have always been the best two months for me sales-wise. February is always the slowest for me.
This past Christmas day was the best all-time sales day for me ever - and I haven't released a new game in over a year.

I really wanted to have my new game finished for the holidays this year but wasn't able to finish it on time.

If possible, I think it is best to release a game in October and November so word of mouth can make the game rise up the charts and be visible at the the top of the charts for Christmas.