Jaxel Studios - A Year in Review - Developer Story (including download and income figures

dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
in Working with GS (Mac)
Jaxel Studios

Hello GS Community. Today I published this on my website. I thought I would share as I would like to hear input from both new and experienced developers. Im amazed how many more downloads I get on Google Play compared to iOS. All feedback very welcome. I hope this can inspire some of you.

If you take the time to read or share this please take 5 seconds to also like us on facebook and follow us on twitter :

FACEBOOK
TWITTER

 

As Jaxel Studios turns one year old at the end of this month, I wanted to be completely open for many reasons. Many friends/family and developers ask about my "hobby" so I am more than happy to share. I hope my  story can inspire current and future developers out there.  My main goal when starting Jaxel Studios was to create apps, suitable for all ages that made people smile.  It is as simple as that! Over the last 12 months, I have achieved far more than I thought possible :

THE FIGURES

We currently have 7 apps live for the world to download at any time in the iOS App store ,Google Play and Amazon app store. Our total combined app downloads are approximately are over 14,000 - I NEVER thought I would of achieved this in the first year. Here is the download and income break down:

Total Website Traffic - 4,987 Hits

Total iOS downloads  3,047

Total Google Play downloads 10,592

Total Income  iOS 15.21 USD

Total Income  Google Play 36.33 USD

Our most downloaded FREE app is MOTR Coin Flip Lite - This was our very first app based on pure luck when flicking a coin. I wanted the app to be a way of getting our name out there. I think it has achieved success.

Out most downloaded PAID app is Shuffle 5 - A gigantic word game only recently released - Over 9 months of development. Some steady downloads and great reviews recieved. High hopes for this app.

My total expenses last year was approximately 1000 USD. Of course covering costs is eventually essential to every business but it isn't my main objective. I do this because I enjoy it and it's a great fun hobby. The rule of thumb of most business is to cover initial start up / make profit after 3 years. This remains a focus but is not my main aim.

MEDIA

I think Jaxel Studios has become know to some developers and the dev community. As we expand our platform, hopefully people who like our apps will continue to use them and try our new ones. I did a developer interview for tapfortap - It is their highest viewed developer interview. Im really happy to help people out by being open and sharing my strategy and lesson learned. Almost 5,000 views of people listening to me talk for almost 20 minutes I am impressed :) So if you want to learn about HOW I make my app and who makes them be sure to check it out.

 

Developer interview click here

SPONSORS 

 

I believe the key to success is to help others. We created a sponsorship page. We have some excellent sponsors that offer great local services. This is an excellent way to support friends and family who have a business. Helping each other promote can only be beneifical. Highlights include sponsoring WinAPenthouse.com and sponsoring a successful Racing Driver! We even helped a student develop an app completely FREE in just 2 days!

PARTNERS

Two heads are better that one as the saying goes. We proudly created a partners page. We help each other cross promote apps and exchange ideas / tips n tricks. A fantastic investment and time very well spent. We even offered free promo codes when we partnered with the creators of nom nom monkey! I hope to be able to offer more cross promotions in the future.

LOOKING AHEAD

We have a busy year ahead. After much demand, Shuffle 5 comes to iOS  at the end of this month. We are working closely on translating "Angelina's Verden" into English. This is one of the top selling apps in Norway - designed by a father for his daughter with special needs - a FREE and interactive app. We may cross over into developing on Windows 8 and kindle devices. We are also creating an app for stroke suffers, to improve their hand control and mental abilities such as words,colours and numbers.  Of course my family and career are a priority. I developer apps in my spare time. I try to do as much as I can, but sometimes there simply isnt time for developing. I hope I will be able to successfully manage all of these in the future.

GAMESALAD COMMUNITY

I use an app called gamesalad to publish my apps. A big thanks to everyone for all the advise to help me on my way. Go try gamesalad its FREE to make apps!

THANK YOU

Thank You to everyone who took the time to kindly download and try our apps. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. ( Be sure to search " Jaxel Studios" the app store to see ALL our apps. ) If it wasn't for each and every one of you,I wouldn't be doing a hobby which I very much enjoy! Stay tuned!!!!

Kind Regards

Doug James

Director, Jaxel Studios

 

 

Comments

  • Team6LabsTeam6Labs Member Posts: 541
    Good read actually. I think your goal for 2013 should be to lower cost and improve margins. While 14k downloads is a pretty good number, you only made $51.54 with $1000 expenses. What are those cost made of?

    Overall looks like you had an ok (but fun) year. Good luck with development!
    Warning There was an error rendering this rich post.
  • dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
    hi @poisenden - many thanks for the feeback. About 80% is on actual app development using contractors, 15% advertising and 5% website. Now I have the foundation set, I can spend very little on more apps. All bug tweaking and updates are free. But as the saying goes you have to spend money to make money. Im hoping shuffle 5 takes off well. I would like to cover around 50% of my costs this year if possible. But it is nice as it is a hobby and not a priority for me. Have you had any luck with iads? I had many clicks on my ad but not a single conversion to a paid download.
  • PBEmpirePBEmpire Member Posts: 676
    It is not surprising that you get more downloads in play store than app store. Android now runs on 75% of all mobile devices and with over few hundred million good android phones (100 mil being samsung "s" series phones), it is obvious you can make more in android than ios. good luck for this year.
  • dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
    Many thanks @gsrockz123 - my issue is I have no revenue for FREE apps on google play . Gamesalad currently doesn't offer IAP or ads . I hope they will soon. Also I really like that google play u can see how many active installs ! All in all I'd summarise google play installation and tracking far easier and enjoyable than iOS - especially for new developers. Publishing live is extremely exciting .
  • ElfizmElfizm Member Posts: 489
    Thanks for sharing and well done. It may have not been a very successful year in terms of money, and you won't be driving around in that new car either but you have has fun...., which is same as a new car would provide.

    I have mates and they always say android gets a lot more downloads and easier to work with so when GS gives Iaps for android it could be benefit for you. All the best :)
  • dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
    many thnks @Elfizm
  • Alembic_SoftworksAlembic_Softworks Member Posts: 114
    Your first year's success won't be measured in dollars but in experience and building your brand - onward and upward. You've got a lot of new challenges and excitement to look forward to. :)
  • CaptFinnCaptFinn Member Posts: 1,828
    Ive been with GS Pro use for less than 2 years. I have 3 apps on the market that were made with GS. And 1 elsewhere.

    ABCs & 123s for ipad
    ABCs & 123s SD for iphone
    Mix and Match ABCS for iphone

    Billiards 101.

    I have to say I was lucky. ABCs & 123s for ipad alone has paid me back all my expenses and more. I hope the Game Im developing now " DEVILS RUN " will do very well. It will be my first real Game and not some educational or instructional style app.

    Im glad you shared this info with us. It will help me in the long run.
  • dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
    very welcome all! @Jeffnichols can you be more specific to help me? Were your downloads paid or IAP? Mostly google or ios?
  • CaptFinnCaptFinn Member Posts: 1,828
    All iOS. nothing else. and all Paid apps. all .99 cent apps except Billiards 101 it is a 2.99 app. The first week of sales on my ABCs & 123s App made 5-6x more than my investment in all my apps combined. But of course all the apps have slown down to a crawl now. But with each new app I release. I have a " more apps" section and advertise all my apps. And soon Ill make updates for all my apps that will have updates "More Apps" sections
  • imGuaimGua Member Posts: 1,089
    Go try gamesalad its FREE to make apps!
    ---------------
    image

    Shadows Peak is an atmospheric psychological horror that explores the dark side of a player.

  • dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
    Thx for sharing and very well done . What link format do you use so the App you have opens direct in the App Store on the device ?
  • dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
    And gamesalad is free ;) I see your point it's not completely free to publish but to make the apps it is free , a amazing really ! Developers are spoilt for choice !
  • imGuaimGua Member Posts: 1,089
    edited January 2013
    It's just strange to see an advice for game salad forum users to try Game Salad. :)

    Shadows Peak is an atmospheric psychological horror that explores the dark side of a player.

  • dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
    It's a copy and paste from my website article ;)
  • BreckenBrecken Member Posts: 143
    Fantastic Article ! Many thanks
  • dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
    Thank you
  • quantumsheepquantumsheep Member Posts: 8,188
    Just wanted to say this was an interesting read, and I admire the idea behind helping stroke sufferers with an app. Nice one!

    I'd definitely have a look at Kindle and Win8. I remember trying the Android stuff when GS first made it available and for me, it really wasn't worth bothering with (as in the performance of my games weren't up to my standards at the time).

    Having recently dabbled with it again, it's all working a hell of a lot better! Definitely worth looking at now! :D

    Good luck!

    QS

    Dr. Sam Beckett never returned home...
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Quantum_Sheep
    Web: https://quantumsheep.itch.io

  • dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
    Cheers quantum . Is amazon just a unsigned apk file ? What about windows 8 do u use a normal iPhone project file size or android ?
  • quantumsheepquantumsheep Member Posts: 8,188
    edited January 2013
    From what I gather, two files are generated when you publish.

    1. An unsigned apk file for Amazon
    2. A signed apk file for google play

    I haven't really looked properly at Win8 (yet) but this seems to take most of the hassle out of porting:

    http://forums.gamesalad.com/discussion/46372/just-one-step-to-convert-projects-between-all-platform/p1

    Hope that helps,

    QS

    Dr. Sam Beckett never returned home...
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Quantum_Sheep
    Web: https://quantumsheep.itch.io

  • dugisthekingdugistheking Member Posts: 83
    This is amazing way to convert projects ! What about coordinates and things do they need to be corrected ?
  • lewisonelewisone Member Posts: 48
    Interesting numbers, thank you so much for sharing @JaxelStudios it is much appreciated.

    -LewisOne (My Website, FB, Twitter, IG, YT)

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