I enjoyed reading this post because these issues are always on running through my mind.

The difference between the AppStore today and the AppStore just a few moments ago is incredible. The AppStore’s #1 is notorious for having some random game superglued onto it by some viral or controversial characteristic (i.e. iFart and etc.).

If you look at traditional gaming markets, like the XBox, this isn’t the case at all. Even on casual markets, like the Wii, the level of demand for fully featured games is huge.

Today, the iFart era seems to be slowing down - if not over entirely. Just looking at the top 25 now, there’s simply not a single game that’s anywhere near the simplicity of iFart. There are a few that might not be truly large scale, but even the ping-pong game is in 3D! With games like Sims 3, F.A.S.T., Peggle and Let’s Golf nearing the top, the AppStore is definitely capable of sustaining large scale games which may make thriving a challenge for small developers. As you mentioned, getting exposer is much much harder now days, and is getting harder every day.

My original game, SciFly: Dogfight, was able to stand out enough to get some coverage on a good amount of review sites (including TA even). But, if I released it today, I doubt I’d get a single mention. Why should I when there’s games like FAST on the store?

When I started drafting the design for SciFly 2, I realized I had to scale things up a huge amount to stay visible in the store. Developing on that design has been extremely though. And the funny thing is, as fast as I can develop the design, the AppStore’s expectations grow even fast. It’s like swimming upstream, basically.

At this point, I’d be very happy if I’m able to develop SciFly 2 fast enough to stay noticeable on the store. And after that, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it’s simply impossible for me to be successful as an independent developer.

Haha, sorry it took me so long to get to the point.
In all honesty though, none of this bothers me at all. I absolutely love the entrepreneurial game, and I’m very happy to have been able to join when I was 16. Analyzing where things are, and where they’re going is what makes business exciting!

Thanks for the great read,
Josh

Please let you know my phone number 82-10-8768-1241.
I can get my cell phone anytime and really hope to have a talk with you during my trip in the USA, 21/6~10/7.

I will go to the LA in 21 June for the feature series “Searching for the new growth way of blog and newspaper” and stay in the USA until 10 July.
During 4~10 July, I am going to be around the New York. I hope to have a chance to talk with you. please refer to my previous replies.

I could know you’re so busy with blogging, however would you please share some time for an interview with Seoul Daily, Korea?
I would like to visit the USA in coming JULY and have a face to face talk with you about your blog.
Please let me have any answer.
Thank you in advance for your time.

Hello;
I’m a journalist of Seoul Daily, Korea and leaving a comment to ask you an interview.
Actually I sent you so many mails but all of them were returned. Could you please check you e-mail address?
I prepare a feature story on the Blog which is making profits and has a success.
The title of our feature series is “Searing for the new growth power of the Blog and newspaper.”

First I know your blog from the New York Times article and then have interest in your life.
The Seoul Daily in which I’m working for is the oldest, 105 years old newspaper in Korea and one of top 10 national daily.
Now I’m working at the online news department and try to find out how to overcome the crisis of old-fashioned newspaper.
I plan to visit the United States at the end of June or beginning of July.
I hope to see you face to face and have a lot of talk about your successful blog.
Please give me your reply to geo@seoul.co.kr

Best Regard,

Changsoo Yun
Online news department
The Seoul Daily News (www.seoul.co.kr)
Tel: 82-2-2000-9828
Cell: 82-11-9768-1241