Lessons from launching a free game

Launching an app teaches you things that no plan does. Here are some lessons.

Fix the basics before promotion

Store pages, screenshots, the download page and tracked links. Every visitor that you get by promotion should land on something that works.

Friends matter more than strangers

A score means more when you can compare it with people that you know. That is why the leaderboard shows your friends.

The first minute decides

If a new player does not understand the first screen, they leave. Simple words and one clear action per screen help.

Feedback is gold

Every email and every comment is worth reading. Many fixes come from one person who took the time to write.

Marketing is a habit

One big launch post is not enough. Small, steady posts over months work better.