Ask HN: Should I remove the level limit in the DropZap web demo?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1026035

by amichail • 17 years ago

6 16 17 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

It seems risky to me because someone could just copy the javascript and I won't be able to put the level limit back in. I could try some form of Javascript copy protection, but anything can be broken.

Moreover, people could just play DropZap in the iPhone/iPod touch web browser unless I explicitly prevent that from happening (which might upset Google).

It's not clear what I should do...

Shamiq2• 17 years ago

So I played a couple rounds of the game just now to get a feel for it. Could you do a timed variant of the game? As in free play on level 1 for N amount of time?

EDIT

Here's a link to the demo: http://dropzap.appspot.com/

amichail2• 17 years ago

Could you elaborate? Why would this be better than the existing demo?

Shamiq2• 17 years ago

To tell the truth, I've got no idea. I'm just spitting ideas out.

pbhjpbhj• 17 years ago

Like Bejeweled?

The Blitz version is good - one minute is enough to be addictive but leaves one unsatisfied. They've enhanced a few times to getting the complete Skinner Box effect going (I'm totally addicted to it anyway).

They also have the prize and collaboration elements encouraging ongoing participation and word-of-mouth advertising - if one plays every month a prize might be won; the more friends playing the better the prize.

stanleydrew• 17 years ago

For the love of god don't remove it! I played for like 4 hours straight the other day and I can't afford to waste more time. I wish you had an Android app though, cause I'd buy it right now.

windsurfer• 17 years ago

It seems to me like you need to make the demo somehow not as good as the iphone version, but someone also giving you the same feeling. What about sprucing up the animation/graphics of the iphone version? Or create special features that are only available when you buy the game? That way, when you remove the level limit, players will get hooked on the demo and want to play more, and everywhere they go.

richardw2• 17 years ago

No, the demo gives you enough to understand why you need to play more. I think you definitely don't need more levels there.

What problem are you trying to solve?

amichail2• 17 years ago

If a lot more people play the web version on a regular basis, then this may result in more sales via word of mouth.

misterbwong• 17 years ago

I'm with richardw on this one...what problem are you trying to solve? Are you thinking about marketing it on the web to gain more exposure as amichail said? Will lifting the limit even help you in this regard?

richardw2• 17 years ago

If you have a free version, then people will measure the cost (money) to the benefit (difference between free and pay versions). Right now we have to pay to 1) get more levels, and 2) have it on the iPhone. If you open up all levels then we lose incentive 1, and only have incentive 2. Same cost, less benefit.

Personally, I'd make the app (or website) more shiny. Get a designer (someone else said in your last thread), etc. Maybe have a 5-level demo iPhone version - I've seen that a few times.

Mathnerd314• 17 years ago

Some people (e.g. me) don't even have iPhones. Right now, you have no way for us to give you money. Perhaps a donate button could appear after playing a few levels, instead of the game ending?

cmelbye• 17 years ago

My thoughts exactly. Make it a full web version for the people without iPhones.

tomusher• 17 years ago

Yes - use the web version to get people hopelessly addicted and as an advertising platform for the mobile version - removing the level cap won't stop people from buying the iPhone version, it just means you potentially get more and longer impressions on those iPhone version ads.

Rather than worrying about crippling your online version, work on improving the mobile version, give it features such as a global/friends high score table (people love to boast), prettier themes, invent some new modes.

You could even go as far as linking the two versions, perhaps if a user gets above a certain score threshold on the web version, pop up an alert with a code letting them unlock X (a new skin, etc.) if they buy the iPhone version in the next week. This should not only create an incentive to purchase, but create a sense of urgency - if someone's been wondering whether they should buy it, that will push them over the edge.

chrischen• 17 years ago

1) Make the web version dependent on an internet connection. So maybe like you receive the next piece from the server side. This way if someone wants to play inside the stalls of a bathroom deeply fortified within a building, they'll need to purchase your iPhone version. I wouldn't advise using your iPhone on the toilet though, I read a pamphlet that says long periods sitting, especially with your asshole exposed, leads to hemorrhoids.

2) Make the web version dependent on a mouse, or a keyboard. For example, use the mouse dragging to determine where the block above is. As far as I know you can only simulate mouse clicks on the iPhone. The keyboard takes up most of the screen. Use these to your advantage.

3) Redo the web version in flash.

4) Put ads on the web version and give it away for free. See how this does.

5) If all else fails, block the iPhone safari user string.

weaksauce• 17 years ago

The demo is long enough to get a feel for the game. Instead of removing the web demo limit I would focus on making an android version and improve the app on the iPhone by improving the aesthetic appeal of it. Hire a designer to make the app look better if you lack the skills. It is a fun app for sure but I was actually not going to give it much of a chance because the game looked less appealing than a popcap game or something like that. The initial reaction that I had was that if the developer did not spend much time on making the app look great then they probably didn't spend a whole lot of time on making it fun.

JangoSteve• 17 years ago

I agree, I would buy this game in a second for Android.

I also agree that the web design was a little off-putting at first and could benefit from a designer. Now that I've been playing the game though, the bad web design gives me kind of an insider feel, making me feel a little more connected to the game... you know, like how proud you feel recommending that little hole in the wall diner with the great Hippy Hash breakfast, compared to recommending the Denny's down the road, even if their breakfast is as good.

Ask HN: Should I remove the level limit in the DropZap web demo?

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