Tossing out an idea for Mongoose
- Thread starter Totenkopf
- Start date
Has crossed our minds 
That and you can get a programmer to throw it together and then it's pretty much done without having to worry about product and shipping, so really the only cost is paying some geek to program it. I also don't think any other companies are taking advantage of apps as a game supplement.
Totenkopf said:
And if such, umm, geek is reading this, drop us a line!
Iron Domokun
Mongoose
Oooh, ooh! Pick me, pick me! [waves hand] I can do Android. Well, pretty basic Android stuff anyway. I have done a bit of programming for Android for the SFB and FC DACs, but haven't sent it to ADB.
I asked about this on the SFU On Call episode in which the ADB crew called in and answered questions. Apparently it costs $100 per annum to have an iPhone store, and ADB has not sold enough software to justify the cost. They will, apparently, move ahead with iPhone and Android apps, but they need to study what's going wrong with their current strategy. Also, they don't really have any way to test Android software.
(Registering as an Android developer costs $25 for access to the Android store as a one-time cost, and you can distribute Android software by email and don't need the Android store at all. So it may be that the break-even on Android would be lower. I don't know.)
I asked about this on the SFU On Call episode in which the ADB crew called in and answered questions. Apparently it costs $100 per annum to have an iPhone store, and ADB has not sold enough software to justify the cost. They will, apparently, move ahead with iPhone and Android apps, but they need to study what's going wrong with their current strategy. Also, they don't really have any way to test Android software.
(Registering as an Android developer costs $25 for access to the Android store as a one-time cost, and you can distribute Android software by email and don't need the Android store at all. So it may be that the break-even on Android would be lower. I don't know.)
Well apps are cool, but pretty much all of the gamers I know don't use them 'in game', even when available. We all woudl rather have hard copy references in hand when we play. But of course it all depends on individual preferences.
I would rather opt for PDF references/cards that allow newest version updates like items sold through RPGnow. You buy it, download it and print. When it is updated you can re-download a new updated copy and reprint.
Of course I think an app would be great for the people who like them and would use it. I'm just not one of them :wink:
I would rather opt for PDF references/cards that allow newest version updates like items sold through RPGnow. You buy it, download it and print. When it is updated you can re-download a new updated copy and reprint.
Of course I think an app would be great for the people who like them and would use it. I'm just not one of them :wink:
Most of the guys I know would purchase such an app. Granted that make about 4 people and I couldn't speak for gamer everywhere. I must say though if you want to recruit younger players you will have to do this at some point. I am in my mid thirties not particularly tech savvy and I would find these very useful. Buy the app have it on your phone or tablet no need to print and carry around a bunch of extra papers. To me that's a WIN. If it will help I will donate the $25 dollars to register with android. I would save that much in just printer ink in 6 months. I do agree that most everyone would find this or Spence's ideas to their liking.
Iron Domokun said:
If you are serious, drop me a line at msprange@mongoosepublishing.com!
AdmiralGrafSpee
Mongoose
I would buy it just to have a copy of all the ships with me in my pocket. If I could use it in game, so much the better.
-Tim
-Tim
Spectrar Ghost
Mongoose
Ooh, being able to track shields and stuff would be neat.
Nazgull2k1
Mongoose
I am also a HUUUGE supporter of this idea. In today's world, more and more people are going from Pencil and Paper to electronic/digital. The companies that embrace this are going to see alot more success then the companies who hold off from it.
Honestly, it surprised me when you delayed the release of PDF because of store retailers. I want a paper rulebook.. sure.. but I've learned my lesson with other companies regarding "rulebooks" that come out every 2 years or so. And cost 60+ dollars...and weigh 10 pounds.. give me a nice cheap PDF File that doesnt weigh me down, and you'll have my loyalty for life.
heck even my Pathfinder RPG books are all on my tablet. I remember lugging around a giant duffelbag as a teenager to gaming sessions that weighed like 60+ pounds.. now its all in a skinny, lightweight tablet that I can carry in my gaming folder. lol. Not to mention its ALOT easier to find the rules I want by a simple search rather then pouring thru book after book trying to find a rule I need. lol.
I cant imagine it would be too difficult. Honestly, simply put a program up that showed a similar to a FC/SFB Ship sheet, and make the boxes touchable to shade them off. Can easily track dmg, weapons, shields etc etc.
Just dont go cheap with it. I dont want an "all text" type program. I'd want a pic of the ship overview etc etc. Visually confirming my ship will save alot of "Oh crap wrong ship, hang on." moments.
Honestly, it surprised me when you delayed the release of PDF because of store retailers. I want a paper rulebook.. sure.. but I've learned my lesson with other companies regarding "rulebooks" that come out every 2 years or so. And cost 60+ dollars...and weigh 10 pounds.. give me a nice cheap PDF File that doesnt weigh me down, and you'll have my loyalty for life.
heck even my Pathfinder RPG books are all on my tablet. I remember lugging around a giant duffelbag as a teenager to gaming sessions that weighed like 60+ pounds.. now its all in a skinny, lightweight tablet that I can carry in my gaming folder. lol. Not to mention its ALOT easier to find the rules I want by a simple search rather then pouring thru book after book trying to find a rule I need. lol.
I cant imagine it would be too difficult. Honestly, simply put a program up that showed a similar to a FC/SFB Ship sheet, and make the boxes touchable to shade them off. Can easily track dmg, weapons, shields etc etc.
Just dont go cheap with it. I dont want an "all text" type program. I'd want a pic of the ship overview etc etc. Visually confirming my ship will save alot of "Oh crap wrong ship, hang on." moments.
For the iPhone apps, the problem is that to break even with the store alone you have to sell 100 copies every year. That doesn't count the cost of paying the developer or the royalties to Paramount. Then you have the Android apps and the Droid store and the Droid developer to pay every year. 
It's no big secret that ADB lost money on what it offered. Lots of people are excited by the idea but aren't willing to follow through "now" -- and some nebulous future isn't paying the bills "now."
I truly hope it works, but it will need major commitment from a good number of people.
Jean
who is wearing her marketing hat and feeling blue
It's no big secret that ADB lost money on what it offered. Lots of people are excited by the idea but aren't willing to follow through "now" -- and some nebulous future isn't paying the bills "now."I truly hope it works, but it will need major commitment from a good number of people.
Jean
who is wearing her marketing hat and feeling blue
Nazgull2k1
Mongoose
Jean said:For the iPhone apps, the problem is that to break even with the store alone you have to sell 100 copies every year. That doesn't count the cost of paying the developer or the royalties to Paramount. Then you have the Android apps and the Droid store and the Droid developer to pay every year.
I truly hope it works, but it will need major commitment from a good number of people.
Jean
who is wearing her marketing hat and feeling blue
This is very true Jean, but take hope in knowing.. "The Internet is out there!"
A community can be a powerful force. I need only point out that while Lone Wolf Development offers the outstanding "Army Builder" software, it is the community of gamers who write, edit, proof, test and code all of the relevant army listings for the plethora of games AB3 Supports. They recieve no payment for this work.. only the knowledge they are appreciated. For most, that is enough.
Also, dont forget, you dont NEED an App store (at least for Android based devices) You can simply host the files and have them placed directly onto the device for use. A program like this wouldnt be that big at all, easy to distribute. I also know that just because you dont USE the android market, you can still make programs for Android based systems!
What we need is an android coder, and it seems we have some volunteering for that already. I might have an idea or 2 myself. Let me make some calls tomorrow afternoon. I'll post here what my results were.
Smile for me Jean, I promise you this.. as long as the internet exists, and people love a product, they can and will find a way to make it grow! Now put away your blue hat
John
Jean said:
Or 142, if the app is 0.99 - since Apple takes a 30% cut
Anyways, I'd actually suggest making any of this sort of app free. Similar to how a simplified FedComm can be downloaded for free to try it out - include a pair of ships (Fed CA and Klingon D7), some reference charts, and maybe a simplified rulebook. Then, make more content purchasable in-app - individual ships, all the ships for a given empire, etc. And also have the full rulebook purchasable as well. The app would then have dual purpose -- exposing new players to the game w/o any up-front cost, and generating revenue from existing gamers.
An iOS app has the added benefit of being harder to pirate than say PDFs.
