Comments on: The Hit Factor http://sonicron.solaristudios.com/2006/04/11/the-hit-factor/ Explorations in the world of independent game development. Sun, 18 May 2008 12:32:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Allen Varney http://sonicron.solaristudios.com/2006/04/11/the-hit-factor/#comment-89 Wed, 12 Apr 2006 22:57:53 +0000 http://sonicron.solaristudios.com/2006/04/11/the-hit-factor/#comment-89 I think I'm reading that chart wrong. As I interpret it, the #11 position sells about 20,000 copies, the #20 game sells about 11-13,000 copies, and the percentage difference between them is given as 160%. But the actual percentage difference between 12,000 and 20,000 is more like 66%, right? And the percentage difference between #21 and #30 appears even smaller. What am I missing? I think I’m reading that chart wrong. As I interpret it, the #11 position sells about 20,000 copies, the #20 game sells about 11-13,000 copies, and the percentage difference between them is given as 160%. But the actual percentage difference between 12,000 and 20,000 is more like 66%, right? And the percentage difference between #21 and #30 appears even smaller. What am I missing?

]]> by: Scott Young http://sonicron.solaristudios.com/2006/04/11/the-hit-factor/#comment-88 Tue, 11 Apr 2006 11:43:41 +0000 http://sonicron.solaristudios.com/2006/04/11/the-hit-factor/#comment-88 A very interesting point, Dan. One thing you forgot to mention is the idea of niche interests. The Long Tail mostly describes products that aren't hugely popular, but fill those interests. Most portal games are all the same, so the Long Tail you describe is more about quality than tastes. Lets face it, the number 330 slot game is likely to be very similar to the #1 slot. Most games on portals are very similar with minor variations in theme and style. If you really want to take a bite out of the long tail, you'd have to make something that doesn't directly compete with the big boys. Then again, capitalizing on a niche interest might be difficult if it forces you to give up revenue from the portals. For many indies this might be a greater percieved risk, as most of us know how portals work but few of us have the experience in trying to deliver a niche product. It would be interesting to here some reports from those selling games like Democracy or Lux... A very interesting point, Dan.

One thing you forgot to mention is the idea of niche interests. The Long Tail mostly describes products that aren’t hugely popular, but fill those interests. Most portal games are all the same, so the Long Tail you describe is more about quality than tastes.

Lets face it, the number 330 slot game is likely to be very similar to the #1 slot. Most games on portals are very similar with minor variations in theme and style. If you really want to take a bite out of the long tail, you’d have to make something that doesn’t directly compete with the big boys.

Then again, capitalizing on a niche interest might be difficult if it forces you to give up revenue from the portals. For many indies this might be a greater percieved risk, as most of us know how portals work but few of us have the experience in trying to deliver a niche product. It would be interesting to here some reports from those selling games like Democracy or Lux…

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