App Store update: AR games become Apple's promotion focus, independent games increase exposure

Apple has released the iOS 11 update. In addition to the change that the system UI elements are more rounded, one of the biggest highlights of this update is the major revision of the App Store. After the App Store was revised, "Taoday", " Games " and "Applications" were added, and the best-selling list was cancelled. In particular, the "Game Label" and the cancellation of the best-selling list have expanded the authority of Apple's editorial selection and reduced the impact of tactics such as ranking manipulation on product exposure.

For iOS games, the App Store display space is undoubtedly the most important promotional resource. With the cost of buying traffic remaining high today, Apple’s recommendation undoubtedly determines the life or death of some small developers.

The game page recommends a bunch of AR games for iPhone 8?

On the revised App Store game page, the most recommended games are AR games, which take up more than half of the screen. In addition to large picture recommendations, there is also a special AR game column "New AR Game Experience" below.

As we all know, iPhone 8 is specially designed for AR and has also released a dedicated development platform ARKit. Apple even bluntly stated that the iPhone 8 is "the first smartphone truly designed for AR."

This time, the iPhone 8 is not only designed for AR applications in terms of hardware, but also has resources tilted towards AR. At Apple's fall conference, Apple showcased a total of four AR-related applications, half of which were games. "Warhammer 40K", which has already appeared at the press conference, was unsurprisingly recommended by Apple this time.

Having invested so many resources, Apple certainly hopes that AR games can bear fruit. However, AR games currently still have problems such as thin content, and there is a lack of motivation to play again after the novelty wears off. AR games still have a long way to go.

This week's new game recommendations: most independent games

This week, Apple recommended a total of 12 new games, including three games related to China, namely "Iron Troopers", "Uri: The Seedling of Lotus Creek" and "Spirit Demon Chronicles".

This week's new game recommendations

Among these three games, the domestic Android agent of "Iron Troopers" is Dongpin Games, and the Android version is currently being tested. Unlike the iOS version which uses upfront payment, the Android version adopts the form of free + in-app purchases. It has received 11,000 ratings on the App Store, with a high score of 5.

"Uri: Seedling of Lotus Creek" is an independent puzzle game from Malaysia, published in China by Zhongyou Mobile Games . The Android versions currently appearing in other channels are not genuine.

Feiyu’s “Spirit Demon Records” is the only domestic game recommended this week, and is a spin-off of “Shenxiandao”. Many players were amazed by the game’s excellent opening CG.

Among the other recommended games, most are still independent games, and are generally light games.

App Store revamp wins developer support

On the eve of the iOS 11 update, Apple launched an independent background for recommendation applications. Developers no longer communicate with Apple editors via email, but instead apply independently through the backend. An iOS developer told Game Teahouse that email communication and independent backend application are not much different. "It just standardizes the process, makes it clear what materials are needed, and makes office work more automated."

Now that iOS 11 has been officially updated and launched, it has added a place for editors’ recommendations, and has also cancelled the best-selling list, leaving only the free list and the paid list. The developer believes that this is definitely a good thing for independent developers. He said: "(Independent developers) do not have the ability to buy traffic, and rely more on the quality of the game to win the recommendation channel recommendation position. After Apple's editing authority is increased, more independent games should be exposed ."

The developer believes that the lack of exposure on the best-selling list for commercial games from large companies may not have much impact. "Big companies have many promotional methods and exposure channels, so lack of exposure on the bestseller list should not be a big problem. After all, well-made commercial games can easily get recommendations from Apple."

Highlight player reviews on the game details page

This update also made major adjustments to the app details page. Apple highlights and amplifies players’ comments on the game, making it immediately noticeable.

Taking "Warhammer 40K: Freeblade" as an example, there is a game rating overview next to the game icon. Scrolling down the page, in addition to the regular game screenshots and game introduction, the ratings and reviews column is very eye-catching.

Gamer ratings and reviews are very prominent

The idea of ​​highlighting player reviews is very similar to Taptap. Apple also seems to hope to make good games stand out through word-of-mouth effect. In addition, iOS 11 continues to allow developers to reply to user reviews.