Before app design work begins, teams need to think about the target devices, legal and ownership issues related to setting up a store, and distribution and promotional issues. AT this session from the 2015 ACE Conference in Charleston, SC, Barbara Chamberlin shares what the Learning Games Lab has learned in the process. NMSU has been developing apps since 2010, and their lessons learned can help other university-based developers who wish to enter the app field.
14. didn’t know
Barbara Chamberlin, PhD • bchamber@nmsu.edu • @bchamber
that we
Everything we
didn’t know about
apps
App
Store Set Up
is a $&(@ at
University Level
each tax number can have ONE
all agreements subject to review
from LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE
money automatically deposited
to bank account
account tied to initial email account
15. Consider this: the idea is not nearly as important as the design process which enables a quality and
essential app. First think of your user, and endeavor to transform, enable, facilitate, or coordinate.
So You Want to Make an App (Don’t Make it Yet!)
Can they
do this well
without an
app?
Don’t
make the
app. Is there already an
app that does that?
How could this app make it better?
Design an app that does that.
Can you…
• Go through a 3-12 month design process?
• Commit to frequent updates after delivery?
• Promote to specific audiences (they will not just
find the app)
• Fund it up front ($10,000 - $30,000 for a basic app)*
Based on design outcome
• Choose device for delivery.
• Create a paper or wire-frame prototype.
Now you are ready to
begin making the app.
The app store has over a million apps. Only the top 3000 make $25k or more annually.*
Developers of games, interactive
modules, animations, videos and apps.
mediaproductions.nmsu.edu
What will your user be able to do with the app?
Establish design outcomes
• Where will it be used? Will users have
WiFi?
• Who will use it and when? Everyday?
Sporadically?
• How will this fit into their life & work?
No
BUT
An app would
make it better.
Don’t
make the
app.
Yes
NoYes
No
Yes
16. money
didn’t know
Barbara Chamberlin, PhD • bchamber@nmsu.edu • @bchamber
that we
Everything we
didn’t know about
apps
Youwill
nevermake
(or recover costs)
from
sales.
18. didn’t know
Barbara Chamberlin, PhD • bchamber@nmsu.edu • @bchamber
that we
Everything we
didn’t know about
apps
So,
should our apps
bePaid apps get
used more.
Android users
won’t pay.
(Maybe we can cover cost
of upkeep?)
(Piracy rate so high, can’t
make money anyway)
19. Barbara Chamberlin (@bchamber),Amy Muise (@NMSUProductions)
Paid
Free
3,847
1,917
1,033
62
Downloads Sessions
Diver Game Downloads
(Do free apps get used?)
40
sessions
1 :
download :
Paid App
Free App
4
sessions
1:
download :
20. didn’t know
Barbara Chamberlin, PhD • bchamber@nmsu.edu • @bchamber
that we
Everything we
didn’t know about
apps
Maintenance
is significant.
iOS updates 2-3
times a year.
New
programming/art at
least every 3 years.
Icons, description, screen
shots must be uploaded with
new version.
Finding old
files will make
your team’s
heads explode.
22. didn’t know
Barbara Chamberlin, PhD • bchamber@nmsu.edu • @bchamber
that we
Everything we
didn’t know about
apps
If you
build it,
they won’t just
come.
Requires initial
push, and continued
promotion.
Best if it has a
built-in audience.
This needs to be someone’s
job, not just an afterthought.
Budget for
additional
promotion.
23. Barbara Chamberlin (@bchamber),Amy Muise (@NMSUProductions)
Whatare
we
doing? self-distribution
manages
partnerships &
placement
Brain POP
GlassLabs
Clark ChartSerious Games
Directory
Educade
eSpark Graphite JayisGames
_____ school in ______
Playful
Learning
PBS Media
Pearson
OLE
Kongregate
Edmodo
MERLOT
24. Barbara Chamberlin (@bchamber),Amy Muise (@NMSUProductions)
Whatdoes
it
cost us?
50% of a person
~ $25k per API
~ $5k to $35k
for app updates
33. Barbara Chamberlin (@bchamber),Amy Muise (@NMSUProductions)
Android
•Does it truly deliver more
downloads and uses?
•Thus, is it worth the cost
for us?
?yes no
ask
next
year
comments to bchamber@nmsu.edu