Apple downloads dead?

[Shadow]

One of the big reasons that I decided to port Depths of Peril to the Mac was that apple hosted a downloads section linked directly off of their own website. I knew going in we would have a nice big, focused source of traffic for Mac gamers. At the time I didn't know if this would make up for the differences in the size of the Mac and Windows markets though. Note: there are many other reasons to have a Mac version, this just happens to be a big one.

Well I did decide to port over to the Mac despite it being somewhat risky. Using our 20/20 hind vision, it was a very good decision. The porting work paid for itself a long time ago (I wish I could say this for other things). What I have found out since then is that the apple.com downloads section is where most of our Mac gamers come from. It is pretty important to Soldak's Mac sales.

Unfortunately, here's where the problem is. Along comes the iPad and apple replaces the download link on their main page to an iPad link. This has already significantly reduced our flow of Mac gamers. Even worse is that apparently as of late March they have stopped updating the downloads section at all. This is going to make it much harder for new games and updates to get noticed.

I really have no idea what Apple is thinking over there. I really hope they plan on replacing the downloads section with something at least as good, because I can't imagine this is going to do anything other than hurt Mac gamers.

Anyway, despite what Apple does or does not do, indie companies like us need to find other ways to attract Mac gamers. I have gotten the Din's Curse demo on macgamefiles, macupdate, versiontracker, and iusethis. Where else do you guys find Mac games? What else can I do to get noticed in the Mac gaming world?

[MasterMorality]

http://gameboom.net/
That hosts a section for mac gaming, you might able to do stuff there, it seems kinda up to date.

[Aet]

Ironically enough, I came across your game by word-of-web from another indie developer that I'd been forum-stalking after trying out and absolutely loving their game. I played the demo version of their game for 7 (discontinuous) hours before I was well and truly hooked, then bought it.

This game took me a little longer to feel that I was getting my money's worth (which is not an insult on Din's value - I'm just a frugal buyer), but I bought it anyways to 1) support the non-DRMed mac gaming community and 2) get the beta discount while it lasted. I didn't really reach that moment of "yeah, I'm hooked, definite buy" until a day or two later, when I caused my first gas-induced-rockfall that took out a mass of nasties. My slow warming to the game was probably due to starting off with the warrior class and dying a lot before switching over to archer...

I usually do my game prowling via MacUpdate (checking out the Other People Suggest links on games I already own), with an ear bent towards Inside Mac Games. I see that you already have your two older games up on the Mac Game Store, but I don't see Din's there yet. I guess the shotgun approach would be your best bet - get your product displayed on as many mac gaming sites out there as possible. Also - I do not buy physical copies of games at my local Apple Retail Store, but with all the foot traffic they get that might be another avenue to check out.

[torikamal]

It does appear that sometime this Summer (if there are not setbacks), Steam will launch their native support for Mac products. That would be huge!

[Shadow]

Thomas from Basilisk and I actually talk here and there.

Steam for the Mac will be nice. The only problem with Steam is actually getting on it in the first place.

[demoss]

I happened across Depths of Peril at the (physical) Apple Store. Happened to be in there and needed to wait for a Genius to agree that yes, my Mighty Mouse needed to be replaced and they'd give me a new one, so I was checking out the software shelves. I spotted DoP for $20, so I hopped onto GameSpot right there to check it out and saw good reviews, so I said what the heck!

I am SO glad I did. Depths of Peril is one of the best bargains in the gaming world. It would have been a good deal at twice the price.

For what it's worth, anyone Googling "apple downloads" or even searching for "downloads" in the search box at the top of the Apple site will still find the downloads page. Din's Curse is in there. It does seem like they ought to be able to fit another button in the button bar, though.

[Amberjoy]

I watch almost everyday either "http://mac.softpedia.com/" or Macupdate.com and of course Basilisk Games forums.