Chapter 15

Ten More Places to Distribute Your Game

In This Chapter

Discovering other app markets

Distributing your game yourself through your website

Getting creative with alternative distribution methods

The most common and popular way of getting your game seen and downloaded is through Google Play, the official Android market administrated by Google. But it’s definitely not the only place to distribute your game. Because of Android’s relatively open nature, many third-party app stores have popped up, eager to give Google competition in the app market business.

People will tend to default to whatever comes pre-installed on their devices, so app markets that are bundled with the device have an enormous advantage over others that need to be installed. That doesn’t mean they’re not viable alternatives to be explored.

This chapter takes a look at some of these third-party app markets, as well as a couple of other distribution channels that you may not have considered. Remember that each market may have its own unique resource requirements (for example, some markets may require five screen shots of your game, while some may require none). There is some overhead in maintaining your game in multiple markets, but if you have the time and energy, it may be worth it.

Amazon

The Amazon market for Android apps (Figure 15-1) is probably the most viable secondary market for Android apps and games right now. The reason is that Amazon has its own line of Android devices and preinstalls their own market on these devices. They’ve also done a great job promoting early exclusives for popular games to drum up interest. Right now some of my games sell more copies on the Amazon market than Google Play! Amazon also features a Free App of the Day promotion which encourages daily visits, and if you’re lucky, your game might be featured. Typically you won’t see direct sales the day of the promotion, but the increased exposure should boost your long-term sales. You’ll find the Amazon market at:

www.amazon.com/appstore

Handango

Handango’s been in the mobile app market for a long time, before the smartphone revolution. (See Figure 15-2). They’ve adapted pretty well to the explosion in the mobile app and game market, and you should find them fairly reputable and reliable. You’ll find their market here:

www.handango.com

Opera Mobile App Store

Opera is a software company based in Norway that’s best known for their browser. However, they’ve also gotten in on the mobile app market and have a very nice site (see Figure 15-3).

Opera Mobile App Store is here:

http://apps.opera.com/en_us

GetJar

Like other mobile app markets, GetJar lets you browse by compatibility with your device (see Figure 15-4). Installing the market client is easy, making the process of installing apps from GetJar relatively painless.

The GetJar market is here:

www.getjar.com

SlideME

SlideME is the first market in the list that’s dedicated solely to Android apps and games (Amazon’s app store is dedicated to Android as well, but they obviously sell other stuff online). As such, users looking for your Android game may have an easier time navigating a dedicated market. (See Figure 15-5.)

The SlideME market is here:

www.slideme.org

Appoke

Appoke bills itself as a “social app store” for Android devices. That means users rely on their social network to find out what apps and games their friends and family have installed and how those apps and games are rated. (See Figure 15-6.) Neat!

Find the Appoke market at:

www.appoke.com

AppBrain

AppBrain is yet another app market devoted solely to Android. The market links to feeds with “Hot Apps”, “Latest Apps”, and “Latest Reviews”, as well as the usual categories like Arcade & Action games and Communication. (See Figure 15-7.) Find the AppBrain market at:

www.appbrain.com

AndroLib

AndroLib is not so much an alternative market as a browser for Google Play. This was more relevant in the days before the Google Play web site came along, but you still may prefer it as an interface into Google Play, especially if you’re frustrated with poor search results in Google Play. (See Figure 15-8.)

The AndroLib market browser is here:

www.androlib.com

Your Website

If you have a website for your game business (and I highly recommend that you get one if you don’t), consider distributing your game there. Ecommerce solutions exist for selling your app via your website, which can be a little clunky. However, if your game is free, there’s really no reason not to offer it freely on your website. It’s just another download point for users to get your game.

BitTorrent Sites

BitTorrent is one of the most popular internet protocols for file sharing, which is most often used for sharing pirated materials. But you may be able to leverage file sharing to work in your favor. Especially in the case when your game is free (and possibly ad-supported), you really don’t care how it’s distributed.

Get together with other developers and bundle several games together. Bundled games are generally more popular than single games on such sites.