Upstart iPhone developer already on one million Apple devices

***AppleInsider*** · 08-02-2008, 01:06 PM

Although nearly all its business depends on a platform which launched just three weeks ago, Tapulous has become one of the most prominent iPhone and iPod touch developers with more than one million downloads in its pocket -- and attention that may turn it into one of the App Store's more serious players.

Speaking to TechCrunch, Tapulous chief Bart Decrem takes advantage of Apple's newly available access to download stats to estimate that his company will have one million downloads of the rhythm game Tap Tap Revenge before the weekend is over. The company is only the second to reach that tally after Facebook, which could rely on its large existing base of web users to achieve the record as well as support its development process.

The current version of the software is free, and so doesn't generate money by itself for the new developer. However, with an estimated five to six million iPhones and iPod touch players running the 2.0 firmware that supports Tap Tap Revenge, the download count would give about 20 percent of all up-to-date Apple touchscreen devices carrying some version of the software.

That high level of interest has drawn interest that may quickly turn it into a commercial force. According to Decrem, both indie and major artists are very willingly discussing a paid version of the game that would hold commercially available music rather than just the freely volunteered songs that make up the bulk of the music in the current version -- essentially following a licensing model like that of Guitar Hero or Rock Band, which most observers cite as Tap Tap's closest role models.

The surprising level of success appears to reinforce third-party studies that suggest at least some iPhone app developers are reaping significant rewards from the store. Few companies have publicly revealed how much profit they generate from paid or ad-supported software, but a Medialets estimate would have even a relatively small developer such as Pangea may have generated $1.2 million in opening weekend sales of its puzzle game Enigmo.

Such examples aren't universal; only a fraction of software at the App Store, free or paid, is likely to create that level of interest. Tapulous' own GPS-aware Twitter client Twinkle has only produced a far more modest 80,000 downloads, Decrem says, although it has been available for less time. Nonetheless, the appearance of multiple fast-rising apps is described as revealing a commercial potential for iPhone apps that wasn't evident before the App Store became available.

8CoreWhore · 08-02-2008, 01:56 PM

Sheesh, what's with the spam above? I love the idea that a one man/woman shop can come up with an app make a bundle!

StuBeck · 08-02-2008, 02:03 PM

Is it already on 1 million devices or is it going to be? Article seems a bit confusing (I also have dyslexia though.)

Slewis · 08-02-2008, 02:18 PM

Null.

stevenscreek · 08-02-2008, 02:34 PM

I don't know where the one million figure comes, presumably from the developer, and it may well be true. But as a developer with applications in the App Store, I know for a fact that the only data that has been released to developers thus far covers a period of exactly five days, from July 28 through August 1. NO data has been released for July 11 through the 28th. I suppose it's possible that this company received some information from Apple outside of normal channels. If not, then they can only be extrapolating from five days of sales, not exactly a reliable method (it might even be an undercount).

Be that as it may, I note that this app is only #9 is the list of "top free apps" in the App Store. On the assumption that that "top" is based on downloads, those other eight must be doing even better. Impressive!

Slewis · 08-02-2008, 02:47 PM

Null.

Fast Fred 1 · 08-02-2008, 02:59 PM

Yank this hook will ya.

Galley · 08-02-2008, 02:59 PM

I imagine that even a mediocre 99 cent app could generate a few thousand dollars for the developer.

Ireland · 08-02-2008, 03:54 PM

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap... tap, tap

**JeffDM** · 08-02-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slewis

Their users sign up for a Tapulous account as well, so besides a million downloads, they also have a million sign ups.

I don't think every download equals a sign-up. I haven't. I have played it once or twice, and I wasn't even aware there was a web site component.

BeyondYourFrontDoor · 08-02-2008, 05:23 PM

Finally the dawn of the mini-app and micro-internet economy. Make a nifty gadget, sell it for a buck or two, make a few hundred thousand. iTunes did it for musicians, and now for programmers.

IQatEdo · 08-02-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeyondYourFrontDoor

Finally the dawn of the mini-app and micro-internet economy. Make a nifty gadget, sell it for a buck or two, make a few hundred thousand. iTunes did it for musicians, and now for programmers.

Very interesting isn't it! What does it take for someone to go the step of paying $0.99 for software that they'd happily download for free and play with a few times?

quinney · 08-02-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Nonetheless, the appearance of multiple fast-rising apps is described as revealing a commercial potential for iPhone apps that wasn't evident before the App Store became available.

Described by whom? Not evident to whom?
I think the commercial potential was very much evident, judging by the number of
people who got involved in developing the apps, as well as their impatience to get
their apps approved for the store.

Bageljoey · 08-02-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quinney

Described by whom? Not evident to whom?
I think the commercial potential was very much evident, judging by the number of
people who got involved in developing the apps, as well as their impatience to get
their apps approved for the store.

Yeah, I guess all those idiot developers rushed into iPhone projects with no hope of commercial success. Imagine their surprise now!

Neil Anderson · 08-03-2008, 11:47 AM

Even if only a fraction of the free downloaders bought a paid version it would still add up to significant coin.

LanPhantom · 08-03-2008, 02:45 PM

All I have to say is my wife and I LOVE the game! Nice job guys keep up the good work!

Slewis · 08-04-2008, 06:42 AM

Null.

08-02-2008, 01:06 PM	#1
*AppleInsider* Kasper's Automated Slave Join Date: Nov 1997 Posts: 6,159	Upstart iPhone developer already on one million Apple devices Although nearly all its business depends on a platform which launched just three weeks ago, Tapulous has become one of the most prominent iPhone and iPod touch developers with more than one million downloads in its pocket -- and attention that may turn it into one of the App Store's more serious players. Speaking to TechCrunch, Tapulous chief Bart Decrem takes advantage of Apple's newly available access to download stats to estimate that his company will have one million downloads of the rhythm game Tap Tap Revenge before the weekend is over. The company is only the second to reach that tally after Facebook, which could rely on its large existing base of web users to achieve the record as well as support its development process. The current version of the software is free, and so doesn't generate money by itself for the new developer. However, with an estimated five to six million iPhones and iPod touch players running the 2.0 firmware that supports Tap Tap Revenge, the download count would give about 20 percent of all up-to-date Apple touchscreen devices carrying some version of the software. That high level of interest has drawn interest that may quickly turn it into a commercial force. According to Decrem, both indie and major artists are very willingly discussing a paid version of the game that would hold commercially available music rather than just the freely volunteered songs that make up the bulk of the music in the current version -- essentially following a licensing model like that of Guitar Hero or Rock Band, which most observers cite as Tap Tap's closest role models. The surprising level of success appears to reinforce third-party studies that suggest at least some iPhone app developers are reaping significant rewards from the store. Few companies have publicly revealed how much profit they generate from paid or ad-supported software, but a Medialets estimate would have even a relatively small developer such as Pangea may have generated $1.2 million in opening weekend sales of its puzzle game Enigmo. Such examples aren't universal; only a fraction of software at the App Store, free or paid, is likely to create that level of interest. Tapulous' own GPS-aware Twitter client Twinkle has only produced a far more modest 80,000 downloads, Decrem says, although it has been available for less time. Nonetheless, the appearance of multiple fast-rising apps is described as revealing a commercial potential for iPhone apps that wasn't evident before the App Store became available.

08-02-2008, 01:56 PM	#2
8CoreWhore Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 457	Spam insider? ^ Sheesh, what's with the spam above? I love the idea that a one man/woman shop can come up with an app make a bundle!

08-02-2008, 02:18 PM	#4
Slewis Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,077	Null. Þ & þ are called "Thorn" & þey represent þe sound you've associated "th" wiþ since þe 13þ or 14þ century. I'm bringing it back. <(=_=)> (>=_=)> <(=_=<) ^(=_=^) (^=_=)^ ^(=_=)^ +(=_=)+ Last edited by Slewis; 11-09-2008 at 07:53 AM..

08-02-2008, 02:34 PM	#5
stevenscreek Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1	The source of the statistics? I don't know where the one million figure comes, presumably from the developer, and it may well be true. But as a developer with applications in the App Store, I know for a fact that the only data that has been released to developers thus far covers a period of exactly five days, from July 28 through August 1. NO data has been released for July 11 through the 28th. I suppose it's possible that this company received some information from Apple outside of normal channels. If not, then they can only be extrapolating from five days of sales, not exactly a reliable method (it might even be an undercount). Be that as it may, I note that this app is only #9 is the list of "top free apps" in the App Store. On the assumption that that "top" is based on downloads, those other eight must be doing even better. Impressive!

08-02-2008, 02:47 PM	#6
Slewis Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,077	Null. Þ & þ are called "Thorn" & þey represent þe sound you've associated "th" wiþ since þe 13þ or 14þ century. I'm bringing it back. <(=_=)> (>=_=)> <(=_=<) ^(=_=^) (^=_=)^ ^(=_=)^ +(=_=)+ Last edited by Slewis; 11-09-2008 at 07:53 AM..

08-02-2008, 02:03 PM	#3
StuBeck Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 140	Is it already on 1 million devices or is it going to be? Article seems a bit confusing (I also have dyslexia though.)

08-02-2008, 02:59 PM	#7
Fast Fred 1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nawlins Posts: 155	Yank this hook will ya.

08-02-2008, 02:59 PM	#8
Galley Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 852	I imagine that even a mediocre 99 cent app could generate a few thousand dollars for the developer.

08-02-2008, 03:54 PM	#9
Ireland Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,561	Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap... tap, tap Collecting my SSD iMac Fry-die. :D

08-02-2008, 05:23 PM	#11
BeyondYourFrontDoor Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 35	Finally the dawn of the mini-app and micro-internet economy. Make a nifty gadget, sell it for a buck or two, make a few hundred thousand. iTunes did it for musicians, and now for programmers.

08-03-2008, 11:47 AM	#15
Neil Anderson Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Princeton Posts: 94	Even if only a fraction of the free downloaders bought a paid version it would still add up to significant coin.

08-03-2008, 02:45 PM	#16
LanPhantom Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 16	Way to Go!! All I have to say is my wife and I LOVE the game! Nice job guys keep up the good work!

08-04-2008, 06:42 AM	#17
Slewis Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,077	Null. Þ & þ are called "Thorn" & þey represent þe sound you've associated "th" wiþ since þe 13þ or 14þ century. I'm bringing it back. <(=_=)> (>=_=)> <(=_=<) ^(=_=^) (^=_=)^ ^(=_=)^ +(=_=)+ Last edited by Slewis; 11-09-2008 at 07:53 AM..

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