StarSoccerMatch released....

[manimani]

I released a soccer theme match-3 game i have been working on, it is called StarSoccerMatch and is available at www.metrostargames.com, a bit different from the usually indie game, product of my being a big soccer fan and looking for a simple game type(match-3) for my first game.
Haven't approached any publishers( apart from popcap) though as i don't think it's their type of game. Still should provide some entertainment for some soccer fans. Would be interested in hearing your comments...

[Nexic]

Soccer is for guys.
Match 3s are for woman.

See a problem here?

Of course I over simplify things. But the point is that if 90% match-3 gamers are women, and 90% soccer gamers are men, you're looking at having an audience that's less than 1/10 the size of the normal match-3 market. Of the guys who play match 3, I'm guessing only a very small proportion would like a soccer themed game, since football and match-3 attract completely opposite personalities.

[DayDream]

Nexic has a very valid point - game genre and game setting do not match. Ontop of that you manage to ignore the basics of soccer - it's a very emotional game with a lot of atmospher - something [as far as the screenshots go - as I refuse to download the game] the game seems to lack completely.

I could see a soccer based casual game but it would have to be very high on emotional appeal and feature some art that shows what soccer is about - and balls and cards and flags are not the essence of soccer.

Good luck anyway...

[Nexic]

Okay I played the game. I don't want to hurt your feelings since you've obviously put a lot of effort into this, but I can't imagine this ever selling more than 5 copies, if any at all.

Reasons:
1. Problem with the theme as I stated above.
2. No sound?
3. Game looks and feels boring to play. No animation. When you make a match they just disappear, no feeling to it.
4. Repetitive. Nothing changes between levels.

Even a hardcore soccer fan who loves matchs 3s won't want to play this. The soccer theme doesn't do anything for it since it's just a bunch of simple icons (balls, cards etcs).

I would just move on to your next game and not put too much effort into the marketing this one. Download the top games on the portals now. Look at their quality of graphics and sound. You need to be at that level to hope of making a decent number of sales.

[manimani]

Thanks for the feedback, will take it all on board for my next game.

[manimani]

Full version of the game is now free, after some great feedback both here and on the popcap fourms, thought i could not really charge for this version will instead develop a new different game type. thanks again all