Best Time/Day to release

[NuclearNova]

I was wondering when was the best time to post your game on download sites? It seams every time I release an update I get less downloads on Versiontracker, going from 1200 from the first release down by 50-100 each time now at 550. This could be for a number of reasons, but I wonder if the first time if I hit a sweet spot, and the last times were a dead spot.

[Mark Sheeky]

I'm not sure if you mean best day of the week or best day of the year. Surely you're bound to get a lot more downloads of version 1.0 than future versions because people who tried and didn't like the first version are very unlikely to try a future version. This is often a pity, because naturally future versions improve the game, but it happens. I suppose the trick is to make sure that version 1.0 plays brilliantly and later add more features instead of 'fixing' anything.

Mark

[NuclearNova]

I am talking day of the week. I see what you mean about the newer versions, but its hard for me to believe that the same people see my software on version-tracker instead of almost all new people most of the time.

[Sillysoft]

I like releasing on thursday night (late). That way it will be listed for all on friday and saturday. Although I haven't kept track of any statistics to see if this is really better. I remember hearing someone from versiontracker saying that they get the most downloads on mondays. However, for games, I think the weekend is the best target.

[Mark Sheeky]

Of course, the more people release things on the same day the more likely it is to disappear in the pile of other releases. A random day might be best.

Mark

[EpicBoy]

I'm not sure day of the week really matters when submitting to shareware sites as it oftens takes weeks to get listed anyway. Who knows what day you'll actually show up on the 'What's New' list?

However, I would think that sinking advertising money into your game on a Friday would be a better value than on a Monday...