New approach to AppStore Screenshots - Whad'ya think?

Crazybreadman

After the Doodle Cannon HD update gets approved, I want to update my screenshots to make them funny and more interesting but I'm not sure if this is too much. Does this enhance the screenshots or clutter it? I'm afraid it might distract from showing the actual gameplay. What's everyone's opinion? Will it work?

mandance

I like it allot, though I'd rethink the reflection. Besides that, I'd vote that it adds quite a bit.

quantumsheep

I like it but my tired brain doesn't understand the symbols!

You might consider changing the text in the last screenshot, adding 'mode' after 'player' though.

QS

Crazybreadman

@mandance- I suppose the reflections don't fit in too well. What would you suggest doing so it doesn't look like he's just floating?

@QS- I could simplify the symbols to 3 each pic. All I really need is... 1.Bombs -> kill- 2.kills -> medals 3. (will be when I put the bomb store in the game) medals -> new bombs and 4. Bomb is by his foot -> insert expletive. I will add 'mode' to the last one. Thanks for help!

expired_012

I love it! I don't think it's distracting at all. It's funny and based on the screenshots I would defenitely buy this app! They look very clean, and amazing artwork by the way! May I ask what you used to make your art? Also what did you use to make the screenshots? Very well done!

quantumsheep

Please do forgive me, Crazybreadman, I've had a blonde moment that's lasted all day and well into this morning.

I still find it confusing. Sorry...

I'll *try* and explain why, and you can judge for yourself if I should have been placed in the slow reading group at school. Here goes...

I think you need something like a title for each screenshot. 'Part 1, Part 2 etc' or whatever. Currently, when I look at screenshots for apps I don't see them as a progression, more as a collection of the best bits. Thus, when I look at the shots, I see them as random...

Perhaps simplifying the symbols would be a good idea, as you mentioned. Right now I see 'bombs (a bomb) are bad (unhappy face), they lead to death (skull and crossbones)'.

This makes me think 'I need to avoid getting killed by bombs'.

The next pic says (to me, anyway) Death (skull and crossbones) leads to medals (medal) which is good (happy face).

Which kinda confuses me. Should I be avoiding death? If I do die, I get medals, which is good. So is death good now?

I think my main issue here is that I associate the skull and crossbones with death. You know, it's on poison bottles and pirate ships and such. I don't get that it's supposed to symbolise kills, which, after you'd written it out, I got 'in words' but not in the pictures.

The bomb store you haven't done yet as you mentioned, the bomb at his feet is fine. The other main issue I have though is that because the blue guy is so prominent I assume he's the main character. Is he? I don't know. It looks like you're trying to blow him up, but I'm not sure. If he *is* the main character, isn't blowing him up bad?

Like I said, I'm still confuzzled. Sorry! It's probably just me though!

QS

JamesZeppelin

Sure they could use a little something here and there but by and far they say more than ninety percent of regular screen shots.

I think it is flipping awesome.

quantumsheep

I *KNEW* I should have been put in the slow reading group...

scitunes

QS, i think you are trying too hard!

The reason I think these screen shots work is that it shows polish and it stands out from other apps. So right away it sends a message to people that this game is well made. People will likely see well made polished professional looking screen shots and assume the game is also polished and professional. To me that's the point. Though I do agree that I have no idea what the blue guy is trying to tell me. I just know that it has a lot of personality and looks like fun.

fun=sales=$$$

quantumsheep

scitunes said:
QS, i think you are trying too hard!

Though I do agree that I have no idea what the blue guy is trying to tell me. I just know that it has a lot of personality and looks like fun.

Oh, I can see it has personality and looks like fun too! Never said otherwise. I just don't get what the blue guy's trying to say either!

Crazybreadman

@artonskyblue- Thank you for the complements! I used Illustrator for vector work, Photoshop for composition and effects, and shift+command+3 for screenshots (while playing mac build).

QS- I like the idea of a header... will have to try it out. I guess the prob is that you're thinking you are playing as the blue guy, but you are in fact the faceless 'god of the cannon' trying to blow up the poor blue sap. Maybe I can figure out how to convey that right at the start to avoid confusion.

@James and Sci- Thanks and yeah you cant take the blue monster too seriously. He has no idea what he's talking about...

AfterBurnett

Well I like the reflections

butterbean

I think they look fabulous the way they are! I think it will definitely attract the attention of buyers

Crazybreadman

UPDATED SCREENS!
I hope this can help some of you think of new, creative ways to present your apps. After all, this is the your first impression to the buyer along w/ the icon so it's important! Well after the suggestions made, I added some changes... what's good and what should change back or otherwise? (don't worry about being a harsh critic, I'm in school for graphic design so I thrive on negative feedback lol)

quantumsheep

Now *THAT* is good

One tiny thing - the bombs are supposed to represent the cannon balls, right? Would it be too hard to do a graphic of the cannon firing?

You could do it like math (to go with the graph paper!):

Cannon + Bomb(or cannonball) = Dead Monster

Dead Monster = Medals

Yay? Nay?

QS

Crazybreadman

@QS- For some reason I wanted to use wingdings but a formula w/ custom symbols would be awesome! (The only one I made was the medal). As far as what the formulas will be... I'll work on it. The cannon does shoot exploding cannonballs so I wanted to represent that. Anyways, now that you've said this idea, I think I'll have to do it

Crazybreadman

quantumsheep said:

Cannon + Bomb(or cannonball) = Dead Monster

Dead Monster = Medals

Yay? Nay?

QS

Ok, after sleeping on it I think the formulas you wrote are good. The only part I cant figure out is how to represent this part... You have 5 shots each round and you only get medals if you kill him within 1-3 shots (gold, silver, bronze). I don't know if it's really necessary to put in the equation but is it possible? So Dead monster + ? = medals. Maybe I can show this another way on the same screen... ideas?

quantumsheep

3 x cannonball + dead monster = medals?

Glad you liked the general idea, and were open-minded enough to not just dismiss it! I'm not sure I could do the same! :O

QS

Crazybreadman

hmm, ok so maybe a bomb with '3+' inside of it would work. This has also brought to my attention that in-game instead of just showing remaining cannonballs, I might want to put the ball counter in 5/5 format. Wouldn't really make much difference once you play and realize you get 5 every round, but it might help at the start. Thanks for all the feedback everyone, especially QS. I think the screens have really improved!

JamesZeppelin

In my opnion its all about the first impression. People browse quick or they wouldnt call it browsing.

In short i think you're screens are great. Noone will think twice about what the blue guy even says except a few weirdoes. (excluding the people here since its out of context)
They are the people that research a game for three days before downloading or go into Wal*Mart with a tape measure and a notepad.

I fully plan to rip off your screen idea on my next game DoodleCannonz Deluxe. JK

Crazybreadman

@James- Good point and thanks. I know most won't take the time to figure it all out. But I think after they looks at the screens and are impressed, if he actually does communicate something that would be best. Oh look I rhymed! Anyways, as far as your upcoming game Doodle Cannonz Deluxe it sounds like fun! I'm currently working on 'Glow Doodle Cannon Jumper.'

Valan

Looks really good. The message is much clearer in the new set. Nice.

The reflection looks odd. I think that it makes the eye go off screen rather than holding it within the image.

I understand and agree with the need for it. Maybe it could be lighter and fade before it hits the image edge.

Similarly, I think the speech bubble detracts attention from the gameplay screen. Maybe the speech could be closer to the gameplay screen. Maybe overlapping a tiny bit? Tilt it up?

Hope this helps.

jhaas

2nd set clears it all up. Very unique and should help your sales. I think it adds a sense of fun to the whole thing - well done.

Now how do we learn from your example without blatantly copying you?

JamesZeppelin

jhaas said:
2nd set clears it all up. Very unique and should help your sales. I think it adds a sense of fun to the whole thing - well done.

Now how do we learn from your example without blatantly copying you?

We don't. We blatantly copy.