Eli Bock might be one of Newton?s youngest entrepreneurs.
Recognizing Apple?s thriving application market, the 16-year-old Newton North sophomore spent his summer designing, creating and marketing his own Apple application ?on his own dime.
After a December launch, Bock is now working on other applications to build his brand.
?It was a labor of love and I really enjoyed putting it together,? Bock said.
Bock started by combining his love for iPod applications and creating animations to get started.
After brainstorming an idea, he drew up all the animations and backgrounds for Space Kiwi ? a 60-level shooter game accessible for all ages.
?I did all of the art from scratch, and once I began programming I needed some help,? he said.
Bock used Elance, a website to help freelancers find work, to enlist a team of programmers.
He spent about 100 hours on the art and another 100 hours on setting up the backgrounds and animation.
?Overseeing the project and me worrying and thinking about everything, it took a long time,? he said.
Bock invested $4,000 of his own money, money made at his part-time job at the Newton Squash and Tennis Club. His parents matched the investment to help pay the programmers and purchase software.
He submitted it to Apple for review ? an experience he said was nerve-wracking.
?They were rejected at once because they thought there was a bug on the free version [but we cleared it up],? he said.
Once it had clearance from Apple, Space Kiwi launched on Dec. 13.
The user has to tilt the device so Space Kiwi can avoid obstacles and taps the screen to shoot enemies in the way.
Bock said there?s a free ten-level version, and the full version is available for 99 cents. So far he?s sold about 250 full versions.
?Apple takes 29 cents and I?m left with 70 cents,? Bock said. ?I hope I can at least break even.?
In the meantime, Bock has started his own company ? Orro Apps and is planning to make more apps in the future.
?It?s just so I can have my own name under the app on the app store. If people like Space Kiwi and if they see something else by Orro, they may say ?I better check this out, too?,? he said.
Bock said the feedback has been more than encouraging.
He said his friends love the game, but it was reviews from the App Store and appadvice.com that really made it all worthwhile.
One reviewer, Lory, said it?s the next big thing to hit the app store.
?Overall, this universal game is entertaining and challenging. The cute factor is so high that even the most hardened of hearts will melt, but the action is so good that teenaged boys won?t be embarrassed to brag about their high scores. Space Kiwi is sure to be the next big hit. Pick it up for only $0.99 in the App Store,? she wrote on appadvice.com on Dec. 18.
?It was fantastic,? Bock said of the review.
He said Space Kiwi is gender-neutral and is challenging for all ages.
And while he hopes it gains popularity, Bock urges other developers to take a stab at their own app.
?It?s just a fun process, and if someone is interested in it they should go for it. Apple is surprisingly welcoming to independent developers,? he said. ?The moral of the story ? without sounding too grandeur ? is try to do what I?m doing.?
To find out more about Space Kiwi, visit orrogames.wordpress.com.
?
usc football cybermonday coach outlet apostasy canon powershot elph 300 hs christmas lights canon eos rebel t3
কোন মন্তব্য নেই:
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন