Interesting Data comparing iOS and Android users regarding Monument Valley game

[Lloydbm41]

After reviewing the latest data from developer USTWO on their game Monument Valley, the data seem to point to almost identical numbers with regards to revenue between iOS and Android, although the piracy rates are still higher amoungst Android. Here are the figures:

Revenue total for 2014: $5,858,625
iOS was 81.7% of that revenue and Android was 13.9%

USTWO got an average of $2.73 per 'legal download from iOS users
USTWO got an average of $2.75 per 'legal' download from Android users

The game was 'not paid for' on approx 60% of iOS devices
The game was 'not paid for' on approx 95% of Android devices
** Tweeted by USTWO on Jan 5
** Also note that Amazon had Monument Valley as a free download as its app of the day, so some Android users did not pirate the game, but that is likely a small percentage number.

The big takeaways from this is that while revenue between iOS and Android is equal on a 'per legal download' basis, iOS still pulls in much more total revenue. Secondly, piracy rates on iOS are not as low as I thought. 60% of those that hae downloaded the game on iOS did not pay for it. Some of this can be attributed to family sharing, but I'd imagine that is a small number by comparison.

Just some interesting data.

 

[tbayrgs]

Very interesting but IMO, not so surprising, considering we've seen similar data provided over the past few years stating much the same. And it's data like this that reinforces why developers seem to prefer iOS, or least develop for it first.

 

[gotluck]

The iOS piracy rate is pretty unbelievable. Can you install pirated apps without a jailbreak or something? No way that many people jailbreak

 

[MRU]

The iOS piracy rate is pretty unbelievable. Can you install pirated apps without a jailbreak or something? No way that many people jailbreak

I thought it had to be JB..

Regardless, it sickens me that so many people believe they have a right to something for free. I wonder how many nurses, civil servants, plumbers, electricians, shop/store workers etc... Would be happy with going to work for 10% of their basic salary, giving the other 90% away to thieves.

This culture that has been fostered regarding our modern popular arts / media with what seems to be a general social acceptance that "oh well - I know I shouldn't but i want it, and hey I'm only trying it" mentality of people is somehow less 'theifdom ' than a man walking into a store and stealing a carton of milk....

Sadly it looks like things have gone way too far over the brink to be pulled back.

 

[Lloydbm41]

The iOS piracy rate is pretty unbelievable. Can you install pirated apps without a jailbreak or something? No way that many people jailbreak

I didn't think so, but I haven't bothered jailbreaking since I had an iPhone 4. I can only report what the deeloper of the game tweeted. See screenshot below.

I can say that I bought the game when it was on sale during Christmas and I thought it was okay. Not great, but good. Worth $5? Def not IMO. Worth $2.99 and under? Sure.

 

[sracer]

Unless their game phones home to some place, how do they know how many pirated copies there are?

 

[mel823]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Android version come out a lot later than the iOS version? So it's understandable that the iOS version makes more money than the Android version. Also, the iOS version was the only that had the Product(Red) level (which I haven't played yet), so that was extra money for them too.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Android version come out a lot later than the iOS version? So it's understandable that the iOS version makes more money than the Android version. Also, the iOS version was the only that had the Product(Red) level (which I haven't played yet), so that was extra money for them too.

Release date for iOS was April 3, 2014.
Release date for Android was May 14, 2014.

Only 1 month apart.

An add-on expansion, entitled Forgotten Shores, was released for iOS devices on November 12, 2014, on Amazon Appstore on November 20, 2014 and on Google Play Store on November 24, 2014. **cited from wikipedia

 

[mel823]

Release date for iOS was April 3, 2014.
Release date for Android was May 14, 2014.

Only 1 month apart.

An add-on expansion, entitled Forgotten Shores, was released for iOS devices on November 12, 2014, on Amazon Appstore on November 20, 2014 and on Google Play Store on November 24, 2014. **cited from wikipedia

I don't recall it being a month long wait, but if they say so.

 

[TacticalDesire]

What amuses me about most smartphone users in general is that they buy a $200 smartphone (on contract) pay upwards of $70 a month but refuse to buy a $0.99 app. They absolutely will not download it if it isn't free.

 

[bubulol]

Its pretty logical though
Smartphone is physical device while app is service
I spent less than 1$ on iOS
I didnt buy any app on Android and its fine
Most of paid apps were in promotion (for free)
I am amazon customer and they gave me lot of promotions, that explain i didn't need to spend anything on Play Store

 

[tbayrgs]

The iOS piracy rate is pretty unbelievable. Can you install pirated apps without a jailbreak or something? No way that many people jailbreak

I thought it had to be JB..

Regardless, it sickens me that so many people believe they have a right to something for free. I wonder how many nurses, civil servants, plumbers, electricians, shop/store workers etc... Would be happy with going to work for 10% of their basic salary, giving the other 90% away to thieves.

This culture that has been fostered regarding our modern popular arts / media with what seems to be a general social acceptance that "oh well - I know I shouldn't but i want it, and hey I'm only trying it" mentality of people is somehow less 'theifdom ' than a man walking into a store and stealing a carton of milk....

Sadly it looks like things have gone way too far over the brink to be pulled back.

I think it's irresponsible to immediately jump to 'pirated' if an app was running on a device that didn't pay for the app. For example, we have numerous iOS devices in my household that are all tied to a single Apple ID for purchases. In fact, quick count shows that I believe 6 devices in our house have Monument Valley, yet it was only paid for a single time. We're not using pirated copies or doing anything outside of the rules of use. And just about everyone I know uses a single Apple ID for all of their family purchases--let's face it, it's a game and I'd guess a huge portion of the users are kids. Even if each family was only running the app on 2 devices, that's already 50% 'not paid'. I think family sharing Apple IDs (and now using the Family Sharing option) likely accounts for the vast majority of these situations.

 

[occollegeboi420]

Because people with android spend their money more wisely. A lot of people with iPhone have rich mommy and daddies who let their kids charge their plastic.

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What amuses me about most smartphone users in general is that they buy a $200 smartphone (on contract) pay upwards of $70 a month but refuse to buy a $0.99 app. They absolutely will not download it if it isn't free.

Most games for smart phones don't have that lasting, classic feel like games on a dedicated console have. That's why I don't pay for games. I'd rather pay for productivity apps than games.

 

[Lloydbm41]

I think it's irresponsible to immediately jump to 'pirated' if an app was running on a device that didn't pay for the app. For example, we have numerous iOS devices in my household that are all tied to a single Apple ID for purchases. In fact, quick count shows that I believe 6 devices in our house have Monument Valley, yet it was only paid for a single time. We're not using pirated copies or doing anything outside of the rules of use. And just about everyone I know uses a single Apple ID for all of their family purchases--let's face it, it's a game and I'd guess a huge portion of the users are kids. Even if each family was only running the app on 2 devices, that's already 50% 'not paid'. I think family sharing Apple IDs (and now using the Family Sharing option) likely accounts for the vast majority of these situations.

legal piracy vs illegal piracy... probably impossible for devs to differentiate. i.e. family sharing and free Amazon app downloads are legal, while Cydia and sideloaded apks are illegal.

And maybe a new term or word needs to be used in place of 'piracy' when it comes to digital media?

 

[mi7chy]

Competition is greater on Android due to higher quality and variety. Have seen better free to play apps and even demos like Epic Citadel so I'm not surprised this game hasn't taken off along with the fact that it has zero replayability factor.

 

[gotluck]

I think it's irresponsible to immediately jump to 'pirated' if an app was running on a device that didn't pay for the app. For example, we have numerous iOS devices in my household that are all tied to a single Apple ID for purchases. In fact, quick count shows that I believe 6 devices in our house have Monument Valley, yet it was only paid for a single time. We're not using pirated copies or doing anything outside of the rules of use. And just about everyone I know uses a single Apple ID for all of their family purchases--let's face it, it's a game and I'd guess a huge portion of the users are kids. Even if each family was only running the app on 2 devices, that's already 50% 'not paid'. I think family sharing Apple IDs (and now using the Family Sharing option) likely accounts for the vast majority of these situations.

Indeed that is very true, we do that at home too

 

[Oletros]

Competition is greater on Android due to higher quality and variety. Have seen better free to play apps and even demos like Epic Citadel so I'm not surprised this game hasn't taken off along with the fact that it has zero replayability factor.

Are you related to dumastudetto?

 

[Menneisyys2]

Pretty much understandable. Android is present in the very low price category (too) and those users, particularly in the third world, are unlikely to pay for their apps, unlike non-third-world flagship Android users (I've purchased all my Android apps & games for my flagship Note4, incl. high-priced ones like XCOM: Enemy Within).

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Release date for iOS was April 3, 2014.
Release date for Android was May 14, 2014.

Only 1 month apart.

An add-on expansion, entitled Forgotten Shores, was released for iOS devices on November 12, 2014, on Amazon Appstore on November 20, 2014 and on Google Play Store on November 24, 2014. **cited from wikipedia

BTW, I'm a pro dev (I actually get paid for writing iOS and Android apps). Generally, I develop productivity apps. Most of my custumers (the companies I write apps for) ask for the simultaneous release of the iOS and Android versions of my apps so that they only need to issue a press release / ad campaign only once.

Of course, this only applies for productivity apps written for third-parties, not games or indie productivity apps NOT written for someone as paid-for work.