Froggy Jump by Invictus ($.99)

[invictusgames]

First of all thanks for your words, we take them into consideration and will tweak the game with upcoming updates.

Secondly, the items in the in-game shop are non compulsory ones to beat the game. Obviously you don't need to buy all the character customization items too. Boosting items like rockets, laser-shield, spike shield... etc are items to help you if you need some assistance, but the full depth of the game can be explored without them as well.

On the other hand you get 45 Gems for your dollar and you can find a few additional gems in-game, placed randomly.
For these at least 45 Gems you can buy numerous things initially as well, so it's up to you how to spend them. Some buys clothes, some buys an auto-rocket, someone buys a head-bucket. Those who want more can buy more.

But again, the items are extras and are not necessary to jump your frog really high.

[Devilishly Good]

How high up do you have to go to encounter gems...I haven't found a single one yet? I think it would be cool if you earned gems by reaching certain heights...so even people who are not that good can still earn gems while someone who is really good will likely earn gems faster to buy the customizations.

I do have to agree though, what's stopping someone from buying gems and rocket boosts and getting an easy boost up the leaderboards?

[cranker]

Originally Posted by Devilishly Good

How high up do you have to go to encounter gems...I haven't found a single one yet? I think it would be cool if you earned gems by reaching certain heights...so even people who are not that good can still earn gems while someone who is really good will likely earn gems faster to buy the customizations.

I do have to agree though, what's stopping someone from buying gems and rocket boosts and getting an easy boost up the leaderboards?

I am wondering the same thing. It sounds like this would make the leaderboards useless which would mean "delete" for me. I am very competitive and things have to be equal to keep it fun and fair. One way arounjd this is if purchased items are used your score should not be included on the leaderboard or put on a seperate leaderboards. I really hate when you can buy your way to the top (not sure if this is the case with this game or not) or do the same board over and over again to get to the top (Gianna Sisters)....etc .......this removes all the motivation to play the game and get high scores.

[LordGek]

Originally Posted by cranker

I am wondering the same thing. It sounds like this would make the leaderboards useless which would mean "delete" for me. I am very competitive and things have to be equal to keep it fun and fair. One way arounjd this is if purchased items are used your score should not be included on the leaderboard or put on a seperate leaderboards. I really hate when you can buy your way to the top (not sure if this is the case with this game or not) or do the same board over and over again to get to the top (Gianna Sisters)....etc .......this removes all the motivation to play the game and get high scores.

Invictus is trying to make the same feeble argument made by FDG about Parachute Panic's $0.99 for extra lives which to EVERYBODY was a blatant "pay to play" deal since they're all using the same scoreboard. They reasoned really good players wouldn't need the extra lives and even with the extra lives, a complete newbie wouldn't be competitive. Sure but, as we countered in unison, a semi-competent player WOULD have a huge advantage and this was clearly an unspoken selling point of that DLC.

[cranker]

Originally Posted by LordGek

Invictus is trying to make the same feeble argument made by FDG about Parachute Panic's $0.99 for extra lives which to EVERYBODY was a blatant "pay to play" deal since they're all using the same scoreboard. They reasoned really good players wouldn't need the extra lives and even with the extra lives, a complete newbie wouldn't be competitive. Sure but, as we countered in unison, a semi-competent player WOULD have a huge advantage and this was clearly an unspoken selling point of that DLC.

This kind of "pay for extra lives" or gems in this case make the leaderboards useless and the game itself useless to me. What's the point ? It might make you some extra money in the short run, but probably not in the long run. As someone who has been playing video games for many years, these kind of money making extras are completely unacceptable. An insult to serious gamers as well as most casual gamers....IMO of course.

Talk about ruining a game

[freedog]

This is the type of game that's purpose is all about distance, competition and the leaderboards. There is no other purpose. Now I could see DLC for extra scenery maybe, but when you start charging for powerups it destroys the fairness involved in the competition. This is basically a $5 Doodle Jump for anyone who sincerely expects to compete, as its clear you will easily reach a lot higher distance the more $ you spend.

So if you don't mind spending $5 on a Doodle Jump style game then this is fine, just keep in mind the competition still won't be equal or fair to a large extent because the majority of people who are paying the $.99 only are basically playing a different game.

[freedog]

And the reason why the gameplay feels off is because you can't actually earn the powerups or find enough gems unless of course, you pay for them. I could see paying for the DLC as being a quick option for someone to get the powerups if it took a long time to earn/acquire them in the game, but the problem is that there is no way to earn/acquire the powerups AT ALL without buying them. For example, there is no way to earn extra rocket slots in the game even at a slow pace, yet you can buy a bunch of them with real money right away.

[invictusgames]

We are happy to announce that Froggy Jump is now FREE! Grab it while its hot!

[estamas]

im happy u made the game free, now a lot of people will enjoy it. as i see the openfeint leaderboard is now over 1900 users, thats impressive.

btw i found about 8 gems with circa 1 hour of play, so i dont think its impossible to buy the stuffs in the store.

[New England Gamer]

Originally Posted by estamas

im happy u made the game free, now a lot of people will enjoy it. as i see the openfeint leaderboard is now over 1900 users, thats impressive.

btw i found about 8 gems with circa 1 hour of play, so i dont think its impossible to buy the stuffs in the store.

And yet all three of your posts have been about invictus games. A big fan I see.

But for the rest of us, I have been trying to play for over an hour and only came across the flame and the bouncing mushrooms. Only one blue gem so far. So I am unlucky? I haven't even filled the second rocket slot! Will I be able to?

I don't mind if a dev wants to make some extra money via DLC but I do mind when it is game related and your success in the game is directly proportional to how much money you are willing to spend.