How does an indie make contacts within Apple

[LinQsta]

Hi all,

Having read many a blog and ebook on pre-launch strategies, a lot of indies mention that a key part of success if from relationships with apple...

I appreciate you may not want to give secrets away but how does one go about doing this?

Would appreciate any responses...

Thanks
Mike

[LinQsta]

Anyone??

[ColeyWoley]

I don't think its a question anyone can answer... There's no secret handshake (at least I don't think so!)

[LinQsta]

The only dialogue I had with an Apple employee was when my app was rejected - was this a networking opportunity lost?

[Rubicon]

Quite possibly.

Our first major title got featured in new & noteworthy, which happened without is talking to anyone - just got lucky I guess. Second time around we were blessed with a reach out from an Apple rep. (in confidence, sorry).

I've tried to engage him a few times since, but I think they're *really* busy and basically auto-delete anything not directly related to what's going on that week.

[MarcJay]

I think times have changed very quickly for indies, unfortunately. Getting into new and noteworthy used to be easier before ever single AAA publisher moved their games from consoles to the app store. Even review sites are tougher as AAA publishers are considered newsworthy and demand reviews. There are only so many new and noteworthy games and only so many reviews that will be done. So indies will just get less coverage/smaller piece of the same pie. Sucks, but not going to change. Obviously sme great games will still make it through.

[MightyRabbitJosh]

If you're making something super unique, Apple will find you. We were lucky enough to get a good amount of press coverage on our game before release. When we got the chance to meet someone from Apple at GDC, they were already following the game and were happy to talk to us.

If you're making something that isn't terribly unique, well, I don't know what to suggest. I've heard people will do targeted Facebook ads for their game - just set your demographic to Apple App Store employees in Cupertino, CA. That could end up expensive, though.

[unexpect3rd]

Originally Posted by LinQsta

The only dialogue I had with an Apple employee was when my app was rejected - was this a networking opportunity lost?

Think I missed my networking opportunity as well. Had one of my app rejected, I appealed, they tried to contact me, calling all the way from Cupertino (I googled the incoming phone number), but the caller always ring me at the wrong time, I was on the roads the few time he/she called.

[Hercule]

Originally Posted by unexpect3rd

Think I missed my networking opportunity as well. Had one of my app rejected, I appealed, they tried to contact me, calling all the way from Cupertino (I googled the incoming phone number), but the caller always ring me at the wrong time, I was on the roads the few time he/she called.

I don't think support guys are the same as apple editor guys.
You probably didn't miss anyhting.

[R3v]

It's simple - Apple will get in touch with you. Same happened to us with Facebook - simply if you are interesting enough for them, they will contact you.