Exclusive Interview With Dot-to-Dot iOS App Developer, Reza Farhad
Dot-to-Dot is a universal app for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, for one or two players, it is a variation on the traditional Dots game, where the objective of the game has been to make squares by connecting adjacent dots. In this version, by changing the grid of dots, you can either form a triangle or a square, making the game more visually interesting and challenging. Also by having a timer and a spinner, that introduces a factor of luck, the characteristics of the game can be changed, introducing a different tactical approach for the different settings.
We are currently reviewing this app but in the meantime we wanted to interview the developer, Reza Farhad to find out how this app came to be materialised and especially how she managed to make it so addictive, fascinating and downright entertaining. Read this exclusive interview now…
The Beginning
1 Please explain how your app was originally thought of and what were your thoughts behind the marketplace, specifically?
The app is based on a childhood game and my son came up with the variation on the theme. There are many single player games for the iPad and iPhone, however this one is really to be played with 2 people creating interaction between the players like other traditional gams such as checkers, chess and backgammon. the challenge was how through a game with simple set of rules one can create an interesting experience both in game play and interaction between the players.
Design
2 Explain the design, how you came up with the colors and themes.
The game is mimicking traditional board games such as chess, backgammon and checkers, and as an architect the visual language was very import part of the design process
Target Market
3 Who do you see as the main target market for this app in terms of age, genre and expenditure?
It is a puzzle game from 7 and upwards and also a great game for an adult, such as parents, to play with their children
Production Process
How long did it take from the original planning to the production process of this app?
The project took approximately 6 months.
Sales
How do you predict sales to be, is there a good solid market for this style of app?
Unpredictable. It is very difficult to market for such an app.
Obstacle
What has been the hardest obstacle you have had to overcome regarding this app development?
The real challenge was to code for the autoplay as it needed to be able to assess the best move from a large set of possibilities quickly
Third Parties
Would you consider developing apps for third parties?
No
App Store
What have you learnt from the App Store?
Down to the point
Apple Support
Have Apple supported you well with your App development?
Yes, great tools and documentation.
The Future
10 What next, are you developing another app, would you go for the same genre again, if not which?
Yes we are in the process of developing another app for the iPad and which is going to be for the professional sector. I cannot say anymore about it.
Our Support
What do you think about TheAppWhisperer.com? Have we helped you? Would you recommend us? Have we been supportive?
Frankly I did not know about theappwhisperer before but you have been both encouraging and supportive. I hope it will lead to good result.
This app is available in the App Store for $0.99 and you can download it here.
Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photographer, photography journalist, editor and curator and the founder and editorial director of TheAppWhisperer.com, an independent international photography publication established in 2009.Her journalism, criticism and commentary have appeared in The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Financial Times, BBC, Vogue Italia, LensCulture, Popular Photography, Android Magazine, NikonPro, DPReview, Which Digital Camera and Which Camera. She has lectured internationally on photography and mobile art, served as a juror for international photography awards, and exhibited her own photographic work across the UK, Europe, South Korea and the United States.Alongside her editorial work, Joanne's photographic and postgraduate research explores death, grief, memory, representation and social inequality through contemporary photography, participatory practice and visual research methods, with the longer-term aim of developing this work through doctoral research.Through TheAppWhisperer, she continues to publish independent photography journalism spanning contemporary photographic practice, mobile imaging, photographic apps, computational photography and emerging imaging technologies.Joanne is available for editorial commissions, photography projects, judging, curatorial work, speaking engagements, consultancy and selected collaborations.
