From i_do_not_like at yahoo.com  Tue Mar  8 12:51:47 2011
From: i_do_not_like at yahoo.com (MarkG)
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 09:51:47 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [757labs_gamedev] Android becoming leading platform on mobile
	devices, augmented reality apps, & micro-credits/upgrades
Message-ID: <865492.19063.qm@web45907.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>

I will also try to stop-by for the Saturday game dev meeting at 8 PM.  Matt -- will you be announcing it on the 757labs blog or Facebook page?

In case anyone missed it, here is a news article, showing Android's rise compared to other platforms:
   Android passes BlackBerry as No. 1 on smartphones
   http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/07/technology/android/index.htm
   by David Goldman - March 7, 2011: 4:49 PM ET

Although there are probably good reasons to look at other platforms, you have to admit that Android's market share makes for a pretty meaty target.

Also, as we had discussed an augmented reality game, here is another article showcasing some popular ones:
   10 top augmented reality travel apps
   http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/03/08/cnngo.augmented.reality.travel.apps/index.html?hpt=C2
   by Winnie So - March 8, 2011 11:05 a.m. EST

Lastly, yet another idea to consider are micro-credits / upgrades, like with Farmville (Zynga) or TF2 (Steam/Valve).  Let's say we have a free version, and a paid version.  Maybe somewhere in between, customers can purchase little things in the game for cheap.  With TF2, you can buy things like new weapons, or even different colors for your items, for $1 or so.  Sure it sound like nickle-and-dime stuff, but if 100 people buy a $1 item...well, you get the idea.

- Mark G.
i_do_not_like at yahoo.com

> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2011 22:14:50 -0500
> From: cyber fluxor <cyberfluxor at hotmail.com>
> 
> Last Saturday was a decent little gathering and shooting around of ideas. I have been spending a little bit of time investigating the Android and want to see if those who are still interested in getting the ball rolling can meet up again this Saturday around 8pm. Materializing a direction for the team and collecting potential inventory around the Lab is a good start.
> 
> Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 09:14:28 -0500
> From: Bad Kobold <badkobold at gmail.com>
> 
> It looks like Android is the new market leader (or soon to be), and it is
gaining steam so I think it is a great platform to reach the masses.
> 
> I'll be at the meeting on Saturday.