Creating A Mobile Game that Goes Viral

The methods I present here can be used to create your own app or game ideas. Alternatively, you can use them to validate an idea you may already have.To have a successful mobile game, you don't have to come up with something that is totally unique. The top ranking games are successful for a reason - they take what people like and they either expand on the concept or they improve it.Not having to create something totally unquiet has a number of advantages including:• leverage off current popular themes, • take advantage of what already works• give end users what they actually want, not what you think they wantSo let’s look at some of the ways you can start your creative 'juices' flowing using the technique of market analysis.Idea GenerationOne of the simplest ways to create a concept for a new game is to take an old game and improve it. Here you are going to have to conduct a little market research. Don’t worry, it's not that difficult.Luckily there are two quick ways to get some neat game ideas.Online Game SitesThese sites have a great mix of old and new games. You're guaranteed to find plenty of game ideas when you browse through even just a few game sites. Just be careful not to spend a lot of time playing the games – remember: it’s meant to be market research!The App StoresThe App Stores are another great place to conduct market research. You can search through the top free, top paid and top grossing lists for ideas. When I designed my game I drew on this type of market research to develop a game that followed the genre of other popular games.Alright so that’s where you can find some inspiration. But what sort of things should you be considering when you undertake your research?What Should You Analyze?A great way to come up with some killer ideas is to look at what's currently 'hot' on the online sites and App stores. For example you can take a look at the types of game themes (e.g. flight, medieval, war-craft, zombies, etc) that make up the top app (game) lists on each site.Another way to identify what's 'hot' is to analyze what is currently the most popular game-play types (e.g. reflex games, thinking games). Looking at what’s hot will give you a feel for what people are presently playing. You can also look at the reviews and feedback for ideas.The online game sites and App Stores contain a wealth of information. You've just got to take the time to conduct your own market research. One other thing about using online sites and the App Stores is that you're able to conduct targeted market research for free. How good is that!When I researched my game idea, I looked at hundreds of games online and in the App store. I took the time to record the pros and cons of a variety of game types. I was able to collect some priceless information on what users like and don't like in particular games. Armed with this sort of information, the odds of creating a popular game swing a little more in my favor.If you take the time to conduct some targeted market research using the ideas I've discussed. Then you're far more likely to improve your chances of creating a game that goes viral. And wouldn't that be great!So let's quickly recap the two step process I used to create my first iPhone app (game).I took the time to research online game sites and the App Store paying particular attention to 'what's hot'. Then I used the ideas gathered to identify ways that I could leverage the success of some of the most popular games.Key Points:

1. You don’t need to create an original game to have a big hit.
2. Use online resources (App Store, online game sites) to conduct your research.
3. You can get some great ideas by looking at what’s currently hot online or in the App Stores.
4. Remember this is free, targeted market research - so take the time to use these resources.