Since I went on holiday there have been 2 updates... I agree progress is slow but I think the fact it's behind schedule is more frustrating than the number of updates at present.
I just wish people would get behind the product and shout the benefits to as many people as possible rather than complaining about the fact they are behind so TGC would get the additional backing they clearly need to get the product finished properly.
I know from experience that there are very few development projects that run exactly as planned and are completely unaffected by market shift or unforeseen circumstances. It's hard as a user to understand this but as developers you should all understand the factors that come into play.
Here's an idea for a future competition on the forum:
1-Write a full specification for a game/app including-
a-Full technical specification (exhaustive)
b-Budget (not zero, must include a "cost" for your time and that of anyone who provides input)
c-Completion date (within the timeframe of the competition)
d-Marketing plan (how/where/when and number of projected customers by required date to make a realistic return on investment)
2-Stick to the spec as closely as you can and complete the game/app by the completion date
3-Get the planned number of customers to "buy in" to the game/app by the time indicated in the marketing plan
You would be marked on how closely you stick to the budget, time, spec and marketing objectives but also on how well you communicate progress during development
That's a basic and incomplete version of a standard project. The prize is you might make back the money you put into the project in the first place if you do a good job. Extra prizes are given to developers who randomly hit the market at the right time with a badly planned and executed app.
Anyone interested? Great! Welcome to indie development
