Skip to main content
  1. Posts/

Reddit designed my app's next two games on Monday. I shipped them Monday night. Tuesday we hit #6 in paid Travel.

·4 mins

The Unlikely Designers: Reddit’s Impact on App Success #

Have you ever stumbled upon an app idea in Reddit’s r/sideproject, only to see it becoming a hit within days? Recently, a user shared an incredible story of how Reddit’s community designed and shipped their next two games, which promptly hit the number 6 spot in paid travel apps. This tale highlights the power of community-driven development and the importance of embracing user feedback in the product lifecycle. In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, it’s easy to overlook the immense potential of community-driven projects. However, this approach has proven to be a double-edged sword. While it can lead to innovative and unexpected solutions, it also comes with its fair share of challenges and potential pitfalls. First, let’s delve into the world of user-generated content. A prime example is the app “Glitch,” which allows users to create and share custom game levels. The platform’s co-founder, Jonathan Larsen, shared a story about how a user submitted an idea for a game called “Observation,” which ultimately became a massive hit. Glitch’s user-generated content not only saved time but also provided a unique perspective on level design that might have been missed in traditional development methods. However, user-generated content also brings its downsides. One major issue is the quality of submissions. While Glitch has a dedicated moderation team to ensure the quality of user-generated levels, the sheer volume of submissions can make it difficult to police every aspect. Moreover, the lack of a clear design vision can lead to a lack of cohesion in the overall product. This is where traditional development methods tend to excel. With a clear design roadmap and a dedicated team, app developers can ensure that the final product aligns with the project’s initial vision. Now, let’s explore the world of community-designed games. In an inspiring r/sideproject thread, user u/new2lifting shared their experience with creating Saints Row IV. The app’s co-creator and the original game, The Saints Row, was born from a collaborative effort with the Reddit community. The Saints Row game had an unusual premise, with players taking the roles of the Saints, a diverse group of vigilantes known as The Sons of Steel, who battle against Paul Revire, a criminal organization. Players can engage in crime-fighting and exploration in Portland and San Francisco, or challenge the Sons of Steel to progressive combat matches with playable characters. The seemingly disadvantaged game managed to achieve moderate success around app store rankings, despite its niche popularity . Comparing it to traditional games was also a lively discussion on r/sideproject, showing that community-designed games have the potential to outshine single-developer projects when it comes to creative solutions. By embracing user feedback and incorporating it into the development process, app creators can unlock a wealth of untapped potential. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between community involvement and professional oversight. This approach not only fosters a sense of ownership and investment among users but also helps ensure that the final product meets the developer’s vision. In the end, the success of community-driven projects lies in the developer’s ability to listen to user feedback and incorporate it into the development process. By doing so, they can create innovative and unique apps that truly stand out in the crowded app market.

Favorite Games Designed on the Backs of Helpless Souls #

Here are some of the games that have been designed by Reddit based on the shared thread

  • B-O-X-O-IX
  • OLC-1.5 Example FAQ: Q: Are user-generated content apps like Glitch always free to use? A: While Glitch offers many levels for free, it also sells access to certain levels for premium accounts or game-specific passes on line. Q: How much time and effort does it take to develop a community-designed game like Saints Row IV? A: The development of Saints Row IV involved the collaboration of hundreds of users from r/sideproject, indicating that the cost will be proportional to the effort and time each developer contributes. Q: How can someone contribute to a community-designed project? A: If you want to contribute to community-designing projects, express your thoughts in r/sideproject and provide as much pertinent information as possible.