Release Android

Context

With the virtual opponent in place, several bug fixes, stability improvements and player feedback improvements it's time to create the first original release of SugarVita. The IOS version of the game has been offline for quite a while because it was breaching the security regulations because it was running on an old version of Unity and it hasn't been updated in about 4 years. With another intern handling the IOS version, we had to get the same version onto the Google Play Store as well. 

What actions are needed to list a game on the Google Play Store?

Methods

Library - Literature Study

I had never looked into listing a game in the Google Play Store so I had to start from scratch. The first thing I found was this amazing article where the whole process is listed. First, I needed a developer account and create an organisation. The entry fee to create such an organisation is $25.00. Personal details like phone number, address and name are required. When this organisation has been reviewed by Google, I can create an app and got to fill in a lot of information about the game. Create a content rating based on a series of questions, link to a privacy policy, select a target audience, create a minimum of 4 screenshots for phones and the same minimum for tablets and fill in a lot more information. 

When all of this is filled in, I can create an app, give it a name, version number, upload the build and create a release. The release has to be looked at by Google and when it's all good, the game will be online and available for all Android devices.\

Alternatively, instead of creating an app, I can ask the product owner to contact the previous developers (whom still own the app on the app stores) and ask them to transfer the app to our organisation. This will transfer ownership on the app and I would be able to schedule an update for the app. This however needs to be reviewed by Google and can take up to 2 weeks before the update can even be applied for. This has the added benefit it gives us data about the usage of the app before we had the ownership. Also, people who already downloaded the app can now easily update it instead of having to actively download it again.