Battleship!

Monkey Archive Forums/Monkey Projects/Battleship!

Xaron(Posted 2012) [#1]
Hi all,

our latest project is ready for Android, iPhone and Windows Phone:

Android
Full version EN (€0,99): https://market.android.com/details?id=com.codeknitters.battleship
Lite version EN: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.codeknitters.battleshiplite
Full version DE (€0,99): https://market.android.com/details?id=com.codeknitters.schiffeversenken
Lite version DE: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.codeknitters.schiffeversenkenlite

iPhone
Full version (€0,79): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battleship-pro/id507969813
Lite version: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battleship-lite/id509150187

Windows Phone
Full version EN (€0,99): http://windowsphone.com/s?appid=68f23c25-38e4-4208-87ce-7e5a907a1c69
Full version DE (€0,99): http://windowsphone.com/s?appid=fa5925b2-fc3b-435e-b8f8-d6cff62c83d7
Lite version: ...waiting for approval

It's basically the battleship game like you know from school but this plays on hexagonal fields!





Xaron(Posted 2012) [#2]
Lite version for Android is available now!

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.codeknitters.battleshiplite


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#3]
Hi all,

the iPhone and Windows Phone versions are now available, here all links:


Android
Full version EN (€0,99): https://market.android.com/details?id=com.codeknitters.battleship
Lite version EN: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.codeknitters.battleshiplite
Full version DE (€0,99): https://market.android.com/details?id=com.codeknitters.schiffeversenken
Lite version DE: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.codeknitters.schiffeversenkenlite

iPhone
Full version (€0,79): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battleship-pro/id507969813
Lite version: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battleship-lite/id509150187

Windows Phone
Full version EN (€0,99): http://windowsphone.com/s?appid=68f23c25-38e4-4208-87ce-7e5a907a1c69
Full version DE (€0,99): http://windowsphone.com/s?appid=fa5925b2-fc3b-435e-b8f8-d6cff62c83d7
Lite version: ...waiting for approval


Supertino(Posted 2012) [#4]
Downloaded the lite version last night for my Android HTC desire, a really nice battleship game, nice music, overall a solid package. Might have bought it if the full version had some kind of progressive campaign.


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#5]
Thanks!

Just a short info: This baby takes off like hell. Incredible.

Having more than 2,000 downloads per day for Android (lite version):

at the moment:

downloads lite: 17,294
downloads full: 558

And that's all within a month. Not that bad! We will expand this game now with much more features.


Volker(Posted 2012) [#6]
This baby takes off like hell. Incredible.

Lets see what happens when the movie Battleship launches
mid of april. Perfect timing.


Jesse(Posted 2012) [#7]
I am just wondering and I don't really know but Doesn't Hasbro owns the rights to the word "Battleship" for a game tittle?


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#8]
Yes they own the right for the word battleship for a specific game. The word "battleship" itself is too generic to be owned by anyone, you can only own a game concept together with a a name. Our Battleship is the classic one, played for more than hundred years now under this name.

Same is true for the game Risk. You just can't create a clone of Risk with the name Risk.

BTW: The german version generates the most downloads, I'd say 4/5 of all. So I would have almost no impact to change the english name or pull it completely. There are dozends of other battleship games in the market btw...


muddy_shoes(Posted 2012) [#9]
Xaron, that really isn't how trademarks work. Hasbro do own the trademark on the word Battleship as it applies to computer games, in the US at least. Here, look: http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4006:53jjn2.2.16

Edit: And also in Europe. Application: 006894984 if you care to go and look.

You can trademark Battleship just the same as you can trademark Windows or Apple or any other "generic" word. You seem to be confusing the concept of trademark with copyright. Hasbro cannot use a gameplay copyright to stop you publishing a game that plays like Battleship, that's true, but they can do something about you using their trademark.


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#10]
Hmm right thanks for that. I'll just rename it. I make most of the downloads with the german version anyway.

Btw, if "Battleship" is trademarked is that true for "Battle Ship" as well?


therevills(Posted 2012) [#11]
Awhile ago Dabz release his "battleships" games:

http://www.indiecodez.com/forum/index.php/topic,103.0.html

I think he did some research on the trademark at the time too...


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#12]
Ah thanks. Well I've already renamed it from "Battleship" to "Battle Ships". That would be enough especially as the game play is totally different. And as I said, we make 80% of our revenue with the German version.

We are now at place 22 in the Arcade Top Seller Section! WOW. Page 1!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/category/ARCADE?feature=category-nav


muddy_shoes(Posted 2012) [#13]
Btw, if "Battleship" is trademarked is that true for "Battle Ship" as well?


(Usual I am not a lawyer disclaimer applies).

The match does not have to be exact for someone to successfully claim an infringement. The general principle is whether the name can be seen as passing off as the trademark. The further away from the exact word the less likely any claim would be successful or made at all, of course.

If Hasbro's lawyers notice your game and feel the need to act it seems most likely that you'll never see the inside of a courtroom to argue the case. The app stores will probably decide if there's a legitimate claim first and foremost. Do you think Apple will feel like standing between you and Hasbro to fight for the idea that a space strongly differentiates your title from Hasbro's trademark?


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#14]
No of course not. ;) I've changed the name to "BATTLE SHIPS". That should be enough especially as the gameplay is totally different to Hasbro's.

And I make most downloads with the german one anyway.

Here come some statistics (lot of graphics!):

March 2012

We are in the Top 100 section of Overall Games for Germany! :)
http://www.appannie.com/app/android/com.codeknitters.schiffeversenken/ranking/

Android

Revenue: 378.75€

BATTLE SHIPS LITE (english Lite Version): 1,183 Downloads

Daily Downloads:


Android versions:


Devices:


Countries:


Languages:



BATTLE SHIPS PRO (english Full Version): 156 Downloads

Daily Downloads:


Android versions:


Devices:


Countries:


Languages:



SCHIFFE VERSENKEN LITE (german Lite Version): 19,444 Downloads

Daily Downloads:


Android versions:


Devices:


Countries:


Languages:



SCHIFFE VERSENKEN (german Full Version): 457 Downloads

Daily Downloads:


Android versions:


Devices:


Countries:


Languages:



iPhone

Revenue: 98.00€

BATTLE SHIPS LITE: 8,628 Downloads
BATTLE SHIPS PRO: 193 Downloads


muddy_shoes(Posted 2012) [#15]
I've changed the name to "BATTLE SHIPS". That should be enough especially as the gameplay is totally different to Hasbro's.


The gameplay is more or less irrelevant. The fact that it is a game is enough. The issue is trademark on the name for games, not gameplay copyright (which does not exist).

I'd say that you're being disingenuous on that point anyway. Your game is clearly aligned with the known Battleship gameplay, which is why you called it Battleship in the first place. That act of naming and your insistence on staying as close as possible to that name also shows that you are aware of the recognition that the name brings and its inherent value, which is the whole reason for trademark protection in the first place.

Do what you want, of course. I hope you have no problems.


c.k.(Posted 2012) [#16]
Some options:

Boat Battle
Boat Battles
War on Water
War on the Water
Angry Waves
Surface of the Ocean Vehicle Conflict
Entity vs Entity on Water

etc.


NoOdle(Posted 2012) [#17]
Surface of the Ocean Vehicle Conflict

haha genious


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#18]
LOL, indeed. We've changed it to Battle Ships. There are dozends of "Battleship" games in the markets, so that derivation should be safe.

We just crossed the 50.000 downloads mark with the German lite version. WOW!

More features will come with an update in the next days!

We are at the 18th(!) place in the top paid section for arcade&action games!
We are at the 15th place in the top free section for arcade&action games!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/category/ARCADE?feature=category-nav&hl=en


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#19]
After 7 weeks since the launch we crossed the 100.000 downloads for the german lite version! That's awesome, never thought it would be that many!


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#20]
Just released an update for Android with a new game mode including salvo shots, bomber and mines. This makes it much more faster!

I've added Openfeint as well. Multiplayer will follow!


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#21]
Finally the Amazon app store is available for german devs! :)

So here we go:

http://www.amazon.com/Codeknitters-Battleship-Pro/dp/B008HSOT18
http://www.amazon.com/Codeknitters-Battleship-Lite/dp/B008HSO8YQ

Amazon will take our game into their free app of the day promo as well! :)


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#22]
We are featured today as the free app of the day at Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/mobile-apps/b?ie=UTF8&node=2350149011




silentshark(Posted 2012) [#23]
Wow! That should drive some downloads.. Well done!


Xaron(Posted 2012) [#24]
That gave us 138,703 downloads on one day! Wow!