Stories like this come around once every few years.
Meet David Reichelt.
David is the mobile game developer behind Color Switch, one of the most popular games in the history of the app store and has ranked #1 for over 40 days total and has been downloaded over 30 Million times in 2.5 months.
David was fascinated by computers as a child, had his first Nintendo at 7, loved the TRON movie, was a high school dropout and after the Army went back to school to achieve a Bachelors Degree in performance. He’s an accomplished magician and Member of The Magic Castle in Hollywood. Prior to Color Switch he confesses he invented over 40 very bad games and has become a student of graphic design, game experience and the app business.
“I went from almost having my car repo-ed and having that on my credit for 7 years to next month paying it off in one payment…it’s amazing how you can go from such desperate times to the complete opposite if you just stick to the game plan for your dream.”
I was luck enough to chat with David and hear about his rise to success. This “overnight success” actually started a little less than 3 years ago with David seeing a buddy modifying a Bluecloud app template on his computer and working relentlessly to reach the top.
iTunes Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-make-app-that-gets/id1025182869?i=363748592&mt=2
In this 60 minute episode, you’ll hear:
- How David went from Theater major to Game developer
- How passive income changed David’s mindset
- The 3 Phases of progress David went through before Color Switch
- How an accidental software purchase changed his entire life
- How to include “Flow State” into apps to drive incredible engagement
- Partnering and getting published strategies
- The importance of Game Design Principles
- The simple rule David would tell all entrepreneurs out there who want to reach the top
- What David is doing next
Resources mentioned:
- Buildbox – game building software David used to build Color Switch (click here for free 30 day trial)
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
- Fortafy Games – David’s publisher
- The Art of Game Design by Jess Schell
- Bluecloud Select Community
- The Bluecloud 21 Step App Checklist – an easy place to anyone to start learning about apps
- A Pattern Language – Christopher Alexander
- GarageBand – sound editor used
- ToastMasters – public speaking organization
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If you want to get started with apps (or at least learn about the business), download our free 21 Step App Checklist here.
Catch you guys later,
Carter
Pure gold here man thanks so much for doing this interview to Carter and David, this is the dream and the pursuit!
Carter, loved interview with David!! So inspirational. I’ve been following/learning apps & games/studying with you, Chad & Trey (even got Buildbox early) like David since 2013, but his successful application of his ideas, concepts and learning are fantastic. I especially loved his closing words of wisdom for appreneuers (positive thinking, fail until succeed, get lots help, be constant student, game design, etc). Studying with you and Chad on AppEmpire 2.0 and Trey on GameAcademy, etc, I have dream of being as successful as David, but I need to EXECUTE on everything I’ve learned and will keep learning. Keep up those great interviews!
guys
you’ve missed out an important resource mentioned by David.
The book: Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques by Michael Michalko
http://www.amazon.com/Thinkertoys-Handbook-Creative-Thinking-Techniques-Edition/dp/1580087736
regards
AndyG
David Is Creative. i Saw His Card Flourishes On YouTube. And Also Color Switch. paying It , Its So Addictive.
But Lets Get Funny. Actually David Missed On Spelling. Of “Color”=”Colour
Totally Inspired… I’m hot on your heels David! .. I hope! lol 🙂
Inspiring Journey of design and continued belief, there’s a lot of similarities anyone who has studied with Trey, Carter and Chad can relate to, great to see such a down to earth guy like David openly share so much of his knowledge gained, thankyou and great podcast Carter cheers.
The only website I came across for getting some know how about apps, after that I haven’t even tried of visiting any other site. Haven’t listened the interview, just about to hit the play button now.
Cheers man
@Karan – it’s a good one. Wait until you hear him speak in November at the SF Live Event!
I don’t know how to make application and games
@Praise – this is the best free resource to start and get an idea and roadmap of app development: http://www.bluecloudsolutions.com/how-to-make-an-app-guide/
30 million downloads sure sounds like success–unless it wasn’t monetized. Can you give us some indication of what a general profit projection looks like at “x” number of downloads? I know the answer varies widely, but as I pursue this field, I need to put some projections into my personal business plan. How can I estimate my ROI?
@Logan – it’s actually 120 Million now. Need to update that. Your estimate depends on a lot of factors. If you get 100 people who are all surgeons who need your X-ray app, you might make $1,000,000. If you get 10,000,000 teenagers who want your fart app, you might only make $5,000.
Meaning get WAY more specific then I can help you.