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FAQ

Why did you release 20 apps on the same day?

I had a bunch of apps that I’d built for myself over the years, and friends kept encouraging me to release them. Building an app for yourself is one thing, but shipping an app to the public is much more difficult. If I was to release one app every month it would take me over a year and a half to release them all! Doing the App Store Dance on that sort of schedule is my idea of hell. So I decided to do it “once” for all my apps. It still took a couple of months to get them ready. I don’t advise anybody else do this, because it was painful. But I did it, and here we are!

Do you actively maintain all your apps?

Yes. All apps are actively maintained. If an app hasn’t been updated in a while, it means it has reached a stable state, rather than it being abandoned. Bug fixes in stable apps are prioritised over new features in apps that are in development.

Why are your apps so small?

I write native apps using platform frameworks, avoiding bloated dependencies. Many of my apps fit on a floppy disk! I believe apps should respect your time and computer resources.

How can you support such old versions of the OS?

Supporting older versions is easy when you’re not tied to dependencies that have their own requirements. As a result this sort of comes for free when building apps the way I do.

Why do most of your apps cost money?

A small price up front is a way to say thank you for the time I have spent making these apps. It also means I never need to use ads, tracking, or subscriptions to make it worth me doing this.

Will you add a feature if I buy the app?

I love hearing feature suggestions, but please buy an app for what it can do today rather than what it might do tomorrow. No promises are made about future features.

Why isn’t the app displayed in my native language?

I am but one man, so apps are currently only available in English. Thanks for understanding.


How many devices can I install an app on?

Apps purchased from the App Store can be installed on up to 10 devices (maximum 5 computers) signed in with the same Apple ID.

How can I get a refund?

Refunds for App Store purchases are handled by Apple. You can request a refund through Apple’s website. Developers have no control of refunds.


Can you support non-Apple platforms?

No. My apps are written specifically for Apple platforms, tools, and development kits, so won’t easily translate to other platforms.


How can one person make so many apps?

In short, because it’s my job. And I’ve been doing it a long time. I’m an independent software developer that makes games and apps. I think it’s a bit of a myth that software takes huge teams to make. I mean it can do, but some of the most successful software of all time was created by individuals: MacPaint, Minecraft, RollerCoaster Tycoon, BitTorrent, Stardew Valley, WinAmp, Flappy Bird, Vim. Or perhaps power duos: Photoshop, Doom, Quake, Google, WhatsApp, Figma, and so on. I’d say it’s still quite common today, especially in the indie scene, but perhaps it’s not talked about as much? Of course, some of those things are now built by teams, but they weren’t originally.

How long have you been making apps?

I started in 1990 on the Atari ST, moved to Windows and the web in 1995, then to Macintosh in 2000, and iPhone in 2007. My apps and games have been featured in publications around the world, been downloaded millions of times, and one of my games received a “best game of the year” accolade alongside Mario and Zelda. The only period where I wasn’t actively making and releasing software was during my time working for Apple. Read more at my about page.


Can I hire you to build me an app?

Maybe. I’m not currently available for hire, though I occasionally make exceptions for projects that genuinely capture my interest. Your specific idea isn’t what I’m looking at, as I already have plenty of my own, but the broader vision or goal. If you believe you can present an offer compelling enough to change my mind, I’m open to hearing it.

Can I acquire one of your apps?

Maybe. Get in touch with your best offer.


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