My game has hit the store and it is doing ok by my standards. This was always just a test app for me, learning about the pros and cons of the process.
One of the things I had heard about and seems to be bearing out is the Rating system for apps. When you delete apps you get a opportunity to rate them. For many users this is the only time they rate an app. Normally when you are deleting an app, you don't want it for some reason and usually you don't like it. So consequently you give it a 1 or 2 star rating.
This seems to be happening for TheSOSGame. Given the statistics I am seeing people are playing it but only a couple of people are rating it and those ones are the people that don't like it.
I am not sure why Apple give you the opportunity to rate an app when you delete it. This will obviously going to skew the result to the negative.
So what can we do for the next app so balance this out.
1. I have seen some apps that have the option to rate the app inside the app (linking to the store I guess).
2. Prompt the player at the end of the game to give it a rating (this might be a bit too in your face.. and might get you rejected).
3. Use social network to provide an alternative review system (like open feint or plus+)
4. Just take your lumps and rely on third party reviews to bring them in and hope people start doing some positive reviews.
I really thing Apple need to remove the review option when the app is deleted. I creates a more level playing ground. If people want to review it (good or bad) they should all follow the same process (go to the App Store and review it)