From 0$ to 5M Downloads Without Ads – Then Google Locked My Account

Hi there pricey mates,

I began making video games again in 2016, along with a buddy. After two years, we started growing video games independently.

We had been creating video games for iOS and Android platforms. Because of God, issues had been going properly—I finally constructed a small group. By January 2024, we had reached 5 million downloads.

Every thing was going nice. I had began specializing in particulars—including tutorials, bettering design, sharpening the expertise. I started with a $0 funds—I used to be solely 16 years outdated. However now, at 26, I’ve earned over $100,000 in income. What makes me much more proud is that I didn’t spend a single greenback on advertising and marketing. All our advertising and marketing was achieved by ASO (App Retailer Optimization).

A number of phrases concerning the recreation’s style: it was a actual open-world recreation. Gamers might freely discover and do no matter they wished, with tons of accessible missions.

If this publish pursuits you, I’d be pleased to share extra—what I did, how I began, and the methods I used. I’m at all times open to sharing my expertise.

However the hardest half got here when Google immediately determined to lock my account, with none warning. They merely shut it down—and haven’t responded or made any modifications for over a yr now.

Their solely clarification was: “Your account is related to different terminated accounts.” I’ve despatched them my private data, IP addresses, and the whole lot I might. However nothing helped.

I even traveled from Europe to San Francisco to attempt to meet individuals who might assist. Think about that—I flew all the way in which to California simply to grasp what I might do.

I’ve despatched messages to Google managers through LinkedIn—once more, no end result.

I don’t know what this publish will carry me—possibly assist, possibly nothing. However I wished to say: don’t quit. Even when your years-long mission is immediately shut down, rise up and preserve going. Knock on doorways till somebody opens.

I’ve achieved the whole lot I can, and I’ll preserve pushing ahead till I discover justice—and proceed doing what I like.

#GameDev #IndieDev #AndroidDev #OpenWorldGame #ASO #MobileGames #GooglePlayBan #Motivation #SoloDev #DeveloperJourney