Summary of Key Insights
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LEATHER® is a highly regarded boxing management simulation game with a strong and dedicated player base. The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with users praising its depth, realism, and replayability. The game is often described as addictive and the best in its genre on Android. The primary weakness is the lack of updates and new features, leading to some staleness for long-term players. Many users also desire an MMA version of the game. There's a strong desire for more in-depth management options and customization.
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Overall Rating: Very Positive
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Score Distribution: 84% 5-star, 8% 4-star, 3% 3-star, 2% 2-star, 3% 1-star. This indicates a high level of user satisfaction.
Data & Methodology Overview
- Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
- Time Frame: The reviews span a considerable amount of time, with some users mentioning playing for years, and some reviews mentioning specific update dates.
- Analysis Methods: The analysis involved sentiment analysis (identifying positive, negative, and neutral comments), keyword extraction (identifying frequently used words and phrases), and thematic analysis (grouping related comments into themes like feature requests, bug reports, and positive feedback).
Key User Pain Points
- Lack of Updates/New Content: This is the most frequently cited issue. Players who have been playing for a long time feel the game is becoming stale and are eager for new features and content.
- Bugs/Crashes: A few users reported crashes, especially after updates or when loading saved games.
- Desire for More Depth: Some players want more control over aspects like sponsorships, TV deals, sparring partners, venue selection, and contract negotiations.
- Ranking/Contender Issues: Some users report that divisions become "dry" with a lack of viable contenders, leading to repetitive fights. Others think it's too easy to become an undisputed champion.
- Nickname issue: One user mentioned the game re-adding a nickname after they removed it.
- Export/Import Functionality: One user reported the export/import function doesn't work.
- Wait Times: One user mentioned the wait times when continuing the game are excessive.
- Belts Relinquished when Switching Weight Classes: Several users dislike that belts are automatically relinquished when a fighter switches weight classes.
- Judging System: A couple of users found the judging to be frustrating and nonsensical.
- Low Gym Earnings: One user complains about low gym earnings.
Frequently Requested Features
- MMA Version: The most popular request is for an MMA version of the game with similar mechanics.
- More In-Depth Management: Users want more control over sponsorships, TV deals, promoters, PPV, sparring partners, venue selection, and contract negotiations.
- Amateur Career Mode/Olympics: Some users want an amateur career option, including participation in the Olympics.
- Rematch Clause: A request for a rematch clause in fight contracts.
- Exhibition Mode Improvements: Allowing skills to exceed 100% in exhibition mode.
- More Customization: More fighter customization options, including adding professional boxing records to created fighters.
- Splitting Sanctioning Body Rankings: Differentiating the various organizations in a weight class and having different ranking systems for them.
- Catchweight Matches: The ability to create catchweight matches.
- Fight Stats/Judge's Scores: Displaying fight stats and how the judges scored the fight after the bout.
- Skip Directly to Fights: A feature to skip training weeks and go directly to the next fight, especially for top-ranked boxers.
- Gym-Related Features: Donating money to other gyms, receiving sponsorships, trading boxers, creating a gym for amateur players, creating or joining tournaments.
- Fighter Legacy: Having the boxer's son continue their legacy.
- Dark Mode UI: A request for a dark mode user interface.
- More Scenarios: Adding more scenarios, such as a fighter getting injured resulting in a canceled bout.
- Ability to Keep Belts When Shifting Weight Classes: Allowing fighters to retain their belts when switching weight classes.
- Own Boxing Shows: The ability to put on your own boxing shows where you chose the boxers, locations, and how many fights you want on there.
Strengths and Positive Aspects
- Depth and Realism: The game is praised for its in-depth simulation of the boxing world, including rankings, training, and fight tactics.
- Addictive Gameplay: Many users describe the game as highly addictive and engaging, with countless hours spent playing.
- Replayability: The game's open-ended nature and the ability to shape fighters' careers provide high replayability.
- Customization: The game offers significant customization options for fighters and training regimes.
- Regular Updates (Historically): While a current pain point, the developer was previously known for regular updates.
- Dedicated Developer: Users appreciate the developer's responsiveness and willingness to listen to feedback.
- Accurate Simulation: The game is considered an accurate representation of boxing management.
- Engaging Fight Mechanics: Users enjoy being able to influence the outcome of fights by adjusting tactics.
Prioritized Action Recommendations
High Priority:
- Address Bugs/Crashes: Immediately investigate and fix reported bugs and crashes, especially those related to loading saved games or recent updates.
- Release a Content Update: Prioritize releasing a substantial content update to address the most common complaint of staleness. Consider including some of the most requested features like an MMA version, amateur career mode, or more in-depth management options.
- Improve Communication: Communicate with the player base about update plans and timelines to manage expectations.
Medium Priority:
- Implement Feature Requests: Begin implementing some of the most requested features, such as more in-depth management options, an amateur career mode, or improvements to the ranking system.
- Improve Judging System: Review and refine the judging system to ensure it is fair and consistent.
- Address Nickname Issue: Fix the bug where nicknames are re-added after being removed.
- Fix Export/Import Functionality: Ensure the export/import functionality is working as intended.
- Optimize Performance: Improve the game's performance to reduce wait times and prevent crashes.
Low Priority:
- Cosmetic Improvements: Address minor cosmetic issues like the date being cut off on some devices.
- Implement Dark Mode UI: Consider adding a dark mode UI option for user preference.
Opportunities for Startup Ideas
- MMA Management Simulation Game: The overwhelming demand for an MMA version of LEATHER® represents a significant market opportunity. A startup could focus on developing a similar game with MMA-specific features and mechanics.
- Boxing/MMA Data Analytics Platform: A platform that provides detailed data and analytics on boxing and MMA fighters, similar to what is available in LEATHER®, could be valuable for fans, coaches, and managers.
- Mobile Sports Simulation Game Development Studio: A studio focused on creating high-quality, in-depth sports simulation games for mobile devices, taking inspiration from LEATHER®'s success.
Trends and Observations
- Strong Positive Sentiment: The overall sentiment towards LEATHER® is overwhelmingly positive, indicating a high level of user satisfaction.
- Desire for Continued Support: Users are passionate about the game and want to see it continue to evolve and improve.
- Demand for More Content: The lack of recent updates is a major concern for long-term players, highlighting the importance of regular content updates to maintain engagement.
- Requests for Expanded Features: Users are looking for more depth and customization in the game, suggesting opportunities to add new layers of complexity and strategic decision-making.
- Cross-Platform Desire: There's a desire for the game to be available on PC, either through a dedicated port or via Google Play Games on Windows.
Conclusion
LEATHER® is a highly successful boxing management simulation game with a dedicated player base. While the game has many strengths, the lack of recent updates and new content is a significant concern. By addressing this issue and implementing some of the most requested features, the developer can further enhance the game and maintain its position as the best in its genre. The strong demand for an MMA version of the game also presents a significant opportunity for expansion or a new product.
Original App Link
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=leather.full