Customer Reviews (100)

Leo B. Bustillos • 2025-03-25T06:42:19.109Z

I received way to many ads on this game. This DOES NOT make the game fun. What is the fix for this?

Ryan Thomas • 2025-03-25T04:02:51.499Z

your ads

Jeffrey Stover • 2025-03-25T03:46:16.513Z

This game is very fun to play. I wish I could afford to play more than just the free way. I'm a senior and don't have money for these luxuries. it very nice when you do good on gift grab, it lets you play a little longer.

Summary of Key Insights

The Yahtzee With Buddies app enjoys generally positive sentiment, as evidenced by the high percentage of 5-star reviews. Users appreciate the game's fun and addictive nature, its social features, and the variety of gameplay options. However, excessive ads, perceived unfairness in gameplay ("programmed" rolls), glitches/freezes, and the pressure to spend money ("pay-to-win") are significant pain points. There's also a desire for a simpler, ad-free version. The app's overall rating is skewed positively due to the high number of 5-star reviews, but the negative reviews highlight critical areas for improvement. The breakdown of reviews shows a strong positive bias, with 61% of reviews being 5-star, but a combined 29% of reviews being 1-3 stars indicates considerable dissatisfaction among a subset of users.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but the presence of a review dated "03/2025" suggests the reviews are recent, likely within the past year or less.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment analysis: Categorizing reviews as positive, negative, or neutral based on the language used.
    • Keyword extraction: Identifying frequently mentioned words and phrases related to specific issues, features, or sentiments.
    • Frequency analysis: Counting the occurrences of specific themes or issues to determine their prevalence.

Key User Pain Points

  • Excessive and Intrusive Ads: This is the most frequently cited complaint. Users find the number of ads disruptive and annoying, hindering their enjoyment of the game. Some ads also cause freezes or redirect to the browser, further exacerbating the issue.
  • "Pay-to-Win" Mechanics: Many users feel that the game is designed to pressure them into spending money to be competitive. They perceive that success is heavily influenced by purchasing bonus rolls, dice, or other in-game items.
  • Glitches and Freezes: Several users report experiencing glitches, freezes, and crashes, particularly during the Survivor Game mode. These technical issues disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration.
  • Perceived Unfairness/Programming: Some users believe the game is "programmed" to manipulate dice rolls, particularly when they take a zero on a certain category. They feel the app forces them to use bonus rolls, leading to a sense of unfairness.
  • Insufficient Rewards: Users feel the rewards for winning are too small, especially in competitive modes like Survivor. This reduces the incentive to keep playing.
  • Adventure Coin Fiasco: A specific incident regarding Adventure Coins and inadequate compensation for unused coins caused significant dissatisfaction among some players.
  • Scammers/Unwanted Contact: Some users expressed concern about scammers and unwanted contact from other players in the chat feature.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Simpler, Ad-Free Version: A significant number of users specifically requested a basic, ad-free version of Yahtzee that doesn't require in-app purchases.
  • Option to Mute/Block Players: Users desire the ability to mute or block other players to avoid unwanted contact or potential scams.
  • Account Recovery: One user explicitly requested assistance with recovering a lost account.
  • More Realistic Gameplay: One user requested more realistic gameplay, although the specifics are unclear.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Fun and Addictive Gameplay: The core Yahtzee gameplay is widely enjoyed and considered addictive.
  • Social Features: The ability to play with friends, join families, and chat with other players is a popular aspect of the game.
  • Variety of Game Modes: Users appreciate the different game modes and challenges offered, such as Survivor, Paint n Roll, and Prize Climb Bowling.
  • Customization Options: The ability to personalize the game with custom dice, portrait frames, and themed boards is a positive feature.
  • Accessibility: The game is described as easy to play and relaxing.
  • Nostalgia: The game evokes positive memories of playing Yahtzee in the past.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Reduce Ad Frequency and Intrusiveness: Implement less frequent and less disruptive ad formats. Consider offering a reasonably priced ad-free subscription option.
  • Address Glitches and Freezes: Investigate and fix the reported glitches and freezes, especially in the Survivor Game mode. Prioritize stability and performance.
  • Re-evaluate Reward System: Increase the rewards for winning, particularly in competitive modes, to provide more incentive for players to continue playing.

Medium Priority:

  • Investigate and Address "Programming" Concerns: Analyze the dice roll mechanics to ensure fairness and transparency. Provide clear explanations of how the game works to alleviate player concerns.
  • Implement Muting/Blocking Functionality: Allow users to mute or block other players to prevent unwanted contact and potential scams.
  • Improve Account Recovery Process: Streamline the account recovery process to help users regain access to their accounts more easily.
  • Review and Revise Adventure Coin Compensation: Learn from the Adventure Coin incident and ensure fair compensation for similar situations in the future.

Low Priority:

  • Consider a Simpler, Ad-Free Version: Explore the feasibility of offering a basic, ad-free version of the game for players who prefer a less complex experience.
  • Gather More Specific Feedback on "Realistic Gameplay": Reach out to the user who requested more realistic gameplay to understand their specific concerns and suggestions.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Simplified Yahtzee App: Develop a paid, ad-free Yahtzee app with minimal features and no in-app purchases. This targets users frustrated with the complexity and monetization of existing apps.
  • Social Yahtzee Platform with Enhanced Moderation: Create a Yahtzee app focused on social interaction but with robust moderation tools to prevent harassment and scams.
  • Yahtzee Skill-Based Wagering App: Design a Yahtzee app where players can wager real money against each other based on skill, ensuring fair matchmaking and secure transactions.

Trends and Observations

  • Negative Sentiment Concentrated Around Monetization: A significant portion of negative reviews center around the perceived "pay-to-win" mechanics and the excessive number of ads.
  • Technical Issues Impact User Experience: Glitches and freezes are a recurring problem that negatively impacts user satisfaction.
  • Social Features are a Key Differentiator: The social aspects of the game, such as playing with friends and joining families, are a major draw for many users.

Conclusion

Yahtzee With Buddies is a popular game with a strong foundation in its core gameplay and social features. However, excessive ads, perceived unfairness, and technical issues are detracting from the user experience. Addressing these pain points, particularly the ad frequency and the "pay-to-win" perception, is crucial for maintaining user satisfaction and preventing churn. Prioritizing stability and fairness, while continuing to enhance the social aspects of the game, will be key to long-term success.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.scopely.yux