Marc Stachel is the guy behind Paragliding XC, the highly addictive paragliding app that’s on the keenest XC hounds’ iPhones this season. We asked him a few questions.
Marc, you are the developer behind Paragliding XC. For those who haven’t played it, tell us what it’s about – explain the app.
It’s a game that simulates real-world paragliding cross country flying – with moving thermals, waypoints and all that stuff. You can fly against paragliders around the world and you can compare your flying skills online.
What do I need to play it? iPhone or iPad? Android?
You can play the game on nearly any iOS device (iPhone 4-5s / iPod Touch 4-5 / iPad 1-4/air/mini/mini retina). The best experience will be on newer iPads (iPad 3 or higher) beause of the faster/smoother graphics and bigger screen. Android is not supported – I am a one-man-army, so developing for one system is time-consuming enough. Sorry for that guys!
Will it make me a better pilot? And if so, how?
I don’t know if it will make you a better pilot – flying in real world is a lot more difficult and thrilling than in my game. But it can make you a happier person when you finally cross the finish line on a task you tried over and over again 😉
Tell us about yourself. Where are you from and how long have you been flying?
My name is Marc and I live near Munich/Germany. I started paragliding back in 1987 (tough times – more parafalling than -gliding). A few years ago I quit paragliding for kitesurfing. I was a windsurfer in the early days, so kitesurfing was the perfect mixture of both sports for me. And today I am totally stoked. I had very good times while flying, but all things come to an end… but you will never know what will happen in the future.
I guess you are a computer guy in your working life… what’s your job?
Wrong. Yeah, sounds strange, but I started programming when I was a kid. I did work in IT for a few years, but now I work as an electrician. Programming is my hobby, not my daily job. There is a slight difference between programming for some other guys (with deadlines in the back, telling you what to do and how fast you have to do it) and programming for myself. When I code a game, I am completely free in terms of gameplay/graphic design and so on. My timetable is just as tight as I want it to be. You get the difference?
For sure. Paragliding Apps – is there money in it? Will it make you the next Mark Zuckerberg?
There is money in it, but very little compared to apps for the masses. But I had good times back in the days when I was an active paragliding pilot, so I enjoy programming this game. Even if I won’t be the next Mark Zuckerberg. Money makes the world go round – but it will go round even without money!
Maybe I can make one… what do I need to do to make a best-selling app? What was involved in making this app?
If you want a best-selling app, you have to do something simple for the masses. The market for paragliding pilots is very small, you can’t get rich. When I developed ParaglidingXC, only the game music and the paragliding model was done by friends of mine. All the rest (game design, levels, menus, graphics, online highscore) was done solely by me during countless night sessions.
And how many people are now playing it? Someone listed it as their ‘must-have’ rainy day app in the latest issue of Cross Country magazine, so it’s out there.
At the moment more than 1,200 players are playing this game. It’s quite good, because the game has only been available since 16 March 2014. So I expect to get more players in the next months.
Tell me a little about you as a pilot. What sort of flying did you enjoy the most?
As I was an active pilot, I mostly enjoyed flying cross country. Starting early, being the first one touching cloudbase and then go for it! I did try some aerobatics, but honestly I don’t have the balls for that kind of stuff!
The Austrian/German/Swiss alps was the place to be for my flying. Looooots of mountains and good thermals. I also made it into the Bavarian and German championship. But competition was not my thing, free flying is much more enjoyable for me.
My best moment was in Fiesch/Switzerland a few years ago, I did a 110km flat triangle and cloudbase was at 4500m MSL! That’s half the height of the Mount Everest! This was quite impressive for me. Normally the cloudbase is between 2800-3300 m MSL. Thank God I had the chance to get one of those glory days!
Give us your elevator pitch. Why should we be playing Paragliding XC in 30-seconds or less?
If you are hooked on paragliding you might be hooked on this game. Just give it a try! We paragliding pilots are all addicted – this game will help to decrease your withdrawal symptoms!
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