Low budget Conversion Rate Optimization for indie app

As an indie game developer we always try to find out how to improve conversion rate and get more users.
Everyone knows that first touch is very important so we started a/b tests with icons and screenshots (more about it next time).

First step - we observe app pages and categorize icons for other spaceships games.

1. Human and alien head (Galaxy Clash: Evolved Empire etc).

2. Geometric or letter or symbol logo like Clash of stars.

3. Ships and planets for example Stellaris and… Stellar wind idle :-)

But our logo was dark and on phone it was hard to understand what is shown there.

 
Also other games put some stars, sparks and flashes on icons to attract user attention on the app during store surfing or when you try to find the game on the phone screen between calendar and whatsapp.

That's why task for designer was formulated that way:

1. We need space in the background to show that we are a spaceship game with a big universe  inside.
2. The starcraft color should be light and the counter drawing outline must be well recognised. 
3. Direction of movement from user to planet or space - we have a lot of places to explore.
4. And we need rays of light to catch attention

After several attempts we get the new icon and start the test. And here is the winner.

Statistic:

Now we are going to make a new one a/b, so stay with us and download the game - it's worth to :-)