Android Developer Gives Up Due To 'Incredibly High Piracy'!

[time space]

Madfinger Games has given up trying to charge 99¢ (http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/23/3177238/dead-trigger-free-android-piracy-rate) for their FPS game Shadowgun and made it free to download because of rampant piracy on Android.


Dead Trigger, a zombie FPS for smartphones from the makers of Shadowgun, is now free to download on Android thanks to rampant piracy on the platform. In a statement on Facebook, developer Madfinger Games says that even at $0.99, the piracy rate on Android devices was "unbelievably high."

Madfinger is careful to point out that Dead Trigger will not be a freemium app, and "all players are able to play without in-app purchases." Dead Trigger is available now from the Google Play store for free, or on iOS for $0.99.

This estimate by another developer (http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-05/02/android-market-game-piracy) puts the Android piracy rate at 90%!


I tweeted about this 9:1 piracy ratio, calling those that had bombarded us with requests for the game and then pirated it "dicks". I make no apology for this. Anyone who illegally downloads software is a ***** .

My tweet was picked up by a few news outlets, and I watched the comments sections with interest. Most comments were from people shocked at how high the ratio was, but there was also a handful of piracy apologists claiming that the game is too expensive (which is no excuse for illegal downloading… games are entertainment, not a human right), that it's not available in some countries (for legal reasons out of our hands), that the game should be free to play (not possible with our current licensing arrangements) and the argument that we don't lose anything from piracy, so what does it matter?

Piracy is a fact of life for game developers. I'm not stupid enough to think that 100 percent of pirated games are lost sales -- there are, of course, some people who would not buy or play a game if it wasn't available for free, but there are also some dishonest people who pirate things they would otherwise buy, just because they can.

[sandikosh]

I would love to get in this free stuff! Anyone knows how I can do it?

[Jimboski]

I would love to get in this free stuff! Anyone knows how I can do it?

Download .apk files and install It yourself on the Android phone!

[Beradon]

Pirating apps seem to also plague Apple iPhone users:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/millions-iphone-users-jailbreaking-pirate-apps-1206329/#post15084323

[mobifree]

If people were actually interested in cracked apps for Blackberry, that would be rampant too.

[MkmBandit]

Developers did this to themselves. I've had an Android for just under a month. I started out with paid apps. Turns out the free ones are just masked paid apps or they're severely draped with ads. I don't want ads on my phone. Even if it's free. Shows the developer doesn't have enough respect for their own apps to bank on the fact that they'll sell themselves. So now, LuckyPatcher has found a permanent spot on my homescreen. Only the apps that deserve it get my cash. Just like the PC gaming world. /goodnight.

[Gee]

If people were actually interested in cracked apps for Blackberry, that would be rampant too.

It is not so easy to pirate an app on a BlackBerry. The security is considerably better.

You can tie registration keys to the PIN and that makes it really difficult to pirate.

I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but if you're smart, you can almost eliminate it or at best make it really difficult.

[Zelig]

Developers did this to themselves. I've had an Android for just under a month. I started out with paid apps. Turns out the free ones are just masked paid apps or they're severely draped with ads. I don't want ads on my phone. Even if it's free. Shows the developer doesn't have enough respect for their own apps to bank on the fact that they'll sell themselves. So now, LuckyPatcher has found a permanent spot on my homescreen. Only the apps that deserve it get my cash. Just like the PC gaming world. /goodnight.

So there are apps that are good enough for you to use, but not good enough to pay for?

[wilsonlam97]

Download .apk files and install It yourself on the Android phone!

Stop condoning it! I pay for all my apps!

[wilsonlam97]

Madfinger Games has given up trying to charge 99¢ (http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/23/3177238/dead-trigger-free-android-piracy-rate) for their FPS game Shadowgun and made it free to download because of rampant piracy on Android.


This estimate by another developer (http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-05/02/android-market-game-piracy) puts the Android piracy rate at 90%!

Dead trigger. Not shadow gun.

[Jimboski]

Stop condoning it! I pay for all my apps!

Fair enough, I'll pay for some of mine!
Was thinking of Titanium Backup & SwiftKey!

[wilsonlam97]

Fair enough, I'll pay for some of mine!
Was thinking of Titanium Backup & SwiftKey!

Get ES file manager. Its free and definitely the best file manager (no paid option beats this).

Also get aDownloader. Its a torrent client;) oh and buy GTA 3! Its a fun game. I just beated the whole thing (it took me a month and a half)

[sexyj]

LOL, the dev is giving out the game for free is because there is in app purchase for "gold" in the game.

[Jimboski]

Get ES file manager. Its free and definitely the best file manager (no paid option beats this).

Also get aDownloader. Its a torrent client;) oh and buy GTA 3! Its a fun game. I just beated the whole thing (it took me a month and a half)

I need SwiftKey / TB the most but I dont have the CC!

[desidealer49]

Get ES file manager. Its free and definitely the best file manager (no paid option beats this).

Also get aDownloader. Its a torrent client;) oh and buy GTA 3! Its a fun game. I just beated the whole thing (it took me a month and a half)

GTA 3, NOVA 3 (despite having awkward controls still), FIFA 12, and Modern Combat 3 are worth every penny IMO.

Shadowgun was a waste of money though. What a boring and easy game.

Also, FPSe for android is worth buying too if you are a gamer. Great PS emulator. Playing Metal Gear Solid on mobile was awesome. I didn't play a "proper" mobile game since i started playing it haha. Such a pity there is no decent MGS on either iOS or android. The MGS touch duck hunt on iOS is so lame.

[MkmBandit]

So there are apps that are good enough for you to use, but not good enough to pay for?

That's not what I said...

I always, without fail, support the developers who deserve it. If I install an app that is useful to me, I pay for it. If the app is draped in ads, I usually move on to the next one.. More recently I've just been using LP to remove the ads alltogether.. My personal device is not free reign for them to spam my notifications and steal real-estate on my screen. I much prefer either 'lite' versions or demo's. Ads are a cheap cash grab.

At the end of the day every app was created under a different set of circumstances, so I won't blanket all developers like that. But I take more kindly to dev's who simply include a 'donate' button in the settings. Their faith in their own app has earned my cash.

The last thing I'll say is; the only reason I know what LP is, and .apk's for that matter, is because I google'd "how to get rid of ads in _______". How many other people have picked up piracy because of that same search query? So, yeah, just my opinion. I don't feel bad for many of these developers.

[jimmy-j]

i know of lucky patcher from a certain website and i use it wherever i can. those banner ads are annoying as all hell and like mkm said, my personal device isn't your billboard.

there's tons of apps out there where the "full or premium version" is the exact same but without ads.

[Xpwmata]

GTA 3, NOVA 3 (despite having awkward controls still), FIFA 12, and Modern Combat 3 are worth every penny IMO.

Shadowgun was a waste of money though. What a boring and easy game.

Also, FPSe for android is worth buying too if you are a gamer. Great PS emulator. Playing Metal Gear Solid on mobile was awesome. I didn't play a "proper" mobile game since i started playing it haha. Such a pity there is no decent MGS on either iOS or android. The MGS touch duck hunt on iOS is so lame.

I agree.

In fact all madfinger games are quite repetitive; samurai vengeance, shadowgun, dead trigger... even for mobile platforms.

[djemzine]

For some of the FPS games, I prefer playing them with my Xbox wired controller. Just hook it up to my tablets via OTG cable, then to my TV. Otherwise I find it difficult and find the on screen touch controls awkward and non responsive.

[shaolinmonk]

personally haven't invested in the android ecosystem unless it was the 1 cent 10 cent sales... if i'm going to invest in an ecosystem it's IOS for now, google is trying to push people to buy apps though look at the $25 promo from the nex7. it'll be a longer road for them cause it takes time to establish the retail infrastructure and the openess aspect makes it easier to provide access to other markets. (not to mention anything found by a simple google search can be loaded into the device without any challenge)

[Zelig]

i know of lucky patcher from a certain website and i use it wherever i can. those banner ads are annoying as all hell and like mkm said, my personal device isn't your billboard.

there's tons of apps out there where the "full or premium version" is the exact same but without ads.

So maybe you should purchase the full version?

[jimmy-j]

maybe not. i will use the "trial" version with ads and use the free lucky patcher to remove the ads.

[sexyj]

cool story to show you don't support devs!

a+ !


maybe not. i will use the "trial" version with ads and use the free lucky patcher to remove the ads.

[IamToronto]

i have about 60+ games and 40+ apps
at least half of them are pirated. if i were to pay id be broke :(
sure, if i had money.. id buy the ones worthy of my money
but again.. im broke :(

[Nucks]

maybe not. i will use the "trial" version with ads and use the free lucky patcher to remove the ads.

Then it's just easier to say you pirated the application.

[jimmy-j]

cool story to show you don't support devs!

a+ !

yep.. programs, games, apps, music, movies... etc.

fck outta here with that "i support devs" bs. at one point or another almost everyone has done it whether it was dos 5 or angry birds you have also probably pirated.

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/20124875.jpg

[sexyj]

another cool story bro !

you are so l33t with the whole "patching" software and your logic !

a++


yep.. programs, games, apps, music, movies... etc.

fck outta here with that "i support devs" bs. at one point or another almost everyone has done it whether it was dos 5 or angry birds you have also probably pirated.

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/20124875.jpg

[sexyj]

and you are not broke by buying a smart phone ?


i have about 60+ games and 40+ apps
at least half of them are pirated. if i were to pay id be broke :(
sure, if i had money.. id buy the ones worthy of my money
but again.. im broke :(

[wilsonlam97]

GTA 3, NOVA 3 (despite having awkward controls still), FIFA 12, and Modern Combat 3 are worth every penny IMO.

Shadowgun was a waste of money though. What a boring and easy game.

Also, FPSe for android is worth buying too if you are a gamer. Great PS emulator. Playing Metal Gear Solid on mobile was awesome. I didn't play a "proper" mobile game since i started playing it haha. Such a pity there is no decent MGS on either iOS or android. The MGS touch duck hunt on iOS is so lame.

Woah that's cool. wanna PM me with details?

I'mma buy modern combat now.

[jimmy-j]

another cool story bro !

you are so l33t with the whole "patching" software and your logic !

a++

what logic? i didn't try to explain why i did it.

[sexyj]

lol


what logic? i didn't try to explain why i did it.


yep.. programs, games, apps, music, movies... etc.

fck outta here with that "i support devs" bs. at one point or another almost everyone has done it whether it was dos 5 or angry birds you have also probably pirated.

[IamToronto]

and you are not broke by buying a smart phone ?

well, what good is spending money on expensive apps without a smartphone to use it on?
would you buy leather seats for a civic without owning the civic first?

[jimmy-j]

nope. that's merely saying, sexyj, to get off your high horse and don't pretend like you're above doing it either.

you can say "cool story bro" all you want and try like thomas but you can't deny it either. weak. move on and go take your "holier than thou" bs elsewhere.

[mukhtar1982]

and you are not broke by buying a smart phone ?

after buying the smart phone, now he is broke. :rofl



Thou i wonder, if robellus had a loophole by which smartphones could have been free as well. Then we would be having this discussion about smartphones, not apps.

If you will see an opportunity, you will take it. No one is a saint in this world and money talks.

[mikeo007]

well, what good is spending money on expensive apps without a smartphone to use it on?
would you buy leather seats for a civic without owning the civic first?

#1 I'd never buy anything for a Civic.
#2 Your reasoning for pirating apps is incredibly flawed. If you can't afford something, you don't get it. Do you walk into Walmart and steal a TV because you can't afford it? If you do, there's a special place in hell for people like you...

[sexyj]

To make phone calls and text ?


well, what good is spending money on expensive apps without a smartphone to use it on?
would you buy leather seats for a civic without owning the civic first?

[mukhtar1982]

#1 I'd never buy anything for a Civic.
#2 Your reasoning for pirating apps is incredibly flawed. If you can't afford something, you don't get it. Do you walk into Walmart and steal a TV because you can't afford it? If you do, there's a special place in hell for people like you...

Compare apples with apples. Torrenting is illegal yet ppl do it. Its like stealing as well.

[mukhtar1982]

To make phone calls and text ?

Thats what dumbphones are for.

[sexyj]

lol

yea except with a smart phone you can't even make phone calls or text properly... HELLO ANTENNA GATE !


Thats what dumbphones are for.

[mikeo007]

Compare apples with apples. Torrenting is illegal yet ppl do it. Its like stealing as well.

Stealing is stealing, the concept is the same. If you steal, you're an a--.
If you can't afford something, you don't get it. It's that simple.

[IamToronto]

#1 I'd never buy anything for a Civic.
#2 Your reasoning for pirating apps is incredibly flawed. If you can't afford something, you don't get it. Do you walk into Walmart and steal a TV because you can't afford it? If you do, there's a special place in hell for people like you...

#1 irrelevant
#2 that is a failed analogy. if you said something like "buy a tv and then download your movies" itd make a bit more sense.
#3 heaven/hell is what you make of this life here.. either way, im sure your religion forbids you from condemning people to hell


To make phone calls and text ?

thats what a feature phone is for.
my smartphone is my GPS, dashcam, handheld game console, music player, camera, flashlight, news reader, calendar/agenda, calculator, remote... want me to keep going

imagine buying all of those items separately. sure, if you have the money...

[sexyj]

lol

thanks for the laugh


thats what a feature phone is for.
my smartphone is my GPS, dashcam, handheld game console, music player, camera, flashlight, news reader, calendar/agenda, calculator, remote... want me to keep going

imagine buying all of those items separately. sure, if you have the money...

[mikeo007]

#1 irrelevant
#2 that is a failed analogy. if you said something like "buy a tv and then download your movies" itd make a bit more sense.
#3 heaven/hell is what you make of this life here.. either way, im sure your religion forbids you from condemning people to hell



thats what a feature phone is for.
my smartphone is my GPS, dashcam, handheld game console, music player, camera, flashlight, news reader, calendar/agenda, calculator, remote... want me to keep going

imagine buying all of those items separately. sure, if you have the money...

I can condemn you to wherever i want. Karma is a ***** , so I'm a strong believer that if you steal from someone, you will be repaid in kind.

[Dina_E]

keep stealing apps guys

its no wonder almost every app is an iOS exclusive when its first released.
developers dont do it out of the goodness of their hearts.

[flashy_mcflash]

Pretty good game, but nothing I'd pay more than $0.99 for.

[Zelig]

#2 Your reasoning for pirating apps is incredibly flawed. If you can't afford something, you don't get it. Do you walk into Walmart and steal a TV because you can't afford it? If you do, there's a special place in hell for people like you...

I'm against software piracy, but to be fair, that's not a great analogy.

An accurate analogy to software piracy would be breaking into your neighborhood TV factory, stealing a TV off the end of the assembly line, and leaving behind an envelope of cash with the marginal cost of production of that single TV.


keep stealing apps guys

its no wonder almost every app is an iOS exclusive when its first released.
developers dont do it out of the goodness of their hearts.

Well, as a developer, I release my apps ad-free at no cost from the goodness of my heart, but it balances out - I have to work a day job to pay the bills, and there's no financial motivation to add features or fix bugs quickly, so I do either whenever I feel like it.

I'd really never try to sell anything to consumers, you have to do too much catering to the lowest common denominator in order to make any money.

[desidealer49]

keep stealing apps guys

its no wonder almost every app is an iOS exclusive when its first released.
developers dont do it out of the goodness of their hearts.

There have been paid android exclusives too.

Also, piracy never stopped windows from getting all of their apps first right? While it may be a factor, there is a bunch of factors that make up for the exclusive case.

Owning iOS or android device doesn't change your view of piracy, it is the deterrent that does.

In case of iOS, jailbreaking is not so mainstream. General public is scared of it (bricking, losing warranty etc) or thinks it is a complex process, and without jailbreak you cannot get apps for free (unless you hack someone's iTunes account). While android phones generally install anything without limits. I find it akin to windows allowing any software installation. Change this parameter on either platform (barring all non-market third party apps on android, or allowing all apps from any sources on iOS) and then you will find the piracy rates on both platforms will be equal.

Developers could combat this by requiring their apps to connect to their servers to authenticate to download a critical piece that will enable functionality. There are other ways too. Many software on windows is getting harder to pirate because of safeguards. I don't see why this cannot apply to android apps.

The last thing i want is google revoking my ability to develop my own app for my own phone without forking cash per year and buying rights to it because they fail to provide tools to combat piracy.

[Dina_E]

you cant deny that android caters to the low common denominator of society.

cheapest iphone sold by apple is the 3gs $375
cheapest android sold by probably some chinese manufacturer- $50-100 enough to run 2.3+

when you have these vast level of price diff, you also attract a different consumer[nice way of putting it] who doesn't tend to posses the greatest of moral compasses.


why do you think google was so intent on highlighting secure app store for jelly bean during at i/o 2012?

because they have the raw data and stats of how rampant the piracy is and scared of losing big devs.

[desidealer49]

you cant deny that android caters to the low common denominator of society.

cheapest iphone sold by apple is the 3gs $375
cheapest android sold by probably some chinese manufacturer- $50-100 enough to run 2.3+

when you have these vast level of price diff, you also attract a different consumer[nice way of putting it] who doesn't tend to posses the greatest of moral compasses.


why do you think google was so intent on highlighting secure app store for jelly bean during at i/o 2012?

because they have the raw data and stats of how rampant the piracy is and scared of losing big devs.

Well i already mentioned that google has no anti-piracy tools being implemented even though they have options and that is the case for rampant piracy. So no need to tell me about the I/O :)

And i disgree with the generalization that android only attracts the cheap crowd who is poor. I see tons of minimum wage people here using the iPhones. And i see many decent income earning persons touting android devices. Generalizing is not going to give us solutions. Ever.

Also, when is your money status an indicator of your moral compass? I have seen tons of rich people with no morals, and tons of poor guys with integrity.

[Dina_E]

apple users tend to buy into the ecosystem meaning they already usually own other apple stuff. they have a vested interest in the product[cult like].

majority of apple users also dont jailbreak[stupid, warranty w/e the reasons]

android openness attracts a certain crowd which might be smarter and like to tinker around, but also another crowd that wants their cake and to eat it.

[jimmy-j]

you cant deny that android caters to the low common denominator of society.

cheapest iphone sold by apple is the 3gs $375
cheapest android sold by probably some chinese manufacturer- $50-100 enough to run 2.3+

when you have these vast level of price diff, you also attract a different consumer[nice way of putting it] who doesn't tend to posses the greatest of moral compasses.




this lady has it dead on!

what about the expensive iphone/ipod users who pirate music?

[mikeo007]

apple users tend to buy into the ecosystem meaning they already usually own other apple stuff. they have a vested interest in the product[cult like].

majority of apple users also dont jailbreak[stupid, warranty w/e the reasons]

android openness attracts a certain crowd which might be smarter and like to tinker around, but also another crowd that wants their cake and to eat it.

Cult...I don't think that word means what you think it means.

[Dina_E]

what about the expensive iphone/ipod users who pirate music?

you might be right, but pirating music is cross-platform. music was pirated and burned on tapes/cd long before mp3 players.

itunes/apple is in fact credited with saving the music industry.

[divx]

^so the android phones needs to be more expensive? lets price Samsung galaxy S 3 at $1k+, that will teach em.

[Dina_E]

^so the android phones needs to be more expensive? lets price Samsung galaxy S 3 at $1k+, that will teach em.

if the only android phones on the market were one x, s3, nexus, notes

i can bet you piracy wouldnt be as big a problem.

[jimmy-j]

itunes/apple is in fact credited with saving the music industry.

ding ding you're right again! she's good guys! high brow iphone/ipod are too rich and never pirate music.

i need to go out and get an ipod so i can walk with my nose in the air. i hope i have enough money for a shuffle.

what about those people who have both iphone and android?

[Dina_E]

ding ding you're right again! she's good guys! high brow iphone/ipod are too rich and never pirate music.

i need to go out and get an ipod so i can walk with my nose in the air. i hope i have enough money for a shuffle.

what about those people who have both iphone and android?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204002304576629463753783594.html

truth hurts sometimes

[desidealer49]

apple users tend to buy into the ecosystem meaning they already usually own other apple stuff. they have a vested interest in the product[cult like].

majority of apple users also dont jailbreak[stupid, warranty w/e the reasons]

android openness attracts a certain crowd which might be smarter and like to tinker around, but also another crowd that wants their cake and to eat it.

I guess you are talking about the hardcore apple users.

The iPhone users, majority of whom doesn't use everything apple, are just as susceptible to pirating as anyone else. If you do not believe that, and think android users are all cheapstakes, it is useless to discuss further with such a mindset.

[jimmy-j]

an article written in the opinion section is truth? wow you're a real winner.

[desidealer49]

if the only android phones on the market were one x, s3, nexus, notes

i can bet you piracy wouldnt be as big a problem.

No. Piracy would still run rampant. Once you find out all you need is transferring an apk from a website to your phone to install it no charge, nothing is stopping you from doing it unless you have some concern about the developers.

To put it in perspective, many people i know who buy expensive BMWs and have iPhones are always asking me if install0us will work with their latest update. When i tell them i paid $1.99 for a certain app, they ridicule me "but you can get it for free man, then why pay?"

Expensive has nothing to do with morality. Zero. Zilch.

[Dina_E]

an article written in the opinion section is truth? wow you're a real winner.

la times?
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/06/entertainment/la-et-jobs-music-20111007

[jimmy-j]

Expensive has nothing to do with morality. Zero. Zilch.

truth.

[jimmy-j]

la times?
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/06/entertainment/la-et-jobs-music-20111007

keep reaching.. it still doesn't help your idea that iphone users are too high class to pirate and android users are lower class. the article is irrelevant.

A for effort!


i think i remember seeing one of the "whites of west virginia" using an iphone.

[Dina_E]

keep reaching.. it still doesn't help your idea that iphone users are too high class to pirate and android users are lower class. the article is irrelevant.

A for effort!

you led the conversation astray by red herring about music piracy instead of talking about apps being pirated on android.

[jimmy-j]

oh ok i'm just messing with you. i totally agree with you about apps and music on iphone.



i'm a user of both android and iphone. i have an iphone 4s and galaxy s2 lte and i can't even look at that nasty galaxy device... makes me feel so dirty.

[desidealer49]

oh ok i'm just messing with you. i totally agree with you about apps and music on iphone.



i'm a user of both android and iphone. i have an iphone 4s and galaxy s2 lte and i can't even look at that nasty galaxy device... makes me feel so dirty.

Why do you keep it?

[jimmy-j]

Why do you keep it?

one is for work and one is for pleasure. the nasty one is for pleasure.

[Xodus22]

Developers did this to themselves. I've had an Android for just under a month. I started out with paid apps. Turns out the free ones are just masked paid apps or they're severely draped with ads. I don't want ads on my phone. Even if it's free. Shows the developer doesn't have enough respect for their own apps to bank on the fact that they'll sell themselves. So now, LuckyPatcher has found a permanent spot on my homescreen. Only the apps that deserve it get my cash. Just like the PC gaming world. /goodnight.

Could you explain what Lucky Patcher does exactly? I don't have an android device yet, so just curious.

[MkmBandit]

Could you explain what Lucky Patcher does exactly? I don't have an android device yet, so just curious.

I haven't made too much use of it so far but from what I know some people use it to patch apps that require authentication? I use it to get rid of ads, also to fix an S3 specific problem related to a 'running out of free memory' prompt when I try to install certain apps.

[Keigotw]

Developers did this to themselves. I've had an Android for just under a month. I started out with paid apps. Turns out the free ones are just masked paid apps or they're severely draped with ads. I don't want ads on my phone. Even if it's free. Shows the developer doesn't have enough respect for their own apps to bank on the fact that they'll sell themselves. So now, LuckyPatcher has found a permanent spot on my homescreen. Only the apps that deserve it get my cash. Just like the PC gaming world. /goodnight.

The worse thing about android free app is that some ads are not kid friendly.
For example. I download a free toddler drawing app to test if was good for my daughter, then I see ad for dating site on it.
What that heck !!!!

[sexyj]

The same game is now free on ios too

lawls

[gobbledygoo]

The same game is now free on ios too

lawls

http://www.gamezebo.com/news/2012/08/01/piracy-and-premium-vs-freemium-madfinger-games-developers-dilemma

I don't know about you but I felt like it was all just a publicity stunt to draw attention to the game... I'm sure it was a painful decision for them to decide to offer the game for free but to have made the decision first (assuming it was only Android at first, giving them benefit of the doubt) but then in a week's time all of a sudden discover that iOS has the same problem with piracy and then decide to give it away there too? I just find that a little too coincidental...

Whatever the truth behind the story may be, the company succeeded already because their story was picked up by various websites and blogged/talked about in forums and they just got massive free advertising... *sigh*

[time space]

they just got massive free advertising... *sigh*

I'll buy it!

[Beradon]

http://www.gamezebo.com/news/2012/08/01/piracy-and-premium-vs-freemium-madfinger-games-developers-dilemma

I don't know about you but I felt like it was all just a publicity stunt to draw attention to the game... I'm sure it was a painful decision for them to decide to offer the game for free but to have made the decision first (assuming it was only Android at first, giving them benefit of the doubt) but then in a week's time all of a sudden discover that iOS has the same problem with piracy and then decide to give it away there too? I just find that a little too coincidental...

Whatever the truth behind the story may be, the company succeeded already because their story was picked up by various websites and blogged/talked about in forums and they just got massive free advertising... *sigh*

I think we can all agree the level of piracy that exists on both iOS and Android are the same. This game may be free to play but there are in game purchases(microtransactions) available to help fund the publishers/developers. This is becoming the norm as we are seeing a lot of MMO suffering right now from dwindling subscribers and are offering the game free for up to a certain level.

You are right in the fact they are milking this from every angle.

[sexyj]

Of course it's a publicity stunt.

I have said it in the beginning that the dev is giving the game away because they are banking on the in-game purchases.


http://www.gamezebo.com/news/2012/08/01/piracy-and-premium-vs-freemium-madfinger-games-developers-dilemma

I don't know about you but I felt like it was all just a publicity stunt to draw attention to the game... I'm sure it was a painful decision for them to decide to offer the game for free but to have made the decision first (assuming it was only Android at first, giving them benefit of the doubt) but then in a week's time all of a sudden discover that iOS has the same problem with piracy and then decide to give it away there too? I just find that a little too coincidental...

Whatever the truth behind the story may be, the company succeeded already because their story was picked up by various websites and blogged/talked about in forums and they just got massive free advertising... *sigh*