promo codes are out of control

[renton]

/rant on

as i logged on tonite, i noticed that a fair amount of games had promo codes.. so i logged on said threads, and of course all the codes are gone. i then noticed while looking thru past promo code threads that certain people are always getting these codes. they must camp on here 24/7..

1) that's not fair system. why should peeps that hang out here all day long get 'free' games? it's not like they just get one. i keep seeing the same names posting that they got a code...

2) some of us work, and can only check every so often. this means you have to have a very large amount of luck to pop in and have a thread with promo codes just entered.

3) i suggest that the idea of promo codes be talking about amongst devs and people smarter than me to come up with an acclimate system for everyone.

now, i'm not all pissed about this. im not some riled up tween or twenty something. when you see that a few people get all the free games they can muster by 'camping' on this board, well, it leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.

i know devs use promo codes to get free advertisement; esp from devs that don't have the cash like NGMOCO or chillingo, or EA to promote their games.

honestly,i don't know what can be done if anything at all. it just makes me sad that a few work the system and take away from everyone else....

/rant off

[VoodooVyper]

So, if you're a dev, would you rather give a code to someone who 'camps' here and likely plays games a heck of a lot more than someone who spends most of their time at work? Do you complain when people buy a product that has a good sale on Black Friday because you were too uninterested to go there 6-10 hours before the store opened? Why should developers accomodate to people who don't want to put the extra effort into obtaining a code. If you want them that bad, then 'camp' here too.

[tadad1]

it leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.



"As the actress said to the Bishop."

[HJJ]

This must be a joke.

You can get free meals everyday if you hang out at Costco, sure, but the cost is being cooped up in a warehouse everyday. Most of us, act like adults and just buy the food we want to eat.

Yes, it's nice to get something for free from time to time, but we're not owed anything. I don't see how these threads keep constantly arising. What is so difficult to understand about this concept?

With promo codes, it's all about being at the right place at the right time. Any sensible person will realize how big TA's audience is. It's obvious that 20 codes will go quickly when you understand there are thousands of eyeballs vying for them. This isn't about "lurkers" or the "same people who camp out here all the time." It's simply a matter of a TON of people grabbing at the same prize. Just be glad in your supreme annoyance that you won't wind up trampled to death.

[1337brian]

I'm at work all day and I "camp" more then most people here, BTW don't you have an iPhone or an iPT? If so I believe there is an icon called.... ummm.... Oh here it is, Safari... Oh cool copy and paste?!? How could a web browser on the go help me get promos?.... Hmmmm.... I wonder?...:confused:


/rant off

[HardcoreEricXXX]

I'm at work all day and I "camp" more then most people here, BTW don't you have an iPhone or an iPT? If so I believe there is an icon called.... ummm.... Oh here it is, Safari... Oh cool copy and paste?!? How could a web browser on the go help me get promos?.... Hmmmm.... I wonder?...:confused:


/rant off

my biggest complaint is when I post codes under redeem in iTunes app, it crashes back to the springboard

[gekkota]

Another thread about this?? :rolleyes: This topic has already been discussed ad nauseum in this forum.
Developers can choose to dispense--or not dispense--promo codes however they see fit. No amount of whining is going to change that.



http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=18096&highlight=promo

http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=8541&highlight=promo

http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=18421&highlight=promo

[yourofl10]

Its the developers choice on how he/she distributes them...Oh well if you dont get any, life sucks at some points, sorry to tell you that but its the thruth.

EDIT:

Look at gekkota's post it explaings everything

[sf49lu]

/rant on

as i logged on tonite, i noticed that a fair amount of games had promo codes.. so i logged on said threads, and of course all the codes are gone. i then noticed while looking thru past promo code threads that certain people are always getting these codes. they must camp on here 24/7..

1) that's not fair system. why should peeps that hang out here all day long get 'free' games? it's not like they just get one. i keep seeing the same names posting that they got a code...

2) some of us work, and can only check every so often. this means you have to have a very large amount of luck to pop in and have a thread with promo codes just entered.

3) i suggest that the idea of promo codes be talking about amongst devs and people smarter than me to come up with an acclimate system for everyone.

now, i'm not all pissed about this. im not some riled up tween or twenty something. when you see that a few people get all the free games they can muster by 'camping' on this board, well, it leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.

i know devs use promo codes to get free advertisement; esp from devs that don't have the cash like NGMOCO or chillingo, or EA to promote their games.

honestly,i don't know what can be done if anything at all. it just makes me sad that a few work the system and take away from everyone else....

/rant off

It is not worth it to camp and hope to get a 99c game. Go work for couple hours and youll have more money to buy more games than a "camper" could ever dream of.

[The Bat Outta Hell]

my biggest complaint is when I post codes under redeem in iTunes app, it crashes back to the springboard

Yeah I know, it's so damn frustrating.

Don't hit redeem, hit that blue button on your keyboard, it never crashes from that.

Plus I hate it that you have to tap the redeem code window, wait like 5 seconds, THEN you can enter it, THEEEN you have to say "yeah, I wanna enter my password". It's just stupidly designed.

[Eli]

To be fair, your average iTunes user will never use a promo code and has no reason to even know they exist. There's not really much reason for them to refine the promo code redemption process so freebie mongers can redeem them quicker. :P

[1337brian]

Yea suprisingly none of my friends in real life have even heard of a promo code!? I'm talking fairly tech savvy people here... I won't tell them, that means less chances for me...:rolleyes:

[Kamazar]

Yeah I know, it's so damn frustrating.

Don't hit redeem, hit that blue button on your keyboard, it never crashes from that.

Plus I hate it that you have to tap the redeem code window, wait like 5 seconds, THEN you can enter it, THEEEN you have to say "yeah, I wanna enter my password". It's just stupidly designed.

Everyone has to do it, so it's not really like you're wasting precious time. Unless you're either using Windows (not starting another OS war or anything, but I know Apple ported it to take up 99.9% of the processing power to get back at Bill Gates), or an old as s*** computer.

[Sainter]

Promo codes would be out of control if Gameloft were giving them out as often as someone caught Swine Flu

The amount of people trying to win these codes is out of control. Blame the crowd, not the performer

[markx2]

If you are not in the USA promo codes mean just one thing. forum clutter, crap posts saying I WANT ONE TOO, OMG ITZ TEH AWESOME and the *sob* I missed out to the lurkers the *******.

Sometimes all the 'Games Discussion' forum is about promo codes.

Think it's bad now? wait till the Rest of the World gets codes and then you will be moaning that the USA isn't special any more and that Apple are ****** for letting it happen because the USA is the biggest, no-one else speaks english etc etc etc etc.

One day I hope this forum will have a Promo code only forum the it might be worthwhile looking in the Game Discussion forum. Right now it's the promo codes that absolutely ruin the forums when you are actually after information.

[atommo]

I found a nice way to distribute codes that some people would probably find highly unfair...

I looked at the post counts, and if a users posts were a high number then I looked at the last bunch of posts made by them.

If they seemed to contribute to the community in some way and weren't just spamming "LOL" and "Sucks!" messages, I sent them a promo code.

It doesn't get the same visibility as giving away 5 codes in a thread, but it also doesn't leave a lot of people seeing them sitting there and not being able to redeem them.

[markx2]

I found a nice way to distribute codes that some people would probably find highly unfair...

Sounds very good here.

If you want a return on the codes you need to treat them wisely.

[Bluellama1]

I found a nice way to distribute codes that some people would probably find highly unfair...

I looked at the post counts, and if a users posts were a high number then I looked at the last bunch of posts made by them.

If they seemed to contribute to the community in some way and weren't just spamming "LOL" and "Sucks!" messages, I sent them a promo code.

It doesn't get the same visibility as giving away 5 codes in a thread, but it also doesn't leave a lot of people seeing them sitting there and not being able to redeem them.
That is actually a pretty good way to distribute the codes.

[HJJ]

If you are not in the USA promo codes mean just one thing. forum clutter, crap posts saying I WANT ONE TOO, OMG ITZ TEH AWESOME and the *sob* I missed out to the lurkers the *******.

Sometimes all the 'Games Discussion' forum is about promo codes.

Think it's bad now? wait till the Rest of the World gets codes and then you will be moaning that the USA isn't special any more and that Apple are ****** for letting it happen because the USA is the biggest, no-one else speaks english etc etc etc etc.

One day I hope this forum will have a Promo code only forum the it might be worthwhile looking in the Game Discussion forum. Right now it's the promo codes that absolutely ruin the forums when you are actually after information.

This is a really fair point. I don't know why they have held off on making a dedicated US Promo Code forum for so long. I know people will whine that it will be plagued with campers and lurkers, but that's absolutely no different than what we have now. The real difference is that the Code Spam would be isolated away from actual discussions. I'm actually surprised that the Games forum was split between Releases and General Discussion before the promo codes were moved out. I'd rather see a Top 5 thread, which is actually about games, than a promo code black hole. And this is coming from an American - I can only imagine how you poor Internationals feel.

[ImNoSuperMan]

If they seemed to contribute to the community in some way and weren't just spamming "LOL" and "Sucks!" messages, I sent them a promo code.


That Sucks. LOL

BTW I never received one from you in my pm. I wonder why:rolleyes::p

Anyways what u have is a nice idea but I don't think it'll help u or ur game much. You drop a code to someone u thought was a decent member of the forums. What if he already had the game. Or he is not interested in playing ur game. But if you'd still prefer to continue this way then atleast create a thread talking about ur game. Once u see posters who are interested in getting ur game then u can drop them a promo to give it a try. Atleast it'll make sure u don't give away the codes to someone who didn't want it in the first place.

[shen]

It didn't seem to me that giving away promo codes to random people on the forums helped sales at all anyway.

Plus if you try to do something original it ends up taking up a lot of time, and in the end the same 20 people get the codes anyway.

Shen

[Eli]

It didn't seem to me that giving away promo codes to random people on the forums helped sales at all anyway.

Plus if you try to do something original it ends up taking up a lot of time, and in the end the same 20 people get the codes anyway.

Shen

It really doesn't. It might generate a little buzz if your game is absolutely stagnant, but more often than not you're right, it's the same 20 people and most promo code contests end with those people posting their codes up for trade in the Promo Code Exchange Club (http://forums.toucharcade.com/group.php?groupid=11).

I kind of think you're much better off as a developer to just send your codes to people with actual web sites, even if they're low traffic than just giving them away for people to sock away and trade for other games.

[lacedolphin]

Being somewhat new on here ( I did alot of learking before posting) the only thing that bugs me is people trying to get codes for things they will never play just to get a free game. Now that bugs me. They should at least stick to the ones they really are interested in instead of trying to get as many as they can.
The only time you will see me pop up is games I either really want to play or some I had already purchased.

But on the other hand, when I do get to speak to a dev and help make a game better or give my honest feedback, I really enjoy that. After playing a game I get a code for I always post in the forum and iTunes my opinions. I think that is only fair to the devs trying to get thier games and ideas out to others.

My 2 cents :)

[Booch138]

I kind of think you're much better off as a developer to just send your codes to people with actual web sites, even if they're low traffic than just giving them away for people to sock away and trade for other games.

I agree with this. I mean it's cool that they give out promotional codes, but most of them do it posting it in a thread, and like you said: the same people get them over and over. Review sites and stuff could put more use to them. I love this site and it would be cool to get Promo codes too, but I do have a job. I cannot be on here all the time VS. the kids who have nothing better to do. I am not nessisarily complaining about me having to work, but it would be cool if it was done in a different matter, or just not at all. I don't know...

[The Bat Outta Hell]

I'm only bothered by people who miss out on a contest or give away, and ask the dev to "give them one".

In fact, there's a couple people with their signatures reading "Give me promo codes!" =P

As long as the devs are happy with their feedback (mummy's Revenge) to improve their game, I don't think it matters.

[ImNoSuperMan]

The best way to go here is promo contests which asks the forum members to give suggestions about improving the game, or what kind of change will it take acc to them to consider the game worth buying. These codes are free for devs and even if u consider them as lost sales(which probably wouldn't have happened anyways) it's a good price to pay for some creative input which could help make ur game more appealing to the customers. But giving them away to whoever sees them first or asks for one first is the worst way to go here IMO. Not saying that's a complete waste as u might still get some good input but definitely not the best possible way either.

[Stykman]

This is where reputation comes in.
say a dev were to give you a promo code and asked for feedback if you dont supply feedback like asked and promised they could give you a -1 and it will warn devs from said member so they can pick someone else who will give them feedback.

of course prove me wrong guys :D
just adding some brain food:o:o

[The Bat Outta Hell]

You're right, rep points would make sense.

[markx2]

Rep points are not the answer.
The same people then get rewarded time after time and others will say rep points are unfair because how can they earn more if they aren't given codes to earn them? Seriously, it.does.not.work.

Many people here seem to think that the fact they read this site gives them the absolute right to free games using codes. You can tell this through their indignant posts when they don't get their code.
Many people here shout and scream that they'll give a review for a code and they are plain lying.
The number of times I have seen dev's post "Thanks for the reviews!" I can probably count on my thumbs.
The number of times I have seen free codes given out I would need the thumbs of an entire village.

It makes no sense at all to throw all the codes into the forum. Your return rate must be fantastically small.

Devs should not need rep points or other nonsense to decide on codes. There's a forum here for devs where ideas are probably happening, look at the posts where codes have been given and see who did a review, look at the upcoming games forum and see who gives good feedback and then give those people codes.
And part 2 is to go elsewhere. Why not find some blogs that are being written by gamers? Given them a code and another for a reader of the blog. They are way more likely to blog about that than someone where who expects a promo code like I expect the sun to rise.

We should be coming here for games, not codes. We should be coming here for good information, constructive discussion, chatting about games and everything else game related. But we should not have codes being given away so freely. I think it is very significant that the forum where codes are given away usually is in the top spot on the main site page and on every post page. In some ways giving some codes away bumps the name of the game to the front and it is effectively advertising. Nothing wrong in that but the noise generated is not good. But because one dev/publisher does it others think they have to do it and it goes round and more and more codes are give out.

A couple of things are needed and I honestly believe the first part is to make all promos be posted in another forum area and for that area to be either not featured on the front page or to get the same 5 posts as some others do.

[The Bat Outta Hell]

No, making a forum specifically for promo codes is silly, people will camp there the whole time for give aways.

Simply not including the words promo code in your title, or even the first post, and giving them away later to people who were genuinely interested is a better solution IMO.

[HJJ]

No, making a forum specifically for promo codes is silly, people will camp there the whole time for give aways.

Uh, how is this really different than what we have now? And why would that be bad or worse than what we have now?

[drelbs]

It really doesn't. It might generate a little buzz if your game is absolutely stagnant, but more often than not you're right, it's the same 20 people and most promo code contests end with those people posting their codes up for trade in the Promo Code Exchange Club (http://forums.toucharcade.com/group.php?groupid=11).
I'm guessing some people might lump me into that group of 20 people, and I just wanted to chime in that I use all the codes I get myself (except for two duplicates which I have told devs they could send to someone else). I also post actively in game discussions on this forum, post reviews on iTunes, and have even written a few detailed reviews here. (I have been offered to review for other sites, and am not doing so as TA has been good to me!)

That being said, I think it's great when devs take the time to run contests (SpeedR (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=18923&highlight=speedr), Sentinel (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=20180&highlight=sentinel), Magnetrox (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=19774&highlight=magnet), etc... (links go go relevant threads)) as it's a lot of fun to participate in them, and it guarantees that lurkers don't get the codes.

"First 5 people to PM me" and attaching a list work fine as well.

I always rate things a bit higher on iTunes to help people out, and mark good reviews as helpful to bury the one star reviews...

I'm just happy devs are actively participating here and have been willing to share codes with us.

Drelbs

EDIT: I just remembered one for thing that I've seen devs do that seems like it would work well - post codes several pages into a regular discussion of the game: as long as the words "promo codes" don't appear in the thread those codes should safely fall into the hands of people reading the thread...

[The Bat Outta Hell]

Uh, how is this really different than what we have now? And why would that be bad or worse than what we have now?

Read my next sentence, I didn't mean I think it's fine the way it is currently.

[Indiania]

Are we trying to discourage developers from giving away promo codes? I, for one, really appreciate being able to play a game for free and can't imagine complaining about it! I can understand the posts about trying to help the developers get the best value (usually posted reviews) for their codes. I always leave a review on iTunes for developers, but I know a lot of people don't. What I can't understand is throwing fits about whether or not you got a code. Sometimes I get one, sometimes I don't, but I always appreciate the chance at getting one.

[markx2]

Are we trying to discourage developers from giving away promo codes?

No. Just put it somewhere that does not clutter the rest of the forum.

Please understand that they sell these iphones and ipod touches outside of the US and every person outside the US cannot use these codes. So effectively that makes the forum US-centric in that all we have are the bleatings of those who did not get their daily freebie.

What I want is for the devs to get more bang for their code. More feedback, more reviews. If that means everything stays as it is because it's more discreet, great. If it means another forum, great. I'm just massively fed up of the kids who promise their world for a freebie day after day after day.

I don't now even read threads with the word 'promo' in the titles. Why should I? It's full of kids.

The more people buy the idevice the more kids will come here and the more noise that will be made. I like this forum but I liked it more before noise got so high as it is now.

[The Bat Outta Hell]

No. Just put it somewhere that does not clutter the rest of the forum.

Please understand that they sell these iphones and ipod touches outside of the US and every person outside the US cannot use these codes. So effectively that makes the forum US-centric in that all we have are the bleatings of those who did not get their daily freebie.

What I want is for the devs to get more bang for their code. More feedback, more reviews. If that means everything stays as it is because it's more discreet, great. If it means another forum, great. I'm just massively fed up of the kids who promise their world for a freebie day after day after day.

I don't now even read threads with the word 'promo' in the titles. Why should I? It's full of kids.

The more people buy the idevice the more kids will come here and the more noise that will be made. I like this forum but I liked it more before noise got so high as it is now.

They're games. Kids play them.

[drelbs]

The more people buy the idevice the more kids will come here and the more noise that will be made. I like this forum but I liked it more before noise got so high as it is now.
I used to spend a lot of time in the arcades when I was a kid.

Now I hang out in the TouchArcade forums when I have free moment.

Christmas 1979: Santa brings me an Atari 2600 with Combat, Maze Craze and Space Invaders.

Today: Downloaded and started playing Space Invaders Infinity Gene.

Life is good. :cool:

[1337brian]

I used to spend a lot of time in the arcades when I was a kid.

Now I hang out in the TouchArcade forums when I have free moment.

Christmas 1979: Santa brings me an Atari 2600 with Combat, Maze Craze and Space Invaders.

Today: Downloaded and started playing Space Invaders Infinity Gene.

Life is good. :cool:

Yes sir, I too am a fan of arcade games... :cool:


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