The Pirate Bay’s advertising program actually works

A little less than one year ago, The Pirate Bay announced a new campaign where the site’s iconic logo would be replaced by an ad for some form of media — usually music. Dubbed The Promo Bay, the promotional campaign aimed to help artists promote their work — no doubt an effort by The Pirate Bay to show that it isn’t just a platform for piracy. Those of you that have visited the site frequently enough may have wondered how well the promotion platform is working, and luckily for us, the developer of the indie game — Sean Hogan — Anodyne broke down just how much the promotion helped.

The Promo Bay isn’t simply a free promotion, as the catch is that the featured artist must provide a free torrent to the promoted work. Hogan said that the promotion was a success, and fueled sales to far exceed the projected numbers.

Over the three days that Anodyne was promoted on The Pirate Bay, Sean experienced traffic of over 240,000 unique visitors, with the largest referral being from The Pirate Bay. The total cost of the promotion was $7, but that was simply web-hosting costs. The release trailer of the game broke 100,000 views, and the Facebook page gained around 200 to 300 Likes.

To compare to how the game was doing before The Promo Bay, the developers only experienced traffic of around 40,000 unique visitors, which resulted in around 800 to 900 sales at an average of $8 a pop, which results in around $6,400 to $7,200. The sale resulted in around 6,700 purchases of the game, and though the average price paid was much lower than $8 — at around $1.50 to $2.76 depending on game-only or bundle purchases — the developers doubled their revenue from the sale, generating around $12,000.

So, at least for one developer, The Promo Bay actually worked, showing that more sales come with more exposure, even if the product is sitting right there available for free.

Ancient icosahedron: 3D printing ressurrects the world’s oldest die

While it’s unlikely that the ancient Egyptians had anything like Dungeons and Dragons (Sarcophagi and Serpents?), we’ve never been shy about misappropriating the discoveries of pre-Christian Pharaohs. Why start now? A few months ago the internet became aware of a 20-sided die carved in serpentine and dated to the first few centuries BC. Inlaid with ancient Greek symbols, it was almost certainly used for gambling and/or simple games of chance, but it was quickly heralded as the originator of the critical hit. Forget 20s — a true gamer rolls Kappas.

Now, the inevitable: a 3D-printable model of the die makes it attainable by those of us without a professional art thief on retainer. Starting at $17 and ranging to over $300, depending entirely on the materials and finishing used, this die is sure to spice up any friendly dungeon-crawl.

It is also, unfortunately, likely to confuse any such gathering of the nerds, as it features the same Ptolemaic symbols as the original. Unless you’re willing to incorporate yet another chart into your role-playing sessions, this one will likely stay on the shelf as a display.

The confluence of nerd interests, increasingly medieval printing materials, and the simplicity of a die’s design has actually led to quite a number of stylistically ancient dice. It turns out that almost any primary sold can look ruggedly ancient when made out of pitted steel.

The thorn dice have attracted a fair amount of attention, as heavy metal steampunk or caltrops D4; the sheer variety of the die designs out there should threaten the dice-making industry.

Temple Run 2 Sets New Mobile Game Download Record

Imangi is giving Rovio a (temple) run for its money. According to a press release, Imangi Studios’ newest game, Temple Run 2, was downloaded 50 million times in 13 days, besting the previous record held by Rovio Entertainment’s Angry Birds Space, which crossed the 50 million threshold after 35 days last year. It’s worth pointing out, however, that the main version of Angry Birds Space costs 99 cents, while the Temple Run games are free. Rovio’s game has been downloaded more than 100 million times, and was the most popular paid app on both iPhone and iPad in 2012.

Pokemon 3D aims to make Pokemon a first-person game

Pokemon continues to be a major success for Nintendo, selling millions of copies with every new game released in the series. And as is typically the case with very successful games, the formula isn’t messed with much from game to game.

There’s more than a few gamers who would like to see a 3D Pokemon game released, and one independent developer by the name of Nilllzz has decided to make it a reality by unofficially developing Pokemon 3D.

The game is based on the world of Pokemon Gold and Silver, and has you walking around just like you would in an FPS. Pokemon 3D is in the very early stages of development right now, but you can download and play what’s there already. It’s also listed on IndieDB and is being received very positively showing just how much desire there is for a first-person Pokemon game.

Of course, the use of the Pokemon name and gameplay will surely make Nintendo take notice, and chances are Nilllzz will be receiving a letter from Nintendo’s lawyers before long. But a better fix would be for Nintendo to actually consider making such a game, especially as the 3DS hardware could handle it. There’s also the Wii U to consider, and that second screen on the GamePad. A 3D Pokemon game that used the GamePad display for battles could work very well.

Nilllzz has been working on the game since August, but the first playable version appeared just a couple of days ago. It runs on Windows XP onwards, but requires the installation of both the .NET and XNA Frameworks if you want to give it a try.

More at Nilllzz’s Tumblr and IndieDB

Sony rolling out new bundle to revitalize Vita sales, includes a year of Plus

For most of us, it wouldn’t come as any surprise to hear that Sony might not be expecting incredible sales of the PlayStation Vita for the holiday season. The portable system has failed to find its place and has seen a slower adoption rate that Sony hoped for, but there is a new bundle that could help spur sales for holiday season.

The “PS Plus Instant Game Collection PS Vita Bundle” is not only a mouthful, it’s also a good deal. At $300, it includes a downloadable code for the game Unit 13, a 4GB memory card, and — the coup the grace — a one-year membership to PlayStation Plus. That subscription alone is valued at $50. Combine it with the game and the memory card, and the bundle represents a savings of about $100.

Of course, this is as much an advertisement of PlayStation Plus as it is a sale on Vita. Plus is Sony’s version of Xbox Live Gold, but unlike Microsoft, Sony already allows all of its gamers to play online, stream videos, and video chat with friends all for free. What Plus offers is a premium set of features, including placing your save files on the cloud and being able to remotely download updates. Members also receive steep discounts on downloadable games and add-ons, and also occasionally receive “free” access to games.

It has been heavily touted as a beneficial service for PS3 owners, but the fact that Vita users also receive free and discounted content is often overlooked. One membership entitles a user to the benefits on both platforms.

What this really looks like is Sony trying to prove to its existing loyal PS3 base that there is value in having both a PS3 and a PlayStation Vita. There is much speculation that dedicated handheld consoles are on their way out, thanks to tablets and smartphones. The Vita has been and will continue to be a case study on how a game system can compete in this environment.

via PlayStation Blog

Hulu Plus comes to Wii U after narrowly missing launch date

Hulu Plus is now available for the Wii U, after only barely missing the release day hype from the console’s launch on Sunday. The streaming video service was still being tweaked and tested when the Wii U went on sale in the US, but the app is now live in the Nintendo eShop digital download platform.

Hulu Plus joins Netflix as the second streaming service available for the Wii U, and just like with Netflix, special development considerations had to be implemented to take advantage of the console’s two-screen presentation.

With Hulu Plus, users are able to browse through the content on their TV while looking at the Wii U GamePad for more specific details about each show or episode.

Once they select a title to watch, it can either be played on the TV or on the GamePad, not both. This is identical to the way that Netflix functions on the console.

With Netflix, though, there is no enhanced “second screen” experience as there is with Hulu Plus. When selecting content, the GamePad’s screen and the TV display are exactly the same.

Despite originally claiming that the Wii U would be an entertainment hub from day one, Nintendo recanted at the last minute and said that most of its TV-related services would not be available for the console until next month.

It still has a long road until it catches up with the PS3 and the Xbox 360, which have provided live television coverage of numerous sporting and political events, along with more than a dozen apps for access to specific video and music content.

via Hulu

Game Play Trailer For F1 2012 Released

The games developer Codemaster has released a game play video for the F1 2012 game due out in a couple of weeks time. The demo shows just how cool and realistic the game is when compared to watching the actual races on TV. The good thing about a game play video is that you see what you are getting and it looks good!

According to the text provided with the video, this is what we can expect from F1 2012 game;

In the demo, players will sample two of the game’s new features, Young Driver Test and Season Challenge. In the Young Driver Test, which takes inspiration from the real-life event held at Abu Dhabi, players will learn how to handle and get the most out of motorsport’s most exciting and responsive racing cars with a series of tests and videos.

This game will be officially launched on the 21st September on the PS3, Xbox 360 and for PC.

Source [Geeky Gadgets]

Ubisoft Release Survival Guide Trailer For Far Cry 3

With a few games planned for launch over the next couple of months it seems that the gamer will be spoilt for choice, however developer Ubisoft have left the launch of Far Cry 3 for late November giving them a good run into the festive season. However, just to keep up the interest, they have released this teaser trailer, which acts as a sort of survival guide for the islands, not that you are going to need it!

Here is a little bit about the game even though most of you will know this already;

Beyond the reach of civilization lies a lawless island ruled by violence. This is where you find yourself stranded, caught in a bloody conflict between psychotic warlords and indigenous rebels. Struggling to survive, your only hope of escape is through the muzzle of a gun. Discover the island’s dark secrets and take the fight to the enemy; improvise and use your environment to your advantage; and outwit its cast of ruthless, deranged inhabitants. Beware the beauty and mystery of this island of insanity… You’ll need more than luck to escape alive.

Far Cry 3 will be available December 4th 2012 in the US and November 29th 2012 everywhere else on the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and PC.

Source [Geeky Gadgets]

Here Is The Latest Trailer From Crytek For Crysis 3

Games developer Crytek, has released a new trailer that shows just how cool the CryENGINE 3 is and what it will be doing for the Crysis 3 game play with its cool real-time rendering feature, this a game that looks like it might be worth the wait until February 2013!

According to Crytek this what the CryENGINE 3 will do for the game play;

With CryENGINE 3, what you see is what you play as the new tools for the engine allow for tessellation in real-time, improved ocean and water rendering, enhanced character technology, and dynamic volumetric light beams and light shaft effects. These new tools can be appreciated in the beautiful visuals of Crysis 3, from the lush environments and lighting effects, to the detailed characters.

Source [Geeky Gadgets]

Best free simulation games for iPad-The Sims FreePlay

The Sims FreePlay is a traditional life emulator game where you usually a collection of web people, every with a variety of preferences and multicolored spectrum associated with personality quirks. You do everything from steering their own conversations with various other Sims, decorating their residence, getting them to succeed, and by ensuring they relax regularly. An up to date update perhaps added the capability play just as and manage child Sims. Since you guide your current Sim in order to complete daily things, you gain xp, level up, not to mention unlock newer items. Distinct from the old Sims computer games that had a handy fast-forward button, exercises in The Sims FreePlay many happen in real-time, so when you put any little website visitors to sleep, they may be gone intended for 8 authentic hours. Whilst you play, you get Lifestyle Factors, which can be helpful to immediately match your Sim's needs and even quickly finished tasks. Those people can be bought because of in-app purchases, along with the game's money, Simoleans, which a person's Sims earn by using various kinds of function. The UI can be scaled extremely nicely towards the iPad, but unfortunately the aesthetic elements usually are not optimized with respect to the new iPad nonetheless. Also, I didnt have any opportunities getting the saved develop from the blackberry version onto the iPad, so please don't count on just about any cloud synchronization here.

Best free word games for iPad-Charadium II HD Free

Charadium II HD is another take on Pictionary the spot where you try to attract something right after picking one among a small list of words, plus your partner web based has to you know what it is. Both of those players are actually rewarded issues for how swiftly they reply, and can perhaps lose specifics if it will take too long, but at least you have been given hangman-style methods as time goes on. Megastars are put on show in your shape, which are offered by other members that are notably impressed along. Charadium II Free of cost is a really excellent alternative to Sketch Something, and then in my opinion, more suitable option of each for a number of purposes. For one, Charadium 2 replays are shareable online, so that you to reveal them on Facebook as well as wherever altogether different you like. The second thing is, Charadium II does not try to nickel-and-dime you will for individual colors; once you upgrade within the free variation, not only do you go for a full pallette, but also a bunch of varied brushes, allowing you to get seriously creative. Last of all, there are lots of wonderful game modes, together with live common rooms where anyone that's online may well jump in and guess what on earth is being tempted, private adventures with your personal buddies, and the standard drawn-out turn-based matches. Additionally having the ordinary "lite" version functions of retaining features hostage, you will also have to deal with the occasional video ad and screaming. At least they do not harass you'll for microtransactions. The entire version will not be insanely costed, though some tad big at $2.99. Game Center is normally ripe through achievements due to this one, as you plow via them, you travel up rates high (which are not appearing to do much of anything other than look and feel pretty on your own profile). Charadium II HD Free props up new iPad's Retina display, so your very good artistry knowning that of some will really popular on the big screen. It's not global, but I don't believe this is the types of game you really want that should be playing on any iPhone anyway.

Best free racing games for iPad-GT Racing: Motor Academy Free+ HD

Motor Academy Free is often a more down-to-earth, mostly-realistic racing game. Commencing, you earn various licenses just by learning how to drive varied classes of cars. After that, you're ready to go, winning attractions, special invitation events, as well as completing jobs. The cash you earn currently there let you pick a variety of accepted brand-name cars, including Bugatti, BMW, Bentley, Jaguar, Hyundai, Chevrolet, and Audi. They can kindly give you the option to rental cars to obtain a round if you don't have enough to own it in full. Even this racing game has a few RPG movement in it, among them quests that you choose to complete, not to mention leveling to as much as unlock cutting edge cars plus courses.Dollars are accumulated through consistent gameplay, at the same time in-game cash is most commonly bought thru in-app purchases, which you'll want to trade in for new motor vehicles or go with upgrades that will parts for example brakes and even suspension.Body fat cloud syncing listed here, so get at ease playing on as well your ipad device or iPhone for the long haul. In addition there are no Game Target hooks, but yet Gameloft still does a decent work of treatment online multi player on their own.

Best free role-playing games for iPad-Six-Guns

Six-Guns is really an open-world multi player european. Everyone commence objectives designed for unhappy commonfolk, coping with manufacturers like bandits and even supernatural bad guys to produce a number of iotum in peace into the undomesticated rest of the world. Resist is straightforward third-person revolver photographing accompanied by a personal joystick and many keys. You may be paid for ones accomplishments, of course, and might utilize the gold coin you get to successfully furnish innovative tools, brand new post, and buying different horse so that you can help ones own excursions regarding cities.And also being capable to invest in in-game currency thru in-app expenditures, additionally you can find Sheriff Superstars, that will access high-end apparel and additionally auto-complete objectives, month-to-month are also able to bring in them by using paying attention to advertisements. You might be in fact prepared to shop for xp and also health and wellness maximizes, for everybody who is experiencing difficulty all through a certain search.Six-Guns is undoubtedly increased for your latest iPad's Retina monitor, furthermore, as you are logging in by means of Gameloft's support, there isn't a situation getting the place where you departed right off upon just about any iOS system.

Best free action games for iPad-Jetpack Joyride

Jetpack Joyride is a side-scrolling evasion game with the help of simple one-button control buttons and a excellent sense of style. You play in the form of rebellious bureaucrat labeled Barry who seems to be tired of their job at his / her top-secret military lab, and establishes that to tug at the company's trial and error jetpack for a jaunt via the facilities. Holding your quick on the screen places the gas on the jetpack, so you're able to elevate during obstacles for instance laser home security systems and incoming missiles. Along the way, deal . be able to pull the other trial and error vehicles, such as Crazy Freaking Teleporter, and the Profit Bird that's powered by means of pure pure sarcasm.You're recognized coins for the way far you make it by before eliminating, but can equally pick up loosely coins through the level. You even earn more through creating missions, such as high-fiving the trying scientists in the grass floor. Some of those coins (which are usually also available with in-app purchases) are generally spent on different jetpacks, outfits, plus recently gadgets.Jetpack Joyride will be distinct as a flag on the latest iPad due to Retina-optimized graphics, in addition to there's Game Core support to get leaderboards and achievements. It's a simple app, and yet I've have mixed gains with impair sync; the item managed to get my personal rank and money from my iPhone game, but did not register some of my previous tool purchases.

Best free casual games for iPad-Temple Run

Temple Run is a dead-simple platform game in the places you sprint by ancient shambles while appearing chased by individuals displeased which you simply swiped ones own idol. You switch corners, duck under hurdles, and get over sets with swipe motions while gathering up coins along the way. There's a spot of accelerometer control, in order to snag silver and gold coins in the middle so they can the right or left side about corridors simply by tilting the particular iPad, but for the most part, you're just simply relying on twitch reflex using. Gameplay can be be extremely bite-sized, but still nicely rewarding.Any coins you collect even when temple-running (or in-app selecting) can enable you to get power-ups like momentum boosts, unique unlockable characters, and even exclusive wallpapers.On the iPad, Temple Run fares reasonably efficiently, offering the exact same fast-paced gameplay because iPhone version, complete with Game Center leaderboards and feats. The game's universal, this item . my up grade purchases transported over, that game didn't find a way to recognize that achievements I did earned. Extra fat word on whether the visuals have been changed for the brand-new iPad's Retina display, however , Temple Run still holds up extremely well in your looks team for unconventional gameplay.

Best free sports games for iPad-NFL Pro 2012

NFL Pro 2012 is a full-fledged football game that comes with leagues, playbooks, and detailed rosters based on legitimate players and then teams. A players increase experience and additionally level up along the way, letting you grow their stats in various areas, want run preventing, catching, information, and agility. Every downward, you pick a good play to choose from (either offensive or preventative), and while you actually manually power one participant, the AI handles others. Controls at the time of play are generally dead straight forward, but most of the will be paid flipping with and getting plays. The sad thing is, your choice is really only start, therefore takes an excellent obscene number of premium credits in order to permanently keep on playbooks.Every game people play takes in energy, which you could replenish after some time or by in-app purchases. Experience points to level up your players can also be got, along with credits to buy completely new playbooks, stadiums, get at new coaches and teams, divisions, plus conferences, in addition to extend one lengths.However, there's no foriegn saving, although NFL Pro 2012 is a common app. This does not seem like you will discover any improve to Retina photos, which are possibly headed to make sure you EA's premium titles first. There isn't even pretty much any Game Center support, that creates me believe that NFL Pro 2012 is due for that big redesign soon.

Best free strategy games for iPad-Battle Nations

Battle Nations is a great mix of real-time strategy with many resource get together and turn-based military services combat. Typically the goofy video style along with hilarious discussion keep details fresh among firefights, and since equipment are produced above the hours amongst sessions, you realize you'll be checking when it comes to on your cheesy often. Battle Nations features player-versus-player combat utilizing select buddies, staged seeing that "live fire excerises". You will want to sink a reasonable timeframe into the simple player promotional event first to aid you to level up along with unlock the particular advanced components and systems to reduce your buddies to hemorrhoids of ashes.Battle Nations is monetized with Nanopods, which you can buy through in-app expenditures, earn via gameplay, or perhaps rewarded through watching training video ads. They are used to hurry though , production for particular tasks, like restorative healing troops on the hospital or possibly training new units. Nanopods will also be used to to build up unique constructions, which are often only super-charged versions of ordinary ones.Body fat Retina Display help support for the iPad just yet, but when zoomed outside all the way, I have found the design are still fairly sharp. There is supposed to be Game Center support for sharing achievements and whatnot, but it doesn't seem to be being employed right now. It becomes handy to obtain that let for finding close friends to play alongside, but I know it's arriving in due point in time. Finally, Battle Nations will be universal, as well as syncs up game play across iOS units thanks to the developer's very own registration and even cloud conserving service.