Related
Any idea as to what happened to Twin Blades?how come its no longer in market place. thanks
http://www.wpcentral.com/twin-blades-pulled-marketplace
Going the way of Apple, eh? but luckily Apple changed, hence the advent of great games like Resident Evil and Dead Space
its a disappointment indeed. im also wondering as to why they need to take out twin blades from market place because of the mature rating? not all kids can buy a device that is costly as windows phone, and to think most windows phone owners are matured enough to handle such content.
if this is the case, good and exciting games are being removed from circulation, i think i might as well stick with my wii. too bad wii doesnt have phone integration lol.
thanks for the info
slighmd said:
Going the way of Apple, eh? but luckily Apple changed, hence the advent of great games like Resident Evil and Dead Space
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah they changed alright, hence the requirement for all apps that use external subscription (Kindle, B&N, Rhapsody..you name it) to instead go through in-app purchases, giving Apple a nice 30% cut. That's right. They want 30% of Kindle's sales that go through iPhone.
I'd argue that a "Mature" rating from the ESRB is not the same as what Microsoft meant originally when referring to "Mature Content" in their Marketplace rules. There has to be some common sense about this stuff. Blood and gore is not the same as porn.
Damn
I bought the app months ago, but installed a new sd card. Does anyone know who I can contact about getting the game again or refund my money. Rather have the game, it was great to waste five or ten minutes.
Please keep things other than app releases OUT of WP7 Apps and Games, and please read the stickied rules at the top of each forum you are in.
~~Tito~~
It sucks, bit keep in mind kids can sometimes purchase this stuff without parental consent. Theonly way to prevent this from happening is to just not let it get on the marketplace. Google hs a no porn policy for Android market, ad well. I can name examples of apps that were pulled from well known entities, but I don't want to go there...
Sent from my HD7 using Board Express
I'm guessing it might have been less the blood and gore, and more the lesbian undertones of the cut scenes.
is there anyway of getting this back or a refund?
x0xwolverinex0x said:
is there anyway of getting this back or a refund?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As for as know there are no refunds. I was able to find a copy on a site that goes against xda's policy.
One article was stating the dev my be out of business not a marketplace issue.
Never played it anyone got the xap?
you can still download it in private market place if you have a full unlock rom
All right, this is going to sound crazy, but I sincerely hope someone can answer my question.
So, I purchased Twin Blades forever-and-a-half ago, and quite enjoyed it. However, with these recent Windows Phone 7 updates, I did a factory reset on my phone [a Samsung Focus]. Now, as many already know, Twin Blades is no longer available on the marketplace.
So, this game -- that I paid for -- is no longer available to me. What I want to know is:
If I sideload the Twin Blades XAP file, will I get banned from Xbox Live? I have already paid for it, but I don't want to risk getting banned for sideloading an Xbox Live app. I know you can get banned from Xbox Live for pirating games, so that's not what I'm asking. I'm asking if I can get banned for sideloading a paid app I've paid for (since it's not directly from the Microsoft marketplace).
Thanks in advance for any help.
I sideloaded Twin Blades on my HD7 after purchasing it and I am not banned. I've been using it for about 2 weeks sideloaded. My achievements aren't showing up on my XBLive account though.
That's awesome that it works, but I was really hoping for achievements... Is there any conceivable workaround? :/
Sorry, gonna hijack this thread a little as it brings up a very interesting side point.
Since Microsoft have pulled this game due to marketplace policy - shouldn't they also refund all purchases of said game? I know they have a no refunds policy in place (which is dubious in itself), but surely they cannot sell you a piece of software only to revoke your rights to use it a few days later?
As for the original question - no, afaik there are no work-arounds for getting achievements on side-loaded XBL games.
Try this link, it will open Zune MP on the Twin Blades page: fr.appsfuze.com/marketplace/redirect/49f0e177-d1d1-df11-9eae-00237de2db9e
ninjy said:
Try this link, it will open Zune MP on the Twin Blades page: fr.appsfuze.com/marketplace/redirect/49f0e177-d1d1-df11-9eae-00237de2db9e
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's an ingenious idea, but as far as I can tell, that won't actually let me re-download the game... I'm on my phone now, and it opens the info page for the game, but doesn't have the Try/Buy buttons...
emigrating said:
Sorry, gonna hijack this thread a little as it brings up a very interesting side point.
Since Microsoft have pulled this game due to marketplace policy - shouldn't they also refund all purchases of said game? I know they have a no refunds policy in place (which is dubious in itself), but surely they cannot sell you a piece of software only to revoke your rights to use it a few days later?
As for the original question - no, afaik there are no work-arounds for getting achievements on side-loaded XBL games.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they should let us redownload it, considering we paid for it. I can understand pulling it from future purchase, but I actually PAID for it! I already got an achievement tied to my Gamertag, so I want to be able to complete it. I'd rather a re-download of the game than a refund, but anything is better than getting shafted like this...
Also, is a lack of achievements part of sideloading Xbox Live games? Like, do all of them, when side-loaded, disable achievements?
A bunch of Android apps, including hits like Minecraft, Swiftkey and SoundCloud, are for the moment priced at 10 cents each. It’s not clear why these apps are so heavily discounted–it could be a glitch, or a yet-to-be-announced promotion–but you better act fast if you want to save some serious cash
Here’s the whole list, thanks to Android Central:
Great Little War Game
SketchBook Mobile
Paper Camera
Sound Hound
Asphalt 6
Fieldrunners HD
SwiftKey
Minecraft
Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro
Color & Draw for Kids
Even if you don’t have your Android phone or tablet handy, you can make your purchases from the Android Market links above, and remotely download the apps to your device.
MOD EDIT: REMOVED LINK
criticalmass24 said:
A bunch of Android apps, including hits like Minecraft, Swiftkey and SoundCloud, are for the moment priced at 10 cents each. It’s not clear why these apps are so heavily discounted–it could be a glitch, or a yet-to-be-announced promotion–but you better act fast if you want to save some serious cash
Here’s the whole list, thanks to Android Central:
Great Little War Game
SketchBook Mobile
Paper Camera
Sound Hound
Asphalt 6
Fieldrunners HD
SwiftKey
Minecraft
Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro
Color & Draw for Kids
Even if you don’t have your Android phone or tablet handy, you can make your purchases from the Android Market links above, and remotely download the apps to your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Android market is terrible for processing payments. I tried and tried to buy a couple and it says they were purchased but won't install due to some error with the payment processing.
It's because of the ten billionth download.
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
MartyLK said:
The Android market is terrible for processing payments. I tried and tried to buy a couple and it says they were purchased but won't install due to some error with the payment processing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same error but they downloaded eventually. As long as you get a purchase confirmation by email, you're good to go.
Bzow said:
I had the same error but they downloaded eventually. As long as you get a purchase confirmation by email, you're good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My CC was expired. Emails said to update it and I did. But even with the valid CC, payment was rejected. I went to look and make sure I had some money in my account, which I did. All of the efforts at trying to buy the apps some how messed up the system I suppose. Still can't buy them. I can buy from WP7 market or Apple market just fine, though.
Very nice of them. Hope they change the discounted apps these days as i would by some. Tomorrow i'm going to the bank to put some money on CC.
.
Thread moved. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Failure to comply with forum rules will result in an infraction and/or ban depending on severity of rule break.
When buying several of the apps on discount I ended up having 1 transaction go through, but the others declined.
It turns out my Bank blocks multiple transactions for the same amount within a 5 minute window. It's a security measure, though it's a bit excessive for values < $1 and even if transactions have different descriptions.
It's Google celebrating 10 billion downloads on Android Market. Check out their blog pot: http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2011/12/10-billion-android-market-downloads-and.html. That applications are available at discounted price only for today. During the next 9 days, there will be other apps at the same price, for one day only.
On my personal experience, my first two checkout were processed immediately, but the later two delayed for a while. I did some things in my office for about10 minutes and when I checked my phone it had downloaded both applications.
This is like steam sale, yay.
Yeeha, that's real great. So I have to watch the Steam sales + the Android sales!
OMG, I LOVES SALES And for 10 cents you do not even need to feel bad if you purchased something you do not even need
Anyone out there who found out when the apps will be changing each day, or which timezone it's based on?
---------- Post added at 03:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:59 PM ----------
Ok, here is a leaked info about the next apps:
Beautiful Widgets
Fruit Ninja
Reckless Racing
Star Chart
Read It Later Pro
Christmas HD
AirSync by doubleTwist
Flick Golf!
Two are missing by now, but the rest seems to be already available.
Have fun :-D
For several of10-cent apps I purchased, I have since then gotten cancellation emails. I wonder whether the problems stems from my credit card denying some of the charges.
Here an example. I had purchased this app yesterday afternoon, but I got the cancellation email this morning:
Hello ...,
Your order has been canceled and you have not been charged.
Reason: Other (describe below)
Comments: We could not complete your order in a timely fashion. Your order has been automatically canceled. Please retry your purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do I still show yesterdays apps?
Bought a lot of these myself
Let's hope they put up those Adobe apps that have been released these days.
Overcharged USD1 instead of USD 0.1
I bought Shiftkey X and i’m charged USD 1.0 + USD 0.1 but when I was going to buy this, it was showing as Rs. 5.15. I'm from India.
Can anyone please explain me this
Maybe it's a fee your bank is charging you for the internet transaction. If bought 5 apps and got charged PEN 1.68, which is approximately correct.
Guys this is a little off-topic but i'd like to ask you something. I haven't had any Android phone yet so i have none linked to my Gmail account. I will be getting my first Android phone soon (Galaxy Nexus) and i want to take advantage of this sale.
Is there any way to buy these apps without having a phone linked to your account? Can't i just buy them and they can stand in my apps list and i download them when i get the phone?
Thanks in advance.
oskay.demir said:
Guys this is a little off-topic but i'd like to ask you something. I haven't had any Android phone yet so i have none linked to my Gmail account. I will be getting my first Android phone soon (Galaxy Nexus) and i want to take advantage of this sale.
Is there any way to buy these apps without having a phone linked to your account? Can't i just buy them and they can stand in my apps list and i download them when i get the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. But you could briefly add your Google account to someone else's Android device, get one free app just to make sure the Market go it, then delete the account from the device again. Thereafter you will be able to purchase all apps you want directly from market.android.com using any web browser without a phone.
YEEES. Nice offer !
I would be embarrassed if I were google. I have a few apps showing purchased, but then when I click to install it indicates I have not paid/am not authorized.
I have also tried a few cards, and keep getting some purchases bouncing back with the below - any ideas?
Your order has been canceled and you have not been charged.
Reason: Other (describe below)
Comments: We could not complete your order in a timely fashion. Your order has been automatically canceled. Please retry your purchase.
Convenient timing given the sales are one day only. I bet it will conveniently work after it ends.
I just bought Modern Combat 3 through the android.com website
because my Xperia play is not being allowed to buy it for some unknown reason.
Anyways. I bought it online thinking I could download it on the phone once it was purchased and to my DISMAY. It's still not showing up.
Furthermore when I try to install through the website on my phones browser it says "incompatibe device" and it's showing up as greyed out.
Also when I try to open it on my market via the website . It loads the app for a split second then pops up and error message saying
"That app does not exist"
I SAW IT LOAD UP! They are lying!
I have a rooted R800X. Verizon firmware 2.3.3
So I'm trying to find out why other users of this forum are allowed to buy and play it on their Xperia but they are black listing me saying its "incompatible"
Oh P.S alot of their other games aren't showing up in the market either
It's almost like they are trying to keep us from buying the games on the 99 cent sale day.
not all games are available in every area and gameloft often takes there games off the market so its an old dead link thats 'loading up' you will have to google it and find a "modified" version that someone has uploaded
Some games from Gameloft require 2.3.4 & higher even though they don't say that on the Market or their site...
Can't get the game here either. Called gameloft and they said the games compatible on my r800x and the problem is on the android market side and they have nothing to do with 3rd parties that sell there games. Oh and the wapshop the game is still 4.99. The promotion is only for the android market. I live in Los Angeles and can't get the discount bull****!
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
CapNM77 said:
Can't get the game here either. Called gameloft and they said the games compatible on my r800x and the problem is on the android market side and they have nothing to do with 3rd parties that sell there games. Oh and the wapshop the game is still 4.99. The promotion is only for the android market. I live in Los Angeles and can't get the discount bull****!
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought the game and i cant get a refund
Its not showing up on my market ( ON THE XPERIA)
It wont download on my droid X even tho it shows that I purchased it and Its showing up in that market
I'm getting really mad
People are complaining on facebook to. Seems like this is just a scam or something
I want my money back or a freaking APK to install
CrimsonSentinel13 said:
Some games from Gameloft require 2.3.4 & higher even though they don't say that on the Market or their site...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true
It's showing up on my Droid X running 2.2.1 Custom ROM
not showing up on the Xperia with 2.3.3
Something is wacky here.
Seems like a scam to me. Also they said they would tell us when it went on sale on Facebook. they never posted it on the wall tho.
Their is nothing on their wall about it
I'm going to check their twitter account now
I just called them. The guy on the phone wanted my phone number and my carrier . Verizon
I told him the info.
He didn't even ask for my Google Receipt number.
He told me to hold. I was on hold for 2 minutes
He gets back on the phone and says they will send me a text message with a link for the APK file. Said it would take a few minutes
This was 20 minutes ago
I'm going to call back and try to get them to give me a straight answer
He didn't tell me why its not showing up on my market
Hogwarts said:
I just called them. The guy on the phone wanted my phone number and my carrier . Verizon
I told him the info.
He didn't even ask for my Google Receipt number.
He told me to hold. I was on hold for 2 minutes
He gets back on the phone and says they will send me a text message with a link for the APK file. Said it would take a few minutes
This was 20 minutes ago
I'm going to call back and try to get them to give me a straight answer
He didn't tell me why its not showing up on my market
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How on earth can you say gameloft are liars, you checked the market and the game said it was not compatible, buying it off the web market wont make it magically compatible with your device. If you were then stupid enough to buy it even after the market told you your device was not compaible it's your own fault.
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
I had an issue with MC2 and emailed them about it. They replied with an apology, server issues, and asked if I would like a free game I asked for MC3 and got it. Runs great and the xperia controls a really really good.
Sent from my R800a using xda premium
I just called them back. Had to be on hold for over 20 minutes this time
I asked to email me the game and the guy finally sent it VIA an email
Will post a reply if its working.
Haven't tested it yet
AndroHero said:
How on earth can you say gameloft are liars, you checked the market and the game said it was not compatible, buying it off the web market wont make it magically compatible with your device. If you were then stupid enough to buy it even after the market told you your device was not compaible it's your own fault.
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wasnt on the market
maybe you should read it again.
and its saying not compatible on the website not the market
P.S the game is compatible with my device so explain how they aren't lying?
They finally budged and sent me the game after 2 phone calls
and it seems to be working fine
So actually they are cheats. by not telling people on the facebook page that the game is on sale
also cheats by not letting verizon users see the games in the market
also liars by saying its "not compatible" when i am playing the game right now
Hogwarts said:
It wasnt on the market
maybe you should read it again.
and its saying not compatible on the website not the market
P.S the game is compatible with my device so explain how they aren't lying?
They finally budged and sent me the game after 2 phone calls
and it seems to be working fine
So actually they are cheats. by not telling people on the facebook page that the game is on sale
also cheats by not letting verizon users see the games in the market
also liars by saying its "not compatible" when i am playing the game right now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a different version of the game for the xperia play. Gameloft has always done this. The website version of the android market said it wasn't compatible because of this. Any game from gameloft on the xperia play should be purchased from gameloft themselves (just go to gameloft.com on your phone). 10 minutes of research on these forums could have told you that before you tried purchasing it and then throwing a fit about it.
We are talking America r800x. We are the super power and no MC3 weak.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
CapNM77 said:
We are talking America r800x. We are the super power and no MC3 weak.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Superpower Your only super when we are there to look after you lol
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
AndroHero said:
Superpower Your only super when we are there to look after you lol
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We are the SUPER AMERICA.
proof of that. I call the Gameloft and tell those rip offs who is right.
They send me the game i paid for. Done and done.
double done.
I can call google and complain to and they will send me the game
because they know of Gamelofts scam tactics. thats why gameloft trys to keep off the android market because of how they try to use DRM to scam people
making it a royal pain in the azz when you put ROM's on phone. you have to "request" all your apks to be given back to you.
what a load of BULL CRAP! - Screw that.
I'm getting the sales i deserve. I pray that all americans call game loft and push 1-1-0 that will get you connected to customer support
then voice your opinion about not being able to buy the 99 cent game
let them know that us americans need to have the deal just like everyone else
this is not good. not good at all.
Androhero, sometimes I respect what you do on these forums, and other times i find you to be an offensive narrow-minded jerk.
Gameloft is clearly trying to play both sides of the fence with android, and has been since the beginning, they don't like the amount of pro-consumer defences in place on the market. I'm not sure i understand how you can defend them as zealously as you have.
I bought modern combat 3 for 0.99c on the market despite it not being compatible with my handset, and heres why:
a. I have the moral high-ground when it comes to sideloading the app from various sources.
b. It's cheaper lol.
c. I have the advantage of having an sgs, I can have it sent to my sgs via the web market and then simply sideload it to my play, no dodgy websites involved.
I can understand, but don't completely agree with limiting markets by territory, i believe that in many cases Gameloft purposely allows and disallows various apps not for technical issues, but that in their eyes it makes more business sense for them to do so, even though its the end users that suffer for it.
I operate in this way and don't expect to have Gameloft help me at all, I know im bending the rules, and i'm ok with that, as i dont believe anyone could really call my actions dishonest or sneaky.
How do you feel knowing that Gameloft segregates us from the rest of the android market, likely because we are more willing to pay full price for games and they are taking advantage of that, its certainly not because of all the extra effort they put into xplay compatible controls .........LOL!!!.........
anyways enough of that, i don't really actually expect to play this game, but i do like specials.
Mael5trom said:
Androhero, sometimes I respect what you do on these forums, and other times i find you to be an offensive narrow-minded jerk.
Gameloft is clearly trying to play both sides of the fence with android, and has been since the beginning, they don't like the amount of pro-consumer defences in place on the market. I'm not sure i understand how you can defend them as zealously as you have.
I bought modern combat 3 for 0.99c on the market despite it not being compatible with my handset, and heres why:
a. I have the moral high-ground when it comes to sideloading the app from various sources.
b. It's cheaper lol.
c. I have the advantage of having an sgs, I can have it sent to my sgs via the web market and then simply sideload it to my play, no dodgy websites involved.
I can understand, but don't completely agree with limiting markets by territory, i believe that in many cases Gameloft purposely allows and disallows various apps not for technical issues, but that in their eyes it makes more business sense for them to do so, even though its the end users that suffer for it.
I operate in this way and don't expect to have Gameloft help me at all, I know im bending the rules, and i'm ok with that, as i dont believe anyone could really call my actions dishonest or sneaky.
How do you feel knowing that Gameloft segregates us from the rest of the android market, likely because we are more willing to pay full price for games and they are taking advantage of that, its certainly not because of all the extra effort they put into xplay compatible controls .........LOL!!!.........
anyways enough of that, i don't really actually expect to play this game, but i do like specials.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maelstrom, dude i know where your comming from, but you need to understand gameloft do not directly sell there games on android market, infact they sell the games to google and google sell them on the market, it's then up to google to decide what devices are compatible and not, i'm sure amazon played a big part in MC3 not being availible for the R800x, but bottom line it's nothing to do with gameloft, he should be calling google names, gameloft even went out of there way to provide him with a free .apk even though they were not legally required
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
AndroHero said:
Maelstrom, dude i know where your comming from, but you need to understand gameloft do not directly sell there games on android market, infact they sell the games to google and google sell them on the market, it's then up to google to decide what devices are compatible and not, i'm sure amazon played a big part in MC3 not being availible for the R800x, but bottom line it's nothing to do with gameloft, he should be calling google names, gameloft even went out of there way to provide him with a free .apk even though they were not legally required
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AndroHero I respect you and what you do on these forums but I have to say this
I've been researching and I found that Verizon and the R800X have been denied games before this MC3 thing.
And I believe after researching it's part of Verizon with their Vcast Malware.
YES I'm calling it Malware. I believe it actually is blocking us from getting specific games on our devices by means of hardware lockout. I believe this is why the google market will not show it to us at all.
I think gameloft was aware of this so that is why they are sending the games directly.
Did you also know if you buy the gameloft games through the VCAST store. Once you switch carriers the games will no longer play anymore
Yup thats right. Because without a "DRM network check" Verizon has their apps setup to always force close with an error.
So even if you pay full price for all the gameloft games from the Verizon Apps store (The only place you can get some of them)
You are getting your money stolen basically and being forced to say with Verizon
So maybe I was wrong to call Gameloft liars. Maybe it's not their fault. I dont know but I do know that this isn't fair to us Xperia Play owners. We are being excluded every day and it's REAL CRAP!
I totally agree, and verizon sucks, why do guys even get verizon phones? If you all went to AT&T or T-mobile ect. Verizon would soon change there ways
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
AndroHero said:
I totally agree, and verizon sucks, why do guys even get verizon phones? If you all went to AT&T or T-mobile ect. Verizon would soon change there ways
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll tell you why people keep buying Verizon, at least in our area. Because of service coverage. My daughter works for a company that is the call center for AT&T. Interestingly enough, almost all of their employees have Verizon as their personal carrier because AT&T's coverage is so poor. Same with most of the other carriers.
That's also why Verizon can get away with screwing its customers in so many ways. Captive audience.
CapNM77 said:
We are talking America r800x. We are the super power and no MC3 weak.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hogwarts said:
We are the SUPER AMERICA.
.........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You two seriously make me embarrassed to be American on these forums. Typical entitlement bratty attitudes. You're not better or more important than anyone else because you're American.
AndroHero said:
Maelstrom, dude i know where your comming from, but you need to understand gameloft do not directly sell there games on android market, infact they sell the games to google and google sell them on the market, it's then up to google to decide what devices are compatible and not, i'm sure amazon played a big part in MC3 not being availible for the R800x, but bottom line it's nothing to do with gameloft, he should be calling google names, gameloft even went out of there way to provide him with a free .apk even though they were not legally required
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats not true, Gameloft does sell the games themselves on the Android Market. Gameloft specifically is the one who sets the permissions which can be done both within the programming as well as when the app is loaded on to the market. Gameloft locks their Xperia Play games to their WAP store for one reason, as mentioned by another poster. They believe that people who own a "gaming" phone will pay extra for the version of the game that works with their phone. They have even gone so far as to have programmed different versions, even though they don't need to. The only reason MC3 even shows up was likely due to them accidentally not locking out some models of the R800 (You need to specifically pick R800i, R800x, R800at etc in the dev console), or they changed their policy, but still locked out the R800x thanks to Verizon wanting to have it exclusive on their V-crap store.
A lot of these mistakes happen with their games, look at Assassins Creed with its graphical glitches, Eternal Legacy with its crashes, Shadow Guardian and the fact you can't actually complete the damn game due to a bug in one of the puzzles! Not sure if they use cheap programmers, or they just rush job stuff out the door to squeeze every last penny out.
AndroHero said:
I totally agree, and verizon sucks, why do guys even get verizon phones? If you all went to AT&T or T-mobile ect. Verizon would soon change there ways
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Below is the best answer
netizenmt said:
I'll tell you why people keep buying Verizon, at least in our area. Because of service coverage. My daughter works for a company that is the call center for AT&T. Interestingly enough, almost all of their employees have Verizon as their personal carrier because AT&T's coverage is so poor. Same with most of the other carriers.
That's also why Verizon can get away with screwing its customers in so many ways. Captive audience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its like this all over the country. There is no place in the US especially any place near a metropolitan area that any other carrier has better service. The difference is tremendous between them and everyone else. Also, up until a couple months ago the only way you could get the Play was through Verizon, unless you didn't care to have 3G service. Incidentally Verizon is owned partially by Vodafone, I'm assuming though Vodafones business practices are different?
So... in the end... this thing is still a Phone and thats what we all have a need for. Game controls and video games etc are just gravy.
As for the OP. Gameloft clearly doesn't allow their Market apps for a reason as discussed. It doesn't work, you can complain to them as to why they aren't allowing download on the Market, but the fact you wasted a buck on it and it won't work isn't their fault, they told you it wasn't gonna work and you did it anyway.
Then in the end even though you basically tried to skirt their rules (however immoral they may be) they still helped you out by giving you the game working for your phone anyway. I'd say the customer service really isn't so bad after all (they gave me a free game too for the whole Shadow Guardian debacle).
I just need to vent. I'm a fairly active developer for the android platform. I've created a number of kernel patches and applications that I have released at no charge to the community for about 10 or so devices.
All this I do in my "spare time", which I have very little of because I am a full time professional student who takes on 32 credit hour semesters.
Recently, since my 1994 geo prizm is literally falling apart and I was hoping to scrounge together a little bit of money to get a new car so I don't end up stranded on my way to class, I decided to release a paid application. Fastcharge / Force AC toggle which allows you to toggle on and off the force AC feature. A feature which I have personally implemented and released source patches for on a number of devices.
Not only in every thread where I released the patch on a device did I write up how to toggle the feature through the command line, but I also stated that I also implemented a toggle into my completely free application that you can also download from the market, IncrediControl.
In good faith and knowing how annoying licensing is, I elected to not include licensing in my application. This is a huge regret.
Within a couple days of releasing the application to the market I googled it to see if anyone was talking about it. One of the first links was to a piracy site where a user was requesting the widget, to which another user obliged and posted the apk to a filesharing site. Doing something I never though I would have to do, I filed a DMCA takedown request, which was answered quickly and the app was taken down. Monitoring the thread, every single time a link gets taken down, another user requests the app and the original user reuploads it, most recently to 11 different sites.
So now, after filing dozens of takedown requests. This user has decided to unzip my apk, change out the artwork, and now is going around releasing it as his own work.
Really, all this to avoid paying $1.50 (only ~$1 of it actually going to me) to an individual whose yearly income is low enough that he doesn't have to file taxes?
This disgusts me.
This is even worse than the 50% "order cancellation rate" that the widget has. I'm not stupid, I know exactly what users are doing, but yet initially I was willing to ignore it. But this has gone too far.
What is even the point of pissing off a developer so much that he is considering saying screw the platform all together? It doesn't even make sense. We, the developers improve your devices, generally at little or no cost, and this is how we're repaid. With ~50% of current users of the application having pirated it. To avoid paying just over $1.
Now before someone even counters with the "my area doesn't support paid applications" argument I've actually gladly GIVEN the widget away to a number of users who casually mentioned in the release threads that they couldn't download it for this reason. Not to mention, everyone knows there are apps that unlock the market in these areas to be able to purchase apps.
How much more generous can a developer be than to provide source code patches for a feature, provide information on how to toggle the feature, provide a COMPLETELY FREE way to toggle the feature, and then charge a measly $1.50 for a secondary, slightly more convenient way to toggle.
Yet he's repaid like this .
Of course, this must suck for a developer like you. Unfortunately, it seems to happen more and more often, and all I can really say is:
I would gladly pay a few bucks for an application like IC or BootManager. That BootManager seemed really interesting, but we can't buy apps from the Play Store without CC (and as a 16-year old, I don't have one). I asked the developer if he accepted Paypal, but he didn't.
Don't get me wrong, and this is not an attack to you personally: developers, if you made something really nice, and people will like it, 70% of the people will gladly pay for it, just make sure you allow them to.
Chaosz-X said:
70% of the people will gladly pay for it, just make sure you allow them to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly thought this was the case. It's really not. The problem is much worse than that. If 70% of users in the root community paid for apps it would be astonishing. Its made pretty clear by the number of users who download the app, back it up and then cancel the order.
If a 16 year old kid had made me that offer, the e-mail reply I sent would have the apk attached.
Well, that is a real flaw of Android: tweakability is really impressing, but these things make it really difficult to earn some money as a developer.
We have been thinking about anti-piracy measures as well, with stuff such as authentication with a server, and locking down the code and verifying integrity of APKs and stuff to make sure it's really hard to mess with the code, but it's just sad that there's a need for these measures..
The trouble is everything has piracy right from movies to game consoles through to mobiles and music.
I mean the iPhones appstore would be a hell of a lot bigger if there was no jailbreaking and installous.
Every platform has been cracked so you'll get it regardless of what you develop for.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA
I think you know you just needed to vent but can I change your picture.
There are some people in this world who just don't buy the idea of an idea as property. That's not compatible with this business model. That's the first problem.
The next problem is that
there's a million and one apps out there and which one are we going to choose? Where does it start, where does it end? We all have our limits. What's yours?
For me, the app has to be something very unique and possible generate me cash. For example something I use every day at work. If it's something that the phone should do anyway I tend to skip it and save the $1 for the next phone that does it out of the box. Your app is a great thing, but there's many utility apps out there. It just doesn't fall into the kind of thing I'd cave my strict budgeting for. There are people here with a 1000 apps installed and you expect them to pay $1000 in this sense.
Another way would be having utility in the cloud and then the app is free. Another one of course, advertising.
The difference with both of these is we don't need to risk a credit card with the market. That's the main reason I personally haven't bought many apps and I'd imagine it's a problem for minors too.
The very community that allowed us to create the app fails to pay for it's products is like life itself.
I'd say make something for the iphone instead because there's more profit there but that would never have been possible, see what I'm saying? That's the 3rd problem.
So you've got 3 problems there all converging into one big push towards piracy. But remember, can your app assure security that the pirated version cannot for example? This is how one has to think.
In short,
you can't do something and hope to make a bit from it on the side. You got to go out from the start and get the money aspect central from the start. I mean, that's business and of course that's exactly what the android community works hard to free us from.
Still, summarising those 3 points for suggestion:
- offer something free things can't (i.e. security, brand etc) For example, I never run pirated stuff for fear of insecurity on my data whereas I'll try out software that way on an old PC
- can always put a service in the cloud aka the javascript trap
- iphone is there if you want...
- needs to "the one app" a certain person would pay for, not something everyone likes
Also just to make that point again, if one does not believe in property then inconveniently there is no moral crime here. I suggest learn to live with this and go with the flow
I hope google sells PlayStore cards (like itunes cards) that allows user to buy apps, music, movies, books without a credit card. I really want to buy some amazing apps but i dont have a credit card so i just use free apps. I think that if u cant buy an app that cant be a reason to piracy or sidedownload that app.
jago25_98 said:
For me, the app has to be something very unique and possible generate me cash. For example something I use every day at work. If it's something that the phone should do anyway I tend to skip it and save the $1 for the next phone that does it out of the box. Your app is a great thing, but there's many utility apps out there. It just doesn't fall into the kind of thing I'd cave my strict budgeting for. There are people here with a 1000 apps installed and you expect them to pay $1000 in this sense.
Another way would be having utility in the cloud and then the app is free. Another one of course, advertising.
The difference with both of these is we don't need to risk a credit card with the market. That's the main reason I personally haven't bought many apps and I'd imagine it's a problem for minors too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The feature is 100% unique and so is the widget. Not to mention, if you didn't want to pay the $1, I provided a free way to toggle the feature in the utility app. The point is, that there is nothing forcing people to pay for the widget to use the feature. But instead of using the free option provided, they not only pirate the paid app, but edit the artwork and release it for free as their own. It defies logic.
Also, ad based apps don't work with the rooted community. I learned that early on. Myfree utility app is ad supported. With over 40,000 installs you would think it would make even a dollar a day. Nope, makes nearly nothing. That's when I realized that the same niche I was marketing to are the same people who block ads. Even if someone didn't want to block ads, they can't install a single ROM that doesn't include an ad blocking hosts file out of the box.
chad0989 said:
[...] How much more generous can a developer be than to provide source code patches for a feature, provide information on how to toggle the feature, provide a COMPLETELY FREE way to toggle the feature, and then charge a measly $1.50 for a secondary, slightly more convenient way to toggle.
Yet he's repaid like this .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be sure you're looking at all sides. Yes, you're in a losing war with guys intent on pirating your app. You can't stop them, and well, you goofed on the licensing, so someone will no doubt release the clone.
First of all, don't do the Big Media thing and assume that everybody that pirates your app would have paid for it if it hadn't been available. A lot of folks collect, or just try something once. You'll only work yourself into a funk thinking about all that money you "would" have if only they hadn't been able to pirate it. They wouldn't have. At least not all of them.
More importantly, be aware that placing something out there with value does reach folks that otherwise would have no idea of you or your plight. More than once, I've purchased an app that I don't really need, but found clever and cheap enough I can buy it without thinking about the investment. I've spent more on Android software at $1-15 over the last year than I did over the last 25+ at $30-100 a pop. I've only refunded an app once, by accident.
Finally, be up front about your situation. A guy trying to make do does influence my impulse buying. So does his reputation. If you're doing a lot, be sure that's clear on your app page, and let us know clearly you're the guy that also brought us whatever.
I am curious, though: How much did you actually bring in?
Chad- thanks for telling your story, I agree that you have every right to be disappointed. Especially the buying and refunding, that to me send almost worse because you can't stop dedicated pirating, but I would have hoped the rest would have bought the app.
It's easy to forget the human side of development, so thanks for sharing your side.
Jesus christ Chad. This is f$%&*#@ ridiculous. Probably the best and most generous kernel dev I have ever come into contact with, and people are cheating you out of 1.50. Please don't abandon Android. I need kernels when I get my rezound! but in all seriousness, warez needs to stop.
Sent from my ADR6400L
Yep. Sucks. After getting serious about android , which wasn't too far in, joining with a nexus one and seeing all the free HARD work we get, I definitely try buying stuff I use. If I can't pay sometimes I will see if dev does something else I can donate to. Its an issue I've thought about and part of it really boils down to how sorry people are in general. They want free and cheap. $1 is laughable even when it can be easily had for free. You really should market yourself a bit even though you don't want to. And people should really put a complimentary $5 or so budget a month or more and try to support devs. Maybe if you have something he gave free but has an app you won't use for a buck, buy the dollar app and uninstall after the 15 minute period. Or throw him a 5 through PayPal or something. Its simple really. If these devs don't have to resort to ramen and water they keep dev'ing especially for the community supporting him or her. And if they're eating vegetables and have plenty of red bull money it gives them wings. Otoh, the devs that make us pay to reinstall an app after we bought it on another or lost our phone suck. Balls. Won't buys theirs anymore.
teach a man to fish, you feed him for life. teach a man to fastboot, and you create competency. and less threads on xda.
Maybe you should implement a system like some developers do where you download the app for free with a time limited trail, then they would go to another website to pay for the app to unlock it, and the unlock codes would be unique for every user which would minimize piracy.
Sent from my GT-N7000 Samsung Galaxy Note "Go big or go home" using XDA app
rafa6571 said:
I hope google sells PlayStore cards (like itunes cards) that allows user to buy apps, music, movies, books without a credit card. I really want to buy some amazing apps but i dont have a credit card so i just use free apps. I think that if u cant buy an app that cant be a reason to piracy or sidedownload that app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the Netherlands we have prepaid Visa card.
Works well.
Maybe you google something similar in your own country.
(3V prepaid Visa cards)
That does suck but if someone wants to pirate an app even licencing doesn't stop them as there is an app that apparently patches licence checks.
It is so easy for even a non root and new user to find cracked apps, I have seen links on here and even on peoples facebook sites, it's got to the point where people can just browse a webpage and click a link to get the cracked version of an app.
Unfortunately if someone wants to crack it they can. Unless you could implement your own security check somehow, something obfuscated in the code, licencing is the only alternative as it would stop people using backed up cancelled versions at least.
Unfortunately it seems a lot of people just don't want to pay for apps.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
also have to look at both sides. some people just refuse to pay for **** whatever it is, or get it as cheaply as they can. being android apps, the free route is how they're going to go. but the other side, you hsould be grateful for all the people that do pay. they're the ones helping keeping google, open source, android and everything in between chugging along. open source is the future and you can tell every corporation i said that. and thanks for you your work even though i've never used it.
jago25_98 said:
...
Also just to make that point again, if one does not believe in property then inconveniently there is no moral crime here. I suggest learn to live with this and go with the flow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is plenty to disagree with in your post as it all seems like an attempt at rationalizing ways to get around the system. This last statement is a ridiculous attempt at summarizing why stealing is OK. Your morals don't define the crime, the law does. Stealing property, physical or intellectual, is not legal and not right regardless of your morals or lack of.
Chad,
I am sorry to hear of your products' abuse. I used your kernels all the time on my Incredible devices and bought IncrediControl to support development. I have purchased many applications just to support development and believe that is the way to get high quality applications.
Piracy is just so damn easy on Android. I know ppl that are doing it who I wouldn't even expect to be doing such a thing. This guy I know love android only because he can get everything free by just googling the apk.
awww thats sad i feel really bad for you!
I've used pre paid visa debit cards to buy apps. You can find them in Any money shop like Cheque cashing places for example. You can even just stick a dicky diver (£5) on them. Perfect for situations like this
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium