Ads in Angry Birds cause some squawking
Rovio's Peter Vesterbacka was pretty outgoing at GDC a few weeks ago, claiming that "it all works" when it comes to ad-driven business models on the App Store. But he might be relearning that lesson the hard way right now -- after an update to Angry Birds HD on the iPad added a "News" section in the replay screen that advertises other Angry Birds products, some users have gotten their feathers ruffled. That "News" section takes a while to load, and it must come up every time a level needs to be restarted, which means some players have raised their voices and voting fingers on the official iTunes listing.
There's a few issues here -- first, we've seen in the past that most users don't actually mind ads in iPhone apps, as long as they don't mess up the flow of the app. It sounds like Rovio didn't quite plan this one correctly. Users who need to replay levels a lot (like those trying to max out their star totals) are seeing the ads quite a bit and losing that loading time every time, which creates frustration. Second, this is a free update to a paid app, and users who had already paid the US$4.99 for it are now frustrated that they're seeing ads, even if they are just for other Angry Birds products.
So what's Rovio to do? The company has had success already with ads on the Android version of the app, but that was originally a free download. Given that the iTunes ratings are definitely suffering (the latest version only has 2.5 stars, as opposed to all versions' 4.5 stars), Rovio will probably have to put its ads elsewhere, either in the main menu of the app or out of the paid app completely. It seems like Vesterbacka and company have finally found a model for Angry Birds that doesn't work that well.
Share
Rovio's Peter Vesterbacka was pretty outgoing at GDC a few weeks ago, claiming that "it all works" when it comes to ad-driven business...
Add a Comment
This is the most additive game I have on my ipad! the ads don't really bother me much
http://yosionapplepeel520.net
They don't really bother me since I don't plan on tapping them anyway. But it is silly that they're there either way since the game is a pay game. And I've bought versions of both apps plus the Mac version.
March 20 2011 at 11:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIt also affects my loading times on an iPhone 4.
March 19 2011 at 11:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyApple APPS used to be a sanctuary from the ever intrusive in your face advertizer. Not so anymore. But I say we consumers say "he'll no" we won't pay for an app and also suffer advertisers intrusion. HELL NO!!!!
I'm happy to support developers of great apps by purchasing their software in exchange for not being bombarded with this sort of advertising.
If developers want to make me sit through these ads, then I either want to be paid for my time, or I'm happy to accept a free version of the app.
I thought the big deal with paid apps was that you wouldn't have to waste time and usage (on your download cap) for ads. I guess that's not true; you are going to get stuck with ads no matter whether you pay for the app or not, so what is the point of a paid version if there are still adds mucking around?
March 19 2011 at 10:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhy have to be a article about Angry Birds every week here. It is only a game and although the idea was nice a long time ago it gets bland. Sometimes I think tuaw gets paid for writing about this. There are better and more useful apps out there which are worth a look or an article. Apps from developers who did not earn millions but are trapped in the shelf of the app store.
So please don't get me wrong. I know that I don't have to read these articles but it really gets annoying.
By the way I think if a dev have to add ads to a paid application then he is greedy. Imagine you buy a something like pixelmator and every time you change your drawing tool you have to see ads? No thanks.
not sure if it is only me but last night i had the annoying adds but once i read this story i decided to play me some angry birds and finish my three star quest and the ads have magically vanished from the screen when i'm resetting the level. Rovio must have been able to remove them remotely or they will return later.
March 18 2011 at 9:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySo much for them being gone they just came back
March 18 2011 at 9:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyEwww... Hopefully it's not the same for the paid one.
I'm deleting it anyway... It has been how long since the iPhone 4 introduced us to Retina, and it is still pixelated? You can play the game in HD on your computer, so I don't get the hold-up.
Also, a lot of developers are doing similar, making their paid apps free and ad supported. There is a big list of apps that have updates in my iTunes now, but these updates hinder the actual app in some way, many of them I have purchased and weren't free. It's extremely stupid. Yes, I understand that it's profit, but just charge for the app and add some sort of protection against pirating. I hate this bait-&-switch.
Did you miss this is Angry Birds HD for iPad?
March 18 2011 at 8:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDeals of the Day
more deals- Used Apple iPad 32GB Wi-Fi Tablet for $200 + free shipping
- Apple iPod nano Multi-Touch 8GB MP3 Player for $100 + $8 s&h
- Cases for New iPad at HandHeldItems: Extra 20% off, $2 credit, from $3 + $3 s&h
- $15 Apple iTunes Gift Card for $8 for new Saveology customers
- Retro 80's Case for iPhone for $11 + $2 s&h
- HHI 360 Dual-View Stand Case for new iPad w/ $2 credit for $12 + $3 s&h
Software Updates
more updatesFeatured Stories
more stories
Popular Stories
TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
24 Comments