The cloud: where your games go to die?
For consumers, the cloud's appeal is hard-to-resist.
From music to documents to applications, and everything in between, the ability to access our 'stuff' anywhere we go on any device is an extremely attractive proposition.
Until it isn't.
Microsoft News Roundup: Binging on the Nook
Following Microsoft’s acquisitions and “partnership,” palm greasing is getting more exciting by the hour.
The headlines have been coming fast since the end of Q3 11: $8.5b Skype acquisition. $250m quarterly infusion to Nokia. $24m in subsidies for Windows Mobile app developers. $1b Aol patent grab – now flipped to Facebook for $500m. Vague, behind the scenes dealing with Comcast. And now this: a $300m investment in Barnes & Nobles’ Nook division.
Something is up.
Angry Birds Space becomes fastest-growing mobile game ever
While nobody can deny the massive popularity of Rovio's Angry Birds franchise, there are plenty of skeptics who question whether Rovio's cash cow will remain popular forever.
And for good reason: in today's fast-paced and highly-competitive gaming market, which now includes millions of social and casual 'gamers', producing hits is difficult but keeping them hits is often even more difficult.
Zynga reports record revenue in Q1, but big loss
Social gaming on Facebook may be past its prime, but don't tell social gaming juggernaut Zynga that casual gaming is.
The company, which went public late last year, yesterday reported $321m in revenue in the first quarter of 2012 -- its highest quarterly revenue figure ever. All told, bookings rose to $329m, up 15% year-over-year, while the $321m in revenue represented a more impressive 32% year-over-year increase.
Keeping children safe online
Sometimes, those working in and around social media every day can forget just how much many, if not most, of the population may take the internet for granted.
Especially teens and tweens, who, posting from the safety and security of their own bedrooms, can feel free to say, do and broadcast what they like without worrying too much about the consequences.
The rise of the billion dollar mobile gaming market: infographic
It can't be surprising to anyone with a smart phone (or has been on any form of public transportation) that mobile gaming is on the rise. Developers are scrambling to get the next big hit like Draw Something as the mobile and social game giants, Rovio and Zynga, are continuing to dominate the market.
According to a new infographic by businessdegree.net, more than $12 billion was generated by mobile gaming in 2011 with 34% of the top grossing apps in the app store using the freemium model. Once someone is hooked, they'll continue to spend a few dollars to continue to enhance their play. On average freemium games make $12.92 a month per user.
Five ways to optimise your online video
A great video strategy can be a lot of work. Coming up with a good concept, producing the video, and editing are all vital steps in the process, but it does not end there.
All too often, businesses will invest serious time and effort into producing great video content only to lose steam once they get the videos online.
Your online video strategy should not end at the upload. Really great content can and often will go far on it’s own, but there many tactics that can be employed online to reach your video’s full potential.
Here are five post-upload steps you can take to ensure your video marketing strategy is a success.
Six tips for an effective online press room
What happens when a journalist comes to your web site and tries to find information? Can they easily find what they need or instead, do they click off, and visit one of your competitors to get the info they need?
Your online press room should be an important component of your PR, sales and marketing plans. Your press room is open and working for you 24/7. Editors and writers often work late at night, on the weekends and holidays when your PR and marketing teams are not available. Your website and its press room have to be able to provide all the info needed.
Google’s semantic search set to revolutionise SEO
Well co-ordinated press releases over the past couple of weeks provide a hint at what Google has up its sleeve.
We believe it will mark one of the most significant changes to search engine marketing since AdWords was launched.
In fact, this could be the beginning of the end of search results as we know them...
Animation and games industries to get tax breaks in UK
As part of his budget speech last night, George Osborne unveiled a film industry-style tax break that will help to encourage creative development in the animation and games industries.
Aardman Animations was highlighted as an example of British excellence – and Osborne said that the Government intends to keep ‘Wallace and Gromit’ exactly where they are.
