Tag Archives: facebook

Facebook Puritans

With my latest Kickstarter for “Out of the Woods” I’ve had to invest significant time, creativity, and money into a large-scale Facebook ad campaign. Kickstarter campaigns live and die by their ability to attract eyeballs.

We began pre-campaign marketing on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram nearly two months before the Kickstarter launch. We grew the “Out of the Woods” Facebook page audience from 0 to 16,000 in that time, doubling our mailing list audience, and growing our other social channels similarly.

During the campaign, we’ve constantly run a series of Facebooks ads which feature artwork from the game and illustrated book. Among these images are illustrations from some of the most violent scenes in fairy tale lore – for example, the severed heads of the “the wives” from Bluebeard:

Facebook has accepted these advertisements and happily taken their fee for impressions and click-throughs. In the background, their advertising platform analyses ad performance and automatically promotes image/text/audience combinations which perform best.

Well-performing ads are good for everyone in the advertising equation – Facebook likes ads which engage and excite people while delivering a high CTR; advertisers like ads which maintain a high CTR and low CPI; while audiences like advertising which appeals to their interests and gives them an entertaining impression.

With all this going on I find it amusing when Facebook rejects an advertising image because a person (or automated review program) finds it offensive on the ground of being too sexually explicit. Even more amusing is when this happens in relation to an image which is relatively tame. This is a good case in point:

Game industry media have picked up on this story and found it similarly amusing. But there’s also a sad statement made when a platform like Facebook embraces violence and gore while rejecting the human form and any hint of sexuality. People often try to blame video game content for (mis)-shaping the minds of adolescents – but what of the near-constant barrage of messaging (or messaging by omission) presented in advertising?

I think Facebook has a fine system in place for automatically giving advertisers and audiences what they want. That system should be allowed to determine what works and what appeals. It’s not Facebook’s place to nanny us and filter the content we consume – any more than it’s their place to filter the news we read. Build a platform which caters to what people want to consume – and let the people decide!

Do you want to send a message to Facebook and tell them you’ll decide what sort of content you consume? Consider backing “Out of the Woods” and show your support for independent creativity and artistic expression of the human condition.

Hit this link to learn more —> “Out of the Woods” on Kickstarter

The Gate needs Stars (5 would be nice)

Hell needs your love! Specifically it needs your “5 Star Rating” love.

Since launching on Facebook (and limited release to iOS) The Gate is really heating up. Around the world people are discovering going to Hell is lots of fun. And now, The Gate is available in the Facebook App Center… and that means you can easily tell others how much fun it is… by giving it a 5 star rating.

My ask: Please, go give The Gate 5 Stars!

Click THIS LINK to go to the Facebook App Center and give The Gate 5 Stars!

In return, you’ll get my everlasting love and appreciation. And soul?

Deal? (With the devil…)

The Gate – Now Open in Indonesia

We’ve expanded test territories for the iOS version of The Gate, which is now available in Indonesia as well as Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. If you have an iTunes account registered in one of those countries, follow this link and grab The Gate before the rest of the world gets their hands on it:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id723205011?mt=8

If you aren’t in one of those territories, or happen to be on Android, fear not! The Gate will open for the rest of the world and Android users very soon.

Lastly, if you want to check out the web version RIGHT NOW, then follow this link to play The Gate on Facebook:

https://apps.facebook.com/the-gate/

Play THE GATE Right Now

The latest game from Spicy Horse is now available on Facebook – and coming soon to iOS and Android worldwide.

“The Gate” combines the action and strategy of an RTS with the collection mechanics and battles of a CCG. Not sure what all that means? Don’t worry… it’s simple and fun: you collect, train and fight demons in Hell. What could be more awesome?!

Play the game right now: “The Gate” on Facebook

Unlike other games in the CCG universe, “The Gate” presents all the monsters and battles in glorious, hand-animated 3D. The same team who brought you “Alice: Madness Returns” and “Akaneiro: Demon Hunters” has once again poured their souls (literally this time) into producing some truly stunning art, animation and sound.

No time to play? Check out the trailer:

BigHead Bash comes to Facebook

Now you guys can play BigHead BASH on Facebook, our own gaming portal, SpicyWorld and on Kongregate. Not only can you play from wherever you like, but you’ll be playing against ALL the players from ALL those platforms ALL at the same time! Cool, huh?

Also, we’ve heard your concerns about weapon rentals and made a change we think you’ll like. To celebrate the Facebook launch weapons can be permanently purchased with tickets! This change will stay in the game from this point forward. Hope you enjoy!

We have also implemented Daily Quests! Players can now earn tickets, experience and tokens by logging in daily and completing different quests. For those who complete all the quests, you’ll earn a special weapons prize pack.

Lastly, we are having a BIG SALE. All toys are now 50% off. Had your eye on that Alice toy with Pepper Grinder Cannon? Now’s your chance to own them both!

Crazy Fairies is Crazy Good

The latest online game from Spicy Horse, Crazy Fairies, is topping the charts in just a few days since its launch. And since launch the game has been playable (cross-platform!) on Spicy’s own game portal SpicyWorld, Kongregate and facebook. Best of all, it’s exceeding everyone’s expectations!

During a two week period, the Crazy Fairies’ facebook page went from thirty to more than five-thousand likes. On Kongregate, it easily made it to the main page and it’s a top-game this month. We can’t wait to show you all the mobile versions (iOS and Android), coming in August!

In case you’re wondering what “cross-platform” means for you… it means you and your friends no longer need to be separated by hardware (PC or Mac), platform (web, Kongregate or facebook) or device (Android or iOS/phones or tablets). You can play in real-time across all these platforms and devices from anywhere in the world against ALL the other people who are playing the game around the globe. It’s one big happy online world!

Join the fun: Play Crazy Fairies RIGHT NOW!.