Download Sites which host files?

[Sybixsus]

There used to be a few, but I can't remember which ones any more. I'm planning on giving away a couple of old games to boost traffic to my site, but I don't really want them eating up my bandwidth any more than necessary in case I get a surge in downloads. I've never really done freeware stuff, so I don't know how much traffic I might get. Probably not enough to care, but with both games coming in around 10 megs, I'd rather not risk it.

EDIT: Sorry, should have mentioned. I know that CNet hosts files, obviously.

[Sharpfish]

Along these lines. I had lined up 2 freeware games for release but they are on the backburner for now.

anyway, I wondered if it was a good idea to FORCE newsletter sign up with the completely free games or just ask politely and hope someone takes pity ;)

I was also going to put a sign up box IN THE GAME if I could get away with it, which would hopefully have allowed it to be hosted elsewhere (bandwidth reasons) and allow free spreading while still allowing subscriptions and an obvious inter-linking with the website.

[Sybixsus]

That's exactly what I had in mind. A lot of UK magazines give away free software and force internet registration to use it. I was thinking along the same lines as yourself. I haven't yet decided whether I'll go with forced or optional, but if I go with forced, I was thinking of going with Software Passport, just as I do with my purchased games. That would give me a nice popup screen telling the user that they can get their registration key for free, and with a button which takes them to a special signup page on my website. They submit their email address and get the code by email. If they submit a false email address, they don't get the code, so there's no point in that.

Still not sure I like forcing it, but like you, I'm still pondering the possibilities.

[soniCron]

I think it's important to ask yourself, "Would I want to be forced to give out my email address to play a game?" I'd be surprised if the answer was anything but a resounding, "No!" An email address isn't worth anything if the user is unwilling to read the emails sent to them. If they don't opt-in, they're probably going ignore/delete/mark-as-spam anything you send them. In addition, you've just made yourself look like any one of the millions of sleazy marketers out there that no Internet traveler likes. Do you want people to get that impression about your company?

[Sybixsus]

In addition, you've just made yourself look like any one of the millions of sleazy marketers out there that no Internet traveler likes. Do you want people to get that impression about your company?

Well, just looking at my most recent mags, I see a whole raft of companies like Microsoft, F-Secure, Intervideo and others forcing registration in order to receive their software for free. So yeah, if it makes me as successful as them, I don't think I'd be crying too long.

I think it's important to ask yourself, "Would I want to be forced to give out my email address to play a game?" I'd be surprised if the answer was anything but a resounding, "No!"

Prepare to be surprised. Not only wouldn't I mind, I've done it on many occasions. I did it to register a free copy of Vue D'esprit 3, Bryce 3, Expert PDF Standard 2,Visual Basic 2005 Express, X-Oom Movie Clone 3, Power Producer 2, and probably a whole lot of other things. If I get free software that I want in exchange for having to press the delete button once every three months, seems like a pretty good deal to me.

[soniCron]

Well, just looking at my most recent mags, I see a whole raft of companies like Microsoft, F-Secure, Intervideo and others forcing registration in order to receive their software for free. So yeah, if it makes me as successful as them, I don't think I'd be crying too long.

You're attributing their successes to forced email signups? :)

Prepare to be surprised. Not only wouldn't I mind, I've done it on many occasions. I did it to register a free copy of Vue D'esprit 3, Bryce 3, Expert PDF Standard 2,Visual Basic 2005 Express, X-Oom Movie Clone 3, Power Producer 2, and probably a whole lot of other things. If I get free software that I want in exchange for having to press the delete button once every three months, seems like a pretty good deal to me.

For what it's worth, the programs you've mentioned are an order of magnitude more valuable than a couple freeware games.


To each his own, I guess! I'll be interested to see your results, should you choose to go for it. :)

[Sybixsus]

You're attributing their successes to forced email signups? :)

No, sleazy marketing no internet traveller likes :)

For what it's worth, the programs you've mentioned are an order of magnitude more valuable than a couple freeware games.

Matter of personal taste, surely? If it was a game I wanted to play, I'd be just as likely - if not more so - to register to get it for free. If it wasn't a game I wanted to play, I wouldn't even waste the time it takes to download it.

[terin]

Bah, you programmers and your black and white options.

Don't be foolish, there is a simple answer.

Game for free. Additional Content by E-mail (advertised in the game)

This way you get an e-mail list of people who actually are INTERESTED in your game with much less chance of being called out for spam.

Sheeeeeesh, do I have to do everything for you :-P

-Joe

[Sharpfish]

Bah, you programmers and your black and white options.

Don't be foolish, there is a simple answer.

Game for free. Additional Content by E-mail (advertised in the game)

This way you get an e-mail list of people who actually are INTERESTED in your game with much less chance of being called out for spam.

Sheeeeeesh, do I have to do everything for you :-P

-Joe

:) Good idea. THe only problems is the effort required for additional content it what is intended to be a fairly quick project, but I can see it working and thanks for the tip which completely evaded me when thinking about free-ware.

Sonicron > the forced email thing hatred for me depends, like Sybixsus said. If I am trying to download some random game demo to check it out and a certain portal requires an email, I usual put some rubbish in rather than risk spam... if it requires authetication I will pass and just not bother. However the difference is if I really wanted the game I WOULD put my email in, and those people who would do the same are exactly the people I want on my mailing lists because

A.They are willing to put there real email address in to receve game related stuff (A key)
B.They have a real interest in my game and may be more likely to like the look of my next (shareware) game compared to someone who is just after a quick free download "fix" with no intention to buy / support / have interest in the company.

I feel it is self governing to some degree. Quality over quantity. I can imagine a massive percentage drop in people who would download a free game if they needed to use their email but what have we lost by not giving it away to people who are very unlikely to ever want to put their email/details into anything (I.e to register/buy your actual shareware games).

This is just one line of thought, and I look at certain companies doing well and certain portals and they use this method.

On the flipside - I don't want to cause anyone to feel angered by methods used to gain supposedly "free content" which is why Joes suggestion sounds like an ideal middle ground. To be honest I would never have gone with FORCED email signup without a proper and conclusive reason. I think you would get a fair few voluntary signups especially if your game is good enough... but that is why I was asking those that have done both :)

[steve bisson]

Giving out games in exchange of a bi-monthly email.... im 100% ok with that.. if the game look like its fun and the company look like they are respectable i always give them my email adress... i opt-out if i realise they dont inform me of anything that interests me.

Its a perfectly proper and "clean" way to do business.