Next steps with Mobile Video Ads

[mellofax]

Hello Forge Fans!

From the 24th of August, we're starting to A/B test new additions to the Mobile Video Ads thus bringing it to its next iteration. Keep reading to find out more!

We've recently introduced Video Ads to the mobile version of Forge of Empires after extensive testing. As we build the feature further, we would like to tell you more about our next development steps.

On Forge, like other games, we A/B test many of our features before release. With every new test, we bring features to their next iteration. In its turn, every new iteration aims to improve new game functionality and integrate it smoothly into the existing gameplay. Pursuing this goal, we may adjust both peripheral and core aspects of features. Doing so helps us create a detailed analysis of Forge's multiple aspects and determine our development approach based on it.

We recommend this forum post if you'd like to learn even more about A/B tests and our approach to them.

Now let's see what changes are coming.

First, a change that will apply to all players independently from the A/B test:

We're testing different alternatives to the previously introduced payment threshold that determined which players had access to the Mobile Video Ads. With the new changes, all players who bought Forge Plus packages will not see the ads. Taking advantage of the Forge Plus package will grant you all Video Ads benefits without watching ads.

Note: the change has been already released with the latest game update.

The following changes will be tested within a randomly selected player group on the BETA market first before becoming generally available:

1. For players within the test group, the ability to see Video Ads will stop being determined by their previous spending. At the same time, players can disable Ads by taking advantage of the Forge Plus package.
2. Some of the players who have Mobile Video Ads will be able to use them to access benefits in two more game areas. Please note that this change applies only to the mobile version of the game:
   1. Reduce construction time. In the Main City and Space Colony watching an ad will allow players to reduce building construction time by 10% once per building.
   2. Double Castle Points. When collecting your Daily Chest with Castle Points, players will have a possibility to watch an ad to double the number of points in the Chest. The possibility will remain available even after collecting the Daily Chest with the regular number of points, so players could gain extra by watching an ad. This perk can also be used only once a day.

It is likely that, following the iterative approach, we will introduce other changes to Video Ads in the future. We're closely following your feedback and encourage you to share it here. Got an idea of which Mobile Video Ads benefits you'd like to see next? Please let us know!

Thank you for playing Forge of Empires!

Sincerely,

Your Forge of Empires Team.

 

[LeCron]

Dear Kings and Queens,

We're wrapping up the A/B test of the video ads that we announced previously. To summarize, the mobile video ads should look as follows for all players, starting from today:

1. Reducing construction time and doubling Castle Points is available as a video ads benefit for all players. Please note that these placements are available only in the mobile version of the game.
2. Video ads monthly subscription allows all users to disable video ads for a monthly fee. At the same time, the ability to see Video Ads will stop being determined by a player's previous spending. The subscription is managed through your App Store or Google Play account and is only available on mobile. The Forge Plus package retains its possibility to disable video ads as well.

All in all, the feature now looks the same for all players, with certain differences between browser and mobile versions of the game.

We appreciate your continued patience with the test and your feedback. As Forge of Empires moves further, it is possible that we will introduce more tests of the video ads or other game functionality. We recommend reading this post to learn more about our approach to the A/B tests.

Thank you for playing Forge of Empires!

Sincerely,

Your Forge of Empires Team