Amazon Developer Blogs
Showing posts by Corey Badcock
Beginning March 9, the Amazon Appstore ran a $25,000 sweepstakes designed to encourage customers to download apps and games from the Amazon App for Android. To enter, customers simply had to fill out a brief form and then download any app or game – paid or free – from their Amazon App for Android Phones.
We’re excited to announce that Carlos G. from Broadlands, VA was selected as our grand prize winner. Carlos has been an Amazon customer since 2010 and downloaded “World of Goo” to qualify for the sweepstakes. When we asked Carlos what the first item he planned to buy was, he told us he wanted to "...buy a nice camera for his wife - something she’d always wanted."
Reach New Customers with the Amazon App for Android
Millions of customers can find and download apps and games from the Amazon App for Android. These apps are merchandized and surfaced whenever customers search for relevant products, so consumers can find your app wherever they are in the Amazon shopping app. Plus, Amazon Appstore is preloaded on Fire devices, Blackberry 10 and millions of other Android devices, including HTC, LG, Motorola, and Samsung phones to name a few, as well as Samsung and LG tablets.
Ready to Submit Your App or Game?
For more information about getting started with the Amazon App for Android, Amazon Fire devices, or how to submit your game check out the following additional resources:
Earlier this week, BlackBerry announced that their newest Smartphone Leap will be available in the US and the UK, and the Amazon Appstore is preloaded on BlackBerry Leap. VentureBeat previewed Newzoo’s forthcoming report on the global games industry, noting that gaming will be a $91.5M global industry this year. And Fortune notes that watching other people play video games could soon be a billion dollar industry, with a fan base that will outstrip the NFL by 2017. Interested in learning how you can take advantage of the eSports opportunity? Check out this video that describes how game developers are creating engaging experiences and reaching new customers via the Twitch platform.
PhoneArena: BlackBerry Leap Now Shipping in the U.S. and U.K.
A little more than a week ago, we told you that the BlackBerry Leap was available for pre-orders in the U.K. Now, the latest smartphone from BlackBerry is shipping in the U.S. in addition to the U.K. The BlackBerry Leap also is equipped with the Amazon Appstore for your Android app shopping needs, along with BlackBerry World for apps written with BlackBerry in mind. Read more here.
VentureBeat: The Earth Will Spend $91.5B on Video Games This Year
The global gaming market will reach $91.5 billion this year, according to an upcoming report from research firm Newzoo. That will represent a 9.4 percent increase compared to 2014’s $83.6 billion. The report goes on to claim that China, already one of the biggest markets for gaming, is about to grow by around 23 percent this year. That could move it into first place, ahead of the United States, as the top country in terms of game-related spending.
Fortune: Watching Other People Play Video Games Could Soon be a Billion Dollar Industry
Could people enjoy watching video game competitions more than watching professional sports? Yes. One of the big differences between traditional sports leagues and eSports is the popularity of user-generated content via livestreams on Amazon-owned Twitch and YouTube videos.
Hearthstone fans can take advantage of exclusive deals from the Amazon Appstore, and with the new Free App of the Day bundle customers can get $105 worth of apps for free. And this week, BlackBerry announced the availability of Leap in the UK, which is preloaded with the Amazon Appstore, and Amazon Game Studios released ‘Lost Within’ on iOS and Fire devices. Check out the top Appstore stories from the past week below:
DroidGamers: Amazon Offering Sweet Deals for Hearthstone in Their Appstore
Hearthstone is a digital CCG from Blizzard, set within the World of Warcraft universe. Amazon has just announced a few things regarding this game. First, it's now available in the Amazon Appstore. Second, in celebration of this, they're offering some discounts relating to Hearthstone. First, Amazon coins can now be used for in app purchases, like booster packs for Hearthstone. Read more here.
ZDNet: BlackBerry Leap: Will This Touchscreen Smartphone Jump Onto Your Wishlist?
BlackBerry's latest handset, an affordable touchscreen smartphone aimed at young execs, has gone on sale in the UK. It runs the BlackBerry 10.3.1 operating system and the company said the 2800 mAh battery will provide up to 25 hours of heavy use. Users can download business and productivity apps from the BlackBerry World app store and games and other apps from the Amazon Appstore. Read more here.
Tech Times: Amazon App Store Giving Away Free Games and Apps Worth $105
Amazon is giving away $105 worth of premium apps, and all that's required to own the software is a free account to manage it all. To download and use the apps in Amazon's Free App of the Day Bundle, consumers will have to install the Amazon App Store. After that, it's only a matter of selecting each of the desired apps. Read more here.
AdWeek: Amazon Game Studios Unleashes Lost Within on iOS, Fire Devices
Proving that nothing positive ever comes from abandoned asylums, Amazon Game Studios has announced the launch of Lost Within on Amazon Fire and iOS devices. Developed by Human Head Studios, developer of Prey, the first-person survival game sees players investigating the halls of an apparently abandoned mental institution, set for demolition. As the game’s title suggests, players are quickly lost within its many corridors, and will uncover the asylum’s demented secrets as they search for a way out. Read more here.
Since its launch in March 2011, over 16,000 apps have been launched on TestDrive, giving customers the experience of running the app and discovering new features before committing to purchase. However, with the increasing use of 'free to play' business models, we have seen a significant decline in customers using TestDrive, and effective 15th April 2015, we will decommission the TestDrive service.
What do you need to do?
Nothing – it’s just the TestDrive service that is being decommissioned. Apps that are currently using TestDrive will still be available and promoted in the Appstore, but without TestDrive functionality. The TestDrive category will be removed from the Appstore client, and we will not be enabling TestDrive for new app submissions.
Thank you for your continued support of the Amazon Appstore. If you have any questions, please contact us.
In 2012, the Application Developers Alliance set out to be a resource and an advocate for developers. Today, they've amassed a global network of more than 50,000 developers and more than 200 companies that care about them. Their mission is to help developers of all kinds, everywhere. That's why they've launched their Global Developer Insights survey.
In partnership with International Data Corporation (IDC), this survey will gather information from developers all over the world. Anybody who develops software (even just some of the time) can participate. With your help, the Application Developers Alliance will build a better understanding of the opportunities and pain points for the developer community.
With this survey, the Application Developers Alliance want to learn more about the day-to-day responsibilities of developers, how a developer fits within their organization, the tools and services that power their work, and more about what it's like to be a developer. With this information, they'll be able to better inform new companies, technology partners, service providers, and you-the global developer community-about how to improve the app ecosystem. Most importantly, we at the Application Developers Alliance will be better able to serve you!
The results will be compiled into a comprehensive Developer Insights report and distributed to members in May 2015.
The Amazon Mobile Ad Network increases monetization opportunities with the addition of the modeless interstitial ad format and the ability to serve ads to users in Japan.
High-Quality Modeless Interstitial Ads Improves User Experience
Amazon modeless interstitial ads are full screen ads. Unlike currently served interstitial ads, which appear during app transitions (in between game levels) and require users to close the ad, modeless interstitial ads appear as app content between content screens to maintain the app’s native experience for the user and do not require users to close the ad. You can customize modeless interstitial ads with content matching frames or transparent backgrounds. The seamless delivery of modeless interstitial ads can increase your user engagement and number of ads served.
Maximize Earning Potential Of Your Apps
You can earn more money from your apps and games now that the Amazon Mobile Ad Network is available to serve ads to your end users in Japan. The Amazon Mobile Ad Network lets you place high-quality display ads in your app, helping you gain access to relevant ads from brand advertisers, including Amazon and its subsidiaries. Monetize across supported countries (US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and now Japan), devices (iOS, Android, and Fire OS tablets and phones), and app stores (Amazon Appstore, Apple App Store, and Google Play). The Amazon Mobile Ad Network gives you the opportunity to earn more and pays you on ad impressions served.
The Amazon Mobile Ad Network Is Trusted By Thousands of Developers
A developer currently using the Amazon Mobile Ad Network shares his experience*:
“The Amazon Mobile Ad Network is by far our best performing ad network, and helped increase our earnings by 40%. With Amazon, we are getting excellent eCPM banners and high quality ads, providing a great experience for our users.”
- Pedro Da Ros, Founder & CEO of RottzGames
To Enable Support for Modeless Interstitial Ads and Japan
To take advantage of our expansion to Japan and our new modeless interstitial ad format, integrate the Amazon Mobile Ads API into your mobile app or game. Integrating the Amazon Mobile Ads API is easy:
New to the Amazon Mobile Ads API: Download the Amazon Mobile App SDK and integrate the latest version of the Amazon Mobile Ads API. Refer to the Android and iOS quick start guides for implementation details.
Already using the Amazon Mobile Ads API:
- Enabling Modeless Interstitial Ads: To enable modeless interstitial ads, recompile with the latest version of the Amazon Mobile Ads API. Modeless interstitial ads require a separate ad call. Refer to the Android and iOS quick start guides for implementation details.
- Serving Ads to Users in Japan: If your app or game already uses Android v5.1.236 (or later) or iOS v2.0.3 (or later) of the Amazon Mobile Ads API, you are all set for serving ads to users in Japan. If you are currently using an older version of the Amazon Mobile Ads API, simply recompile with the latest version. Ad requests you send will automatically be filled for the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, or Japan as appropriate.
Learn more about the Amazon Mobile Ads API on our Developer Portal here as well as through our blog post on tracking ad events inside your apps.
The Amazon Appstore launched on March 19, 2011 with 4,084 apps and games available for download on Android devices. We’ve come a long way in four years! We now have over 400,000 apps and games available globally, and the Amazon Appstore has never been available on a broader range of devices and platforms.
The Amazon Appstore is integrated into Fire tablets, Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire phone devices, and pre-loaded on millions of Android devices globally including HTC, LG, Motorola, and Samsung phones as well as Samsung and LG tablets. The Amazon Appstore is also preloaded on BlackBerry 10 devices throughout the world, giving you access to even more customers. And the latest Amazon shopping app fully integrates apps and games into the shopping experience enjoyed by millions of customers. So when customers are searching for products in the Amazon shopping app, they’ll also discover relevant apps and games that they may also enjoy.
It’s no wonder 65% of the developers surveyed by IDC say that the Total Revenue achieved on the Fire tablet is similar to, or even better than, what they experience with other major platforms. Back in August, we announced that the Amazon Appstore is now available in 236 countries and territories, so publishing your Android app on Amazon means you reach customers from around the world.
Customers Are Getting the Gifts
Starting today and ending March 21st, Amazon Appstore is offering an app bundle, with up to $105 in top paid apps – completely free! Customers will find critically acclaimed thriller Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 – currently one of the Top Paid Apps globally. Access the full list of apps and download the Amazon Appstore at amazon.com/androidapp.
As a reminder, Amazon Appstore is offering the chance to win a $25,000 shopping spree on Amazon.com. Customers simply need to download any free or paid app from the Amazon App on their Android phone and fill out an entry form between now and April 15, 2015. They will then be eligible for a chance to win the prize of $25,000 in Amazon.com Gift Cards. Find out more and enter for a chance to win at amazon.com/appstoresweeps.*
Ready to Submit Your App or Game?
- Click here to register for free as an Amazon Developer
- Click here to download the Amazon Mobile SDK.
- Click here to submit your app
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C., 18 or older. Sweepstakes ends April 15, 2015. Limit one entry per person and e-mail address. See Official Rules for details and alternate method of entry.
Did you miss the Twitch live stream of The 18th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards? We are excited to congratulate two games from the Amazon Appstore on their big wins! The D.I.C.E. Awards are the video game industry’s most prestigious honors recognizing outstanding contributions and achievements in gaming. Congratulations again to all of the nominees from the Amazon Appstore on this honor.
Winners from the Amazon Appstore
Monument Valley: Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
Publisher: ustwo Studio Ltd
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
Presented to the individual or team whose work represents the highest level of achievement in designing a unified graphic look for an interactive title.
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft: Mobile Game of the Year & Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Mobile Game of the Year
The Mobile Game of the Year shall be the game developed for a mobile device platform such as a mobile phone, tablet or convergence device. These games demonstrate a skilled usage of the devices software and hardware features to offer a unique and addictive play experience
Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
Strategy games are defined to be those titles in which the user directs or manipulates resources to create a set of conditions that result in success as determined within the confines of the game. These games can offer the user the chance to simulate or to virtually reproduce an experience, real or imaginary, which would require some form of equipment. Strategy games emphasize the planning of tactics rather than the execution.
The full list of winners can be found here.
Ready to Submit Your App or Game?
- Click here to register for free as an Amazon Developer.
- Click here to download the Amazon Mobile SDK.
- Click here to submit your app
Congratulations to the following games from the Amazon Appstore on their nominations for the 2015 D.I.C.E. Awards! The D.I.C.E. Awards recognize games, individuals and development teams for their contribution to the entertainment software industry. The apps below have been recognized for their outstanding achievements in gaming in 2014. The awards ceremony will be live streamed through Twitch on February 5th, 2015 at 10pm ET. Tune in to see who takes home the biggest awards of the night!
You could be nominated next!
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Publisher: Inkle Ltd Nomination: Mobile Game of the Year
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Publisher: Versus Evil, LLC Nomination: Role-Playing/Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year D.I.C.E. Sprite Award |
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Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment Nomination: Mobile Game of the Year Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay Outstanding Innovation in Gaming Outstanding Achievement in Game Design Game of the Year |
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Publisher: Ironhide Game Studios Nomination: Mobile Game of the Year
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Publisher: ustwo Studio Ltd Nomination: Mobile Game of the Year D.I.C.E. Sprite Award Outstanding Innovation in Gaming Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction |
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Publisher: Activision Publishing Inc. Nomination: Family Game of the Year |
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Publisher: Sirvo LLC Mobile Game of the Year D.I.C.E. Sprite Award
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Publisher: Ubisoft Nomination: Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design Outstanding Achievement in Story Adventure Game of the year |
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Publisher: Telltale Games Nomination: Outstanding Achievement in Story Adventure Game of the Year |
Shout out to the following games from the Amazon Appstore for their console franchise nominations at the 2015 D.I.C.E Awards.
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Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc Nomination: FIFA 15 Sports Game of the Year |
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Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc Nomination: Madden NFL 15 Sports Game of the Year |
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Publisher: 2K Games Nomination: NBA 2K15 Sports Game of the Year |
Ready to Submit Your App or Game?
- Click here to register for free as an Amazon Developer.
- Click here to download the Amazon Mobile SDK.
- Click here to submit your app
According to a new report from Newzoo, gamers using the Amazon Appstore are the most likely to spend money. More specifically, 64% of mobile gamers that use the Amazon Appstore spend money on mobile games, versus 37% for Google Play.
The report also digs into the profile of the mobile players versus mobile spenders. According to the report, mobile games equally attract male and female players but when it comes to spending money, the demographic skews male. The majority of big spenders on mobile are male and have kids, have a large income and more than a third play together with their children regularly, spending a large share of their gaming budget on their kids.
CEO of Newzoo Peter Warman says:
“Game developers should consider shifting marketing resources towards the Amazon Appstore for two reasons: gamers using the Amazon Appstore are the most likely to spend money and Amazon is best at reaching the big spender, which is typically a family man with a full-time job.”
To download the full report, click here.
Ready to submit your game?
- To learn more about the Amazon Appstore, click here
- Click here to register for free as an Amazon Developer.
- Click here to download the Amazon Mobile SDK.
- Click here to submit your app.
