I'm guessing this is probably less fun with a traditional mouse, but with my Wacom tablet, this 'follow the line' mouse trail game is actually pretty fun. Don't get me wrong, it gets a bit repetitive pretty quickly but it's certainly good for a 5 minute gaming fix! I made it to level 16. Can you beat me?
... Well, this is a tricky one... As you rightly point out desmarkle, game developers should and must be rewarded for their work. With the introduction of mochi ads and a few other game focussed ad networks, this problem was addressed in many ways - at least from the perspective of the home brew developer, who can finally guarantee some financial recognition for all their hardwork.
The popularity of such networks however brings its own problems, and you've just highlighted the worst of them!... How do you satisfy the financial needs of the developer- through ad funded content development - whilst also retaining an uninterrupted gaming experience for the casual gamer? I think (hope!) what we are witnessing at present are simply growing pains as the new ad networks figure out what works best and strive to find that perfect balance between a financially rewarding and advertiser supported platform and a happy gaming consumer. As you rightly point out, too much interruptive media placement prior to your game is going to become seriously annoying and counter productive as the advertising message becomes tainted by your bad experience...
Fear not though, a happy balance MUST and WILL be found as the consumer will dictate how this relationship plays out. The dream, for all concerned, is surely to find that perfect balance, where the developers can profit from their work, the advertisers can develop strong and effective relationships with their target consumers and WE (the consumers) all get to enjoy the best, most well funded, vibrant gaming world in history!
Let's just hope it doesn't take too long to get there! Come on mochi ads! We love you for all the right reasons but PLEASE sort it out! Give us less interruptive (how about a skip button??), better executed ads! (oh, and this is personal taste, but for the love of God, LOSE THE HIDEOUS BROWN BACKGROUND!!!).
That's all from me.
But this is why mochi ads get on my nerves.
No less than 5 advertisements/pointless screens before the game started, one was even repeated.
Hey, I'm all for devs getting paid for their work, but you can only milk a cash cow so much.