Quakeweek
September 5, 1997


Archives

Quaker Figures It Out

id Software Accused of Stereotyping Aliens

QuakeRulez Upgrades Its Systems

'Quake Treatment' Used in Obedience Training

morbid Adds 'Pretty Colors' to GLQuake

id Announces New Quake 'Tamagotchis'

Carmack Saved from Microsoft 'BackOffice'

Quake 2 Hoax Revealed

id Software's SPA Membership Cancelled

Patent Infringement Claim Filed on id Software

AOL Promo Scheme Fails to Generate Interest


AOL LogoTHE INTERNET - America Online, the country's leading online service and Internet access provider, has put its 'AOL 4.0 Screenshot of the Day' promotional scheme on hold after only two weeks of running time. According to sources, AOL executives suspended the marketing gimmick due to an overwhelming lack of user interest.

"We don't understand what went wrong," said Joel Fitzgerald, marketing consultant for AOL. "With over 9 million people using AOL, you'd think that there would at least be some sort of interest in the latest AOL software."

Q2 Shot from PC GamerInspired by PC Gamer's 'Quake 2 Screenshot of the Day' gimmick, America Online's latest marketing effort was expected to generate much hype for the newest version of AOL software. Unfortunately, web tracking software indicated that only three people visited the AOL 4.0 SotD page, all of whom are employees of America Online itself.

"We're currently reevaluating the entire campaign structure to see what went wrong," reported Zachary Thomas, PR spokesperson for AOL. "With any luck, we'll soon figure out why people seem to be reluctant to download fourteen 13-megabyte screenshots of the country's favorite online software."

The official reopening date of the AOL 4.0 SotD page is tentatively set for September 16, with the original $1.50-per-picture download charge removed as an extra added incentive for AOL users.