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The idea behind the
introduction of games whilst surfing was not only as a means to provide
entertainment or an extra challenge, it's primary function was and is to
stimulate surfers who might be getting bored viewing the same old ads
again and again. This type of mundane routine is of absolutely no use to
the advertiser, traffic exchange or surfer.
Some clever fellow recognized early on in the introduction of Traffic
Exchanges figured it was actually asking a lot to hope that anyone could
sustain attention of a screen longer than 40 minutes - by the way that's
the length of time researchers figured most suitable for children to
attend a class before their attention levels dropped to a point when
they were absorbing little if anything. In addition and also of
significance was the fact that humans vary intellectually something
reflected by the length of time their attention spans are able to focus.
The Traffic Exchange game is a mechanism that breaks up the routine of
surfing in such a way as to ensure that a surfer's mind remains 'in
gear' rather than dropping into 'idle'.
Someone who has the attention span of a gnat for example, is unlikely to
make a good Traffic Exchange surfer. The successful Traffic Exchange
surfer needs to be able to focus for longer periods than most other
occupations that utilise a screen in their endeavours. The easily
distracted TE surfer will be the one who regularly misses out on bonus
credits.
A question that researchers also wanted the answer was whether the type
of game offered had to be of a specific type? Don't forget the idea
behind games at Exchanges was simply to provide a brief distraction from
the actual business of surfing - offering a game such as Monopoly might
not benefit the aims of an Exchange whilst poker could. The game had to
be sufficiently distracting whilst not being so much so that surfers
chose to play rather than surf!
A sample of Traffic Exchanges at which games can be played.
Table Games
Membership of the
Mystical Maze
created in 2003, allows you to
experience the maze game. The idea is simple, find your way out of the
maze and benefit by being rewarded with a bonus of impressions or
credits - your choice. As a distraction from the general surf routine
the game is excellent because it ensures that surfers have to think
about something other than ads, thereby stimulating brain activity and
making individuals focus on what they're doing.
Traffic Roundup
has been around since 2001 and this year
the site received an overdue refresh to bring it in line with
competitors. The platform on which the game is played is similar to that
found at
Mystical Maze
in that its a table with cells and each cell you move into reveals
either cattle, land or rattle snake. If you get the rattler the games
over! The idea is to reach the end of the trail finding as many cattle
as possible on the way and thereby receiving a maximum number of bonus
credits. Finally and more recently is
Royal Surf
same table principle as the others but on a grander scale with more
cells and this time you're up against black knights and dragons etc
which arguably makes it more fun. The games at all three sites regularly
if randomly interrupt surfing, but then that's part of their attraction.
The Quiz
For those who enjoy
challenges of an academic nature try
Web Centre Surf
where your general knowledge or lack of it will be put to the test.
Surfing is only interrupted every 50 pages so it's much less of a
distraction than the games mentioned previously. Rewards are also
greater if you can answer all questions successfully with up to a
maximum prize of 1,000 credits waiting to be won.
Variety Surf
If there's a Traffic
Exchange that stands out as far as games are concerned it has to be
Top Surfer.
Why? Because it was one of the first
Traffic Exchanges to offer an assortment of games playable whilst
surfing. The game is encapsulated within the surf browser so it's always
on view rather than a separate page that appears randomly. All
membership levels are offered a range of different surf browsers to
choose from depending on your mood or preference and this includes a
simple basic surf browser only. the games include Bingo, Missile launch
and one with which you can earn cash.
Top Surfer
makes a serious effort to offer its members as
many ways of earning credits or cash imaginable. Created in 2001
Top Surfer
has a large membership - check our
membership league table to see where it fits in compared with
rivals.
Conclusion
Entertainment at Traffic Exchanges
will continue to develop with the likelihood that eventually games will
significantly alter the way these promotional platforms are considered
by members.
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