As most of you know, we conducted our first Blackcats games referral giveaway about 10 days ago. Just like we promised, we have now sent out 500 free referrals to the first 500 qualifying requests that were sent to us. Since the number of requests we received easily surpassed 1500, many were left stranded without an invite. Here’s the good news – we’ll be giving away 500 more BCG referrals and the second giveaway would start sometime tomorrow (and you will be notified via a separate article when it does). But before we move on to the next giveaway, we’d like to address some common issues that were reported with the first. We would also like to hear your suggestions on how to improve the whole process – there will be many more invite giveaways on FILEnetworks in the future (other than BCG) and we’d like to make them as convenient as possible for our readers.

One of the most common issues that was reported to us (with BCG) was the expiration of referral codes. BCG referral codes expire after 6 hours since generation - this unfortunately is a matter beyond our control. The code expiry mechanism is a core function of BCG’s referral system (which I'm sure was never designed with public giveaways through a blog in mind) and it would be unfair to ask them to change the system as it would then affect all of the site’s 30000 users and not just the set of referrals given to us. However, we did take some steps to improve your chance with code expiry:

Referrals were given in batches of 125. Real time Notices were given via our Facebook and Twitter feeds about one hour before we started sending out the E-mails. Notifications were again sent after each batch of referrals was done sending. Those who subscribed to our FB and Twitter feeds got an ~8 hour window instead of the usual 6 hour period. We will be improving this process and for the second giveaway and our FB and Twitter followers will have the option to get notified via an SMS sent directly to your mobile (read this post for more information).

We know that this still does not solve all of the issues (such as those associated with time zone differences which again are beyond our control) but if you have any suggestions on how this process can be further improved, please feel free to comment. We cannot guarantee all of your suggestions will be implemented as we have limitations of our own but we’ll definitely do our best.

Note that none of the requests you sent for the first giveaway will be valid for the second. If you want to re-apply for a referral you’ll have to send a fresh request based on the guidelines given in the second giveaway article (which is yet to go live). Further instructions on how and what to send in the request will also be given in the post tomorrow. Until then, use this thread to post your suggestions. Please do not litter this with invitation requests as this clearly is not the time or place to do that.


35 Comments

  1. Unknown // 6/04/2010 01:02:00 PM  

    I think Filenetworks should list the different day and time frames (in UTC+0) that they would send the invites out. The users would then choose one that's appropriate to their schedule.

    Although, this would require more effort in the part of the admins.

  2. Lellouch123 // 6/04/2010 01:41:00 PM  

    I agree with the above. I missed out last time as I was sleeping, if you could tell us exactly when you're going to send them, I could get ready accordingly

  3. ruudy // 6/04/2010 01:51:00 PM  

    I think FileNetworks is doinga great job.

    The first commenter's idea is spot-on, but then again FileNetworks team has to work day and night to fulfill many user's demand.

    I was also one who missed the bus because of different time-zone and sleep. I verymuch ppreciate what FileNetworks is doing

  4. Unknown // 6/04/2010 02:16:00 PM  

    As people have mentioned Filenetworks can just publish the date/time of giving away invites well in advance, say a day or so.
    We can adjust our timings and make sure we stay awake when we receive referral codes. :)
    Am glad Filenetworks gonna give away 500 more referrals.
    Thanks.

  5. zoomby // 6/04/2010 02:39:00 PM  

    Create a IRC channel.

  6. John // 6/04/2010 03:40:00 PM  

    One day advance notice would be great.

    I got mine right after I went to bed and missed it. I would have stayed up later had I known.

  7. XtreemL // 6/04/2010 03:56:00 PM  

    thx for great job :)

  8. XtreemL // 6/04/2010 03:58:00 PM  
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  9. XtreemL // 6/04/2010 03:58:00 PM  
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  10. Pryfi // 6/04/2010 04:02:00 PM  
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  11. Unknown // 6/04/2010 04:49:00 PM  

    ya i agree with them it would be better if you sent us the exact time you wre going to send the invites....!!!!!hope i wil get it this time......

  12. Unknown // 6/04/2010 04:50:00 PM  

    if you could mail us the time slots between which u would giv the invite it wud b gr8

  13. Unknown // 6/04/2010 04:50:00 PM  

    if you could mail us the time slots between which u would giv the invite it wud b gr8

  14. Mustafa // 6/04/2010 07:08:00 PM  

    I think you can specify specific times in which u will send invites ....so the invited should check his gmail at this time every....cuz anyone could be out with out seeing the twitter status or so..

  15. Unknown // 6/04/2010 07:43:00 PM  

    You should give out 10*50 (smaller groups)! 50 people can send out in about 2 hours, so you could tell the exact same time when you will post the referrals...

  16. Pryfi // 6/04/2010 07:52:00 PM  

    I agree, specify the exact times you're sending the invites out, and give us like the different times in different countries when the first batch of invites will be sent out. e.g if an invite is sent at 12 am, it will be 6:30 in the uk. (if its correct i think)

  17. Unknown // 6/04/2010 09:26:00 PM  

    I have need to invite for Black cats

  18. kayouka // 6/04/2010 11:15:00 PM  

    I have need to invite for Black cats
    kayouka1@live.fr

  19. YaSs3r37 // 6/04/2010 11:47:00 PM  

    well I didn't make it last time so I just bcame a fan on FB and twitter

    lets hope I make it

  20. Unknown // 6/05/2010 07:43:00 AM  

    its really simple filenetworks just continue were you left off you already have over 1500 request we will all get a invite this way, as soon as the invites are available for the site give the request next inline

  21. crimsdings // 6/05/2010 01:51:00 PM  

    yea .. associate your "real life" info (fb) with a file sharing blog ! sounds like a good idea ! facepalm

  22. lmementol // 6/05/2010 03:39:00 PM  

    yeah can be an irc channel and GMT

  23. Unknown // 6/05/2010 03:52:00 PM  

    Why not just set up a disposable email account, set up a timer here on file networks and then every 6 hours give away a 1/4 of the available invites which should cover the 24 hour period so all timezones have a chance to respond, without silly questions.
    Then just put up an announcement for each quarter of the invite give aways that they have been processed so people can check their emails...

  24. Unknown // 6/05/2010 04:35:00 PM  

    please sent me referral cod
    sopranos.19@gmail.com

  25. Lightning_Struck_Tower // 6/05/2010 05:48:00 PM  

    "yea .. associate your "real life" info (fb) with a file sharing blog ! sounds like a good idea ! facepalm"

    Since when have file sharing blogs become illegal? facepalm

  26. Unknown // 6/05/2010 06:04:00 PM  
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  27. Unknown // 6/05/2010 06:07:00 PM  

    8:00PM Will be good for most and We Still Waiting for Blackcats Games Referral request

  28. Unknown // 6/05/2010 06:38:00 PM  

    i need Referral cod
    thesaw2010@gmail.com

  29. Orgzzs // 6/05/2010 06:49:00 PM  

    Please send me a referal code: sgass@hushmail.com

  30. Unknown // 6/05/2010 06:59:00 PM  

    we are waiting for your post for the code u wil put it today only right?we need the invite so.....

  31. LRRP // 6/05/2010 07:50:00 PM  

    http://filenetworks.blogspot.com/2010/06/blackcats-games-500-more-referrals-to.html

  32. Unknown // 6/05/2010 09:00:00 PM  

    I have need to invite for Black cats
    leedoo.love@gmail.com

  33. Unknown // 6/07/2010 02:29:00 AM  

    pls send me referal code i have seedbox digihex@gmail.com

  34. altemar // 7/24/2010 08:49:00 PM  

    good morning people, good would very much appreciate someone send me an invitation from bcg, I have a lot to me this wonderful bcg download games. Thank you for listening to all my email is alt-martialarts@hotmail.com or altemarwong10@gmail.com

  35. Unknown // 7/27/2010 06:29:00 AM  

    please send me refferal code my english bad: allwheeljack@gmail.com

    PLEASE, i got account in BCG but i dont create key and lost it ;/