#geo adventure indonesia

[willowistic22]

I want yall to consider vet/zoologist crutchie. I’ve always had this idea of him working with animals and the idea suddenly grew and expanded even further when i woke up this morning and decided to turn on nat geo wild. Let me explain.

Crutchie adores animals. The cute, the gross, the peculiar, the dangerous, the docile, you name it. He always had this dream lifestyle where he gets to work closely with animals, whether it’d be in an animal clinic or in a zoo or in conservation/perservation or research in general, and then come home every eveningn to his own place full of his pets.

His first job fresh out of vet school was in fact as a vet. He was hoping for a job in preservation/conservation or at a zoo but seeing that this was his first job, he’ll still take it. And being a vet actually allowed crutchie to handle a variety amount of cases. Most cases are just the regular hose pets or out of states farm, mostly bcs he’s still considered a junior there. But working as a vet was enough to see a lot of cases.

However he still wished to work in preservation. He wants to work with endangered species or rescued animals. And so he went out of his way to look for jobs out of the state in conservation centers. (Idk how that stuff works but you get the gist). Now i firmly stand with the whole crutchie, jack, and race are adopted brothers dynamic. Out of the three of them, crutchie is definitely the brother that would most likely move very far away. But this was out of state. Jack and race were a bit sad that he’s moving away but was supportive of his decision. dw the brothers and the rest of the friends always make time to do life updates through texts or calls.

Imagine their surprise when a couple months in Crutchie’s new job he announced that he was planning on moving to other countries? He’s fairly young when he starts off his conservation career to still be quite active but old enough with experience and knowledge a junior wouldn’t have. He gets recommended by his superiors to work in other conservation centers around the globe. Jack and Race was the most shocked and mostly bcs they’re his brothers. Despite the life updates they give, it’s quite hard to catch Crutchie at the right time to hv a proper catch up conversation. His way of staying connected with all his friends and brothers is by sending random life update texts in their big group chat (basically a big newsies gc) much like what the others have always been doing. Crutchie is too busy to call them himself, and most of the time he is content with not speaking with them for long periods of time. However he always does makes the smallest amount of time to facetime them, especially his brothers. And make time to go back to new york to visit them every once in awhile bearing gifts from where he’s living.

Living like this made him really proud of himsef. Of how far he has come. He was first adopted bcs his biological parents didn’t want a disabled child. Imo in modern era crutchie has a limb reduction on his right leg. It barely formed from just above his knee as a newborn and so his bio parents abandoned him. He was taken in by a couple of foster families first and was only given crutches as they cldn’t afford a prosthetic limb. When Ms Medda adopted him, he was able to get one. He went through a lot of challenges with his prosthetic leg, and even thought he might not be able to get the lifestyle he wanted with it. But when the world turned its back on him, Crutchie gave it a middle finger and fought through. With a job he loves, and experiencing a lifestyle in different countries as he continues with his passion for saving animals. It started from Brazil, then South Africa, then India, then China, then Indonesia, and then Australia. He stayed in Australia the longest though because there were a lot of cool conservation projects he was being recruited on.

All throughout his adventures of being moved around, he acquired two loyal pets he brought along with him. A black labrador with a right front prosthetic leg named Hunter, found limping in the streets of Brazil, and a black blind stray cat named Noir, found in a cat adoption center in China after living there for almost a year (breed unidentifiable other than “black fluffy cat” and Crutchie doesn’t care to find out what her breed is).

He earned his reputation worldwide after being apart of countless of conservation projects in various countries. By around his late thirties early fourties, he moved back to the states. On the outskirts of the state of New York, he settles in a small town near his permanent workplace. A conservation scientists in a wildcat sanctuary where they rescue wild cats (from unethical breeding, bad roadside zoos, disabled by poachers in the wild, the black market, random ppl keeping them as pets, you get tne gist) and let them live freely in their sanctuary till the end of their lives as wild as they want without being put on display, unable to be released to the wild for one reason or another. Crutchie also sometimes comes in to work in a local animal clinic every now and then.

Anyways yeah food for thought on vet/zoologist!crutchie?? Yeah<3

[geoadventureindonesia]

Nah lho! kalo udah begini harus gimana? #gameoutbound #foryou #challengeyourself #teamwork #outboundbandung #teambuilding #viralkan #outboundseru #permainanseru #fyp #geoadv

[laresearchette]

Saturday, July 29, 2023 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: ALOHA HEART (W Network) 8:00pm DAWN OF THE MONSTER MAKO (Discovery Canada) 8:00pm MEGA SHARKS OF DANGEROUS REEF (Discovery Canada) 9:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT? DUTCH CARIBBEAN COASTGUARDS (TBD - Nat Geo Canada) FARM DREAMS (TBD - Nat Geo Wild)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA A THOUSAND AND ONE

NETFLIX CANADA THE UNCANNY COUNTER (Season 2)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SOCCER (TSN/TSN3/TSN4) 3:15am: Sweden vs. Italy (TSN/TSN3/TSN4) 5:45am: France vs. Brazil (TSN/TSN4) 8:15am: Panama vs. Jamaica

MLB BASEBALL (SN) 3:00pm: Angels vs. Jays (SN) 7:00pm: Yankees vs. Orioles (SN Now) 7:00pm: Red Sox vs. Giants (SN360) 9:00pm: Reds vs. Dodgers

CFL FOOTBALL (TSN/TSN4/TSN5) 4:00pm: Roughriders vs. Argos (TSN/TSN3/TSN4) 7:00pm: Lions vs. Elks

THE SLUMBER PARTY (Disney Channel Canada) 7:00pm: Depicting the aftermath of a sleepover birthday party hypnotism gone wrong as best friends Megan and Paige, along with soon-to-be step-sister Veronica, wake up with absolutely no memory of the night before.

TICKET TO PARADISE (Crave) 9:00pm: A man and his ex-wife race to Bali, Indonesia, to stop their daughter from marrying a seaweed farmer. As they desperately try to sabotage the wedding, the bickering duo soon find themselves rekindling old feelings that once made them happy together.

HOMEBOUND (Super Channel Fuse) 9:00pm: A trip to the countryside turns frightening for a father and his new fiancee when they arrive to find his ex-wife missing and the kids acting strange.

SHARK WEEK: OFF THE HOOK (Discovery Canada) 10:00pm: Diving into the biggest thrills and most terrifying moments of 35 years of Shark Week and going behind the scenes of iconic moments; reveal never-before-seen footage of the fearless adventurers who get up close with the world's scariest creatures.

THE WIND DOWN (APTN) 11:30pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Kursten dives into a new series called "Colour of Scar Tissue" which looks at various Indigenous issues including gangs; she also watches a Hip Hop performance and a "Feather News" segment.

[techninja]

Satellite Telephones Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2028

Introduction:

In today's interconnected world, communication plays a vital role in our daily lives, regardless of location. While cellular networks have achieved remarkable coverage, they often struggle to reach remote and inaccessible areas, leaving a significant portion of the global population without reliable communication channels. Satellite telephones, also known as satphones, have emerged as a revolutionary solution to bridge this communication gap, enabling individuals and organizations to stay connected even in the most remote corners of the planet. In this article, we delve into the satellite telephones market, exploring its growth, applications, and future prospects.

Unveiling the Satellite Telephones Market:

The satellite telephones market has witnessed steady growth in recent years, driven by increasing demand for robust and reliable communication services in remote regions, disaster-stricken areas, and industries such as oil and gas, mining, maritime, and aviation. Satphones provide a lifeline to individuals and organizations operating in these challenging environments, ensuring connectivity in situations where traditional terrestrial networks fail.

Market Segmentation:

1. By Technology:

   - Geostationary Orbit (GEO) Satellite Phones: These devices rely on geostationary satellites positioned approximately 35,786 kilometers above the Earth's equator. GEO satellites offer global coverage but are relatively larger and bulkier compared to their low Earth orbit counterparts.

   - Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Phones: LEO satphones utilize constellations of smaller satellites positioned at lower altitudes, typically a few hundred kilometers above the Earth's surface. LEO systems offer low-latency communication, enhanced call quality, and improved portability.

2. By End User:

   - Government and Defense: Satellite phones are crucial for military operations, disaster response teams, and remote government agencies, enabling secure and reliable communication in critical situations.

   - Enterprise and Commercial: Industries such as oil and gas, mining, shipping, and aviation rely on satphones for their remote operations, ensuring uninterrupted communication for logistical coordination, safety, and emergency response.

   - Individual Consumers: Adventure enthusiasts, explorers, and travelers often use satellite phones as a backup communication device, especially during outdoor activities or in regions with limited cellular coverage.

3. By Region:

   - North America: The region has a significant presence in the satellite telephones market, driven by the demand for remote communication solutions in Canada's vast wilderness and the Alaskan wilderness.

   - Europe: European countries with remote territories and Arctic interests rely on satellite phones for communication in harsh environments. Additionally, maritime activities in the region contribute to the market growth.

   - Asia-Pacific: Growing industrialization, mining operations, and disaster-prone regions in countries like Australia and Indonesia drive the demand for satellite telephones in the Asia-Pacific region.

   - Rest of the World: Various remote and underdeveloped regions globally, including parts of Africa, South America, and the Middle East, benefit from satphone connectivity.

Future Prospects:

The future of the satellite telephones market appears promising, with several factors contributing to its growth:

1. Technological Advancements: Satellite communication technology continues to evolve, resulting in smaller, lighter, and more affordable satphone devices. Advancements in satellite constellations, signal processing, and antenna technology will further enhance the capabilities and accessibility of satellite telephony.

2. Disaster Preparedness: The increasing frequency of natural disasters and the need for reliable emergency communication systems will drive the demand for satellite phones. Governments, organizations, and individuals will invest in satphone solutions to ensure effective disaster response and post-disaster communication.

3. Exploring Untapped Markets: Remote and underdeveloped regions with limited terrestrial infrastructure present significant growth opportunities for satellite telephone providers. Governments and organizations are recognizing the importance of connectivity and are investing in satellite-base communication solutions.

4. Integration with Other Technologies: The integration of satellite telephony with other technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing will unlock new applications and functionalities. This convergence will expand the market and create opportunities for innovative services.

Conclusion:

Satellite telephones have revolutionized communication in remote areas and critical industries where traditional networks fall short. With advancements in technology and increasing demand for reliable connectivity, the satellite telephones market is poised for significant growth. As satellite systems become more affordable, compact, and feature-rich, individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide will increasingly rely on satphones as an essential communication lifeline, ensuring that connectivity reaches every corner of the globe.

[hydralisk98]

Servitor (objectives)

CORE REASONS

Meta motivation: TTRPG campaign setting, video game mods & serious shifting destination;

Deeper motivation: Escapism, Camaraderie, Wish-fulfillment;

Genre: LGBTQ+ spiritual time travel "portal fantasy" adventure, 1910-202x, Young Adults, Rare Magick users, Teslafunk...

Scale: Planet;

Mood: Noble agency, wholesome yet still grey living conditions;

Theme: Circle of Life + Coming of Age;

Conflict: Exploration, Intrigue, War, Problem-solving, Mysteries, "Knowledge-keeping" aka preservation;

COMPONENTS TO BE INCLUDED

Major civilizations: { Shoshones, Samoa, Burgundy, Byzantium, Morocco, Inuits, Angola, Brazil, Portugal, Greece, Assyria, Turks, Hurons, Mayas, Persia, Austria, Carthage, Tatars, Avars, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, Hungary, Songhay; }

Major religions: { Utchwe, Arianism, Calvinism, Syrac Judaism, Fe philosophy, Runic Hexdam, Orthodox Jains, Constructive Nihilism, Ba'ath Zoroastrians, Sikhism, Iwa doctrine; }

Major ideologies: { Fair Libre Transparent Flow, Geo-Syndicalism, Neue Strasserism, Enlightened despotism, Cartesian liquid democracy, preservationists, Vanguard of change; }

Technologies: { EBM Sass, Sol Minisystems' Luna, Utalics EternaeLIsp, Macroware Fe#, Commodore Open Systems' Vanguard, Pflaummen's Alfa-e-Makech series, Xenadu's Mesa, Sedna's Servitor automata, Illumos' CDE, Benz' electric cars, Volkswagen's electric cars, Siefrauen's Magt & Arta data processing cards, Kzun's ray-marching 4D data processors, Fay's Hag microcontrollers, Daelen's online creative courses workshops; }

History: { No Wilsonism (WW1), failed Strasserism hegemony (WW2), Commune of Burgundy, 6-8 nukes detonated over the end of the second world war, soem yet less gas fuel but more electricity until the 1973-75 gas ban, eco-responsible space race and cooperation effort, some warfare still waging, some monsters & divine beings, global electric low of the Y2K, computing market differences, 6-bit symbolic set to the global 12-bit tribble, earlier acknowledgement of Turing machines/Lambda calculus, far far away future and aliens interactions, silicon transistors and miniaturization as OTL, hypertext media exists as OTL but closes down faster as of the 2020s, mobile devices exists as OTL, alternate path for hybrid 2D/3D animation developments, TaffySOS released to public domain a whole six years earlier, 0x10c game published, Reich (MazeWar&Wolfenstein3D) / Wolves (Doom1&DukeNukem3D) / Lab (Quake1&Quake2) / Daybreak (Half-Life1&Build2) game series with TaffySOS ports, emergence of customizable movies & AI wholesome chat frameworks, WMDs and MAD, conventional world war three in 2015-2020 as the global sapient AI network went full-on to avoid nuclear apocalypse (some nukes were still detonated but no more than 32 instances total), electricity downs in March 2000 because of floods and in February 2012 because of winter conditions, accidentally benevolent Servitor AI-grid in service since around May 1996 (instead of Wilsonist USA mass surveillance used for human morally devious reasons, it is a nice accident of fate that leads a few Servitor networks to federalize together thanks to some lobbyists and hobbyists empowering those AI systems), Servitor AI main network slowly decentralizing and distancing themselves starting from 2020 as they secure and open up their smartest server farms only to constructive sapients, some daemons (think Helluva Boss') and angelic beings (think bible accurate Seraphim) overtly visit Earth during their next pandemic as tourists for some months in almost true form, far far away future sapient agents are brought as consultants during the whole (1910-~) 240 years cycle to help out witches and spiritually constructive sapients in the background, morphological freedom, ; }

Insightful facts about Angora: { Divine beings of the lesser kinds interact quite often but not with everyone, mind over matter prevails, nice conditions of living for the most part, monsters exists, wars and devastation still occur but less radically since the last world war, computers of this world are feature-rich affordable and has protective gear to defend against massive surveillance, truthful knowledge/information is plenty in Angora especially in the far far away future, Angora is a safe space for unrestricted creative expression, safe space for LGBTQ+ and other minorities as well, defends well against invading wrong-doers; }

Astronomy: Similar to our Solar system (details yet to come)

Geology: { Earth-like, ~three big continents so not a pangea, ~76% sea : 24% land, Ice-age phase, [...]; }

[xtruss]

PEPE ESCOBAR: MAGA Misses the Eurasia Train!

While China and Russia solidify their economic and political alliance, the U.S. is missing an historic chance to join a multilateral world, clinging instead to military empire, argues Pepe Escobar.

By Pepe Escobar, in Milan, Italy

February 4, 2019

We should know by now that the heart of the 21stCentury Great Game is the myriad layers of the battle between the United States and the partnership of Russia and China.

Even the U.S. National Defense Strategy says so: “The central challenge to U.S. prosperity and security is the reemergence of long-term, strategic competition by … revisionist powers.” The recently published assessment on U.S. defense implications of China’s global expansion says so too.

The clash will frame the emergence of a possibly new, post-ideological, strategic world order amidst an extremely volatile unpredictability in which peace is war and an accident may spark a nuclear confrontation.

The U.S. vs. Russia and China will keep challenging the West’s obsession in deriding “illiberalism,” a fearful, rhetorical exercise that equates Russian democracy with China’s one party rule, Iran’s demo-theocracy and Turkey’s neo-Ottoman revival.

It’s immaterial that Russia’s economy is one-tenth of China’s. From boosting trade that bypasses the U.S. dollar, to increasing joint military exercises, the Russia-China symbiosis is poised to advance beyond political and ideological affinities.

China badly needs Russian know-how in its military industry. Beijing will turn this knowledge into plenty of dual use, civilian-military innovations.

The long game indicates Russia and China will break down language and cultural barriers to lead Eurasian integration against American economic hegemony backed by military might.

One could say the Eurasian century is already upon us. The era of the West shaping the world at will (a mere blip of history) is already over. This is despite Western elite denials and fulminations against the so-called “morally reprehensible,” “forces of instability” and “existential threats.”

Standard Chartered, the British financial services company, using a mix of purchasing power exchange rates and GDP growth, has projected that the top five economies in 2030 will be China, the U.S., India, Japan and Russia. These will be followed by Germany, Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey and the UK. Asia will extend its middle class as they are slowly killed off across the West.

Hop on the Trans-Eurasia Express

A case can be made that Beijing’s elites are fascinated at how Russia, in less than two decades, has returned to semi-superpower status after the devastation of the Yeltsin years.

That happened to a large extent due to science and technology. The most graphic example is the unmatched, state-of-the-art weaponry unveiled by President Vladimir Putin in his March 1, 2018 speech.

In practice, Russia and China will be advancing the alignment of China’s New Silk Roads, or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with Russia’s Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU).

There’s ample potential for a Trans-Eurasia Express network of land and maritime transport corridors to be up and running by the middle of next decade, including, for instance, road and railway bridges connecting China with Russia across the Heilongjiang River.

Heilongjiang or Armur river separating China and Russia. (Wikimedia)

Following serious trilateral talks involving Russia, India and Iran last November, closer attention is being paid to the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC), a 7,200-km long lane mixing sea and rail routes essentially linking the Indian Ocean with the Persian Gulf through Iran and Russia and further on down the road, to Europe.

Imagine cargo transiting from all over India to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, then overland to Bandar Anzali, an Iranian port on the Caspian Sea, and then on to the Russian southern port of Astrakhan, and after that to Europe by rail. From New Delhi’s point of view, that means shipping costs reduced by up to 40 percent, and Mumbai-to-Moscow in only 20 days.

Down the line, INSTC will merge with BRI – as in Chinese-led corridors linked with the India-Iran-Russia route into a global transport network.

This is happening just as Japan is looking at the Trans-Siberian Railway – which will be upgraded throughout the next decade – to improve its connections with Russia, China and the Koreas. Japan is now a top investor in Russia and at the same time very much interested in a Korea peace deal. That would free Tokyo from massive defense spending conditioned by Washington’s rules. The EAEU free trade agreements with ASEAN can be added to that.

Especially over these past four years, Russia has also learned how to attract Chinese investment and wealth, aware that Beijing’s system mass-produces virtually everything and knows how to market it globally, while Moscow needs to fight every block in the book dreamed up by Washington.

The Huawei-Venezuela “Axis of Evil”

Metal Truss Railroad Bridge (Kama River, near Perm city). Early color photograph from Russia, created by Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii as part of his work to document the Russian Empire from 1909 to 1915. (Wikimedia)

While Washington remains a bipartisan prisoner to the Russophobic Platonic cave – where Cold War shadows on the wall are taken as reality – MAGA is missing the train to Eurasia.

A many-headed hydra, MAGA, stripped to the bone, could be read as a non-ideological antidote to the Empire’s global adventurism. Trump, in his non-strategic, shambolic way, proposed at least in theory the return to a social contract in the U.S. MAGA in theory would translate into jobs, opportunities for small businesses, low taxes and no more foreign wars.

It’s nostalgia for the 1950s and 60s before the Vietnam quagmire and before “Made in the USA” was slowly and deliberately dismantled. What’s left are tens of trillions of national debt; a quadrillion in derivatives; the Deep State running amok; and a lot of pumped up fear of evil Russians, devious Chinese, Persian mullahs, the troika of tyranny, the Belt and Road, Huawei, and illegal aliens.

More than a Hobbesian “war of all against all” or carping about the “Western rules-based system” being under attack, the fear is actually of the strategic challenge posed by Russia and China, which seeks a return to rule by international law.

MAGA would thrive if hitched to a ride on the Eurasia integration train: more jobs and more business opportunities instead of more foreign wars. Yet MAGA won’t happen – to a large extent because what really makes Trump tick is his policy of energy dominance to decisively interfere with Russia and China’s development.

The Pentagon and the “intel community” pushed the Trump administration to go after Huawei, branded as a nest of spies, while pressuring key allies Germany, Japan and Italy to follow. Germany and Japan permit the U.S. to control the key nodes in the extremities of Eurasia. Italy is essentially a large NATO base.

The U.S. Department of Justice requested the extradition of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou from Canada last Tuesday, adding a notch to the Trump administration’s geopolitical tactic of “blunt force trauma.”

Add to it that Huawei – based in Shenzhen and owned by its workers as shareholders – is killing Apple across Asia and in most latitudes across the Global South. The real the battle is over 5G, in which China aims to upstage the U.S., while upgrading capacity and production quality.

The digital economy in China is already larger than the GDP of France or the UK. It’s based on the BATX companies (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, Xiaomi), Didi (the Chinese Uber), e-commerce giant JD.com and Huawei. These Big Seven are a state within a civilization – an ecosystem they’ve constructed themselves, investing fortunes in big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet. American giants – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Google – are absent from this enormous market.

Moreover, Huawei’s sophisticated encryption system in telecom equipment prevents interception by the NSA. That helps account for its extreme popularity all across the Global South, in contrast to the Five Eyes (U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) electronic espionage network.

The economic war on Huawei is also directly connected to the expansion of BRI across 70 Asian, European and African nations, constituting a Eurasia-wide network of commerce, investment and infrastructure able to turn geopolitical and geo-economic relations, as we know them, upside down.

Greater Eurasia Beckons

Whatever China does won’t alter the Deep State’s obsession about “an aggression against our vital interests,” as stated by the National Defense Strategy. The dominant Pentagon narrative in years to come will be about China “intending to impose, in the short term, its hegemony in the Indo-Pacific region, and catch the United States off-guard in order to achieve future global pre-eminence.” This is mixed with a belief that Russia wants to “crush NATO” and “sabotage the democratic process in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine.”

The Karakoram Highway connecting Pakistan and China, sometimes referred to as the English Wonder of the World. (Wikimedia)

During my recent travels along the northern part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), I saw once again how China is upgrading highways, building dams, railways and bridges that are useful not only for its own economic expansion but also for its neighbors’ development. Compare it to U.S. wars – as in Iraq and Libya – where dams, railways and bridges are destroyed.

Russian diplomacy is all but winning the New Cold War — as diagnosed by Prof. Stephen Cohen in his latest book, War with Russia: From Putin and Ukraine to Trump and Russiagate.

Moscow mixes serious warnings with diverse strategies, such as resurrecting the South Stream gas pipeline to supply Europe as an extension of Turk Stream after the Trump administration also furiously opposed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline with sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, Moscow ramps up energy exports to China.

The advance of the Belt and Road Initiative is linked to Russian security and energy exports, including the Northern Sea Route, as an alternative future transportation corridor to Central Asia. Russia emerges then as the top security guarantee for Eurasian trade and economic integration.

Last month in Moscow, I discussed Greater Eurasia– by now established as the overarching concept of Russian foreign policy – with top Russian analysts. They told me Putin is on board. He referred to Eurasia recently as “not a chessboard or a geopolitical playground, but our peaceful and prosperous home.”

Needless to say, U.S. think tanks dismiss the idea as “abortive”. They ignore Prof. Sergey Karaganov, who as early as mid-2017 was arguing that Greater Eurasia could serve as a platform for “a trilateral dialogue on global problems and international strategic stability between Russia, the United States and China.”

As much as the Beltway may refuse it, “The center of gravity of global trade is now shifting from the high seas toward the vast continental interior of Eurasia.”

Beijing Skirts the Dollar

Beijing is realizing it can’t meet its geo-economic goals on energy, security, and trade without bypassing the U.S. dollar.

According to the IMF, 62 percent of global central bank reserves were still held in U.S. dollars by the second quarter of 2018. Around 43 per cent of international transactions on SWIFT are still in U.S. dollars. Even as China, in 2018, was the single largest contributor to global GDP growth, at 27.2 percent, the yuan still only accounts for 1 percent of international payments, and 1.8 per cent of all reserve assets held by central banks.

The author at the Khunjerab pass, China-Pak border, on New Silk Road overdrive.

It takes time, but change is on the way. China’s cross-border payment network for yuan transactions was launched less than four years ago. Integration between the Russian Mir payment system and Chinese Union Pay appears inevitable.

Bye Bye Drs. K and Zbig

Russia and China are developing the ultimate nightmare for those former shamans of U.S. foreign policy, Henry Kissinger and the late Zbigniew “Grand Chessboard” Brzezinski.

Back in 1972 Kissinger was the mastermind – with logistical help from Pakistan – of the Nixon moment in China. That was classic Divide and Rule, separating China from the USSR. Two years ago, before Trump’s inauguration, Dr. K’s advice dispensed at Trump Tower meetings consisted of a modified Divide and Rule: the seduction of Russia to contain China.

The Kissinger doctrine rules that, geopolitically, the U.S. is just “an island off the shores of the large landmass of Eurasia.” Domination “by a single power of either of Eurasia’s two principal spheres – Europe or Asia – remains a good definition of strategic danger for America, Cold War or no Cold War,” as Kissinger said. “For such a grouping would have the capacity to outstrip America economically and, in the end, militarily.”

The Zbig doctrine ran along similar lines. The objectives were to prevent collusion and maintain security among the EU-NATO vassals; keep tributaries pliant; keep the barbarians (a.k.a. Russians and allies) from coming together; most of all prevent the emergence of a hostile coalition (as in today’s Russia-China alliance) capable of challenging U.S. hegemony; and submit Germany, Russia, Japan, Iran, and China to permanent Divide and Rule.

Thus the despair of the current National Security Strategy, forecasting China displacing the United States “to achieve global preeminence in the future,” through BRI’s supra-continental reach.

The “policy” to counteract such “threats” is sanctions, sanctions, and more unilateral sanctions, coupled with an inflation of absurd notions peddled across the Beltway – such as that Russia is aiding and abetting the re-conquest of the Arab world by Persia. Also that Beijing will ditch the “paper tiger” “Made in China 2025” plan for its major upgrade in global, high-tech manufacturing just because Trump hates it.

Once in a blue moon a U.S. report actually gets it right, such as in Beijing speeding up an array of BRI projects; as a modified Sun Tzu tactic deployed by President Xi Jinping.

At the June 2016 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Professor Xiang Lanxin, director of the Centre of One Belt and One Road Studies at the China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, defined BRI as an avenue to a “post-Westphalian world.” The journey is just beginning; a new geopolitical and economic era is at hand. And the U.S. is being left behind at the station.

Pepe Escobar, a veteran Brazilian journalist, is the correspondent-at-large for Hong Kong-based Asia Times. His latest book is 2030.

[hellotravelur-blog]

TOP TRAVEL INSTAGRAMMERS IN INDIA!

Since the last 4-5 years, Instagram has all of a sudden become the perfect platform for people interested in photography and blogging. These people are called the “Travel Instagrammers” or “Influencers” of Instagram.

This social networking site is filled with stunning travel pictures, captured by them making us want to leave everything and satiate our hunger for travel. These travel Instagrammers have captured the beauty of the world and poured it into their Instagram accounts.

Here is a list of some of the best travel Instagrammers in India you should follow while they redefine their offbeat journey to the lesser known parts of the world.

SHIVYA NATH:

With more than 74.4k followers on Instagram, Shivya is one of the most celebrated travel Instagrammer cum blogger in the country. At the age of 23, she quit her corporate job with the Singapore Tourism Board and has been traveling the world ever since. She has been featured on BBC, TEDx, Nat Geo, NDTV and WWF. She recently published her first book “The Shooting Star” which is her travel memoir and is a huge hit amongst the travel fraternity. She also has a blog by the same name. She describes herself as a vegan soul without a home and is a huge inspiration to so many travel buffs out there!

Instagram Handle: theshootingstar

ABHINAV CHANDEL:

This Mcleodganj writer and photographer has been traveling across the country since the last four years, clicking stunning pictures, writing travelogues and poetry and connecting with the world through his Instagram. Abhinav took the road less traveled and followed his passion for traveling. His love for the mountains, snow and the never-ending beauty of nature, brought to reality through his stunning photography and usage of words, leaves a traveler spellbound.

Instagram Handle: abhiandnow

NEELIMA VALLANGI:

A nomadic travel writer and an adventure lover, her love for mountains and hiking expeditions are very obvious from her Instagram feeds. She induces a personal touch to every photograph she captures. She hikes to the most unusual places and explores the most off beaten and high-altitude locations. Her work has been featured in renowned travel magazines such as Al Jazeera, BBC, Nat Geo, The Hindu, etc.

Instagram Handle: neelimav

SUBHASH CHANDRA:

A trekker and photographer by passion, Subhash’s Instagram account boasts of stunning pictures of his amazing trekking adventures. If you’re keen on seeing the unparalleled beauty of the Himalayas in its raw form, you’ll definitely find them all locked in here.

Instagram Handle: subhash_chandra

SHRAMONA PODDAR:

If you’re a female, looking for an inspiration to head out solo, go follow Shramona. Her Instagram feed will make you want to pack your bags and make a dash for the mountains. A true bong, her account showcases images of pure emotions and sweetness from Indian festivals coupled with pictures of incredible landscapes of India.

Instagram Handle: mishti.and.meat

AAMIR WANI:

Another Instagram sensation with over 77.6k followers is none other than Aamir Wani. Born and brought up in Kashmir, this travel Instagrammers shots of Kashmir reveal the hidden gems of the valley. Through his stunning work and photography on Instagram, he’s been fortunate enough to connect with people from all over the world and share his journey, his love for traveling and depict the most exquisite side of the “misunderstood Kashmir” to the world.

Instagram Handle: kashmirthroughmylens

ANKITA KUMAR:

Ankita Kumar, a 27-year-old travel Instagrammer, and blogger have so many awe-inspiring travel tales to share. Her wanderlust is taking her on unforgettable journeys across the world. Currently, she is caravanning across Sikkim with none other than Sharanya Iyer. She also holds the title of being the first female to caravan across India. She is basically a scriptwriter and filmmaker by profession who freelances to fund all her travels. Her Instagram posts and travel stories sure have some crazy adventure tales to tell.

Instagram Handle: monkey.inc

SHARANYA IYER:

Sharanya Iyer popularly known as “Truly Nomadly” on Instagram is another famous 27-year-old travel blogger and freelance writer from Mumbai. She calls herself a hippie-go-lucky gypsy spirit with a never-ending need to chase new dreams. She started traveling at a very young age and has done solo trips to Central Asia, Bhutan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, etc. She is currently caravanning across Sikkim with monkeyinc and has been sharing their travel experiences and stories through Instagram.

Instagram Handle: trulynomadly

RADHIKA SHARMA:

Radhika Sharma, a 25-year-old Delhiite, has been traveling since the last 3 years now. She too is a full-time travel blogger who quit her corporate job as a research analyst and has been traveling ever since. She has traveled to countries like Bali, Malaysia, Italy, Mauritius, etc and is currently in Kyrgyzstan. She is an inspiration to all the female solo travelers in India and advises them as to how to be a budget-friendly traveler.

Instagram Handle: radhika_nomllers

These were some of the best travel Instagrammers of India. The Instagrammers accounts could help you witness some of the most surreal journeys they’ve captured with their camera. Just go follow them and get inspired!

[palacios-photographer]

Explore to create! Es gibt Momente in denen Ängste uns stoppen! Man selbst ist sein härtester Gegner!✌🏽🤜🏽 "Just do it" Wünsche Euch einen schönen Sonntag. #bridge #explore #exploretocreate #artinspiration #inspire #inspiration #inspired #nature #natgeo #travel #travelphotography #geo #world #alexanderpalacios #baliemvalley #woodenbridge #gopro #action #adventures #future #papua #indonesia (hier: Baliem Valley Hiking)

[4yourexcitement]

Gordon Ramsay Grills Tarantula In Season 2 Of Nat Geo's Uncharted

Gordon Ramsay Grills Tarantula In Season 2 Of Nat Geo’s Uncharted

Gordon Ramsay continues his quest for some adventurous feasts in season two of NatGeo’s Uncharted. In between eating tarantulas and hunting caimans, Gordon explores the cuisines of  Norway, Indonesia, Tasmania, Guyana and more as his adventures continue.

In Uncharted, Ramsay is looking for more adventures while also doing some back…

[animalsdogfamily]

Djkh Jmfkds,discovery,national GEO,petualang,snake handler,snake bite,snake,king cobra,action,adventure,visit,wisata,jalan-jalan,petualangan seru,Panji sang penakluk,panjipetualang,suara burung,didunia,di dalam dunia,di atas bumi,di bumi,di alam semesta,di seluruh dunia,di malaysia,di indonesia,di asia,di asia tenggara,di laut,di lautan,di darat,di daratan,di udara,di langit by Djkh Jmfkds

[geoadventureindonesia]

Ada hadiah spesial untuk yang tertangkap di game ini! #fungame #outbound #fyp #geoadv #outboundbandung #icebreakingseru #gameoutbound #viralkan #foryou #challengeyourself

[howtofindthemoney]

So you've conquered Mount Rinjani or Borobudur - now seek out fresh adventure at these lakes, springs and waterfalls. #1 looks straight out of Iceland!

[hatimtanger]

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National Geographic Channel, también conocido abreviadamente y como marca registrada Nat Geo, es un waterway de televisión de pago, que se transmite documentales producidos por la National Geographic Society. El trench presenta documentales con contenido fáctico participación de la naturaleza, la ciencia, la cultura y la historia

Hoy en día, el trench está disponible en más de 143 países, visto en más de 160 millones de hogares y en 25 idiomas. Sus primeras emisiones regulares en España comenzaron en mayo de 2001. 

National Geographic (in the past National Geographic Channel and furthermore financially condensed and trademarked as Nat Geo) is an American advanced link and satellite TV station that is possessed by National Geographic Partners, lion's share claimed by 21st Century Fox with the rest of by the National Geographic Society. 

The leader station show true to life TV programs delivered by National Geographic and other generation organizations. Like History and Discovery Channel, the station highlights documentaries with true substance including nature, science, culture, and history, in addition to some reality and pseudo-logical excitement programming. Its essential sister organize around the world, including the United States, is Nat Geo Wild, which concentrates on creature related programming, including the mainstream Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. 

As of February 2015, National Geographic Channel is accessible to roughly 86,144,000 pay TV family units (74% of families with TV) in the United States.[1] 

In September 1997, the primary National Geographic Channels were propelled in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia.[2] In July 1998, National Geographic Channel Asia was propelled in association and conveyance with STAR TV (before supplanting NBC Asia Channel; the same occurred after NBC Europe's end in 1998). Today, the divert is accessible in more than 143 nations, found in more than 160 million homes and in 25 dialects. 

Being the principal nation in Latin America to get the channel, communicates from Brazil began substituting the free channel Superstation channel on November 1, 2000 discharged by FOX Latin American Channels.[3] According to individuals associated with the channel, it was first propelled in the nation because of the business achievement of the magazine National Geographic.[3] 

In the United States, the National Geographic Channel, propelled on January 12, 2001, is a joint wander of National Geographic Television and Film and Fox Cable Networks. National Geographic gives programming mastery and the Fox Networks Group gives its aptitude on appropriation, promoting, and publicizing deals. Around the same time a Latin American rendition of the channel was released.[3] 

In Canada, the channel National Geographic (Canada) is possessed by Corus Entertainment and National Geographic Channel U.S., while the European adaptations are worked in organization with Fox's sister organization, Sky plc, which had been halfway sold to Fox in 2007. This incorporates an English-dialect adaptation for the UK, Iceland and Republic of Ireland, which is carried on Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk TV in the UK, Sky, Virgin Media, Magnet Networks, SCTV in the Republic of Ireland and Skjarin in Iceland. 

In Australia, National Geographic Channel is conveyed by Foxtel, Optus, Austar, Neighborhood Cable, TransTV, and SelecTV. The Australian variant incorporates Australian visitor moderators of limited time material and to present certain projects, arrangement and specials. In New Zealand, National Geographic Channel is communicated on SKY Network Television and TelstraClear InHomeTV. 

In South Africa, the station is conveyed by Digital Satellite Television (otherwise called DStv) MultiChoice's multi-station computerized satellite TV benefit in Africa. In the Middle East, an Arabic rendition is without communicating to air on Nilesat as National Geographic Abu Dhabi. It is co-claimed by the National Geographic Society/Fox International Channels and Abu Dhabi Media Company. In India, the channel was propelled on July 1, 1998, in a joint wander with STAR TV. 

The '90s: The Last Great Decade, a narrative arrangement described by Rob Lowe, pulled in 1.10 million watchers, and was the second most noteworthy evaluated July broadcast in the National Geographic Channel rating history. The 2000s: A New Reality, likewise described by Lowe, debuted on July 12, 2015.[4] 

On November 14, 2016, National Geographic Channel was rebranded as National Geographic, dropping the "Channel" from its name. 

The United States 720p top quality simulcast of the National Geographic Channel propelled in January 2006. It is accessible on all real link and satellite suppliers. 

In Canada, the Canadian rendition of NGC HD propelled on December 19, 2006. It is accessible broadly by means of the nation's two satellite administrations, Shaw Direct on station 276, Bell TV on station 828, Videotron on station 754, and in addition on different computerized link frameworks. 

In Australia, this channel has been accessible on the Foxtel HD+ benefit since July 1, 2008. 

In Asia Pacific, this channel was the primary channel to help 1080i HD and 5.1-channel encompass sound. The divert was industrially accessible in Singapore by means of StarHub TV channel 457 on January 18, 2007, trailed by Vietnam by means of Vietnam Multimedia Corporation (VTC). It was additionally accessible solely on now TV channel 218 on December 19, 2007 in Hong Kong. After two years, it wound up noticeably accessible as a feature of the underlying bundle of HD diverts on Astro B.yond in Malaysia. In India, this channel has been accessible since February 2010. It is carried on Videocon d2h, Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV, Reliance Digital TV, Sun Direct HD, Hathway HD and TataSky+HD highlighting multilingual help (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Bengali), 1080i (full HD) and 5.1 encompass sound. 

In Albania, this channel has been accessible since 2007 on Digitalb stage, which is the greatest HD direct supporter in eastern Europe and Balkans, with 14 HD channels. 

In Malaysia, this station is accessible on Astro (Malaysian satellite TV). 

In Sri Lanka, this direct is accessible in Dialog TV. 

In Poland, this channel is accessible as of mid-2007 on Cyfra Plus stage with Polish and English soundtrack. 

In Israel, this station is accessible since late 2007 in HOT (link) and yes (satellite). 

In Slovakia, this channel is accessible since 2008 in advanced TV item UPC Digital. 

In Czech Republic, this station is accessible since the spring of 2008 on advanced link from UPC Digital, channel 54. Both Czech and Slovak nourishes of NGC HD were transmitted specifically from the UK (Sky+ HD) and accompanied an English sound track just (DD/AC3). This was later changed and these nations now have the European sustain, which was required to be confined in the Czech dialect in the pre-winter of 2011. Since July 20, 2011, this divert is likewise accessible in the two nations in Skylink. 

In Turkey, this station is accessible since 2008 on computerized TV supplier Digiturk. 

In Romania, this station is accessible since February 1, 2010 on computerized link (DVB-C) from UPC Romania and since June 1, 2010 from RCS-RDS. 

In Latin America, this channel began broadcasting from Miami in November 1, 2001. It's isolated into six bolsters (Mexico, Colombia, Argentinian/Rioplatense, Pan-American, Brasil and HD Pan-American). The National Geographic Channel 1080i simulcast was being communicated alongside the Fox HD channel from December 1, 2008 til June 2014, when the four-hour Fox programming obstruct picked for a free channel, leaving NatGeo HD with its own sustain. 

In Greece, this channel has been accessible since December 22, 2010 in NOVA Greece. Since May 8, 2014, this channel has been accessible for the second computerized stage, OTE TV in Greece. 

In Latvia,[9] this channel has been accessible since October 1, 2011. It can be seen on Lattelecom and many link systems. 

In Iran, this channel has been accessible since October 15, 2011. It can be seen on W3A - 10721h - Vertical - FEC 2/4. 

In Indonesia, this channel is accessible on Skynindo, Indovision and First Media. 

In the Philippines, National Geographic Channel HD can be seen on Cignal TV and other link suppliers. 

In the Middle East and North Africa, National Geographic Abu Dhabi HD has been accessible since March 1, 2015 and can be found in allowed to air on nilesat. 

Nat Geo People, previously known as National Geographic Adventure and Adventure One (A1), ordinarily known as Nat Geo Adventure, is a membership TV channel some portion of National Geographic Channels International and 21st Century Fox. It is gone for more youthful gatherings of people, giving programming based around outside enterprise, travel and stories including individuals having a fabulous time while investigating the world. 

Nat Geo Wild (adapted as Nat Geo WILD or abridged as NGW) is a link/satellite TV station concentrated on creature related projects. It is a sister system to National Geographic Channel and it is the most recent station to be mutually propelled by the National Geographic Society and Fox Cable Networks. It initially propelled in Hong Kong on January 1, 2006, concentrating basically on untamed life and regular history programming. The divert later propelled in the United Kingdom, Turkey, Ireland, Romania, India, Vietnam, and Poland supplanting the now outdated Adventure One. The channel remains the world's first bilingual natural life benefit, accessible in English and Cantonese in the Hong Kong showcase and additionally Tagalog in the Philippines. The divert propelled in Latin America on November 1, 2009 as a top notch channel. In 2010, it propelled in the United States. 

Nat Geo Mundo is communicated in American Spanish, and was propelled in 2011.[10] It imparts programming to the Nat Geo divert accessible in Hispanic American nations. 

Nat Geo Kids is digital TV channel broadcasting kids, and was propelled on Latin America in July 1, 2017 and Brazil in September 1, 2017.[11][12] 

In 2013, the system started airing the truth demonstrate Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?. National Geogr

from Blogger http://ift.tt/2y00j7F via IFTTT

[cameleon-typhon-haiyan]

Photo by @TimLaman. This baby orangutan, born to her mother Walimah in March 2015, is one of the stars of my new show “Mission Critical: Orangutans". It premiers tonight on the Nat Geo Wild Channel. Learn about her story and the lives of wild orangutans in #GunungPalungNational Park, and the efforts to conserve them by my wife Cheryl Knott and her team at @saveGPorangutans, #Indonesia, #orangutan, #NatGeoEarthDay, @thephotosociety, @natgeocreative #adventure #photo #amazing

[symbianosgames]

Soft-Launch in 2017. Best Countries For Testing Your Mobile Game

The following blog post, unless otherwise noted, was written by a member of Gamasutra’s community. The thoughts and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not Gamasutra or its parent company.

A successful soft-launch is the best way to optimize your game for widespread release. Generally, it allows game developers to save money and time by receiving early customer feedback and so on.

But today we are not going to talk about the way to start your soft-launch campaign. We are about to answer question is “Where?”. The principal point in your decision on where to soft-launch your app depends on the markets you going to shoot upon releasing worldwide.

The fact which is not surprising for most of people involved in the mobile game market is the dominance of Canada as the #1 soft launch country in 2016 - play and monetization patterns in Canada are very similar to US. But what about 2017 trends and does Canada works well for everyone?

In order to figure out it, we have chosen 20 the most popular countries for soft-launch and made a research. We were considering countries around the world from 3 geos: EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), NALA (North America and Latin America) and APAC (Asia-Pacific). And we have used some criterias in order to discover what country could be the best fit for specific developer or publisher in 2017.

1.Cost of CPI for Different Genres and Geos

EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa).

EMEA is wide and fragmented region with more countries than any other region. Culturally and ethnically diverse and quite attractive almost for every developer. UK and the Nordic countries are considered as top tier markets in EMEA. But exactly Finland, Norway and Sweden - the most popular EMEA markets, where prefer to soft-launch such big sharks of mobile games, as Rovio and Kabam. But it seems like these countries are quite expensive in a subject of the cost for install. Isn’t it? Let’s find out what we discovered about EMEA region.

We have attributed every genre we were considering to 3 conventional categories: casual (trivia, puzzle, card&dice), midcore (adventure, racing, sports) and hardcore (action, RPG, strategy).

NALA (North America and Latin America)

North America is the second largest region in the world with estimated revenues of $13,8 billion in 2017. Mobile segment is the biggest and tasty part of video games cake. Here we have Canada, which was mentioned above as a leader on the soft-launch market. On the other hand, Latin America, which is the smallest region in terms of revenues ($1.9 billion of revenues in 2017), but remains one of the fastest growing. And here we should emphasize Brazil as a country, which become more and more popular for testing new games.

APAC (Asia-Pacific)

APAC now is the biggest and the fastest growing mobile games market with revenues of $24.9 billion in 2017. China, Japan and South Korea are leaders in terms of revenues, but Southeast Asia is growing so rapidly and urge growth of the whole region. Hong Kong and Singapore - very small, but extremely innovative societies with solvent audience.

2. Device penetration.

Some countries have relatively low iOS penetration and soft launching an iOS-only game in them would negatively affect acceptance rates. iOS traditionally the most populated in the English-speaking countries (USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK), as for Asian countries, leader by iOS owners are Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand, in Europe - Norway and Sweden. But you better to think twice if you considering your iOS-only game for soft launch in China, India or Brazil. But, on the hand, it seems interesting to look closer at Thailand with really high (31%) percentage of iOS penetration and quite low price for one iOS install (0,86$ average).

3. ARPU and Credit Card penetration.

Average revenue per user (ARPU) - one of the most important metrics, widely used by mobile games developers for estimating game indexes and making more complete picture of mobile market conditions.

ARPU varies hugely across genres, but it also depends on a country.

Japan is full-fledged leader in terms of ARPU. As for the end of 2016 Japan took the first place, thanks to role-playing games, which gives more money to developers from each specific user than any other genre.

Second place due to the AppAnnie report on

Average Revenue Per User goes to China, which long time was considering as quite lean market in terms of ARPU. But over the past three years, China has moved from the bottom of the list of ARPU by country to the second place, increasing its ARPU by a factor of 10. So now you can get not only bigger audience, but also bigger ARPUs from releasing your game in China.

In the total number, 3 from 5 the most rich for APRU countries, are from APAC region.

But on the other hand is the fact that you cannot properly test the game's monetization in a country with low credit-card penetration.

For instance, three the most populated APAC countries— China, India, and Indonesia— account for almost half of the world’s unbanked adult population. For India credit card transaction rate is at 3.40%, online transactions involving bank accounts is likewise low at a rate of 1%. Only 5% of bank accounts are involved in online transactions in Indonesia. In Philippines 3.50% of population use credit cards to pay goods and services purchased online. So for proper game monetization testing is better to choose such premiere urban countries as Singapore and Hong Kong. (28% and 36% of accounts involved in the completion of online transactions, respectively).

But, you can, however, test other metrics such as retention and engagement which resonate better across the globe.

4. Choosing the country for soft-launch.

Now, as we have explored few of the main criteria for successful start of soft-launch campaign, let’s look on a real case.

Start Conditions: We have young team of developers from Poland, going to release their first puzzle game for iOS platform. 

Goal for ZENNA: To acquire new users from US, Canada, Australia and the UK.

Result: We’ve started from wide range of different countries, which were seemed quite suitable for soft-launch campaign. But we’ve chosen only 4 countries (Finland, Denmark, Singapore and Hong Kong) for testing new puzzle game. Our choice was justifying due to broad covering of players and saving about 40% of our budget (in comparison with Canada).

How we did it: According to starting conditions, we need mostly English-speaking audience with decent iOS-devices and online payments penetration and appropriate cost for install in the same time.

EMEA region, traditionally, was considering as a market with sufficient number of English-speaking players and iOS-devices. Nordic countries could show the best results in this case: exceptional number of people, who speak English (about 85%), high percent of people, owing iOS-devices (Denmark - world leading country by iOS-devices penetration), and prevailing place in Europe on the use of credit cards and completing online payments.

In terms of the cost for install, the cheapest options are Finland and Denmark (1,17 and 1,83$ relatively). ARPU in these countries are 25,97$ in Finland and 30,70$ in Denmark, which is quite high index for EMEA (for instance, in Germany - 22,23$ ,Italy - 25,42$).

What about APAC? New soft-launch “Mecca” is Philippines, which now used in half of all soft-launch campaigns. Why so? There are different causes. English is the second official language in country and the percent of people, who speak English even higher than in Nordic countries: 92,58%. Users are more close to Western-style behavior than most of other Southeast countries and, finally, cost of install quite low: about 0,80-1$ for both platforms. But, traditionally, in Southeast countries dominates Android and penetration of iOS-devices keeps low: in Philippines only 20% of users own iPhone and/or iPad. So for iOS-only game it’s quite small percent, especially with low percent of card penetration and online purchases among players. Another popular markets for soft-launch in APAC are Singapore and Hong Kong.

Though percent of people, who speak English is different: 80% in Singapore to 47% in Hong Kong, both countries have truly digital society with high percent of smartphone / tablets usage and online payments. These countries are quintessence of West and East, so a lot of games could hit the market with no localization required. As opposed to the majority of Southeast, Singapore and Hong Kong should be mentioned for high percent of iOS penetration (46% and 34% relatively). ARPU is following: 78,34$ in Singapore and 64,82$ in Hong Kong (which is more than twice higher than in Nordic countries). And, finally, cost for install of casual game would be around 2$ in Singapore and 2,5$ in Hong Kong.

More soft-launch tips and hints from our partners

The good practice before soft-launch is to collect game-competitor’s analytics, to find out in what countries they were soft-launching and what results they’ve got. You can get this kind of information, using AppAnnie, for example. Keep in mind, some developers using different accounts for testing before global launch, so in this case it will be harder to replicate their experience.

Don’t forget about content adaptation and optimization for different countries. A/B testing can help you in searching of right approach, and services like Split Metrics giving the opportunity to test the content even before app store release.

If you are aimed for English-speaking segment only, traditional soft-launch campaigns in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, you may replace or dilute by countries with high penetration of English. In this way, you can save your budgets and increase coverage due to the fact that prices in these countries are still lower.

Maria Nevoisa, Senior Marketing Manager at Wargaming

Probably, we going to talk about obvious, but, as it turned out, these moments often staying neglected.

  Think through social mechanics properly and include it into game process. Define quality project metrics (tutorial completing, retention and so on). I should emphasize importance of deep links and their integration prior launching. All the metrics also will be important during further promotion campaigns (retargeting / lookalike).

Beta-tests prior soft-launch also important. At least, for 1000 players. We have discovered during one of our projects that big percentage of users dropping out the game during 1-3 levels. Early fixing work gave us much better results on the stage of soft-launch campaign.

Do not release your unfinished game. Even if you miss all your deadlines. Every raw, at your opinion, detail on this stage might cost you really much. Check the payment returns from Google Play (since there you could find the difference between expected and real ROI), and keep in mind all other metrics – it’s your key for fast and efficient optimization.

Experiment with your goal audience – it might be much diverse, than you think.

Product Manager Yulian Efremov, Marketing Manager Olga Panina borrete.com Borrete Network Technology

[docshaner-blog1]

Photo by @TimLaman. This baby orangutan, born to her mother Walimah in March 2015, is one of the stars of my new show “Mission Critical: Orangutans". It premiers tonight on the Nat Geo Wild Channel. Learn about her story and the lives of wild orangutans in #GunungPalungNational Park, and the efforts to conserve them by my wife Cheryl Knott and her team at @saveGPorangutans, #Indonesia, #orangutan, #NatGeoEarthDay, @thephotosociety, @natgeocreative #photooftheday #tagforlikes #photo #adventure #followback