How to Report Ads, Workarounds, List of Problematic Adverts

[adlerist]

REPORTING PROBLEMATIC ADS AND WORKAROUNDS


Ads provide event currency, gems, speed-up breeding time, and other benefits; however, they have been an ongoing problem in DragonVale, especially for iOS players. If an ad in your game crashes/freezes DV, refuses to close, prevents other ads from playing, the close button ('x') is cut off, does not payout the reward, etc, or if the ad is offensive, you can report the advert to have it removed. Please be aware the removal of an ad may not be immediate, and it could be difficult to identify and pull an ad if the info and details listed below are missing. Here is the process to report an ad.


HOW TO REPORT PROBLEMATIC ADS

On the Bugs and Glitches thread, post the following information

• the name of the ad, or a screenshot
• the problems the ad is causing
• which device you’re using (e.g., iPad Pro 4th generation, iPhone 14, etc)
• the name of the ad provider (see below for more information)


HOW TO FIND THE NAME OF THE AD PROVIDER

The ad provider is essential to identify a problematic or offensive advert that needs to be removed from the game. In the ad, there’s a small icon usually located in a corner. The icon can appear at the start, middle, or end of the advert, or display throughout. Here are some examples. In the below images, I’ve circled the ad provider icon.






When you tap on the ad provider icon…




… the name of the provider will show (or their website will open). This ad would be reported as, Monopoly by ad provider Liftoff, Inc. 




This ad would be reported as, Spin by ad provider prod.hyprmx.com.






You can also take a screenshot of the ad provider information and post it on the Bugs and Glitches thread, along with the other required info, or submit it to a Game Representative or Deca’s customer support.



WORKAROUNDS FOR PERSISTENT PROBLEMATIC ADS

Over the last two years, I’ve done a lot of testing with the troublemaking ads, and this is what I’ve discovered:

• Ads on iOS tend to be more problematic than ads on Android, but the issue exists on both platforms.
• Sometimes players in the US receive more glitchy adverts than players outside the US. Although players everywhere have experienced problems.


I have found several workarounds:

• If you have access to a VPN, change your IP address to a different country so the game will provide ads from that location instead. Sometimes, a new set of adverts will play without problems.

• If you don't have a VPN, wait several hours, and then check to see if the glitchy ads have rotated out.

• If you have another device, try using it to playing ads. The adverts received on an iPad, iPhone, and Android device can all be quite different.

[adlerist]

LIST OF REPORTED PROBLEMATIC ADS

As of February 2022, Deca Games has a new ad provider! The previous provider had so many problematic ads, I suggested they seek out a new provider last year, because that seemed like the only viable solution. But at the time, it was not possible since they were under contract. Many, many thanks to Deca for taking this step to help the players of DV. It is greatly appreciated! With the new ad provider and a new app update, the previous List of Reported Problematic Ads has been discarded, as it’s no longer relevant.

This is a new list of adverts that are causing problems in the game after the 26 January DV update (version 4.26.0) and after the new ad provider was confirmed on 14 February. If you experience an ad that crashes / freezes the game, causes the screen to stretch, opens the App Store, refuses to close, prevents other ads from playing, close button ('x') is cut-off, does not payout the reward, etc, and the ad is not listed below, please follow the instructions in the above post and report the advert on the Bugs, Glitches, and Their Fixes thread, or you can message me with information. Thank you so much for your help!


REPORTED ADS (since February 2022, DV version 4.26.0)

1. Fishdom (by Playrix) - plays in portrait, opens App Store, stretchy screen
2. Blackout Bingo (by Big Run Studios) - opens App Store, stretchy screen

New bug: ‘x’ to close ad is cut-off, not visible; must force close; NO REWARD (10 Feb 2022)

3. Lingokids (by Monkimun, Inc) - cannot close ad, 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
4. The Restaurant Store - cannot close ad, no 'x', force close, no reward
5. Big Box Storage - cannot close ad, no 'x', force close, no reward
6. theclassictshirt.com - cannot close ad, no 'x', force close, no reward
7. Kicking Horse welding machine - cannot close ad, no 'x', force close, no reward
8. Derailed Commodity Flooring and Furniture (Joplin Missouri) - cannot close ad, no 'x', force close, no reward
9. Seiko watch - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
10. Nicole P-touch Embellish - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
11. Van Nuys awning, patio covers, shades - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
12. Seekers Notes: Hidden Objects (by MYTONA) - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
13. Mayflower - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
14. Tory Burch - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
15. Belltech + Ford Bronco - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
16. Yeezys Foam Miracle Blue (by AdChoice) - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
17. Nedra Paving (by AdChoice) - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
18. Furniture for Life - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
19. RamboBikes.com - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
20. Mr. Autofire (by Lightheart Entertainment) - cannot close ad because ad keeps changing orientation, opens AppStore
21. Punta Gorda Englewood Beach (by AdChoices) - cannot close, no 'x', force close
22. Fisherman’s Village (by AdChoices) - cannot close, no 'x', force close
23. Powerful Truth Life Center (by AdChoices) - cannot close, no 'x', force close, game crashed
24. DSquared - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
25. Stateside - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
26. Wayfair - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
27. King’s Choice (by ONEMT) - 'x' cut-off, force close, no reward

21 February 2022 UPDATE: Ads #3 - #27 have been removed

Return of more stretchy screen ads (21 February 2022)

28. Township (by Playrix) - plays in portrait orientation, opens App Store, stretchy screen
29. Homescapes (by Playrix) - plays in portrait, opens App Store, stretchy screen
30. Brother INKvestment Tank (by Google ads) - plays in portrait, stretchy screen
31. Bingo Clash (by Aviagames) - opens App Store

NOTE: All online magazine/website ads below (#32-48) are by the same provider: marketplace-ios-b195.hyprmx.com (also known as live.hypermx.com). The ads ALL play in portrait, cause stretchy screen, and can crash the game / fail to payout.

32. Madamenoire (online magazine/website)
33. Elite Daily (online mag/website)
34. Bustle (online mag/website)
35. The Grio (online mag/website)
36. KickIt (online mag/website)
37. Los Angeles Times (online paper/website)
38. WebMD / WebMD Care (online mag/website)
39. Wired / Bon Appétit (online mag/website) - 'x' not visible, force close, no reward
40. Yoga body health info ad (online magazine/website)
41. Inverse (online mag/website)
42. Self (online mag/website)
43. HealthCentral (online mag/website)
44. Mbg (online mag/website)
45. GQ (online mag/website)
46. Vanity Fair (online mag/website)
47. Cassius (online mag/website)
48. Vogue (online mag/website)
49. Bon Appétit (online mag/website)
50. Dragon City (by Socialpoint) - plays in portrait, opens App Store, stretchy screen
51. Kingdom Guard (by TAP4FUN (HONGKONG) LTD) - plays in portrait, stretchy screen

Other problematic ads (1 April 2022)

52. Zen Match (by Good Job Games) - cannot close ad, force close, no reward
53. Mighty Party (by Panoramik Games) - reported as offensive, request pull advert
54. Mighty Party: Battle Hero (by Panoramik Games) - opens App Store
55. Dragon & Elfs (by Ford gu) - cannot close ad, freezes game, cannot collect currency (reported by an Android player)

A player requested the removal of the following three ads due to their promotion of gambling (3 June 2022)

56. GSN Casino: Slot Machine Games (by Game Show Network)
57. Wolf Gold Slot (by Great World Games, Inc)
58. Heart of Vegas - Casino Slots (by Product Madness, Inc)

59. Raid: Shadow Legends (by Plarium) - on iPhone 13, cannot close ad, no 'x', must force close
60. Super Dux Repeat (by Violetta Pozniak) - opens App Store
61. Bloodline: Heroes of Lithas (by Goat Co. Ltd) - opens App Store
62. Black screen, no ad plays small icon in the top left corner reads ‘Vungle Privacy’, this appears to be the ad provider. Cannot close black screen, must force close the game.
63. Bubble Cash (by Papaya Gaming) - plays in portrait, stretchy screen
64. Township (by Playrix) - opens App Store, DID NOT RECEIVE REWARD, closes/crashes game; must restart (REPORTED AGAIN)
65. Rockford Homes (by PIXL3D LLC) - CRASHES THE GAME, DOES NOT PAYOUT (reported by an Android player)
66. Match Masters (by Candivore LTD) - ad crashes the game. DOES NOT PAYOUT (Android player)
67. Solitaire Home Design (by Hong Kong Fotoable Technology) - reported as offensive

NOTE: All online magazine/website ads below (#67-77) are by the same provider: live.hypermx.com (also known as marketplace-ios-b195.hyprmx.com). The ads ALL play in portrait, cause stretchy screen, and can crash the game / fail to payout.

68. HealthCentral (online mag) - plays in portrait, stretchy screen; will not close; DOES NOT PAYOUT; this broken ad has been in the game for years, since the previous ad provider; reported again
69. Revolt (online mag/website) - broken ad has been in the game for years, since the last ad provider
70. Scary Mommy (online mag/website)
71. AD (online mag/website)
72. Banner University / University of Arizona (university/website) - broken ad has been in the game for years, since the last ad provider
73. ADDitude (online mag/website)
74. GQ (online mag/website) - reported again
75. Mayo Clinic (online mag/website) this broken ad has been in the game for years, since the last ad provider
76. WebMD / WebMD Care (online mag/website) - reported again
77. Vogue (online mag/website) - reported again
78. Wired / Bon Appétit (online mag/website) — reported again
79. King’s Throne (by Goat Co Ltd.) - player reported the ad as offensive
80. Figgerits (by Hitapps, Inc) - no 'x' to close ad; must force close game, NO REWARD

February 2023: above ads have been removed.

81. Merge Mansion by Metacore Games Oy (provider: Liftoff) - opens App Store, causes stretchy screen, crashes game
82. Lingokids by Monkimum, Inc (provider: Liftoff) - opens App Store, stretchy screen, crashes game, REPORTED AGAIN
83. Royal Match by Dream Games - opens App Store, causes stretchy screen, crashes game, REPORTED AGAIN
84. BitLife - Life Simulator by Candywriter, LLC (providers: Liftoff AND AdColony) - opens App Store, crashes game
85. Hero Wars - Fantasy Idle RPG by Nexters Global LTD - opens App Store, stretchy screen, crashes game
86. Age of Origins: Tower Defense by Hong Kong Ke Mo Software Co, Ltd (provider: Liftoff) - opens App Store, stretchy screen, crashes game
87. EverMerge: Merge & Match Game by Big Fish Games, Inc (provider: Liftoff) - opens App Store, stretchy screen, crashes game
88. Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells by Zynga, Inc - opens App Store, stretchy screen, crashes game
89. Chapters: Interactive Stories by Crazy Maple Studio, Inc - opens App Store, stretchy screen, crashes game
90. Pleasure Island by Game&Play CheckZone - reported as offensive (Android app)
91. Mayo Clinic (provider: hyprMX) - causes stretchy screen, crashes game, REPORTED AGAIN
92. Solitaire - Classic Card Games by Easybrain - opens App Store, stretchy screen, crashes game
93. Jigsaw Puzzles - Puzzle Games by Easybrain - opens App Store, stretchy screen, crashes game
94. Sudoku.com - Number Games by Easybrain - opens App Store, stretchy screen, crashes game
95. NBA All-World by Niantic, Inc (provider: Liftoff) - opens App Store, crashes game
96. Chase Bank (provider AdColony, Inc) - countless complaints and problems by both iOS AND Android players. Ad doesn’t always play, freezes, opens this website <https://personal.chase.com/personal/secure-banking?jp_cmp=rb/29132471/ext/185283246/355247393>, crashes game, and DOES NOT PAYOUT. Affecting many US players. Players receive advert more than 50% of the time.
97. Star Trek Fleet Command by Scopely, Inc (provider: Google) - the ad’s audio leaks into DV and takes over the game’s music
98. Property Brothers Home Design by Storm8 Studios LLC (provider: IronSource Mobile Ltd) - crashes game
99. ASMR Spa: Face & Body Makeover by DINO Global LTD - ad is excessively gory, has surgery images. Android advert, app is only available in the Play Store.
100. Clockmaker: Mystery Match 3 by Samfinaco Ltd - stretchy screen, opens App Store, crashes game
101. TappyToon Comics & Novels by Contents First - the timer, close (x) button, and ad provider icon are all overlapping in one corner. Tapping on the corner opens the Play Store. As a result, the ad cannot be closed and is never ending, must force close DV and restart. (Device/OS: Pixel 4A, Android 13)
102. Monopoly Solitaire by Mobilityware - opens Play Store, crashes game (as a result, player was unable to check the ad provider)
103. X2 Blocks: 2048 Number Match by Inspired Square FZE (no ad provider icon to click, so unable to provide name) - ad always ends on a black screen with no 'x' to close, must force close DV and reload. Ad plays constantly. (Device: Nokia G20, Android)
104. Royal Match by Dream Games (ad provider: Unity) - crashes game, no reward (devices iOS phones, tablets)
105. Royal Match by Dream Games (ad provider: Liftoff) - opens App Store, crashes game, no reward (devices iOS phones, tablets)
106. Best Fiends by Seriously (ad provider: Liftoff) - opens App Store, crashes game, no reward (devices iOS phones, tablets)

JULY 2023: above ads have been removed

107. CHASE BANK AD HAS RETURNED (provider: AdColony, Inc) - countless complaints by iOS AND Android players; ad doesn’t play, crashes game, no reward, players receive advert 50% of the time
108. STILL IN GAME AS OF 27 JULY, REPORTED ON 30 MAY. Royal Match by Dream Games (ad provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
109. Little Alchemist: Remastered by Monumental LLC - (provider: AppLovin) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
110. Best Fiends by Seriously (ad provider: Liftoff) - opens App Store, crashes game, no reward
111. Pokémon GO by Niantic (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
112. Empires & Puzzles: Match 3 RPG by Zynga, Inc (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
113. Quick Hit Slots - Casino Games by Appchi Media, Ltd (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
114. Monopoly Go! by Scopely, Inc (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
115. Woodoku - Wood Block Puzzles (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
116. Solitaire Clash: Win Real Cash by Aviagames, Inc (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
117. Sudoku.com by Easybrain - (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
118. Jigsaw Puzzle Villa by ZiMAD - (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
119. Candy Crush Saga by King - (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
120. Bubble Shooter Pop! by Mobilityware - (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
121. Lingokids - Play and Learn by Monkimun, Inc - (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward
122. Picture Cross by AppyNation, Ltd - (provider: Liftoff) - crashes game, opens App Store, no reward

September 2023: above ads have been removed

Ads from the provider Liftoff — all cause same problems: crashes game, opens App Store, does not payout

123. Royal Match by Dream Games - REPORTED FEB 2023. There are about half a dozen different ads for Royal Match, all from Liftoff. They all cause crashes.
124. Gardenscapes by Playrix - REPORTED FEB 2022
125. Lingokids by Monkimun Inc - REPORTED FEB 2022
126. Bingo Tour by Aviagames Inc - REPORTED FEB 2022
127. MONOPOLY Solitaire by MobilityWare - REPORTED MAR 2023
128. Solitaire Clash by Aviagames Inc - REPORTED JULY 2023
129. MONOPOLY GO! by Scopely Inc - REPORTED JULY 2023
130. Family Island by Melsoft
131. Magic Jigsaw Puzzles by ZiMAD
132. Number Match by Easybrain
133. Logic Puzzles by Easybrain
134. Mayor Match by Rollic Games
135. Love & Pies - Merge Mystery by Trailmix Ltd
136. Merge Mansion by Metacore - REPORTED FEB 2023
137. Solitaire Cash by Papaya Gaming - ad refuses to play, must force close game

November 2023: above ads have been removed

Below are ads from provider AppLovin — all cause same problems: crashes game, opens App Store, does not payout

138. Merge Mansion by Metacore Games Oy
139. Royal Match by Dream Games
140. Township by Playrix

Below are ads from hyprMX/prod.hyprmx.com/live.hypermx.com/marketplace-ios-b195.hyprmx.com — all cause same problems: crashes game, does not payout

141. Ebony - online magazine
142. GoodRX - website
143. New Beauty - website
144. Artnet News - website
145. E! News - website
146. IGN - website
148. HealthCentral - website
149. The Guardian Labs - online newspaper
150. The Atlantic - online magazine
151. Healthline - website

January 2024: above add have been removed