Top Ten April Fools Jokes
Today I have been mostly looking for April Fools jokes. I am a massive fan of April Fools pranks done right but there are so many out there it is difficult to keep track. The Guardian's story about Scotland switching to driving on the right if they gain independence, complete with video, was inspired. I am also a huge fan of the new Domino's Edibox. In order to narrow the playing field and keep things relevant I have been searching for gaming and technology based pranks. Here are my top ten.
10. Millennial Buddha - Next Gen Mario
First up Millennial Buddha have announced the release of Mario on the PS4 and Xbox One.
I am a massive fan of Mario so I was pleased to see a prank involving this. Mario? Without having to buy a Wii U? It's a brilliant idea and also believable given the sales of Wii U consoles. It is also nice to see a smaller website joining in the fun. However this splashpage appears to be the extent of the prank. A nice idea but very little effort puts this in at number ten.
9. The Pirate Bay - Virtual Bay
On the back of the Occulus Rift saga this week The Pirate Bay have decided to go all virtual reality on us. I have copied the site below for those of you who (like myself) cannot get to it.
Introducing The Virtual Bay
So, first we ditched the trackers.
We even got rid of the torrents.
Then we left the servers to enter the clouds.
Now, we're about to take the biggest step in our history.
As piracy is about to change from sharing of files into the sharing of everything, we're planning our departure from this earthly form. Preparing our final ascension into the transcendence. The final conflux.
No, this is no longer science fiction. With the next version of this humble venture, you'll be able to see, hear and feel everything that is a part of The Pirate Bay. How you use it is up to you.
In cooperation with russian, israeli and japanese neuro scientists, we are developing a device that will embrace your entire mind. Using laser projections directly onto the retina it'll no longer be any resolution but 100%. The sound will be delivered in a range from 12Hz to 79kHz and will cancel all noise from the outside world.
Using a simple plugin into the the brain, you will no longer only be able to see and hear a movie, a game or whatever it is you want. You'll be able to live it. Play the main character. Tweak any story in any way you want.
Using your brain power and nervous system, we will be able to speed things up. Every part of The Pirate Bay will be stored within you and everyone else that dares to participate in this step into the future. The more we are, the faster everything will be. Our scientists calculate that if we become at least 1 333 337 nodes, everything will be shared instantaneously.
Forget about the outside world. This is the new.
I like the idea of this and the topical nature. There is also a little more effort compared to the last one. However due to many ISPs (including my own) blocking the website and many more people avoiding it like the plague this will likely be rarely seen. The inaccessibility and simple nature of this puts it in at number nine.
8. Google+ - Auto Awesome Photobombs
Just when you thought uploading and sharing photos couldn't get any more interesting Google+ have announced the return of the Auto Awesome. This time it is your photos which are in its sights. The Auto Awesome has a new feature, celebrity photobombs.
Now with Auto Awesome Photobombs, you too can get a celebrity photobomb—no red carpet required. We’re starting with surprise appearances by +David Hasselhoff, everyone’s favorite crime-fighting rockstar lifeguard.
- Google+ Blog
There are a few nice photos photobombed by the Hoff. An amazing idea. I really want my photos to have added Hoff goodness. However there is a catch, this one doesn't work. The huge disappointment I felt has dropped this down to number eight. A link at the bottom encourages you to upload your photos but once done I could not find any extraordinary Hoff based options. I feel cheated Google! Cheated!
7. Tesco - Cudl
With the Hudl tablet being a huge success Tesco have announced the introduction of the Cudl, the world's first tablet for two. With it's "springback" technology the Cudl has been described as
A revolutionary new concept in tablet to tablet shareability which has been specifically designed to put relationship harmony at the centre of your digital life.
- Tesco
The Cudl website tells you more about this unique device and how you to can take "double selfies" with your loved one.
The website is a perfect skit of the Hudl website and photos of the new device in action make this a nice little gag. Simple but well done this makes my number seven.
6. Gmail - Shelfie
Gmail have announced the invention of the Shelfie. They have this to say.
Today, we’re proud to free your selfies by launching Gmail Shelfie, the SHareable sELFIE. Gmail Shelfie is built on the idea that you shouldn’t be selfish with your selfie. With just a few clicks, your mom, your aunt, or that girl you have a crush on can set your Shelfie as their Gmail theme so they can enjoy checking, reading, and writing emails while seeing your friendly face in the background.
- Gmail
The idea for this is brilliant as social media networks are crammed full of selfies and people dying to spread these pictures about. Extra kudos go to Google for the fact that the technology is functional as well. A couple of clicks does in fact set your gmail theme to show random selfies of people you have never seen in your life.
As I am not a massive fan of selfies and I think they spread too far already this is coming in at number six for me.
5. Reddit - Headdit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rqoKxLB8GH8
If you head on over to Reddit today you can read about their brand new revolutionary technology, headdit. The concept is simple, use facial gestures and head movements to control Reddit. No more messing about with mice or keyboards. Simply let your face and body do the talking!
On the first of April many companies indulge in some japery that plays off their core product, simultaneously lampooning their own image while demonstrating their creativity and bonhomie.
But not all of you are fools, and as you no doubt know: reddit is serious business. As such, we are using this day to furnish you with an experience that will figuratively make your facial muscles sore.
Using revolutionary hand equivalent action detection, headdit allows you to upnod, frownvote and navigate your way around reddit. There is also cat mode. So sit back, relax and enjoy headdit.
I loved this idea. The premise is simple, the video is well made and the post is inspired. A solid effort well done makes this my number five. I especially love the feline mode. Check it out now, you won't regret it.
4. Square Enix - Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Favour System
Square Enix have put their tongue firmly in their cheek and announced a favour system for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
Today we'll be discussing the upcoming "Favour" system! This new system will allow adventurers to grow even closer to their favorite NPCs. Have you held out hope that one day Minfilia will look your way for longer than a cutscene? Or perhaps you offer gifts to Merlwyb to try and win her over? Well, that's what the Favour system is for!
- Square Enix
The idea is that each npc has a "favour" rating and you can do things to increase it. As you increase your favour an npc will want to spend more time with you and you can develop a relationship with them and play mini games together. The website looks very official and even fooled one journalist.
I love how this has been put together and how they have published it so seriously. Extra credit for fooling people with it despite the fact the idea of NPC rep was originally seen in an episode of popular web series The Guild. It's believability and execution makes this my number four.
3. IGN - Optimus Prime Titanfall DLC
Someone at IGN had an amazing idea and way to much time on their hands. The gaming website may technically be our rivals but no one can deny this trailer they have produced for April Fools day is first class. The trailer showcases what they have named "Titanfall Prime DLC". Using real Titanfall footage, catchy soundbytes and a stomping soundtrack they have produced a very convincing and absolutely amazing trailer. The trailer showcases Titanfall Prime, a new DLC which brings Transformers legend Optimus Prime into Titanfall.
Head over to IGN and check it out for yourself. Whoever produced this deserves much credit for making my number three.
2. Google Maps - Pokemon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YMD6xELI_k&feature=player_detailpage
Google are really reaching out this year with several awesome "new products" released today. The best of these however is the Pokemon challenge on Google Maps.
As we reported earlier you can catch Pokemon for a limited time on the Google Maps app on your Android or iOS device. When you open the app the search bar shows "start" above the usual options. Tapping this allows you to explore the world and find the Pokemon. There are 150 Pokemon from various generations hidden all around the world.
You can find hints on where to find them all over the web. This one is easily Google's best this year, fun, functional and it kept my hubby entertained for several hours last night. An all round well deserved number two.
1. Blizzard - Blizzard Outcasts, Artcraft, Creative Patch Notes and a New Diablo Game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iim--3_NggU
As always Blizzard have gone above and beyond on their April Fools gag. This year they are bringing us Blizzard Outcasts, a fighter game in the style of Street Fighter and Mortal Combat which features all of your favourite outcasts from Blizzard games. Fighters include Starcraft's Arcturus Mengsk (Emperor of the Terran Dominion), Diablo's Treasure Goblin and World of Warcraft's Gamon.
The mini website for the game is fully built and includes screenshots of the battle arenas, profiles of the fighters, the above trailer and my personal favourite the official Blizzard Outcasts™ Fight Stick™ as seen below.
Well planned, brilliant idea and flawless execution makes Blizzard Outcasts my top April Fools prank of this year.
As if this brilliant website wasn't enough sealing first place for Blizzard was this inspired new issue of Artcraft featuring the updated Draenei female. Described as a total revamp focusing on the races place as “blue space demon next-door” this well written article is a fantastic read.
Doesn't she look gorgeous? Blizzard have also promised she will have some unique features.
When you get your hands on Warlords of Draenor, be sure to take a look at some of the unique emotes the animation team has created for her. Some of my favorites are: /twerk, /ew, /chewgum, and /whatever. Also keep in mind that the models shown here are using a temporary pose, which may make her appear more animated and lively than she will in the final product.”
- Blizzard Artcraft
As a proud member of the Horde I wish this was real, I could do with something to laugh at in Battlegrounds.
Not content with this awesomeness Blizzard have also released these patch notes. Personal favourites include:
- To ensure the game can maintain its current age group ratings, Garrosh Hellscream is now Garrosh Heckscream, and the Cult of the Damned has been renamed to the Cult of the Danged.
- To prevent confusion over whether you’re playing a card game or returning to town, the Hearthstone will now be called a Homerock.
- To encourage exploration of the world all Flightmasters are now Walkmasters.
Walkmasters provide a guided tour of the world, giving out small bits of trivia for the area you’re in as they walk alongside you to your destination. If they walk slower than you’d like, just use your Homerock.
Meanwhile my Paladin is looking forward to this gem of an ability:
- If Diablo III: Reaper of Souls is installed, Paladin characters will stare longingly over a fence at the Crusader, and then look away and pretend to be picking their nails if the Crusader notices.
However don't worry if you aren't a Warcraft fan Blizzard also have a treat for Diablo fans in the form of new (and entirely working) game Happy Reaper.
Now get back to work Blizzard employees I want Warlords of Dreanor already!
So that's it, my top ten pranks for this year. Have you found any I've missed? Do you disagree with my rankings? Head to the comments with your thoughts and pranks for the day and share the fun.
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