The Australian suspends share trading game after being hit by technical glitch
The Australian has had to suspend its new fantasy share trading game for 24 hours after technical problems.
After the game – which has a prize pool of $25,000 – restarted, some players had to begin again after losing initial trades on their theoretical ASX portfolio.
“The Supertrader game experienced a data caching issue on Monday (the launch day of the game) which impacted a small number of trades,” a spokesman for The Australian told Mumbrella.
The notice on the Super Trader website during the “trading halt”
The game is sponsored by CMC Markets and part of a subscription drive by The Australian.
“This temporary issue was on The Australian’s platform for the game only and in no way related to CMC’s data,” said the spokesman.
The publisher yesterday suspended the game for 24-hour “trading halt”, resuming around 2.30pm this afternoon.
The Super Trader website now online again.
“The issue is resolved and the game is back live now,” said a spokesman. “The full prize money pool of $25,000 is unchanged, the game runs until May 31st, and we expect it to be hotly contested.
“We are in the process of apologising to all registered players, and in the coming days each one will receive a complimentary month’s digital subscription to The Australian & Business Spectator, or a one month extension to their current subscription if they are already members.”
After buying Business Spectator and The Eureka Report in 2012, The Australian beefed up its business coverage further last year, launching The Australian Business Review as a distinct brand and hiring a number of new journalists.
Last week it launched a new subscriber benefits program, The Australian Plus.
Nic Christensen
I was one of the people who started the game on the 20th. I lost the ability to trade and then couldn’t sell even after the required 35 minutes.
As of last night the sale I made was not included in the $100K, and all day through trading time the amount did not change, and nor did the amount change gained through the day.
Is this working? No.
Would I use CMC? No
I have emailed twice, once yesterday and then again this morning before trade started. No reply.
If there is a problem we need to know.
I was looking forward to playing the game.
Also could not enter a watchlist.
I’d like to know what is going on.
Great idea, but….
Regards
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To whom it may concern.
Brenda Hungerford remarks 24 Apr. I can fully endorse!
Regards J.Hereman
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