Clearly taking queues from what “The” social network has done in the past, but also trying to improve upon the system, social networking site myYearbook has recently announced the addition of a new social gaming system to the platform. Titled “myYearbook Live,” the service is now available to the platform’s 25 million members. The secret in the myYearbook sauce relies on the system’s tech, which offers users the opportunity to find other games hungry users on the site and filter by age, gender, and location, as well as the ability to play synchronous, multi-player games with video chat.
“myYearbook Live brings the visceral social interaction you get with a real-life board game or card game to the web,” said Catherine Cook, founder of myYearbook in a statement. “We started from the premise that WHO you play is as important as WHAT you play. In the last five years, we’ve never seen more positive feedback on a new product launch than this one.”
And while the offerings aren’t exactly bountiful at this point, everyone’s got to start somewhere right? To this end, myYearbook Live isn’t opening it’s doors without a title or two that’s sure to grab users’ interest. From the get-go, myYearbook users will have access to OMGPOP, Viximo, and Heyzap titles, with more developer deals in the works. myYearbook is also reporting that Come2Play has already signed on to develop content for the site, and currently features popular titles Nine Ball and Coiny Coins. They’ve also tapped Lexulous, the multi-player crossword puzzle title (and development company name), as well as Absolutist, makers of Bubble Shooter, and Clusterz and Mysteriez. Rounding out the bunch, Geewa’s offerings are on tap, including a number of their board games including Reversi.
The key standout feature here, and one that myYearbook has beat Facebook to, is the real-time video chat. “We are excited to bring Lexulous to myYearbook and enable users to have video chats while playing our game,” comments Jayant Agarwalla, co-founder of Lexulous. “myYearbook’s highly engaged audience is an immense platform to showcase our award-winning word game to a broader market and we’re thrilled about the possibilities.”
The platform released a beta version of the Live service in late 2010, and according to myYearbook, the adoption rates have been off the charts. As we’ve seen female dominance in the social networking scene previously, and myYearbook is reporting the same, with female participation much higher than expected. Likewise, myYearbook is noting considerably longer time spent interacting with other site members, with an average of 20 chats per session over the course of an average 3 minute chat. From the monetization side of the table, myYearbook Live has seen a massive spike in on-platform spending, as users are spending nearly half their Lunch Money (the platform’s proprietary currency) in games each day. Again, see opening statement.
And more on that … myYearbook is taking queues from, but not exactly replicating the Facebook model. The social network has already pushed the boundaries on what to expect from games on similar platforms by adding video. Through this video channel myYearbook will also be monetizing via video advertising. Naturally, they’ve included a healthy mix of virtual goods sales, and VIP Club subscription based memberships.
Tags: Facebook, myYearbook
