Posts Tagged ‘new games’

Almost half mobile browser gamers purchase virtual goods

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

itsmy.com

Yesterday, itsmy.com, one part of the itsmy network released survey findings that indicate a strong state of play in the mobile browser based gaming industry.

Polling 1,500 mobile phone users across Europe and North America, the survey asked users about their mobile social gaming habits. While only 12 percent of these users admitted to regularly spending money in their mobile gaming favorites, a healthy 48 percent of respondents indicated that they purchase virtual items from time to time for their games.

Not solely tied to numbers that purchase, the itsmy survey also concluded that the average mobile social gamer is approximately 27 years old, plays several times per day, and on average, is more likely to be female than male. While we’ve known for a while that casual gaming is often more likely to appeal to female gamers, other statistics garnered from the survey shed new light onto game appeal. Only 11 percent of those surveyed indicated that they are looking for a well known brand or title, and over 60 percent based their game purchases on the title or storyline of the game.

Before we get overly excited about these survey results, it’s important to keep in mind that this data was released as part of a promotional effort from itsmy’s parent company Gofresh GmbH. The company has a stable of 10 new games slated for debut in Q4 ’09. In addition to their mobile gaming division, the company also has two others, one focused on rich media advertising, the other on mobile TV delivery. According to their own statistics, their mobile social network, itsmy.com is the stickist in it’s field, and counts 2.5 million registered users. No references or control methods were indicated in the survey.

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New free-to-play inline skating MMORPG from gPotato – Street Gears

Friday, March 6th, 2009

In a refreshing change from the quickly becoming overpopulated Chinese Mythology free-to-play MMORPG space, the gPotato.eu team is proud to announce the official opening and release of the newest title in their stables: Street Gears.

Street Gears is a free-to-play inline skating MMORPG where players can take on the persona of a hard core inline skater fond of freedom and pure action sport.  Hailing from Park Town, skaters of any level can ride freely across the city and engage in a wide variety of challenges including speed based races on a number of tracks, team tournaments, and naturally, busting out fresh moves rakes in big points.  Over 50,000 open-beta testers have put the title through it’s paces, with a number of changes and upgrades being made to the game.

To celebrate the release, Street Gears is now packed with even more trickery and polyurethane shredding goodness.  A new race mode, additional quests, and an additional streetgears_screenshot_01new license, the Pro II, have been added, as well as the new Enberton track, which seeks to put players’ reflexes to the ultimate test.  Street Gears players are now also able to create a second character, including the newly introduced rider named Rush, an ex-soldier who’s a heart core inline skater at heart.  Additionally, players may now enjoy Street Gears via any USB pad device, as gPotato has upgraded the controller support features.

And it’s not just all about the new games features that have been introduced, as Street Gears has a number of in-game activities currently running and upcoming.  The Asian Love Festival which kicked off on February 12th, is accented with a number of multicolored lanterns decorating the gamescape.  A week long team tournament that culminates on the 12th of March will offer the winners a chance to have their team logo displayed on the X-Games stadium half-pipe, along with a host of other outstanding prizes.

If you’ve had enough of this winter, perhaps it’s time to grab your inlines and make your way to the Park Town skate park.  Surely, a nice 720 frontside would put a smile on anyone’s face.  Head on over to Street Gears at gPotato.eu for more fast and furious, free-to-play fun.

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Challenge Games raises $10 Million in Series B funding

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Love is in the air in Austin.  Or at least lots of investment cash.  Challenge Online Games of Austin, Texas has recently raised $10M in series B funding.  Globespan Capital Partners spearheaded the investment, with Sequoia Capital also contributing.

Challenge Online Games, Inc. currently has two free-to-play titles; Duels and Baseball Boss.  These titles combine the collectability and trading associated with collectible card games and sports cards with the popular MMORPG format.  Both games also feature an ease of access of community applications.  Challenge Games’ Duels facebook application was the first MMORPG to be fully integreated directly with facebook.  Duels and Baseball Boss differ from traditional MMORPGs in their play style: Instead of hours and hours of marathon play sessions, both titles are designed to be played in asynchronous, short-form turns.  Meaning, each round can be played in 5-15 minute intervals, without a player feeling that they are missing out on any ongoing action.  This play format also facilitates long distance and ‘when I have time’  play vs. players from across the street or around the world.

“Challenge Games is addressing a real need in the market,” said Eugene Yoo, Vice President at Globespan Capital Partners. “Short form, free-to-play, web-based games have the potential to pull new consumers into the category. And the engaging gameplay of their titles appeals to the active casual and hardcore gamer as well.”

“We believe this funding further demonstrates that we are bringing innovation and value to the gaming industry,” said Andrew Busey, founder and CEO of Challenge Online Games. “This funding will help us accelerate the growth of our business through the development of new games, explore partnership opportunities and potentially acquisitions.”

Again, both titles are free-to-play.  Challenge Games also offers VIP memberships via subscription fees, which provide players additional benefits including the ability to purchase special and unique items and cards to enhance the overall experience.

Challenge games was founded by veteran entrepreneur and gamer, Andrew Busey.  Busey is the author of Secrets of the MUD Wizards, was instrumental in the development of Mosaic; creating iChat, and building WebCenter.  Prior to Challenge Games, Busey co-founded Pluck which enables social media on top tier media outlets including TheStreet.com, USA Today, and Reuters.

For more on Challenge Games, visit them at: www.challengegames.com

For more on Globespan Capital Partners visit them at: www.globespancapital.com

For more on Sequoia Capital visit them at: www.sequoiacap.com

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