Browser based, social gaming is all the rage as of late, and for good reason. With no special hardware, or even software for that matter, required, and generally easy-to-understand mechanics, it’s easy to see their popularity. And when one thinks of social games, the defacto platform is normally Facebook. Well, hold on to your hats, because InstantAction has successfully built the bridge out of Facebook, and will allow anyone to embed premium video games anywhere on the web.
Announced late last week, InstantAction launched its direct-to-consumer online video game distribution service that allows publishers to embed these games on any blog or social media site (naturally, they’re also available on Facebook). Kicking things off, InstantAction has made LucasArts’ The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition available (see below).
In terms of technicality involved, if you’ve embedded a YouTube video practically anywhere on the web, you’re already familiar with the InstantAction process. The service uses a combination of in-browser, thin-client, and progressive download technologies. The end result is a distribution method that allows publishers to dramatically expand distribution by embedding titles just about anywhere.
“It was only a matter of time before the Internet disrupted the extremely limited distribution channels available to game creators, enabling direct-to-consumer access and more control over sales performance and profits,” said Evan S. Wilson, senior research analyst of Pacific Crest Securities. “The InstantAction platform virtually obliterates the obstacles to game distribution by making it possible for anyone to embed any video game anywhere on the web, just like embedding a video. For game creators, this opens up distribution channels that haven’t previously been an option – especially for console-quality games. For consumers, it creates endless possibilities for game discovery, risk-free trial, and faster downloads.”
The Secret of Monkey Island:SE powered by InstantAction
“The InstantAction platform provides a brand new way to get games from their creators to customers, thus avoiding obstacles to publishing and discovering new games that are inherent in the traditional brick and mortar model,” said Louis Castle, CEO of InstantAction.
“We give game creators a secure way to offer free trials, item purchases and pay-as-you play options, with a broad range of monetization formats and platform compatibility,” continued Castle. “Gamers not only get the try-before-you buy and rent-to-own benefits; they can easily embed full games into their social networks, accessing their friends’ lists and adding social features to games where they may not have existed. InstantAction not only changes how games are distributed and discovered, but how they are enjoyed.”
