Istpika is currently focussing on information on the socialising of game platforms.
Following our previous article, OpenFeint supports multiplayer game
as information on social middle ware and social platforms, we’ve summmarised the Plus+ Network
Plus+ Network
ngmoco headhunted Simon Jeffery, the CEO of Sega, and launched the network for iPhone games.
Plus on Twitter
http://twitter.com/Plus_Network
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Plus/121324522287
Applications using it:
Star Defense
Rolando2
Topple2
WordFu
Luxor
etc
Features
- Promotion engine – promote your own app in Plus+ Network
- Match making – Lobby
- Ranking
- Chat
- Push Notification
- Twitter -> Status updates
- Facebook-> Status updates
- Game achievement
- Follower / friend
Support
Most places are very slow in replying to support enquiries resulting in an “average” reputation on the internet.
Demo Video
http://wireless.ign.com/dor/objects/14336251/star-defense/videos/rockinplus_trl_demo_61709.html
Competitors
Geocade: http://geocade.com/
Scoreloop: http://www.scoreloop.com/
Agon: http://developer.agon-online.com/
OpenFeint: http://www.openfeint.com/
Conclusion
The interface is well designed and layout is clear. Users are often quite concerned about those two things. The comment we often hear about OpenFeint is that the interface was poorly designed, but after having been updated it’s made cast improvements.
Personally, I’d recommend Scoreloop which is more simple compare to Plus+ Network.
If you are a developer, it’s probably a good idea to take a look at the user demographic of similar applications and then choose your platform.
It’s also worth noting that Scoreloop’s competitor, Aurora Feint who made OpenFeint has formed a capital and business alliance with DeNA. Japan’s giant of social games that runs Mobage-Town.
News – The basic agreement about the capital business tie-up between DeNA and American Aurora Feint
It’d be good if it becomes more social and supports Japanese!
