Zynga Unveils Own Game Platform
Zynga is launching a new games service that allows users to play on the company's website instead of Facebook, the company's biggest partner.
The Zynga Platform will debut in a beta release of Zynga.com, the company's new destination for social games. In addition to serving up Zynga games, Zynga.com will let players discover and play social games created by third party game developers.
"We built Zynga.com to give our players more ways to connect with each other and play great social games whether built by Zynga or other talented developers," said Mark Pincus, founder and CEO, Zynga. "Together with our platform partners, we look forward to bringing more play to the world on our platform."
The service is the online game company's boldest move yet to create a presence outside of Facebook, where it makes 93 percent of its revenue.
Zynga's re-designed website, which will come online later in March, makes it easier to play games more quickly with access to live chatting and message board features where players can ask for help.
Five of Zynga's top games will be on the new Zynga.com, including "CastleVille," "CityVille" and "Words with Friends," the company said on Thursday. Players can find opponents to play games with who they are not friends with on Facebook.
However, users still need to log in using their Facebook IDs and sales from virtual goods in games, such as houses or other items, will be traded using Facebook Credits, the social website's payment system.
Zynga's new website will also host games from other companies, which is a new revenue stream. These include Row Sham Bow, which makes a Facebook game called "Woodland Heroes," as well as MobScience, which makes the Facebook game "Coffee Bar."
"We built Zynga.com to give our players more ways to connect with each other and play great social games whether built by Zynga or other talented developers," said Mark Pincus, founder and CEO, Zynga. "Together with our platform partners, we look forward to bringing more play to the world on our platform."
The service is the online game company's boldest move yet to create a presence outside of Facebook, where it makes 93 percent of its revenue.
Zynga's re-designed website, which will come online later in March, makes it easier to play games more quickly with access to live chatting and message board features where players can ask for help.
Five of Zynga's top games will be on the new Zynga.com, including "CastleVille," "CityVille" and "Words with Friends," the company said on Thursday. Players can find opponents to play games with who they are not friends with on Facebook.
However, users still need to log in using their Facebook IDs and sales from virtual goods in games, such as houses or other items, will be traded using Facebook Credits, the social website's payment system.
Zynga's new website will also host games from other companies, which is a new revenue stream. These include Row Sham Bow, which makes a Facebook game called "Woodland Heroes," as well as MobScience, which makes the Facebook game "Coffee Bar."
