Virtual goods aren't something social gaming technology company Scoreloop has spoken about much. Up to this point, it's been focused on rolling out onto new mobile platforms.
But with iPhone, Android, bada, Symbian, Brew and Windows Mobile now covered off, it's starting to highlight the opportunities available using its Coins system.
"There are over 20 million virtual coins being used across Scoreloop-enabled games," says CEO Marc Gumpinger.
"The additional revenue streams available through this, not to mention the increased social discovery, are why so many developers are now integrating our SDK."
A fair exchange
The Scoreloop system brings in-app purchases to the next level.
Rather than buying new content outright, gamers are encouraged to interact with their friends to earn virtual currency.
This can then be used to unlock virtual goods or send gifts to their friends, using the well-known dual currency already employed in games like FarmVille.
Additional revenues from coin purchases are split between the game developers and Scoreloop. As the infrastructure is available free of charge, developers share a part of their upside without any downside.
More play, more pay
Gumpinger says this mechanic not only makes games more fun, it generates more money both for ad-supported and freemium games too.
"What's interesting is we see that gamers are four times more likely to buy the most expensive coin pack than the cheapest," he reveals.
"It's a great way of using increased engagement and activity with your players to drive revenue. It's that simple."
Indeed, Scoreloop's research reveals 78 percent of its active players are downloading additional virtual goods, underlining the fast growing potential of this new revenue stream for mobile games.
Scoreloop is the first to bring the virtual goods model that's already proved to be successful in Facebook games to game developers in the mobile space - across platforms. The company also reveals it's currently closing larger publishers who are looking to use Scoreloop for their portfolio of titles major mobile platforms.
"Were the only company that offers virtual goods and currency management to integrate across mobile platforms. In such a fast market it doesnt count what you'll have some day - it counts what you can deliver now," Gumpinger states.
"It turns out that using Scoreloop provides the decisive competitive advantage right now."
Scoreloop's cross-platform social gaming SDK is freely available via its website.
News
PocketGamer.biz regularly posts content from a variety of guest writers across the games industry. These encompass a wide range of topics and people from different backgrounds and diversities, sharing their opinion on the hottest trending topics, undiscovered gems and what the future of the business holds.
Top Stories
News
2 hours, 22 minutes ago
Honor of Kings garners 3 million pre-registrations ahead of global launch
News
Jun 2nd, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Mobile Games E14 -Supercell's Squad Busters goes global and why Steam does discoverability better than mobile
Feature
2 hours, 27 minutes ago
Hot Five: Squad Busters launches globally, AFK Journey gets innovative, and Juicy Button Games has big plans for 4X strategy genre
News
May 31st, 2024
Week in Views - Squad Busters goes global, broken app stores, and Hill Climb Racing gets the LEGO treatment
News
May 31st, 2024
Mobile Movers: All the latest appointments and job moves from around the industry
Events
Games Mental Health Summit 2024 | Europe | Jun 3rd |
Dev Play Conference 2024 | Europe | Jun 3rd |
Gotland Game Conference 2024 | Nordic | Jun 3rd |
Tribeca Games Festival 2024 | North America | Jun 5th |
Guerrilla Collective 2024 | North America | Jun 6th |
Angles 24 Freeplay Conference | Australasia | Jun 6th |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
PitchYaGame Live 2024 | Jun 7th |