Most discovery tools make developers their focus, pledging to push games at as wide an audience as possible.
Heyzap, which has launched on iPhone just in time for WWDC 2011, instead makes the gamer its priority, with each user's particular wants and needs catered for by an algorithm that puts both their taste, and that of their friends, right at its heart.
Two can play at that game
The idea is that Heyzap pushes games that are more likely to appeal to a player's individual likes, rather than simply promoting apps to each and every user at the same time.
Users are encouraged to check-in to any games they play, sharing their habits on both Facebook and Twitter. Such stats are then compiled and delivered as trends, highlighting the titles popular within a user's group of friends.
Rather than simply touting what's in vogue with gamers en masse, Heyzap can promote niche apps that appeal directly to each user's taste a system it believes benefits both gamers and developers alike.
Friendly fire
Though fresh to the App Store, Heyzap has been available on Android since March, and its SDK has already been employed in 10,000 games on Google's OS and 65,000 titles on iOS.
In total, 130 developers have been integrated into its network.
The most savvy element of its set up, however, is the rolling out of a 'mayorship' feature, similar to the approach adopted by location-based tools such as Foursquare.
Players are pushed to compete with their friends to take ownership of a title, encouraging users to engage long past the initial download.
[source: TechCrunch]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Related Articles
Top Stories
News
Apr 27th, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Views E09 - Supercell's Squad Busters goes global, Embracer Group splits, and Apple's Vision Pro flops
News
Apr 26th, 2024
Week in Views - Squads busted, Apple crushed, War zoned and Snoozin' with the Snorlax…
Feature
Apr 26th, 2024
Speaker Spotlight: Dubai Future Foundation's Faisal Kazim on leading Dubai's gaming charge
Events
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Develop: Brighton 2024 | Europe | Jul 9th |
Popular Stories
News
Apr 23rd, 2024
Supercell’s Squad Busters soft launches today with over 100,000 Google Play downloads
News
Apr 23rd, 2024