Google announced earlier this week that Android devices are being activated at a rate of 400,000 per day. Devs aren’t ignoring this, and we are in fact seeing app development, particularly with regard to games, expand rapidly in the Market. More initiatives are coming together to help developers port existing games to the Android OS, and more tools are becoming available to help people build their own app. And now, OpenFeint is launching a new venture as well, aimed at helping developers build their own Zynga-style games, ala Facebook, and bring them to the Android platform.
OFX for Android is going into private beta today, and companies selected to participate will get a model for building a free-to-play game that focuses on in-app purchases to profit, much like many Facebook games. Using Google’s IAP system and OpenFeint’s platform as a springboard, it will be easier than ever for developers to bring these popular games to you Android handset. OpenFeint has been supporting Android for quite some time now, and they are well aware of its potential, and they have a good track record so far. Developers hoping to participate can apply at OpenFeint.com/developers/ofx. Full press release below.
OpenFeint Expands Free-to-Play Platform to Google’s Android
Game developers can now monetize their users by selling virtual currency and virtual goods
May 13, 2011 – Burlingame, Calif. – While Facebook-style developers rapidly move their games to mobile, traditional mobile game developers are adopting the same free-to-play model – giving games away and making money from in-game purchases. Google’s IAP system lets developers process in-game transactions, but most lack the virtual economy management system necessary to build profitable games.
With the private beta launch of OFX for Android, game developers can now easily build and manage profitable virtual economies without having to build and operate the servers themselves. OFX helps developers run complete virtual stores – stocking and selling virtual currency and goods, analyzing real time performance, and modifying inventory on the fly.
“IAP systems are like credit card machines – necessary to process transactions but somewhat useless without a store around it. OFX makes it easy for any game developer to build that store and have confidence in its ability to scale as they snag millions of DAUs,” said Jason Citron, founder and CEO of OpenFeint.
For games selected to participate in the private beta, OFX will use Google’s IAP to process payments. Future updates will include support for alternative payment providers, like direct-to-carrier billers.
“We’d rather focus on building great games than an incredibly complex scalable server infrastructure. Using OFX for iOS has been incredibly easy, so we’re excited to implement it in our upcoming Android games,” says Shainiel Deo, CEO of Halfbrick Studios.
OpenFeint is strongly invested in developing gaming on Android. Just last week it announced the launch of a new distribution channel for Android games in China, called “The9 Game Zone.” Earlier this year, it announced a strategic partnership with The9 to bring quality games to Android through the $100 million Fund9.
The OFX private beta is open for a limited time and will close as soon as all slots are filled. Developers interested in learning more about OpenFeint and participating in the OFX Private Beta should visit OpenFeint.com/developers/ofx.
About OpenFeint
OpenFeint is the largest mobile social gaming network with over 80 million registered users and 5,500 games. OpenFeint, Inc. is part of GREE, Inc., the leading mobile social gaming platform in Japan. Developers interested in more information about OpenFeint and its leading mobile social gaming technology should visit OpenFeint.com/Developers.
[Thanks Ken!]