Exclusive: The mobile angle to MySpace Games
What does the Oberon/MySpace deal mean for I-play?
Last month, casual gaming firm Oberon Media announced a deal with MySpace to launch MySpace Games, a game-focused channel on the social network. It's due to launch early next year, letting MySpace users put hundreds of web games on their profiles.
It's cool, but what's it got to do with Pocket Gamer? Well, Oberon Media recently bought mobile games publisher I-play. We wondered whether there was a mobile angle to the MySpace deal – if so, it could be a huge new distribution channel for mobile games.
So, we asked Oberon. And Ezra Kucharz, EVP of the company's North American online operations and global online platforms came back with an answer. Specifically: "Plans are underway to leverage the mobile element of our partnership with MySpace and you can expect news on how this will work from us soon."
But happily, he also outlined how Oberon works with some of its other online partners to sell mobile games, which may well hint at what may happen with the MySpace Games channel, too. He cites the example of Hexic and Mozaki, two web games that have been launched by MSN's Games Zone site in the US.
"Next to the download button for the online version of the game is a button giving consumers the opportunity to 'download the mobile version now'," says Kucharz.
"When the online game demo ends, users are presented with the opportunity to try the mobile version. Descriptions for the online games also point to descriptions for the mobile versions of the game. To order the game online, all you have to do is enter your mobile number and select your carrier."
Apparently, Microsoft will also be adding a mobile icon to its games homepage, and promoting the mobile versions in advertising and its newsletter. Now, imagine this on MySpace.
"As you can see from this example, there is a lot we can do to leverage the online platform and migrate users across to mobile and vice versa," says Kucharz. "There will be other types of cross over between the platforms besides marketing and promotions, but again, I'm afraid you'll have to watch this space!"
