Tag: amazon mobile games

Amazon launches new service focused on mobile games

| June 6, 2013

Amazon begins showing interest in mobile games

Amazon has long been involved in the digital space. The company has established itself as a leading e-commerce platform and digital retailer and has even begun embracing mobile commerce in an aggressive way. The company has been taking note of the growing popularity of mobile games recently and has begun moving into this space as well, though it has no intention of developing or publishing mobile games itself. These games do, however, have social features that Amazon may be looking to make more convenient to consumers.

Social features of mobile games pique Amazon’s interest

Mobile games are quite unlike their console counterparts for more reasons than the fact that they are not actually made for consoles. These games often include social features that are meant to connect consumers together or allow them to share their experiences through a variety of social networking sites. As such, many mobile games allow players to log in using their social media profiles so as to streamline this sharing of content.

Mobile Games - AmazonNew service aims to leverage the power of social networking to some extent

Amazon has announced the launch of its new Login with Amazon service, which is designed specifically for mobile games. The service allows consumers to log in to mobile games using their Amazon accounts. This will allow consumers to share their experiences with others and may serve as an effective means of promotion for certain mobile games as these games typically gain popularity through word of mouth.

Amazon sees initial success in trials for new service

Amazon has been testing this new service for some time in a limited capacity. The company claims that many consumers showed enthusiasm in using the new service during these initial trials. Mobile games are already quite popular with consumers, but their social aspects are still not widely used. Amazon aims to make mobile games a more social experience for those that are interested in such connectivity with others in the digital world.

Amazon expands micro-transactions service

| January 25, 2013

Amazon mobile gamingAmazon expanding digital services for the game industry

Internet retail behemoth Amazon has begun expanding its digital services into the game industry, with a particular focus on mobile gaming. The Amazon Digital Games Store has become a very promising marketplace for such games, giving developers yet another avenue through which to find success in an increasingly crowded market. Amazon has announced the activation of micro-transactions through in-app purchases for the games that are part of the company’s digital store.

In-app micro-transactions will receive more support from Amazon

Mobile game developers often rely on micro-transactions to generate some kind of profit with their titles. Most mobile games are either available for free or for a very small price, making their ability to generate revenue through initial purchase very limited. In-app micro-transactions are seen as the best way for these games to find commercial success, as the majority of these transactions are very inexpensive, thus making them more attractive to gamers.

Company expands services to PC, Mac, and web-based games

The Amazon Digital Games Store has had the ability to facilitate in-app micro-transactions for some time, but Amazon has been disinclined to fully support the service across all gaming platforms. The service has typically been reserved for mobile games for the iOS and Android platforms, but Amazon has begun expanding its availability to PC, Mac, and even web-based games. Amazon expects that expanding its service to these platforms will help game developers build their businesses and reach new audiences.

Developers relying heavily on micro-transactions

Game developers often create games for a wide variety of platforms in order to engage the largest number of people possible. This can be a costly endeavor because of the fundamental differences that exist from platform to platform. Micro-transactions therefore take on a greater importance for developers, as they not only represent a way for a studio to generate profit, but also recover from the costs associated with game development.