Skillz aims to take a new approach on mobile games
A new mobile games platform for Android developers has launched this week. The platform comes from a company called Skillz, which is a startup based in San Francisco, California, and the platform puts a new twist on mobile games and their monetization. According to Skillz, the platform introduces real-money prizes into mobile games, quite literally enabling consumers to win cash for playing the games making use of the platform.
Gaming continues to change as consumers become more mobile
Mobile games are one of the fastest growing sectors in the game industry. Consumers around the world have expressed both joy and enthusiasm for mobile games that is not entirely common in the game industry, which is constantly awash with criticism and cynicism. As mobile games become more common, developers are beginning to feel the need to separate themselves from the competition. Until recently, most mobile games have been fundamentally similar, if not identical. Skillz believes that real-money prizes may provide developers with an adequate way to establish an innovative presence in their field.
Platform allows for small cash prizes
The money offered through the platform is very real and gamers have the chance to win these funds if they perform well enough. The platform fosters competition with other gamers, pitting them against one another to determine who will win a real-money prize. While the concept seems somewhat gladiatorial, the funds awarded to gamers are very small, most being in 45 cent increments, yet there are abundant chances for gamers to win up to $1,000. Nonetheless, Skillz believes that adding a financial incentive into mobile games could have a powerful effect on consumers.
Platform is not technically set up for gambling
On the surface, the platform may seem bear some resemblance to gambling. Skillz does not, however, enable gambling. The platform allows consumers to place bets on skill-based games. Such games rely less on chance and more on the capabilities of the player. Because the outcome of these games is not determined by simple luck, gambling is considered a non-issue.
eBay continues to shine the limelight on mobile commerce
For several years, eBay has dominated the e-commerce scene, with only Amazon considered to be its most significant competitor. The online retailer has put a great deal of emphasis in improving the online shopping experience of consumers and has recently begun to embrace more commerce in an aggressive fashion. Indeed, eBay anticipates that mobile commerce will account for a significant portion of its sales in the coming years. This week, CEO John Donahoe outlined plans to take the company in a relatively new direction: Offline commerce.
Retailer aims to blur the lines between physical and digital commerce
Donahoe is eager to bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds when it comes to commerce. This has been accomplished to some degree by eBay already through the adoption of mobile commerce. Consumers shopping for products from their mobile devices have shown how blurry the lines between physical and digital retail have become. This summer, eBay plans to partner with several retailers in order to make mobile commerce have an even more tangible presence in the real world.
Pop up shops gaining notice
According to Donahoe, eBay will be working to support “pop up” shops this year. The idea behind pop up shops is somewhat simple: A store front that can be located anywhere and sell products online to those using mobile devices. These shops are becoming more popular in the retail industry, especially when it comes to retailers trying to reach out to busy consumers. In 2011, UK retailer Tesco created a pop up shop in South Korea, where QR codes where used to sell products to consumers using public transit. eBay has plans to follow in Tesco’s footsteps to some degree.
New York may soon have new pop up shops
The online retailer will be leveraging the power of QR codes in order to sell products. These codes can be scanned by a mobile device to initiate a mobile transaction. The products are then delivered to a consumer’s home or elsewhere as defined by the customer. PayPal and eBay already have strong ties to several physical retailers and expect that this initiative will be well received. The retailer plans to launch this new initiative this year in New York.
