An Overview of
Online Social
Games
Content
•  Classes of Online Social Games
   o  Self Focused
   o  Community Focused
   o  Reality Focused


•  Industry Research
   o  Gaming in the subcontinent
   o  Case Study – Zapak Tambola


•  Recommended Approach
   o  Mechanics
   o  Platforms
   o  Revenue Generation


•  Local Partners
   o  Bramerz
   o  Mindstorm Studios
   o  TinTash
Classes of Online Social Games

            Self-Focused


        Community Focused


          Reality Focused
Self-Focused (a)
•    The objective of such games are to
     empower or enhance a social character
     profile or property

•    The gamer is not dependent on other
     players and can continue to keep
     playing as an individual, with all
     benefits accrued to his own profile.
Self-Focused (b)
•    Primary Example: FarmVille
•    In Farmville, the objective of the games is to virtually
     manage a farm, including harvesting crops and managing
     livestock.




                                                                   Self Focused
•    Game offers short term rewards such as virtual goods                         • Long term + short
     and points and long terms rewards in form of levels and                       term rewards
     character customization.
                                                                                  • Brands sponsorship
•    The game generates revenue through in game branding                           and in-game
     by advertisements and sales of branded goods and                              experience
     merchandise which generates greater mileage by
     connecting to the social audience on the web.                                • Outcomes are for the
                                                                                   game
•    The outcomes of such games are limited to the game
     itself and do not add value to the gamer in any way                          • Community extends
     outside the game. i.e. they are not able to use the virtual                   the game
     money or goods in real life.
Community Focused (a)
•    The objective of a community focused
     game is to maintain a constant connection
     with the players in the social gaming
     community, with the players mutually
     dependent on each other for success.

•    The best real – life comparison would
     be with a team sport like Basketball.

•    Such games are considered hectic, as
     they require constant engagement from
     the gaming community,
Community Focused (b)

•  Primary Example: Travian
•    In Travian, a social gamer creates a virtual tribe and must
     lead with other social gamers to form a nation. This
     necessitates constant input from all gamers.




                                                                      Community Focused
•    The gameplay is such that all players must contribute fully                          • Constant Connection
     for the continuity of the gameplay, and success and failure is                         with community
     shared equally.
                                                                                          • Brands take part in the
•    Such games are not very popular as they require                                       game
     constant engagement and long-term rewards which can
     be very hectic for players.                                                          • Outcomes are for the
                                                                                           player community

                                                                                          • Community influences
                                                                                           the game
Reality Focused (a)
•    Such games target a very specific group of
     social gamers, primarily the early adopters
     who are comfortable with new technology.

•    The outcome of the gameplay is such that it
     helps the community of players develop and
     share knowledge.
Reality Focused (b)
•    Primary Example: Foursquare

•    The games allows players to provide real time updates to their
     social network about their locations and activities. Consistent
     and highly mobile activity is rewarded




                                                                       Reality Focused
•    In-game rewards include badges, which can then be used to
     avail real world rewards such as discounts and offers.
                                                                                         • In-game and real world
                                                                                          rewards
•    However, a primary disadvantage of such games are that
     they are targeted at a niche market, and require high end
                                                                                         • Outcomes for the game
     technology which is not widely available.
                                                                                         • Community develops
•    Needs continuous involvement by players, which can be                                and shares knowledge
     tiresome.
Industry Research
Gaming in the Sub Continent

•    Over 12 million Indians (Pak: 5 million) on
     Facebook, with about 7 million play social
     games


•    Globally, at least 250 million Facebook users
     are likely to pick up on social games within two
     years.

•    With the advent of affordable and high-end
     smart-phones, mobile and social gaming have
     already started creating noticeable ripples with
     India’s mobile gaming industry standing at Rs
     541 crore, which is 4.6 % of the total VAS
     revenue.


                                 Source: http://www.indiasocial.in/social-games-now-every-indian-will-play/
Case Study : ‘Zapak Tambola’
•    Zapak, India’s leading online gaming
     portal has introduced a game called
     ‘Zapak Tambola’ the first ever massive
     social game in India.

•    The game takes advantage of all social
     features of Facebook and allows users to
     invite their friends, chat with them, send
     virtual gifts and earn virtual money.

•    Tambola tickets can be purchased by
     using the virtual money assigned to a
     character.

•    If players run out of virtual cash, they can
     purchase virtual money using phone SMS,
     Net banking, credit cards, etc

•    Zapak is a SELF-FOCUSED social game.
Recommended Approach

               Self Focused Games

Self-Focused games empower gamers to build and improve their individual profiles or, in other
words, work, play and compete to increase their own rating and win individual rewards for
themselves


Gamers have access to individual incentives such as

•    Short-term rewards
•    Virtual goods.
•    Less tiring
Types of Self Focused Games
                       Social RPGS (Role-Playing Games)
The gameplay involves collecting virtual money by performing quests in a confined energy
       state which prevent the player from doing much too soon. E.g. Mafia Wars




                                   Casual Games
 These are the usual games which mostly involve Flash-gameplay and a very small set of
  defined levels and can be played over and over again. Mostly 2-player e.g. Scrabulous




                                   Virtual Villages
These sort of games revolve around the idea of players creating their presence in a defined
         area and developing a community and performing tasks to earn rewards
What will be the mechanics?
Social Gaming

• The personalized avatar or property makes the gamer compete
  against other players.

• The ability to share achievements and badges with friends adds a very
  social element.

• To seek help from friends and inviting them to complete a quest adds
  to the social gameplay.

• Limited energy and resources in the gameplay increase the retention
  and likewise the socially viral factor.

• New item upgrades can be purchased by scoring more virtual points
  that can be purchased with via credit cards.
What are the Platforms?
PRIMARY - Standalone Website
This would be dedicated website for the game module. The game would be
brought to the social sphere through Facebook Connect, a tool which will allow the
integration of the game with the social sharing elements of Facebook.


SECONDARY - Facebook
It provides a ready made platform for quickly getting the game out to the masses.
With a 5 million plus base in Pakistan, it is the most active social network and has
seen a lot of prior local games success with examples such as Farmville and Mafia
Wars being prominent.

ADD ON - Mobile Application
The selected game option will have a scaled down version available for gameplay
on handsets used by majority of the customers
Revenue Generation
•    All users will be incentivized by offering various rewards
     at certain stages of gameplay, eg:

      o  50 Points                    50 free sms
      o  1000 points                  100 free minutes
      o  1,000,000 points             Free Handset

•    In-Game Banner Promotion allows co-branding
     opportunities with existing partners such as HTC /
     Samsung

•    Customizations or level upgrades can be purchased via
     SMS or by using existing airtime scratch cards.
Potential Partners
                        Game Development

•  Bramerz
   o  www.bramerz.pk


•  Mindstorm Studios
   o  www.mindstormstudios.com



•  Tintash
   o  www.tintash.com
Bramerz
                Game developed - Nestle Coffee Connexions

•    This is a community focused
     social game.

•    The objective of the game is to
     invite 3 friends to a virtual coffee
     table and start discussion on a
     particular topic.

•    Increased discussion gets more
     points for each team.
Mindstorm Studios
               Game developed – Cricket Revolution

•    This is a full featured self
     focused , multi player cricket
     game

•    The game was selected as the
     official game for Cricket Worldcup
     2011.

•    The gaming house has also
     produced a same version of the
     game for iPhone.
Tintash
•  Stanford-based Tintash is an
   emerging developer of social
   games, and have an
   established office in Pakistan.

•  Their primary focus is on
   Facebook social apps.

•  They also make mobile games
   for the iPhone platform.

An overview of online social games

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Content •  Classes ofOnline Social Games o  Self Focused o  Community Focused o  Reality Focused •  Industry Research o  Gaming in the subcontinent o  Case Study – Zapak Tambola •  Recommended Approach o  Mechanics o  Platforms o  Revenue Generation •  Local Partners o  Bramerz o  Mindstorm Studios o  TinTash
  • 3.
    Classes of OnlineSocial Games Self-Focused Community Focused Reality Focused
  • 4.
    Self-Focused (a) •  The objective of such games are to empower or enhance a social character profile or property •  The gamer is not dependent on other players and can continue to keep playing as an individual, with all benefits accrued to his own profile.
  • 5.
    Self-Focused (b) •  Primary Example: FarmVille •  In Farmville, the objective of the games is to virtually manage a farm, including harvesting crops and managing livestock. Self Focused •  Game offers short term rewards such as virtual goods • Long term + short and points and long terms rewards in form of levels and term rewards character customization. • Brands sponsorship •  The game generates revenue through in game branding and in-game by advertisements and sales of branded goods and experience merchandise which generates greater mileage by connecting to the social audience on the web. • Outcomes are for the game •  The outcomes of such games are limited to the game itself and do not add value to the gamer in any way • Community extends outside the game. i.e. they are not able to use the virtual the game money or goods in real life.
  • 6.
    Community Focused (a) •  The objective of a community focused game is to maintain a constant connection with the players in the social gaming community, with the players mutually dependent on each other for success. •  The best real – life comparison would be with a team sport like Basketball. •  Such games are considered hectic, as they require constant engagement from the gaming community,
  • 7.
    Community Focused (b) • Primary Example: Travian •  In Travian, a social gamer creates a virtual tribe and must lead with other social gamers to form a nation. This necessitates constant input from all gamers. Community Focused •  The gameplay is such that all players must contribute fully • Constant Connection for the continuity of the gameplay, and success and failure is with community shared equally. • Brands take part in the •  Such games are not very popular as they require game constant engagement and long-term rewards which can be very hectic for players. • Outcomes are for the player community • Community influences the game
  • 8.
    Reality Focused (a) •  Such games target a very specific group of social gamers, primarily the early adopters who are comfortable with new technology. •  The outcome of the gameplay is such that it helps the community of players develop and share knowledge.
  • 9.
    Reality Focused (b) •  Primary Example: Foursquare •  The games allows players to provide real time updates to their social network about their locations and activities. Consistent and highly mobile activity is rewarded Reality Focused •  In-game rewards include badges, which can then be used to avail real world rewards such as discounts and offers. • In-game and real world rewards •  However, a primary disadvantage of such games are that they are targeted at a niche market, and require high end • Outcomes for the game technology which is not widely available. • Community develops •  Needs continuous involvement by players, which can be and shares knowledge tiresome.
  • 10.
  • 11.
    Gaming in theSub Continent •  Over 12 million Indians (Pak: 5 million) on Facebook, with about 7 million play social games •  Globally, at least 250 million Facebook users are likely to pick up on social games within two years. •  With the advent of affordable and high-end smart-phones, mobile and social gaming have already started creating noticeable ripples with India’s mobile gaming industry standing at Rs 541 crore, which is 4.6 % of the total VAS revenue. Source: http://www.indiasocial.in/social-games-now-every-indian-will-play/
  • 12.
    Case Study :‘Zapak Tambola’ •  Zapak, India’s leading online gaming portal has introduced a game called ‘Zapak Tambola’ the first ever massive social game in India. •  The game takes advantage of all social features of Facebook and allows users to invite their friends, chat with them, send virtual gifts and earn virtual money. •  Tambola tickets can be purchased by using the virtual money assigned to a character. •  If players run out of virtual cash, they can purchase virtual money using phone SMS, Net banking, credit cards, etc •  Zapak is a SELF-FOCUSED social game.
  • 13.
    Recommended Approach Self Focused Games Self-Focused games empower gamers to build and improve their individual profiles or, in other words, work, play and compete to increase their own rating and win individual rewards for themselves Gamers have access to individual incentives such as •  Short-term rewards •  Virtual goods. •  Less tiring
  • 14.
    Types of SelfFocused Games Social RPGS (Role-Playing Games) The gameplay involves collecting virtual money by performing quests in a confined energy state which prevent the player from doing much too soon. E.g. Mafia Wars Casual Games These are the usual games which mostly involve Flash-gameplay and a very small set of defined levels and can be played over and over again. Mostly 2-player e.g. Scrabulous Virtual Villages These sort of games revolve around the idea of players creating their presence in a defined area and developing a community and performing tasks to earn rewards
  • 15.
    What will bethe mechanics? Social Gaming • The personalized avatar or property makes the gamer compete against other players. • The ability to share achievements and badges with friends adds a very social element. • To seek help from friends and inviting them to complete a quest adds to the social gameplay. • Limited energy and resources in the gameplay increase the retention and likewise the socially viral factor. • New item upgrades can be purchased by scoring more virtual points that can be purchased with via credit cards.
  • 16.
    What are thePlatforms? PRIMARY - Standalone Website This would be dedicated website for the game module. The game would be brought to the social sphere through Facebook Connect, a tool which will allow the integration of the game with the social sharing elements of Facebook. SECONDARY - Facebook It provides a ready made platform for quickly getting the game out to the masses. With a 5 million plus base in Pakistan, it is the most active social network and has seen a lot of prior local games success with examples such as Farmville and Mafia Wars being prominent. ADD ON - Mobile Application The selected game option will have a scaled down version available for gameplay on handsets used by majority of the customers
  • 17.
    Revenue Generation •  All users will be incentivized by offering various rewards at certain stages of gameplay, eg: o  50 Points 50 free sms o  1000 points 100 free minutes o  1,000,000 points Free Handset •  In-Game Banner Promotion allows co-branding opportunities with existing partners such as HTC / Samsung •  Customizations or level upgrades can be purchased via SMS or by using existing airtime scratch cards.
  • 18.
    Potential Partners Game Development •  Bramerz o  www.bramerz.pk •  Mindstorm Studios o  www.mindstormstudios.com •  Tintash o  www.tintash.com
  • 19.
    Bramerz Game developed - Nestle Coffee Connexions •  This is a community focused social game. •  The objective of the game is to invite 3 friends to a virtual coffee table and start discussion on a particular topic. •  Increased discussion gets more points for each team.
  • 20.
    Mindstorm Studios Game developed – Cricket Revolution •  This is a full featured self focused , multi player cricket game •  The game was selected as the official game for Cricket Worldcup 2011. •  The gaming house has also produced a same version of the game for iPhone.
  • 21.
    Tintash •  Stanford-based Tintashis an emerging developer of social games, and have an established office in Pakistan. •  Their primary focus is on Facebook social apps. •  They also make mobile games for the iPhone platform.