Hi5 launches Facebook gaming rival SocioPath
Playdom, Bigpoint, Digital Chocolate sign up to viral-focused platform
Social network firm Hi5 has launched its latest endeavour, a gaming-focused platform known as SocioPath, which it claims frees developers from the restrictions of Facebook.
The network boasts deals with the likes of BigPoint, Playdom, Digital Chocolate and Casual Collective, and hopes to lure more thanks to compatibility with Facebook's APIs.
The site claims to retain elements of the viral growth that has declined on Facebook. Key to this is the option for users to invite friends who don't use SocioPath. Email, Twitter, Facebook and instant messenger contacts lists are supported, with more planned.
Invitees are able to play with registering or logging in to SocioPath – it's only when they wish to save progress in their game that they are required to sign up to the platform. Much of the further messaging is then within the game rather than bound to one network.
"Social media game developers and publishers are facing significant barriers to drive audience and revenue on social networks, and are struggling under the restrictions imposed on them by these portals," said Hi5 president and CTO Alex St. John.
"We're providing a platform that enables social game developers and publishers to be liberated from the walled garden social network, build their own communities around their games, and monetize them efficiently."
Some big names seem impressed by the nascent service. Said Richard Garriot, currently heading up his new social games company Portalarium, "We've already been experiencing early success with our title, PortCasino Poker, which has received five times more traffic on hi5 versus other social networks."
Added Digital Chocolate boss Trip Hawkins, "By working with hi5 and leveraging the new platform for our game Millionaire City, we'll have access to all of the powerful messaging, notifications, invites and gifting mechanisms associated with social gaming.
"This will enable us to build more direct relationships with our user base and empower users to connect with friends from across the web."
SocioPath claims 50 million users so far, against Facebook's 500 million.