Hi5 Launching Integrated Social Flash Games Today
hi5, one of the largest and fastest growing social networks in many countries around the world, is launching a new casual social games section today called hi5 Games that’s deeply integrated with the rest of the hi5 experience.
hi5′s games library contains dozens of arcade, card, casino, sports, and strategy games created by developers like Arkadium and others. However, unlike other Flash portals on social networks, hi5 has integrated the games directly into the site’s communication channels and virtual currency system.
For example, each game has built in leaderboards, and hi5 is making it easy to play with friends by integrating messaging, challenge and invite features.
In addition, hi5 users can use “Coins” to purchase advanced gaming features. hi5 also says it will also be offering new advertising options on hi5 Games.
“For our target audience of 15 to 24 year-olds, social gaming represents a major expenditure of time and money around the globe. hi5 Games is just one of a range of immersive features that will further engage our users, both keeping them on the site longer and driving them towards new forms of monetization for our business,” said Ramu Yalamanchi, founder and CEO of hi5.
hi5 has taken a unique approach to monetization, combining advertising and virtual goods sales in a deeper way than many other western social networks. We’ll be keeping our eye on hi5 games as 2009 progresses!
February 5th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Looks good. However, I was wondering if there is a way to publish or game in this section? We have cute game made in flash which will fit well: http://blog.xenaogames.com/games/
February 8th, 2009 at 7:47 am
It’s really interesting. Looking forward to see if they can monetize their games using their virtual currency.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:24 am
[...] Ramu Yalamanchi, founder and CEO of hi5, says “For our target audience of 15 to 24 year-olds, social gaming represents a major expenditure of time and money around the globe. hi5 Games is just one of a range of immersive features that will further engage our users, both keeping them on the site longer and driving them towards new forms of monetization for our business.” No TweetBacks yet. (Be the first to Tweet this post) Post new comment « Back to Reality [...]
May 9th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Cool site, i have bookmarked it for future referrence
July 26th, 2009 at 3:39 am
Subject of your website is interesting for me, bookmarked
regards bxansamo
August 22nd, 2009 at 4:02 am
my name is hafsah . I love to see hi5 . It is so much fun to see hi5 on Ejunier . I am a muslim and I celebrate Id . I am 7 years old . Have fun in RAMAZAN . Happy RAMAZAN KAREEB hi5 .
October 30th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
very interesting post,have put it in my favorites for future reference
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:07 am
[...] on building social games, as Hi5 has been for the past year, rolling out its virtual currency, flash games, avatars, chat, a redesign, and more. From the company on today’s [...]