Freelance Flash Games News

Kongregate just announced that a money system for the site is now available for use by players. The money, called Kreds, can be bought using paypal or a credit card. At the moment the only practical use for Kreds is to tip developers. This sounds like a good idea and it’s one that few, if any, sites have implemented before.

However, this is just the beginning of the ways Kongregate will use their new money system. Kongregate is already offering the ability to purchase Kongai cards, and soon will allow the purchase of other virtual items. As I mentioned previously, Kongregate has a couple multiplayer games under development that use Kongregate’s very own microtransactions system. The system will utilize Kreds as the means of purchasing in game content for those new and upcoming multiplayer games.

If you’re looking for to build a fun new multiplayer game, you may want to check out Come2Play. They have created an API for just that cause. However, their API is meant specifically for turn based games, so you’ll have to take your real time games somewhere else unfortunately.

Come2Play is offering a $1000-2000 sponsorship for multiplayer games made using their API, as well as allowing you to use CPMstar or MochiAds in your game. All you need to do to be considered is send them a pm on fgl stating your idea for a game. If they like it, they’ll try to work out a deal with you for the game. A contest is on the way soon, so check out their developers section to stay updated on the latest news.

Whirled, the site that allowed for microtransactions, has recently announced a contest for the games on their site. Called the Flash Game Developers Challenge, the contest will award developers for having the best game within a period of 3 months. So even if you miss this one, you will still have the chance to apply for the next contest.

Now to get to the part you have been waiting for, money. There are two separate prize pools. One for multiplayer games and one for single player games. The multiplayer games will have a bigger prize pool, with $7,500 for first. Their are a total of five available prizes, which in decending order are: $5,000, $4,000, $2,000 dollars, and $1,000. Single player games, have less money allocated to them but the prizes are still very good. First place will net you 2,000 dollars, with $1,500, $1,000, $750, and $250 for second through fifth place.

To be elgible for the prize money you must implement the Whirled API for scores, trophies, and (if the game is multiplayer) the multiplayer API. Another requirement is that your game be in AS3, so sorry AS2 users out there but you won’t be able to use the API’s with your game. The best part about this contest, it’s non-exclusive. You are still allowed get your game sponsored and upload it wherever you want. So if you have a game that’s AS3, I would reccomend heading over to Whirled and taking a shot at their prizes.

Nonoba has recently announced the winners of their Multiplayer API competition. First prize, and a whopping $15,000 went to wmarsh and his game Starland Multiplayer TD. I’ve played the game, and I have to tell you, it deserves the prize. Unfortunately I played someone who had never lost a game before, but I still managed to lose track of time while playing it. As for second place and a large $3,000 prize, the award went to LorenzGames. His flash game Bombators Multiplayer was based on the classic bomberman game. This is another game that well deserved it. He added money and upgrades to make the classic even better. Lastly is Multiplayer Memory Mayhem by LuckLaboratories, earning a nice sum of $1,000. I haven’t had a chance to play the game, but it looked like it had great graphics and allowed for up to eight people per game. So if you haven’t yet, head over to Nonoba and check out their multiplayer games section.

Wondering what’s been going on over at GameJacket? Well Lartar of LartarGames managed to secure an interview with them, here’s what they had to say:

- When will the 0.5 eCPM minimum end?

We have no date set for the end of this promotion. All adverts qualify – pre-roll adverts and the new GameJacket interstitial API.

- Do you have a distribution program? Or is it only for the games that get the $1,000 advance?

Yes, we have a distribution program and it is not limited to the $1000 Advance games, however due to the volume of games submitted we cannot enter all games in to the distribution program and actively encourage all developers to submit their games to any portals that can.

- What happens if your servers crash, will our games crash as well? Do you have some backup server set up for that issue?

We use some of the top servers available and our down-time is virtually non-existent. We have a very good backup system that is monitored all the time to ensure that if the main servers go down then the back up servers kick in straight away.

- Are you planning to have a referral program in the coming months?

Yes, we are working on a referral program. We don’t have a timeline for it yet so we can’t state an official roll-out date.

- When will the Gamejacket Leaderboards be released?

It will be before Christmas… Santa will be bringing you a HighScore API this year from GameJacket!

- I heard that you will be implementing a game contest soon, is that true?

Yes, we are working out the details for the first GameJacket contest as we speak!
Nothing is set in stone yet.

-What I’d like to know though is it possible to have a GameJacket/MochiAds mix

At the moment it is, yes… we definitely recommend that if you’re using the GameJacket system you can use the Mochi HighScore API (until our version is ready of course).
We’d rather see Flash Game Developers monetize their games with the APIs available to them.

- Where does Gamejacket’s financing come from?

GameJacket is financed by Private Equity (individuals investing in our company).

- Who are the Gamejacket Admins, and what is their job inside the company?

The frontline developer support team are…
Barry (Content)
Simon (Managing Director)
Steve (Sales)
Adrian (Technical)
Matt (Community)
Mike (Development)
Oliver (Trafficking).

There’s other GameJacket minions here to help us out, but those are the main guys! J

- Will be some of the features we can expect to see in the coming months?

Well, there’s the HighScore API and the Competition and the referral system… and some other stuff we can’t quite mention just yet…
Watch this space for all the latest information!
http://support.gamejacket.com