Bunchball, a web services company dedicated to making websites more addictive, is deploying its Games & Avatars application on global Social Media Network Bebo as part of the Bebo Open Application Platform, launched today at a private event in San Francisco. Bebo has announced that it will open its API to third-party developers to integrate their applications with the Bebo site.
Today’s announcement marks the first time users from different social networks can connect and interact through a common application - Bunchball Games & Avatars. In the Games & Avatars application, Bebo members earn “Karma Points” by watching videos, taking surveys, competing in single and multiplayer online games, playing the lottery, inviting their friends, and taking part in other site activities. Members can then redeem their Karma Points in Bunchball’s virtual economy by purchasing digital goods to customize their avatar and virtual room, paying their way into tournaments and poker games, and more.
Rather than being limited to just the Bebo community, Bunchball has connected their Bebo Games & Avatars deployment to all the other social networks that Bunchball services. Bebo members will be able to seamlessly play, compete and interact with members of the other networks and participate in a cross-network virtual economy.
The Games & Avatars application is 100% powered by Bunchball’s Nitro product; a suite of hosted services that drive user behavior and increase engagement on websites. Nitro’s lightweight, flexible architecture enabled Bunchball to quickly bridge Bebo and the other social networks and create this unique cross-network application.
“Bebo is taking a huge step forward today and we’re thrilled to be part of it,” said Gene Mauro, Vice President of Business Development at Bunchball. “Nitro is helping to open the social graph even further than most of us thought possible just a few months ago. Connecting communities is the next logical step and we’re excited to be here with an ’engagement engine’ that creates value for site owners, developers and users.”
“With the launch of our Open Applications Platform, we’re giving Beboers around the world a new way to communicate, relate and express themselves online. Bunchball’s revolutionary application will afford our users a new, creative and engaging multi-player, cross-network gaming experience, and we’re excited to have them on board for our launch," said Michael Birch, CEO and Co-Founder, Bebo.
About Bunchball’s Nitro Service
Nitro is the industry’s first Web Catalytics product. Web Catalytics is a methodology for driving web site visitor behavior – making websites more addictive, fun, and compelling by using proven mechanics taken from the field of game design. Game designers have honed the craft of engaging players, encouraging desired actions and behaviors, and keeping players "hooked." Bunchball is offering Nitro as a hosted service to social network applications and web developers.
About Bunchball
Bunchball is a Web Catalytics company dedicated to making websites more addictive through incentive-based systems. Bunchball customers include Lifetime Television, NBC, Piczo, Facebook, ABC/Disney and Toyota. Based in Redwood City, CA, Bunchball was founded in February 2005 and can be found online at www.bunchball.com.
About Bebo
Bebo is the world’s leading global Social Media Network with more than 40 million members worldwide. The company was founded in 2005 by Michael and Xochi Birch. For more information visit www.bebo.com.