Zynga Inc (NASDAQ:ZNGA) announced a new game, Slots: Riches of Olympus, which will be available for download on iOS. The move follows the efforts of the social game maker to cope up with the rapidly evolving mobile platform. The Slots features Zeus and other Roman gods and centres around Las Vegas-style slot mechanics. Before Slots, Zynga released Hit it Rich, a Casino title for mobile.
Casino titles popular
Zynga Inc (NASDAQ:ZNGA), who heavily depend upon its PC games such as FarmVille, has been left behind in mobile games. However, company’s Casino titles of the game do perform well. At present, the Hit it Rich is the top downloaded game on iPad games in the casino category. Through Riches of Olympus, the company is planning to increase its mobile footing. Zynga executive vice President of Games Barry Cottle said that Zynga wants to release the game with high production values.
“When I came in and looked at what we were doing … we decided that we needed to get back to focusing on quality,” Cottle told GamesBeat. “Quality in experiences and excellence in execution.”
Cottle added that the company is planning to design games, which look and feel good. Games like Candy Crush Saga are doing well as the player finds the simple puzzle game more interesting due to more animations and special effects.
Other than Words with Friends, the only popular titles of Zynga on mobile are the casino titles. Cottle said that Slots is the most popular title in the Social Casino category, and Riches of Olympus is a different social, high quality Las Vegas style experience for those, who love to play slots. He added that 2014 is expected to be a transformative year for Zynga Casino franchise. According to Cottle, the company has stabilized that market, and it is high time to expand itself.
NaturalMotion acquisition to help Las Vegas Style games
Zynga’s recent purchase of NaturalMotion, maker of CSR Racing for iOS and Android platform, reflects plans to launch the Las Vegas Style games as market wants more of this type.
The acquisition of NaturalMotion will get Zynga Inc (NASDAQ:ZNGA) an innovative simulation technology that would give a natural feel to the movements. This will give the life like feel to the virtual events just like the person does in real life. Prior to Zynga, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) adopted this technology in Clumsy Ninja game as part of its iPhone 5 announcement last year.
