mig33 Announces Developer Program and New Partners, Opening Lucrative Emerging Mobile Markets to Brands and Developers Worldwide

SINGAPORE, July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- mig33, one of the world's largest mobile-first communities, today unveiled its new mig33 Developer Program, announcing twelve initial partners and debuting new resources for developers and brands that want to build social games and apps for mig33's 50 million registered users and thriving virtual economy.

mig33 is opening its Social Platform, one subset of a larger mig33 Developer Program that will expand drastically over the next several months.  The mig33 Social Platform announced today leverages the API specification standardized by Japanese social networking service leader GREE, which earlier this year also allied with Tencent, one of the largest integrated Internet services providers in China.

Today's mig33/GREE deal echoes an earlier announcement in which GREE partnered with China's Tencent. GREE's platform partners now offer developers reach to more than 800 million users.

The announcement was made today at a major event that featured Daisuke Kobayashi, Director, Head of International Alliance Division at GREE; Steven Goh, mig33 CEO and co-founder; and several of mig33's new developer partners.

"It's a mobile developers dream," said Goh.  "In just the past two years, mig33 has almost doubled in size, forged partnerships with developers, retailers and more, and has allied with handset makers across Asia and beyond.  Our focus has been on delivering mobile social entertainment within a huge delivery network that generates fun for our users and revenue for our partners.

"Today, mig33 is bringing those huge revenue and user opportunities to mobile developers everywhere."

As an asset for GREE, Inc., which is committed to expanding its service globally, mig33's social entertainment offerings are aimed at emerging, mobile-first markets across Asia and beyond – markets in which the mobile device is the primary means of internet access.  

"The opportunity for developers and brands is huge," said Chris Chandler, vice president of business development, mig33.  "Even with 50 million registered users, many of mig33's markets are relatively untapped, so there is still tremendous room for continued growth.  In addition, mig33 sees above-average ARPUs in many, many markets.  These are the primary reasons brands and developers are coming onboard:  the revenue and exposure opportunities are simply amazing."

mig33's initial developer partners include:

• Kooky Panda (http://www.kookypanda.com/) (China)
• Softgames (http://www.softgames.de/) (Germany)
• Nazara (http://www.nazara.com/) (India)
• Agate (http://www.agategames.com) (Indonesia)
• Anantarupa (http://www.anantarupa.com/) (Indonesia)
• Elasitas (http://www.elasitas.com/) (Indonesia)
• Nightspade (http://www.nightspade.com/) (Indonesia)
• Oneb1t Solutions (http://www.onebitmedia.com/) (Indonesia)
• Indigo Entertainment (http://www.indigo-entertainment.com/) (Philippines)
• The Mobile Gamer (http://www.tmgamer.co/) (Singapore)
• Blue Leaf Games (http://www.blueleafgames.com/) (South Africa)
• Springfisher (http://www.springfisher.com/mobile-development) (South Africa)

How Developers Can Participate

mig33's new developer program is headquartered online at http://developer.mig33.com.  The first phase of mig33's developer program announced today leverages GREE Platform and will primarily target social game applications.  Within months, mig33 plans to open its own platform to developers and expand to utility, lifestyle, and entertainment applications.

Likewise, mig33's initial focus targets Android developer partners, though mig33 will work with developers to get their games across as much of the mig33 platform as possible.  mig33 is currently also available for most basic feature phones, mobile browsers, and PC browsers.

Revenue Opportunities

Today's news opens up new revenue streams for social game developers everywhere.  mig33's virtual economy, based on credits purchased online, saw more than 40 million virtual gifts purchased in 2010.  Handset makers – with which mig33 is already in talks – can pre-install the mig33 Android or Java app and generate revenue based on consumption of mig33 credits.

Game developers and VAS content providers have already been generating similar revenue streams.  

About GREE, Inc.

GREE provides Japan's leading mobile social networking service, and is at the forefront of mobile technology. With over 25 million users, GREE was ranked as Japan's fastest-growing tech company by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in 2010. GREE is expanding globally, and acquired OpenFeint to enter the global market. Combined, the two networks reach over 110 million players and 6,000 games. GREE aims to build the best mobile social gaming ecosystem for users and developers worldwide.

About mig33

mig33 is the world's largest mobile-first social entertainment service, connecting over 50 million registered members around the world with chat and entertainment every day, and hosting a fast-growing virtual economy. Launched in late 2005, mig33 is backed by Silicon Valley venture firms Accel Partners, Redpoint Ventures and DCM, GREE, Inc. and many others. For more information, visit www.mig33.com.

SOURCE mig33