Mobile Internet entertainment destination MocoSpace announced $1 million in additional funding to encourage game developers to create games for Facebook’s Project Spartan using HTML5.
MocoSpace, which reports having 22 million active users, previously dedicated $1 million to helping Facebook developers to create games. Basing development on HTML5 means that games will work on both the MocoSpace Games Platform and the future Facebook platform, as well as making them playable on virtually all smartphone browsers.
“You want the user experience to be enjoyable and not frustrating. People want to be able to play games with their friends, no matter what kind of device they have. The best way to make a great cross-platform social gaming experience is to build with HTML5,” said MocoSpace CEO Justin Siegel. “This is what Facebook is realizing – and we can’t wait to see what Project Spartan is going to offer consumers and developers alike.”
So far, games launched as a result of the fund include Cage Fighter and Happy Farm from New Game Town, In the Club from Upgraded Studios, and Goosy Avatar and Goosy Pets (one of the 12 available is pictured) from Celander US. All these games are free to play, have social network elements, and work on any mobile browser without requiring an app.
Launched in 2005, MocoSpace is based in Boston, Mass., and is backed by General Catalyst and Softbank Capital.
