The Zynga Platform has launched as an open beta, just days after it was initially revealed as "coming soon," and aims to provide social gamers with easier ways to connect and play together.
Social games giant Zynga unveiled its web-based Zynga Platform last week as a separate destination for its browser games, which have up to this point been available solely via Facebook.
Writing on its official blog, the company explained that the new website is in aid of helping its players find Zynga games more easily, and connect using its new zFriends social system.
There is also a new 'Social Stream' feature, with a real-time feed that players can post to and interact with friends through while playing.
The website has launched with five games available to play -- CastleVille, Words With Friends, CityVille, Hidden Chronicles and Zynga Poker -- with more coming "soon," including third-party games.
Zynga was quick to note that the website is "completely integrated with Facebook," with all game progress earned in games on Facebook carried over to the new website.
OK, so I've been on the new platform today playing Castleville, and it's fairly insane. They have put all the players on a single feed, and you are allowed to collect bonuses from everyone, whether they are your friends or not. In a short time, I added about 10 new neighbors, and about 15 new "zFriends" (with another 15 players waiting in the wings), before I gave up and had to get back to work. Decoupling social gaming from the need to actually share your Facebook homepage with everyone clearly has the potential to vastly increase the active player base. It also has the potential to dramatically unbalance the game by making it much easier to complete quests. I wonder how Zynga will respond if it gets out of hand?
