Digital Chocolate, the casual and social gaming developer started by Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, launched its NanoStar Platform, which allows users to bring in collectible characters into different NanoStar games on Facebook.
The platform offers more than 150 characters with different personalities (e.g. ThatsWhatSheSaid, Nerdburger) that players can unlock. They can then bring that character into different NanoStar games, where it will transform into unique abilities, items, and experiences. The developer says the systems are "so innovative, they’re protected by multiple patents".
Digital Chocolate has released its first NanoStar title, NanoStar Castles, a free trading card game on Facebook. Players customize card decks and battle friends to earn experience points and higher rankings. They can set up their deck to use in real-time or protect them even when they're not at their computers playing.
NanoStar Castles players collect NanoStar characters to gain an advantage, arrange an ambush, or lay a trap. Consumers can buy the characters for around 75 cents each or in various packs. Digital Chocolate plans to release its second title compatible with the platform, NanoStar Siege, soon.
"I want the NanoStar characters to feel like Pokemon for grownups," said Digital Chocolate CEO and founder Trip Hawkins. “"I like films like Shrek that can appeal to a wide-age range audience. People who grew up with Pokemon that are now on Facebook can also enjoy NanoStar Castles."
"I like trading card games but always felt they were too difficult and that we could develop something unique and better with computer networks. NanoStar Castles takes advantage of the virtuality that computers can offer and then combines some classic elements in a refreshing new kind of game. My dream is that people will want to play this game for the rest of their lives."
