Kongregate
| File:Kongregate logo.jpg | |
Type of site | Online Gaming Website |
|---|---|
| Owners | GameStop |
| Revenue | Advertising generated In game currency ("Kreds") Corporate Sponsorship |
| URL | Kongregate.com |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Free, not required (however, many features are disabled) |
Kongregate is an online games hosting website which allows users to upload user-created Adobe Flash or Unity3D games. It features an API that Flash and Unity developers can integrate into their games which allows users to submit high scores and in some games, earn achievement badges. Badges and local score submissions are only available on games whose developers choose to use the Kongregate API.[2][3][4]
History
The site was created in May 2006 by sister and brother team Emily and Jim Greer. The site was initially run through a testing phase, which lasted until December 2006.[5] During this time, game developers and players tested the site's interface and functionality. In December of the same year, the site was formally opened to the public.[2] The site formally entered the beta testing phase on March 22, 2007.[6][7]
The original design for the Kongregate website itself was created by Happy Cog Studios.[8]
As of July 2008, Kongregate has raised around $9 million in capital from investments by Reid Hoffman, Jeff Clavier, Jeff Bezos, and Greylock Partners.
In July 2010, GameStop announced an agreement to acquire Kongregate.[9] At the same time, Kongregate officially exited their beta stage.
Developers Community
Kongregate hosts a large community of independent games developers. There is a programming forum for people to ask and answer questions. It also includes information on how people can get started in flash game developing. There regularly are contests for developers to participate in. The prizes for the weekly, monthly and mobile; the weekly prizes are $250 for 1st, $150 for 2nd and 3rd. For the monthly $1500 for 1st, $1000 for 2nd, $700 for 3rd, $500 for 4th, $250 for 5th up to 9th. The prizes for the mobile are $1000 for 1st, $500 for 2nd, $250 for 3rd. The prizes are drawn from the number of votes each developer gets for his or her game.
References
- ^ "Kongregate.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
- ^ a b Baertlein, Lisa (2007-03-22). "New site aims to be the YouTube of gaming". Reuters Life!. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
- ^ Kirkpatrick, Marshall (2006-10-19). "Kongregate: a Next Generation awesome site Web Games Marketplace". Tech Crunch. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
- ^ Wilson, Matt (2006-12-20). "Kongregate: Your Gatorade For Flash Games". Solution Watch. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
- ^ Greer, Jim (2006-09-01). "Gamers asking for Kongregate!". Jim on Web Games. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
- ^ Nicole, Kristen (2007-03-22). "Kongregate Announces Funding, Launches". Mashable Social Networking News. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
- ^ Marshall, Matt (2007-03-21). "Kongregrate, the online social game hub". Venture Beat. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
- ^ "Kongregate". Selected Works. Happy Cog Studios. 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
- ^ GameStop (2010-07-27). "GameStop Announces Agreement to Acquire Kongregate Inc". BusinessWire. Retrieved 2011-03-04.