Social gaming giant Zynga has finally launched its redeveloped Zynga Poker product, with the mobile-optimised app now available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The free-to-play app was totally redesigned and rebuilt for mobile devices, combining personalised gameplay, high-quality design and high speed performance to offer as authentic an experience as possible for players.
The company’s vice president of games for Zynga’s casino franchise, Jon Liu, said the company had used feedback from consumers and the Zynga Poker community to “create a Poker experience that delivers the fresh, unique features players have been asking for while staying true to the classic game [its] loyal fans have loved for the last seven years.”
The game comes with a totally refreshed look and feel, changing the player’s perspective at the poker table and using new animations, a clearer view of their cards and casino floor sound effects.
As the game was designed for mobile and tablet play, it uses simple controls for a more “tactile” gaming experience, Zynga explains. This also makes it easier for users to change their stakes and buy-ins as and when they want.
Zynga has also developed the game’s social features, notifying players when and where their friends are playing, and making it easy to join them at the table.
The company also highlights its use of “breakthrough technology” that sees the app respond and learn as players improve their poker skills, adapting to their skill level and placing them at poker tables that match their expertise, gameplay patters and personal preferences.
“In reimagining Zynga Poker, we set out to create the most authentic and immersive poker experience that mirrors the fun and excitement consumers have on real casino floors – all in a free-to-play social game,” Liu added.
The launch was originally scheduled for the second quarter of the year before ultimately being delayed following geo-lock and testing phases, where Zynga identified specific areas requiring additional development to improve the quality of the product and customer experience.
The delay, coupled with the decision to push back the roll-out of a new Words with Friends product, prompted the operator to reduce its full year guidance from between $770-$810m to $695-$725m.
Since launching in 2007, Zynga Poker has become one of the most successful social casino games, with Zynga claiming that more than 350m consumers having played the product. It remains the single most popular social casino app, with 20.7m monthly active users according to Dystillr.
source : www.gamingintelligence.com
