Bigpoint looks to increase engagement with browser apps, toolbars for free-to-play games

Newsbrief: German developer and portal operator Bigpoint has partnered with Conduit to make two of its most popular free-to-play games available as browser apps on the Conduit App Marketplace, and as Community Toolbars for browsers. With this deal, users can now install Bigpoint's games Dark Orbit and Framerama as web apps they can launch directly from their browser no matter what site they're on. They can also install Community Toolbars that allow them to see game notifications, news, and more. The apps and toolbars, which are available for Internet Explorer and Firefox, are designed to keep players engaged even when they're not playing the free-to-play games and are visiting other sites. Conduit says over 250 million users have downloaded its various apps. Other game developers that have also partnered with Conduit to offer browser apps and Community Toolbars include Zynga, iWin, and Sulake Corporation.