RockYou, Facebook Sign Five-Year Agreement For Credits

Social game and app developer RockYou has entered into a five-year agreement with Facebook to exclusively use Credits, the social network's universal virtual currency system, in its titles. RockYou joins several other studios that have agreed to only use Facebook credits in their games, such as LOLapps (Band of Heroes) and CrowdStar (Happy Aquarium), with the latter also signing a similar five-year deal with the site. Facebook's system allows players to acquire virtual currency that they can spend in any app or game that supports Credits, offering a more portable digital cash option than the numerous game- or publisher-specific virtual currencies that many titles employ. This isn't the first time RockYou has worked with the social network on its Credits system -- earlier this year, the developer ran an advertiser-sponsored "Deal of the Day" program that rewarded more than 1 million users with Credits in just four days when those players interacted with in-game ads. The Redwood City-based startup has issued more than 5 million Credits in its most popular game, Zoo World, alone through direct payments and ad offers that allow users to earn virtual currency. Facebook adds that it's worked closely with RockYou to develop and evolve its Credits system, too. As with other developers, RockYou will receive 70 percent of the revenue generated from Credits, while Facebook pockets the remaining 30 percent. The social network says it will put that all of that cash toward lubricating its virtual economy through ad offers, prepaid cards, and other opportunities for seeding Credits to users. "Facebook is showing a long-term commitment to social gaming -- and that's very exciting," says RockYou's chief revenue officer Lisa Marino. "We look forward to continue working with Facebook and Facebook Credits. As users adopt Credits, there may be a great opportunity for us to increase revenue from both a virtual goods and advertising perspective."