OpenFeint SDK Coming To Android

Aurora Feint's OpenFeint platform for virtual goods and social gaming features in mobile games has until now been available on iPhone and iPad, but it'll soon be available for Android game developers, too, promising a "complete solution" for Android will launch later this summer. It'll include an Android edition of its standard SDK, a "game discovery store" and mobile payment options. It'll also kick off with content partnerships from mobile gaming developers right off the bat, including publishers Astraware, Digital Chocolate, Glu Mobile and Hudson Soft, in addition to independent developers like Moron Test's Distinct Dev, Dot Dot Dot creator Ustwo, Flick Kick Football creator Pik Pok and Hook Champ's RocketCat Games. OpenFeint for Android will incorporate Google Checkout and relevant community features, as it extends its Game Spotlight discovery app to Android as well. Adam Flanders, General Manager of Glu Mobile, said OpenFeint is "leading the charge for game developers on Android, helping simplify and improve the game discovery and purchase process for players on the platform." The Android expansion -- "significant", according to the company --comes thanks to the backing of Chinese game operator The9's recent investment. It says it'll continue to roll out a cross-platform strategy, part of which is serving the 160,000 Android-ready devices that ship daily. The company says OpenFeint will continue to be open source and free for developers and players. The company stressed it's still committed to Apple's iOS, however: "The explosion in mobile online gaming is a phenomenon that affects all members of the mobile ecosystem - from OS developers and OEMs to game developers and players," said Aurora Feint executive chairman Peter Relan. "Online games are meant to be played with all of your friends - regardless of mobile operating system. We've decided to expand to Android with these mobile gaming giants because all smartphone owners deserve high quality, easy to find games."