Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Gameview’s Tap Fish Soars to #1 Live Wallpaper Game in Android Market


Tap Fish for Android a Top-10 casual game for last 5 months
with over 5 million downloads

Mountain View, CA – August 24, 2011 – Gameview Studios Inc. (www.gameviewstudios.com), a leading publisher of mobile social games and a division of DeNA, announced today that the AndroidTM version of its flagship game Tap Fish now supports Android’s innovative new “Live Wallpaper” functionality.  The day following the release of the new feature, Tap Fish soared to the #1 spot in the “Live Wallpaper” category for free games in Android MarketTM.

TapFish is among the first games to incorporate live wallpaper into its application. The feature allows users to check in on their virtual fish tanks and engage with the game directly from their phone’s home screen without having to launch the application. Android made live wallpapers available starting with release 2.1 of the platform, enabling users to enjoy backgrounds on their homescreens that can be animated or interactive.

Tap Fish for Android Growth Continues and Narrows ARPU Gap vs iOS

According to Google, there are now over 550,000 new Android activations daily, having eclipsed iOS daily activations and giving Android a 48% market share. The ARPU gap between the two platforms has also narrowed, according to Gameview’s data. In a unique position because its Tap Fish game has reached massive scale on both platforms, Gameview has seen monetization rates on Android approaching the ARPU levels of iOS. 

“Android as a platform is chock full of really innovative features for developers to integrate into their apps, and live wallpaper is a perfect example,” said Riz Virk, co-founder of Gameview Studios. “Many developers complain that Android only monetizes at a small fraction of their games on iOS, but that’s not what we see. Our Android games monetize about on par with our iOS games – in some cases up to 30% higher – and as we focus on building out cool new features like live wallpaper, we expect usage, engagement and revenues on the Android platform to continue to climb.”

In its latest update, Tap Fish added a number of features that are unique to the Android operating system including:

1.       Live Wallpaper functionality
2.       Social gameplay features, where users can feed each other’s fish, clean their tanks, and help friends revive dead fish
3.       Daily Spin for cool rewards, and jackpot spins for premium rewards.

Some interesting stats about Tap Fish for Android include:

1.       Over 5 million installs to-date
2.       About 2 million monthly active users
3.       High monetization rates, with ARPU’s up to 30% higher than iOS ARPUs
4.       High frequency of play, with many users returning for 10—15 sessions per day

Both Tap Fish and Tap Ranch are available on all Android 2.0 and above devices and can be downloaded in the Android Market or online at https://market.android.com/developer?pub=Gameview+Studios.

The Tap Fish Live Wallpaper can be accessed by clicking the “Set Wallpaper” icon from within the game or at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bayview.tapfish&feature=top-free.

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About Gameview Studios
Gameview Studios is a leading publisher of free-to-play games for iOS, Android and other mobile platforms. Founded in 2010, Gameview is committed to building high-quality games that are social, engaging and fun for audiences of all ages. The company was acquired in 2010 by Japanese firm DeNA, one of the world’s most successful mobile Internet companies with games and community products that reach 100 million consumers spanning mobile and PC platforms. Gameview’s titles include the Tap Fish and Tap Ranch franchises, Tap Town, Tap Mall, Tap Bistro, Tap Jurassic and Titans vs Olympians. Gameview Studios is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information, visit www.gameviewstudios.com.

About DeNA
DeNA Co., Ltd. is a world-leading online service company that operates Mobage social gaming platform, social networking services and e-commerce websites. Drawing on its extensive community base and rapidly expanding developer line-ups, Mobage currently serves over 30 million users in Japan with more than 1,000 game titles for smartphones, feature phones as well as PCs. The company generated annual sales of more than 1.3 billion U.S. dollars in fiscal year ended March 2011, and has a market cap over $7 billion. To expand the Mobage platform globally, DeNA is building a presence in the US, Europe, China and South Korea. DeNA is listed on the Tokyo stock exchange (2432). For more information, visit www.dena.jp/en.

Android and Android Market are trademarks of Google Inc.


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Media Contact:                                                                 Company Contact
Matt McAllister                                                                 Jim Rainey
Fluid PR                                                                                Gameview Studios
matt@fluidspeak.com                                                     jim@gameviewstudios.com
               

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Gameview’s Tap Fish Comes to Android, Soars to #1 Free Casual Game

 Leading iOS aquarium game now available in the Android Market

Mountain View, CA – April 19, 2011 – Gameview Studios Inc. (www.gameviewstudios.com), a leading publisher of mobile social games and a division of DeNA, announced today that Tap Fish, the largest aquarium game on iOS with more than 10 million downloads, is now available in the Android Market as well. Launched on April 1, the application has already received over 500,000 installs, rave user reviews and a 4.5 out of 5 star rating by over 10,000 fans. It is currently soaring up the charts, reaching the #1 position for free casual games and near the top of the charts for all free games.

The success of Tap Fish on Android is reflected in statistics such as:

·       On average, users log in more than 3 times a day to check on their aquariums
·       The 7-day retention rate is greater than 85%
·       Since the launch, users have visited over 1 million of their neighbor’s tanks

“The Android platform holds tremendous opportunity for social mobile games,” said John Hwang, Vice President of Social Games at Gameview Studios. “Consumers have clearly embraced it, and there are several key distribution and monetization opportunities that make it very appealing to us as developers. But the biggest reason we ported Tap Fish over to Android was the sheer volume of requests we got from consumers who had seen the game on their friends’ iPhones or heard about it online and simply had to have it for their Android devices.”

Just like in the original iOS version, Tap Fish for Android gives players virtual aquariums in which to raise various types of fish and other marine life by feeding them, cleaning their tanks, and giving them “love.” Once grown, the fish can be sold or bred with other fish to create new species. The game features hundreds of different types of fish and exotic marine life including killer whales, sharks and sting rays, plus 80 distinct tanks, dozens of backgrounds, and a large variety of decorations.

Porting Tap Fish over to Android was an easy decision for Gameview Studios, considering the platform’s extraordinary growth rate. A study released earlier this month by Gartner said Android is in line to become the world’s most popular operating system by the end of the year and capture nearly half of the entire smartphone OS market in 2012.

With in-app purchases now available on Android, and with application storefronts such as the Android Market and others making Android apps easier to find, Gameview Studios plans on releasing many other titles on the Android platform over the coming months.

Tap Fish is now available on all Android devices using version 2.0 or later. The game can be downloaded through the Android Market or online at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bayview.tapfish.

# # #

About Gameview Studios
Gameview Studios is a leading publisher of free-to-play games for iOS, Android and other mobile platforms. Founded in 2010, Gameview is committed to building high-quality games that are social, engaging and fun for audiences of all ages. The company was acquired in 2010 by Japanese firm DeNA, one of the world’s most successful mobile Internet companies with games and community products that reach 100 million consumers spanning mobile and PC platforms. Gameview’s titles include the Tap Fish and Tap Ranch franchises, Tap Town, Tap Mall, Tap Bistro, Tap Jurassic and Titans vs Olympians. Gameview Studios is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information, visit www.gameviewstudios.com.

# # #

Company Contact
Jim Rainey
Gameview Studios

Media Contact:                                                                                           
Matt McAllister 
Fluid PR  
(510) 229-9707
matt@fluidspeak.com                                                 

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Gameview Studios Brings Dinosaurs to Life with the Launch of Tap Jurassic


1 million park owners downloaded game on iOS in first 10 days

Mountain View, CA – March 16, 2011 – Gameview Studios Inc. (www.gameviewstudios.com), a leading publisher of mobile social games and a division of DeNA, announced today the launch of Tap Jurassic, a gaming application allowing players to build and manage their very own dinosaur inhabited theme park, complete with Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, Pterodactyls and over 40 other prehistoric animals.

Available for free through the Apple App Store and on iTunes, Tap Jurassic was downloaded by more than 1 million users in the first 10 days since its launch, making it Gameview’s fastest growing game ever.   

Some relevant stats in the first 10 days include:

·       Almost 3 million dinosaurs and prehistoric animals were hatched and found
       homes in player’s parks
·       Over 6 million play sessions
·       On average, players logged in 3 times a day to check on their theme parks

Tap Jurassic follows on the heels of Gameview’s Fish in Love, the latest in the widely-successful Tap Fish franchise that recently surpassed 10 million installs and is the largest aquarium-based game on iOS. A social resource-management game, Tap Jurassic gives players their own island theme parks on which to collect and exhibit all sorts of prehistoric animal species. Park owners can attract more visitors and build a thriving theme park by adding new dinosaurs, constructing different types of habitats, and adding special decorations and concession stands.

 “We are proud to bring our distinctive brand of social mobile games to the prehistoric era,” said Riz Virk, CEO of Gameview Studios. “Anyone who’s ever watched the movie Jurassic Park, or loved dinosaurs as a kid will enjoy Tap Jurassic.  We wanted to create a game that would appeal to both kids and adults, so we’re excited to see the user base pick up so quickly.”

As the park owner, players are responsible for feeding their dinosaurs, tending to their attractions, and keeping their parks clean in order to earn coins and level up.  Features to be found along the way include:

·       Breeding.  Players can breed different species of dinosaurs together to create new, unexpected combinations, bringing out their “inner mad scientist.” ·       Some examples include breeding a V-Rex (Velociraptor combined with a Tyrannosaurus Rex) or a S-Rex (Tyrannosaurus Rex combined with a Stegosaurus).

·       Quests. Players can test their mettle as a park owner, unlocking new exhibits and attractions by completing quests such as picking up trash, watering plants and breeding animals. Claim rewards including a Petting Zoo, Reptile Exhibit, Miniature Steam Train and more.

·       Neighbors.  Players can visit neighbors’ dinosaur parks to see how their attractions stack up.  Players can support each other by helping to maintain each others’ parks.

·       Habitats. In Tap Jurassic, every dinosaur and prehistoric animal live inside unique habitats. Players can construct new habitats such as the Rainforest Habitat, Desert Habitat, Swamp Habitat and many others.

·       Concessions & Decorations.  Players can decorate their theme parks and add concession stands such as Popcorn shops, Dino Candy Stores, Photo Booths, Lamp Posts, Rose Bushes and more.

·       Special and Seasonal Items. Gameview will frequently roll out special, limited-edition animals, habitats and decorations tied to specific holidays or seasons. Current items include a Leprechaun and Shire Habitat in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

Tap Jurassic is now available on all iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad devices using iOS 3.0 or later. The game can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or on iTunes at http://bit.ly/TapJurassic.

# # #

About Gameview Studios
Gameview Studios is a leading publisher of free-to-play games for iOS, Android and other mobile platforms. Founded in 2010, Gameview is committed to building high-quality games that are social, engaging and fun for audiences of all ages. The company was acquired in 2010 by Japanese firm DeNA, one of the world’s most successful mobile Internet companies with games and community products that reach 100 million consumers spanning mobile and PC platforms. Gameview’s titles include the Tap Fish and Tap Ranch franchises, Tap Birds, Tap Town, Tap Mall and Titans vs Olympians. Gameview Studios is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information, visit www.gameviewstudios.com.


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Company Contact:
Jim Rainey
Gameview Studios

Media Contact:                                                                                           
Matt McAllister                                                                                          
Fluid PR
matt@fluidspeak.com                                                                                                                                                            

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Gameview’s Tap Fish Turns One, Surpasses 10 Million Downloads


Tap Fish among 2010’s highest grossing virtual goods apps in the iTunes App Store

Mountain View, CA – March 8, 2011 – Gameview Studios Inc. (www.gameviewstudios.com), a leading publisher of mobile social games and a division of DeNA, is celebrating the one year anniversary and success of its flagship game, Tap Fish.  The Tap Fish franchise recently surpassed 10 million downloads in the iTunes App Store, making it the most popular aquarium-based game on the iOS platform. Due to sales of virtual goods inside the game, Tap Fish was among the top grossing free-to-play mobile games of 2010.
                                                                                                                                                                                              
“We are thrilled with the success and longevity of the whole Tap Fish franchise,” said Riz Virk, co-founder of Gameview Studios.  “Our goal has always been to build really high quality sticky social games.  One reason for the success of Tap Fish is that people think of these fish as their pets, enjoy caring for their fish, watching them grow, and showing them off to their friends.”

The full line of Gameview titles now includes:

  • Tap Jurassic – Build your very own Jurassic park with dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals, then breed those animals together to see what new species you can create.
  • Tap Ranch – Grow your own crops, raise livestock and other animals, and invest in "makers" to produce your own cheese, wine and fruit pies.
  • Tap Town – Create your own town by building ice cream shops, cinemas, chocolatiers, tree houses, 5 star hotels, mansions and more—just keep your town happy to attract new residents.  
  • Tap Mall – Become a mall tycoon by building and operating your own successful, profitable mall, which can be outfitted any way you like to fit your personal style and attract more shoppers. 
  •  Tap Birds – Own and decorate your own aviaries, where you can grow, sell and breed Toucans, Amazon Parrots, Rainbow Lorikeets and other birds—but don’t forget to clean up after them!
  • Titans vs Olympians – Collect cards featuring Zeus, Prometheus, Atlas and other gods, goddesses and legendary warriors, then challenge other players worldwide in battles for supremacy.

Gameview plans to release Tap Fish and its other titles on the Android platform in 2011.  The Android platform was the fastest growing mobile operating system in the U.S. last year, growing from 5.2 percent to 28.7 percent market share according to comScore.  With 350,000 new Android-enabled devices being activated every day, Gameview will be able to bring its first-rate gaming experiences to a rapidly expanding audience.

All Tap Fish games are immediately available free of charge for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad devices from the App Store or at www.itunes.com/appstore/

About Gameview Studios
Gameview Studios is a leading publisher of free-to-play games for iOS, Android and other mobile platforms. Founded in 2010, Gameview is committed to building high-quality games that are social, engaging and fun for audiences of all ages. The company was acquired in 2010 by Japanese firm DeNA, one of the world’s most successful mobile Internet companies with games and community products that reach 100 million consumers spanning mobile and PC platforms. Gameview’s titles include the Tap Fish and Tap Ranch franchises, Tap Birds, Tap Town, Tap Mall and Titans vs Olympians. Gameview Studios is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information, visit www.gameviewstudios.com.

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Company Contact
Jim Rainey
Gameview Studios

Media Contact:                                                                                         
Matt McAllister    
Fluid PR                                                

Monday, January 10, 2011

Tap Town 1.1 Released!

We just released version 1.1 of Tap Town, our city-building game, with some significant new features:

  • Expand your town up to 32x32
  • New Quests Feature - complete our Quests and add cool
  • Round the World - You can now add famous bulidings like the Taj Mahal, Coliseum,  to your towns!

Download TapTown 1.1 from the AppStore: