ZYNGA PUTS SLINGO ON FACEBOOK


02/19/2012 : ZYNGA PUTS SLINGO ON FACEBOOK
 
Licencing collaboration brings 15-year old web game to the social gaming environment
 
Social gaming giant Zynga acquired the rights to create a new version of Slingo Inc's 15-year-old land slot and web game for launch on Facebook.
 
Zynga Slingo, a combination of traditional Bingo and a slot machine, was reportedly launched on Facebook today (Wednesday) in 14 languages.
 
Industry observers note that the game is perfectly aligned for entry into the online gambling market but as yet has not been integrated into Zynga Casino where it would benefit from a common friend system of those social gamers who play Zynga Poker and Zynga Bingo.  Zynga has indicated it will rely on consumer feedback before considering the game’s integration into Zynga Casino.
 
Slingo's history has seen 50 million downloads and 4 million registered users of which 80 percent are women who spend an average of 34 minutes per visit, according to company statistics.
 
Rich Sawel, product manager for Zynga Slingo, said: “We’re excited to bring this to Facebook with our own unique spin on it.  Users who have played it in the past will feel right at home with it.”
 
Zynga and Slingo Inc. partnered a year ago and the game has been in the works for a while, confirmed Slingo chief executive Rich Roberts.  “We have an audience that is very familiar with the brand and the kind of gameplay it offers.  It lends itself to an environment where people chat and play for hours.”