OpenFeint: The Rise and Fall of a Mobile Social Gaming Pioneer
Before the era of integrated social ecosystems in mobile gaming, OpenFeint emerged as a critical bridge for developers and players. Founded by Jason Citron—who would later go on to create the communication platform Discord—OpenFeint provided the social infrastructure that allowed early mobile games to feel connected and competitive.
The Early Evolution of OpenFeint
The first iteration of OpenFeint launched on February 17, 2009. It quickly evolved to attract developers by removing financial barriers. In June 2009, the release of Version 2.0 made the platform free for developers to integrate into their own applications, a move supported by the engineering expertise of Harris Tsim.
Innovation continued with Version 2.1 on August 14, 2009. This update introduced a new user interface and the ability to add "Friends." Most notably, it launched Social challenges, a feature that allowed users to set specific tasks for themselves and their peers within games, with automated notifications alerting users when new challenges were available.
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Rapid Growth and Expansion
By January 8, 2010, Version 2.4 introduced a revamped layout and a dedicated standalone OpenFeint application. The platform's growth was explosive; by January 2010, over 900 applications in the iOS App Store had integrated OpenFeint, serving a registered user base of more than ten million people.
Seeking to expand beyond Apple's ecosystem, OpenFeint announced support for Android on September 15, 2010. This expansion was fueled by significant venture capital. The9 invested $5 million, followed by $3 million from Intel Capital and $6 million from DeNA, bringing the total investment to $12 million.
Legal Challenges and Market Pressure
Despite its success, the company faced significant legal turmoil in 2011. OpenFeint became the subject of a class action lawsuit involving allegations of computer fraud, breach of contract, bad faith, and invasion of privacy. Reports indicated that the company's business model involved accessing and disclosing personal information without authorization to web-analytic vendors, advertising networks, and mobile application developers.
Simultaneously, the competitive landscape shifted. The introduction of Game Center (Apple's native social gaming service) and ongoing struggles with monetization put immense pressure on the platform's viability.
Acquisition and Shutdown
In 2011, the Japanese company GREE acquired OpenFeint for $104 million. However, the acquisition did not lead to a long-term revival. On November 16, 2012, GREE announced that the service would be discontinued on December 14, 2012, as the company shifted its focus toward its own proprietary platform.
Key Facts
- Founder: Jason Citron (later founder of Discord).
- Launch Date: February 17, 2009.
- Peak Reach: Over 10 million registered users and 900+ iOS apps by January 2010.
- Total Investment: $12 million (from The9, Intel Capital, and DeNA).
- Acquisition Price: $104 million by GREE in 2011.
- Service End Date: December 14, 2012.
| Version/Date | Key Feature/Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 2009 | Initial Launch | Platform inception |
| June 2009 | Version 2.0 | Free for developers to integrate |
| Aug 14, 2009 | Version 2.1 | Social challenges and Friend lists |
| Jan 8, 2010 | Version 2.4 | Standalone app and revamped layout |
| Sept 15, 2010 | Android Support | Cross-platform expansion |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded OpenFeint?
OpenFeint was founded by Jason Citron, who is also well-known for later founding the communication app Discord.
What were "Social challenges" in OpenFeint?
Social challenges were a feature introduced in Version 2.1 that allowed users to create specific tasks within games for themselves and their friends, with notifications sent when new challenges were available.
Why was OpenFeint acquired by GREE?
OpenFeint was acquired for $104 million in 2011 due to difficulties with monetization and increased competition from the launch of Apple's Game Center.
What legal issues did OpenFeint face?
In 2011, the company was involved in a class action suit alleging invasion of privacy, computer fraud, and the unauthorized disclosure of personal information to third-party developers and advertisers.
When did OpenFeint officially stop operating?
The service was officially discontinued on December 14, 2012, after GREE decided to prioritize its own similar platform.