UPDATE: Due to the overwhelming response to this post we are unable to collect all your e-mail adresses. Please send an e-mail to hello@platogo.com with “TechCrunch EU” and your commenting username in the Subject and we will send you the invite code. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Platogo, an Austrian startup which we recently covered as being a Mini Seedcamp finalist, opens up in private beta tomorrow. Platogo, (as in Play Together Online) aims to be the one-stop-shop for simple online multiplayer gaming. You’ve heard of MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft, but Platogo focuses on simple, easy-to-learn, online flash games with nifty graphics which are easy to play, thus tapping into the far larger market of casual gamers. We have 50 exclusive Beta Invites for Techcrunch Europe Readers. The first 50 commenters on this post will get an invite code. And we’ll see if we can strong-arm the startup into handing out more. [Update: We just got them to add150, so keep commenting].
Developers are also a crucial part of the platform. With the SDK, devs can create their flash games for Platogo and submit them to the community. They can manage themselves as “Developer Teams” and take part in the community by responding to requests or bugs. Developers can start making money out of selling In-game items or taking a share in ad revenues. The site combines various features such as acting as a social net for friends to game with, while on the other hand letting you save and share your personal levels for each game.
Platogo’s failure or success will depend on their ability to keep both users and developers. Currently so-called “Platogo Points” act as the community’s payment and reward solution, which allow you to enter competitions and raise your in-game status. Feature like these are fundamental when it comes to acquiring new users and keeping them on the platform.