Amazon announces new gaming studio, game
updated 04:38 pm EDT, Tue August 7, 2012
E-retailer rolls out social game on Facebook
Amazon is making a foray into the social gamings sphere, the company announced today, with a new game and a new gaming studio. The online retail giant revealed both Amazon Game Studios and its first game Living Classics in a post on its games portal. The new game is now available as an app on Facebook.
In the announcement, Amazon doesn't explain exactly why the retailer is moving into the gaming space, instead noting only that Amazon customers enjoy playing games. Living Classics is a "moving object game in which players take control of a family of foxes that have become immersed in the illustrated worlds of classic books like Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and King Arthur. Players explore illustrated scenes and spot moving objects in order to progress in the game.
The new game is on Facebook, but it may signal the intent on Amazon's part to make itself into a major player in the gaming sector. The company is already said to be heavily courting developers to improve the app ecosystem for its Kindle Fire tablet. This newest game, likely the end product of a previously revealed gaming project, would help Amazon to establish a foothold in gaming and could even lead to content exclusives, should Amazon see fit to add differentiating factors for its much-expected refresh of its Kindle Fire line.
