Skillz Introduces Real-Money Mobile Gaming in the U.S.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Playing mobile games for cash is now a reality with Skillz, the world's only multiplayer tournament platform for skill-based mobile games. Skillz enables game developers to host both cash and free multiplayer tournaments inside their mobile games. Skillz represents a brand new monetization opportunity for developers, making game development more profitable and gaming more fun. 

The Skillz open beta is available initially for the Android platform and will allow game developers of skill-based titles to host cash competitions in 36 U.S. states, while facilitating free and virtual currency tournaments worldwide.

"While mobile gaming continues to boom, game developers need innovative, yet complementary ways to monetize their content. 80% of mobile games revenue went to the top twenty development studios last year," said Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of Skillz. "Tournaments take mobile gaming to the next level by enhancing gameplay, making it more social and fun as players compete against each other. For developers, competitions translate into longer sessions, better user retention and increased revenue."

Developers using the Skillz platform are already seeing results. Joe Hanson, founder of Rocketmind, said,  "Since integrating Skillz, we're seeing increased engagement from our users in Big Sport Fishing. We've found that players who enter Skillz competitions play three times longer than their peers."

A New Monetization Solution

With Skillz, studios of all sizes can drive revenue while enriching gameplay. Using the Skillz SDK, developers collect income directly from every cash tournament, while increasing ad views and in-app purchases through virtual currency competitions that boost player engagement.

Skillz is launching with ten game studios, each releasing one Android title initially. The available games span a range of genres including sports, puzzle, arcade and more.

• GnarBike Trials (Gnarly Games)
• Bubble Explode (Spooky House Studios)
• Big Sport Fishing 3D Lite (Rocketmind)
• SushiChop (Rogue Rocket)
• Mini Golf Star: Putt Putt Game (DMW Design Group)
• International Boxing Champions (Coeus Creative)
• Bubble Shooter (Ilyon Dynamics)
• Apache Strike: Multiplayer Fun (The Game Boss/Geniteam Solutions)
• King of Defense (WSW)
• 3D Cave Runner (Skillz)

In these titles, players can enter cash tournaments for as little as $0.25, competing to win real money. Free competitions in these games are available worldwide.

Players interested in competing can visit: www.skillz.com

Developers interested in Skillz tournaments can visit: www.skillz.com/developers

Anyone interested in learning more about the Skillz corporation can visit: www.skillz.com/corporate

To see Skillz in action, check out the video at: http://youtu.be/SlyP8tYokYQ

To download the press kit, visit: http://skillz.com/corporate/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Skillz-Press-Kit-Launch.zip

About Skillz

Skillz is the world's first and only cash and virtual currency tournament platform for skill-based mobile games. Skillz believes in making mobile games more fun for players while making game creation more lucrative for developers. Founded in March 2012, the company has offices in San Francisco and Boston. Skillz announced $1.3M in seed capital from Atlas Venture, Nextview Ventures and angel investors in November 2012. To learn more, visit www.skillz.com.

Media Contact
Molly Gerth
Skillz, Inc.
[email protected]
646-470-5527

SOURCE Skillz