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Gramble, a new mobile social gaming platform that unites developers, players, and charities is now in open beta.
The Hague startup has been in closed testing on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets since December 2012 and already boasts 124,000 users, 250 games, and over 100 developers.
Gramble is a direct competitor to companies like Gree that aid developers by making it easier for customers to find their apps in the crowded mobile ecosystem.
What makes this platform different is that it has the additional draw of providing donations to charity, encouraging users to pay and play knowing it’s all for a good cause.
“We have been called "tech hippies" a few times. We are quite happy with that nickname,” said CEO and founder Adam Palmer.
Gramble might offer some lofty ideals, but at its core is a solution to a real problem – strengthening the bond between developers and customers – which has attracted $3 million in investment.
"We understand and acknowledge the need of game developers to gain as much discoverability in today’s mobile/tablet markets and want to find a way in which they can do so while also engaging their audience in a socially responsible and engaging way," explained Palmer.
A number of new features have been introduced for the open beta that will help Gramble accomplish its end: a system-wide chat system, cloud saving, leaderboards and achievements, and interactive Gramble and Facebook newsfeeds can all be accessed in-game through a robust social layer.
Gramble has also released its Developer Sandbox, including free SDKs and documentation to make integration as easy as possible.
“I’m very pleased that we can now offer an extended, more fleshed-out set of tools to attract players and help developers provide a more engaging experience to their audience,” said Palmer.
“We are now one step closer to giving developers a seamless path to integrate their games into our network, allowing them to extend their fanbase and also share the social Gramble experience with their existing audience.”
