Viber messaging app expands platform to integrate with mobile games

Viber, the popular cross-platform messaging app acquired by Rakuten early this year, has just been updated on iOS with support for Viber Games.

Indeed, Viber has expanded its service to offer integration with mobile games, following in the virtual gaming footsteps of rival messaging apps including KakaoTalk, Line, and Tango.

Viber has partnered with third-party game developers to release mobile games that are not only integrated with the messaging app’s platform but also enhanced with the sticker characters as well as look and feel of the Viber brand.

As noted by Viber:

The games were built using “Viber Connect,” a new private API that allows users to sign in with their Viber ID to connect with their friends and contacts on Viber, send them gifts and brag about their achievements. Additionally, users will be able to send game invites via Viber, and see what games their friends are currently playing.

Viber Pop

For the launch of Viber Games, Viber is featuring the Candy Crush Saga-like Viber Candy Mania and the Bubble Witch Saga-esque Viber Pop, both developed by Candy Blast Mania and Bubble Mania creator TeamLava aka Storm8, along with the slot machine game Wild Luck Casino, built by Slotomania developer Playtika.

Viber Games are promoted via the new Games section of the Viber app and are available to download from the App Store as free-to-play titles.

Note that Viber Games are initially available in Belarus, Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, and Ukraine, with their releases in other countries around the world to be staggered throughout the coming months.

The launch of Viber Games follows several significant developments in the continuing expansion of Viber in the past several months. In September, Viber was updated with video calling, in addition to audio calling and instant messaging. Then, in November, it was updated with new features for iOS 8 including interactive notifications and a share extension, and with support for Public Chats.