Comments on: SGN Starts to Look Like a “Real Company.” Adds Jetman To Its Gaming Platform, About to Raise $10 Million http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/ Startup and Tech News Sat, 17 May 2008 05:46:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Social Gaming Network Buys Facebook Market Share http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2183397 Social Gaming Network Buys Facebook Market Share Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:17:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2183397 [...] its own cross-promotional advertising network for other gaming apps and is in the process of raising $10 million (says an outside source). There are now 70 games and other apps on its Gaming [...] […] its own cross-promotional advertising network for other gaming apps and is in the process of raising $10 million (says an outside source). There are now 70 games and other apps on its Gaming […]

]]> By: Bret http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2001540 Bret Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:56:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2001540 If anyone's interested, I posted detailed demographics (including male-female ratio and age breakdown) of the top ten games on Facebook. BTW, neither Zynga nor SGN have more than one game in the top ten. http://www.bretterrill.com/2008/02/top-ten-games-on-facebook-with-detail.html If anyone’s interested, I posted detailed demographics (including male-female ratio and age breakdown) of the top ten games on Facebook.

BTW, neither Zynga nor SGN have more than one game in the top ten.
http://www.bretterrill.com/200.....etail.html

]]> By: Mark Klinston http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000980 Mark Klinston Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:45:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000980 Both Mark Pincus and Fred Wilson should be embarrassed by the energy and effort they are putting into trashing their competition. You'd think with all the success the both of them have had that they'd be able to show a little more class. I'm rooting for the underdogs in this one, though in reality, the potential size of this market suggests there could be many winners here. Both Mark Pincus and Fred Wilson should be embarrassed by the energy and effort they are putting into trashing their competition.

You’d think with all the success the both of them have had that they’d be able to show a little more class.

I’m rooting for the underdogs in this one, though in reality, the potential size of this market suggests there could be many winners here.

]]> By: Derek Johnson http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000846 Derek Johnson Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:24:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000846 I saw Pincus on Monday at the GDC conference. He really needs to stop talking as his rants are starting to wear thin on everyone...and as suggested above he's looking like a real tool. Marc shut the F up and get to work. Nobody cares about you and how great you think you are. Based on what I've seen so far, I'm backing SGN all the way. Pincus is too immature and egotistical to run a real company. What a tool! I saw Pincus on Monday at the GDC conference. He really needs to stop talking as his rants are starting to wear thin on everyone…and as suggested above he’s looking like a real tool. Marc shut the F up and get to work. Nobody cares about you and how great you think you are. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I’m backing SGN all the way. Pincus is too immature and egotistical to run a real company. What a tool!

]]> By: Drew http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000818 Drew Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:00:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000818 Revenues mean shit right now. What matters are the games. And in that respect, SGN comes out handedly on top for WarBook alone. The gameplay is integrated into the social fabric and the common server handling between Bebo and Facebook is leading the industry. I'd back SGN any day. (Plus, do you really trust someone's opinion in the social sphere if he differentiates between blogging and journalism?) Revenues mean shit right now. What matters are the games.

And in that respect, SGN comes out handedly on top for WarBook alone. The gameplay is integrated into the social fabric and the common server handling between Bebo and Facebook is leading the industry.

I’d back SGN any day.

(Plus, do you really trust someone’s opinion in the social sphere if he differentiates between blogging and journalism?)

]]> By: Erick Schonfeld http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000703 Erick Schonfeld Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:55:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000703 #32 and everyone talking about revenues, that is the right metric to focus on. Which is why I say SGN is "as real as any business built on Facebook." Wilson is implying that Zynga is real and SGN isn't, and he points to the same Adonomics metrics I cite above. So if one is real, so is the other. That does not preclude the possibility that neither one (or any app built on Facebook) is a real business. We'll have to see if the revenues come in. Until then, all we have to look at are imperfect metrics. #32 and everyone talking about revenues, that is the right metric to focus on. Which is why I say SGN is “as real as any business built on Facebook.”

Wilson is implying that Zynga is real and SGN isn’t, and he points to the same Adonomics metrics I cite above. So if one is real, so is the other. That does not preclude the possibility that neither one (or any app built on Facebook) is a real business. We’ll have to see if the revenues come in. Until then, all we have to look at are imperfect metrics.

]]> By: CanCar http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000684 CanCar Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:37:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000684 In order to access to the games that Zynga offer, would have to make it through of a social site, or is a direct form to do it? In order to access to the games that Zynga offer, would have to make it through of a social site, or is a direct form to do it?

]]> By: rubu http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000624 rubu Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:27:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000624 There is no doubt that both are real companies by every single metric that we have seen so far. However, this war over who is “the best” is being fought way to early in the game. There is no doubt that both are real companies by every single metric that we have seen so far. However, this war over who is “the best” is being fought way to early in the game.

]]> By: Jenkins http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000484 Jenkins Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:38:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000484 Pincus looks like a total jerk. If I had just failed so badly in my last start-up I'd be a little careful about how I am viewed during my next gig. This is not a good start for the CEO of Tribe.net. Pincus looks like a total jerk. If I had just failed so badly in my last start-up I’d be a little careful about how I am viewed during my next gig. This is not a good start for the CEO of Tribe.net.

]]> By: Greg Magarshak http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000253 Greg Magarshak Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:29:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000253 Actually, we are building something that will hopefully be cooler than Zynga. But it won't spread through facebook. By the way I didn't know Zach was up to something big :) Actually, we are building something that will hopefully be cooler than Zynga. But it won’t spread through facebook.

By the way I didn’t know Zach was up to something big :)

]]> By: Kitarist http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000246 Kitarist Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:20:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000246 Great article. It seems that everything cirlces about revenue now oh well Great article. It seems that everything cirlces about revenue now oh well

]]> By: Terry http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000245 Terry Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:16:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000245 I think the most interesting part of this, is that as far as I can tell chronologically, the first mud was sling by CEO of SGN a couple days ago in the prior blog outburst of rivalry. Now, everyone points to Zynga's CEO as being the unprofessional one. Techcrunch obviously knew this and went to Pincus for a response to the dirt that was thrown at him. He obliged. The blog world is a funny one indeed. I think the most interesting part of this, is that as far as I can tell chronologically, the first mud was sling by CEO of SGN a couple days ago in the prior blog outburst of rivalry. Now, everyone points to Zynga’s CEO as being the unprofessional one.

Techcrunch obviously knew this and went to Pincus for a response to the dirt that was thrown at him. He obliged.

The blog world is a funny one indeed.

]]> By: Isaac http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000203 Isaac Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:35:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000203 I'm sorry, I thought I just read a journalist write that a business is serious because it now has "Jetman"... I’m sorry, I thought I just read a journalist write that a business is serious because it now has “Jetman”…

]]> By: guy_from_east http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000076 guy_from_east Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:33:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000076 The Guys at Zynga just really need to be quiet. Their constant complaining on what a journalist said is totally unprofessional, and only just shows how completely insecure they really are. If they really believe there better than SGN, then they just need to keep quiet and focus on improving their current product. The Guys at Zynga just really need to be quiet. Their constant complaining on what a journalist said is totally unprofessional, and only just shows how completely insecure they really are. If they really believe there better than SGN, then they just need to keep quiet and focus on improving their current product.

]]> By: yongfook http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000065 yongfook Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:16:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000065 Zach > thanks for correcting me, I didn't know both were generating revenue already. Pincus might have a point though - branded advertisment on THEIR network is essentially worthless when the audience is so fragmented and not particularly engaged by the content when the number of actual active users is so low. Advertising under this model is only worth it to the advertiser when you have a massive hit game that really drives traffic, like Desktop Tower Defense etc - and that doesn't really seem to be the strategy here, with games like poker and blackjack that are nice time-wasters but none of them particularly stand-out games that drive traffic. Zach > thanks for correcting me, I didn’t know both were generating revenue already. Pincus might have a point though - branded advertisment on THEIR network is essentially worthless when the audience is so fragmented and not particularly engaged by the content when the number of actual active users is so low.

Advertising under this model is only worth it to the advertiser when you have a massive hit game that really drives traffic, like Desktop Tower Defense etc - and that doesn’t really seem to be the strategy here, with games like poker and blackjack that are nice time-wasters but none of them particularly stand-out games that drive traffic.

]]> By: Andy Triboletti http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000060 Andy Triboletti Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:10:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000060 Damn, they're a real company now? Does that mean they have to start losing money? Damn, they’re a real company now? Does that mean they have to start losing money?

]]> By: Larry Larrikin http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000057 Larry Larrikin Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:07:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000057 Clearly the only way to settle this debate is which company has the most "web 2.0" name. And that is Zynga, so they are the loser. Social Gaming Network, the most boring of pre web 1.0 style names, obviously plans to be in it for the long haul. Clearly the only way to settle this debate is which company has the most “web 2.0″ name. And that is Zynga, so they are the loser. Social Gaming Network, the most boring of pre web 1.0 style names, obviously plans to be in it for the long haul.

]]> By: Zach Allia http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000050 Zach Allia Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:57:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000050 Scratch the fact that it was deleted - here is the thread: http://forum.developers.facebook.com/viewtopic.php?id=6445 Scratch the fact that it was deleted - here is the thread: http://forum.developers.facebo.....hp?id=6445

]]> By: Long View http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000048 Long View Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:54:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000048 Chance favors the prepared MIND! ... TALK is CHEAP and ACTION speaks LOUDER than WORDS ... Chance favors the prepared MIND! … TALK is CHEAP and ACTION speaks LOUDER than WORDS …

]]> By: Zach Allia http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000046 Zach Allia Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:53:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000046 Erick - Your last sentence "Dead installs (i.e. inactive users) are only good for spamming" is not something that we have seen SGN do. We have seen Zynga do this with one of their apps, and there was a huge post on the facebook developer forums about it, but they deleted it. Erick - Your last sentence “Dead installs (i.e. inactive users) are only good for spamming” is not something that we have seen SGN do. We have seen Zynga do this with one of their apps, and there was a huge post on the facebook developer forums about it, but they deleted it.

]]> By: Xavierv http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000045 Xavierv Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:52:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000045 Wow, over 2 million comments on Techcrunch. Impressive! Wow, over 2 million comments on Techcrunch.
Impressive!

]]> By: Zach Allia http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000040 Zach Allia Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:50:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000040 Youngfook - both companies make money, but they have a very different approach to revenue. Pincus said yesterday on his panel at GDC, that he thinks the way to make revenue is by "selling app installs" and that branded advertisement is basically worthless (which is ridiculous to say). Also, we have to remember that Zynga started off making money by installing toolbars, and that is totally not cool. SGN is using Video Egg on Warbook, and TJ said in the same panel that was profitable (he also gave numbers, but I don't remember what he said). There is no doubt that both are real companies by every single metric that we have seen so far. However, this war over who is "the best" is being fought way to early in the game. Youngfook - both companies make money, but they have a very different approach to revenue.

Pincus said yesterday on his panel at GDC, that he thinks the way to make revenue is by “selling app installs” and that branded advertisement is basically worthless (which is ridiculous to say). Also, we have to remember that Zynga started off making money by installing toolbars, and that is totally not cool.

SGN is using Video Egg on Warbook, and TJ said in the same panel that was profitable (he also gave numbers, but I don’t remember what he said).

There is no doubt that both are real companies by every single metric that we have seen so far. However, this war over who is “the best” is being fought way to early in the game.

]]> By: Mark Pincus http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000037 Mark Pincus Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:46:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000037 Oh, and I forgot to mention ... Erick, your mother wears army boots! Oh, and I forgot to mention … Erick, your mother wears army boots!

]]> By: yongfook http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000034 yongfook Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:42:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000034 "You guys might want to talk about revenue. It’s kind of important. With a recession coming the folks with no revenue are going to get wiped out! Gitty-up." I was going to say something similar. Two companies with no revenue arguing about which one is the "real" company? How cute. From the look of things neither has done any sales yet. I'm not seeing adverts in zynga's games (the few that I bothered to install to see how they are monetising, which I then promptly uninstalled) - correct me if I'm wrong - and SGN hasn't even launched yet. All this dick-waving about numbers and installs is nice and all, but if they are going to turn this into some childish public contest, the real metric has to be green. The company that can successfully monetise its audience and product is the "real" company, IMO. If they both manage to do that, awesome. If neither manage to do it, then kthxbai. “You guys might want to talk about revenue. It’s kind of important. With a recession coming the folks with no revenue are going to get wiped out! Gitty-up.”

I was going to say something similar.

Two companies with no revenue arguing about which one is the “real” company? How cute. From the look of things neither has done any sales yet. I’m not seeing adverts in zynga’s games (the few that I bothered to install to see how they are monetising, which I then promptly uninstalled) - correct me if I’m wrong - and SGN hasn’t even launched yet. All this dick-waving about numbers and installs is nice and all, but if they are going to turn this into some childish public contest, the real metric has to be green. The company that can successfully monetise its audience and product is the “real” company, IMO. If they both manage to do that, awesome. If neither manage to do it, then kthxbai.

]]> By: spez http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000027 spez Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:39:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/19/sgn-starts-to-look-like-a-real-company-adds-jetman-to-its-gaming-platform-about-to-raise-10-million/#comment-2000027 I agree with #4 Those two sound like an old married couple. I think Zynga CEO Mark Pincus probably learned a lesson from this though (I hope he has anyways). Bad talking your competition (or anyone for that matter) does nothing for your company other than make it look BAD. I agree with #4

Those two sound like an old married couple.

I think Zynga CEO Mark Pincus probably learned a lesson from this though (I hope he has anyways). Bad talking your competition (or anyone for that matter) does nothing for your company other than make it look BAD.

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