Skip to main content

Google Buys Social Gaming Outfit SocialDeck

Internet giant Google is continuing its string of acquisitions—and is showing more signs of investing heavily in social networking and entertainment—by acquiring SocialDeck for an undisclosed amount. SocialDeck makes casual games for the iPhone, BlackBerry, and Facebook, with plans to expand to the Android platform. Neither Google nor SocialDeck have commented on how Google plans to integrate SocialDeck into the company, but Google’s interest may be in SocialDeck’s Spark platform, which can coordinate players across social games on multiple platforms, enabling iPhone users to play with users on Facebook, for example.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

“We started this company with the goal of connecting friends through social games on all kinds of exciting new mobile devices,” SocialDeck wrote on it’s Web site. “We’ve been amazed and humbled by all of the stories and experiences our customers (you!) have shared with us.”

Recommended Videos

The company hasn’t announced whether its current stable of games will continue to be supported or (in one case) offered for sale.

SocialDeck marks Google’s fifth acquisition in recent weeks: it’s also picked up social game developer Slide, virtual currency firm Jambool, social news startup Ångströ, and online retailer Like.com.

Topics
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Best Buy is selling a different game for $10 every day this week
Sonic holds his heels during a midair trick in Photo Mode.

We’re always game to see what exciting Best Buy deals are hanging around in stores and online. Now that summer is wrapping up, the remaining weeks of August are still seeing plenty of laptop, TV, and appliance sales. And if you’re a console or PC gamer, you’ll be elated to learn that Best Buy is throwing an amazing sales event until August 18. As part of the Video Games Sale event, one game is marked down to $10 for 10 days straight.

 
Here's why you should check back on Best Buy's $10 game deal every day this week
This is a fantastic way to save some dough while investing in some of the greatest games of the last few years. So far, we’ve seen sales on Madden 24, Sonic Superstars, Skull and Bones, Fitness Boxing: Fist of the North Star, and Immortals Fenyx Rising. That means there’s only five games left, and Best Buy doesn’t reveal what title it is until the stroke of midnight! 

Read more
The 5 best games in the Best Buy Nintendo Switch sale
The new Nintendo Switch OLED Splatoon 3 model.

The Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular game consoles on the market, so we’re not surprised that some of the best games of 2024 happen to be Switch titles. Whether you’re into action-adventure games, platformers, or even RPGs, you’ll find games from just about every genre on Nintendo’s latest system. As a matter of fact, while looking through Best Buy deals, we found this terrific Switch game offer.

While the sale lasts, you’ll be able to purchase a ton of the Switch’s best games at a discounted price. We picked our favorites. These include Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course, Switch Sports, Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak Deluxe, Mario Tennis Aces, and WarioWare: Get it Together!
Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course — $20, was $27

Read more
PS5 just got one of this decade’s most underrated games
the best deck building games monster train

If you missed out on the fantastic Monster Train when it originally launched on PC in 2020, now is the perfect time to catch up on one of the best roguelike deck-builders. The indie highlight is now available on PlayStation 5 and it's as inventive as ever. On paper, Monster Train may sound like any other card battler following in the wake of Slay the Spire. You will choose a path through various stages, engage in turn-based combat, and build your deck until you either fail or reach the end (usually the former).

Where Monster Train diverts from others in the space is how battles are structured. I admit that I wasn't sold on the game by its description due to how overwhelming and complex deck-builders can get. Just like Marvel's Midnight Suns, however, you shouldn't let your aversion to cards turn you off from an amazing and addictive title. And if you already love card games, this is one train you need to catch.
All aboard the Monster Train
In Monster Train, players control several demon forces attempting to bring the last embers of hell via train across a frozen tundra while angelic forces attempt to snuff it out for good. It's a serviceable story to get the action going, though narrative isn't the draw here.

Read more