I have been one of the lucky people to get a beta invite to new social gaming website Platogo and I have to say I love the concept. After an initial issue with emails (which has now been sorted), I spoke to a couple of the guys at Plotago and they were quick, helpful and seemed to be very on the ball.

About Platogo
"Platogo is a social gaming network, and is the first platform to apply the Web 2.0 paradigms of user-generated content and strong community focus to browser-based gaming in a way that's attractive to gamers and developers alike."

If I were to call the new hybrid generation of online engagement available, "web 3.0", then Platogo would definitely be in that category. Platogo takes what can be called social gaming into the new era of social media; similar to the principle of social commerce. It combines the success of the current saturated market of social networking and produces additonal purpose and community engagement.

One of my previous posts (The next step in social media) mentioned that the tide seems to be turning online to one of two possible routes: community engagement (places to host communities) or community montioring (integrated and amalgamated feeds of communities). Platogo seems to be addressing the first category very well by providing a purpose and niche market that people with a common interest can get together - and which most importantly includes that communal interest. With the recent exponential growth of online gaming and the monster that is social networking, the idea seemed like a logical approach. Platogo allows collaboration to create games which is a new concept in itself whichhas exponential opportunities for both netowkring and gameplay/interaction.

So, what makes Platogo better than other options?
The benefit of Platogo is that it builds a community around the games, and from what I understand, there will be complete interaction through online gameplay via building games and playing them. Some may say that you can play these type of games on Facebook - and you can (except game development). Nonetheless, Facebook is primarily a social tool, not a gaming tool and aims at a slightly different market. Platogo, although in its infancy stages, seems to be addressing theindustry of gaming, with the social part being an additional service which, if executed correctly, will make it a much more specialised product.

Why choose Platogo over traditional online gaming?
I wouldn't choose Platogo over traditional online gaming at present as the extent of Flash games can't compete with the likes of "Halo". However, I don't see it as an alternative but a complimentary product. It provides the more addictive, simplistic games that can be played online anywhere in the same way that you see hundreds of friends playing Farmville on Facebook. Platogo will hopefully be the appstore of online community gaming.

In conclusion, I think that Platogo knows that it has quite a large mountain to climb in order to meet the expectations of their (social) gaming community. However, if they time their launch correctly with the right games and the right interface to stimulate interactivity, I definatley think this will be one to watch - with many similar products in other industries to follow.

Related links:

• Platogo