Viber adds games to popular messaging app
Users will be able to challenge each other and see rankings on a leaderboard, as part of the app's aim to take on Skype
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Viber, already one of the most popular messaging, voice and video call apps, has added games to its platforms so that friends can face off against each other.
Users will be able to play games through the app, inviting contacts to play, tracking scores and ranking them, and send gifts to other players. The games will be separate from the main app and available to download through the Android and iOS app stores.
The company said that the games will “take on the Viber brand look and feel”, and they will feature characters from the app’s Sticker Market — a collection of characters that function a little like emojis. The company has partnered with leading games makers.
Of the three games that will be available at launch — Viber Candy Mania, Viber Pop and Wild Luck Casino — the first two feature characters from the Stick Market, Violet and Legcat.
Viber Games has already launched in five countries — Belarus, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore and Ukraine — and will be rolled out internationally in January 2015. More games are set to be added to the line-up soon after that.
Viber began as a free messaging app similar to WhatsApp, but with voice calls, and has been adding extra features recently. It rolled out video calls in September, as well as recently launching public chats.
Viber was bought by Japanese online retail firm Rakuten in February.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments