SOE Launches PoxNora On Facebook

Today Sony Online Entertainment launched its very first social game, a version of its PoxNora strategy CCG game for the Facebook platform. SOE plans to follow this release with more social games, based on both existing IP and new properties. PoxNora joined the SOE game portfolio in January 2009, after the company acquired PoxNora developers Octopi, LLC (now known as SOE Tucson). The online version of the game serves 2.5 million registered users. 

Just like the online version, the Facebook of PoxNora features microtransactions. Users must purchase virtual CCG "booster packs" in order to expand their armies and engage in the game's turn-based battles. SOE has simplified the game somewhat for its Facebook iteration, so it can appeal to a broader audience. Users will be able to post in-game achievements to their accounts and invite friends to join them in the game. 

Players of PoxNora on Facebook will be able to link their accounts to any pre-existing Sony Station account they might be using to play PoxNora online. Right now there is no immediate incentive to be gained from linking accounts, but this is likely to change in the future. It's very easy to imagine SOE coming up with Free Realms or EverQuest II social games that offer players rewards for linking their accounts together.  

SOE has supported the online version of PoxNora since its acquisition with expansions, a LiveGamer marketplace, and a set of prepaid cards that can help unbanked users purchase virtual goods. The release of PoxNora for Facebook comes on the heels of SOE's first experiment with social media, ConnecDING, a promotion that offered players virtual goods in exchange for following SOE properties on Twitter and Facebook. 

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