General Questions

What is Platogo? Please explain without the use of the words "social network", "community" and "next big thing!" Thanks!

Platogo is where the world goes to play: a browser-based gaming website with lots of community features. Sorry. I said it.

Browser-based gaming means you can play catchy little games (so-called casual games) online, in your preferred web browser, on your computer: games that might get you hooked. But you can also raise your voice (figuratively speaking) and rate the performances of other players. You can also build your own levels for existing games (should you be the creative kind) or you can comment on the levels other people have built (if you're the commenting kind.)

Platogo is also a place for developers. If you're programming games, and are looking for a place to publish your creative output, and get it evaluated by the teeming collective, then Platogo is your planet. Additionally (there's always an "additionally"), you can make money through your games – a side effect that might be especially attractive for up-and-coming game developers. Ah, that got your attention. More on that in the Game Developers section.

Oh, and Platogo is free. And it might just be the next big thing. Ha! There! I did it again!

Do I need to register to use Platogo?

No. Not necessarily. But using Platogo without registering is a bit like "Look, but don't touch!" Effectively, you'd be missing out on a lot of Platogo features. Like creating your own levels, saving highscores, and rating other games. So, if you're not already registered, do it now!

But there's more. If, like so many others, you're on Facebook, you can also use your Facebook credentials to log in with Platogo. Easy, huh?

And if you're a developer with great expectations and wicked games you'd like to get published on Platogo, we have a special section with all the relevant info for you.

What kind of games does Platogo offer?

The casual kind. These are games that are easy to grasp (although sometimes hard to master!), quick to get into, and which need no previous gaming experience. The games you can play (and add levels to) while you're having a... ahem... "creative" pause at work. Games that you'll love to share with your friends. What you won't find in these games is brutal violence or cheap sexual innuendo. We don't do that.

Are Platogo games safe for my children to play?

As long as they don't hurt themselves falling off the chair due to excessive gaming excitement, the games are completely safe for your kids to play. Like we said in the previous answer, we don't do games with sex and violence, or racism and all the other unnecessary stuff you might find elsewhere. Additionally, offensive content is filtered out by the community through a flagging feature.

What do I need to play games on Platogo?

A computer to start with, and a browser that runs recent versions of Adobe Flash player and that has JavaScript enabled. Most browsers have these by default, so you should be fine – as long as you use a browser that was made in this century. (For example, Internet Explorer 6 won't work.)

Can I use Platogo on my mobile?

Good question, because that means you want to use Platogo anywhere, anytime. However, at this stage we don't have a mobile version. Yet! But because the whole world is going mobile, we are of course working on mobile features.

Why is Platogo only available in English?

Easy answer. English is the language most people speak, whether as a first, second, third or fourth language. We appreciate all languages and will add other languages in the future, but to get Platogo started we decided to release an all-English version.

A quick note on the side. We're Austrian, so English is not our first language. So if you write to us in German, we'll understand.

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Registration

Can I play without registering?

If you look at the top of the page, you'll see the same question but worded slightly differently. Here's the same answer, worded slightly differently. Yes. Yes you can. But you'd feel like a kid outside the candy store. Registering lets you step inside the candy store, and enjoy all the Platogo features: community participation, level creation, game rating, highscore saving, recommending stuff to friends. And for our developer community, we have a special info section just for you.

Why do I have to register?

Some of the stuff you do on Platogo is uniquely you: your very own highscores, the levels you've created, the achievements you've accumulated for your Rising Star points (more on the Rising Star below.) Just imagine you managed to score top points in a really popular game, but you were unable to share your achievement with the world? A fleeting moment of fame? Registering gives you the chance to be a star.

Once you're registered, you can save and share your highscores, you can create levels, or comment on and rate other people's levels. You can buy game items, and win the Rising Star Contest. Too many good things you wouldn't want to miss out on.

How do I register?

Either run through the quick'n'easy registration process here on the page's header, filling out the usual details – choose a funky username, a password and enter a valid email address (you'll get a confirmation email with an activation code – your security is important to us!)

Or – the even easier way – use your Facebook credentials to log in. Simple, isn't it?

What's Facebook Connect on Platogo?

The easy way to log in, if you really don't want to go through the entertaining registration process. You can log in with your Facebook credentials and publish the levels you've created (your very own masterpieces!) on your Facebook wall, if you want to. Show the world what you can do.

How much of my personal data will be publicly visible?

Oh, we respect your privacy, of course. Naturally, we won't show your email address, your gender, or your birthday. That's no-one's business but your own. We will show which country you live in and if you want to promote your website, you can do that too.

Will Platogo pass on my personal data to anyone?

Only to provide you with essential services such as secure online payment (and trust us, we always keep control of your data.) Other than that, absolutely not.

I forgot my user name or password.

Don't worry, that happens. Simply click the aptly named "Forgot password" link in the log-in dialog and enter your email address (the one you registered with.) In no time you'll get a message with your user name and a link to reset your password. And you're good to go again.

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Game Developers

How can I publish games on Platogo? And, more importantly, what's in it for me?

Anyone can publish games on Platogo, so long as they do not contain material of a violent, sexual, racist or otherwise offensive nature (Platogo is a family-friendly place, remember!)

And, just like in the real world, the better you are, the more you can get out of it. Firstly, there's an actual chance to make real money with your games. Just read the answer to the chillingly accurate question " How do I make money?" below. And secondly, you can get valuable exposure and the chance to sell yourself well. Seriously.

Go to the Dev Center on the site and click "Apply now and become a developer".

How do I make money?

Two ways: you can get shares from ad revenue, and you can take a cut of any item sold within your game.

What would be my revenue shares?

It would be a fixed 40% share of net ad revenues.

You'll find there's good cash in item sales too; you'll get a fixed 70% of net revenue, i.e. transaction value minus transaction costs and taxes. (And yes, we're always pushing our partners to keep transaction costs as low as possible – it's in all our interests!)

Do I keep the rights to my own games?

Yes. You absolutely do.

Can I control the quality of levels added to my game?

The quality of the levels added to your game gets pretty much rated by the community. Obviously the more popular levels are, the more ratings those levels will get and the more significant these ratings will be. Unpopular levels will get trashed by user reviews; anything inappropriate (whether it'd be of violent, sexual, religious or offending nature) will be flagged by users and then killed by us. All in all an exciting process, seeing how your creations do in the big wide gaming world.

A user has put offensive or copyrighted material (photos, sound etc) in a level. What can I do?

Put a big, shining flag on it! It will then be assessed and, if necessary, dropped to the bottom of the deep blue sea (i.e. removed.)

Can I remove my games from Platogo?

You can't, but we can do it for you if you really, really want us to. Just send us an email if you want your game to be removed.

How do I benefit from adding my games to Platogo?

You will be immensely popular, indulge in the finest foods and accumulate riches beyond your wildest dreams. Yes, that is possible, theoretically. On a more sober level, you can gain valuable exposure as a developer, you can earn money, access developer tools, and you can get in touch with the people who like your games – your fans! – directly. That's the benefit of an active Platogo community.

And now, please read the first sentence of this answer again.

Can I publish games I've added to Platogo elsewhere?

Oh yes, please do! We encourage this, as it's beneficial to everyone involved. The Platogo API works even if the game is hosted elsewhere, just as long as it's available on Platogo too. Gamers playing your games elsewhere still have to be logged in at Platogo for all the features to work smoothly.

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Rules & Regulations

How many games can I play?

The number of games is growing as we speak. (To be more precise: as we write. Or as you read.) Developers from all over the world are adding new games, and Platogo users are adding levels to these games. And you can play all of them, as long as you wish! And add levels.

How long can I play everyday?

As long as your eyes, fingers and general fitness allow. We won't set a limit. Your doctor might though. In other words, play responsibly!

How can I build my own game levels?

We encourage game developers to include a very intuitive guide on how you can add your own levels – we want to remove all possible obstacles that stand between users and the creation of levels. Because once you've added levels, gamers will flock and try to solve, comment on and rate the problems you've created for them. The levels you add will have your own personal touch: You can name them, and add a picture. And no, you do not need any programming experience whatsoever. My mum's 65 this year and she added a level last week. (No, she's not a game developer.)

To add a level you need to be a registered Platogo user or use Facebook Connect. Naturally.

What are the rules for content in new levels?

A couple of rules apply, and these are common sense. We will not tolerate any content that is offensive, promotes violence or racism, or which is of a sexual nature. And please, people, use only material you own the copyright to.

Do I have any copyright on levels that I build?

Any levels you build are, of course, recognized as your creations. However, you assign Platogo all rights to utilize those levels and their content in any way we see fit.

How can I report offensive content in games?

There is a tiny red flag next to all games and levels. If you find any of the content offensive (violent, sexist, racist, etc), click the flag and write us a short note. Alarm bells will go off in Platogo HQ and we'll have a close look at the content. If necessary, we kill it off quickly. We really can't stand stupid stuff, so your help and attention is appreciated.

Can I invite my friends?

The more the merrier! If you're keen to get good ratings for your creations, having lots of friends on board could obviously be very helpful. It also goes without saying that we'd be more than happy for you to heartily recommend Platogo to all your friends.

But wait, there's more! If your friends become active Platogo users, we'll throw in some Platogo Score points for you.

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Money Matters

How much do I have to pay to use Platogo?

We love the question, because the answer is so sweet: You don't have to pay anything. Platogo is free to use, so go and enjoy!

Platogo is free? What's the catch? Will I be bombarded with advertising?

There are ads. We won't deny that ads are an important factor in being able to offer Platogo to you for zero money. But firstly, they won't be annoying, in-your-face, leave-me-alone ads. Secondly, they allow all you Platogo users who add games to actually make money through ad-share revenues. So we're turning a necessity into something that works for all of us. And let's not forget that ads support our developers – the creative minds who bring you all the wicked Platogo games.

How do I buy in-game items, levels, etc?

Our currency is the Platogo Coin. You can buy these coins through PayPal or with your credit card – so that's pretty much standard – with more payment methods to come. You can then, obviously, use these coins to pay for your must-have items on Platogo.

Stock up for the holiday season, as these coins would also make useful gifts that tell your loved ones that you care.

Is paying for Platogo online safe?

Yes, and we can explain why. Platogo's payment partners are PCI certified. PCI is the global industry standard ensuring compliance to strict security and data protection standards. We just can't afford slack security. It's in your and our best interest.

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