Interview: Freggers Launches New Engine and Functionality

Freggers.de, which we first wrote about in February, is upgrading from the first version of its software and moving to Freggers.com with an improved look and feel. "This is our new technology beta with the learnings from the freggers.de beta," explained CEO Paul Schmid via email. "All the new features like items, virtual currency, game elements, etc .,will be implemented here, step by step. I think in a few weeks, we will upgrade freggers.de to the new engine (of freggers.com)."

One new feature is an item system, allowing users (there are over 280,000 registered) to purchase items and customize their rooms or avatars. The catch here is that users can purchase items with either currency earned in the virtual world or with currency bought by real cash.

"Unlike other games that have two currencies (one to collect within the game for free and one you have to pay for, like Gaia Online with Gaia gold and Gaia cash), we have a combined model," said Schmid. "You can collect a certain amount of the virtual currency (we call them "toads") for free by being online, but if you want to have more currency to buy more expensive items you'll have to buy the additional "toads" with real money."

The payment option hasn't been implemented yet, but Freggers, which has considerable microtransaction experience from parent company Spin.de's social network, plans to roll out a variety of options.

"We have already been approached by some big retailers who want to sell prepaid cards for Freggers," said Schmid.

The company expects to sell the goods for several dollars each, but Freggers is also open to advertising and branded virtual goods.

"Imagine a group of cheerleader-NPCs that give out flyers for an MTV show airing that night at your real world TV or a little booth where an NPC gives out a free can of Red Bull to each Freggers user coming and buying it," Schmid said. "And when the user drinks the can, he'll be able to walk faster in the game for a while."

Freggers is exhibiting at Virtual Worlds 2008, Booth 9.