Facebook Offsite Game Policy Change

Facebook recently announced an upcoming policy change that will affect the offsite version of our games some of you may play (accessed by going to fb.kanogames.com).

The following is the exact wording of the policy to take effect on December 5th, 2012:

Special provisions for games:
a. Desktop web games off of Facebook.com may only use Facebook Login (Authentication, excluding user connections such as friend list), Social Plugins and publishing (e.g., Feed Dialog, Stream Publish, or Open Graph). When authenticating, these games may not request additional permissions other than age, email, and our Publishing Permissions (effective December 5, 2012).

b. Games on Facebook.com and mobile must not share the same app ID with desktop web games off of Facebook.com. You must not use Canvas apps to promote or link to game sites off of Facebook, and must not use emails obtained from us to promote or link to desktop web games off of Facebook.com (effective December 5, 2012).

Because of these policy changes, there are 2 different scenarios that are available to us with our current implementation of our games:

1. We disable all games at fb.kanogames.com (This would mean that anyone currently playing on our offsite versions would need to play on the Facebook version of the game.)

2. We move the web version to a new app id (only difference a player will see is that they will have to re-install the application but it will play as it does today, minus any areas we require to read friend lists ie. gifting / inviting non-alliance members to play). The offsite version would basically turn into a "social" limited feature game, where players would only really be able to interact with players that are already in their alliance and not send invites/gifts to non alliance members that are their friends. Players will, however, still be able to battle/fight and send messages to players not in their clan/squad/mob.

As of yet, we haven't decided one way or another. If you use the offsite version, please let us know what you think.

We realize that this is a fairly involved topic, so if you have any questions please post them below. It's worth noting, however, that response times are much lower on the weekend, so keep that in mind.

 

thx wonder bread for letting us know

 

Translation please , does not sound good

 

I say go for number 2 myself. It would cut out so much crap and possibly speed the game up on the offsite version.

 

I mostly play on facebook, chat is essential to so many strategies. The only time i go play offsite is when facebook is giving me problems, like the other day i couldnt seem to get my page to scroll all the way down on facebook. and occationally, swiching to offsite will fix a lag problem.

Even then I usually have facebook up so i can keep an eye on chats. I would vote to keep offsite, but I would not be so disheartend by loosing it, because I think i can do all the same sort of things by simply opening the game frame in its own tab seperate from facebook.

(firefox trick)

 

I use the offsite game when I am playing from my mobile phone because, sorry to say but, the mobile app sucks.
The above said I vote for option 2 and/or improving the mobile app.

Problems with the mobile app
1. The home feed ( event: / group: ) can not be set to the users preference
2. challenges don't work (possibly fixed)
3. links posted in facebook groups take you to the mobile home page instead of to the slayers stats page

The mobile app works fine for doing outbreaks and bosses but is seriously lacking in the player vs player fighting aspect

 

I use the offsite version also on phone, better then app and i hope you can make the app like you say so i choose 2 .
Midnight point almost everything what is wrong now.

 

i prefer the off-Facebook play but also want the functionality of gifting etc. looks like i'll be stuck playing on FB

 

I prefer off-site as well but don't mind regular fb either.

Don't matter 1 way or the other.

 

i always use facebook the most mostly because i like the get a free credit for watching a 30sec video but on the offsite version i only use when the lag is bad on facebook.(only if we were able to keep it the same.)

 

A lot of players who play by phone prefer the offsite version because its the same way as the regular game if your playing on computer and laptop. Not the newer looking versions that is missing things or cannot load properly at times. While it may be faster the newer style i like the older style.

 

Facebook will always change the policies to suit them and their partners, not mentioning any names *Zynga, coughs, Znyga* lol

I think if you scrap the offsite version then there needs to be something in place for mobile users like an actual App available on the App Store, Android market place etc.

If you simply move it somewhere else with limited functionality then it will lose some of the spirit of the game, it's not a huge problem that you won't be able to send gifts to none Syn/guild/armada members but it would be a shame to lose this as it works so well on the offsite version.

What I love most about the off-site versions of the games are the speed of them, they work a lot quicker than the standard Facebook App, thing's like hunting and fighting seem much quicker, it would be a shame to lose this as well

Either way

 

#2 for sure.

It would provide a lighter, more reliable client then fb, especially when fb is havin on of those days.

 

Go for 2 please .Playing on FB is crap the speed is much better on kanogames wonder when FB stop all thoose nonsens changes

 

i didn't read all ..
but is the summary that we wont be able to use the fb.kanogames.com on december 5 ?

 

Even if the functionality has to be somewhat limited, I would vote for #2, i.e. keeping the offline version.

Others have mentioned most of the benefits, for me it is a lot faster (which is critical since I'm in a low-bandwidth environment).

 

I HAVE to nitpick what you said.

"keeping the OFFLINE version"

There is no offline version.

Sorry had to nitpick that.

 

The key is meshing Kano apps/Facebook/mobil "application" so that you don't have a need for anything "offsite"

 

bs regarding changes

As a daily player who has spent much time and money into the game...to have no phone access would suck ...i do not use internet at home and the only way i am able to keep up with everyone else is by using my phone...if FB only comes into effect it would mean coffee shops and libraries...in effect I would stop paying and playing as it just not worth being beaten up in the game all the time...good luck with your decision....funny read other companies have this problem licked already and you have not...real shame

 

Many games have started to take their games off of Facebook completely. What I am finding wrong with Facebook is that their advertisement section on the side of the game apps. They used too much scripting to a point that games do not work or freeze the browsers. It causes the games to not load properly. I play offsite at times because those scripts are bad. So, it is not Zynga. Zynga is having problems with Facebook. It has to do with Facebook making money off the advertisements even if it disrupts the games where people are quiting left and right.