In this interview, Kai Bolik, the cofounder and CEO of GameDuell, reveals just what cross-platform means to GameDuell, why it provides a great added value for players and what GameDuell plans to work on from the new GameDuell office in 2012.

Interview with Kai Bolik

If you would like to experience cross-platform first hand, the game Fluffy is a great way to start:

Play Fluffy on the GameDuell website
Download Fluffy for iOS
Download Fluffy for Android
Play Fluffy on Facebook

Facebook wants their share of the cake and started testing yet another way how it promotes, presents and makes games even more social. Games are already massive on Facebook: some titles manage to get nearly 8 million new likes a week. Now the social network is putting even more emphasis on creating a greater discovery of and engaging experience with games on Facebook

Here's what’s new:

• After introducing games stories on mobile, the same is now happening on the Facebook website. Games that are being played by your friends will be displayed in the News Feed allowing you to discover what they are currently playing.
• It is now possible to display on the Timeline which games a user is playing and likes most.
• When a friend sends an invitation to a game, it will be displayed in the right hand navigation in the new “app requests” menu.
• A new activity feed is being tested that exclusively features games related content your friends shared. In the screenshot below is a preview of what it looks like on Facebook:

Try out the new features

To try out those new features, simply go to Facebook and play one of GameDuell's games.

Play Bubble Speed on Facebook

Our developers are continuously working to make your gaming experience even more exciting.
They had a burning ambition to create something different, especially for the newly developed game, Maya Whiz Suddenly, a brilliant idea came to light: Boosts!

Boosts are special options with which you can score extra points by playing in different ways. For each duel with an entry fee, you can choose between 5 boosts at the beginning of the game: select up to 3 of the 5 to help blow up your score!

And here are the boosts:

• Multiplier: : This boost adds an extra multiplier card to your game.
• Extra-Joker: You have not one, but two Joker cards to use in a game.
• Bomb: When a bomb card is eliminated, an entire row is removed simultaneously.
• Fire-Boost: This boost helps you to enter into the fire mode faster, meaning more points.
• Extra-Time: For each time card eliminated, one second will be added to the game time.

Each player can choose up to three boosts per game that best suit their style of play. So you choose the best way to "burn" your opponent!

Are you already on pins and needles? Then come on down and play Maya Whiz For those with a little patience, you can read through the game rules before entering into the fire.

Tables, monitors and coffee machines are already installed. Table tennis and billiards are coming soon! We would like to share a brief insight into the new office.

This is the third relocation in Berlin for our beloved game company. You may have visited our previous home in the stately loft offices in Prenzlauerberg. We are now enjoying a more “corporate style” in the heart of Mitte, a stone's throw from the famous Friedrichstrasse and the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt. We proudly announce our new address: Taubenstraße 24/25, 10117 Berlin, Germany.

As of January 23rd, we have replaced the old tenants, employees of "Sat 1", a well-known German TV channel, and the popular football magazine "Ran." It is a perfect fit, considering the work ahead in GameDuell's newly renovated building is to drive growth.

Bright, spacious, and featuring a large lounge area with table tennis, billiards and a karaoke bar, are just some highlights of the new soundproofed offices. Every effort was made to ensure the workplace was warm and comfortable and that all of the equipment was up and running on time. These facilities were important in order to further support the GameDuell motto: "Those who work hard win the right to have fun!"

In the summer time, the terrace is spacious enough for a few barbecues. With the air conditioning installed, the 170 GameDuell employees can keep a cool head, aspiring to give you more enjoyment of the game.

Television was yesterday, online games are today

The move is also symbolic one. Today, the question is no longer which new TV channel will take the place of the old studios of "Sat 1," but rather which Berlin internet start-up company? Since online games are the new television, it is a logical progression that the platform for the most popular online games in Germany moves into the former location of the best known German TV channel.

Taking that into consideration, it is not a coincidence that GameDuell moved into the office complex of a previous television studio, because the last few years have shown: Online games are the new TV.

Today, some studies show that television is losing its appeal and online games are becoming increasingly popular. And for good reason: when playing online, there is a similar comfort in watching TV, but with the added benefits of remaining active and staying in touch with friends.

Television has lost its fascination and become, especially for young people, something used more for background atmosphere. On the other hand, online games are becoming more popular because it is always engaging and simultaneously provides social contact with friends. According to a study by TV magazin "TVSpielfilm," when asked the question what most disturbs the viewers about their favourite pastime, almost 50% of respondents replied:

• The program is not interesting enough
• I can only watch television when I am at home
• There is absolutely no interaction

Interestingly, online games just do not have these drawbacks. In order to play the available skill games on GameDuell, staying active is a necessity.

For those who would like to develop their skills, having an opponent to measure against is a real asset: the "challenge" factor is prominent. If trouble rears its head, simply change the game. The choices are seemingly endless!

In addition, you learn to solve problems, find solutions and develop strategies. At which time and on what game, is left up to you! You can literally play online 24/7/365.

Games connect people

It is important to note that online games today are often more popular than TV programs running on prime time television. The record holder to date, America’s “Dancing with the Stars,” could attract 21 million viewers. But at the same time, 33 million people are playing online games with their friends.

In conclusion, television was yesterday and online games are today! GameDuell is looking forward to thriving in the new office! Pictures will follow soon.

You can play online at GameDuell here.

A wonderful tradition: the GameDuell Holiday Special!

Were you left off the Advent calendar Christmas list this year? Well, don’t fret! Once again, GameDuell is celebrating the holidays with the popular Holiday Special. You can clear away tons of great prizes. Which one will you choose? How much will you win? It's up to you!

Upgraded players at GameDuell are automatically included in the Holiday Special. It’s really easy: by playing duels with entry fees, no matter which game, win or lose, you collect snowflakes. Your snowflake balance is displayed after each game in your personal snowflake braometer. Once a new stage has been reached on the barometer, a new stand, with more rewards, is opened in the Holiday Shop. You can redeem the snowflakes you collected for festive prizes in the Shop.

Christmas spirit at GameDuell - The excellent prizes that are offered are playful and wrapped with cheer! Whimsically disguise yourself as Santa Claus, a reindeer or even as a Christmas tree to impress your friends or make your opponents jealous. There are also several great backgrounds images to choose from, sure to brighten up your profile picture! In addition, exciting free games await you starting at level 2.

Or would you rather have a game bonus? No problem! Among the awards are also several free bonuses.

The Holiday Special is simple and intuitive. If you would like to find out more, check out the detailed conditions of participation. You can collect snowflakes in the Holiday Special from December 8th through January 5th. The Holiday Shop will conveniently be open one week longer so that you can redeem as many snowflakes as you like. Have fun playing, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Learn all about our Bubble Speed game and play now!

Want to know more about GameDuell games to go? Here's an overview!

Write Prehistory with Fossil Fever!

The hunt for fossilized dinosaur bones draws more and more players under its spell. Heed our advice in order to quickly advance in the circle of fossil hunters! Then you will soon have many epochal discoveries of your own, of which every natural history museum in the world would be proud.

• Haste makes waste Take a good look at the playing in Fossil Fever before you drop a block. With well-thought-out moves, you can cleverly use the helpful special stones and trigger valuable chain reactions.
• Time is golden! Put your main focus on the fossils. When you collect them you will get additional playing time. And the longer you play, the more points you can get, of course.
• Be careful with dynamite! A load of explosives removes an entire group of blocks all at once. But beware: Fossils and special blocks within that group will also be destroyed!

You can find even more hints on how to achieve high scores in the Fossil Fever Game Rules. Alternatively you can just start playing, which is really the fastest way to learn the game!

Evenly-matched opponents are waiting for you around the clock in the Razzle-Dazzle-Lobby. Come on in and make yourself at home. Here's a little visual taste of what you can expect from Razzle-Dazzle: