Imagine that one day you are playing a game on a social networking site and the next day you discover that this game has been replaced by a video speed dating application. That is exactly what is going to happen to those who have been playing the Oregon Trail game on Facebook. As Webware's Josh Lowensohn first reported, the video dating site SpeedDate.com just bought the rights to this game and is planning to replace it with its own dating application.
The Oregon Trail game is still fully functional on Facebook, but underneath it, a short statement informs users that the name and functionality of the app will soon be changed in order to provide "a more engaging experience for our users."
This seems like a rather strange move by SpeedDate.com - after all, speed dating and playing Oregon Trail have very little in common. Oregon Trail currently has 11,248 active users, which doesn't make it one of the most popular Facebook apps, but it is surely going to be enough to get SpeedDate's Facebook application up and running. However, we assume that most users will be rather surprised to see a dating app instead of a game about wagons, hunting, and oxen.
Josh Lowensohn also points out that SpeedDate will provide users with opt-out instructions, but, besides maybe keeping a few thousand users, SpeedDate will most likely only get a lot of negative publicity out of this acquisition.
Note: There is also another Oregon Trail-like game on Facebook, Northwest Trail, which is far more popular and is not affected by this 'acquisition.'
Comments
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At least they've had the decency to let people know ahead of time I guess :) The whole Facebook application structure should have a re-permission on change function. I know this would make life more difficult for developers but it would also protect users from finding the application they subscribed to had suddenly changed to a dating site.
Posted by: Christopher Ross | October 23, 2008 3:38 PM
SpeedDate has been doing this with other apps as well. They buy the apps, and convert them to SpeedDate to get more users. I tried it once, and the moment I did, it copied my personal data and pictures to their web site directly without asking for permission. They were shut down by Facebook a while ago for being too spamy, but somehow they managed to come back. Probably through other apps, like they're doing with Oregon Trail. If you have Oregon Trail, I recommend un-installing it immediately. Although it might be too late and your data might've be copied already.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 23, 2008 3:44 PM
To be honest, I don't care how they introduce new users to the service. I met my girlfriend on SpeedDate and it was much faster and easier than any other dating site I've used. Plus, you have to opt in to giving them your data by voluntarily registering. No privacy issue at all. Also, if apps can't be changed, it will significantly decrease developers' ability to have their apps acquired by larger companies like SD.
Posted by: randy | October 23, 2008 3:57 PM
This does feel wrong on all fronts but I have to agree that keeping devs from being able to sell their apps would be a very bad move on facebook's part. I don't see Speed Date quitting this practice anytime soon, it seems to be working for them and Dating services are usually well funded.
-JB
Posted by: John Brooks Pounders | October 23, 2008 5:23 PM
I think it is very good idea to increase numbers of user on web.
http://www.oxyshopping.com
Posted by: kevin | October 23, 2008 6:26 PM
@Randy Because you don't sound like a paid commenter ;).
What they're doing is cheap and very underhanded. They'll get a lot of bad press because of this (as they have a lot lately which each app they've done that with) and they deserve every bit of it. They're benefiting off the fact that many Facebookers are inexperienced when it comes to the web and will not necessarily understand the change.
Moves like this show how much class SpeedDate has. It's only about the quick acquisition of users instead of trying to legitimately gain users.
Posted by: mcdavis | October 23, 2008 7:47 PM
why not ask the guys from kickflip why they sold it? maybe get some more details.
Posted by: Brian B | October 23, 2008 9:44 PM
also eupee.com. they are both cool but thats it. not the meaning of life!
Posted by: ramos | October 24, 2008 5:54 AM
thanks.
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Posted by: söve | October 24, 2008 6:43 AM
What is the point of this? I understand they want to gain more users, and by buying facebook apps and changing them they can try to sneak attack to get more users. Personally I think it will generate a negative response.
Craig
www.introin.com
Posted by: Craig | October 24, 2008 8:45 AM
Good idea guy but how to get a better speed dating...
I love your article..
Posted by: indranila | November 12, 2008 4:57 AM
http://SEXDEMON.TK
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Posted by: sex demon | November 17, 2008 7:24 AM
At start I have not liked speed dating application. but now seems it can replace over game. Now I find cool strange move by SpeedDate.com. And I like them all. Popular Facebook apps was one of my favorite one. Data entered into the original app won't be used anymore. Soon I'll be able to try SpeedDate, the fastest way to meet new people. Thank you for That all.
Posted by: Realm Of Empires | November 21, 2008 11:38 PM