Ngmoco Opens ngCore Sandbox Environment For Mobage Games

DeNA subsidiary and mobile game developer Ngmoco today announced the availability of a sandbox development environment for its Mobage mobile social network, where studios can test and develop titles using the company's ngCore engine. The free SDK opens up the Mobage platform, which already includes more than 100 games, to wider development ahead of an upcoming international launch. The sandbox of ngCore tools allows for Javascript-based mobile development across different devices and regions, the company said, with a toolset that includes features such as a shared currency and virtual goods banks as well as payment, advertising and analytics tools. "The Mobage launch is right around the corner and we’re giving developers the tools to be ready,” said Ngmoco chief publishing officer Simon Jeffery in a statement. "The combination of the ngCore engine and Mobage platform will empower developers to quickly and easily innovate, delivering compelling social and mobile games to market faster than ever before." Japanese social gaming giant DeNA purchased San Francisco-based mobile developer Ngmoco last October in a deal worth $400 million. The Japan-native Mobage network features the latest release in Sega's long-dormant Shenmue series, as well as titles from major Facebook developer Crowdstar.