Friendster Gets its Game On

– Friendster officially launches as Southeast Asia’s social discovery and gaming platform

MANILA, Philippines, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Pioneering social networking site, Friendster officially announces its redesign as a social discovery and gaming platform that offers users a unique experience which combines search, content discovery and social functionalities. In line with the brand promise, Friendster will host advanced ways of searching, engaging and making new friends, and distinct approach to discover new games. The new user interface provides excellent user experience while discovering new games of multiple genres and exciting new concepts to earn rewards. Friendster will be presenting its inaugural event — Friendster FunXtion, on April 27 at the SM North Cyberzone Activity Area, Manila, Philippines.

In 2002, the world was introduced to a site that literally brought the online community closer. The initiation of Friendster, created a new culture where users went to share photos, videos, and connect with one another, virtually. In yet another milestone, Friendster was acquired by Asia’s leading e-payment and e-lifestyle provider — MOL Global Pte Ltd (MOL) in 2009, to become the region’s largest online community.

“Friendster pioneered the social networking industry and paved the way for the emergence of other sites. As the global gaming communities grew, it was essential for Friendster to find its unique proposition in order to remain competitive,” said MOL Group Chief Executive Officer, Ganesh Kumar Bangah. “By leveraging on Friendster’s strongest asset in the form of its millions of users and harnessing MOL’s strength as an e-payments and content distributor, we were able to successfully redesign Friendster to become a social discovery and gaming platform, host to the largest online community in Southeast Asia.”

The merging of synergies brought about the development of Friendster’s redesign that features the following upgrades:

• Innovative and user-friendly interface;
• Selections of avatars to suit your personas;
• Chat with existing and new friends via the Friendster Chat Application while playing games on Friendster;
• Over 50 online games from eight different genre like role-playing, strategy, simulations and card games;
• Earn rewards through points for every activity within the site including adding friends, engaging with friends, daily log-in or playing any game;
• Simple, easy-to-obtain virtual currency that can be used to purchase virtual goods, online games and applications in a safe and convenient manner.

To celebrate its official launch as Southeast Asia’s social discovery and gaming platform, Friendster will host its biggest game event on April 27 at Philippines’ top info-technology shopping mall, SM North Cyberzone. Entitled “Friendster FunXtion”, the event will showcase the unique leisure experience that Friendster offers — find and play online games, meet and engage new friends, and win awesome prizes.

“The Philippines has always been one of our biggest markets with a vibrant online community, making the country exceptionally important to us,” said Friendster Chief Operating Officer, Nikolai Galicia. “Therefore it is a joy to roll out Friendster’s inaugural event here, to a community that is continuously growing. We are committed in continually bringing the latest content and giving the most compelling rewards to our users.”

About Friendster:

Friendster is the pioneer online social network with more than 100 million registered members. Friendster is one of the best sites that allows people to create avatars, discover new worlds, enjoy games and meet new people. Friendster prides itself in delivering an easy-to-use, friendly and interactive environment where users can easily connect with others via www.friendster.com. Through its ownership of MOL and Friendster, MOL Global is Asia’s largest end-to-end content, distribution and commerce network, pairing MOL’s physical payment collection points and payment platforms with Friendster’s large online footprint, social network and user community in Asia.