DigiPlus adds skill-based games with ArenaSocial Arcade launch

DigiPlus Interactive Corp, a Philippines-based provider of online gaming products, says it is “expanding its digital entertainment ecosystem” with the launch of ArenaSocial Arcade, a new game suite within ArenaSocial, the company’s free-to-play social games platform launched this year. ArenaSocial Arcade is said to add more than 100 free-to-play games to the social-games platform, including skill-based challenges, reflex games, strategy titles, and high-score competitions designed for quick and accessible play. Ping Chen, DigiPlus’ president, was cited as saying in a Monday press release: “Our expansion into new entertainment formats reflects DigiPlus’ commitment to reaching broader audiences and creating more ways for people to engage with our digital ecosystem.” ArenaSocial is a DigiPlus social game platform centred on “sports and eSports challenges, casual gameplay, community participation, and rewards within a free-to-play, non-wagering environment,”according to the announcement. Via ArenaSocial, users can test their knowledge across a wide range of sports, including basketball, tennis, mixed martial arts, baseball, soccer, racing, and cricket, as well as eSports. DigiPlus said in the Monday statement that as its business “continues to evolve, the company remains focused on pursuing innovation responsibly, with user experience, safety, accessibility, and sustainable growth at the centre of its product development”. It was announced last week that DigiPlus – which holds online gaming licences in South Africa and for Brazil, as well as in the Philippines – had appointed Teneo, a United States-based consultancy, as its “strategic advisor”. Earlier this month – when it announced its second-quarter results – Philippines-listed DigiPlus said its board had approved the filing of an expression of interest to apply for an online gaming licence in New Zealand. Within the Philippines, DigiPlus runs BingoPlus, an online bingo platform; ArenaPlus, a sportsbook; and GameZone, a platform for casual and arcade gaming. In early June, DigiPlus completed a second subscription to convertible notes in Hong Kong-listed International Entertainment Corp, to a value of HKD800 million (US$102.1 million). International Entertainment controls the LaVie Resort & Casino Manila, a property that has a provisional casino gaming licence from the Philippine gaming regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor).