Google to buy social games developer, Slide

[engine]

Google to buy social games developer, Slide [pcadvisor.co.uk]

Fueling rumours that Google is pursuing social-networking opportunities, reports on Wednesday said the search giant has bought online entertainment company Slide.

[engine]

Google and Slide: building a more social web [googleblog.blogspot.com]

We’re excited to announce we’ve acquired Slide, a social technology company with an extensive history of building new ways for people to connect with others across numerous platforms online.

[J_RaD]

According to its website, Slide's goal is to build communities that allow virtual goods to be created and distributed. It cites forecasts predicting that the market for virtual goods will reach $1.6 billion in the US this year.

going into that vitrual money market?

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

No backing down now, Google's aiming to make their planned social network sticky with games. They must be jealous of Facebook's ability to share game events with friends, at least, jealous of the reaching people in this manner.

Google becoming a seller of virtual goods? I'll believe that when I see it, how far from search can Google fall?

[Status_203]

how far from search can Google fall?

I'm no great fan of Google's business ethics anymore, but why do they have to limit themselves to nothing but search, just because that's where they started?

They can take on whatever they feel they can support and manage.

Now, whether it's a good thing for us if they succeed is another matter!