A new platform called WildFire is launching in open beta this week, in the hope that its virtual coins can help apps get noticed and used.

Based in the Detroit metropolitan area, WildFire makes a software development kit (SDK) or API available to iOS/Android app developers. App developers pay a monthly fee for each app that is part of the WildFire network, although the first app is free. Each app’s fee remains the same, regardless of the user activities or coins utilized. Once the app is part of the network, the developers can incentivize their users using the virtual coins.

CEO Ken Johnson said in a statement that he intends WildFire to pair the word-of-mouth strategies he used in creating the hit card game, “Phase 10,” with a digital platform. About half a dozen apps are participating in the beta, including Stake Your Stash, Pirate Bubble–Macaw Rescue and Squares2.

[Read the full article on MarTech Today.]

About The Author Barry Levine Barry Levine covers marketing technology for Third Door Media. Previously, he covered this space as a Senior Writer for VentureBeat, and he has written about these and other tech subjects for such publications as CMSWire and NewsFactor. He founded and led the web site/unit at PBS station Thirteen/WNET; worked as an online Senior Producer/writer for Viacom; created a successful interactive game, PLAY IT BY EAR: The First CD Game; founded and led an independent film showcase, CENTER SCREEN, based at Harvard and M.I.T.; and served over five years as a consultant to the M.I.T. Media Lab. You can find him at LinkedIn, and on Twitter at xBarryLevine. Barry Levine covers marketing technology for Third Door Media. Previously, he covered this space as a Senior Writer for VentureBeat, and he has written about these and other tech subjects for such publications as CMSWire and NewsFactor. He founded and led the web site/unit at PBS station Thirteen/WNET; worked as an online Senior Producer/writer for Viacom; created a successful interactive game, PLAY IT BY EAR: The First CD Game; founded and led an independent film showcase, CENTER SCREEN, based at Harvard and M.I.T.; and served over five years as a consultant to the M.I.T. Media Lab. You can find him at LinkedIn, and on Twitter at xBarryLevine.