WebFlock is a feature-rich technology platform for powering virtual worlds and social games. The Electric Sheep Company developed the WebFlock virtual world platform after years of experience working with 3rd party technologies. When we realized that no existing solution met the business and creative needs of our blue chip clients, we created our own. Fast forward to today: WebFlock is a high-performance, battle tested solution in use by companies both big and small for full-scale casual MMOs, lightweight Web social environments, and social games.

WebFlock offers the following key features:

• Rich visuals without a download or special browser plugin
• Easily distributed across Facebook, MySpace, and websites
• Extensive out-of-the-box features
• Highly scalable and easily managed
• Highly extensible and flexible
• Detailed metrics and analytics

So what does all that mean?

Rich visuals without a download or special browser plugin

The standard WebFlock rendering engine is based on Adobe Flash, which is installed on 98% of computers. That means no downloads, no installs, and no browser restarts. ESC’s innovative Perspective 3D rendering engine approximates 3D in Flash via the rendering of limited 3D elements and 3D-like avatars combined with the perspective effects of images rendered in the distance.

Say what? In essence, that means bigger, richer avatars and spaces than traditional isometric worlds, which also means a better entertainment experience and improved sales of virtual goods. Given WebFlock’s modular nature, there is also a smooth upgrade path possible to 3D rendering engines like Unity 3D.

Easily distributed across Facebook, MySpace, and websites

Because WebFlock uses Flash and Html/Javascript, it can be easily embedded on any webpage, and integrated to other components on the page (or other Web-based systems like ecommerce shopping carts, advertising controls, or media players). WebFlock also runs as a native social networking application.

If you want to see a fun little demo of a WebFlock space running on Facebook, check it out here.

Extensive out-of-the-box features

WebFlock has all the components you need to power games, social interaction, media interaction, virtual goods, and a virtual economy. We power both subscription and microtransaction-based business models. WebFlock offers fully customizable avatars, user management features (including easy integration to Facebook Connect), text chat, with both white and black list controls, buddy lists, and game development features. It provides a full content management and inventory system, support for custom shopping/ecommerce systems, and easy integration to a multitude of payment processing options and partners.

Highly scalable and easily managed

The true cost of a virtual world or game is not just in the building, but also in the management. WebFlock has built in features to enable community self-moderation. It also includes a robust administrative toolset that includes account management, virtual space management, chat logging, chat filtering, warning/banning, and much more.

The WebFlock platform includes built-in sharding and load balancing capabilities. Sharding refers to creating multiple instances of a VW space to logically distribute users among those spaces. Our sharding solution employs an automated algorithm to distribute users, thus removing the additional step of picking a server, and easily allows friends to teleport to each other’s location. Load balancing refers to distributing users across multiple servers. WebFlock includes a scalable load balancing system that efficiently deploys users across servers.

WebFlock can be deployed on externally hosted servers (managed by ESC or a client), or within a client’s server grid.

Highly extensible and flexible

Every one of our clients has unique business and creative needs, depending on their monetary goals and the assets they bring to the table. WebFlock is extremely modular and can be extended in multiple ways: custom games, custom virtual economies with tight integration to features, integration of 3rd party games, new rendering or physics engines, integration to existing user account systems, integration to 3rd party ecommerce systems, and more.

Detailed metrics and analytics

WebFlock supports detailed usage tracking and performance metrics, helping you track your business, analyze conversion and monetization rates, improve the product based on quantitative data, and deliver relevant statistics to sponsors. WebFlock includes a data collection layer that interfaces with Google Analytics or Omniture. The default reporting interface is Google Analytics, which allows customers to access results from any location with Internet access. Custom metrics can be easily created and deployed using these tools.

For a fun peek into a lightweight WebFlock space running on Facebook, you can visit our demo here. For a look at a highly custom casual MMO built on top of WebFlock, take a spin and customize your RIDE over at RIDEMAKERZ.