Interactive Magic Readies ICONS II Community Software for Next Month

Interactive Magic will launch ICONS II, the next version of its Internet Entertainment Community software, next month at both GameHub and its own iMagic Entertainment Network. ICONS stands for Internet COntent Network System, and the pitch is a complete package for running an online game community: the software launches entertainment products straight from the web, from iMagic’s chat interface, or from a power-user interface, while the database side manages customers across free games, subscription games, pay-for-play, and community sites, with billing, marketing, and e-commerce handled in one place. An advertising module turns customer visits into ad impressions and revenue.

Interactive Magic is not keeping this to itself, either. ICONS II is being pitched at big telecoms, ISPs, and content companies that want to run their own entertainment communities. More pieces arrive after the initial launch, including upgraded e-commerce, new communication tools, tools for one-on-one customer service, and a next-generation iLZ. This is plumbing, not a game, but plumbing is where the online gaming money is headed.