Japanese publisher Konami has announced its first full foray into social gaming with the Facebook launch of Viva! Mall later this week.
While Konami already has a limited presence on Facebook – it released a version of Frogger on the social networking site in 2008, and console tie-in Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow Friend Challenge last October – this is its first fully-featured social game.
Players are tasked with building a shopping mall to their own taste, and are able to hire Facebook friends and decorate and manage the mall to maximise revenue and shopper footfall.
In a release on its website, Konami says microtransactions will be involved. Incremental content will be added weekly, with different stores, decorations, inventory and accessories available for purchase.
Konami president Shinji Hirano said: "Konami has always been at the forefront of interactive entertainment. This title is our first major attempt in bringing a full featured Facebook game to market.”
Viva! Mall will be launched on Facebook this Friday, January 14.