Facebook plans to make it mandatory for third-party game developers on its platform to use its Facebook Credits for all transactions as of 1 July.
Credits is a virtual currency which people can use to buy digital goods used in games and other things at the site’s gift shop. Users can buy Credits online with their credit cards as well.
At present, Credits is accepted as payment in around 350 apps from 150 developers. It is used for over 70% of all virtual goods bought and sold on Facebook.
The social networking site said game developers could still use their own currencies, but the transactions would have to be processed with Credits.
Facebook platform product-marketing manager Deborah Liu said the company is "giving this notice more than five months in advance in order to open up the conversation with developers."
However, the company’s push to make its currency adopted by third part game developers has been controversial as the company takes a 30% cut on sales of Credits.
Facebook said the cut is worth it for developers because the company plans to continue to grow the system.
A company spokesperson said Facebook would eventually like to see all applications on the network use the company’s virtual currency.
