Zynga launches web platform with help of zCloud

Zynga

(CBS News) Buh-bye, Facebook. Social online gaming company Zynga is launching its own platform for games.

The makers of FarmVille and Words with Friends announced Thursday the launch of Zynga.com - a hub for video games.

"Zynga.com will let players discover and play social games created by third party game developers. These Platform partners will be able to reach new audiences and make their games even more social," the company said in a press release.

The site will feature Zynga games, as well as third-party games, a profiles and live chat. Launching an independent website is a big move away from Facebook, which is where Zynga games found viral success.

Of course, as ZDNET points out, the company's zCloud server plays a big role in launching the platform. Zynga claims their cloud footprint is one of the "largest uses of public and private clouds in the world." Zynga have been moving away from Amazon Web Service in favor of its own servers.

It's still unclear if these moves to be more autonomous will work for Zynga in the end. But, if history is any indication, I wouldn't underestimate their potential.