CoopleSoft is both a game engine and a tool used for teaching STEM subjects such as math and computers. The game engine is called CoopleGames and the teaching tool is called CoopleTeach. Both are implemented using Java and make use of a scripting language called JCoople. The games are partially written in Java and also written in JCoople. CoopleTeach includes a whiteboard, and the math-specific functionality of the whiteboard (as well as other subjects) is written in JCoople. CoopleSoft also supports general app development, not just games and teaching tools.
Business Model
Premium and trial mode features can only be accessed by users who convert. The premium mode of games enables 2-player mode in full color. Trial mode of games enables 2-player mode with a grayscale display. Trial mode of apps limits images to grayscale, and all other pixel colors to white or light gray.
CoopleSoft members fall into 4 categories: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. All members can use CoopleTeach without restrictions. Silver, gold and platinum users pay $10, $20 and $30, respectively. Silver users can access games in trial mode. Gold users can access games in premium mode, and apps in trial mode. Platinum users can access games/apps in premium mode.
CoopleGames
CoopleGames is used to develop mobile/desktop games using 2D and 2.5D animation. It is also used to develop smartphone apps ("CoopleApps"). Both the games and the apps can be partially written in Java as well as JCoople. Premium mode games enable 2-player mode. Bronze members can only use 2-player mode if their opponent is a silver, gold or platinum member. Bronze and silver members can only use 2-player mode in grayscale, or color if their opponent is a gold or platinum member.
CoopleApps
CoopleApps are smartphone apps developed using CoopleGames. Premium mode apps include more advanced features than basic mode apps. Silver and gold members can only use premium mode features in monochrome mode: the display generated by JCoople code is monochrome (white and light gray) with grayscale images. Platinum members can access premium mode in full color. Developers of freemium apps are encouraged to make use of the built-in gold and platinum switches (taking into account user classes), but this is not mandatory.
CoopleTeach
CoopleTeach is a multi-user CoopleApp used for teaching STEM subjects such as math and computers. The student interacts with a whiteboard and the teacher displays the whiteboard on a smartphone. The math functionality of the whiteboard is written in JCoople. Teachers pay to CoopleSoft royalties of $0.50/month/student.
JCoople
JCoople is an open source scripting language which is implemented using Java. Its sister language is Joopletags, which is a text markup language. The games and smartphone apps are partially written in JCoople. The math functionality of the whiteboard is also written in JCoople.
User Upgrades
New users are always bronze members. Users who wish to upgrade must install the CoopleSoft Upgrade app and pay $10 for silver, $20 for gold, $30 for platinum. Upgrading from silver to gold, and from gold to platinum costs $10. Upgrading from silver to platinum costs $20. Every time a user upgrades, the cost of the upgrade is divided by quantity one plus the number of CoopleSoft games/apps installed on the user's phone. This amount, call it U, is distributed on a quarterly basis to each of the developers of the games/apps. Developers of more than one CoopleSoft game/app on the user's phone receive a multiple of the amount U.
Since unlike Android, iPhone users lack shared storage on their phones, additional work is required to handle iPhone user upgrades. The user must tap the CoopleSoft logo, which looks like a rounded rectangle containing an uppercase CS, with the lower right-hand corner of the C flowing into the lower left-hand corner of the S. Then the user enters a 6-digit token in a dialog box. This process must be repeated for each installed CoopleSoft game/app, in order for the upgrade to be recognized by that game/app. The 6-digit token is displayed in the CoopleSoft Upgrade app.
When upgrading to silver or gold, the user must confirm the upgrade within 30 days, otherwise the user is automatically downgraded to bronze or silver, respectively. The user's credit card is charged at the time of upgrade confirmation. When upgrading to gold, the user is given the choice of immediately confirming the upgrade, or letting it expire after 30 days in case no confirmation takes place.