The Facebook Economy
The success of Facebook gaming goes beyond Facebook. Based on an economic impact study released today (courtesy of the University of Maryland), Facebook games, applications, and social plugins (e.g. "Like" buttons, fan pages, Facebook Connect, etc.) are responsible for adding somewhere from 182,744 to 235,644 full-time jobs, and $12.19 billion to $15.71 billion into the US economy.
Seeing that the Facebook platform has only been around since May 2007, the growth has been tremendous. The study cites Zynga as an example as the most successful venture on the Facebook platform, primarily thanks to hits like FarmVille, Mafia Wars, and Words With Friends. Zynga itself has 2,000 employees with the company valued at $15 to $20 billion. Whereas, Playfish was bought by EA for $300 million, and Playdom was bought by Disney for $763.2 million.
The study, created by professors of the Center for Digital Innovation, Technology, and Strategy at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, moves on from counting the numbers of direct employment to uncovering jobs indirectly created by Facebook apps. It then estimates the economic value of all those jobs, which means analyzing salaries and benefits. Still skeptical? They're calling it the "Facebook App Economy" and you can read all about it here.
[Image Credit: Visual Economics]
[Via SFGate]
Do you still think that Facebook games are a waste of money? Do you know anyone who's been able to make a living thanks to Facebook games? Add Comment
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Monday, October 10, 2011
DC Universe Online: Pound on bad guys for free starting next month
If you've always wanted to try out Sony Online Entertainment's DC Universe online (on either PS3 or PC), but didn't want to pay actual money to do so, you'll be happy to know that you'll soon be able to access "the entire game" for free starting next month. As reported by PCWorld, this switch to a freemium pricing plan will still allow users to purchase premium content, but all of the open world gameplay, missions, game updates and patches will be free.
To be specific, DC Universe Online will have three different levels of access. The first and completely free level, gives players access to create just two characters and join a league with other players. From there, the Premium level of users requires that a player spend at least $5 in real money in the game's store to be given that Premium player status for life. This gives them access to larger inventory space, the ability to create more characters and the ability to trade items with others. Finally, if you still want the subscription plan, you can be a Legendary player, paying around $15 a month for access to even more character and inventory slots, along with access to the game's DLC packages at no additional cost. There are plenty of other differences between the three gameplay levels; head over here to check them out.
DC Universe Online is just the latest of many once entirely paid-sub games to go free-to-play in some form. While the most noteworthy case has arguably been World of Warcraft's free-to-play setup for users up to level 20, this is just another case where social and casual players are given an opportunity to break away from Facebook simulators and jump into the world of true MMOs. While the two worlds are (for the most part) entirely different, a bigger selection is definitely not a bad thing.
Will you try out DC Universe Online when it goes free-to-play next month? Let us know in the comments.
To be specific, DC Universe Online will have three different levels of access. The first and completely free level, gives players access to create just two characters and join a league with other players. From there, the Premium level of users requires that a player spend at least $5 in real money in the game's store to be given that Premium player status for life. This gives them access to larger inventory space, the ability to create more characters and the ability to trade items with others. Finally, if you still want the subscription plan, you can be a Legendary player, paying around $15 a month for access to even more character and inventory slots, along with access to the game's DLC packages at no additional cost. There are plenty of other differences between the three gameplay levels; head over here to check them out.
DC Universe Online is just the latest of many once entirely paid-sub games to go free-to-play in some form. While the most noteworthy case has arguably been World of Warcraft's free-to-play setup for users up to level 20, this is just another case where social and casual players are given an opportunity to break away from Facebook simulators and jump into the world of true MMOs. While the two worlds are (for the most part) entirely different, a bigger selection is definitely not a bad thing.
Will you try out DC Universe Online when it goes free-to-play next month? Let us know in the comments.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
FarmVille Pic of the Day: Snuggle in flower patches at tUlIptrEE_06's farm
We've been bouncing around the seasons with autumn and winter farms, but our local, bipolar fall weather has finally committed itself to the cold, so I felt it was time to go for something spring-like. Nothing says spring like lots and lots of flowers and tUILIptrEE_06's FarmVille patchwork quilt-looking farm is clearly one that's good enough to wrap yourself up in.
The last time we found a patchwork quilt design was Lou Martell's orchard farm, and I don't mean orchard as in lining up a bunch of trees together. That one was actually made of the kind of FarmVille orchard you'd have to ask your friends for help to build. But tUILIptrEE_06's farm is made up of a massive assortment of planted flowers and trees, with no orchards that I can see, but those flowers aren't easy to come by.
tuliptree_06 FarmVille flower farm
Click the image to make it larger.
She has Morning Glory, Lilies, Iris, Cornflower, Pink Asters, Forget-Me-Nots (Level 90 required, unless you've got the Farm Cash to burn), and Limited Edition Golden Poppies--and these are just the ones I can identify from the zoomed in screenshot she provided. As for trees, she seems to prefer Dogwood, since we've got both regular and Pink Dogwood trees in the screenshot.
But the entire farm is also bordered in a ridiculous amount of trees, with Cherry Trees and Sugar Plum Trees arranged into heart-shapes to decorate the corners. I also see plenty of Fairy Garden Event items, e.g. the Giant Flower and Bell Flower Tree, and some Lady GagaVille items thrown into the mix here.
How many FarmVille flowers and trees can you identify? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
The last time we found a patchwork quilt design was Lou Martell's orchard farm, and I don't mean orchard as in lining up a bunch of trees together. That one was actually made of the kind of FarmVille orchard you'd have to ask your friends for help to build. But tUILIptrEE_06's farm is made up of a massive assortment of planted flowers and trees, with no orchards that I can see, but those flowers aren't easy to come by.
tuliptree_06 FarmVille flower farm
Click the image to make it larger.
She has Morning Glory, Lilies, Iris, Cornflower, Pink Asters, Forget-Me-Nots (Level 90 required, unless you've got the Farm Cash to burn), and Limited Edition Golden Poppies--and these are just the ones I can identify from the zoomed in screenshot she provided. As for trees, she seems to prefer Dogwood, since we've got both regular and Pink Dogwood trees in the screenshot.
But the entire farm is also bordered in a ridiculous amount of trees, with Cherry Trees and Sugar Plum Trees arranged into heart-shapes to decorate the corners. I also see plenty of Fairy Garden Event items, e.g. the Giant Flower and Bell Flower Tree, and some Lady GagaVille items thrown into the mix here.
How many FarmVille flowers and trees can you identify? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
Frima Studio brings flatulence to Facebook in Pocket God Episode 9
Has Robot Unicorn Attack met its match? In the most recent update to Frima Studio's Facebook take on Pocket God, Episode 9: My Little Pygmy, the Canadian developer has introduced a new pygmy-pulverizing power to the game. We'll just come out and say it: The new power is a unicorn that, when clicked twice, farts rainbows that dissolve pygmies instantly.
If you're not laughing yet, then you have no soul. Come on, flatulent humor never gets old in small doses. Oh, and the gaseous mythical horse can also impale pygmies and send them flying with a rainbow flourish. The fart-filled unicorn is available to players Level 11 and above, and comes with a hidden quest that tasks them with defeating the Night Mare. Players that enlist the help of their friends in besting the beast will have a better shot at unlocking another god idol.
The update introduced a Daily Bonus mechanic to Pocket God, something that most Facebook games have enjoyed for some time now. But we're sure Frima Studio is far more excited at introducing such a chuckle-worthy character.
As of this writing, Pocket God enjoys just over 222,000 monthly players and over 27,000 daily players, according to AppData. Frankly, a game with this much humor (and this little shame) deserves far more players than that. Well, it at least deserves points for originality.
Have you played around with this gassy unicorn yet in Pocket God? What do you think of the game's Facebook rendition so far? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
If you're not laughing yet, then you have no soul. Come on, flatulent humor never gets old in small doses. Oh, and the gaseous mythical horse can also impale pygmies and send them flying with a rainbow flourish. The fart-filled unicorn is available to players Level 11 and above, and comes with a hidden quest that tasks them with defeating the Night Mare. Players that enlist the help of their friends in besting the beast will have a better shot at unlocking another god idol.
The update introduced a Daily Bonus mechanic to Pocket God, something that most Facebook games have enjoyed for some time now. But we're sure Frima Studio is far more excited at introducing such a chuckle-worthy character.
As of this writing, Pocket God enjoys just over 222,000 monthly players and over 27,000 daily players, according to AppData. Frankly, a game with this much humor (and this little shame) deserves far more players than that. Well, it at least deserves points for originality.
Have you played around with this gassy unicorn yet in Pocket God? What do you think of the game's Facebook rendition so far? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
UK online safety expert proposes Pet Society feature as dangerous to children
Playfish might want to take a break from its London headquarters and head to Wrexham for a chat with Charles Conway. Conway, a self-touted "online safety expert," has been making rounds in North Wales and North West England telling people that Pet Society is encouraging "stranger danger" in kids.
He alleges that the game exposes them to real-world contact with "murderers, rapists and pedophiles." While those passionate about Facebook games might want to write off Conway as a professional fearmonger, Conway may have a point, because he's actually played the game.
A professional web designer by trade, Conway runs the Clear as Crystal web firm. He then started the Scam Detectives website with his wife Christine in Jan. 2010, claiming "over a quarter of a million visitors around the world" since its inception. In March 2011, he released an ebook titled, "Scammers, Spammers & Social Engineers: A Scam Detectives guide to keeping your business safe online", available on the Amazon Kindle for $9.99. A month later, he wrote a tech column in Euro Weekly News. Lastly, Scam Detectives was also shortlisted for the 2011 Nominet Internet Awards in the category of "Making the internet safer", although it didn't win.
While Conway also names FarmVille, Mafia Wars, and CityVille in his lecture on Facebook games, he uses Pet Society's social features to build his strongest case. We've all known about the "Cafe" in Pet Society, a location in the game where everyone can go to show off their pets and their pets' homes.
Charles Conway Pet Society BunnyPig
Pet Society Go to ProfileBy being in the Cafe, you're bound to meet strangers. Even though all you can do once you get to another pet's home is some pre-set actions (e.g. hug, kiss, dance, laugh, and punch), there's also the option to visit the real Facebook profile of a someone you might not know at all. Conway demonstrated this by creating an avatar named "BunnyPig" to demonstrate to a group of foster care and social workers.
Because Facebook games require players to have lots of friends to earn virtual money and goods, Conway concludes that kids will be tempted to friend strangers. And in turn, he estimates that malevolent strangers can scope out kids who play the game. This "Go to profile" option is clearly a valid concern and does exist in the game.
So far, I could find no options within Pet Society to turn off this feature. However, Pet Society players can secure their Facebook profiles within the "Privacy Settings" menu beneath the "Account" tab on the Facebook home page. Just because a stranger can visit a kid's profile, doesn't mean a stranger will see much if their profiles are locked in Friends Only mode.
It's also entirely possible that this feature is only available for the adults who play the game. But as we've proven before, even if that is the case, kids under 13 years-old could still lie to Facebook about their age just to have a Facebook account.
In an ironic twist, Conway actually hosts several online games on his Scam Detectives website. However, these are simple Flash-based web games designed to teach and quiz players about online security. So there are no social elements involved in these games and they could be played anonymously.
(Editor's Note: This article and its headline was edited for clarity, and now clarifies how users can secure their Facebook profiles.)
[Hat-tip: PR Fire]
Is Charles Conway just another fearmonger? Do you think Pet Society players should be able to disable the Cafe? Share with us in the comments. 19 Comments
He alleges that the game exposes them to real-world contact with "murderers, rapists and pedophiles." While those passionate about Facebook games might want to write off Conway as a professional fearmonger, Conway may have a point, because he's actually played the game.
A professional web designer by trade, Conway runs the Clear as Crystal web firm. He then started the Scam Detectives website with his wife Christine in Jan. 2010, claiming "over a quarter of a million visitors around the world" since its inception. In March 2011, he released an ebook titled, "Scammers, Spammers & Social Engineers: A Scam Detectives guide to keeping your business safe online", available on the Amazon Kindle for $9.99. A month later, he wrote a tech column in Euro Weekly News. Lastly, Scam Detectives was also shortlisted for the 2011 Nominet Internet Awards in the category of "Making the internet safer", although it didn't win.
While Conway also names FarmVille, Mafia Wars, and CityVille in his lecture on Facebook games, he uses Pet Society's social features to build his strongest case. We've all known about the "Cafe" in Pet Society, a location in the game where everyone can go to show off their pets and their pets' homes.
Charles Conway Pet Society BunnyPig
Pet Society Go to ProfileBy being in the Cafe, you're bound to meet strangers. Even though all you can do once you get to another pet's home is some pre-set actions (e.g. hug, kiss, dance, laugh, and punch), there's also the option to visit the real Facebook profile of a someone you might not know at all. Conway demonstrated this by creating an avatar named "BunnyPig" to demonstrate to a group of foster care and social workers.
Because Facebook games require players to have lots of friends to earn virtual money and goods, Conway concludes that kids will be tempted to friend strangers. And in turn, he estimates that malevolent strangers can scope out kids who play the game. This "Go to profile" option is clearly a valid concern and does exist in the game.
So far, I could find no options within Pet Society to turn off this feature. However, Pet Society players can secure their Facebook profiles within the "Privacy Settings" menu beneath the "Account" tab on the Facebook home page. Just because a stranger can visit a kid's profile, doesn't mean a stranger will see much if their profiles are locked in Friends Only mode.
It's also entirely possible that this feature is only available for the adults who play the game. But as we've proven before, even if that is the case, kids under 13 years-old could still lie to Facebook about their age just to have a Facebook account.
In an ironic twist, Conway actually hosts several online games on his Scam Detectives website. However, these are simple Flash-based web games designed to teach and quiz players about online security. So there are no social elements involved in these games and they could be played anonymously.
(Editor's Note: This article and its headline was edited for clarity, and now clarifies how users can secure their Facebook profiles.)
[Hat-tip: PR Fire]
Is Charles Conway just another fearmonger? Do you think Pet Society players should be able to disable the Cafe? Share with us in the comments. 19 Comments
Games And Prizes brings casual games, real prizes to Facebook
Titan Gaming Inc. launched a beta Facebook app last week, appropiately titled "Games And Prizes", with a suite of games that allow players to win real world goods, promising everything from shoes to computer hardware. If you loved the deal saver social game Penny Drop, but wanted real games to play, then this could be the next best thing.
There are 22 games currently available for plays and bets. These include a Zuma Blitz look-alike called Crazy King, an obvious Pac-Man ripoff (down to the color palette) called Ghostman, a Tetris clone called Prizetris, a bubble shooter called Ballsy, and even an Asteroids as "Asteroids". Players can see how many friends have also played these games, and earn achievement badges and virtual coins through winning games and daily spins. More coins can be bought with Facebook Credits.
Games And Prizes Top Games
Brands who've signed up to promote themselves on this app are Alienware, ShoeDazzle, Beach Body, ClarityOne Audio, and Antica Farmacista.
Click here to play Games And Prizes on Facebook now >
Are the current offerings in Games And Prizes enough to make you check out the game? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
There are 22 games currently available for plays and bets. These include a Zuma Blitz look-alike called Crazy King, an obvious Pac-Man ripoff (down to the color palette) called Ghostman, a Tetris clone called Prizetris, a bubble shooter called Ballsy, and even an Asteroids as "Asteroids". Players can see how many friends have also played these games, and earn achievement badges and virtual coins through winning games and daily spins. More coins can be bought with Facebook Credits.
Games And Prizes Top Games
Brands who've signed up to promote themselves on this app are Alienware, ShoeDazzle, Beach Body, ClarityOne Audio, and Antica Farmacista.
Click here to play Games And Prizes on Facebook now >
Are the current offerings in Games And Prizes enough to make you check out the game? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Facebook games move to Requests 2.0, or one-click requests, next year
The FarmVille fans are just gonna' love this one. Facebook announced that Requests 2.0, a feature that will allow users to opt into one-click requests in their favorite Facebook games with specific friends, will become the standard starting Jan. 1, 2012. The upcoming change was announced on the Facebook Developers Blog, but don't fret just yet, privacy watchdogs.
Actually, this feature already exists on Facebook in games like EA and Playfish's The Sims Social. We're all familiar with the pop-ups that require us to click "Share" in order to send direct requests to our friends, but you may have noticed some with a checked box and a message that reads, "Don't ask again before sending requests to Joe Shmoe from this app." While perhaps the box shouldn't already be checked, removing the check will force Facebook to continue requesting for your permission.
Honestly, after Facebooks' Mark Zuckerberg revealed at the annual f8 Conference that games will automatically post certain data to the new universal Ticker, it's hard not to wonder why players would be scared of a feature like this. This change is much different than Zynga's approach, which essentially makes all sharing automatic and barred players from choosing who to send what items. Requests 2.0 gives players to option to activate automatic sharing with whomever they want on an individual basis.
Facebook Games Platform developer Derek Brandao then revealed how this new change--that will remove support for the old requests model come Jan. 1, 2012--could make Facebook game requests much faster for players. Brandao then starts speaking developer, to which many of your eyes (including mine) will begin to glaze over.
This change doesn't seem to affect public game shares like "I need 17 pickles in FarmVille," but could make sharing between friends much smoother. Giving players the choice to opt out of the feature protects Facebook somewhat from anti-privacy claims, but there's still something about Facebook reporting on every game we play that's just a tiny bit disconcerting.
What do you think of this upcoming change to Facebook games? Do you think it somehow encroaches on players' privacy or complicates things like FarmVille One-Click Sharing did? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Actually, this feature already exists on Facebook in games like EA and Playfish's The Sims Social. We're all familiar with the pop-ups that require us to click "Share" in order to send direct requests to our friends, but you may have noticed some with a checked box and a message that reads, "Don't ask again before sending requests to Joe Shmoe from this app." While perhaps the box shouldn't already be checked, removing the check will force Facebook to continue requesting for your permission.
Honestly, after Facebooks' Mark Zuckerberg revealed at the annual f8 Conference that games will automatically post certain data to the new universal Ticker, it's hard not to wonder why players would be scared of a feature like this. This change is much different than Zynga's approach, which essentially makes all sharing automatic and barred players from choosing who to send what items. Requests 2.0 gives players to option to activate automatic sharing with whomever they want on an individual basis.
Facebook Games Platform developer Derek Brandao then revealed how this new change--that will remove support for the old requests model come Jan. 1, 2012--could make Facebook game requests much faster for players. Brandao then starts speaking developer, to which many of your eyes (including mine) will begin to glaze over.
This change doesn't seem to affect public game shares like "I need 17 pickles in FarmVille," but could make sharing between friends much smoother. Giving players the choice to opt out of the feature protects Facebook somewhat from anti-privacy claims, but there's still something about Facebook reporting on every game we play that's just a tiny bit disconcerting.
What do you think of this upcoming change to Facebook games? Do you think it somehow encroaches on players' privacy or complicates things like FarmVille One-Click Sharing did? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
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