A new study by mobile gaming community MocoSpace looks at virtual goods consumption and engagement by age, through a survey of nearly 500,000 gamers on MocoSpace’s network of 22 million users. While the report confirmed that younger gamers (ages 25-35) spend more time playing social games, it also revealed that older gamers (ages 45 and up) spend significantly more on virtual goods than younger gamers. Read →
WeTopia is a new online social game designed to raise money for children’s charities in the real world. A first effort from Sojo Studios, it is a free-to-play Facebook game (meant to be part of a series) where players “create villages and help their neighbors.” Designed to be fun for users while at the same time helping solve real-world issues, it’s the latest effort to turn social gaming into social good. Read →
Gaming growth for children under 17 is speeding up, and mobile games in particular are on the rise in this age group, according to new research from The NPD Group. While gaming has always been for kids, the number of kids playing mobile games has more than quadrupled in the last two years as more children are using smartphones and other mobile devices (theirs or their parents). Read →
McDonald’s McRib – a boneless pork barbecue sandwich – is back for another limited-time offer, and the new Facebook game “The Quest for the Golden McRib” is meant to drum up buzz about this returning product with an “enthusiastic following.” The McRib is back nationwide until November 14. According to Rick Wion, McDonald’s director of social media, “McDonald’s has used gaming as part of campaigns for a few years now and we always see lots of positive feedback and strong engagement from our customers.” Read →
Facebook credits are the reward when users play a social game promoting the Universal Pictures upcoming movie “Tower Heist.” The motion picture studio wants to boost engagement and social sharing around the movie, and will be distributing cards with QR codes to direct viewers to the game after “Tower Heist” screenings. Read →
A study released in late September by social gaming company RockYou surveyed 2,000 social gamers in the US about their ‘social’ activity level online, preferred type of social gaming, and receptivity to advertisers in social games. Nearly one quarter – 24% – of social gamers have clicked on an ad in a social game and made an online purchase. Read →
Social elements figured prominently in the launch of many television shows this fall, and now the USA Network is going further by launching #HashTagKiller, an ‘interactive social media mystery game’ to go along with the hit show ‘Psych’. The goal? To provide a new outlet for engaging Psych’s highly active social media fans – the show’s Facebook page already has nearly 2 million ‘likes’. Read →
Zynga and Pizza Hut are teaming up to offer social good through social gaming. Exclusive in-game items can be purchased for $5 on four popular Zynga games: FarmVille, CityVille, Empire & Allies and The Pioneer Trail. The items help players in-game but also support the World Food Programme in real life. According to Mashable, it’s the first time Zynga has partnered with a brand in this way. Read →
Malibu has just launched what it claims is the “first social media game for a spirits brand.” The Facebook application is called “Beach Club” and it challenges fans to earn points while running a virtual resort. The goal? To help boost sales during winter (traditionally Malibu’s slow season) and to promote the new Malibu Black product, which debuted last spring. Read →
Less than a week after launch, The Sims Social already has 4.6 million people playing daily, and is the fastest-growing social game online. Check out the impressive growth statistics from this newcomer on the Facebook social gaming scene. Read →