I've been saying this since the start, but it's possible the Facebook Platform becomes nothing more than a gaming platform.
I don't think it's decided yet, but that's not such a bad "worst case scenario."
Here's what would be even more funny. Tech-heads like to pretend people adopt technologies because they're "better" or "more open," so lots of people are pushing OpenSocial and related technologies.
What if it's the cross-platform game platforms that are what ultimately bring all the social networks closer to interoperability? e.g., I want to log into Facebook and see my high scores from Bebo, damnit!
Marc
· 1 year ago
Yes, they are the future and I posted on that at my blog a few weeks ago.
However, where I would extend that is to games like Live Gifts. Even though they aren't traditionally an embeded flash game, they are simulations like The Sims and Sim City...which out sell traditional games.
Jason Rubenstein
· 1 year ago
They're very probably a major part of FB's future, but not it's end-game as a platform/product. But they'll be big - especially since, in the words of Chris Crawford, "Games are frequently used (especially by adults) as social lubricants. The game itself is of minor importance to the players; its real significance is its function as a focus around which an evening of socializing will be built."
Social networks are perfect places for this to occur; I expect to see more games built for FB and the other social nets that serve this particular motivitation to play.
Customers could give a damn about what technology is better, or what's "more open". Customers go with what they feel is better. If it feels good, it is good; cool games feel good, and perhaps cool games across networks feel even better.
We'll see , and probably soon, with the recently announced initiatives by Zynga and SGN.
All Comments
I don't think it's decided yet, but that's not such a bad "worst case scenario."
Here's what would be even more funny. Tech-heads like to pretend people adopt technologies because they're "better" or "more open," so lots of people are pushing OpenSocial and related technologies.
What if it's the cross-platform game platforms that are what ultimately bring all the social networks closer to interoperability? e.g., I want to log into Facebook and see my high scores from Bebo, damnit!
However, where I would extend that is to games like Live Gifts. Even though they aren't traditionally an embeded flash game, they are simulations like The Sims and Sim City...which out sell traditional games.
Social networks are perfect places for this to occur; I expect to see more games built for FB and the other social nets that serve this particular motivitation to play.
Customers could give a damn about what technology is better, or what's "more open". Customers go with what they feel is better. If it feels good, it is good; cool games feel good, and perhaps cool games across networks feel even better.
We'll see , and probably soon, with the recently announced initiatives by Zynga and SGN.