Comments on: Top Social Game Titles Take a Hit: Seasonal Declines or Something Bigger? http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/ Tracking Innovation at the Convergence of Games and Social Platforms Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:17:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: 4postinbox http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/comment-page-1/#comment-83204 4postinbox Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:01:05 +0000 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/?p=9606#comment-83204 Whom Gods would destroy, they first make mad Whom Gods would destroy, they first make mad

]]> By: Early Winners, Losers from Facebook’s Platform Changes http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/comment-page-1/#comment-11561 Early Winners, Losers from Facebook’s Platform Changes Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:46:18 +0000 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/?p=9606#comment-11561 [...] successive title launched seems to be reaching a plateau that is lower than the previous launch, mirroring something we pointed out for Zynga’s games recently. Happy Island is still only a month old, but it’s looking like the potential of sim games may be [...] [...] successive title launched seems to be reaching a plateau that is lower than the previous launch, mirroring something we pointed out for Zynga’s games recently. Happy Island is still only a month old, but it’s looking like the potential of sim games may be [...]

]]> By: The Top 25 Facebook Games for December, 2009 — A Mixed End to a Big Year http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/comment-page-1/#comment-11478 The Top 25 Facebook Games for December, 2009 — A Mixed End to a Big Year Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:39:19 +0000 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/?p=9606#comment-11478 [...] that fell did so by more than 1 million. The reasons for these drops are likely a combination of perennial holiday season decreases together with Facebook’s stricter enforcement policies against some viral growth [...] [...] that fell did so by more than 1 million. The reasons for these drops are likely a combination of perennial holiday season decreases together with Facebook’s stricter enforcement policies against some viral growth [...]

]]> By: IFB: Taking Stock of Facebook’s Top Social Game Developers in 2009 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/comment-page-1/#comment-11325 IFB: Taking Stock of Facebook’s Top Social Game Developers in 2009 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:25:13 +0000 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/?p=9606#comment-11325 [...] to almost all social games has dropped in the last couple weeks in a double-whammy of users being distracted by the holidays and new policy changes from Facebook impacting how developers can communicate with [...] [...] to almost all social games has dropped in the last couple weeks in a double-whammy of users being distracted by the holidays and new policy changes from Facebook impacting how developers can communicate with [...]

]]> By: Taking Stock of Facebook’s Top Social Game Developers in 2009 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/comment-page-1/#comment-11316 Taking Stock of Facebook’s Top Social Game Developers in 2009 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:20:23 +0000 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/?p=9606#comment-11316 [...] to almost all social games has dropped in the last couple weeks in a double-whammy of users being distracted by the holidays and new policy changes from Facebook impacting how developers can communicate with [...] [...] to almost all social games has dropped in the last couple weeks in a double-whammy of users being distracted by the holidays and new policy changes from Facebook impacting how developers can communicate with [...]

]]> By: Developers Revamp Viral Tactics to Comply with Facebook Policies http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/comment-page-1/#comment-11261 Developers Revamp Viral Tactics to Comply with Facebook Policies Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:02:33 +0000 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/?p=9606#comment-11261 [...] attributed some of the across-the-board declines in daily active user numbers for Facebook games to seasonality, it’s becoming clearer that recent policy changes by Facebook may be contributing to these [...] [...] attributed some of the across-the-board declines in daily active user numbers for Facebook games to seasonality, it’s becoming clearer that recent policy changes by Facebook may be contributing to these [...]

]]> By: Boxer's Ghost http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/comment-page-1/#comment-11174 Boxer's Ghost Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:27:44 +0000 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/?p=9606#comment-11174 In reality if you compare the week prior to the 12/13 boycott there was a decrease almost of 860K active users. There may be an even larger decrease in the near future-a portion to seasonality/holiday, of course as Zynga is failing miserably to make promised corrections and another boycott(more orchestrated this time) is in the works. This doesn't approach the topic of revenue as there appear to be a growing number of accounts having fraudulent activity against their bank accounts. Regards, B In reality if you compare the week prior to the 12/13 boycott there was a decrease almost of 860K active users. There may be an even larger decrease in the near future-a portion to seasonality/holiday, of course as Zynga is failing miserably to make promised corrections and another boycott(more orchestrated this time) is in the works.

This doesn’t approach the topic of revenue as there appear to be a growing number of accounts having fraudulent activity against their bank accounts.

Regards,
B

]]> By: Boxer's Ghost http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/comment-page-1/#comment-11173 Boxer's Ghost Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:22:49 +0000 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/?p=9606#comment-11173 Actually, specifically to Farmville and Mafia Wars, the reason for the sharp decline was a boycott of Zynga. One website boasts 66K+ boycotters for the day of 12/13 for 24 hours. The second reason is the system is grossly problematic at this point. In fact, Zynga claimed they made corrections, but too many customers(paying as well as passive) are unable to play and some have blocked the game from their Facebook account altogether. It is not surprising the social gaming community did not hear much of this problem as Zynga made a great number of promises to the Mafiw Wars community and have failed to follow through as promised. My point with sharing this information is that the decrease DAU/MAU is not seasonal, but due to Zynga platforms own doing. Again, please refer to the link above...it is quite enlightening. For any of you who wish to review, please refer to this attached link... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=193651519631 Actually, specifically to Farmville and Mafia Wars, the reason for the sharp decline was a boycott of Zynga. One website boasts 66K+ boycotters for the day of 12/13 for 24 hours. The second reason is the system is grossly problematic at this point. In fact, Zynga claimed they made corrections, but too many customers(paying as well as passive) are unable to play and some have blocked the game from their Facebook account altogether.

It is not surprising the social gaming community did not hear much of this problem as Zynga made a great number of promises to the Mafiw Wars community and have failed to follow through as promised. My point with sharing this information is that the decrease DAU/MAU is not seasonal, but due to Zynga platforms own doing. Again, please refer to the link above…it is quite enlightening.

For any of you who wish to review, please refer to this attached link…
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=193651519631

]]> By: Tadhg Kelly http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/comment-page-1/#comment-11171 Tadhg Kelly Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:52:01 +0000 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/?p=9606#comment-11171 Well exactly, and this is why I think game quality is really the big problem here (or lack thereof). Much of what's happened with the huge user numbers on some games this year is all down to their capacity to jog user memories. There is a difference between a game that constantly pokes you to come back and play versus one of natural quality that you return to to play of your own accord. If your business model was based on hassling, interrupting and reminding people constantly come back to play your game - without paying any heed as to whether your game was actually worth playing - then you're in for some seriously tough times. In the end of the day that's confusing opportunity with opportunism. Well exactly, and this is why I think game quality is really the big problem here (or lack thereof). Much of what’s happened with the huge user numbers on some games this year is all down to their capacity to jog user memories. There is a difference between a game that constantly pokes you to come back and play versus one of natural quality that you return to to play of your own accord.

If your business model was based on hassling, interrupting and reminding people constantly come back to play your game – without paying any heed as to whether your game was actually worth playing – then you’re in for some seriously tough times. In the end of the day that’s confusing opportunity with opportunism.

]]> By: Eric von Coelln http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/12/22/top-social-game-titles-take-a-hit-seasonal-declines-or-something-bigger/comment-page-1/#comment-11165 Eric von Coelln Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:00:47 +0000 http://www.insidesocialgames.com/?p=9606#comment-11165 Agree with you Tadhg that the policy changes are definitely contributing but as you noted, hard to tell how much. With regard to sticky factors, DAU is declining first, but starting to see MAU decline as well. Will be interesting to see if that moderates and we get back to intrinsic sticky factors. Agree with you Tadhg that the policy changes are definitely contributing but as you noted, hard to tell how much. With regard to sticky factors, DAU is declining first, but starting to see MAU decline as well. Will be interesting to see if that moderates and we get back to intrinsic sticky factors.

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