[attrition] Over Reliance on Social Network Friends in Zynga Games

[security curmudgeon]

http://attrition.org/~jericho/works/misc/zynga-social_pressure/

Over Reliance on Social Network Friends in Zynga Games
Re-thinking Game Design for Character Advancement
Sun May 8 17:13:37 CDT 2011

Abstract:

Zynga is a commercial company that produces free games that are played via 
the Facebook social network. Per Zynga's mission, they seek to "connect 
people through games". This is readily apparent in their eagerness for you 
to play games with your friends through a number of game designs and 
technical mechanisms. In recent months however, the means for which they 
intend to connect with people via their 'Virtual World' games have become 
irritating and counterproductive to their enjoyment. This article will 
outline some of these game design problems and suggest alternative methods 
for achieving the same goal, while reducing the social burden on players.

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