non-clicky poll: facebook & other "casual" games

niq24601 · December 2011

So this is kind of random, but one of the new jobs I'm interviewing for is with a company that makes "casual" games -- both Facebook games similar to Farmville/Mafia Wars/Pet Store, and $5-$20 downloaded games more like Plants vs Zombies or Angry Birds. I sort of have mixed feelings on the whole thing, especially the FB games which sometimes seem like they're just feeding people's addictions (there was a Daily Show clip about some kids who had charged $1500 worth of stuff in an iPhone game -- I know that's rare but it does happen, even with adults).

So does anyone here play any FB games, or the web-based or downloaded casual games? What is it about them that you enjoy? Do you feel like they're fun or just a way to kill time? Do you play them just on your phone, or your home computer too?

mgoss228 · December 2011

I've played FB games (quit because of too much spam sent to my FB wall and personal email), and currently play three Google+ games. I refuse to spend $0.01, so I only do the free stuff and will not buy extra "bux," "moves," "special growing wands," whatever they are trying to sell.

It's a way to spend time at work when things are slow, and I like that I'm advancing at something even if I'm sitting on my butt at work waiting to hear back on a project. I play the games about 70% at work, and 30% on my laptop at home.

jennlin · December 2011

nope. don't play them. i used to play word games here and there on fbook, but lose interest after a while....i used to be addicted to words-with-friends on my ipod touch, but my ipod broke a few months ago, and i haven't really missed it.

karimychel · December 2011

DH and I both play FB games. I refuse to spend any money on them, it's more of something to do when I remember.

I have an iPhone and iPad and the only game I've ever paid for was words with friends and that's because I was sick of the ads after every time I played. It gets annoying when you have several games going. I live by my iPhone on my commute though, so .99 was worth it to me.

merrileekate · December 2011

I occasionally play Angry Birds on my windows phone. Only if I'm bored though, and that doesn't happen often!

amandasw · December 2011

I don't play any, but I know my H plays the scrabble one on FB with my dad :P And I think he also plays the scrabble game on his phone too. But I think that's it... maybe there are a couple more, but he doesn't spend money on them. He actually has to buy some apps because his laptop rebate is only for apps (which is SO stupid that's all you can use it for).

dreamwinds · December 2011

I play scrabble games on my phone and angry birds on my phone.

I play games like the Ravenhearst Mansion series and diner dash/cake mania on my laptop or NDS when I'm bored and waiting for something.

I used to play Restaurant City on FB but got bored.

For the FB games, from what I can tell, it's the social aspect of it without a whole lot of time investment (though that's a lie) and competition and working with friends from what I can tell from my friends who play.

soralette · December 2011

I've played a fair few of the PopCap games (downloaded to my computer), including Bookworm, Peggle, Plants vs Zombies, etc, and loved 'em for the most part. They're definitely fun on their own.

I do not play any FB/G+ games at all; I hate the amount of spam they generate.

KimberlyS530 · December 2011

LegalBritt:
I've never played any FB games and I wouldn't play any game that I'd have to pay for but I play Words with Friends and Hanging with Friends on my iPhone. They are free. My Mom and I play Words constantly. She lives in Maryland and says it's make her feel connected to play a game on a daily basis with me. Plus I love word games and enjoy taking a few mintues out of my day to do something fun like that.

I love that game. I play it all the time. DH beats me every time we play, and still I can't stop playing it.

therickson · December 2011

I don't play any FB games but I do have some games on my phone. I have mostly trivia or games I can play with DH when we travel or if we are just hanging out. I mostly like to read on my phone though. DH has a ton of games on his phone and most are free.

KST_ · December 2011

I definitely play FB games and I've also played some of the games from the "casual gaming" company..I'm pretty sure I know which one you're applying at (doubles as a movie title from recent years, am I right?). I started playing FB games as a way to pass the time at work since I so frequently have time where I'm just waiting on other people before I can do anything. I also play games at home, and so does my husband. With the FB games, I play Sims and a pet related one like Sims and I enjoy both of those for the social element. I've made quite a few friends through the games that I consider real life friends, we talk on the phone and mail each stuff.

niq24601 · December 2011

KST_:
I definitely play FB games and I've also played some of the games from the "casual gaming" company..I'm pretty sure I know which one you're applying at (doubles as a movie title from recent years, am I right?).

Haha, actually I'm looking there and at a tiny startup that no one's heard of that does the same thing, so you're right and wrong at the same time .

Thanks everyone for the info! I play crosswords but otherwise try to stay away from the stuff. It's cool to here that people make Real Life friends as a result of FB games.

picksthemusic · December 2011

I've played them in the past, but stopped once we really didn't have a computer that worked or that I could be on a lot of the time. And, of course, once M arrived, I've had only rare bits of time to spend online, so it's really just fallen away. Which is nice, because I was spending money on the games, and I realized it was for nothing. It's one thing to spend maybe $20-30 on a game (maybe $50 if it's a GOOD game) for the PS3 or XBox or something like that - that's okay to me. But to only be able to advance in the games if you spend money consistently? Not cool. I feel better about the one-time expense games (i.e. Angry Birds, etc.) than the FB ones where you don't have to pay to play, but end up doing so anyway because you get hooked to the game and want to advance quicker - and you can only do that by spending money.

Hope that helps!