FACEBOOK FUN: A screenshot from Pet Society.
Inevitably, most Facebook users took their maiden voyages into social game-based applications through such compelling challenges as "Dear victim, you have been bitten by (insert friend's name here)...".
But once you become a "Zombie", "Werewolf", "Vampire" or "Slayer" and plague all your other friends with viral messages, at what point do you all grow tired of it? Turns out...pretty quickly!
Many companies creating such applications on Facebook and other social networking sites continued with this futile theme, expanding it to the "Wars" generation where you and your friends can rally together against other chumps in worlds of Mafia, Mobs, Fashion, Dragons... the list goes on!
Others have found success with the tried and true: Poker, Scrabble, and Gems, or variations thereof. Virtual pets and cities have also appeared, most with a lacklustre performance. But in this sea of procrastination, I believe there are a few games which have something more to offer - they may even have cracked the secrets of longevity.
1. YoVille
This 3D virtual world offers an interactive casino, bank, fashion boutique, gym, coffee shop, furniture store, home depot, nightclub, pet shelter, flowers and gifts shop...*catches breath*... a speedway, diner, realtor office, your friend's homes, the beach and most importantly the factory where you bring in your paycheck.
As a YoVillian, you can customize your look, redecorate your abode countless times, host events and interact with others whether they are your friends or strangers. Use both emoticons and actions to express yourself in live chats.
The most impressive part of this game is the immense library of items which will keep you entertained for hours and really get those creative juices flowing.
Short on coins? No worries! You can always make some more by playing games, sending messages to your buddies, or simply purchasing some with real money. Don't forget to refill your energy bar with yummy food and drinks!
2. Pet Society
As with all virtual pets, their downside is that you actually have to come back and take care of the little buggers! Luckily in this case, nothing devastating happens if you don't and the wide selection of items and activities will keep your interests up.
Start every day by winning the lottery! Your critter can then spend the $50-500 cash prizes at the stylist, costume shop, furniture store... well you get the picture! You can race or bet at the stadium, collect nifty gadgets and mystery items and socialize in the café.
Visit your friend's pet's homes and give them hugs or leave messages/gifts. Snap a picture! The more you interact, the more points and coins you collect, allowing you to upgrade to a larger home. The only downside is that this pseudo-interaction isn't live, it doesn't show whether your friends are online and so you are left with a glorified emailing system.
Nonetheless, this game's success is proven by the huge number of active monthly users! All Playfish games steadily rank at the top and if this floats your boat, try "Restaurant City", "Geo Challenge", "Who Has The Biggest Brain?", "Word Challenge", "Bowling Buddies", and "Minigolf Party"!
3. Mousehunt
is game may not be the most popular yet, but its fan base is steadily growing and full of passionately loyal hunters. The basic idea is like a scavenger hunt but you use skill instead of luck. You start out in the region of Gnawnia with a basic trap and bait.
The mice here are fairly easy to catch and with each you score some points and gold. As your confidence grows, you move out of the meadow into the harbour, mountains...and completely new regions. Interesting new traps and baits begin to appear as well as increasing elusive and tactile mice breeds.
By this stage you are compulsively hooked and you must collect them all! Although this game doesn't rely on any flashy graphics, just some beautiful illustrations, its brilliance comes from its arsenal of items and passive gameplay style.
The game automatically checks your trap every hour, and if that's not enough you can always actively sound the Hunter's Horn every 15 minutes. Don't forget to involve some friends so you don't have to do all the hard work yourself. If you are not convinced yet, check out its elaborate entry in Wikipedia for all your mouse lore needs. This is one to definitely keep your eye on...
4. Save the Planet
If not to entertain yourself and pass the time, why not play games to literally help save the planet?! This collection of games of all shapes and sizes will assist you in just, that plus inspire some friendly competition between you and your friends!
You are bound to find something you like, whether it is arcade, card, word, or strategy based, and as you play you collect 'lunch money'. You can then donate this lunch money to a multitude of causes: ending world hunger, saving the rainforest, cancer research, helping the homeless, etc.
As you donate, you earn badges and your status grows increasingly more saintly! Your boss can't be made at that can he?
5. Farm Town
Finally, this 3D Tycoon-style game with a farming twist will get you back to your roots. Start with a plot of land and build experience by creatively cultivating your land. A recently expanded collection of items lets you choose from an array of seeds, trees, flowers, animals, fences, paths, ponds and even buildings.
Your friends are your neighbours so don't forget to visit their farms and give them a hand! Send a gift, a message and just chat by the cow paddock!
If you don't have enough time to harvest all your crops yourself, you can always wander down to the marketplace and hire some money-desperate player to do it for you! Likewise, you can be hired too when saving up for that extra-special item. If you can handle the occasionally disconnecting server, this is the game for you.
So the next time you are itching for something to do, why not spend some time being a casual social gamer? Of course they will not be confused with Halo 3, but it is their ability to tap into your Facebook network of friends that truly makes these application-games interesting and fun.
They are a new and more creative way for people to communicate with each other besides just messaging and emailing. Best of all, they are accessible, free, quick, and offer incentives for being active daily. Because of this, Facebook remains the web gamer's destination of choice!
Selamat Tahun Baru 2010
