Social Networking and Game Applications: Ridiculously Expensive?
Written by Nile | Posted in News | Posted on 
04-08-2009 | 
19 Comments
Tags: facebook, social media, technology
Game applications have been quite popular the past few years on various social networks like MySpace and Facebook. In fact, one of the most popular out there is Mafia Wars.
There have been others that have surfaced and users flock to try them out. I have even joined a few. However, I am finding something quite disturbing – the fact that these applications are asking people to buy points (or whatever they are called for each application) with real money. What are the points used for? Well, they can be used for special defense/ offense items, or towards game money, or energy refills to do battle with other game opponents.
In Sorority Life, you can buy 20 brownie points (their point system) for $5. The special items offered are between 12-19 brownie points a piece, meaning you have to really pay some money as the opportunities to obtain free brownie points are like pulling teeth.
The question is: why is it so expensive? How much is Zynga, who owns Mafia Wars, Vampire Wars, and many other game which they boast an increase of 12 million users in two weeks? (As a huge note, Sorority Life is not owned by Zynga, but by Playdom.) I understand that some of the money goes to technicians, graphic artists, server expenses, and some for the company, but what about a little relief for the gamers? Why not give back to their users and lower their special items?
Of course, for those who have a lot of money to waste on something they would not be able to show anything for, it would be no worries. However, there are game rental sites online that you can be sent games for a low cost per month.
Do you play these interactive games? What do you think of it? Expensive? Do not care? Have you bought points through these applications?
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As you know, I do play Sorority Life, Mafia Wars, and several others on Facebook. I find it ridiculous to actually pay money for the games however, and simply do without the special items no matter how much I’d like to have them.
I realize that these developers are running a business developing the games and that there are costs they need to meet. However, I feel that they are simply taking advantage of those people who probably do not have the money to buy these things but do anyway because they think that they cannot get ahead in the game without doing so, even though there is a notice on most of the games that states otherwise.
They say that to confuse the users. Each special item comes with some much value in defense and offense to help players get ahead. I think that they should possibly consider a low monthly subscription fee like other gaming sites.
However, I believe that they would feel like a pay cut would be a result of such actions.
On another thought:
It kind of works the same as in LiveJournal and facebook where you can send a graphic for 99 cents or so for special occasions. For those unable to make a graphic or unaware of where to get a freebie graphic, this is a cute idea, but I think it should be done away with.
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I got hooked into farmville on Facebook thanks to a friend. him and I both agree its silly that people are forking out real cash for fake cash just so you can increase your farm or get a tree fort.
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yep, games could be expensive, even spymaster with their ‘free’ point system linking to different sites to gain points … no good. but I have only clicked on those spam email ones, Other than that, I rely on my friends to give me gifts
[...] Nile wrote an interesting post today onSocial Networking and Game <b>Applications</b>: Ridiculously Expensive <b>…</b>Here’s a quick excerpt [...]