I’ve been quiet on this blog for a few weeks. Mainly since I have been exploring traditional and social games.  I have blogged about gaming before. I am happy to announce that I am expanding my work to include social games. In case you are wondering why? Here are some answers.

Reason 1: Marketing for social games sorely needed

I say that depends on what you think marketing is. Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while know that my approach has always been on marketing by building relationships and creating engagement. That approach still makes a lot of sense in this new world of social gaming.

In both, people like being welcomed, being able to talk to you, and being able to give and get advice. They want to be able to assess you from their first interaction with you. They want to communicate with you and let you know what works and what doesn’t. Now whether that is on twitter or your product, doesn’t make much of a difference.

This kind of marketing, sometimes called community management intersects with all aspects of the customer development funnel. It includes the creation and optimization of in-game user directions, invite messages, profile postings on in-game actions or player level improvements. Isn’t that what creating social games is really about? And isn’t that what ultimately allows you to make a profitable business as it helps you optimize the social element and thus reduce cost of acquiring customers?

If so, then people like me, with strong analytical, interpersonal, and social media skills, are key to doing this well.

Reason 2: Create the next wave of transformative online experiences

Casual social games help us develop, enhance, and maintain relationships and friendships in emotionally rich and powerful ways. I’ve already blogged about rekindling my friendship with an old college roommate with Farmville. Additionally with social games like Barn Buddy and Farmville I have deepened my weak tie relationships with a countless number of people, in ways that have been quick, time saving, and not to mention fun. For the longest time I was a nut about who was stealing from me on games like Barn Buddy. But soon that experience stopped having its charm for me. I still play Barn Buddy, but my playing is more in a Pavlovian conditioned reflex manner that isn’t very engaged.

This is very unlike what happens in traditional games.

When I play or even look at the design of many 3d games I feel passion, competition, adrenaline rush, and a cluster of other emotions that make my experience feel real, and keep me curious and focused for longer.

Wouldn’t it be great if some of the 250 million users on Facebook could experience this too?

I strongly believe it would be. But before this can happen highly creative traditional game developers need to understand what it takes to build successful games on Facebook, much of which revolves around making the app social–players being able to play with their real friends.

That’s where I come in. I will be helping traditional gamers understand how to make their games social, allowing them to bring the creativity, emotionality, and freshness of their games to Facebook and thus be part of the next transformative online experience for millions around the world.

Similar Posts:

• Game review: Poker Rivals by Playfish
• How a social media marketing mindset works for gaming
• Restaurant Life Brings Quality New Ingredients to Social Restaurant Gaming
• Should you make a competitive or cooperative social game?
• Casual Games Have Shortcomings on Facebook but Show Promise

Popularity: 16% [?]