Mobile games may not be causing developer exodus from Facebook
Rumors have been circulating recently suggesting that game developers are caught in a mass exodus from Facebook. These rumors claim that these developers are fleeing exodus in favor of mobile platforms in the hopes of taking advantage of the explosive growth being seen in mobile games. Facebook, which has long been a hub for social games, claims that these rumors are unfounded and suggests that game developers are not abandoning the social media platform for better opportunities that may exist in mobile games.
Fall of Zynga sparks rumors concerning social gaming
Many of the rumors concerning the developer exodus were sparked over a year ago when Facebook’s favored game developer Zynga began to collapse. Last year, Facebook cut ties with Zynga and the developer has begun to focus more heavily on mobile games as part of its restructuring efforts. With Zynga out of the picture, Facebook’s gaming scene has begun to experience some turbulence. Facebook claims that the challenges its social games are seeing are due to market corrections being made and the often volatile nature of gaming in general.
EA moving into mobile games
Electronic Arts, one of the largest game publishers in the world, has been moving away from social games recently, adding further momentum to rumors surrounding Facebook’s social gaming space. The publisher has also adopted a strong interest in mobile games, claiming that this sector holds more promise than social gaming.
Facebook remains popular with many developers
While some developers and publishers may be moving into mobile games, Facebook has shown little concern over the supposed fall of social gaming. Developers moving into the mobile space have not been taking down their social games and these games continue to attract a great deal of activity for Facebook. The social network also continues to be the favored platform for many game developers and those looking to establish themselves in the competitive game industry
EA continues to become more enthusiastic toward mobile games
Electronic Arts is one of the most powerful companies in the game industry, so when it starts putting more focus on mobile games, it is not doing so arbitrarily. Mobile games are quickly becoming the most popular product that the game industry has to offer. These games are enjoyed by millions of mobile consumers around the world, many of whom are more than happy to put their own money into these games to unlock new features are purchase virtual currencies. Electronic Arts has been growing more vocal on the issue of mobile games as consumers begin to become more critical of the company’s entry into this sector.
Freemium model enjoyed by most consumers
According to EA, the vast majority of people that play mobile games prefer the free-to-play, often called “freemium,” business model. Through this model, consumers can obtain and play mobile games free of charge. This allows games to circulate among a larger audience, potentially acquiring more fans and exposing more people to in-game advertisements, which generate revenue for both the game’s developer and the game’s publisher. Many of the features of these games could be locked, however, with players having to pay to access such features. This particular practice has been criticized by many gamers as greedy and dubious.
In-app purchases are widely supported
EA notes that consumers are enthusiastic about in-app purchases because the can choose how they want to experience the game they are playing. Some purchases involve power-ups that can significantly decrease the time investment requires to complete mobile games. These allow players to enjoy games at a pace that is more accommodating to their tastes. Moreover, in-app purchases are the ideal way for mobile games to generate revenue for their developers. EA suggests that traditional games that require an upfront purchase in order to play typically generate less revenue and are considered, on the business side, outdated.
Freemium is the most popular model among independent developers
While a large portion of gamers enjoy mobile games, many suggest that EA’s insistence on the freemium model is a prime example of corporate greed ruining the game industry. Developers, however, are the primary parties responsible for this business model. Independent developers, those that release games without the backing of publishers like EA, rely heavily on this model in order to remain in business, as the freemium model is the best way for these developers to generate profits from their mobile games.
