Utilization of social media in mobile game on iOS and Andriod

Ever downloaded a game on your iOS or Andriod device only to be hit with a login screen asking f

or your Facebook or Twitter credentials? More and more games on mobile platforms like android and iOS are asking its users to link their game profiles with their Social Networking accounts. Some games need an established network of friends who you can play with and thus, these links to your profile are deemed necessary. They are essential for the game to function well, such is the case of titles like “Words with Friends” and “Draw something”. Although they can function independently, the inherent ties to people that you know in real life are at the core part of its game-play. In the former, you are asked to guess a word based on a few sketches by your peer. In this case, the social element is integral to the game. The game cannot function well without another player at hand.

                In other games, “friends” are utilized to gain access to certain levels or provide “aid” to your journey or game. They are not essential for you to complete or play the game but it is optimal if you have them. In this case, Social linkages are seen as a means to “make life easier” and provide you with an extra boost than what is normally allotted. To put it simply, your Facebook friends are merely there as additional tools or resources that you can use.

                How does this benefit the Game publishers? When these game publishers ask for your credentials, they gain a little bit of information of who its users are. They can leverage this to tailor products that would cater its user-base and thus drive profit. Furthermore, whenever you “post an achievement” on your wall, that is effectively free advertising. They didn't even have to pay you to spread the word regarding their game.

                Facebook has already tightened its rules on “auto posting” on your behalf; it was possible for videogame publishers to write posts on your wall the minute you agree to their terms of service by clicking on accept, now it requires you only to share the minutest data and prompts you every time it attempts to post to your timeline. It is hard to see the mobile gaming platform moving away from that practice any time soon. People are valuable assets, and your friend’s list is a treasure-trove waiting to be exploited.

Source:

https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2012/06/26/growing-mobile-games-and-apps-with-facebook/

https://developers.facebook.com/docs/games/mobile/bestpractice

====================

Brendon Martin Borgonia