Games in Social Networking
Learning objectives
This week you will:
- get familiar with games in social networking such as FarmVille and Pet Society,
- play FarmVille and Pet Society social networking games, and
- develop practical skills to play games in social networking.
Content
Introduction
Generally speaking, most games are social in the sense that we play either with others or in a particular community, invariably, games on social networking sites or on iPhone are referred to as social games mainly because of the platform, that is, the site on which we play them. For instance, the two games on this week lesson are played on Facebook which is one of the most popular social networking sites. There are many social networking games but for this week's lesson only two of them would be taken in order not to weary you with many of them at the same time.
1. FarmVille
(Video taken from YouTube)
FarmVille is one of the most popular social networking games, and on daily basis many people are joining it. It is just a game, but a great stress relief after a hard day's work or a stressful day. When you are in FarmVille, you are able to get away from all of the stress and concerns of everyday life. You can just sit back and relax, planting some seeds and harvest some crops. What makes the game even more fun is that you can visit the Farms of your friends helping them achieve other levels in the game as well.
In FarmVille you just sit back and relax, planting some seeds and harvest some crops. What makes the game even more fun is that you are able to visit the Farms of your friends helping them achieve other levels in the game as well. It is in deed a good way to spend the evenings. FarmVille playing is in levels, as you progress you discover that you move from one level to another by unlocking seeds for more types of plants.
FarmVille is easy to play in the sense that there is guiding tutorial as you finish one aspect you will be properly guided through the instruction to move to the next task to do. Just follow the tutorial for the first time and subsequently you will be able to navigate your way through. You can also follow a comprehensive tutorial on FarmVille.
2. Pet Society
FarmVille is one of the most popular social networking games, and on daily basis many people are joining it. It is just a game, but a great stress relief after a hard day's work or a stressful day. When you are in FarmVille, you are able to get away from all of the stress and concerns of everyday life. You can just sit back and relax, planting some seeds and harvest some crops. What makes the game even more fun is that you can visit the Farms of your friends helping them achieve other levels in the game as well.
In FarmVille you just sit back and relax, planting some seeds and harvest some crops. What makes the game even more fun is that you are able to visit the Farms of your friends helping them achieve other levels in the game as well. It is in deed a good way to spend the evenings. FarmVille playing is in levels, as you progress you discover that you move from one level to another by unlocking seeds for more types of plants.
FarmVille is easy to play in the sense that there is guiding tutorial as you finish one aspect you will be properly guided through the instruction to move to the next task to do. Just follow the tutorial for the first time and subsequently you will be able to navigate your way through. You can also follow a comprehensive tutorial on FarmVille.
2. Pet Society
(Video taken from YouTube)
Pet Society is another social game developed by Playfish. The game, which is launched within Facebook has been ranked as the most popular Facebook application. When you are in pet society you first choose your genders, names, colours, and features (such as; ears, nose, mouth etc.) as a new player custom design. There are diverse activities with which the user can interact with the pet, which include feeding, petting, washing and brushing the pet. There are also activities whereby pets can interact with the pets of those in the "friends" network. A pet can visit the pets of their friends and perform the same activities to these pets (washing, grooming, feeding, etc.). A pet can visit other pets as many times per day as it is inclined. You can read more from the guide for beginners or from Petsociety news tips and tricks post.
Tasks and Discussion Questions
Resources for further reading
[1] Pet Society http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Society
[2] FarmVille http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FarmVille
[3] FarmVille site: http://www.farmville.com/
[4] Pet Society site: http://apps.facebook.com/petsociety
Back
Pet Society is another social game developed by Playfish. The game, which is launched within Facebook has been ranked as the most popular Facebook application. When you are in pet society you first choose your genders, names, colours, and features (such as; ears, nose, mouth etc.) as a new player custom design. There are diverse activities with which the user can interact with the pet, which include feeding, petting, washing and brushing the pet. There are also activities whereby pets can interact with the pets of those in the "friends" network. A pet can visit the pets of their friends and perform the same activities to these pets (washing, grooming, feeding, etc.). A pet can visit other pets as many times per day as it is inclined. You can read more from the guide for beginners or from Petsociety news tips and tricks post.
Tasks and Discussion Questions
- Familiarize yourself by reading through the above short notes selected reading materials and watch the clips on the two social networking games (Farmville and Pet Society).
- Go to Farmville site.
- Follow the instructions through the arrows and play Farmville: choose your gender, create a new farmer, harvest and plant, publish to share with your friends and add neighbor to your farm.
- Go to Pet Society site
- Follow the instructions through the arrows and play Pet Society: choose your gender, your name, your colour, then brush, wash, go fishing and feed your pet.
- What was the most existing thing you learnt in Farmville and Pet Society games this week with your friends? Share with your friends in Facebook.
- What aspects did you find difficult to play in these two games?
Resources for further reading
[1] Pet Society http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Society
[2] FarmVille http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FarmVille
[3] FarmVille site: http://www.farmville.com/
[4] Pet Society site: http://apps.facebook.com/petsociety
Back
