Wohn Et Al2011 Hicss

Computers in Human Behavior, 2011

Recently, Social Network Games (SNGs) over social network services have become popular and have spawned a whole new subculture. This study examines the perceived factors which contribute to an SNG user's behaviors. It proposes an SNG acceptance model based on integrating cognitive as well as affective attitudes as primary influencing factors. Results from a survey of SNG players validate that the proposed theoretical model explains and predicts user acceptance of SNG very well. The model shows fine measurement properties and establishes the perceived playfulness and security of SNGs as distinct constructs. The findings also reveal that flow plays a moderation role that affects various paths in the model. Based on the results of this study, both the appropriate practical implications for SNG marketing strategies and the theoretical implications are provided.

Journal of International Technology and Information Management, 2016

The penetration of the internet, smart-phones and tablets has witnessed tremendous increase in the number of people playing online games in the past few years. Social networking site (SNS) games are a subset of digital games. They are platform based, multiplayer and reveal the real identity of the player. These games are hosted on social networks such as Facebook, where in people play with many other players online. The risks associated with social network gaming are addiction, theft, fraud, loneliness, anxiety, aggression, poor academic performance, cognition distortion etc. This study aims to understand the user motivations to continue to play social networking games and spread a word of mouth for these games. To understand this phenomenon, Uses and Gratification theory (U&G) along with flow and immersion have been considered as the antecedents. A total of 242 respondents comprising of 125 participants who play social networking games and 117 participants who do not play social ne...

2012

"Since 2008 there has been a rapid rise of casual games on social networking platforms such as Facebook. There are now games based on popular television shows such as CSI and sports, ESPN College Town, as well as the familiar farming and decorating games. As the user base for social networks continues to expand so does the number of casual game players. The purpose of this study was to observe social and viral exchanges between casual game players to determine how these players define friendship and interaction. The results show that the average Facebook game player finds a stronger bond of friendship with players in games with in-game social interaction over games with heavy viral interaction. Data also shows that games where players feel a stronger social bond with other players have a higher sticky factor and avoid the heavy churn rate of some more popular games."

Proceedings of the 28th of the …, 2010

Social network games (SNG) are an extremely popular and rapidly growing application of social network sites (SNS). But are SNGs really social? A survey based on a social cognitive theory approach to uses and gratifications revealed that people are motivated to play the game to create common ground, reciprocate, cope, and pass time. People play SNGs to create common ground for future social interaction rather than seeking direct social interaction in the game. Customization was strongly correlated with social motivations; in particular, use of avatar customization was different from use of space customization. Reciprocity was facilitated more by the design of the game than social motives.

Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial …, 2009

2017

The social dimensions can take many forms in games and play cultures. The phenomenon of social network games, especially the historical evolution of Facebook games, provides an interesting opportunity to explore of the social aspects of game creation and play cultures. The social and cultural frames of social play and networks have become increasingly central areas to explore in game research. Around years 2006-2007, games distributed through social network services became known as 'social games', even though their actual characteristics do not necessarily rely primarily on social interaction, or real-time social play, for example. Nevertheless, social play and social network services have had a central role for the design and use of these games, and it is important to understand how they have operatedas games, and as playful elements in particular kind of social media environment. This chapter draws upon a decade of research in the field of casual and social games, and highlights the interrelations between player experiences, game and service design features, as well as industry business models in this area. Finally, the chapter also reflects on the future directions of social game play, and its research.

2010

The focus on social games in recent years has been generated by the rising number of users of MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayers Role Playing Games) such as World of Warcraft (WoW). However, the rise of social games in social networks has also played an interesting part in social games awareness. In this paper we focus on 'social' casual games in Facebook. Our assumption is that the success of games in the Facebook context is linked to the blending of personal and social aspects. In particular: (i) the engagement in 'fictional' social actions, (ii) the use of asynchronous actions, (iii) the combination of public and private actions within the game. The three above-mentioned aspects contribute to the emergence of particular social groupings, very similar to Cova's tribes. In order to demonstrate the previous assertions the paper will first define a set of basic concepts and will then describe some practical examples from the Facebook context.

Recently the use of social network sites have emerged as one of the most important and time-consuming online activities. In the large and diversified social network scenario Facebook emerged as one of the most important sites at least in the United States and in Europe. In the Facebook-based gaming scene Playfish, a UK based company, has recently gained a leading position with more than 50 million registered players. The paper will analyze these five games, observing, starting from Playfish’s games, on Facebook games use the social network site and the social relationships between players as a core element for the game experience. In SNS several different contexts of life seems to exist one near the others and eventually overlapping. Closest friends with co-workers, relatives with ex-schoolmates: the paper will present how the new SNS environment can be used for gaming and how gaming activities change when they enter the collapsed context of SNSs. Author Keywords: SOCIAL NATWORKS, SOCIAL GAMES, SOCIAL CAPITALS, ONLINE GAMING, FACEBOOK

2009

Abstract Games built on Online Social Networks (OSNs) have become a phenomenon since 3rd party developer tools were released by OSNs such as Facebook. However, apart from their explosive popularity, little is known about the nature of the social networks that are built during play. In this paper, we present the findings of a network analysis study carried out on two Facebook applications, in comparison with a similar but stand-alone game.

International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction, 2015

This study examines the relationship between social motivations, pro-social relationship outcomes, and two types of game play—habitual and compulsive—in the context of simulation games on Facebook. Social motivations were significantly associated with compulsive game play, but not habitual game play. Compulsive play was a positive predictor of pro-social outcomes whereas habitual use was not. By differentiating two different types of media use that are both associated with problematic use, the authors see that social factors contribute to people's inability to control their gaming behavior, but that the so-called “addictive” behavior can also yield positive relationship outcomes.