Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Online Gamers a Cash Crop for FarmVille

Nonviolent, social game spreads like wildfire on Facebook

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 23, 2009 4:05 PM CST

(Newser) – The latest video game craze sweeping America is a surprisingly cute Facebook application that doesn’t include even a single laser gun. FarmVille has attracted 60 million players, 22 million of whom still check in on their farms every day, harvesting crops, tending livestock, and helping their neighbors scare off foxes. And it could just be on the forefront of “humane gaming,” University of Denver gaming experts tell the Denver Post.

The professors say nonviolent games that can appeal to everyone from little kid to Grandma are the future. “ It's well done; it's cute; it's fun, and then you have the huge viral marketing power of Facebook,” says the director of DU’s Game Development Program. But marketing could be the game’s downfall: Some users say they’ve encountered too many scams and marketing gimmicks in the game.

A promotional screenshot from FarmVille.
A promotional screenshot from FarmVille.
A pink cow shows up in this promo image for FarmVille
A pink cow shows up in this promo image for FarmVille
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
ScootFla
May 14, 2010 1:26 AM CDT
DontLikeYou...you're a dimwit. Socialist propaganda? You sound like that moron McCarthy back in the 1940s and 1950s. Go back to Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, it's obvious they're missing one of their foot soldiers.
bathory313
Nov 24, 2009 5:19 AM CST
Hopefully, taking you with it.
paul123
Nov 24, 2009 4:49 AM CST
Actually in my opinion it's a pretty innocent game. It's pretty dumb, but it's just a game. No partisanship in it.

More Newser Stories

FarmVille Maker Zynga Planning IPO

Angry Birds Coming to Facebook

Facebook Defriending Triggers Double Murder

Careful, Facebook, or You'll Become AOL

Facebook Launching IPO Today


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne