Latest Thoughts: Social Games

I took a year break from the dozen or so Facebook games I was playing in 2010 and have recently started back up again. I did enjoy Cafe World, Mafia Wars, Farmville, Happy Island and other games. However, like many hardcore gamers, I felt like the game mechanics and reward systems were a bit simple to keep my attention. Now, I am not saying I don't have fun with a simple game like Tetris or any of these Facebook games, I just found after the 10th hour of play, planting another vegetable wasn't grabbing me.

I just started playing Castleville and I am encouraged about the direction the game design is taking. There are many layers of goals and rewards that fit many game styles: production expert, resource gatherer, castle builder, explorer or a mix of all of them.

Well, I can confidently say this game will grab me for 20 hours of play! Now what about that 21st hour? I guess that is why I still play WOW...

Thoughts?