Game Design Secrets

Surveying the Facebook Game Market

Now let’s turn to Facebook and get a quick read on who’s playing games on Mark Zuckerberg’s social network (usually when they’re in the office, supposedly getting work done.) See Figure 1-3.

Figure 1-3: Facebook’s Apps and Games page

Overall User Base

As of mid-2012, shortly after its May IPO, Facebook has about 900 million monthly active users and 500 million daily active users. Since the company reports that 20 percent of this user base is in the United States and Canada, it’s safe to estimate that more than 160 million Americans—that is, more than half the entire U.S. population—are on Facebook.

Player Demographics

As for Facebook users who play Facebook games, the social network reports that 70 percent of active users also use Facebook games and applications. So assuming 30–60 percent of them play games, it’s reasonable to estimate there are about 255 to 510 million users who play one or more Facebook games a month. This user base is so large, it’s also safe to say that it encompasses all the major demographics who use Facebook, from late teens up to people in their 60s.

NOTE One example of Facebook gaming’s wide demographics: According to AppData.com, Playdom’s hidden object game Hidden Chronicles has about 20 percent of fans who are in their mid-20s to mid-30s, and about as many who are over 55.

Monetization rates for Facebook games ...