InfoAnda - Playfish sees social games as industry driver

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Pincus joins Web's rock stars with Zynga IPO | | 5 July 2011
Indonesia quake kills 4, buildings collapse | 19 November 2008
At least 800 civilians cross to safety in Sri Lanka | International | | 5 February 2009

Sri Lanka expels Canadian lawmaker | 10 June 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Playfish sees social games as industry driver

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Playfish sees social games as industry driver Reuters - Thursday, November 5 Send IM Story Print An attendee works on a computer at the 2009 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California in this April 28, 2009 file photo. By Matt Cowan LONDON - The video games sector has yet to gain from a downturn where consumers stay home to play, but social games creator Playfish says the industry is just beginning a new growth spurt. The company that invented Pet Society, Restaurant City and Who Has The Biggest Brain? -- games played by tens of millions on sites such as Facebook and MySpace -- believes the $50 billion industry has many more converts to win. Two-year-old start-up Playfish makes games for people to play on ordinary computers with their family and friends, unlike traditional video games that need dedicated consoles. The London-headquartered company is backed by Accel Partners and Index Ventures, and is already profitable -- thanks to the virtual goods such as clothes, furnishings and weapons it sells for real money within its games. "What social gaming allows us to do is to grow the aggregate size of the industry... by getting those people who are not so interested in slaying the monsters on their 42 inch plasma screen but are really interested in playing with their friends and family involved," said Chief Executive Kristian Segerstrale. The video games industry is facing crunch time this December holiday season, with publishers and console makers pinning their hopes on a slew of big games releases to make up for sales that have fallen 13 percent this year so far in the United States. Price cuts in recent months for Sony's PlayStation 3, Microsoft's Xbox and the Nintendo Wii failed to have a dramatic effect on sales of games. Nintendo, whose Wii console brought video gaming to millions of new, casual gamers, lost its leading position in the gaming market last quarter and slashed its full-year earnings forecast last week after a 52 percent drop in quarterly profit. Segerstrale believes, however, that engaging non-traditional gamers to play within their existing social networks represents the next paradigm shift in the industry. "The video-gaming market is in the middle of this fundamental tectonic-plate shift, away from being a physical product-driven industry to being a digital service-driven industry," he told Reuters Television in an interview Segerstrale expects video games giants such as Electronic Arts or Activision Blizzard as well as start-ups to benefit. EA has been rumored to be about to buy Playfish, but Segerstrale has said the company is not for sale. Playfish said it is owned by its founders, management, staff and outside investors including Index and Accel. Pet Society, in which players custom-design virtual pets who then interact with their creators as well as other pets in the game, has more than 20 million active Facebook users per month. With this many users, even micropayments of just a few cents for a virtual item soon add up. Playfish sold 4 million bouquets of flowers in Pet Society during Valentine's week this year. Media executives skeptical of Playfish's ability to make serious money out of virtual goods asked Segerstrale at an industry conference last week how far he expected to be able to take it. "We have barely scratched the surface of what's possible in getting people to pay for things that don't exist," he replied. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles China bureaucratic war over online Warcraft heats up Reuters - 2 hours 57 minutes ago Experts meet to hash out web privacy rules AFP - Thursday, November 5 Microsoft to set up cloud research center in Taiwan Reuters - Thursday, November 5 Nokia unveils 5 new low-end phone models Reuters - Wednesday, November 4 PayPal courts outside developers AFP - Wednesday, November 4 News Search Top Stories X-ray named top achievement by British museum GM scraps plan to sell Vauxhall Chinese giant set to buy US oil assets: company Abdullah says Karzai re-election 'illegal' Fed to keep rates near zero to nurture recovery More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended French thinker Levi-Strauss dead at 100 Buffett's Berkshire to buy railway for $44 billion Fed to keep rates near zero to nurture recovery Britain breaks up RBS, Lloyds in big bang for banking UBS piles up losses, clients withdraw assets More Most Viewed » Somali centenarian weds 17-year-old Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Jewish settlers evict Arab east Jerusalem family
French anthropologist Levi-Strauss dead at 100
Apple, Orange drop exclusive iPhone sales: regulator
Warren Buffett's Berkshire to buy railroad
Iran warns opposition before anti-US rally
Four years in US prison for BetOnSports founder
EU hikes growth forecasts, warns on jobs
Hamas improved rocket abilities since war
Experts to hash out global data privacy rules in Spain
Gorbachev 'proud' of role in fall of Berlin Wall
First malaria vaccine 'ready in 3-5 years'
Exiled group says Iranian nuclear site needs check
Sarah Jessica Parker, Forest Whitaker, Edward Norton And Others Appointed As Members Of Obama's Committee On The Arts And Humanities
Eurozone unemployment to hit 10.7% in 2010: EU
Selena Gomez Returning To Hometown To Appear In Children's Parade
Robots primed for 'are you being served' role
Czech president becomes last EU leader to sign treaty
Best Buy plans movie download service with Sonic
Israel: Gaza rockets can reach metro Tel Aviv
Italy's crucifixes in classrooms 'violate rights'
Ian Brown Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting His Wife
EU to choose leaders after reform treaty ratified | International |
Rihanna Finally Speaks Out About The Night Chris Brown Assaulted Her
Italy, Vatican in uproar over court crucifix ruling | International |
Sony Ericsson unveils first Android phone
Monitors worried about Sudan election, freedoms | International |
Moscow could have started WW3 over Berlin Wall: Gorbachev | International |
Calif. man indicted in 4 Va. bludgeoning deaths
Phone texting reveals sensitive new metrotextual | Technology |
House GOP pens 230-page health bill draft
Correction: Attorney General Scandal story
LG Electronics investing heavily in smartphones | Technology |
BetOnSports founder gets 51 months in U.S. prison | Technology |
Merkel calls for strong deal on climate change
Fiji expels New Zealand, Australian envoys
Low cholesterol may prevent some prostate cancers
NKorea claims to expand arsenal of atomic bombs
Mayor chooses deputy chief to head LA police
Philippines frees officers cleared over coup: military
US 'indispensable' in Asia: Singapore PM
Indonesia court hears phone tapes in graft case
GOP senators absent at start of climate debate
China envoy in talks in Taiwan: official
Karzai promises reform _ but without specifics
Neighbors griped about odor at Ohio home for years
Python hunters bag 37 in Florida hunting season
Chinese official: Syphilis boom driven by economy
$1 million bail offered in Chicago terrorism case
Thais make third arrest over king's health rumors
George W. Bush throws out first pitch in Japan
Carrey's Scrooge rings in Hollywood holiday spirit
India still likes dollars despite buying gold: minister
Carrefour breaks Indonesian antitrust law: watchdog
Obama enlists Hollywood names for arts committee
Pakistani stocks end higher; rupee weakens
Dubai to appoint female muftis in 2010: report
China experiments with molecular cuisine
Kate Winslet wins damages over exercise libel
A Christmas Carol gets thrill ride movie treatment | Entertainment |
World Cup to boost South Africa tourism, organisers say
Rihanna humiliated by leaked photo after attack | Entertainment |
China regulator rejects World of Warcraft game: official
Conchords star Clement says HBO show may end | Entertainment |
Three-star chefs cook up a treat in Paris subway
Obama enlists Hollywood names for arts committee
Kate Winslet wins damages over exercise libel | Entertainment |
Car Of Slain New Mexico Nun Found In Undisclosed Location
Adam Arkin relishes new `Sons of Anarchy' role
J&J To Cut 8,200 Jobs To Save More Than $1 Billion
E! to launch Asian version of flagship news show
Chirac's memoirs show restraint on Sarkozy
Democrats Proceed With Committee Debate On Climate Bill Despite GOP Boycott
Mexico Deploys 577 Heavily Armed Police To U.S. Border Town Of Juarez, To Quell Violence
Ex Stone Roses singer held for wife assault | Entertainment |
Update: Merkel Renews U.S. Ties, Asks For Stronger Partnership Against Climate Change
A Key Healthcare Vote, Lieberman Denies Report On His Support For Public Option
Manufacturing Orders Rise For Fifth Month In Six
Philadelphia Bus, Subway Service At A Standstill As Workers Strike
Voting Underway For New York's Mayoral, 23rd Congressional Races
New Jersey, Virginia Hold Gubernatorial Elections Tuesday
Earthquake injures 270 in southern Iran
Huge fire breaks out in Saint Petersburg: reports
US-TECH Summary
Fed to keep rates near zero to nurture recovery
Czech president signs EU reform treaty
Nokia unveils 5 new low-end phone models
UN to urge credible probe of alleged Gaza war crimes
UN envoy warns Karzai of losing world support
Uproar in Italy after Euro court rejects school crucifixes
Khamenei says US 'hiding a dagger' in talks with Iran
US envoys to meet Myanmar PM
Flu pandemic closes schools | International |
PayPal courts outside developers
EU officially starts search for first president
Egypt-Israel frictions complicate US peace efforts
GM to cancel sale, keep European unit Opel
Yahoo teams with OneRiot on real-time search
Barnes & Noble sued by eReader maker Spring Design
French thinker Levi-Strauss dead at 100
Storm kills 42 in Vietnam, several missing | International |
AT&T sues Verizon Wireless over 3G ads
Honduran lawmakers put off vote on Zelaya's return | International |
U.S. delegation in Myanmar for rare talks with junta | International |
Touchscreen smartphones being snatched up in US
Cisco-EMC-VMware alliance in 350-bln-dollar market
US company offers Twitter-dedicated mobile device
Warren Buffett's Berkshire to buy railroad
LG Electronics investing heavily in smartphones
Nokia unveils 5 new low-end phone models
LG Electronics investing heavily in smartphones
Pacific diplomatic row deepens
Yahoo teams with OneRiot on real-time search | Technology |
Dutch rafter killed in accident in Nepal
AT&T sues Verizon Wireless over 3G ads | Technology |
Tokyo train stations use lights to stem suicides
Iran 'must choose' its future path: Obama
Nokia unveils 5 new low-end phone models | Technology |
Obama notes anniversary of Iran embassy takeover
China sex-expert to help Taiwan pandas to breed
US Republicans score big in off-year elections
Today in History
Ten bodies found at rapist's Ohio home: report
Barnes & Noble sued by eReader maker Spring Design | Technology |
Mobile phones ring death knell for Bangladesh postmen
Italian judge to reach verdict in CIA kidnap trial
Police: 3 ND college students found dead in pond
Obama faces setback after Republicans win
Vietnam storm death toll rises to 57
CA teen charged with murder in death of 4-year-old
China's military making strides in space: US general
Voters in NC's largest city elect Democratic mayor
India's pot-bellied males hit gym for Bollywood buff look
World Bank boosts China growth forecast to 8.4 pct
Disney says China approved Shanghai theme park
SKorea's SK Engineering wins UAE oil contract
China OKs Disney theme park in Shanghai: official
Korea Hot Stocks
China agrees Disney theme park in Shanghai: Disney
S.Korean bonds edge down as Fed rate vote looms
Seoul shares rebound: KEB, brokerage stocks rally
Seoul shares gain; banks up after strong Q3 results
S.Korea mortgage lending growth slows in Oct-report
Hollywood stars light up London for Christmas
Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin to host Oscars | Entertainment |
Stephen Colbert, fans sponsor U.S. speedskaters | Entertainment |
Kirstie Alley takes weight-loss battle back to TV | Entertainment |
Berenstain Bears to make big-screen debut | Entertainment |
Jaglom's homage to theater has wide appeal | Entertainment |
Accused Seacrest stalker ordered to stay away | Entertainment |
50 Cent recruits Kelly Rowland for video | Entertainment |
Berenstain Bears to make big-screen debut
Box office boost shows 3D is here to stay
Rihanna: Brown's assault, aftermath 'humiliating'
Sarah Palin promises more cities on book tour
Kirstie Alley takes weight-loss battle back to TV
Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin to host Oscars
Stephen Colbert, fans sponsor U.S. speedskaters
"Looking for Palladin" suffers from major flaw
Hollywood stars light up London for Christmas
Terminator movie franchise may go on auction block
German Court Denies Buddhist Bank Robber's Request To Visit With Cat
Newly Discovered Notes May Contain Secret 150-Year-Old Worcestershire Sauce Recipe
Prison Ombudsman Pushes For More Humane Treatment Of Canadian Inmates Without Compromising Security
Queen Elizabeth's Servant Crowned British Wrestling Champ
Mariah Carey Says Even Her Dogs Have An Entourage, But She's No Diva
Survey Finds Bad Behavior Is Pervasive Among Medical Personnel
BetOnSports founder gets 51 months in U.S. prison
Phone texting reveals sensitive new "metrotextual"
'Rogue' Afghan policeman kills five British troops
British mercenary leaves E.Guinea
Mousavi supporters clash with police in Tehran | International |
Chinese giant set to buy US oil assets: company
Afghan policeman kills five British soldiers | International |
Police to quiz mercenary over EGuinea plot: reports
Yemen rebels say they seize Saudi border site
Witness: The news conference that toppled the Wall | International |
Microsoft to set up cloud research center in Taiwan
Five British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Abdullah rules out joining new Afghan government | International |
Playfish sees social games as industry driver
Israeli navy intercepts arms ship: military | International |
Abdullah slams 'illegal' Karzai re-election
Pakistan troops, Taliban fight street battle: army | International |
Yemen rebels kill Saudi in cross-border raid | International |
Sri Lanka's top general leaves U.S. unquestioned | International |
Quake hits south Iran, 269 injured
Quake hits south Iran, injuring 269 people: agency | International |
Clashes with police in Tehran on anniversary
Tight security in Iran ahead of anti-U.S. rally
5 British soldiers killed in south Afghanistan
Search ends for Russians buried in China avalanche
US officials meet Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
Malaysia's opposition alliance puts house in order
Vietnam storm death toll rises to 87
Prominent SKorean businessman commits suicide: police
US officials meet with Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar
Nepal puts security forces on high alert
Playfish sees social games as industry driver | Technology |
Microsoft to set up cloud research center in Taiwan | Technology |
San Francisco voters defeat sign district plan
Angry Philippines rebels deny abducting Irish priest
AP NewsAlert
China bureaucratic war over online Warcraft heats up | Technology |
NM calf fitted with prosthetic legs
Farmland released from conservation program
3 million acres taken out of conservation program
Dejection fills Maine ballroom after marriage vote
Obama coaxes states to change with school dollars
Nissan returns to profit in latest quarter
Microsoft to set up cloud research centre in Taiwan
Toyota joins F1 exodus
Nissan Motor interim net profit down 92.9 pct
S.Korea 2010 house prices seen up 4 pct -research
Yamaha Motor posts 1.8 bln dollar nine-month loss
MARKETS-KOREA-STOCKS/ (UPDATE 2)=2
World Bank boosts China 2009 growth forecast
Brad Pitt looking for new motorbike after LA crash
'Archaeologist of erotica' revives world of brothels
Russian leech grower taps into rising demand
Disney says China approved Shanghai theme park
London's Savile Row tailors roll up sleeves for battle
Founder of Catholic Opus Dei group focus of movie | Entertainment |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01