... are the genre that to me seems like the linchpin of the popularity of browser games in general. They are the perfect casual games, and always have been, long before browser games existed ... and enjoyable to practice and improve. Otherwise the game cannot be helped. This is not to say that either of these games is quite perfect in what they do. Setting aside the hardcore requirement for game depth, ...

... achievement platform that lets people that love playing casual games share their stats on Facebook and Twitter, ... ability to connect with their friends could potentially keep them playing games on a single site, instead of clicking over to Facebook or Twitter. ... track of their scores, credits and achievements across multiple games; this would also be a boon for big publishers like Hearst and iVillage ...

... reality TV and digital TV, prodco Endemol is targeting a new vertical: casual games. On Friday the company launched Deal Or No Deal Live ... is now in 50 countries and has spawned PC games, console games, fruit machines in pubs and much else in terms of merchandise—the Facebook game is simply an extension of that. But casual games aren’t just an optional add-on for Endemol, they’re ...

... to competing for rounder revenue and gaining a heavier customer base. iWin has announced a 20% off rebate for all its games, all through December 9. The promotion is available to all customers upon purchasing one of its published casual games. Most of the items in its database have already been priced down to $9.99, but buying even lower than this can& ...

I've spent the last year itching all over about what I call the emerging 'Premium Casual' games market. Smaller titles, $10 - $30 pricepoint, look as high-quality as premium Packaged Goods, but with < 6 hours of gameplay. As it turns out, that's the way the industry winds are starting to blow. Now, how to hoist a sail and set course to the future! Hmmm.

The 451 Group: Inorganic Growth submits: By Thomas Rasmussen Fittingly enough, on the one-year anniversary of our piece predicting continued consolidation of the social and casual gaming space, Electronic Arts (ERTS) announced the industry’s largest acquisition. The Redwood City, California-based videogame giant acquired Playfish on November 9 for $275m, although an earnout could mean ...

EA has announced the acquisition of social games firm Playfish for $300 million, split between $275 million in cash, and $25 million in a equity retention arrangement. The firm will operate under the EA Interactive division. SVP and GM of EA Interactive Barry Cottle commented: “Social gaming, with its emphasis on friends and community, is seeing tremendous growth and this is the right time to ...

... detailed information here), or, probably, you do not know about it... Anyway our free service will be useful for you)) Now there are some affiliate programs on the casual games market: on English-language market there ... Russian-language there are even 4 programs! The situation on modern casual market is following: every affilliate program tries to take advantage of others through the game content ...

As most of you have no doubt read, Nintendo President Satoru Iawta is concerned that the Wii is in an unhealthy state, and that it is urgent for Nintendo to recover sales momentum. This statement, coupled with recent numbers confirming this sales drop, has left many to point the finger at Nintendo’s Blue Ocean Strategy,

... a hidden object fan, you may want to check a previous Casual Friday for a new game to play. The only big news this ... Puzzle (Hidden Object) Availability: Big Fish Games, Harmonic Flow Retail Price: $19.95 ... (Hidden Object) Availability: Big Fish Games, Harmonic Flow, PlayFirst Retail Price: ... Cristo Demo Available: Yes Editor’s Note: Due to so many casual games sites offering game plans or ...