The Ultimate Facebook Game Parody

Click the cows. You know you want to click the cows. Click them often… but not too often. Get your friends to click the cows and we’ll let you click on more cows. It’s all about the mooney after all.

Ian Bogost, known video game curmudgeon, has boiled down the essence of all facebook games to three things: Clicking, Cows, and Money. Actually, it’s much deeper than that, as he gives reason why hardcore gamers have such issues with “social gaming”.

Personally, my biggest problem with the new trend in “social gaming” is the compulsive obligation. Ian talks about this at length, discussing the idea that Facebook-style games are less about entertainment and more about exploiting human nature.

I think he boils it down perfectly with this statement:

“Social games are games you don’t have to play.”

A monkey at a keyboard could gain levels at Mafia Wars, and yet it took me many months before I stopped clicking. Without any skill, the players are simply working George Jetson’s job for free.

Play Cow Clicker to see what he believes is social gaming distilled to its essence. Or read his blog for his full explanation.

Ian Bogost’s Blog (via Slashdot)