France To Allow Online Games Of Skill
October 20th, 2009
Via the Online Casino Advisory, news that France – in its move to regulate Internet gambling – is allowing online games of skill (including include poker, sports wagering, and horse racing), but games of luck (gambling games) are not going to be allowed. While SynWorlds is not actively engaged in the debate over online gambling, […]
Read more »Social Networks: Game On!
October 17th, 2009
Courtesy of USA Today, a report on the popularity of social games. As the article notes, the Wii democratized social gaming, but the always-on Internet & social networks took it further: “…Life on FarmVille has had a transformative effect on Laura Phillips. For 45 minutes a day, Phillips, a 41-year-old marketing contractor in the Silicon […]
Read more »Avatarnomics: Are Online Currencies Ready To Strike Gold?
October 15th, 2009
Courtesy of The Guardian, a report on the continuing development of the economies of virtual worlds and social networks. As the article notes: “…Virtual currencies like these are used for transactions in online worlds and social networking sites. While real-world currencies are on the slide, many virtual ones are going from strength to strength. In […]
Read more »Virtually Doomed To Fail: Electronic Table Games In Casinos
October 7th, 2009
We have always been fascinated by the rise (or relative lack thereof) of even moderately advanced networked gaming in the casino industry. From our perspective, there is such a huge disparity between the games that people can play online and what they can play in a casino that it is almost laughable. Today, via Vegas […]
Read more »Facebook and Zynga: Virtual Partners = Real Profits
September 29th, 2009
Courtesy of The Silicon Alley Insider , an interesting look at the relationship between Facebook and social games leader , Zynga. As the article notes: “…Sources say Facebook advertising is “beating the s— out of its numbers.” One big reason? Social games maker Zynga. Making Facebook games like FarmVille and Texas Hold’em and then selling […]
Read more »Skill Games In Second Life: Taking A Chance On Gambling In The Virtual World?
September 25th, 2009
Via The Second Life Herald, an interesting article on gambling in Second Life, in particular the automated single player version of Zyngo. As the article notes: “…Not long after Linden Lab wiped out almost all existing casinos, something strange happened to the joy of many: Linden Lab claimed that games of skill were not considered […]
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