By 2014, 50 percent of social networking users and 34 percent of all internet users will participate in social gaming.

By 2015, the social gaming market is projected to reach $5 billion.

If people think that social gaming is not big business because games on social networks are free to play, they are wrong.

Game makers are monetizing their games through various methods such as the sale of virtual goods, the display of advertising and the generation of leads.

Virtual goods account for 59.9 percent of revenues generated by the social gaming industry while advertising and lead generation and offers account for 20.5 percent and 19.6 percent respectively.

Advertising is booming on social gaming as it actually is better when compared to plain Facebook ads. The average engagement rate of social gaming ads is 20 percent, says this infographic from Go-Gulf.com, compared to .50 percent for Facebook Brand pages.

Social Gaming By The Numbers [Infographic] Social Barrel - The Latest on Social Media

Electronic Arts reveals that beginning June 14, its Facebook games The Sims Social, SimCity Social and Pet Society will be taken offline.

The announcement came today from EA on a post on its site.

Here’s the official and full announcement from EA:

Maxis: An Update on Facebook Titles

Today we are informing players of the difficult decision to retire some of our Facebook games: The Sims Social, SimCity Social and Pet Society.

After millions of people initially logged in to play these games, the number of players and amount of activity has fallen off.  For people who have seen other recent shutdowns of social games, perhaps this is not surprising.

EA will continue to deliver popular titles for Facebook, most notably games from PopCap, including Bejeweled Blitz, Solitaire Blitz and the recently-announced Plants vs. Zombies Adventures.

For players who have enjoyed our games, we will be making a special offer to introduce you to a PopCap game.  You’re a valued fan and we want to make sure you get a smooth transition to PopCap.  More details about that offer will appear in-game soon.

Players with questions about the shutdowns can find FAQs linked here: The Sims Social, SimCity Social and Pet Society.  The titles will go offline on June 14, 2013.

On behalf of the teams who developed these games, thank you for playing.

On The Sims Social Facebook Page, the following notice was posted along with the photo you see above.

The Sims Social is Closing Down

The decision to retire older EA games is never an easy one to make but in order to re-allocate servers and resources to more popular titles we are removing The Sims Social from Facebook. Players who still have a balance of in-game currency are encouraged to spend it before the game is shut down on 14th June and is no longer available for play.

The notice echoes the EA announcement on its site about the games not pulling in as many users and revenue as EA wants.

Players of the games have decried EA’s move saying this says EA considers these titles dispensable even though many still play them. Other players have complained about the shutdown and the fact that they have spent real money playing these games.

Meanwhile, FAQs have been posted by Community Manager Bevypoo on the forum sites for the games on the EA website. If you are one of the unfortunate people to be affected by the game closures, you can read the full FAQ below.

[Game Title] is shutting down on June 14th.

We want to inform everyone in our community that as of June 14th, [Game Title] will be retiring on Facebook.

We know that you may be disappointed by this. Retiring games is never easy, we hope you’ve enjoyed playing [Game Title] as much as we enjoyed making it. Thank you to all of our passionate and dedicated players for supporting [Game Title]. We hope to see you in some of our other titles on Facebook and other platforms.

FAQ

What is happening to [Game Title] on Facebook?

On June 14th [Game Title] will be retiring on Facebook which means the game will no longer be available for play.

Why is [Game Title] being retired?

We had to make the difficult decision to close down [Game Title] so we can reallocate development resources to other titles that we hope you’ll have just as much fun playing. We hope you have gotten many hours of enjoyment out of the games and we thank you for everything you’ve added to the community.

When will [Game Title] be retired and no longer available for play?

As of June 14th, [Game Title] on Facebook will no longer be available to play.

Who will this affect?

Players of [Game Title]

What can I play now?

EA offers a variety of other fun and free games for you to try. As valued players, we plan on offering you something to show our appreciation. Over the next few days, keep an eye on this post where we’ll announce a special offer to thank you for playing our game.

What if I have an existing balance of [Game Currency] in [Game Title] on Facebook?

Players are encouraged to spend their remaining balance of [Game Currency] in [Game Title] before the game is retired on June 14th. As of that date, any remaining [Game Currency] left in the game will be invalid.

What if I have a Playfish cash card I have not redeemed?

Players are encouraged to redeem and spend their Playfish cash cards before the game is retired on June 14th. After that date, you will need to contact customer service regarding your Playfish cash cards.

Please go to Help.ea.com and select Contact Us to contact Customer Service.

What will happen to the forums for [Game Title]?

The forums will be officially closed and taken offline on June 14th

__________________

Your Community Team

EA has been voted “Worst Company in America” in Consumerist’s annual poll for two straight years now.

EA To Retire The Sims Social, SimCity Social and Pet Society on Facebook [Full Statement & FAQs] Social Barrel - The Latest on Social Media

Facebook game developers generated a whopping $2.8 billion last year, the world’s largest social network has reveals.

The revelation was made by Facebook at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, California this Tuesday.

In the conference, the social network had the creator of the top game on Facebook, Candy Crush, speak of the app’s success on the platform.

Additionally, Facebook also released these statistics, in the hope of entices more developers to make games for the platform.

1. Since March of last year, year-over-year increase in the number of people who play games on Facebook has climbed 24 percent.
2. Every month, there are 250 million people who play games on Facebook.
3. Every day, 20 percent of Facebook users on the desktop site play games.
4. Since March of last year, there has been a 75-percent increase in game installs.
5. The approximately 200 games on Facebook have more than a million monthly active users each.
6. For February 2013, Facebook referred 263 clicks to the Google Play store and the Apple App Store.
7. Over 100 developers generated over $1 million through their games on Facebook for 2012.

Image from Albert Hsieh on Flickr (CC)

Facebook: Game Devs Made $2.8Bn In 2012 Social Barrel - The Latest on Social Media

Netflix has announced a new Deal with Warner Bros to air popular shows to Canadian customers.

According to Netflix, the first two seasons of The Vampire Diaries are now available for streaming to Netflix Canada subscribers.

The third season of the show will be made available in the territory on New Year’s Day.

Also available on January 1 are all the previous seasons of Pretty Little Liars and Fringe, the company has revealed.

In a statement, Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, said that Netflix is “thrilled to be the exclusive online subscription home for The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Fringe and great Warner Bros. feature films in Canada.”

“Over the years, we’ve learned that our members love to immerse themselves in serialized dramas and great movies, and we think that our Canadian members are going to love these latest additions to the service,” he added.

“We are pleased to extend our great relationship with Netflix to the benefit of their Canadian subscribers — giving them access to full past seasons of some of our most popular and addictive serialized dramas and blockbuster feature film titles,” said Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. International Television.

Other content coming to Netflix Canada includes The Hangover Part II, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, Horrible Bosses and more.

Image from i heart him on Flickr (CC)

Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Fringe Soon To Land On Netflix Canada Social Barrel - The Latest on Social Media

Someone over at the official British government site Direct.Gov.uk may have watched too many James Bond films.

That or he or she may be still be mesmerized from watching the latest 007 film Skyfall as a posting on the site was briefly put up advertising the exact same job James Bond has.

First noticed by The Verge reader TinyTank, the post was titled Target Elimination Specialist and came with the job code 007.

The post has been erased but not after The Verge managed to get a screenshot of the page. The job announcement says in full:

“Secret Intelligence Service

Target Elimination Specialist

Job Description

From time to time the UK government has a need to remove people whose continued existence poses a risk to the effective conduct of public order. So we require particularly skilled professionals who are prepared to work on a non-attributable basis to deal with these problems.

The role will involve international travel to a number of countries where individuals need to be removed.

The ideal candidate will need to have no particular distinguishing features so as to blend in and be able to take on new identities as required. They will need to be resourceful in finding ways to accomplish their missions and, in some cases, to leave foreign countries by non-conventional means. The role would suit candidates with prior military experience, particularly in the use of sniper rifles.

The job holder will receive all necessary equipment, including passports, special watches, jet packs, mini-submarines and a Walther PPK.

This role is particularly appropriate for those who like their martinis shaken and not stirred.

To apply for this role, please express your interest somewhere in the vicinity of the large and rather fake-looking rock in Regent’s Park.”

The post is evidently a joke but given that it got posted on the official job site run by the UK government, it surely was a well-played one.

According to The Verge, the prankster who completed all the necessary steps and managed to get the prank job post on the official UK government job site is registered using the email mi6recruitment@hotmail.com.

The latest James Bond film, Skyfall, made its world premier on October 23 followed by its release on October 26 in the United Kingdom.

The 23rd 007 film made its debut in the US in November 8.

Via The Verge

Image from waldopepper on Flickr (CC)

Official UK Gov’t Job Site Displays Then Pulls 007 Job Post Social Barrel - The Latest on Social Media

The popular Grand Theft Auto franchise officially comes to iOS and Android on December 6 with the launch of a 10th Anniversary Edition of the GTA: Vice City game.

According to Rockstar Games, the GTA: Vice City game app for iOS and Android will be sold for $4.99.

Smartphones have come a long way as when it was released in 2002 for Sony PlayStation 2, the GTA: Vice City game had cutting-edge graphics.

It was later released for Xbox in 2003 and has the best-selling PlayStation 2 game of all time, best-selling video game for 2002 among accolades it has under its belt.

Set in the 1980s, the game follows the character Tommy Vercetti  after getting out of prison as he exacts revenge on former gangs he dealt with in the past while building a gang himself to take control of the fictional Vice City.

According to Rockstar, GTA: Vice City for iOS and Android brings the full experience of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City to mobile devices with high-resolution graphics and several enhancements unique to the iOS and Android platforms including updated character models and lighting effects, new and more precise firing and targeting options, a fully customizable control layout and native support for Retina display devices.

We are expecting to see great demand for GTA: Vice City on the Apple App Store and Google Play stores when it is released on December 6.

Meanwhile, the full list of compatible devices for the GTA: Vice City mobile game follows after the break.

Apple iOS Devices: iPad, iPhone 4, 4S & 5, iPod touch 4th & 5th Generation

Android Phones: Motorola Razr, Razr Maxx, Razr Maxx HD, Motorola Atrix, Motorola Photon, Motorola Droid Bionic, HTC Rezound, HTC One X, HTC One S, HTC Evo 3D, HTC Sensation, HTC Droid Incredible 2, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Samsung Nexus S, Samsung Galaxy Note 1 & 2, Samsung S2, Samsung Galaxy R, Sony Xperia Play, Sony Xperia S, P, T & TL, Sony Walkman Z Series Media Player, Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S3, Google Nexus 4

Android Tablets: Acer Iconia, Asus Eee Pad Transformer, Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, LG Optimus Pad, Medion Lifetab, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 / 10.1, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, Sony Tablet S, Sony Tablet P, Toshiba Thrive, HTC Flyer, Google Nexus 7, Google Nexus 10

GTA: Vice City Comes To iOS, Android On December 6 for $4.99 Social Barrel - The Latest on Social Media

Apple announced today the first worldwide release of AC/DC’s complete catalog in digital format on the iTunes Store.

The Cupertino-based tech firm worked with music label Columbia Records to bring out titles from AC/DC’s 16 studio albums, 4 live albums and 3 compilation albums.

All the digitally mastered tracks for iTunes give fans the option to download entire albums or purchase a favorite title.

“Fans can also choose from two specially packaged digital compilations: The Complete Collection, the complete iTunes-exclusive AC/DC catalog; and The Collection, which includes all 16 studio albums,” says Apple in a press release. “AC/DC’s music has been Mastered for iTunes, ensuring the music is delivered to listeners with increased audio fidelity, more closely replicating what the artists, recording engineers and producers intended.”

Image: Mary McCoy, via Flickr (CC)

 The full catalog which has all been Mastered for iTunes includes:

Collections
The Collection (all studio albums for $99.99)
The Complete Collection (all studio albums, live albums and box sets for $149.99)

16 Studio Albums 
High Voltage (1976)
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)
Let There Be Rock (1977)
Powerage (1978)
Highway To Hell (1979)
Back In Black (1980)
For Those About To Rock We Salute You (1981)
Flick Of The Switch (1983)
74 Jailbreak (1984)
Fly On The Wall (1985)
Who Made Who (1986)
Blow Up Your Video (1988)
The Razors Edge (1990)
Ballbreaker (1995)
Stiff Upper Lip (2000)
Black Ice (2008)

4 Live Albums 
If You Want Blood You’ve Got It (1978)
Live (1992)
Live (2 Volume Collector’s Edition) (1992)
Live At River Plate (2012)

3 Compilation Albums
Bonfire (1997)
Backtracks audio (2009)
Iron Man 2 soundtrack (2010)

Apple And Columbia Records Release Full AC/DC Catalog On iTunes Social Barrel - The Latest on Social Media

Microsoft is feeling generous and is giving away limited edition free Xbox 360 gaming consoles to long-time Xbox Live subscribers.

The news was broken by Kotaku in a report that included photos of a limited edition Xbox 360 gaming consoles a friend of one of their readers apparently received in the mail.

The photos show an Xbox 360 with bright orange and green trims, a disc tray door with “XBL10” on it and a body and box adorned with Xbox Live anniversary graphics.

So, how long is “long-time” for Microsoft to be sending this special edition Xbox 360 console?

According to Kotaku, the person who got the free Xbox 360 from Microsoft has just celebrated 10 years of being an Xbox Live subscriber.

Xbox Live recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Microsoft’s Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb has confirmed the limited edition Xbox 360 giveaway in the following tweet:

I can confirm we’re surprising some of the #Xbox LIVE members that have been with us the longest with one of these mjr.mn/THwudE

— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) November 13, 2012

Microsoft Gives Away Limited Edition Free Xbox 360 Consoles To Long-Time Xbox Live Subscribers Social Barrel - The Latest on Social Media

Microsoft’s Halo 4 is the top selling title on any gaming console in the UK for the week ending November 10, reports chart tracker GFK.

The latest addition to the Halo series – this time from developer 343 Industries – zoomed atop the Top 40 Entertainment Software list of GFK to dethrone Ubisoft’s Assassins Creed III.

On November 6, Microsoft launched Halo 4 worldwide with a rousing fanfare and great reception from loyalists and consumers. At its UK launching event, the company flew a massive illuminated glyph over London in a momentous display of lighting art.

Technical issues marred the release of Halo 4 when some gamers encountered “server unavailable” errors that brought various problems to multiplayer features.

Despite topping the recent GFK Chart Track, however, Halo 3 still sold more copies during its release than the latest sequel. Halo 3, developed by Halo’s creator Bungie, was ranked 15^th overall, whereas Halo 4 ranked 18^th of the biggest Xbox 360 releases. Some fans of the franchise now doubt if 343 Industries can really carry the task turned over by Bungie.

Nevertheless, GFK Chart Tracker figures saw Halo 4 selling more copies than Assassin’s Creed III from French developer Ubisoft on any gaming console brand, including Microsoft’s own Xbox, Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s Wii.

343 Industries released this week the second Spartan Ops package, Halo 4 Spartan Ops: Episode, which provides five new gameplay missions.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TByBdJAUoD4

Halo 4 Tops Weekly UK Software Chart, Dethrones Assasin’s Creed 3 Social Barrel - The Latest on Social Media

Social media is for everyone, and many celebrities have jumped on board the social scene and use social media as a way to express their own thoughts as well as connect with their fans.

While there are plenty of celebrities with Facebook fan pages and Twitter accounts, the following are the most popular celebrities currently using social media.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has been ruling Twitter for quite some time now. She has more Twitter followers than anyone else, which at the time of this post, came in at well over 30 million. She tweets very often, and uses Twitter to promote shows, songs and artists that she enjoys. She’s also been known to use Twitter to promote the upcoming presidential election and using it to get her “monsters” to educate themselves and vote.

Justin Bieber

Coming in under Lady Gaga is Justin Bieber. And this should come as no surprise since the pop star has been ruling the Twitter threads since he became a teen hearthrob. Not only does he have just over 29 million followers, but it seems as if he tweets all day every day. He uses Twitter to share information with his fans, and also uses the site to thank his “beliebers” for making him so successful.

Justin Bieber is also ruling YouTube, which should come as no surprise since that’s how he made his debut. He has over 1 million subscribers and uses the social network to share music videos and personal videos with his fans.

Katy Perry

The third runner up for most popular Twitter celeb would be Katy Perry. She has just over 27 million followers and tends to use the site to thank her fans and let them know exactly what she’s up to. She also uses it to promote the companies that she’s a celebrity endorser for, but those are very sporadic.

Eminem

Celebrities are not just using Twitter. Some, like Eminem, are using Facebook instead. Eminem has over 61 million fans on Facebook, and he uses the site to share updates with his fans about his own music as well as endorsing musicians that he likes. His Facebook page also has a link that will lead to a store for anyone who wants to purchase Eminem merchandise.

Rihanna

Rihanna is also ruling Facebook. She also has over 61 million fans, and the talented musician uses Facebook to promote her upcoming albums and tours as well as share pictures and any news that would interest her fans.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears is taking social media to Google+, where she reigns as celebrity queen. She is constantly sharing information with all of her followers and using Google+ to share pictures and videos with everyone.  If you’re a fan of Britney, then Google+ is the social network to use.

Snoop Dogg

Whether you call him Snoop Dogg or Snoop Lion, Snoop is on Google+. He regularly uses the social network to share information about himself or artists/songs/etc. that he enjoys. But he’s also been known to simply use the site to say a regular hello to all of his followers.

This post was contributed by Lauren Williams who is a social media expert writing in tandem with SEOMap.  At SEOMap their goal is to provide transparency and access to industry secrets associated with SEO.

Most Popular Celebs on Social Media Social Barrel - The Latest on Social Media