Up until now, Zynga has been a company that I have not paid much mind to. It’s not like it has a small audience, though; this social gaming company has done well in bringing users together in order to gamble real money, letting them scratch an itch that would otherwise be satisfied through an actual casino. Up until recently, I haven’t heard much about them. That’s when I read about how the company could be bringing its apps to Facebook.
I can’t imagine a better platform Zynga to usher their apps onto, either. Reportedly, ZyngaPlusPoker and ZyngaPlusCasino would come to Facebook in the U.K., claiming their spots on computers before eventually heading to mobile. I can see why so many people find this prospect alluring, since there is always that chance that they’re going to win even though they will most likely lose and ultimately put a big dent on their children’s college tuition. I’m not so much against the concept as I am uncertain of the company.
Zynga has been in trouble recently and it seems like a lot of it comes from the idea that there isn’t much innovation. I have to agree, especially when your business is focused on the idea of games that people are to put their actual earnings into. If the products they’re playing aren’t going to prove to be substantial in the long term, why would they continue to invest in something that doesn’t have their needs in mind? More likely than not, they are going to turn elsewhere.
In addition, recently Don Mattrick – former president of Microsoft’s Xbox division – left the mogul in order to become the new CEO of Zynga. One would think that a change in leadership would be for the best but it’s hard to say either way. On one hand, a business which might have been stagnant could benefit from a change in leadership since it can lend itself to new ideas. On the other hand, Mattrick’s recent track record with the Xbox One has been felt throughout the gaming industry as a whole, so it’s fair to assume that he’s going to bring a shoddy history of reputation management along with him.
I’m not saying that Facebook users wouldn’t be able to get a kick out of these types of programs. When it comes to gambling, more than a few people are unaware of when to stop. The problem is that there is a lack of confidence in the Zynga brand and, in the minds of many serious gamers, the addition of Mattrick only seems to add a rotten cherry on top of an already unsatisfying sundae. Those in the U.K. may be better off going to an actual casino.
You idiot. Zynga started with Apps on Facebook in the US. You need to do more research before you say things like “bringing their apps to Facebook”. #realjounalismisdead
Perhaps the customers they steal game cash from will pay to play Poker with real money!! Then again.. probably not.. They steal from their customers daily and will not refund.. does not instil much confidence for gambling with real money. The games are faulty and never fixed..I suggest before anyone invest money at any level in this company they go and read the support pages.. they are a horror story in themselves..please be careful going there you have to dodge the hackers that in residence and their is very little actual support
This blog started out weak, died, and now consists of an infant corpse rotting in the gutters of the internet. “I can’t imagine a better platform Zynga to usher their apps onto?” Its not like you even had to do research to know about this, anyone with ears and friends has known about this since 2007. Zynga and Facebook are closer bum buddies than Woody and Buzz. No joke here, I’m beginning to think this blog is literally maintained by an algorithm written by an apathetic second grader.
Nice picture you display; actuary, I would like zynga to design a city for me!
stephen
Intersting post Rob. I never played Zynga or any FB games for that matter. But maybe I can be interested since I’ma fellow SEO specialist too 🙂