Mom Gamers

Playing games with friends is always so much fun, whether it's kick-the-can, online games or MMORPGs. Even single player games have their connections with other folks via forums.

So why do some games and game types succeed when others fail? Example: recent GoPets closure. GoPets was the best pet game. A very social, very cute, very customizable game. Just the best. But I could never get any of my friends to play it. I tried and tried - no interest whatsoever. You'd even think they hated games by the looks they gave me. So ok, gaming is not for some people.

Then GoPets gets bought by Zynga. What comes out shortly after? Petville. Who makes pets and plays Petville? Some of those folks who wouldn't play GoPets before! Why is that?

• Facebook games are very lazy games - it's possible the simple do-nothingness of the games draws folks in. Yes I'm saying most folks are lazy by nature. :) At least we like to take the easy road lots of times. 
• People are on Facebook daily - add some games and you increase the chance that people will play them. It's kind of like that people will do the crossword puzzle in the paper, but most won't go out and buy a crossword puzzle book and do them regularly in there. (why, I don't know, because I do buy game books and magazines. Maybe I'm odd!)
• The social connection is there. Your best friend plays Farmville? "Oh maybe I'll try it too!" could likely be someone's thinking.

This article includes a link to some Facebook games and apps that have been subject to hacking. I'd avoid all the apps on this list:

• MyGirlySpace
• Ferrarifone
• Mashpro
• Mynameis
• Pass-it-on
• Fillinthe
• Aquariumlife
• CityFireDepartment

Enchanted Island is a recently new Facebook game. It's done by the folks that do Growing Gifts. Enchanted Island is a different kind of game, what's known as a passive game. You can keep it open in your browser tab and come back to it during the day every 15 minutes to play. It's a game of patience!


On Enchanted Island, you start out as a visitor to the island.  In town you meet up with folks who help you out along the way. You acquire a wand which helps you grow flowers. As you cast and grow more flowers, your skill level increases, as does your silver and gold. Silver is used to purchase more flower seeds, pots, wands and clothing. Gold is used to purchase special seeds and potions.




Casting is 2 casts every 15 minutes. The game runs in a tabbed window of your browser so you can visit and cast at your leisure. It's a relaxing game.


A visit to Kendral the herbologist will provide you with information on all the flowers you've grown. Shadowed flowers designating that you have more to discover. You'll get statistics on what you've grown: how many of a particular type, how many three-in-a-rows, comparison of your numbers with top growers. The flowers are beautiful and colorful.








Viewing your profile will give you information on what you've currently got on your flower stand. As well, it's fun to look at other folks' profiles to see what they have sitting on their stands.

Additionally, you can see the pots you have in your inventory, seeds, and special quest items.

You can also see your badges. There are seed badges, quest badges and other special badges awarded along your journey.













Hops is the keeper of the forum and written historical information on the island. The forum has a group of good folks and the staff is communicative. They're working all along to keep the game fun and interesting.

Some folks have complained that getting 2 casts every 15 minutes is boring. Where's the excitement? Where's the fast action? This game isn't about that. You'd be surprised how many 15 minute segments you can miss when playing, if you don't pay attention. The game's passiveness makes it a wonderful tiny enjoyment to a busy day.

Zynga's Farmville is a recent Facebook application where you grow vegetables and fruit trees, and raise animals for profit.

Everyone loves to make as much money or gold from games. The more money you have in Farmville means the more things you can buy to expand and decorate your farm. Fun!  Here are two articles that detail which trees and veggies are the best gold makers in Farmville.

Top 5 Money-Wielding Trees

Farmville Treeconomics



According to the latter article, date trees and Super Berries are the most bang-for-the-buck plants to grow.

Take a look too at Farmville Village for unofficial guides, tutorials and tips.