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With social networking websites becoming normal in everyday life, with millions of members worldwide, it’s no surprise social networking games have made such a big hit. Hardcore gamers may not find themselves at home, but the realm of the casual gamer is no longer a small one.

The growth of Social Networking Games

Simple point and click time management or ‘dash’ games have always held a small percentage of the gaming market. With the growth of social networking, the ability of these games expanded. Social gamers can find free games to play without searching or downloading and they can play with their friends.

The standard MMO requires payment, a download and time to learn the basics at least. These are barriers for new players so they need a real drive to start playing. With a social networking game it only takes a few clicks and you’ve got the basics.

The nature of social networking games gives them free advertising. Players advertise the game and invite their friends to join just by playing the game. Their friends are usually given a free in game gift message sent to them through the network. If a group of friends start playing, others may play just not to be left out. No other genre has that kind of advertising.

The profiting from Social Networking Games

The games are usually free to play but the developers can monetize them by offering bonuses for cash or placing occasional advertising within the game. Zynga, a successful social networking game startup, has profitable two months after their first game. In fact the industry is that profitable bigger groups such as Ubisoft and EA have moved into the market.

Social networking games can be as complicated or as simple as the developer wants. With the massive audience available to them they are bound to find someone it’ll appeal to.

Some social networking games have become so successful that they’ve stretched over different social networks. There is even a demanding underground market for real life cash for in game item trades, guides and cheats.

The future of Social Networking Games

The social networking game industry have also followed the trend towards wireless handheld devices. Some of the more popular games, such as Mafia Wars from Zynga, have produced their own iPhone application.

Social networks have become incorporated into our personal and business lives. With Facebook averaging over 1 billion visits a month and Myspace lagging not too far behind (January 09 compete.com social network rank) social networking games certainly have leg room to grow.

Social networking games have been knocked in the past for being overly basic and childish but a simple enjoyable game is what a casual gamer is looking for. The question is how long will the trend last?