Game design and social networks are merging into one of the most persuasive forces on the net.
That assertion was made by a string of speakers at the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco.
"Social networking is a game in and of itself," explained Jennifer Pahlka, co-chair of the conference.
She highlighted networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn that make public the number of friends a person has, posts how well a user does on certain applications and displays what level they are at.
"There are all these game dynamics built into the social web," said Ms Pahlka.
"So the idea that there is a game market here and a web market here isn't true. The two are influencing each other."
Perhaps the greatest effect of that interplay can be seen in the rise and rise of the social gamer.
Recent figures by research firm Park Associates estimates that 34% of US adult internet users play online games weekly.
The moment you make the gaming more personal and meaningful, the better the experience for the user
Guy Ben-Artzi
Those figures present opportunities to developers and social networking sites alike.
For example MySpace has just announced the public launch of its "applications gallery" at Web 2.0. Central to those applications will be games.
Steve Pearman of the firm told BBC News: "This will take what you can do inside a social network to a new level. If you can provide something cool for my users I will be happy."
Meaningful play
One duo who believe they have a cool application that will appeal to the growing social gaming community are Galia and Guy Ben-Artzi.
The Ben-Artzi's are a brother and sister behind a start up called Mytopia, which they describe as a social gaming community where everyone can play together.
It offers everything from chess to Sudoku and hearts to poker which you can play directly from their site or via Facebook, MySpace, Hi5 and Bebo.
Lyle Fong
By applying these gaming principles it helps build these thriving successful communities
Lyle Fong
"Social networks offer a revolutionary way for people to play with friends and communities that have meaningful value to them in their real life," said Guy Ben-Artzi, who confesses he used to be a gamer who would do anything to win.
"The moment you make the gaming more personal and meaningful, the better the experience for the user," he added.
"The ability to play with the people I care about and connect with them is what is appealing to me," explained Galia, who is a fan of Suduko and plays online with her mother.
"Logging in and playing with strangers was exciting when the internet was new but the modern web is personal and social and it is clear that the internet is being used for social purposes to connect people rather than isolate them."
Gaming principles
One hardcore gamer said the shift to social gaming was inevitable as Web 2.0 flourished.
Lyle Fong and his brother Denis, who once won a Ferrari in a gaming competition, were serious players who also set up Gamers.com as an online community for like-minded people.
He is now the CEO of Lithium Technologies, which makes software for companies such as Dell, AT&T, Sony PlayStation and Nokia using gaming principles.
"We build up these reputation systems with levels and rankings just as you would if it was a game and by applying these gaming principles it helps build these thriving successful communities."
As he eschews his hardcore background, Mr Fong admits that social gaming is here to stay and will only continue to grow for obvious reasons.
"If you look at these sites like Facebook and LinkedIn you can post notes and chat and swap photos but that's not very engaging. Social gaming makes it fun and that's really very neat."
By Maggie Shiels
Technology reporter, BBC News, San Francisco
COME JOIN THE FUN
http://www.uvmeskillplayer.com
Where do you see yourself in five years? Start planting some seeds now.
ia malo alii bro...vaai e fai ma kufa mai faku mo si kakou guu pe'a leai gi kupe wailoa
luv to the girls...
xoxo
Sole,Le mea red ga e keep you warm...
Same old life...ka fia alu aku a pe a kele gi petu...
Sole,
Oa mai oe male aiga?
Kau tusitusi mai, ma fai ma asiasi mai aiga>
Alofa atu mo oe male aiga
ur Uncle Uatime S.
Hi bro, sole howz da family a oe? well we r all gud i ga i..fefe ua alu le aso oe work mai i luga le pepo.. a kele aau mea aumai se ka mea.lol... brada se lafo mai se ka nice phone mai ga...heas my numba e cal mai ai...0401978818... giv our luv 2 babe nd Kaori.. fai ma kuu mai se meli e..luv uz all....
whats new uso? drop us a line..... update brother?
Magaia kou meA E FAIGA GEI SE I LUGA o le net
Sole, o amai?ua makukua lava lau fagau a?ia soli ua uma faku a le ainga gei...o lea e kau faakaikai aku i luga ia pipo
Love right back at cha
Hope all is Good & that y'all keeping well.
Peace You! xoxoxox
Hey cuz, just sharing a heart with you and fthe family. Toe eva atu foi, much love xoxo
Hey sweetie - how's things going? hey you on facebook? I'll try find you there lol I can access facebook at wrk hardly online at home as it is....jst too busy...hope ur well and u & the family are wonderful - baby is gettin so big and soo beautiful
much luv my friend xxxx
Kalofa si ou aloha!
Ia avaku le faku o TAI lea e warm up ai lou mind nd ur heart...
Ia fai ma mafaufau i Samoa k
hi again m8 i added u on my facebook as well u most no me ok lol
hi m8 could u post me the links 4 ur new tricks thank u m8 u are the best
sole john ua mai oe? ia o e mafaufau mai ea i samoa olea e ola tatou matua....ia o dad lea sa mai ile fatu ua uma ona taoto i nz....ia lea la e malosi feololo.. e toe alu i nz nextweek...
sole dnt 4get o oe ole samoa....faaoga lelei lou mafaufau..u d-only son of dad,,,i wish tina is a boy... so she can b here 4 dad...o lou alofa faale sista ia oe...call dad n mum...talk to themmmm...i love dad n mom wif all my heart...so war u do to dad ur douta will do da same....dat wat god said.....i love u n ur family..im a shame of uzzzzzzzzzz boys...o outou e faia aiga ae na ua tou o lalafi mai...toe mafaufau o oe ole tama samoa....na fanaua e matua samoa.....
hi m8 i like to say i am like ur best fan all my tricks and card tricks are form u u are the best m8 u got anymore card tricks coming out sooooooon
HEYA UNKLE ITzZ BEEN ALONG TYM SINCE WE KEPT IN CONTACT ANYHU HOWzZ BABY AND KAORI ANYHU HOPE YEWzZ BE AIGHT AYE
WELL YOU TAKE CARE UNKLE AND YEA HOLLAR WEN EVAHzZ KAY
MWAHzZzZ
s2' LIL SHARLENE
Hey Cuz,
sending some alofas from OZ. xxoo H.
Checked out the photos, they are GREAT!!!!
hello brother oa mai..well just to let you know Uncle Toi has just past away this morning we got the call from Samoa,Dad said it would be nice if you can come over if not ring him.We are all giving in some money for them he will be doing the aso of his brother. Well i can see Aishas all grown up and pretty...
Love you n family theyre numba (685) 54035
Hey brother.
How are you and your beautiful family doing??
We are back in Kamaishi this year, and hoping to do some travel around, so would love to see you guys....Im sooooo in need of some skiing lessons too so maybe next winter you can hook me up some, lol
Love and kisses to you all.
Mwhah
Megz and fam
FINALLY got a mic to talk on skype!!!
, and I glad they are having fun and enjoying the with your fam.... Aisha is so cute, spoke with Kaori/Aisha yesterday.... give them a big xxoo H.
Hullo there Handsome,
..
All is good here - Hope all is swell & that your all keeping well. How's the summer weather ??No doubt your raking up that fine weather, as the humidity here is really doing my head in
My Love for you & yours.
xoxox