Facebook: 'iPhone games missing the social aspect'

Facebook's program manager for games Gareth Davis says he doesn't see the iPhone as competition for Facebook as a gaming platform - but more an opportunity.

"In terms of games, they are missing the social aspect," he tells VentureBeat.

"We have a renaissance in gaming, with people moving back to gaming’s roots. People used to play with their families and friends. The industry lost that thread and it became about a teenage boy playing in the basement."

Although he accepts that's part of the gaming business, Davis says the growth is coming from people playing games against their friends and family.

"The iPhone doesn’t have that yet. The social graph through Facebook can be a key differentiating feature of the iPhone."

There's clear potential for Facebook's networks to be used in iPhone games, particularly with its Facebook Connect technology - already being used by Zynga for its Live Poker iPhone game.

But as that company's CEO Mark Pincus told PocketGamer.biz  recently, iPhone is currently lacking the notification and communication features that have made the most popular Facebook games, well, so popular.

Davis clearly agrees, after being asked by VentureBeat whether it's possible to have too many games.

"The number of games validates the space, but also makes it more competitive. You see that on the iPhone. Now there are so many titles. Unless you are in the top 10, you struggle to get exposure," he says.

"With Facebook, we have communications channels. Companies like Playfish and Mouse Hunt can have their games discovered by using Newsfeed and Friend Requests. They leverage the social graph and the platform."

If you're a mobile games company looking for a handle on this whole social gaming business, the full VentureBeat interview is well worth a read.

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