TECH

The Game Layer

Mylife, Adrian Hodges, Published on 27/12/2010

» Throughout human history games and game play have been a huge part of social development. In the last 30 years since the advent of personal computing we have seen the exponential spread of gaming consoles, platforms, and handheld devices. With the spread of Internet access alongside faster connections and speedier hardware the spread of gaming has reached all corners of our day-to-day lives. Powerful smart phones, or 'super phones' and other devices are now offering users permanent 'always-on' connections. Processor speeds and graphic chip expansion is allowing access to immersive gaming and play worlds as never before. We can now play games on the bus or train, in the car and on the move. Social networks such as Facebook offer access to a range of gaming 'apps'. The gaming company Zynga is leading the way - producing games for Facebook and MySpace. Founded only three years ago Zynga now has 1300 employees worldwide and a shadow share market valuation of approximately $5 billion. Tapping into the human desire for play and games is proving to be an emerging next step in the spread of the Web and global connectivity. Alongside this new wave is evolving research into the use of games and gaming in the realm of learning.