Making money from creating Facebook games is known to come from each miniscule sale of virtual items. However, earning from the sale of real goods is possible. In fact, Playfish has proven that this month of hearts.
It was reported that in just two weeks before Valentine’s Day, thousands of real flowers were sold through a game advertisement in Playfish’s Facebook Pet Society. According to EA’s Vice President for Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, Sebastien de Halleux, there was a 20% increase in Valentine’s flower sales compared to last year’s. In fact, the sale was so substantial that it matched the revenue from the sale of about 60 million virtual items during that two-week period.
The game, currently, has over 19 million monthly active users. Many of these people clicked the ad that directed them to a flower vendor’s website. After making a purchase, Pet Society then gave the player virtual money that can be used in the game. This little intangible thing was the incentive to purchase the flowers.
Virtual cash can be used to purchase virtual furniture, accessories, etc. Though these are items that the player can’t get hold of in real life, many are still patronizing it for the sake of improving their game play.
These virtual features may not be real but the satisfaction it gives players make the money spent worth it.
