Facebook

Do you have any idea how big games are on social networking sites like Facebook? Today I got the answer, and it surprised the hell out of me.

We're talking upwards of seven million page views for gaming hubs a month, tens of thousands of dollars a month for developing a little application that can be purchased and installed for something like $0.50. Yeah, I had no clue either.

Unsurprisingly, it's also a wasteland of half-assed efforts as everyone is looking to cash in. That's where the Social Gaming Network comes in.

The key word is aggregation. Bring everything together. Make a page that lists all the quality games, where users can check in and get all their game-related updates. Show them what all of their other friends are playing without trudging through individual profiles.

Calling on networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Bebo, SGN has done just that. They've created a standardized platform for users to do all that, and it's available now on Facebook and Bebo. Some of the titles, such as Warbook, were created by SGN, but most were made by third parties.

Best of all, this is all free for anyone that's created an applet for one of the sites. All creators have to do is apply for the SGN tool set, and they'll usually hear back within a day. If accepted, they get all the above, plus the free promotion that comes from being listed on a gaming hub.

"They have to be good," explained SGN CEO Shervin Pishevar. "We don't want crappy games."

But what does SGN get out of it? For one, they become a leading game portal. Plus, all those page views bring in some rather hefty advertising revenue. And they also get the bonus of informing some unassuming game journalists of what's happening right under their noses.

Bean Bag Chairs

Sure, there are all these tables and chairs strewn about the varied locales of the Game Developers Conference, but who cares? They have bean bag chairs!

Yes, now you can discuss the future of gaming from your very own comfortable-as-all-hell bean bag chair. It's tough work running from appointment to appoinment, especially if you're health conscious and decide to take the stairs.

"Why don't you take a load off," they beckon. "Sure it's only Monday, but it's been a long week. You deserve it."

While lounging, you can also try to catch a peek of the Exhibition Hall, which is still under construction in advance of its Wednesday debut.

Plus, a Carousel!

Alright, so this carousel isn't techinally part of GDC, but it's located between Moscone West and Moscone South, so I see it all the time. Tempting me with its shininess, its simple joys, its delightful music.

It begs the question, why aren't there more merry-go-rounds in games? And furthermore, why aren't there more merry-go-rounds at industry events? I can't see anyone complaining, and if they do, they probably shouldn't be involved with video games anyways. Right?