FarmVille at 15: how a cutesy Facebook game shaped the modern internet
On its 15th anniversary, the creators of FarmVille reflect on the compulsive cartoon farm sim that paved the way for a data-driven world
January 2021
The networker
How FarmVille and Facebook helped to cultivate a new audience for gaming
John Naughton
The Flash-based title, now put to rest alongside Adobe’s animation tool, was much derided, but broadened the appeal of computer games
September 2020
Pass notes
Farmville foreclosure! Why Facebook is canning its most popular game
After 11 years of digital ploughing, planting and harvesting, the most famous social network game of all time is being consigned to the scrapheap
March 2020
New Harry Potter game is like Candy Crush with wizarding
Harry Potter: Puzzles and Spells for smartphones is newest games addition to the Potterverse
December 2019
170m passwords stolen in Zynga hack, monitor says
Words With Friends company admitted hack in September but size only now revealed
March 2016
Zynga in deeper chaos as CEO Mark Pincus resigns again
Last week Zynga was forced to sell its $228m San Francisco headquarters, and after a steady fall in stock its CEO has now stepped down for the second time
July 2015
Best Android apps
20 best new Android apps and games this week
CSR2 preview – CSR Racing sequel set to speed onto iOS and Android
June 2015
Best iPhone and iPad apps
20 best iPhone and iPad apps and games this week
Best Android apps
20 best Android apps and games this week
April 2015
Zynga founder Mark Pincus back in charge as CEO Don Mattrick steps down
FarmVille and Words With Friends publisher still trying to recapture past glories, with new (old) boss saying ‘we need to get back to being the leader in mobile data and analytics’
March 2015
Zynga shoots for blockbuster hit with Dawn of Titans mobile game
Upcoming war game is epic in scope but still accessible: ‘Anyone who goes to a big Hollywood movie should also like this kind of game’
October 2014
Tech employment: nice perk if you can get it…
Words With Friends mobile game gets revamped for its fifth birthday
September 2014
Leading tech investors warn of bubble risk 'unprecedented since 1999'
The ultimate internet glossary: from 4chan to Zynga
April 2014
Technology blog
Boot up: Cheap phones, expensive internet, and Tim Cook: logistics god
Plus mobile phones boosting literacy, new offices for Square, and new losses for Zynga. By Alex Hern
March 2014
Zynga has lost 63% of its players. Is NaturalMotion the answer?
CEO Don Mattrick sees purchase of British firm as key to Zynga’s comeback strategy in mobile games. By Stuart Dredge
January 2014
Zynga buys Clumsy Ninja gamemaker NaturalMotion for $527m
Firm also announces 15% cut to workforce in bid to counteract losses as game players turn to smartphones and tablets
September 2013
Apps blog
Candy Crush Saga publisher King tipped for lucrative IPO
Hopes for better luck on the markets than rival Zynga, but 70% of its daily activity comes from one mobile game. By Stuart Dredge
