[steve8918]

I disagree. Even the article that you linked to below specifically mentions Farmville's game loop! Even though you don't find the game particularly interesting (neither do I), it doesn't mean that it isn't fun for a certain section of the population. Farmville and games like this are a different type of game so you can't compare them. But it doesn't mean that it's gambling!

If you read the following presentation from the Farmville developer, the reason why Farmville was so popular was because it was designed to be simple with a very easy reward system. It was made for the single moms who have spent an entire day taking care of their kids, and they want to sit back and relax to something fun that isn't particularly challenging.

http://www.slideshare.net/ctrottier1/designing-games-for-the...