1）据insidesocialgames报道，Facebook最近更新文件显示，如果Facebook扩展了支付业务范围，那么它就有可能降低其平台开发商的收益抽成，这是Facebook首次公开提出这一主张。

facebook credits(from lavozlibre.com)

当前Facebook要求其平台社交游戏必须使用Facebook Credit支付服务，并其中的虚拟商品交易中抽成30%；不过提供音乐及电影等数字内容的应用目前并不需要强制采用Facebook Credit虚拟货币系统。

2）GREE、DeNA、Mixi、CyberAgent（旗下拥有一系列社交游戏开发商，其Ameba产品将在今年变身为游戏平台）、Dwango（主要向其热门视频平台Nico Nico Douga发布社交游戏）以及Hangame运营者NHK Japan这六家日本顶级社交游戏公司于上月宣布成立了一个行业自律委员会，试图解决日本媒体所抨击的社交游戏道德问题，以缓和来自社会各界的压力。

yahoo_mobage_social_game(from serkantoto)

该委员会需解决的问题如下：

*社交游戏平台之外的真钱虚拟道具交易

例如，限制玩家在其他平台或领域交易游戏道具。

*为不足20岁的用户设置付费上限

GREE和DeNA之前已提出类似主张，但现在GREE将这一设置扩展至所有付费形式，而不仅局限于运营商计费渠道。

*详细阐述游戏规则及相关说明

目标是让用户在开始玩游戏时，更易理解游戏中的规则以及服务条款。

*成立三个特殊任务小组

在下个月正式推出共同纲领后，将由这些小组负责解决上述三个问题。

*加强与其他组织的合作

计划与官方、企业及其他与社交游戏行业相关的组织进行沟涌和交流信息。

但观察者认为，日本社交游戏行业成立这种自律委员会仍无法摆脱来自官方的限制，这类游戏中备受诟病的gacha/赌博机制就曾被官方频频点名批评。

3）在温哥华举办的第三届加拿大电子游戏大奖颁奖典礼上，THQ与Exploding Barrel Games共同推出的Facebook游戏《MargaritaVille　Online》，击败《Cranky Cat》、《Sissy’s Magical Ponycorn Adventure》这两款手机游戏，以及另一款Facebook游戏《GreenSpace》并摘走最佳社交/休闲游戏桂冠。

MargaritaVille Online(from games)

4）据venturebeat报道，免费增值游戏（游戏邦注：以下简称F2P）开发商Hi-Rez Studios在最近采访中表示，他们正与微软商谈向Xbox 360掌机设备引进F2P游戏事宜。该公司首席营销官Todd Harris表示，目前掌机设备上尚无高分辨率的F2P游戏，但他们致力于解决这一问题，正积极与索尼和微软这两者探讨如何针对该设备推出高质量F2P游戏的问题。

F2P gaming(from games)

目前存在于掌机设备的F2P游戏在基本上是演示版本，以及通过PS 3平台的PlayStation Home供应的免费游戏。（本文为游戏邦/gamerboom.com编译，拒绝任何不保留版权的转载，如需转载请联系：游戏邦）

1）How likely is to Facebook lower its 30 percent fee for developers on the platform?

Brittany Darwell

Facebook acknowledged in a regulatory filing that it might reduce the percentage fee it takes from developers building on its platform if it expands its payments business beyond games.

Currently, the social network requires social games to use Facebook Credits, of which it takes a 30 percent cut of revenue when players buy virtual goods. Some developers have experimented with using Credits for digital goods like song downloads and streaming movies, but Facebook’s currency is not mandatory for these apps.

Monday’s S-1 amendment is the first time Facebook has publicly suggested that it might change its revenue share structure.（source:insidesocialgames）

2）Self-Regulation: That Council Of Six Japanese Social Gaming Companies Takes Action [Social Games]

by Dr. Serkan Toto

With regulation possibly around the corner, that council six top Japanese social game makers and platforms formed last month has announced a first set of measures to react to the mounting criticism of the industry in Japanese media.

The council consists of members from GREE, DeNA, Mixi, CyberAgent (which owns a number of social game makers and will turn Ameba into a gaming platform this year), Dwango (which offers social games on its popular video platform Nico Nico Douga), and Hangame operator NHN Japan.

In a nutshell, the council has been set up by these companies to regulate social gaming before the Japanese government steps in.

Here are the areas that the council is planning to tackle:

1. Real-money, off-platform trading of virtual items (see here, here, and here)

(for example by restricting in-game trading of items or boosting off-site control)

2. Payment caps for players below the age of 20

(these have been announced by GREE and DeNA already, but now GREE expands the caps to all forms of payment – not just carrier billing)

3. Clearer in-game rules and explanations

(the goal is to make it easier for users to understand what rules and terms of service they are agreeing to when starting games)

4.  Establishment of three special task forces

(these task forces will handle the three areas listed above – after hammering out common guidelines next month)

5. Increased cooperation with other organizations

(the plan is to exchange more information with authorities, companies and other organizations related to the social gaming industry)

The question is if these measures are enough (if the storm will pass) or if the Japanese government will pull out the hammer and regulate the social gaming industry anyway.

I am thinking that what the council plans here will not be enough to prevent restrictions imposed by authorities. For example, the ubiquitous gacha/gambling mechanic – a key point for many critics – isn’t even mentioned once in the official statement.

It rather seems the companies involved are trying to buy time and soften regulations that will (probably) come anyway –  not the worst of strategies.（source:serkantoto）

3）MargaritaVille Online wins best social / casual game at Canadian Videogame Awards

by Brandy Shaul

Over the weekend, Vancouver played host to the 3rd annual Canadian Videogame Awards, a gathering of Canadian developers that looks to reward the best talent in the hardcore, casual and even indie game spaces. Facebook had its own presence at the event, as THQ and Exploding Barrel Games’ MargaritaVille Online walked away with the honor of best social / casual game.

MargaritaVille Online beat out Cranky Cat and Sissy’s Magical Ponycorn Adventure, two predominately mobile games, along with GreenSpace, another Facebook title that we took a look at last December.

“Margaritaville Online has truly captured players’ imaginations and we’re honored to receive this prestigious accolade from the Canadian Videogame Awards,” said Michael Lustenberger, vice president of global brand management for social, mobile and PC online for THQ. “Exploding Barrel Games in Vancouver was able to create a fun and memorable game with the adventure, originality and humor of Jimmy Buffett’s famous tropical paradise.”

THQ and Exploding Barrel Games have another reason to celebrate, as the game has started picking up steam on Facebook, breaking the 100,000 Like mark on the game’s official Facebook fan page. This moves players ever closer to receiving more rewards via the game’s “Like MargaritaVille Online” prize promotion. If you’ve yet to try the game for yourself, there’s never been a better time than now.（source:games）

4）At least one game maker wants free-to-play games on Xbox 360

by Joe Osborne

But we’re sure it’s way, way more. VentureBeat has learned that Hi-Rez Studios, creators of free-to-play (F2P) multi-player shooters Global Agenda and Tribes: Ascension, is in talks with Microsoft to get F2P games on its current console. It’s already known that the Redmond, Wash.-based Xbox 360 maker wants free games on its system, but this is the first time we’ve heard that a gamer developer actually wants in.

“There hasn’t been a hi-res free-to-play game on the console yet, and we still don’t have any definite announcements or dates, but we’re actively working on it,” Hi-Rez Studios COO Todd Harris told VentureBeat. “We are in talks with both console providers, specifically Sony and Microsoft, about how best to support free-to-play on consoles.”

Right now, the only kinds of F2P gaming that exist on consoles are demos and the stable of free games available through PlayStation Home on the PS3. Considering 40 percent of F2P gamers pay up, we’re sure that Microsoft will change that fact real quick. Well, unless the company suddenly developed an allergy to money.（source:games）