Gamertell

Facebook may have started as a simple social website, but it has quickly ballooned into an entertainment hub for individuals between the ages of 13 - 30. In 2007 the Facebook Platform was introduced, which allowed users and developers to create unique applications for users. If people add an application to their profile, they are then able to play a game and interact with others who also have that profile.

This has lead to a plethora of different applications available. There are video game arcades, text-based adventures, free gift programs, enhanced message boards for people’s profiles and little quiz applications. Even commercial companies and shows create applications to get users’ attention, including Donald Trump’s The Apprentice.

I’ve tested a wide variety of Facebook applications and have selected the five best and most addictive.

#5: Scramble
Scramble is essentially Boggle, only the blocks look like wooden Scrabble tiles. The goal is to out-spell your friends, finding words in the 16-letter square. You can either play with friends or complete strangers. The only thing is the games against complete strangers move rather quickly and can leave you frustrated.

And that frustration drives you forward and compels you. After I was ranked 190th out of 230 people during my first time playing, I felt like I had a purpose. I needed to get into the top 100. And that’s how Scramble gets you hooked. At least it may help you learn a few new words.

#4: Texas HoldEm Poker/Blackjack
Since both Texas HoldEm Poker and Blackjack are created by the same people, and function in very similar ways, I figured they could share an entry. Both games allow you to play the classic card games against other Facebook users. Each one contains a chat function, so you can talk to other players, multiple tables, the ability to challenge only friends and give you a certain number of chips each day for just visiting the program page.

Both are also very well executed Flash games. I really enjoyed logging in and playing a few hands at work when there was nothing to do. Of course it is more fun to play with friends, but other Facebook users can be entertaining as well. I find myself logging in each day just to get the bonus credits.

#3: Mob Wars
Mob Wars follows that same great tradition of a sort of choose-your-own-adventure text based game. I accepted an invite for this game because I remembered playing Drug Wars on my TI-82 calculator in high school. (Like I’d actually use my calculator for Algebra.) It functions very similarly. You start out as a lowly grunt, and work your way up the mafia ladder.

As fun as Mob Wars is, I noticed I’d only play in bursts. Maybe one day I’d play for a half hour or an hour, trying to advance my goon, and then I’d ignore the program for a week. It is fun and worth adding to your profile, but it won’t consistently hold your attention.

#2: (fluff)Friends
(Fluff)Friends was the first application not created by Facebook that I ever added to my profile. It is part virtual pet/part decoration. You pick and adopt a critter, which you then name. Then you spoil it rotten. You can buy all sorts of decorations, habitats and foods for the creature. You can also pet your fluff and your friends’ fluffs.

There’s also a social aspect. You can race your friends’ (fluff)Friend pets, and bet on the races to win money and prizes. You can also enter a number of art contests, which usually involve using decorations, pets and items to create a work of art in your fluff’s habitat and saving that to the gallery. Around Easter an egg hunt was held, where you could find eggs in (fluff)Friend profiles that could be collected and traded for items. You can also go on massive petting sprees - which is highly recommended since each pet earns you 5 points that can be used to buy items for your fluff.

#1: Packrat
Packrat is easily Facebook’s most addictive game. Your goal is to collect cards and secure them in your vault. Cards can only be vaulted in sets of five (five different or identical). These cards can be bought in markets with credits earned by inviting friends or found while searching other people’s areas. Cards can also be stolen from friends or the Packrat NPCs. You have to move quickly though, because your unvaulted cards can be stolen as well.

If that wasn’t enough to get obsessive compulsive personalities hooked, there’s more. There are special cards which can only be made by combining three other cards. Making cards, or vaulting cards, will make you level up, which makes it easier to steal from friends or opens up new markets. If you happen to collect all the cards in a collection, you receive a special feats card and a boost in points and experience. People need to go into rehab for Packrat.

Site [Facebook]