CityVille game maker Zynga to break away from Facebook

The American company behind social games like FarmVille and CityVille is setting up its own gaming service.

It means people will be able to play on a platform outside Facebook, Google+ and Myspace.

Zynga makes its money through advertising and from the sale of virtual items such as tools paid for with real cash.

Most of the company's games have to be played through Facebook, which takes a 30% cut from each sale.

Zynga, whose titles have more than 200 million active monthly users, makes 95% of its money through Facebook.

It publishes four of the top five games played on the social networking site.
Gaming habits

Keza MacDonald, UK games editor at IGN.com, says moving away from Facebook could have significant effects down the line.

"If Facebook game powerhouses like Zynga launch their own platforms rather than hosting games exclusively on Facebook itself, it undermines Facebook's credibility as a gaming platform, which could shift the emphasis on social gaming.

"The money in social gaming could shift further towards mobile platforms."

The San Francisco-based firm says its re-designed website, which will be launched later this month, will make it easier to play games more quickly with access to live chatting and message board features.

Five of Zynga's top games will be on the new Zynga.com, including CastleVille, CityVille and Words with Friends.

Source: BBC