Addiction to Mini Games - Angry Birds, FarmVille, Plants vs. Zombies

I believed most of the people at least played one of these 3 games before. Frankly I am not a big fans of the mini games in the market, but can't deny that the addiction towards these 3 mini games is a "threat" to our "daily life". I am not here to discuss about the "threat", but I am more interested in what make the games so attractive and what is the reason behind which people willing to hold the device in their hands for hours. I am no expert in the field who qualified to analyst the "phenomenon", just pure curiosity in me... Before I start with my bullshitting, let us have a little understanding on these 3 games. (*information from wikipedia)

ANGRY BIRDS (Puzzle Video Game)
In Angry Birds, players take control of a flock of multi-colored birds that are attempting to retrieve eggs that have been stolen by a group of evil green pigs. On each level, the pigs are sheltered by structures made of various materials such as wood, ice and stone, and the object of the game is to eliminate all the pigs in the level. Using a slingshot, players launch the birds with the intent of either hitting the pigs directly or damaging the structures, which would cause them to collapse and kill the pigs. In various stages of the game, additional birds type and objects such as explosive crates and rocks are found in the levels, and may be used in conjunction with the birds to destroy hard-to-reach pigs.

FARMVILLE (Social Network Game)

The player begins with an empty farm and a fixed starting amount of "farm coins", the primary currency in the game. Players also earn experience points for performing certain actions in the game such as plowing land or buying items. At certain experience benchmarks, the player's level rises. As the player obtains more items and progresses through levels, crops and animals become available to them via the "market" where items can be purchased using either farm coins or "farm cash". Farm cash is earned by leveling up or completing offers, or purchased for real money.

PLANTS VS ZOMBIES ( Tower Defense Action Video Game)
In Plants vs. Zombies, players place different types of plants and fungi, each with their own unique offensive or defensive capabilities, around a house in order to stop a horde of zombies from devouring the brains of the residents. The playing field is divided into a number of horizontal tracks, and with some exceptions, a zombie will only move towards the player's house along one track. Most plants can only attack or defend against zombies in the track they are planted in. In the game's initial levels, if the zombie reaches the player's house, a one-shot tool (a lawn mower or pool cleaner) can be used to completely wipe out zombies in that track, but the tool will not be restored until the next level. In later levels, players have to purchase upgrades so as to adapt their lawn-mower to new environments like pools or rooftops. Except in special cases, Zombies attempt to devour any plants in their way while heading towards the house.

As you all already know, the 3 games can be easily access from mobile devices, which means it reach to the mass anytime and any place, as long as there is network if needed. From the basic understanding on the gameplay, it is simple, straight forward and most of all is CUTE!! Since the games come in "handy", people tend to play it just to kill time. In the subway, in the bus, in boring class...etc or play it just because it is fun. The X-factor of the success besides addictive gameplay, in my opinion, would be CUTE. The "CUTE" factor can almost "conquer" all the minds of the population in the world. For example, kids like cute stuff and parents can easily "control" their kids by giving them a device and let them sit aside and play with it. Guys can take these games as a reason or chat topics to go after girls because girls always like cute stuff! Of course girls are attracted to cute things, but what's help is playing these games, they can ignore the guys they don't like or a mind escape from the surrounding. Everyone have their own reasons for liking these games, and therefore it succeeded. When the "brand" stay inside your mind, the merchandise products will be the next wave to suck your money into their pockets...

Anyway, thanks to the games developers, now everyone can have their fingers exercise regularly... :D