Review of Social Games definitions, part 1
Social games are a structured activity which has contextual rules through which users can engage with one another. Social games must be multiplayer and have one or more of the following features: turn-based, are based on social platforms for providing users with an identity and are casual.
via socialtimes.com
Nick O'Neill's definition is abstract enough, yet 'social platforms' seems almost too broad, as these days that can be almost anything. Still, the definition hints at the area where most innovations in social games might come from: Innovations on how the contextual rules, and their consequences to social play, are designed - and monetized.
