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"Systems like these - known in the industry as nurturing games - are built to require regular investments of time and, for fullest enjoyment, money. The games are usually hosted by social networks like Facebook, or can connect to such networks so friends can follow one another's progress. They feature living digital property - the crops in FarmVille or the fish in Happy Aquarium - that can die without care and feeding. At FooPets, death is averted because, after a short period of neglect, the pet goes to a FooShelter. (And reclaiming it becomes an expensive proposition.)"

Check out the insidious way such game producers get youngsters to pay actual money.