Social games first gained steam with Farmville via the collaboration between Facebook and Zynga in 2009.  Since, Social games have become increasingly popular around the world, and the Social Gaming market in the US is viewed as a growing market from which vendors can generate additional revenue by launching better and more creative games.

For instance, games such as Candy Crush Saga and the FIFA series immediately witnessed an increase in their gamer base following their launch on social media platforms in the US.

The Virtual Goods segment led market in the US in 2012 and it is expected to greatly contribute to the growth of the Social Gaming Market in the US at a CAGR of 24.06 percent during the forecast period.

We’ve pinpointed the top 14 social games companies expected to contribute to market growth:

 “Zynga Inc. is the world's leading provider of social game services with more than 240 million monthly active users playing its games, which include CityVille, Zynga Poker, Draw Something, Hidden Chronicles, FarmVille, CastleVille, Words With Friends, Empires & Allies, Scramble With Friends, Café World, The Pioneer Trail, Indiana Jones™ Adventure World and Mafia Wars. Zynga's games are available on a number of global platforms, including Facebook, Zynga.com, Google+, Tencent, Apple iOS and Google Android. Through Zynga.org, Zynga players have raised more than $10 million for world social causes.”

“King is a worldwide leader in casual games with more than 30 billion games played per month globally. We are a leading interactive entertainment company for the mobile world. Our mission is to provide highly engaging content to our audience to match their mobile lifestyles: anywhere, anytime, through any platform and on any device. In June 2013, an average of 92 million daily active users played our games more than one billion times per day. Our top title to date, Candy Crush Saga, is one of the largest interactive entertainment franchises of all time.”

“Wooga is one of the world’s biggest developers of social games for web and mobile. Based in Berlin and founded in 2009 by Jens Begemann (CEO) and Philipp Moeser (CTO), Wooga has over 250 employees from 40 nations.  Developer of hit social games such as Diamond Dash, Bubble Island & Monster World, Wooga has more than 50 million monthly active users on web and mobile.”

“Social Point began creating free online games for Facebook in 2008. Today the company is the 3rd largest game developer on Facebook, with a reach of more than 50 million players worldwide every month. We make awesomely fun and accessible social games for web and mobile, connecting people all over the planet and delivering insanely fun and immersive gameplay.”

“Electronic Arts Inc. is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. EA develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and social networks. In fiscal 2012, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.1 billion. EA is recognized for critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster franchises such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for Speed™, Battlefield™ and Mass Effect™.”

“Arkadium is a top game development studio developing casual, mobile, social and Windows 8 games. Founded in 2001 by Jessica Rovello and Kenny Rosenblatt, Arkadium has grown from a humble startup with four employees to a profitable, multimillion dollar business with offices spanning the globe from New York City to Ukraine.”

“DeNA (pronounced “D-N-A”) is a global Internet company focused on social game platform, social games, e-commerce and other Web services for mobile devices and PCs. DeNA’s current flagship business is its mobile social games platform Mobage, which offers first-, second- and third-party games on multiple localized user networks across nations. Established in Tokyo as a small start-up with the launch of an online auction service in 1999, DeNA has continuously expanded its portfolio of new business ventures that lead to the company’s new growth. As of September 2013, DeNA Group had over 2,000 employees working in offices and development studios across the globe.”

“FUN Technologies Inc. is one of the world's leading providers of online and interactive casual and fantasy sports games and sports information.  FUN is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation. FUN offers a wide range of skill games, which are offered over the Internet, as well as through wireless applications (mobile) and iTV (interactive television), and on stand-alone kiosks. FUN games offers free games (for users to improve their skills), cash games, competitive tournaments and a subscription service on its site.”

“GREE takes gaming to the next level by inviting the entire world to come play. Founded on the belief that a connected world is a better one, we're passionate about bringing players together, using the universal language of fun. As the global leader in free-to-play, GREE unleashes the power of gaming by taking it mobile and making it social. When you can play what you want, when and where you want, it's even easier to discover new games, face off against friends, and compete for the top spot on leaderboards. Available for iOS and Android, we make sure fun follows wherever you go.”

“Peak Games is the largest and fastest-growing gaming company focused on the emerging markets of Turkey, Middle East and North Africa. With more than 25 million active players drawn from one of the world’s most dynamic gaming markets, Peak Games already ranks the 3 largest social gaming company globally. A key to Peak Games' success is its unrivaled expertise in creating and publishing social games that fit the unique interests and cultures of emerging markets. The Company's diverse gaming portfolio also includes mobile applications.”

“Playdom, the social games division of Disney Interactive, produces games for Facebook, iOS, Android, and other emerging social and mobile platforms. Playdom's portfolio of games reaches millions of players every day and includes the hit titles Marvel: Avengers Alliance and Gardens of Time.”

“We’re the leading creators of easy-to-learn, irresistible games that everyone can enjoy — including award-winning hits like Bejeweled®, Zuma®, Peggle® and Plants vs. Zombies™. Years in the making, our games are sprinkled with a whirlwind of smile-inducing awesomeness and polished to a timeless sheen that keeps the world coming back for more. And best of all, you can play our games everywhere: PC and Mac, iPhone and iPad, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, Facebook... maybe even the moon!”

“Based in Paris, Pretty Simple develops and self-publishes casual games, for social and Mobile platforms. Its latest game is the hit game of investigation Criminal Case. Co-founded in 2010 by Bastien Cazenave and Corentin Raux, with funding from Idinvest Partners, Pretty Simple has published 3 games so far, played by over 35M Monthly Active Users.”

“Supercell first started developing games for tablets in 2011, and we haven't looked back for a second.  Smoosh together all the best parts of gaming from consoles and PCs, add mobility along with a new touch UI and — BOOM — tablets have emerged as today's ultimate games platform. The best games on any platform are those designed specifically for that platform.  Tablet First means we focus all of our energy and passion on creating, from scratch, the absolute best experience possible for the tablet – our primary target platform.  No compromises.”