Gaming is now more popular than e-mail and is surpassed only by social networking, Nielsen reports. The pastime has attracted more than 200 million Internet users, due in part to the explosive growth of games such as FarmVille and Words With Friends that appeal to a broad demographic, including many women. Players such as 31-year-old Angela Shields say the games offer a way to keep in touch with friends that is "more fun than e-mail«.
