Well, that does about sum up the social and mobile gaming scenes of 2010. Well, at least in the "Insanely Popular and We Can't Explain Why" category. Alright, so the 15th Annual Webby Awards doesn't include that category in particular, but Gamasutra reports that Zynga and Rovio have been nominated for Webby Awards for FarmVille, CityVille and Angry Birds, respectively. Oddly enough, FarmVille joins Angry Birds in earning a nomination for Best Mobile Device Game. (Have they played FarmVille on iPhone?)
The two mobile powerhouses (well ... one, really) are up against games like Fruit Ninja by Halfbrick and Cocktail Culture, a game inspired by the AMC series Mad Men and likely the strangest nomination thus far. Unsurprisingly, CityVille takes a Webby nob in the Best Web-based Game category. Adult Swim fans will love to learn that Robot Unicorn Attack plans to give CityVille a run for its money in the same category along with Nickelodeon's Petpet Park.
However, this year marks the debut of the Tablet & All Other Devices category, which welcomes learning games GoodieWords and Grover's Number Special, Jambalaya, musical racing game Rhythm Racer 2, and an alternate reality game Tron Legacy: Circuit Pulse. According to Gamasutra, developers of Webby nominees pay the organization a fee ranging from $150 to $295 (shouldn't it be a flat rate?) for consideration by a panel of judges from the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences. Since we're past that phase, the only thing left to do is vote before the ceremony on June 13. Want to put your choices before April 28? Then cast your votes right here on Aol.
[Via PocketGamer]
[Image Credit: Media Post]
Are you surprised at all by the nominations this year? Who do you think will come out on top?
Thứ Sáu, 30 tháng 12, 2011
FarmVille: Crack Willow Tree buds from Mystery Seedlings
Of the two trees that leaked last night in FarmVille, one has already begun to sprout up from Mystery Seedlings. FarmVille Freak has found the Crack Willow in the little seedlings and predicts that it will reach the Market shortly thereafter. Like most of the items introduced since English Countryside hit, the Crack Willow is most commonly found in Europe, but more specifically along riverbeds. Its price is unknown at the moment, so enjoy the free Crack Willow Trees while they last.
[Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
Have you seen the Crack Willow in your Orchard yet? Which tree has been your favorite thus far?
[Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
Have you seen the Crack Willow in your Orchard yet? Which tree has been your favorite thus far?
FrontierVille Critter Coddlin' Timed Goal: Everything you need to know
It's been a while since our days were consumed by Timed Goals, hasn't it? Well, a new one is about to drop in FrontierVille titled "Critter Coddlin'." Thankfully, this Goal is far more simple than the dreadfully unrealistic demands of the 31 Comments. However, it also happens to be what many call a "spam mission," which means that many of its requirements involve requesting friends' help. In fact, this could be the, um, spammiest Goal of them all:
Help an Injured Critter Twice
Collect 10 Wishes
Request 10 Critter Clothes
The Wishes and Critter Clothes are both items that you must request for from the Goal's menu window. But it gets even worse when you realize that you have to request friends to help a third time to provide you with the Critter Milk, Berries, or Fuzzy Blankets to restore the little buggers to good health. After all the spamming is through, you will be rewarded, though details on the prizes aren't available just yet. Either way, you might want to keep those injured animals hanging around for a bit longer.
Help an Injured Critter Twice
Collect 10 Wishes
Request 10 Critter Clothes
The Wishes and Critter Clothes are both items that you must request for from the Goal's menu window. But it gets even worse when you realize that you have to request friends to help a third time to provide you with the Critter Milk, Berries, or Fuzzy Blankets to restore the little buggers to good health. After all the spamming is through, you will be rewarded, though details on the prizes aren't available just yet. Either way, you might want to keep those injured animals hanging around for a bit longer.
Official CityVille Game Bar launches, promises energy bonus every 8 hours
Attention all CityVillers -- Zynga has finally rolled out the official CityVille Game Bar, which is a browser add-on that will help you keep tabs on your game, even when you're not playing.
The bar will help you keep track of gifts, invites and let you know when goods are ready for collecting. As an added bonus, you will get an additional energy bonus every 8 hours just for using the darn thing.
cityville game bar bonus
CityVille's game bar is super simple to install (just click the giant Install button on this page and follow the directions) and will work in the following browsers: Internet Explorer 7 or higher, Firefox 2 or higher and -- the must- have browser for any serious social gamer -- Chrome.
Once it's installed, you will need to login to your Facebook account, and then you'll be able to keep tabs on CityVille and any number of other Zynga games (FarmVille, FrontierVille, et al) at all times -- even when you're at work or any other place you don't necessarily want to be caught tending to your virtual burg.
To install the CityVille Game Bar, go here.
The bar will help you keep track of gifts, invites and let you know when goods are ready for collecting. As an added bonus, you will get an additional energy bonus every 8 hours just for using the darn thing.
cityville game bar bonus
CityVille's game bar is super simple to install (just click the giant Install button on this page and follow the directions) and will work in the following browsers: Internet Explorer 7 or higher, Firefox 2 or higher and -- the must- have browser for any serious social gamer -- Chrome.
Once it's installed, you will need to login to your Facebook account, and then you'll be able to keep tabs on CityVille and any number of other Zynga games (FarmVille, FrontierVille, et al) at all times -- even when you're at work or any other place you don't necessarily want to be caught tending to your virtual burg.
To install the CityVille Game Bar, go here.
Cafe World Lomi-Lomi Luau Catering Order: Everything you need to know
Did you not get enough of the Hawaiian fun in Cafe World through the newest set of Aloha Joe and Lisa goals? Or, perhaps you've already completed those goals and you'd like to keep cooking the recipes that you earned therein? Either way, there's a new way for you to keep cooking, and to keep the Hawaiian party alive, all by completing the new Lomi-Lomi Luau Catering Order.
To be specific, you'll only want to tackle this mission once you've completed the Aloha goals (check out our guide to doing so), as you'll be required to cook all three dishes that you unlock only by completing them. Unless you have a set of very friendly neighbors, that are willing to outright finish this catering order for you, you'll be unable to complete the mission, regardless of the time limit, unless you pay Cafe Cash to do so, or finally unlock these recipes the old-fashioned way.
If you're ready for a challenge, meet us behind the break for everything you need to know about this new order.
As is stands, this is one of the most cooking-heavy orders I can personally recall seeing released in the game. You'll need to cook and serve over 1,000 dishes in total, and all in under three days. You'll need to serve Lau Lau (a two-hour dish) and Lomi Lomi Salmon (a six-hour dish) a whopping 525 times each. You'll also need to serve Haupia (a 24 hour dish) 50 times before all is said and done. Regardless of your level, your amount of available stoves, or your overall dedication to the game, I think many of you would likely agree with me in saying that this is more than a bit excessive.
If you're willing to tackle the challenge, you'll be able to bring 18 of your friends in on this mission with you, for a total catering crew of 19 people. While everyone is busy cooking, you'll also have to collect 28 collectible items: 14 each of Coconut Cups and Decorative Seashells. This is done by sending individual gift requests to your friends, asking them to send you that particular item.
If you're able to finish these monumental tasks in less than three days, you'll receive the three-star rating, 12 Catering Points, 3,200 Cafe Points, 75,000 coins, and the Chicken Long Rice recipe, which is exclusive to this catering order. Finishing in more than three days, but less than five will earn you the two-star rating, 8 Catering Points, 2,300 Cafe Points and 50,000 coins. Finally, if you finish at any point after the first five days, you'll receive 4 Catering Points, 1,400 Cafe Points, and 30,000 coins. It's worth noting again that the only way you'll receive the new recipe is by finishing with a three-star rating.
Is it just me, or does this mission seem excessively difficult? While a few of the most recent missions were fairly simple in comparison, giving you five days for the three-star rating, not only does this job require more cooking, but it also gives you less time to do it. I suppose that gives you all the more reason to celebrate should you finish the goal, as you'll have access to a new recipe that I think will stay rare for a very, very long time.
What do you think of this new catering order in Cafe World? Will you attempt to finish in three days, or would you be happy to ever finish the order, given its high requirements?
To be specific, you'll only want to tackle this mission once you've completed the Aloha goals (check out our guide to doing so), as you'll be required to cook all three dishes that you unlock only by completing them. Unless you have a set of very friendly neighbors, that are willing to outright finish this catering order for you, you'll be unable to complete the mission, regardless of the time limit, unless you pay Cafe Cash to do so, or finally unlock these recipes the old-fashioned way.
If you're ready for a challenge, meet us behind the break for everything you need to know about this new order.
As is stands, this is one of the most cooking-heavy orders I can personally recall seeing released in the game. You'll need to cook and serve over 1,000 dishes in total, and all in under three days. You'll need to serve Lau Lau (a two-hour dish) and Lomi Lomi Salmon (a six-hour dish) a whopping 525 times each. You'll also need to serve Haupia (a 24 hour dish) 50 times before all is said and done. Regardless of your level, your amount of available stoves, or your overall dedication to the game, I think many of you would likely agree with me in saying that this is more than a bit excessive.
If you're willing to tackle the challenge, you'll be able to bring 18 of your friends in on this mission with you, for a total catering crew of 19 people. While everyone is busy cooking, you'll also have to collect 28 collectible items: 14 each of Coconut Cups and Decorative Seashells. This is done by sending individual gift requests to your friends, asking them to send you that particular item.
If you're able to finish these monumental tasks in less than three days, you'll receive the three-star rating, 12 Catering Points, 3,200 Cafe Points, 75,000 coins, and the Chicken Long Rice recipe, which is exclusive to this catering order. Finishing in more than three days, but less than five will earn you the two-star rating, 8 Catering Points, 2,300 Cafe Points and 50,000 coins. Finally, if you finish at any point after the first five days, you'll receive 4 Catering Points, 1,400 Cafe Points, and 30,000 coins. It's worth noting again that the only way you'll receive the new recipe is by finishing with a three-star rating.
Is it just me, or does this mission seem excessively difficult? While a few of the most recent missions were fairly simple in comparison, giving you five days for the three-star rating, not only does this job require more cooking, but it also gives you less time to do it. I suppose that gives you all the more reason to celebrate should you finish the goal, as you'll have access to a new recipe that I think will stay rare for a very, very long time.
What do you think of this new catering order in Cafe World? Will you attempt to finish in three days, or would you be happy to ever finish the order, given its high requirements?
Thứ Hai, 26 tháng 12, 2011
Yup, Zynga is still worth more than EA, recent filing reveals
A few months ago, Zynga's estimated valuation was rumored to be nearly $10 billion. Now, a recent Zynga filing reveals a sale of $490 million in shares slated for March of this year, Inside Social Games reports.
That number could indicate a post-money valuation, or an estimation of how much it's worth, of $9.1 billion. (Dr. Evil is rolling in his space pod right now.) This is all thanks to several big-name investors like Morgan Stanley, Fidelity Investments, T. Rowe Price and Kleiner Perkins.
However, Inside Social Games says that it's more complicated than that, thanks to several sales of Zynga stock in both directions that haven't been officially confirmed. In other words, Mark Pincus and crew have been vigilant of keeping their exact worth under wraps until the company decides to go public at some point. And, according to the New York Times, don't count on that in 2011. (Sorry, small time investors.)
Regardless, a slightly more confirmed valuation of $9.1 billion still has Zynga in the running as the second most valuable gaming company in the world. According to TechCrunch, EA is worth around $6.2 billion while Activision Blizzard sits pretty at $13 billion. So yes, Zynga is just about as loaded as we thought it was, and it's all thanks to our addictions to uniquely-colored Cows and Sheep.
Do you think Zynga could eventually surpass Activision? How will the two publishers respond to both being beaten by Zynga and it encroaching on the number one spot?
That number could indicate a post-money valuation, or an estimation of how much it's worth, of $9.1 billion. (Dr. Evil is rolling in his space pod right now.) This is all thanks to several big-name investors like Morgan Stanley, Fidelity Investments, T. Rowe Price and Kleiner Perkins.
However, Inside Social Games says that it's more complicated than that, thanks to several sales of Zynga stock in both directions that haven't been officially confirmed. In other words, Mark Pincus and crew have been vigilant of keeping their exact worth under wraps until the company decides to go public at some point. And, according to the New York Times, don't count on that in 2011. (Sorry, small time investors.)
Regardless, a slightly more confirmed valuation of $9.1 billion still has Zynga in the running as the second most valuable gaming company in the world. According to TechCrunch, EA is worth around $6.2 billion while Activision Blizzard sits pretty at $13 billion. So yes, Zynga is just about as loaded as we thought it was, and it's all thanks to our addictions to uniquely-colored Cows and Sheep.
Do you think Zynga could eventually surpass Activision? How will the two publishers respond to both being beaten by Zynga and it encroaching on the number one spot?
FarmVille Mother's Day Special: Farm Cash 20 percent off this weekend
In honor of where you came from, Zynga is slashing prices on Farm Cash by 20 percent when you redeem a Zynga Game Card. If your mom is one of the many who appear to be so very addicted to FarmVille, why not just give her what she really wants: that shiny new Badger Ewe (when it finally releases). However, you'll have to pick up that Zynga Game Card and redeem it by 9 p.m. PST on May 8 to get that 20 percent discount. But as much as your mom must adore her collection of crop Mastery signs, be sure to give her something, you know, tangible? I hear a card and a bouquet of flowers can do wonders.
[Source and Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
Have you already bought your mom a Mother's Day gift? Why not tell us about it in the comments (we won't tell)?
[Source and Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
Have you already bought your mom a Mother's Day gift? Why not tell us about it in the comments (we won't tell)?
FrontierVille promises faster loadtimes, but actually playing is still painfully slow
This week, FrontierVille rolled out a new feature that is designed to help the game load faster. Basically, the game will store some of its files on your computer's hard drive, which will enable it to load faster.
While this seems to do the trick, actually trying to play the game has been a lag-filled affair that has me starting and restarting my browser, trying to play the game in different browsers and checking to make sure I don't have too many programs (like TweetDeck or Photoshop) running in the background at the same time.
The lag was especially apparent when I finally decided to ride my new horse for the first time. The only phrase that came to mind was 'WTH?' when I watched my lil pioneer and her trusty steed zig-zag ever so molasses-like across the screen.
I did a cursory Google and FrontierVille forum search for 'FrontierVille lag fixes' and came out empty-handed. In the past, I have heard that using Google's Chrome browser will help matters slightly, but I want to know -- when will a more permanent fix be available?
So -- have you been noticing a major lag in the game while playing? Have any tips on how to make FrontierVIlle run faster/more smoothly?
While this seems to do the trick, actually trying to play the game has been a lag-filled affair that has me starting and restarting my browser, trying to play the game in different browsers and checking to make sure I don't have too many programs (like TweetDeck or Photoshop) running in the background at the same time.
The lag was especially apparent when I finally decided to ride my new horse for the first time. The only phrase that came to mind was 'WTH?' when I watched my lil pioneer and her trusty steed zig-zag ever so molasses-like across the screen.
I did a cursory Google and FrontierVille forum search for 'FrontierVille lag fixes' and came out empty-handed. In the past, I have heard that using Google's Chrome browser will help matters slightly, but I want to know -- when will a more permanent fix be available?
So -- have you been noticing a major lag in the game while playing? Have any tips on how to make FrontierVIlle run faster/more smoothly?
Cafe World Mother's Day Goals: Everything you need to know
Update: Parts 6-8 of the Mother's Day goals have been released. Click here to pick up where this first set leaves off.
In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, Zynga has released a new set of goals in Cafe World celebrating mothers everywhere. Specifically, our friend Amelia needs help finding the perfect gift for her own mother for Mother's Day, and you're just the person to help her out! Thanks to the new Goal Manager, you'll be able to find this set of goals even if it doesn't appear automatically (although it should) - just look out for the three roses with the "1" next to it, and you'll be good to go.
The first mission is called the Perfect Gift, and it starts you off slowly.
Spice 5 Neighbors' Stoves
Serve Belgian Waffles 10 Times
Get 3 Hugs and Kisses
If you haven't guessed already, the Hugs & Kisses are this event's RSVP, meaning that you'll only be ask the same friend to send you an additional Hugs and Kisses item once every 46 or so hours, rather than everyday. As for the Belgian Waffles, they can be cooked for 200 coins and are ready to serve in two hours. For finishing this first goal, you'll receive the World's Best Mom Certificate. The rest of this goal series becomes a bit more complicated. While there are supposed to be eight full goals in this mission series, according to Di's Mingle Network, only the first five are currently available. The extra three goals will likely be released sometime this weekend, and we wouldn't be surprised if a Catering Order came along with it. At any rate, we can see help you get through the first five goals, so let's continue, shall we?
Part II of VIII asks you to ask your friends to send you some nice table-setting decorations, along with serving another dish.
Ask for 5 Flowers
Serve Eggs Benedict 8 Times
Ask for 5 Candles
The Flowers and Candles can be received by simply asking your friends to send them to you, which is convenient, as you'll be able to complete the third task - cooking Eggs Benedict - while you wait for them to arrive. The dish costs 300 coins to cook and takes six hours to prepare. For finishing this goal, you'll receive Mother's Day Flowers. Slowly but surely, Amelia's present is coming together!
In Part III of VIII, you'll unlock your first new recipe for this mission series.
Ask for 5 Touches of Mother's Love
Ask for 7 Candlesticks
Serve Bacon and Eggs 10 Times
Bacon and Eggs and can be cooked for 1,000 coins, and take nine full hours to prepare. Your first new dish is the Breakfast in Bed, which costs 1,500 coins to cook, and takes 12 hours to finish.
For Part IV of VIII, you'll unlock the second of three new dishes currently available, but of course, you'll have to work for it first.
Get 6 Hugs & Kisses
Ask for 7 Red Sugar Cubes
Serve Herbed Halibut 15 Times
Herbed Halibut costs 700 coins and takes one day to complete. As for the Hugs & Kisses, any extra items that you earned at the beginning of this mission series should carry over, so you may not to ask for more, but if so, just ask your friends (again) and you'll be able to move on. Your second new recipe is the Mother's Day Feast, which has stats matching that of the Herbed Halibut - it's ready to serve after a full day of cooking, and costs 700 coins to prepare.
This brings us to Part V of VIII, the current stopping point of this mission series. It will see you putting you last new recipe to work, and will reward you with yet another new dish to serve in your cafe.
Get 8 Hugs & Kisses
Serve Mother's Day Feast 20 Times
Ask for 8 Pink Sugar Sprinkles
The third free dish is the X's and O's Cookies, which may only take 30 minutes to prepare, but costs 1200 coins to cook.
Again, this is (as of this writing), the ending point of this mission series, but with the game clearly labeling this mission series as having eight full parts, we'll make sure to keep an eye on things and will update this space when you can move onto parts six-eight.
[Goals 2- 5 Via Di's Mingle Network]
What do you think of these Mother's Day goals in Cafe World? Do some of the requirements seem more appropriate for a romantic holiday, or is that just me?
In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, Zynga has released a new set of goals in Cafe World celebrating mothers everywhere. Specifically, our friend Amelia needs help finding the perfect gift for her own mother for Mother's Day, and you're just the person to help her out! Thanks to the new Goal Manager, you'll be able to find this set of goals even if it doesn't appear automatically (although it should) - just look out for the three roses with the "1" next to it, and you'll be good to go.
The first mission is called the Perfect Gift, and it starts you off slowly.
Spice 5 Neighbors' Stoves
Serve Belgian Waffles 10 Times
Get 3 Hugs and Kisses
If you haven't guessed already, the Hugs & Kisses are this event's RSVP, meaning that you'll only be ask the same friend to send you an additional Hugs and Kisses item once every 46 or so hours, rather than everyday. As for the Belgian Waffles, they can be cooked for 200 coins and are ready to serve in two hours. For finishing this first goal, you'll receive the World's Best Mom Certificate. The rest of this goal series becomes a bit more complicated. While there are supposed to be eight full goals in this mission series, according to Di's Mingle Network, only the first five are currently available. The extra three goals will likely be released sometime this weekend, and we wouldn't be surprised if a Catering Order came along with it. At any rate, we can see help you get through the first five goals, so let's continue, shall we?
Part II of VIII asks you to ask your friends to send you some nice table-setting decorations, along with serving another dish.
Ask for 5 Flowers
Serve Eggs Benedict 8 Times
Ask for 5 Candles
The Flowers and Candles can be received by simply asking your friends to send them to you, which is convenient, as you'll be able to complete the third task - cooking Eggs Benedict - while you wait for them to arrive. The dish costs 300 coins to cook and takes six hours to prepare. For finishing this goal, you'll receive Mother's Day Flowers. Slowly but surely, Amelia's present is coming together!
In Part III of VIII, you'll unlock your first new recipe for this mission series.
Ask for 5 Touches of Mother's Love
Ask for 7 Candlesticks
Serve Bacon and Eggs 10 Times
Bacon and Eggs and can be cooked for 1,000 coins, and take nine full hours to prepare. Your first new dish is the Breakfast in Bed, which costs 1,500 coins to cook, and takes 12 hours to finish.
For Part IV of VIII, you'll unlock the second of three new dishes currently available, but of course, you'll have to work for it first.
Get 6 Hugs & Kisses
Ask for 7 Red Sugar Cubes
Serve Herbed Halibut 15 Times
Herbed Halibut costs 700 coins and takes one day to complete. As for the Hugs & Kisses, any extra items that you earned at the beginning of this mission series should carry over, so you may not to ask for more, but if so, just ask your friends (again) and you'll be able to move on. Your second new recipe is the Mother's Day Feast, which has stats matching that of the Herbed Halibut - it's ready to serve after a full day of cooking, and costs 700 coins to prepare.
This brings us to Part V of VIII, the current stopping point of this mission series. It will see you putting you last new recipe to work, and will reward you with yet another new dish to serve in your cafe.
Get 8 Hugs & Kisses
Serve Mother's Day Feast 20 Times
Ask for 8 Pink Sugar Sprinkles
The third free dish is the X's and O's Cookies, which may only take 30 minutes to prepare, but costs 1200 coins to cook.
Again, this is (as of this writing), the ending point of this mission series, but with the game clearly labeling this mission series as having eight full parts, we'll make sure to keep an eye on things and will update this space when you can move onto parts six-eight.
[Goals 2- 5 Via Di's Mingle Network]
What do you think of these Mother's Day goals in Cafe World? Do some of the requirements seem more appropriate for a romantic holiday, or is that just me?
Fleck brings social gaming (and zombies) to Google Maps and Facebook
Ever wonder what it would be like to grow trees, build houses, plant flowers and interact with other real world players all on top of Google Maps? No, I hadn't really thought of that either, but the people at Self Aware Games sure have. They've brought their idea to life via Fleck, a new browser-based game that's currently in beta at Fleck.com. Fleck can be signed up for independently, or you can connect to the game via Facebook to easily start playing in less than 10 seconds. It should be noted that Fleck is technically available to play as a game on Facebook by installing the App, but I found the experience to be much more enjoyable when not confined to the small play area on Facebook. You can also play the game on your iPad.
Fleck's gameplay can be most easily thought of as a combination of MMO and the established Facebook social game. You'll enter into a real-time environment populated by dozens or even hundreds of other real-world players, depending on your geographical location, and can then interact with both those players, and the surrounding environment through a variety of activities. The novelty behind Fleck is the game's world - the real world, as seen through Google Maps. That is, each environment in the game represents a real world place, but rather than seeing a completely animated background, filled with static buildings or plant life, you'll see the white lines of streets, green shaded areas representing parks or forested areas and so on - just as though you were looking up a general location via the Google Maps service.
This isn't to say that animation isn't represented here, but that all happens in the foreground. Rather than simply looking at these plain map sections, you'll be able to plant flowers or trees in 3D to make the world come to life digitally. Like in other social games, you'll need to water plants often or they'll die and wither. In fact, all of the major social gaming elements are here. You have both a stamina and a health bar, and XP meter that fills as you complete tasks (watering or harvesting plants or trees and so on), and will unlock new items to purchase in the store as you level up. There are even free gifts to send to your friends, like new flowers that they may not have unlocked on their own otherwise.
While your actions in Fleck are your own, your alterations are seen by all players, just like the world of an MMO. In this is the beauty of the game. Due to its Google Maps backdrop, you can literally travel anywhere within the United States or Canada, so long as you know an address. This allows you to stand on top of your own real-world home, planting flowers on the nearby streets, or, will even let you travel to what may be a particularly shady part of your real-world neighborhood and make it a better place - at least within the game. You can even travel to landmark locations, such as the Statue of Liberty or the Space Needle, without knowing the address, by just typing the name of a particular landmark into the Travel bar.
One of the first places you'll likely visit is your home address, which is encouraged through the game's ample Quest system. You'll be able to place a small house on any particular address in the game, so this only makes sense. Doing so gives you an automatic spawn point whenever you next login to the game. These quests will also introduce you to the many, many features and various platform integrations available in Fleck.
For one, there's a real-time chat window where you can talk to other players, and there's also the ability to connect your Twitter account to your Fleck profile to send themed tweets. In addition, say you've found a particularly pretty area of the map and want to take a picture of it. There's a button for that too - automatically taking and posting a TwitPic if you've allowed for the connectivity. Are you a Yelp fan? Businesses may even pop-up on your map, allowing you to read that real-world business's Yelp reviews, or allow you to purchase the building in-game for coins. While this may be a lot of cross-promotion, none of it seems forced, allowing you to use as much or as little of it as you please.
Oh, and did I mention there are zombies? Every now and again, you'll come across a grave stone in the middle of a map's area. These don't seem to correlate one-to-one with real world cemeteries (that would be a bit too creepy, I think), but once you find one, you'll be able to start a new zombie battle mini-game. The Zombies of fleck are unlike anything I've seen - bright purple mounds of hair that chase you around the map or spit at your from afar. Your character will automatically shoot at the undead, but you need to click around the map to move and avoid being lunch.
Gallery: Fleck
With everything Fleck has to offer, along with its simple novelty, I've found myself pretty hooked right from the start. For the technologically minded, that have Twitter, TwitPic, and Yelp accounts (and so on), or just for those that would like to take a look at places like Disneyland or your local Zoo from a different perspective, Fleck should at least be given a once-over. If you're not won over by its charm, then I guess that just leaves more zombies for me to kill instead.
Play Fleck --->
Play Fleck on Facebook --->
Have you tried Fleck, or will you try the game now that you've seen what it has to offer? What do you think of the game so far? Are there any locations you wish the developers would give actual landmarks?
Fleck's gameplay can be most easily thought of as a combination of MMO and the established Facebook social game. You'll enter into a real-time environment populated by dozens or even hundreds of other real-world players, depending on your geographical location, and can then interact with both those players, and the surrounding environment through a variety of activities. The novelty behind Fleck is the game's world - the real world, as seen through Google Maps. That is, each environment in the game represents a real world place, but rather than seeing a completely animated background, filled with static buildings or plant life, you'll see the white lines of streets, green shaded areas representing parks or forested areas and so on - just as though you were looking up a general location via the Google Maps service.
This isn't to say that animation isn't represented here, but that all happens in the foreground. Rather than simply looking at these plain map sections, you'll be able to plant flowers or trees in 3D to make the world come to life digitally. Like in other social games, you'll need to water plants often or they'll die and wither. In fact, all of the major social gaming elements are here. You have both a stamina and a health bar, and XP meter that fills as you complete tasks (watering or harvesting plants or trees and so on), and will unlock new items to purchase in the store as you level up. There are even free gifts to send to your friends, like new flowers that they may not have unlocked on their own otherwise.
While your actions in Fleck are your own, your alterations are seen by all players, just like the world of an MMO. In this is the beauty of the game. Due to its Google Maps backdrop, you can literally travel anywhere within the United States or Canada, so long as you know an address. This allows you to stand on top of your own real-world home, planting flowers on the nearby streets, or, will even let you travel to what may be a particularly shady part of your real-world neighborhood and make it a better place - at least within the game. You can even travel to landmark locations, such as the Statue of Liberty or the Space Needle, without knowing the address, by just typing the name of a particular landmark into the Travel bar.
One of the first places you'll likely visit is your home address, which is encouraged through the game's ample Quest system. You'll be able to place a small house on any particular address in the game, so this only makes sense. Doing so gives you an automatic spawn point whenever you next login to the game. These quests will also introduce you to the many, many features and various platform integrations available in Fleck.
For one, there's a real-time chat window where you can talk to other players, and there's also the ability to connect your Twitter account to your Fleck profile to send themed tweets. In addition, say you've found a particularly pretty area of the map and want to take a picture of it. There's a button for that too - automatically taking and posting a TwitPic if you've allowed for the connectivity. Are you a Yelp fan? Businesses may even pop-up on your map, allowing you to read that real-world business's Yelp reviews, or allow you to purchase the building in-game for coins. While this may be a lot of cross-promotion, none of it seems forced, allowing you to use as much or as little of it as you please.
Oh, and did I mention there are zombies? Every now and again, you'll come across a grave stone in the middle of a map's area. These don't seem to correlate one-to-one with real world cemeteries (that would be a bit too creepy, I think), but once you find one, you'll be able to start a new zombie battle mini-game. The Zombies of fleck are unlike anything I've seen - bright purple mounds of hair that chase you around the map or spit at your from afar. Your character will automatically shoot at the undead, but you need to click around the map to move and avoid being lunch.
Gallery: Fleck
With everything Fleck has to offer, along with its simple novelty, I've found myself pretty hooked right from the start. For the technologically minded, that have Twitter, TwitPic, and Yelp accounts (and so on), or just for those that would like to take a look at places like Disneyland or your local Zoo from a different perspective, Fleck should at least be given a once-over. If you're not won over by its charm, then I guess that just leaves more zombies for me to kill instead.
Play Fleck --->
Play Fleck on Facebook --->
Have you tried Fleck, or will you try the game now that you've seen what it has to offer? What do you think of the game so far? Are there any locations you wish the developers would give actual landmarks?
Chủ Nhật, 25 tháng 12, 2011
CityVille Founder's Residence available for a limited time
Let's face it: there are tons of CityVille players who play the game as collectors, trying to have one of every building, business or home in their towns. That's a great way to play the game, if it works for you, but it's also an expensive one. Take, for instance, the newest home added to the game this weekend: The Founder's Residence, a large gold building available by scrolling almost to the very end of the build menu.
Surrounded by homes that cost over 500,000 coins sits the Founder's Residence, which blows those other buildings out of the water. Ready for it? To add one of these high population homes to your city, you'll need to fork over 70 City Cash. For that price, you'll receive a home that starts with 300 population, but can be expanded to 650 over time. You can collect 159 coins in rent every four hours. Sure, this one looks to be a relatively nice money-maker in the long run, but you'll likely have to do a bit of soul-searching to decide whether or not its worth almost $10.
Unfortunately, you have to make that decision rather quickly, as the Founder's Residence will only be available in the game's store for a limited time - a week, to be exact. If you do pull the proverbial trigger and add this one to your town, you'll definitely have something to brag about, but I wouldn't take this expensive decision lightly.
Surrounded by homes that cost over 500,000 coins sits the Founder's Residence, which blows those other buildings out of the water. Ready for it? To add one of these high population homes to your city, you'll need to fork over 70 City Cash. For that price, you'll receive a home that starts with 300 population, but can be expanded to 650 over time. You can collect 159 coins in rent every four hours. Sure, this one looks to be a relatively nice money-maker in the long run, but you'll likely have to do a bit of soul-searching to decide whether or not its worth almost $10.
Unfortunately, you have to make that decision rather quickly, as the Founder's Residence will only be available in the game's store for a limited time - a week, to be exact. If you do pull the proverbial trigger and add this one to your town, you'll definitely have something to brag about, but I wouldn't take this expensive decision lightly.
FarmVille Birthday Trees: Giant Cotton Candy, Giant Snowcone and Ice Cream Trees
I have to admit something - this newest Birthday theme in FarmVille, celebrating the game's second birthday, might just make me completely exhaust my stockpile of Farm Cash. This is even more true now that tonight's FarmVille update has seen the release of four new trees in the Birthday theme. Sure, two of these trees are simply giant versions of those trees already released in the game - the Giant Cotton Candy and Giant Snowcone Trees which cost 5 and 10 Farm Cash, respectively), but I can definitely see the appeal here.
To top things off, we see the release of the Icecream Tree pair. Yes, "icecream" is spelled as one word in the game, so feel free to do a double take at the spelling (I know I did). Whether you're a stickler for grammar and spelling or just a fan who likes to play the game, you can pick up the Icecream Tree for 7 Farm Cash and the Giant Icecream Tree for 12 Farm Cash. It's unfortunate that these trees take on the higher or the two price points for limited edition trees, but from a business standpoint this is incredibly smart of Zynga to do, as they're sure to be huge money-makers.
Either way, you've got the next two weeks to celebrate FarmVille's second birthday by purchasing these items from the store, so start saving up your extra Farm Cash now to afford the things that you want.
To top things off, we see the release of the Icecream Tree pair. Yes, "icecream" is spelled as one word in the game, so feel free to do a double take at the spelling (I know I did). Whether you're a stickler for grammar and spelling or just a fan who likes to play the game, you can pick up the Icecream Tree for 7 Farm Cash and the Giant Icecream Tree for 12 Farm Cash. It's unfortunate that these trees take on the higher or the two price points for limited edition trees, but from a business standpoint this is incredibly smart of Zynga to do, as they're sure to be huge money-makers.
Either way, you've got the next two weeks to celebrate FarmVille's second birthday by purchasing these items from the store, so start saving up your extra Farm Cash now to afford the things that you want.
FarmVille Birthday Animals: Candycane Ram, Candycane Boar and Clown Pony
To continue celebrating FarmVille's second birthday on Facebook, Zynga has launched a set of three new animals to the game's store, two of which will be particularly interesting to pig and sheep breeders. For those looking to add a striped pattern to their catalogs, you can pick up either the Candycane Ram for 30 Farm Cash or the Candycane Boar for 25 Farm Cash. It's interesting that the Boar costs less than the Sheep, but I suppose that's just to encourage more users to take part in the new Pig Breeding level system by making it cheaper.
Even if you're not a Pig or Sheep breeder, there's still something in tonight's update for you, as a new Horse is now available. The Clown Pony costs 24 Farm Cash, and this cute white Pony is all dolled up as a clown with a wig, red bow tie and nose. If that's not cute enough for you, keep in mind that you can breed the Clown Pony to receive a Clown Pony Foal that can be shared with your friends. How cute would that little fella be? I can hardly stand the thought!
Regardless of which animal (if any) you choose to purchase, you'll need to open that virtual (or even real world) pocketbook within the next two weeks, before these animals expire from the store.
Even if you're not a Pig or Sheep breeder, there's still something in tonight's update for you, as a new Horse is now available. The Clown Pony costs 24 Farm Cash, and this cute white Pony is all dolled up as a clown with a wig, red bow tie and nose. If that's not cute enough for you, keep in mind that you can breed the Clown Pony to receive a Clown Pony Foal that can be shared with your friends. How cute would that little fella be? I can hardly stand the thought!
Regardless of which animal (if any) you choose to purchase, you'll need to open that virtual (or even real world) pocketbook within the next two weeks, before these animals expire from the store.
FarmVille Birthday Decorations: Balloon House, Animal Balloon and more
Like clockwork, some of the items we predicted would launch in FarmVille this weekend have. These items come in the form of four new decorations, including one building. The new building is the Balloon House. As I've said before, this building reminds me of the home from Up!, so if you like Disney or Pixar (or just that movie in general), you can add these inspired building to your farm for the high price of 25 Farm Cash.
If that's too steep for your wallet, you can also spend Farm Cash on an Animal Balloon - 7 Farm Cash, to be exact. But wait! This Animal Balloon was actually released last year (for the same price) during FarmVille's first birthday celebration, so make sure to check your storage and all of the far corners of your farm to make sure you don't already have one. For the new decorative items, you can pick up either a Balloon Gnome or a Balloon Sheep, which have these items floating in mid-air via the help of a bunch of balloons. They may not be the most elaborate of items, but they're humorous all the same.
These new decorative items, along with the Balloon House, will only be available in the game for the next two weeks. Sure, we may see them re-released during another event, but why wait until then when you can buy them now?
If that's too steep for your wallet, you can also spend Farm Cash on an Animal Balloon - 7 Farm Cash, to be exact. But wait! This Animal Balloon was actually released last year (for the same price) during FarmVille's first birthday celebration, so make sure to check your storage and all of the far corners of your farm to make sure you don't already have one. For the new decorative items, you can pick up either a Balloon Gnome or a Balloon Sheep, which have these items floating in mid-air via the help of a bunch of balloons. They may not be the most elaborate of items, but they're humorous all the same.
These new decorative items, along with the Balloon House, will only be available in the game for the next two weeks. Sure, we may see them re-released during another event, but why wait until then when you can buy them now?
FarmVille Mystery Game (06/12/11): Cutest Animals available at a high price
Sometimes, our skills of prediction are frightening. With tonight's Mystery Game update in FarmVille, it turns out that we pegged all six items that would be released in the game early. The only thing we didn't know at the time would be the Mystery Game's price, but that can now be laid to rest. This week's Mystery Game is entitled "Cutest Animals," and it costs 20 Farm Cash per dart to play.
For that price, you'll have a chance of scoring one of these six animals:
Guinea Pig
Koala Bar
Marmoset (sitting in a tree)
Meerkat
Miniature Goat
Prairie Dog
As usual, the animal that you'll receive will be random, and you'll only have a period of seven days to try to earn them all. If you're an animal collector, there are some unique and exotic animals to get your virtual hands on here, so don't delay if you have any Farm Cash that's burning a hole in your proverbial pocket.
For that price, you'll have a chance of scoring one of these six animals:
Guinea Pig
Koala Bar
Marmoset (sitting in a tree)
Meerkat
Miniature Goat
Prairie Dog
As usual, the animal that you'll receive will be random, and you'll only have a period of seven days to try to earn them all. If you're an animal collector, there are some unique and exotic animals to get your virtual hands on here, so don't delay if you have any Farm Cash that's burning a hole in your proverbial pocket.
Thứ Sáu, 23 tháng 12, 2011
FarmVille Bug Report: Crops locked to Home farm, English Countryside
It looks like things are back to the way they used to be ... for now, at least. Zynga reports that, since late yesterday, crops have been locked to their respective farms in FarmVille, meaning players can no longer plant Home Farm crops on their English Countryside farms and vise versa.
You know, the very ability players worked for in the final Goals of this expansion? Luckily, according to Zynga community manager Grimwell, the team is on the case:
"Description: After our most recent update, players can no longer benefit from the earned ability to plant crops on either farm. Home Farm crops are locked to the Home Farm and English Countryside crops are locked to the English Countryside. Update: Greenhouse seeds are no longer visible while on the English Countryside. This is believed to be related to the same bug causing crops to lock and has been added to our investigation.Status: This issue has been confirmed by the FarmVille development team and we are investigating the cause so we can work on a solution."
Unfortunately, this is all we know at this point. And Zynga doesn't exactly have a workaround for the bug, asking players to go about their daily business, planting crops as they're available on the English and Home farms. Until then, just plant more crops? (I got nothin'.)
Have you experienced this bug in your game since it sprouted up? What do you plan to do until it's fixed?
You know, the very ability players worked for in the final Goals of this expansion? Luckily, according to Zynga community manager Grimwell, the team is on the case:
"Description: After our most recent update, players can no longer benefit from the earned ability to plant crops on either farm. Home Farm crops are locked to the Home Farm and English Countryside crops are locked to the English Countryside. Update: Greenhouse seeds are no longer visible while on the English Countryside. This is believed to be related to the same bug causing crops to lock and has been added to our investigation.Status: This issue has been confirmed by the FarmVille development team and we are investigating the cause so we can work on a solution."
Unfortunately, this is all we know at this point. And Zynga doesn't exactly have a workaround for the bug, asking players to go about their daily business, planting crops as they're available on the English and Home farms. Until then, just plant more crops? (I got nothin'.)
Have you experienced this bug in your game since it sprouted up? What do you plan to do until it's fixed?
Facebook gets its own World of Warcraft with Order & Chaos Online
Don't feel like paying up 15 clams a month to play the most popular MMO out there? Well, French mobile game developer Gameloft wants to bring Facebook gamers the next best thing with Order & Chaos Online. Pocket Gamer reports that the popular iPhone and Android MMORPG (massivley mutliplayer role-playing game) will be headed to Facebook, though specifics--like a release date--have not been announced.
However, what we do know about Gameloft's answer to WoW on Facebook, revealed on Gameloft's video podcast, is that it will keep the tradition of killin' monsters and collectin' sweet loot alive. Only this time, it will be even easier to connect with your friends through Facebook features that will be adapted specifically for this version of the game. (Though, keep in mind that traditional 3D RPGs haven't exactly set Facebook on fire yet.)
Order & Chaos Online Facebook
According to Pocket Gamer, the game will have even more updates like new quests, armor sets and more. Unfortunately, it's unknown whether Facebookers will be able to adventure with their mobile counterparts. But since that would only make sense--and would be really darn cool--we're keeping our gauntlet-laden fingers crossed.
[Image Credit: Pocket Gamer]
Are you psyched to see a traditional online RPG headed to Facebook? How do you think this game will do on the platform, considering how the genre has done around here prior?
However, what we do know about Gameloft's answer to WoW on Facebook, revealed on Gameloft's video podcast, is that it will keep the tradition of killin' monsters and collectin' sweet loot alive. Only this time, it will be even easier to connect with your friends through Facebook features that will be adapted specifically for this version of the game. (Though, keep in mind that traditional 3D RPGs haven't exactly set Facebook on fire yet.)
Order & Chaos Online Facebook
According to Pocket Gamer, the game will have even more updates like new quests, armor sets and more. Unfortunately, it's unknown whether Facebookers will be able to adventure with their mobile counterparts. But since that would only make sense--and would be really darn cool--we're keeping our gauntlet-laden fingers crossed.
[Image Credit: Pocket Gamer]
Are you psyched to see a traditional online RPG headed to Facebook? How do you think this game will do on the platform, considering how the genre has done around here prior?
Pet Society Vacation dives into iOS in New Zealand, US release coming
And there's no scuba gear required. EA and Playfish have launched the iOS version of their Facebook hit, Pet Society, on the New Zealand App Store. According to Pocket Gamer, the game--titled Pet Society Vacation--should hit the UK App Store around midnight. Of course, this should mean that a U.S. release will follow soon after.
And based on our early impressions of the game from this year's E3 (well, more like additional information), color us excited. The game will be connected to your Facebook, but only so far as your main pet's appearance and level. Other than that, this is a brand new adventure for your pet that will involve it relaxing in a house boat on the coast of a tropical island.
While your items and currency won't carry over to this version of Pet Society, your mobile pet will be able to earn items and other rewards to use in your Facebook home. Better yet, players can take their pet scuba diving for extra coins and rewards like decorations. In other words, this will be your Pet Society away from ... Pet Society, or something like that. Keep your eyes glued to the App Store--you better bet we are.
Pet Society scuba dave
Are you excited to take your favorite digital pet on the go with you? What do you expect or hope for this mobile extension of Pet Society?
And based on our early impressions of the game from this year's E3 (well, more like additional information), color us excited. The game will be connected to your Facebook, but only so far as your main pet's appearance and level. Other than that, this is a brand new adventure for your pet that will involve it relaxing in a house boat on the coast of a tropical island.
While your items and currency won't carry over to this version of Pet Society, your mobile pet will be able to earn items and other rewards to use in your Facebook home. Better yet, players can take their pet scuba diving for extra coins and rewards like decorations. In other words, this will be your Pet Society away from ... Pet Society, or something like that. Keep your eyes glued to the App Store--you better bet we are.
Pet Society scuba dave
Are you excited to take your favorite digital pet on the go with you? What do you expect or hope for this mobile extension of Pet Society?
Empires & Allies Space Exploration Days Goals: Everything you need to know
It's funny, isn't it? As the U.S. foolishly sends its final shuttle into space, The Atlantis, Zynga honors the obvious potential of space exploration in Empires & Allies with a set of two Timed Goals. The event, which includes a list of new limited edition decorations in addition to these Timed Goals, is titled Space Exploration Days.
While the Goals are relatively simple, so are the rewards. Anyway, here's everything you need to know to complete these Goals within the 15-day time limit:
First Astronauts:
Place White Trumpets
Place 1 Space Dog Statue
First Astronauts
Assault CarrierPlacing the White Trumpets decoration costs a measly 60 Coins, while the Space Dog Statue will cost a considerable 5,000 Coins. Once this is finished, enjoy 500 Coins and some free Ore (15 of an Ore dependent upon what your Empire produces).
Reunion:
Place 1 Apollo 11 Eagle Statue
Plant 6 Pineapples
Harvest 6 Pineapples
The Apollo 11 Eagle Statue costs an insane 25 thousand Coins, so you better start saving. Planting and harvesting 6 Pineapples will cost you 3,456 Coins and take at least one day to complete.
For your troubles, you will be rewarded with 1,000 Coins and an Assault Carrier (pictured), a Level 31 Naval Carrier unit that's effective against Artillery, Battleships and Airships. If you can't finish these Goals within two weeks, well, then we certainly can't help you any further.
[Source: Empires & Allies Wiki]
Have you completed these expensive and fairly unrewarding Goals yet? Any ideas on how to complete them even more quickly?
While the Goals are relatively simple, so are the rewards. Anyway, here's everything you need to know to complete these Goals within the 15-day time limit:
First Astronauts:
Place White Trumpets
Place 1 Space Dog Statue
First Astronauts
Assault CarrierPlacing the White Trumpets decoration costs a measly 60 Coins, while the Space Dog Statue will cost a considerable 5,000 Coins. Once this is finished, enjoy 500 Coins and some free Ore (15 of an Ore dependent upon what your Empire produces).
Reunion:
Place 1 Apollo 11 Eagle Statue
Plant 6 Pineapples
Harvest 6 Pineapples
The Apollo 11 Eagle Statue costs an insane 25 thousand Coins, so you better start saving. Planting and harvesting 6 Pineapples will cost you 3,456 Coins and take at least one day to complete.
For your troubles, you will be rewarded with 1,000 Coins and an Assault Carrier (pictured), a Level 31 Naval Carrier unit that's effective against Artillery, Battleships and Airships. If you can't finish these Goals within two weeks, well, then we certainly can't help you any further.
[Source: Empires & Allies Wiki]
Have you completed these expensive and fairly unrewarding Goals yet? Any ideas on how to complete them even more quickly?
FarmVille Pic of the Day: Cotopaxi's labyrinth
In the past, we've seen a couple of featured FarmVille mazes . You might recall Kathy's mysterious hedge maze a number of weeks ago. But anyone who visits the FarmVille Forums knows that farm designers commonly make mazes on their farms, and we haven't been featuring them nearly enough.
This farmer, Cotopaxi, created one of the most aesthetically pleasing and complex hedge mazes I've seen in FarmVille. Unfortunately for Kathy, Cotopaxi's labyrinth makes her hedge maze look like a cake walk. For the record, let it be known that I was able to solve the maze before posting this FarmVille Pic of the Day. See if you can do the same!
Were you able to solve Cotopaxi's farm labyrinth?
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
This farmer, Cotopaxi, created one of the most aesthetically pleasing and complex hedge mazes I've seen in FarmVille. Unfortunately for Kathy, Cotopaxi's labyrinth makes her hedge maze look like a cake walk. For the record, let it be known that I was able to solve the maze before posting this FarmVille Pic of the Day. See if you can do the same!
Were you able to solve Cotopaxi's farm labyrinth?
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
CivWorld's connection issues are through, have 5 CivBucks for your troubles
The troubles are finally over. (No, not The Troubles, those have been through with for years, thank heaven.) It seems that Civilization fans everywhere can finally connect to 2K Games and Firaxis' ambitious Facebook version of its iconic strategy game, CivWorld. And to reign in a new era free of connection errors and slow game speeds, the CivWorld team has a little gift for its patient fans.
2K Games community manager 2K Greg posted today on the CivWorld forums that, for all the trouble they experienced during the game's launch, players would receive a free 5 CivBucks. This is the game's paid currency, which would normally be worth about 5 Facebook Credits, or about $.50. Yup, 50 cents. Half of one dollar--you get the idea. Which, in turn, will net players an extra 500 Gold to play around with.
Now that the game is (and likely has been) back online for a little while, the game has launched from some 17 thousand players before to a comfortable 366 thousand monthly players. However, if 2K Games and Firaxis want CivWorld to live up to its massive expectations (and fill the gargantuan shoes of its predecessor, Civilization 5), there's much work to be done.
Are you back into CivWorld now that the game is over its connection and loading issues? Do you plan on sticking around, or moving on to another Facebook strategy game?
2K Games community manager 2K Greg posted today on the CivWorld forums that, for all the trouble they experienced during the game's launch, players would receive a free 5 CivBucks. This is the game's paid currency, which would normally be worth about 5 Facebook Credits, or about $.50. Yup, 50 cents. Half of one dollar--you get the idea. Which, in turn, will net players an extra 500 Gold to play around with.
Now that the game is (and likely has been) back online for a little while, the game has launched from some 17 thousand players before to a comfortable 366 thousand monthly players. However, if 2K Games and Firaxis want CivWorld to live up to its massive expectations (and fill the gargantuan shoes of its predecessor, Civilization 5), there's much work to be done.
Are you back into CivWorld now that the game is over its connection and loading issues? Do you plan on sticking around, or moving on to another Facebook strategy game?
Like cutesy birds? How about ropes? Then you'll love Rope Rescue
How do you best the crazy success of two of your most beloved iOS games? Make one game to rule them all! At least that's what seems to be EA and Chillingo's idea behind Rope Rescue. This upcoming game for iOS devices is set to release "soon," according to video posted by Kotaku's Brian Crecente (found below).
The game was spotted at an EA fall preview event, and it challenges players with--using a rope attached to one bird across pulleys and avoiding obstacles--freeing a slew of caged birds. Hmm, colorful, animated birds guiding ropes that are in danger of being cut?
That sounds as if Chillingo and EA are looking to hook Angry Birds and Cut the Rope (you know, the two astronomical iPhone games?) fans--though, that could entirely coincidental. In the duo's defense, neither are these birds "angry" nor is the goal of the game to "cut the rope." (In fact, your mission is to keep the rope intact amidst floating knives, bursts of flame and other threats.)
There looks to be around 60 levels that will be ready at launch, which will grow in complexity as you progress. And as you rescue more birds, they will be featured in a bird sanctuary of sorts. It also displays secret butterflies, should you manage to find them in each level. No official release date or price was announced during the event, but Kotaku seems to think we'll be seeing the game this September. Stay tuned, folks: This might be the next Angry Birds ... or should I say Cut the Rope? Oh, whatever.
[Image Credit: Modojo]
Are you psyched for an iOS game that has both birds and ropes in it? Do you think Rope Rescue could take off like Angry Birds and Cut the Rope did for Chillingo?
The game was spotted at an EA fall preview event, and it challenges players with--using a rope attached to one bird across pulleys and avoiding obstacles--freeing a slew of caged birds. Hmm, colorful, animated birds guiding ropes that are in danger of being cut?
That sounds as if Chillingo and EA are looking to hook Angry Birds and Cut the Rope (you know, the two astronomical iPhone games?) fans--though, that could entirely coincidental. In the duo's defense, neither are these birds "angry" nor is the goal of the game to "cut the rope." (In fact, your mission is to keep the rope intact amidst floating knives, bursts of flame and other threats.)
There looks to be around 60 levels that will be ready at launch, which will grow in complexity as you progress. And as you rescue more birds, they will be featured in a bird sanctuary of sorts. It also displays secret butterflies, should you manage to find them in each level. No official release date or price was announced during the event, but Kotaku seems to think we'll be seeing the game this September. Stay tuned, folks: This might be the next Angry Birds ... or should I say Cut the Rope? Oh, whatever.
[Image Credit: Modojo]
Are you psyched for an iOS game that has both birds and ropes in it? Do you think Rope Rescue could take off like Angry Birds and Cut the Rope did for Chillingo?
Is Galaxy of Wonder Playdom's next Facebook game?
It looks like City of Wonder is headed for the stars. Playdom recently posted a teaser trailer to YouTube that revealed the first glimpse (and by glimpse we mean a 13-second long video clip with a logo) of Galaxy of Wonder. Aside from an official logo that cleverly throws a spaceship in replace of an "A"--and the famous words of Neil Armstrong when he step foot on the moon exactly 42 years ago--all we know about this project is that it's "coming soon."
Is it an expansion to its strategy game City of Wonder a' la FrontierVille's Pioneer Trail, or is this a new game entirely? I guess we'll find out "soon" enough. In the meantime, go on and spend the 13 seconds it takes to learn all there is to know about Galaxy of Wonder ... so far.
Are you excited about what looks to be a space-age strategy game? What do you hope Playdom will do differently with Galaxy of Wonder than it did City of Wonder?
Is it an expansion to its strategy game City of Wonder a' la FrontierVille's Pioneer Trail, or is this a new game entirely? I guess we'll find out "soon" enough. In the meantime, go on and spend the 13 seconds it takes to learn all there is to know about Galaxy of Wonder ... so far.
Are you excited about what looks to be a space-age strategy game? What do you hope Playdom will do differently with Galaxy of Wonder than it did City of Wonder?
Thứ Sáu, 16 tháng 12, 2011
Adventure World Safari Showdown Expedition: Everything you need to know
By the time you reach Level 10 in Adventure World, you will have unlocked the first five Expeditions in the game, with this fifth Expedition being called Safari Showdown. This one comes with the tagline: "Face off with Queen Coral and move her nest to safety." While that may not do much to describe exactly what you'll be facing, you are told a few details about what to expect from the technical side of the things.
You'll need to have 450 Supplies to spare, along with two units each of Food, Fuel and Water. In terms of a time limit, you're limited to finishing this entire Expedition in a single 24 hour period. Your maximum rewards are 2,350 coins and 3 Food, on top of the XP and coins (among other items) you'll earn from simply completing the Quests therein. Here's a complete guide to finishing Safari Showdown from start to finish.
Stop Queen Coral!
Defeat the Queen Coral
Get Queen Coral's Eggs and Nest
Place Queen Coral's Eggs and Nest across the river
Apparently, a mama coral snake has formed a nest too close to a small village, and she's scaring the children. In this Expedition, your overall goal is to eliminate her from the area and move her next across the river where it can remain undisturbed and the children can go back to playing. Queen Coral's next is located in a fairly secure location, surrounded by shrubs and thorns. There are traps between you and she, and the snake itself has 12 hit points. Once you defeat the snake, you'll see the nest sitting nearby. It has three "points," so you'll need to eliminate those before you can pick it up. Finally, the bridge across the river is blocked by a boulder, requiring dynamite to remove. Dynamite costs 1,000 coins to purchase in the Tool Shop back in your Base Camp.
Find Them a New Home
Collect 5 Bundles of Grass
Plant 5 Bundles of Grass around the snake's new home
Since your ultimate goal is to remove the threat to the village by moving the nest across the river, you'll need to create a new home for the Queen Coral's nest by collecting and planting Bundles of Grass on this map. The bundles of grass can easily be mistaken for shrubs, so make sure to look for them at every corner. Meanwhile, the Bundles of Grass can be planted on the far side of the river, in the area clearly set aside as their new home.
Build Them a Sanctuary!
Collect 10 Cotton
Collect 4 Hardened Vines
Use 10 Soils Piles to build a fence around the snakes' new home
Of course, you're going to "remove" the snake and nest as harmlessly as possible, so you'll need to first make sure that the new home for these snakes is as comfortable as possible. After all, you wouldn't want the snakes to get bored and head back into the village, now would you? Vines themselves come from clearing out thorns (you tend to get around four hardened vines per thorn removed), while cotton is found in the far right side of the map, growing in a make-shift farm setup (apparently) by the villagers. I'm sure they won't mind you taking some of that cotton to build this new home, so long as it means they're free of the snakes. Finally, the Soil Piles are found around the outside edge of the marked area above. Here are some pictures of what you're looking for in this quest.
Once you finish these three tasks, you will have finished the fifth Expedition in Adventure World, and will be one step closer to fame and fortune within the Adventure Society. Good luck!
Check out the rest of our Adventure World Cheats & Tips right here.
What did you think of this Expedition? Which of the game's Expeditions has been your favorite thus far?
You'll need to have 450 Supplies to spare, along with two units each of Food, Fuel and Water. In terms of a time limit, you're limited to finishing this entire Expedition in a single 24 hour period. Your maximum rewards are 2,350 coins and 3 Food, on top of the XP and coins (among other items) you'll earn from simply completing the Quests therein. Here's a complete guide to finishing Safari Showdown from start to finish.
Stop Queen Coral!
Defeat the Queen Coral
Get Queen Coral's Eggs and Nest
Place Queen Coral's Eggs and Nest across the river
Apparently, a mama coral snake has formed a nest too close to a small village, and she's scaring the children. In this Expedition, your overall goal is to eliminate her from the area and move her next across the river where it can remain undisturbed and the children can go back to playing. Queen Coral's next is located in a fairly secure location, surrounded by shrubs and thorns. There are traps between you and she, and the snake itself has 12 hit points. Once you defeat the snake, you'll see the nest sitting nearby. It has three "points," so you'll need to eliminate those before you can pick it up. Finally, the bridge across the river is blocked by a boulder, requiring dynamite to remove. Dynamite costs 1,000 coins to purchase in the Tool Shop back in your Base Camp.
Find Them a New Home
Collect 5 Bundles of Grass
Plant 5 Bundles of Grass around the snake's new home
Since your ultimate goal is to remove the threat to the village by moving the nest across the river, you'll need to create a new home for the Queen Coral's nest by collecting and planting Bundles of Grass on this map. The bundles of grass can easily be mistaken for shrubs, so make sure to look for them at every corner. Meanwhile, the Bundles of Grass can be planted on the far side of the river, in the area clearly set aside as their new home.
Build Them a Sanctuary!
Collect 10 Cotton
Collect 4 Hardened Vines
Use 10 Soils Piles to build a fence around the snakes' new home
Of course, you're going to "remove" the snake and nest as harmlessly as possible, so you'll need to first make sure that the new home for these snakes is as comfortable as possible. After all, you wouldn't want the snakes to get bored and head back into the village, now would you? Vines themselves come from clearing out thorns (you tend to get around four hardened vines per thorn removed), while cotton is found in the far right side of the map, growing in a make-shift farm setup (apparently) by the villagers. I'm sure they won't mind you taking some of that cotton to build this new home, so long as it means they're free of the snakes. Finally, the Soil Piles are found around the outside edge of the marked area above. Here are some pictures of what you're looking for in this quest.
Once you finish these three tasks, you will have finished the fifth Expedition in Adventure World, and will be one step closer to fame and fortune within the Adventure Society. Good luck!
Check out the rest of our Adventure World Cheats & Tips right here.
What did you think of this Expedition? Which of the game's Expeditions has been your favorite thus far?
Zynga, Playdom, EA and Bioware vets cause a Rumble with new freemium studio
While many a story has come to light recently, detailing high-level game designers jumping ship to Zynga, here's one where a fairly big gun under the big Z's umbrella has left for new pastures. To be specific, John Yoo, lead designer on CityVille, is one of a few industry veterans that have joined with Greg Richardson [pictured], of former BioWare/Pandemic fame, in the creation of a new freemium (free-to-play) game studio by the name of Rumble.
After speaking with Rick Thompson, the founder of another major social games company - Playdom - the two partnered to form Rumble. Rounding out this new package are former EA employees Mark Spenner and David O'Connor. With these big names in their camp, Richardson's goal with Rumble is to create games that are free to play (supported with paid add-ons), but lie somewhere in between the expensive world of high-end PC games and the extremely casual games represented by many Facebook titles.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Richardson has faith that this middle ground holds a lot of merit. "We saw this third hill, and we think it's the biggest of the three hills," he says. This isn't to say, though, that Facebook games are out of the picture, as Richardson confirmed that they will use the social service, but will also focus on mobile devices and PCs through the browser.
In addition to developing its own games, Rumble will publish other developer's titles. While no specific details were announced about any of Rumble's specific games (we can expect the first sometime early next year), Richardson did list many of the company's areas of inspiration, which lie anywhere from Zelda and Super Smash Bros. to Diablo and Civilization. Regardless of the game in question, he says that Rumble looks to avoid overly complex gameplay. With this many areas of inspiration, we're definitely interested in seeing what Rumble comes up with, but for now - the possibilities are endless.
Are you excited in trying out this apparent middle-ground of freemium games that aren't too challenging, but aren't too basic either?
After speaking with Rick Thompson, the founder of another major social games company - Playdom - the two partnered to form Rumble. Rounding out this new package are former EA employees Mark Spenner and David O'Connor. With these big names in their camp, Richardson's goal with Rumble is to create games that are free to play (supported with paid add-ons), but lie somewhere in between the expensive world of high-end PC games and the extremely casual games represented by many Facebook titles.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Richardson has faith that this middle ground holds a lot of merit. "We saw this third hill, and we think it's the biggest of the three hills," he says. This isn't to say, though, that Facebook games are out of the picture, as Richardson confirmed that they will use the social service, but will also focus on mobile devices and PCs through the browser.
In addition to developing its own games, Rumble will publish other developer's titles. While no specific details were announced about any of Rumble's specific games (we can expect the first sometime early next year), Richardson did list many of the company's areas of inspiration, which lie anywhere from Zelda and Super Smash Bros. to Diablo and Civilization. Regardless of the game in question, he says that Rumble looks to avoid overly complex gameplay. With this many areas of inspiration, we're definitely interested in seeing what Rumble comes up with, but for now - the possibilities are endless.
Are you excited in trying out this apparent middle-ground of freemium games that aren't too challenging, but aren't too basic either?
FarmVille Animal Sanctuary & Lighthouse Cove Trees: Sugar Maple Tree, Painted Bamboo Tree and more
With tonight's update, we see a ton of new trees being released in FarmVille, in both the Animal Sanctuary theme, and in the new Lighthouse Cove limited edition themes. That's right - a Lighthouse Cove theme has launched in the store, full of items that can be purchased for other farms, or for your Lighthouse Cove if you so choose (that is, if you choose to pay to get in this early). Here's a full rundown of these trees.
Lighthouse Cove
Sugar Maple Tree - 7 Farm Cash
Japanese Maple Tree - 15 Farm Cash
Bur Oak Tree - 8 Farm Cash
Pin Oak Tree - 12 Farm Cash
Here's a case where I think some price testing might be taking place. The 8 and 12 Farm Cash prices seem incredibly out of place, so if they happen to be different in your own store, that would be why. As for Mystery Seedlings, you can purchase just the Bur Oak and Sugar Maple Trees, and will (hopefully) receive the other two through mystery seedlings.
Animal Sanctuary
Painted Bamboo - 5 Farm Cash
Umbrella Bamboo - 15 Farm Cash
Again, these prices seem incredibly strange, so don't be alarmed if they're different (even potentially costing less) in your own game when you happen to check. It's a (now) normal Zynga practice to see which prices uses respond to with purchases, and we unfortunately can't prevent it from happening. Of course, the Painted Bamboo is the Level 1 tree here, while you can receive the Umbrella Bamboo from Mystery Seedlings.
Overall, the Sugar Maple and Japanese Maple Trees will be in the game for the next 11 days, while the other four trees will be around for two weeks. Keep those time limits in mind if you don't have the Farm Cash on hand to shop just yet - they won't be around forever.
What do you think of these two themes of trees? Do you like colorful trees like these maples and oaks?
Lighthouse Cove
Sugar Maple Tree - 7 Farm Cash
Japanese Maple Tree - 15 Farm Cash
Bur Oak Tree - 8 Farm Cash
Pin Oak Tree - 12 Farm Cash
Here's a case where I think some price testing might be taking place. The 8 and 12 Farm Cash prices seem incredibly out of place, so if they happen to be different in your own store, that would be why. As for Mystery Seedlings, you can purchase just the Bur Oak and Sugar Maple Trees, and will (hopefully) receive the other two through mystery seedlings.
Animal Sanctuary
Painted Bamboo - 5 Farm Cash
Umbrella Bamboo - 15 Farm Cash
Again, these prices seem incredibly strange, so don't be alarmed if they're different (even potentially costing less) in your own game when you happen to check. It's a (now) normal Zynga practice to see which prices uses respond to with purchases, and we unfortunately can't prevent it from happening. Of course, the Painted Bamboo is the Level 1 tree here, while you can receive the Umbrella Bamboo from Mystery Seedlings.
Overall, the Sugar Maple and Japanese Maple Trees will be in the game for the next 11 days, while the other four trees will be around for two weeks. Keep those time limits in mind if you don't have the Farm Cash on hand to shop just yet - they won't be around forever.
What do you think of these two themes of trees? Do you like colorful trees like these maples and oaks?
FarmVille Animal Sanctuary & Lighthouse Cove Animals: Canada Lynx, Morgan Stallion and more
As was the case with trees this evening, tonight's FarmVille update has seen the launch of not only new Animal Sanctuary items, but also animals in the Lighthouse Cove limited edition theme. These Lighthouse Cove items can be purchased for other farms, not just your Lighthouse Cove farm, if you wish to carry the theme throughout your properties. This is also a great way for those who choose not to pay to get into Lighthouse Cove early to add to their animal collections while they wait.
Lighthouse Cove
Canada Lynx - 12 Farm Cash
Standardbred Horse - 26 Farm Cash
Bufflehead Duck - 18 Farm Cash
Morgan Stallion - 35 Farm Cash
With these animals, we see two horses for collectors that cost the expected high numbers, and reward appropriate XP in exchange: 2,600 for the Standardbred and 3,500 for the Morgan Stallion. The Canada Lynx and Standardbred Horse will only be in the game's store for the next 11 days, while the other two animals will be around for a full two weeks, to give you an idea of when you really need to shop.
Animal Sanctuary
Clouded Leopard - 15 Farm Cash
Unfortunately, that's the only animal released in the theme this evening, but at least it isn't so expensive that it's guaranteed to break the bank. For purchasing this little fella, you'll receive 1,500 experience points, and will be able to harvest him every two days. He'll be available in the game's store for the next two weeks.
Regardless of which animal you choose, remember that (again), these Lighthouse Cove animals can be placed in other farms, so if you'd like to place them inside your Horse Stables and the like (where applicable), go right ahead and do that. Just make sure to not let these guys expire from the store before you have a chance to shop.
Which of these animals is your favorite? What do you think of the Lighthouse Cove theme of items so far?
Lighthouse Cove
Canada Lynx - 12 Farm Cash
Standardbred Horse - 26 Farm Cash
Bufflehead Duck - 18 Farm Cash
Morgan Stallion - 35 Farm Cash
With these animals, we see two horses for collectors that cost the expected high numbers, and reward appropriate XP in exchange: 2,600 for the Standardbred and 3,500 for the Morgan Stallion. The Canada Lynx and Standardbred Horse will only be in the game's store for the next 11 days, while the other two animals will be around for a full two weeks, to give you an idea of when you really need to shop.
Animal Sanctuary
Clouded Leopard - 15 Farm Cash
Unfortunately, that's the only animal released in the theme this evening, but at least it isn't so expensive that it's guaranteed to break the bank. For purchasing this little fella, you'll receive 1,500 experience points, and will be able to harvest him every two days. He'll be available in the game's store for the next two weeks.
Regardless of which animal you choose, remember that (again), these Lighthouse Cove animals can be placed in other farms, so if you'd like to place them inside your Horse Stables and the like (where applicable), go right ahead and do that. Just make sure to not let these guys expire from the store before you have a chance to shop.
Which of these animals is your favorite? What do you think of the Lighthouse Cove theme of items so far?
FarmVille Animal Sanctuary & Lighthouse Cove Buildings: Asian Gazebo, Seaside Cottage and more
Continuing in the double-item update in FarmVille, tonight's release brought us new buildings not only in the previous Animal Sanctuary item theme, but also in the Lighthouse Cove theme. These Lighthouse Cove items are available to purchase in other farms, so keep an eye out for them in the store when hanging out at Home or in the English Countryside as well.
Lighthouse Cove
Seaside Cottage - 25 Farm Cash
Village Store - 25 Farm Cash
Coastal Farmhouse - 25 Farm Cash
Coastal Restaurant - 30 Farm Cash
As usual, buildings in FarmVille are some of the most expensive things you can purchase, and these are no exception to that rule. The Seaside Cottage and Village Store have shorter time limits at 11 days, while the Coastal Farmhouse and Coastal Restaurant (not to be confused with the Restaurant Crafting Cottage you can purchase on your new farm for coins) will be around for the next two week.
Lighthouse Cove
Seaside Cottage - 25 Farm Cash
Village Store - 25 Farm Cash
Coastal Farmhouse - 25 Farm Cash
Coastal Restaurant - 30 Farm Cash
As usual, buildings in FarmVille are some of the most expensive things you can purchase, and these are no exception to that rule. The Seaside Cottage and Village Store have shorter time limits at 11 days, while the Coastal Farmhouse and Coastal Restaurant (not to be confused with the Restaurant Crafting Cottage you can purchase on your new farm for coins) will be around for the next two week.
FarmVille Animal Sanctuary & Lighthouse Cove Decorations: Sea Lavender, Panda Arch and more
While decorations may be the last items we've discussed in tonight's FarmVille update, that doesn't mean they're the least important. These decorative items come from both the Animal Sanctuary and Lighthouse Cove themes, and there are actually quite a few coin items in this set for those shopping on a budget. As a note, these Lighthouse Cove items are available not just in your Lighthouse Cove farm, so if you chose not to buy your way in, you don't have to worry about missing out (on these items, anyway).
Lighthouse Cove
Beach Tent - 2 Farm Cash
Beach Grass - 4,000 coins
Beach Chair Set - 20,000 coins
Coastal Planter - 8,000 coins
Dark Wood Fence - 5,000 coins
Field Stone Bridge - 15 Farm Cash
Nelly Moser - 50,000 coins
Boreal Owl - 18 Farm Cash
Sea Lavender - 5,000 coins
Maple Leaf Gnome - 15 Farm Cash
You'll need to pay special attention to these items in the store, as some of them expire in 11 days, while others are around for two weeks. Overall, there are a surprisingly large amount of coin-only items here, so if you've already spent all of your Farm Cash in simply getting into Lighthouse Cove, you'll receive a break there.
Animal Sanctuary
Panda Arch - 2 Farm Cash
Cockatiel - 10 Farm Cash
As you can see, the Lighthouse Cove side of the store definitely has more items, but you can still splurge a bit of Farm Cash on these two items if you choose. They'll both be available in the store for the next two weeks.
What do you think of this pile of new items? Have you already created a retreat on your farm with these Lighthouse Cove items, or are you just starting to decorate with them this evening?
Lighthouse Cove
Beach Tent - 2 Farm Cash
Beach Grass - 4,000 coins
Beach Chair Set - 20,000 coins
Coastal Planter - 8,000 coins
Dark Wood Fence - 5,000 coins
Field Stone Bridge - 15 Farm Cash
Nelly Moser - 50,000 coins
Boreal Owl - 18 Farm Cash
Sea Lavender - 5,000 coins
Maple Leaf Gnome - 15 Farm Cash
You'll need to pay special attention to these items in the store, as some of them expire in 11 days, while others are around for two weeks. Overall, there are a surprisingly large amount of coin-only items here, so if you've already spent all of your Farm Cash in simply getting into Lighthouse Cove, you'll receive a break there.
Animal Sanctuary
Panda Arch - 2 Farm Cash
Cockatiel - 10 Farm Cash
As you can see, the Lighthouse Cove side of the store definitely has more items, but you can still splurge a bit of Farm Cash on these two items if you choose. They'll both be available in the store for the next two weeks.
What do you think of this pile of new items? Have you already created a retreat on your farm with these Lighthouse Cove items, or are you just starting to decorate with them this evening?
Bubble Witch Saga pops on Facebook, King.com hits 900M gameplays
If games like Bubble Bobble have taught us anything, it's that sometimes there's nothing more relaxing than popping bubbles. Casual and social game developer King.com knows this all too well, and has released its second bubble-bursting game on Facebook, Bubble Witch Saga. This new game is a socially-enhanced port of one of the top five most popular games ever on King.com (the casual games website of the same name), King.com Director of Product Performance, Social and Mobile, Lars Jornow told us.
The game features more levels than ever with 70 unique stages, new booster power-ups available for Facebook Credits and a deeper storyline than before. Players assume the role of an aspiring witch who wishes to join the proverbial circle of three. In order to impress the witches, you must burst the bubbles by matching three of the same color to fill their cauldron with magic goop. I mean, who knows what witches put in those things?
Bursting the bubbles will get the cauldron below bubbling, as witches are so wont to do. Each successful match causes spiders to drop from the ceiling. The more spiders you have when you burst enough bubbles, the more points you'll get (and hopefully stars), as the spiders will act as bumpers for the remaining bubbles and increase your chances of scoring big.
Buggle Witch Saga concept art
Completing each level with the most stars possible will help you reach new uncharted parts of a vast forest in your quest to become the fourth witch of the circle. Players can invite their friends to the game to help restore their lives if they fail to clear a difficult level, and later in the game they will need more friends to unlock new levels to play.
Bubble Witch Saga takes an interesting spin on the bubble-bursting sub genre of casual and social games, with its semi-realistic art style that's delightfully reminiscent of the unforgettable Halloween flick Hocus-Pocus. While the game already has six episodes (with about 10 levels each) of content, Jornow tells us that more content is already in the works.
Bubble Witch Saga gameplay
Not to mention that the game will hit mobile devices later this year. King.com also announced that it has surpassed 900 million monthly gameplay sessions across all of its platforms. Granted, that's thanks to its over 200 games total, but an impressive feat nonetheless--though, the company does say that it has beat PopCap in monthly players on Facebook, according to AppData. Bubble Witch is available for play now on Facebook, so have at those bubbles, my pretties. (I promise that's the last time I say "my pretties" here ... whoops, done it again!)
Click here to play Bubble Witch Saga on Facebook Now >
Are you excited to kick back and blow up some bubbles once again? What do you think of this game so far, and the bubble-bursting sub genre of casual or social games?
The game features more levels than ever with 70 unique stages, new booster power-ups available for Facebook Credits and a deeper storyline than before. Players assume the role of an aspiring witch who wishes to join the proverbial circle of three. In order to impress the witches, you must burst the bubbles by matching three of the same color to fill their cauldron with magic goop. I mean, who knows what witches put in those things?
Bursting the bubbles will get the cauldron below bubbling, as witches are so wont to do. Each successful match causes spiders to drop from the ceiling. The more spiders you have when you burst enough bubbles, the more points you'll get (and hopefully stars), as the spiders will act as bumpers for the remaining bubbles and increase your chances of scoring big.
Buggle Witch Saga concept art
Completing each level with the most stars possible will help you reach new uncharted parts of a vast forest in your quest to become the fourth witch of the circle. Players can invite their friends to the game to help restore their lives if they fail to clear a difficult level, and later in the game they will need more friends to unlock new levels to play.
Bubble Witch Saga takes an interesting spin on the bubble-bursting sub genre of casual and social games, with its semi-realistic art style that's delightfully reminiscent of the unforgettable Halloween flick Hocus-Pocus. While the game already has six episodes (with about 10 levels each) of content, Jornow tells us that more content is already in the works.
Bubble Witch Saga gameplay
Not to mention that the game will hit mobile devices later this year. King.com also announced that it has surpassed 900 million monthly gameplay sessions across all of its platforms. Granted, that's thanks to its over 200 games total, but an impressive feat nonetheless--though, the company does say that it has beat PopCap in monthly players on Facebook, according to AppData. Bubble Witch is available for play now on Facebook, so have at those bubbles, my pretties. (I promise that's the last time I say "my pretties" here ... whoops, done it again!)
Click here to play Bubble Witch Saga on Facebook Now >
Are you excited to kick back and blow up some bubbles once again? What do you think of this game so far, and the bubble-bursting sub genre of casual or social games?
Thứ Tư, 14 tháng 12, 2011
Look, Zynga, MapleStory maker Nexon can make a billion bucks too
Well, at least in Japan. TechCrunch reports that Nexon, the South Korean creator of hit free-to-play game franchise MapleStory, looks to make up to $1.3 billion from its initial public offering (IPO) on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The company, which has since expanded onto Facebook with a version of MapleStory and two other games, expects to reel in over 100 billion yen.
Better yet, the Nexon IPO could boost the now Japan-based company's market cap, or the public consensus on how much a company is worth, up to between $7.7 and $9 billion. For those keeping score, that's not terribly far off from where Zynga is expected to land. (You know, when its IPO actually happens.) And in the Japanese social game space, that could set Nexon in first place ahead of both DeNA and GREE.
Many credit Nexon as one of the first companies to popularize the free-to-play game model in the Western world. The company is also known for releasing the world's first graphics-based MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game), The Kingdom of the Winds, in 1995. That said, we're surprised this hadn't happened sooner.
On Facebook, Nexon currently enjoys around 1.7 million monthly players, according to AppData. That's thanks almost entirely to MapleStory Adventures. However, the publisher's Wonder Cruise has yet to officially release on Facebook and its brand spankin' new Zombie Misfits is slowly climbing. Now, if only Nexon would take that extra cash and put Dungeon Fighter in our iPhones already.
Have you played MapleStory Adventures yet? What do you think of Nexon's games on Facebook so far?
Better yet, the Nexon IPO could boost the now Japan-based company's market cap, or the public consensus on how much a company is worth, up to between $7.7 and $9 billion. For those keeping score, that's not terribly far off from where Zynga is expected to land. (You know, when its IPO actually happens.) And in the Japanese social game space, that could set Nexon in first place ahead of both DeNA and GREE.
Many credit Nexon as one of the first companies to popularize the free-to-play game model in the Western world. The company is also known for releasing the world's first graphics-based MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game), The Kingdom of the Winds, in 1995. That said, we're surprised this hadn't happened sooner.
On Facebook, Nexon currently enjoys around 1.7 million monthly players, according to AppData. That's thanks almost entirely to MapleStory Adventures. However, the publisher's Wonder Cruise has yet to officially release on Facebook and its brand spankin' new Zombie Misfits is slowly climbing. Now, if only Nexon would take that extra cash and put Dungeon Fighter in our iPhones already.
Have you played MapleStory Adventures yet? What do you think of Nexon's games on Facebook so far?
Facebook's Zuckerberg 'pretty sure' company won't make social games
Riiight. We're onto you, Mark. Jokes (momentarily) aside, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (pictured) and COO Sheryl Sandberg told journalist Charlie Rose during a PBS interview that aired Monday night that Facebook will not build its own social games, Business Insider reports. However, it's interesting to note that the Big Z is the one who led the conversation into games, and continues to praise them.
"One thing that we haven't talked about at all here are games, right," Zuckerberg told Rose. "I mean, games is probably the biggest industry today that has gone really social, right. I mean, the incumbent game companies are really being disrupted and are quickly trying to become social. And you have companies like Zynga."
Despite his deep enthusiasm for social games, the Facebook chief said, "No, I'm pretty sure we're not going to build any games." That is, after Rose repeatedly interrupted the guy ... jeez. Zuckerberg went on to elaborate that Facebook is better off focusing its resources on creating a single ecosystem for smaller products, like games, music streaming services and more.
The guy kind of has a point. For Facebook to start its own game studio, it would draw focus away from the company's core product: a social network and platform. Here's a piece of the transcribed interview in which Rose appears to interrupt Zuckerberg, like, a lot:
Mark Zuckerberg: One thing that we haven't talked about at all here are games, right. I mean, games is probably the biggest industry today that has gone really social, right. I mean, the incumbent game companies are really being disrupted and are quickly trying to become social. And you have companies like Zynga.
Charlie Rose: Yeah, well –
Mark Zuckerberg: – which are going public soon and will be valued at most likely at multibillion dollar valuations. And basically all of their games are built on top of Facebook for the most part.
Charlie Rose: Exactly.
Mark Zuckerberg: And a huge number of other companies as well. So I mean, does Facebook build any games? No. We build no games.
Charlie Rose: You say that today –
Mark Zuckerberg: No, we –
Charlie Rose: You say that today.
Mark Zuckerberg: Actually –
Sheryl Sandberg: I'm pretty sure we're not going to –
Mark Zuckerberg: No, I'm pretty sure we're not going to build any games.
Sheryl Sandberg: [unintelligible] we're not going to build games.
Mark Zuckerberg: We build –
Charlie Rose: Well, why are you so sure?
Mark Zuckerberg: Here's why. Here's why.
Charlie Rose: I'm only saying this because people thought that Steve Jobs –
Mark Zuckerberg: I'll tell you why.
Charlie Rose: – would never go into retail, and he did.
Mark Zuckerberg: I'll tell you why.
Charlie Rose: All right.
Mark Zuckerberg: Because building games is really hard. And so that's –
Charlie Rose: So that's the only reason.
Mark Zuckerberg: And we're doing - what we're doing is really hard. And we think that we're better off focusing on this piece. I think that building a great game service is really hard. Building a great music service is really hard. Building a great movie service is really hard. And we just believe that an independent entrepreneur will always beat a division of a big company which is why we think that the strategy of these other companies trying to do everything themselves will inevitably be less successful than an ecosystem where you have someone like Facebook trying to build the core product to help people connect and then independent great companies that are only focused on one or two things doing those things really well.
Sheryl Sandberg: And those companies can't - don't have the discipline to do it, right. They get big, and everyone wants to do everything, and they just say yes. And then they don't do everything well.
[Image Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu]
Do you think Facebook is smart for avoiding the social games space itself, and simply creating a platform for them? How has Facebook done in that regard so far?
"One thing that we haven't talked about at all here are games, right," Zuckerberg told Rose. "I mean, games is probably the biggest industry today that has gone really social, right. I mean, the incumbent game companies are really being disrupted and are quickly trying to become social. And you have companies like Zynga."
Despite his deep enthusiasm for social games, the Facebook chief said, "No, I'm pretty sure we're not going to build any games." That is, after Rose repeatedly interrupted the guy ... jeez. Zuckerberg went on to elaborate that Facebook is better off focusing its resources on creating a single ecosystem for smaller products, like games, music streaming services and more.
The guy kind of has a point. For Facebook to start its own game studio, it would draw focus away from the company's core product: a social network and platform. Here's a piece of the transcribed interview in which Rose appears to interrupt Zuckerberg, like, a lot:
Mark Zuckerberg: One thing that we haven't talked about at all here are games, right. I mean, games is probably the biggest industry today that has gone really social, right. I mean, the incumbent game companies are really being disrupted and are quickly trying to become social. And you have companies like Zynga.
Charlie Rose: Yeah, well –
Mark Zuckerberg: – which are going public soon and will be valued at most likely at multibillion dollar valuations. And basically all of their games are built on top of Facebook for the most part.
Charlie Rose: Exactly.
Mark Zuckerberg: And a huge number of other companies as well. So I mean, does Facebook build any games? No. We build no games.
Charlie Rose: You say that today –
Mark Zuckerberg: No, we –
Charlie Rose: You say that today.
Mark Zuckerberg: Actually –
Sheryl Sandberg: I'm pretty sure we're not going to –
Mark Zuckerberg: No, I'm pretty sure we're not going to build any games.
Sheryl Sandberg: [unintelligible] we're not going to build games.
Mark Zuckerberg: We build –
Charlie Rose: Well, why are you so sure?
Mark Zuckerberg: Here's why. Here's why.
Charlie Rose: I'm only saying this because people thought that Steve Jobs –
Mark Zuckerberg: I'll tell you why.
Charlie Rose: – would never go into retail, and he did.
Mark Zuckerberg: I'll tell you why.
Charlie Rose: All right.
Mark Zuckerberg: Because building games is really hard. And so that's –
Charlie Rose: So that's the only reason.
Mark Zuckerberg: And we're doing - what we're doing is really hard. And we think that we're better off focusing on this piece. I think that building a great game service is really hard. Building a great music service is really hard. Building a great movie service is really hard. And we just believe that an independent entrepreneur will always beat a division of a big company which is why we think that the strategy of these other companies trying to do everything themselves will inevitably be less successful than an ecosystem where you have someone like Facebook trying to build the core product to help people connect and then independent great companies that are only focused on one or two things doing those things really well.
Sheryl Sandberg: And those companies can't - don't have the discipline to do it, right. They get big, and everyone wants to do everything, and they just say yes. And then they don't do everything well.
[Image Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu]
Do you think Facebook is smart for avoiding the social games space itself, and simply creating a platform for them? How has Facebook done in that regard so far?
Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo cutes up Nintendo DS starting now
But something tells us Lady Goo Goo won't be performing in this particular game. Mind Candy has announced that Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo is now available on the Nintendo DS for $29.99. This handheld take on the UK-based franchise with 50 million fans focused primarily on the Moshlings, or the 52 varieties of pets that your pet Moshi Monsters take care of.
Yes, the Moshlings are pets for your pets. At any rate, Mind Candy says that common, rare and "ultra-rare" Moshlings to collect, play mini games and win trophies with. According to a release, many of the games are educational puzzles, which should perk the ears of parents everywhere. The game was developed and published by Santa Monica, Calif.-based Activision Publishing, and appears to take players across various locations like open jungles, in tropical waters and to the skies.
Gallery: Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo
The educational mini games in Moshling Zoo look like they amount to races and fashion shows, though we're sure the educational value is in there ... somewhere. While supplies last, limited edition copies of the DS game are available at Toys 'R'Us locations with 1,000 free Rox, the web game's currency, and Moshi Monsters trading card pack from Topps. If your little ones are Moshi maniacs, you might want to hope they don't hear word of this before the holidays.
Are you or your kids Moshi Monster fans? Do you plan on picking up the game before the holidays hit?
Yes, the Moshlings are pets for your pets. At any rate, Mind Candy says that common, rare and "ultra-rare" Moshlings to collect, play mini games and win trophies with. According to a release, many of the games are educational puzzles, which should perk the ears of parents everywhere. The game was developed and published by Santa Monica, Calif.-based Activision Publishing, and appears to take players across various locations like open jungles, in tropical waters and to the skies.
Gallery: Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo
The educational mini games in Moshling Zoo look like they amount to races and fashion shows, though we're sure the educational value is in there ... somewhere. While supplies last, limited edition copies of the DS game are available at Toys 'R'Us locations with 1,000 free Rox, the web game's currency, and Moshi Monsters trading card pack from Topps. If your little ones are Moshi maniacs, you might want to hope they don't hear word of this before the holidays.
Are you or your kids Moshi Monster fans? Do you plan on picking up the game before the holidays hit?
NHL Superstars coming to Facebook in October
Adding to its popular brand of "Superstars" titles on Facebook, Electronic Arts has announced the production of NHL Superstars for Facebook. This new game, as reported by ShackNews, comes on the heels of EA's NHL 12 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 breaking franchise records for the biggest launch week in the franchise's history.
As for the franchise's jump onto the Facebook ice, we're told this: "NHL Superstars will bring an all-new NHL experience to millions of hockey fans by enabling players to build and manage their ultimate team of professional hockey players. With dynamic and accessible gameplay, fans can compete head-to-head in games against their Facebook friends from around the world."
While specific details are still lacking as to what we can exactly expect from NHL Superstars, we can't imagine EA / Playfish breaking the mold. We'll likely be able to collect cards that contain professional hockey players, and then trade those cards out to create the best team possible. Each player will likely have stats, and we'll be able to use those players in virtual hockey games against others for supremacy.
We don't have a specific release date for NHL Superstars, although the game is set to take to the ice sometime in October. We'll make sure to give you a complete look at the game when we know more.
Are you excited to see NHL Superstars come to Facebook? Which players will you look for to create your perfect team?
As for the franchise's jump onto the Facebook ice, we're told this: "NHL Superstars will bring an all-new NHL experience to millions of hockey fans by enabling players to build and manage their ultimate team of professional hockey players. With dynamic and accessible gameplay, fans can compete head-to-head in games against their Facebook friends from around the world."
While specific details are still lacking as to what we can exactly expect from NHL Superstars, we can't imagine EA / Playfish breaking the mold. We'll likely be able to collect cards that contain professional hockey players, and then trade those cards out to create the best team possible. Each player will likely have stats, and we'll be able to use those players in virtual hockey games against others for supremacy.
We don't have a specific release date for NHL Superstars, although the game is set to take to the ice sometime in October. We'll make sure to give you a complete look at the game when we know more.
Are you excited to see NHL Superstars come to Facebook? Which players will you look for to create your perfect team?
Like the Risk: Factions Facebook fan page to unlock rewards
Hey, if it worked once, why can't it work again? Playfish is copying a page in its own playbook, offering fans of the upcoming Facebook game RISK: Factions a chance at some free goodies once the game finally launches (it's now in closed beta). This new "Operation Like" feature asks users to simply Like the game's fan page, and (just as it was in the Sims Social), the more fans that Like the page before the game's launch, the more prizes we'll unlock.
Of course, the game hasn't received much traction just yet, so we've only unlocked one of the six prizes currently listed. Here's a complete rundown of what we're eligible to receive, if you'd like to help out the cause:
5,000 Likes - Pig on a Spit
10,000 Likes - Guard Tower
25,000 Likes - Security Gate
50,000 Likes - Coins
100,000 Likes - Troops
200,000 Likes - Donkey Cannon
If you're keeping track, this top prize - the Donkey Cannon - is the same one seen in the trailer of the game from E3 of this year. Also, the Coins and Troops are basic prizes, but we're not sure exactly how many coins, or what types of troops we'll receive if the fan page eventually reaches that many Likes.
As of this writing, the fan page has almost 10,000 Likes, so we'll definitely unlock the Guard Tower. It's whether or not we'll receive the infamous Donkey Cannon before the game launches that's the real question. Want to do your part? Head over to the game's Facebook fan page and click on the "Like" button as soon as you can! Your fellow Facebook gamers will thank you!
What do you think of the Operation Like feature in RISK: Factions? Are you looking forward to this game's launch on Facebook?
Of course, the game hasn't received much traction just yet, so we've only unlocked one of the six prizes currently listed. Here's a complete rundown of what we're eligible to receive, if you'd like to help out the cause:
5,000 Likes - Pig on a Spit
10,000 Likes - Guard Tower
25,000 Likes - Security Gate
50,000 Likes - Coins
100,000 Likes - Troops
200,000 Likes - Donkey Cannon
If you're keeping track, this top prize - the Donkey Cannon - is the same one seen in the trailer of the game from E3 of this year. Also, the Coins and Troops are basic prizes, but we're not sure exactly how many coins, or what types of troops we'll receive if the fan page eventually reaches that many Likes.
As of this writing, the fan page has almost 10,000 Likes, so we'll definitely unlock the Guard Tower. It's whether or not we'll receive the infamous Donkey Cannon before the game launches that's the real question. Want to do your part? Head over to the game's Facebook fan page and click on the "Like" button as soon as you can! Your fellow Facebook gamers will thank you!
What do you think of the Operation Like feature in RISK: Factions? Are you looking forward to this game's launch on Facebook?
Yazino hopes to 'reinvent gambling' with in-sync social casino games
We'll be the first to admit it: Casino games have become a dime a dozen on Facebook recently. From Zynga's own Zynga Poker to Poker Rivals by Playfish and DoubleDown Casino, the sub genre is quickly becoming crowded. (Even PopCap appears keen on the genre.) That said, it's going to take a unique approach for a chance to attract a healthy chunk of that player base.
Yazino, a UK-based social gaming start-up founded in 2008, looks to bring exactly that with what CEO Hussein Chahine calls "in-sync" gaming. Chahine's vision is to have players compete and chat in real time across the web, iOS and Android devices--and Yazino is already doing just that. The seven games Yazino has today all started with a simple idea.
"The idea that we came by is, 'How do we take poker--a very engaging, a lot of emotions, there's a bit of skill when you play--and build an engine that builds completely synchronous games,'" Chahine tells us. "It's dedicated to games that are multiplayer by nature, and people want to play together. In all of the gambling industry, poker was the most powerful."
With that, Chahine and crew opted to create several classic casino games with the real-time competition that poker provides. And it's because of this direct competition that the Yazino chief believes his team works toward games that are truly social. "We have games on social networks, rather than social games," Chahine says. "If we put Solitaire on Facebook, would Solitaire be a social game?"
Blackjack by Yazino
While only two of Yazino's games--Blackjack and Slots Wheel Deal--are available on iOS, all of its games are on Facebook. Well, sort of. The company's seven games appear to be Facebook applications, but when launched redirect to Yazino's own website, which hosts the games complete with your list of Facebook friends and even random matchmaking. So, why take this route? According to Chahine, Facebook simply can't handle synchronous, multiplatform gaming at the moment.
"Synchronous play has a much deeper and more competitive advantage over asynchronous games. Because of the immersive nature of synchronous games, [the Facebook Ticker] is really a distraction, and actually quite annoying," Chahine admits. "It's like you're [watching] a horse race--you only want to know about what the horse is doing. Do I really care about 'Fred is listening to music?' The synchronous nature and intensity of these games require a different ambiance and a different environment."
Hussein ChahineYazino also looks to give players the option to create personal communities within the larger player base. Chahine (pictured right) uses the English football club Manchester United as an example: A group of friends who play in Manchester United together will soon have the option to create their own sub group, complete with its own leader boards. Because of this, along with the prospects of live chat and real-time gameplay across platforms, Chahine tells us that using Facebook directly isn't an option. (However, it's important to take note that this strategy appears to leave Yazino free from the grips of Facebook Credits too.)
Of course (well, at least in the U.S.), players can't cash in on their virtual winnings, as online gambling was effectively outlawed years ago. And apparently, players are actually happy to accept this reality, according to Chahine. The Yazino head also chalks that up to the fact that players can enjoy its games for free through offers and chips provided daily. Giving players the opportunity to play for free is "a big area of focus" for Yazino, Chahine tells us. And according to him, the entire social gaming scene would be different if online gambling hadn't suffered its run-ins with the law before the turn of the decade. Zynga Poker was one of Zynga's first games, after all.
"Zynga is the only player that's not a gambling site that could throw that game. Poker Stars didn't have the opportunity," Chahine tells us. "They were banned from Facebook, so if PokerStars and the other big sites were allowed even from a virtual perspective. So, if they were allowed to enter that market, there's no way Zynga would have had that success with Zynga Poker."
Slots Wheel Deal by Yazin0
In other words, Facebook could have very well been dominated by casino and gambling games if not for Internet gambling's dashed history with the law before and during Facebook's rise. But Yazino isn't interested in real money gambling. Period. (But is it any less real when players can pay for chips, but not see a return?) Regardless, what Chahine says is that Yazino is interested in is to "reinvent gambling in a much more sophisticated way."
"When you play together, our emotions are heightened," Chahine gushes. "It's more amplified, it's more real and we become more competitive. We do believe at Yazino, what we're trying to become is the pioneer of friendly competition."
Have you tried any of Yazino's games on Facebook (sort of) or mobile yet? What are your thoughts on the rise of casino games on Facebook and elsewhere?
Yazino, a UK-based social gaming start-up founded in 2008, looks to bring exactly that with what CEO Hussein Chahine calls "in-sync" gaming. Chahine's vision is to have players compete and chat in real time across the web, iOS and Android devices--and Yazino is already doing just that. The seven games Yazino has today all started with a simple idea.
"The idea that we came by is, 'How do we take poker--a very engaging, a lot of emotions, there's a bit of skill when you play--and build an engine that builds completely synchronous games,'" Chahine tells us. "It's dedicated to games that are multiplayer by nature, and people want to play together. In all of the gambling industry, poker was the most powerful."
With that, Chahine and crew opted to create several classic casino games with the real-time competition that poker provides. And it's because of this direct competition that the Yazino chief believes his team works toward games that are truly social. "We have games on social networks, rather than social games," Chahine says. "If we put Solitaire on Facebook, would Solitaire be a social game?"
Blackjack by Yazino
While only two of Yazino's games--Blackjack and Slots Wheel Deal--are available on iOS, all of its games are on Facebook. Well, sort of. The company's seven games appear to be Facebook applications, but when launched redirect to Yazino's own website, which hosts the games complete with your list of Facebook friends and even random matchmaking. So, why take this route? According to Chahine, Facebook simply can't handle synchronous, multiplatform gaming at the moment.
"Synchronous play has a much deeper and more competitive advantage over asynchronous games. Because of the immersive nature of synchronous games, [the Facebook Ticker] is really a distraction, and actually quite annoying," Chahine admits. "It's like you're [watching] a horse race--you only want to know about what the horse is doing. Do I really care about 'Fred is listening to music?' The synchronous nature and intensity of these games require a different ambiance and a different environment."
Hussein ChahineYazino also looks to give players the option to create personal communities within the larger player base. Chahine (pictured right) uses the English football club Manchester United as an example: A group of friends who play in Manchester United together will soon have the option to create their own sub group, complete with its own leader boards. Because of this, along with the prospects of live chat and real-time gameplay across platforms, Chahine tells us that using Facebook directly isn't an option. (However, it's important to take note that this strategy appears to leave Yazino free from the grips of Facebook Credits too.)
Of course (well, at least in the U.S.), players can't cash in on their virtual winnings, as online gambling was effectively outlawed years ago. And apparently, players are actually happy to accept this reality, according to Chahine. The Yazino head also chalks that up to the fact that players can enjoy its games for free through offers and chips provided daily. Giving players the opportunity to play for free is "a big area of focus" for Yazino, Chahine tells us. And according to him, the entire social gaming scene would be different if online gambling hadn't suffered its run-ins with the law before the turn of the decade. Zynga Poker was one of Zynga's first games, after all.
"Zynga is the only player that's not a gambling site that could throw that game. Poker Stars didn't have the opportunity," Chahine tells us. "They were banned from Facebook, so if PokerStars and the other big sites were allowed even from a virtual perspective. So, if they were allowed to enter that market, there's no way Zynga would have had that success with Zynga Poker."
Slots Wheel Deal by Yazin0
In other words, Facebook could have very well been dominated by casino and gambling games if not for Internet gambling's dashed history with the law before and during Facebook's rise. But Yazino isn't interested in real money gambling. Period. (But is it any less real when players can pay for chips, but not see a return?) Regardless, what Chahine says is that Yazino is interested in is to "reinvent gambling in a much more sophisticated way."
"When you play together, our emotions are heightened," Chahine gushes. "It's more amplified, it's more real and we become more competitive. We do believe at Yazino, what we're trying to become is the pioneer of friendly competition."
Have you tried any of Yazino's games on Facebook (sort of) or mobile yet? What are your thoughts on the rise of casino games on Facebook and elsewhere?
Backyard Monsters creeps up on Yahoo! Games through Viximo
Who knows, maybe there are as many hardcore gamers on Yahoo! Games are there apparently are on Facebook. Viximo, a company that works with social game developers to get them onto new platforms, announced that Kixeye's Backyard Monsters is now available on Yahoo! Games. Backyard Monsters pits players against one another in all-out warfare with various monsters.
The game was Kixeye's first "hardcore" strategy game on Facebook, and has since become its most popular with 3 million monthly players and 760,000 daily players, according to AppData. Backyard Monsters allows players to create their own home base to defend from other players using numerous turrets and laser weapons against encroaching monsters. Of course, players can then retaliate with baddies of their own for resources and general bragging rights.
Backyard Monsters is far from the first Facebook game to make the leap to Yahoo! Games. A number of Zynga games, including Mafia Wars and FishVille, have taken the plunge along with EA's social version of Scrabble. While it makes sense for developers to expand beyond Facebook, we can't help but wonder how Yahoo! Games stacks up against Facebook games in terms of players.
Since its flagship game, Kixeye has focused entirely on strategy games for Facebook and other networks. Most recently, the company released War Commander, a strategy game with strong similarities to the Command & Conquer PC game series. And, considering Kixeye CEO Will Harbin thinks most social games suck, we're sure more "hardcore" games are in the oven.
Are you a fan of Backyard Monsters? How about games on Yahoo! Games? What do you think of the growing amount of strategy games on Facebook?
The game was Kixeye's first "hardcore" strategy game on Facebook, and has since become its most popular with 3 million monthly players and 760,000 daily players, according to AppData. Backyard Monsters allows players to create their own home base to defend from other players using numerous turrets and laser weapons against encroaching monsters. Of course, players can then retaliate with baddies of their own for resources and general bragging rights.
Backyard Monsters is far from the first Facebook game to make the leap to Yahoo! Games. A number of Zynga games, including Mafia Wars and FishVille, have taken the plunge along with EA's social version of Scrabble. While it makes sense for developers to expand beyond Facebook, we can't help but wonder how Yahoo! Games stacks up against Facebook games in terms of players.
Since its flagship game, Kixeye has focused entirely on strategy games for Facebook and other networks. Most recently, the company released War Commander, a strategy game with strong similarities to the Command & Conquer PC game series. And, considering Kixeye CEO Will Harbin thinks most social games suck, we're sure more "hardcore" games are in the oven.
Are you a fan of Backyard Monsters? How about games on Yahoo! Games? What do you think of the growing amount of strategy games on Facebook?
With new 'Social' update, Xbox.com wants you to play more with friends
Say what you will about Facebook games, but you have them to thank for nifty stuff like this. Microsoft has announced incoming changes to Xbox.com that will reflect the upcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard update. Namely, Microsoft touts "Social", the new version of "My Xbox" that places a major focus on what's new with your friends, rather than what's new with your Xbox.
The new Social section of the website should launch within a few days, and will be the first place players can find the previously-teased Beacons feature. This allows players to place "Beacons" on the games that they wish to play with others. Basically, Beacons are a way of saying, "Hey, I really want to play this game with you," but to all of your Xbox Live friends at once. Players can have up to three Beacons active at a time, and can attach custom messages to them.
The new Social page will serve as the new homepage of Xbox.com for those already logged-in to the service. Taking on the Microsoft-coined "Metro" design found on the new Windows Phone (and soon the new Xbox Dashboard), the Social page features all the most important updates to the Xbox universe up top in compact boxes. Down below, however, is where Xbox.com begins to look a lot like the games you play on Facebook.
Xbox.com Social
The rest of the Social page is dedicated to what your friends are up to on their Xbox 360 consoles from what games they've played recently to what games they're playing right now. (It appears to be broken down by the games you own.) Players will be able to send messages to one another, as well as check out what Beacons they've posted. Xbox.com is beginning to look a lot like Facebook, no?
[Via VentureBeat]
Have you been looking for easier ways to play games with your friends on Xbox Live? What else do you think traditional game consoles and platform can learn from social gaming?
The new Social section of the website should launch within a few days, and will be the first place players can find the previously-teased Beacons feature. This allows players to place "Beacons" on the games that they wish to play with others. Basically, Beacons are a way of saying, "Hey, I really want to play this game with you," but to all of your Xbox Live friends at once. Players can have up to three Beacons active at a time, and can attach custom messages to them.
The new Social page will serve as the new homepage of Xbox.com for those already logged-in to the service. Taking on the Microsoft-coined "Metro" design found on the new Windows Phone (and soon the new Xbox Dashboard), the Social page features all the most important updates to the Xbox universe up top in compact boxes. Down below, however, is where Xbox.com begins to look a lot like the games you play on Facebook.
Xbox.com Social
The rest of the Social page is dedicated to what your friends are up to on their Xbox 360 consoles from what games they've played recently to what games they're playing right now. (It appears to be broken down by the games you own.) Players will be able to send messages to one another, as well as check out what Beacons they've posted. Xbox.com is beginning to look a lot like Facebook, no?
[Via VentureBeat]
Have you been looking for easier ways to play games with your friends on Xbox Live? What else do you think traditional game consoles and platform can learn from social gaming?
Zynga launches new fan appreciation program, are you a Z.I.P.?
Zynga either really loves its players or really, really doesn't want them to leave. (We'd go with a bit of both.) According to Mafia Wars Loot Lady, the creator of FarmVille has started yet another fan appreciation program: the Z.I.P., or Zynga Important Player, Program. (Remember the Platinum Purchasers Program?) If you were one of the lucky few selected to be a Z.I.P., then you've already received an email inviting you to the club.
The program grants only the most dedicated of Zynga fans with "exclusive Zynga goodies, limited edition items for your favorite games, and best of all, the chance to play new games early. Before your friends. Before your family. Before anyone," the introductory email reads. According to Mafia Wars Loot Lady, the first game players will score early access to is CastleVille.
Z.I.P. members will receive a special code in the email that they must use to gain access to the program, which is attached to the email address the invitation was sent to. Our guess is that this program is to reward players who have stuck with Zynga for a long while now, and more importantly, to keep them coming back (and, we imagine, putting up the cash).
Don't feel too bummed about not being included, because we don't even have this early of access. Besides, we have a full preview of CastleVille that you can check out right here. And try to remind yourself that you probably weren't chosen because you have better things to do than play Zynga's games incessantly. Sorry, that was kind of mean--we're just bitter.
The program grants only the most dedicated of Zynga fans with "exclusive Zynga goodies, limited edition items for your favorite games, and best of all, the chance to play new games early. Before your friends. Before your family. Before anyone," the introductory email reads. According to Mafia Wars Loot Lady, the first game players will score early access to is CastleVille.
Z.I.P. members will receive a special code in the email that they must use to gain access to the program, which is attached to the email address the invitation was sent to. Our guess is that this program is to reward players who have stuck with Zynga for a long while now, and more importantly, to keep them coming back (and, we imagine, putting up the cash).
Don't feel too bummed about not being included, because we don't even have this early of access. Besides, we have a full preview of CastleVille that you can check out right here. And try to remind yourself that you probably weren't chosen because you have better things to do than play Zynga's games incessantly. Sorry, that was kind of mean--we're just bitter.
iPhone, Android games make more cash than PSP, DS combined
But iPhone games aren't real games, right? Real or not, games on iOS and Android devices could generate more revenue than games on both the Sony and Nintendo's portable games combined in 2011. Flurry, a mobile analytics firm, found that handheld consoles like the PSP and DS collectively generated $2.2 and $1.6 billion in game revenue in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
That was far more than what iOS and Android games made, but Flurry projects that's all about to change in 2011. The firm expects Sony and Nintendo to generate just $1.4 billion in handheld game revenue in 2011. iOS and Android games, however, are expected to reel in a whopping $1.9 billion in game revenue. This could be the first time mobile games make more cash than their more traditional counterparts.
Keep in mind, however, Flurry is making projections--a buzz term for educated guesses--based on the previous 10 months. Regardless, the fact that iOS and Android gaming may have gobbled up nearly 60 percent of the mobile/portable gaming market in just two years is mind-blowing. We all knew that mobile, especially freemium or free-to-play, games were going to be huge, but growth like this is unprecedented.
Flurry study
This news comes as Nintendo repeatedly refuses to enter the mobile gaming space in fear of jeopardizing its hardware sales. Not to mention the Mario maker looks to report its first loss in 30 years. With numbers like these, we can't wait to see what 2012 looks like not just for mobile gaming, but for the PS Vita and 3DS.
[Via TechCrunch]
What do these numbers say to you about social gaming as well as Nintendo and Sony? How long before Android and iOS completely overtake their more traditional competitors?
That was far more than what iOS and Android games made, but Flurry projects that's all about to change in 2011. The firm expects Sony and Nintendo to generate just $1.4 billion in handheld game revenue in 2011. iOS and Android games, however, are expected to reel in a whopping $1.9 billion in game revenue. This could be the first time mobile games make more cash than their more traditional counterparts.
Keep in mind, however, Flurry is making projections--a buzz term for educated guesses--based on the previous 10 months. Regardless, the fact that iOS and Android gaming may have gobbled up nearly 60 percent of the mobile/portable gaming market in just two years is mind-blowing. We all knew that mobile, especially freemium or free-to-play, games were going to be huge, but growth like this is unprecedented.
Flurry study
This news comes as Nintendo repeatedly refuses to enter the mobile gaming space in fear of jeopardizing its hardware sales. Not to mention the Mario maker looks to report its first loss in 30 years. With numbers like these, we can't wait to see what 2012 looks like not just for mobile gaming, but for the PS Vita and 3DS.
[Via TechCrunch]
What do these numbers say to you about social gaming as well as Nintendo and Sony? How long before Android and iOS completely overtake their more traditional competitors?
Winter is coming, and so is another Game of Thrones Facebook game
Since HBO's second season of Game of Thrones won't hit until April 2012, our guess is that it'll hit long after that nasty winter. USA Today reports that another social game based on the acclaimed novel series turned hit TV series is in the works already. Of course, that's along with two more games under development, enjoying close involvement with the property.
If you remember, a Facebook advergame surrounding George R. R. Martin's work launched earlier this year, Game of Thrones: Battle for the Iron Throne. (And just in time for the HBO show's debut ... how convenient.) While we dug it--for an advergame--the game has since been shut down.
The game was pretty impressive considering its sole purpose was to generate hype for the then-upcoming fantasy drama. However, we can see why the game was canned: Chatter about Game of Thrones has been at a minimum since for awhile. Hopefully whatever developer is currently working with HBO and Martin gets the chance to create a Facebook game that's longer lasting than its predecessor. USA Today briefly described the game as "think FarmVille comes to Westeros." If that's the case, then we'll pass on the social Iron Throne, thanks.
[Via PC Gamer]
Are you a fan of A Game of Thrones? What did you think of the first Facebook game based on the series, and what would you want from this second crack at it?
If you remember, a Facebook advergame surrounding George R. R. Martin's work launched earlier this year, Game of Thrones: Battle for the Iron Throne. (And just in time for the HBO show's debut ... how convenient.) While we dug it--for an advergame--the game has since been shut down.
The game was pretty impressive considering its sole purpose was to generate hype for the then-upcoming fantasy drama. However, we can see why the game was canned: Chatter about Game of Thrones has been at a minimum since for awhile. Hopefully whatever developer is currently working with HBO and Martin gets the chance to create a Facebook game that's longer lasting than its predecessor. USA Today briefly described the game as "think FarmVille comes to Westeros." If that's the case, then we'll pass on the social Iron Throne, thanks.
[Via PC Gamer]
Are you a fan of A Game of Thrones? What did you think of the first Facebook game based on the series, and what would you want from this second crack at it?
Jimmy Buffett will melt away winter 2012 with Margaritaville Online
What better time to munch on a virtual cheeseburger in paradise than in the dead of winter? THQ announced that Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Online will launch this coming January for Facebook, iPhone and iPad. The game has also entered a closed beta on Facebook, cutely named the Buffett Beta Club. Players can sign up for a chance to enter Buffett's world before the rest of us and sip on digital margaritas.
Membership of the Buffett Beta Club is limited, but if you "Like" the game's Facebook fan page, you can keep an ear to the sand for when THQ opens the game up to more players. (Actually, don't do that--sand is icky, and it gets everywhere.) This is chance for the real Buffett fans to give their feedback on the game, but more importantly, score "premium rewards, achievements and badges, along with a special treasure chest at the game's official launch," according to a release.
Gallery: MargaritaVille Online on Facebook
The Parrothead-in-charge recently revealed details regarding his personal involvement in the Exploding Barrel Games-developed Facebook game. "I'll sneak in," Buffett told CNN. "I already have my pseudonyms picked out, because I know they'll track me quick." The songwriter is also looking to tie Margaritaville Online to his existing chain of restaurants and hotels. That sounds exciting and all, but really guys, how could you pass up "MargaritaVille"? It was right there, ripe for the taking.
Are you excited for Margaritaville Online? Excited enough to sign up for the Buffett Beta Club?
Membership of the Buffett Beta Club is limited, but if you "Like" the game's Facebook fan page, you can keep an ear to the sand for when THQ opens the game up to more players. (Actually, don't do that--sand is icky, and it gets everywhere.) This is chance for the real Buffett fans to give their feedback on the game, but more importantly, score "premium rewards, achievements and badges, along with a special treasure chest at the game's official launch," according to a release.
Gallery: MargaritaVille Online on Facebook
The Parrothead-in-charge recently revealed details regarding his personal involvement in the Exploding Barrel Games-developed Facebook game. "I'll sneak in," Buffett told CNN. "I already have my pseudonyms picked out, because I know they'll track me quick." The songwriter is also looking to tie Margaritaville Online to his existing chain of restaurants and hotels. That sounds exciting and all, but really guys, how could you pass up "MargaritaVille"? It was right there, ripe for the taking.
Are you excited for Margaritaville Online? Excited enough to sign up for the Buffett Beta Club?
Is the Kindle Fire the new hotness in social gaming?
When Amazon's Kindle Fire arrives on November 15, you will be able to read books, surf the web and have easy access to "several thousand" mobile and social games including Zynga's Words with Friends.
"Teaming with Amazon to make Words With Friends a featured game on the Kindle Fire provides us with a great way to reach new and existing players on a fresh and exciting device," Zynga chief mobile officer David Ko says.
The $199 device will plug into Amazon's App store (rather than the Android app store), so the big A has been doing double-time to make sure that some of the more popular mobile games, such as Words, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Plants vs. Zombies, Peggle and Cut the Rope, will be ready to play once people have the Fire in hand.
FarmVille, CityVIlle Hometown or Mafia Wars apps are not currently available in the Amazon app store, so it's hard to say what plans - if any -- Zynga has to bring those games to Amazon's hot new tablet.
"Teaming with Amazon to make Words With Friends a featured game on the Kindle Fire provides us with a great way to reach new and existing players on a fresh and exciting device," Zynga chief mobile officer David Ko says.
The $199 device will plug into Amazon's App store (rather than the Android app store), so the big A has been doing double-time to make sure that some of the more popular mobile games, such as Words, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Plants vs. Zombies, Peggle and Cut the Rope, will be ready to play once people have the Fire in hand.
FarmVille, CityVIlle Hometown or Mafia Wars apps are not currently available in the Amazon app store, so it's hard to say what plans - if any -- Zynga has to bring those games to Amazon's hot new tablet.
Google+ Games sidebar rips another note from Facebook's playbook
Imitation is the finest form of flattery, but this is just getting ridiculous. Google has updated the home page of its Google+ social network with a sidebar that allows users to jump into the games they've played recently. In other words, Google+ has ripped Facebook once again. (But don't think you're off the hook either, Facebook.) Granted, this is a fundamental change.
But that still doesn't explain why, after months of Google+ Games existing, that these incremental changes are introduced to the platform. Of course, it's not as if Facebook had its "Apps" sidebar trademarked or patented, but these updates only serve to make it looks as if Google+ biting off of its number one competitor chunk by chunk. The comparisons are simply unavoidable.
However, the Google+ Games sidebar does have a one-up over its Facebook counterpart: You can actually remove it. We do have to admire Google+ for how it much it allows users to change about what's displayed. That said, getting the Games sidebar back after removing it--aside from those fleeting moments in which you can click "Undo"--is currently unknown. Commenters are also clamoring for more games, which is something Google is taking very seriously ... almost too seriously.
Google+ Games sidebar
As Google continues to rip pages from Facebooks' playbook (and Facebook does the same), it'll be interesting to see how the company takes advantage of its unique position. Google has the chance to change how a social games platform is done. But not if it continues to entertain this slap fight with the gorilla.
[Via The Next Web]
[Image Credit: Vermont Lasmarias]
Are you playing games on Google+ still? What do you think of the experience, and what can Google do to improve it?
But that still doesn't explain why, after months of Google+ Games existing, that these incremental changes are introduced to the platform. Of course, it's not as if Facebook had its "Apps" sidebar trademarked or patented, but these updates only serve to make it looks as if Google+ biting off of its number one competitor chunk by chunk. The comparisons are simply unavoidable.
However, the Google+ Games sidebar does have a one-up over its Facebook counterpart: You can actually remove it. We do have to admire Google+ for how it much it allows users to change about what's displayed. That said, getting the Games sidebar back after removing it--aside from those fleeting moments in which you can click "Undo"--is currently unknown. Commenters are also clamoring for more games, which is something Google is taking very seriously ... almost too seriously.
Google+ Games sidebar
As Google continues to rip pages from Facebooks' playbook (and Facebook does the same), it'll be interesting to see how the company takes advantage of its unique position. Google has the chance to change how a social games platform is done. But not if it continues to entertain this slap fight with the gorilla.
[Via The Next Web]
[Image Credit: Vermont Lasmarias]
Are you playing games on Google+ still? What do you think of the experience, and what can Google do to improve it?
Zynga reveals Mafia Wars 2, to be a 'badass' Facebook game [Video]
To most, Facebook gaming is nothing but farmland, cows and rainbows with a dash of brand endorsement. Zynga, one of the stereotype's main offenders, hopes to set the record straight with Mafia Wars 2. A full-blown sequel to the original text-based Facebook RPG (role-playing game), Mafia Wars 2 will bring the franchise into "a vast 3D world where being bad never felt so good."
Judging from this early artwork and the ... interesting trailer below, it seems as if Zynga could make good on previous speculation that its next Mafia Wars game would take a more literal approach in paying homage to its inspirations.
The trailer is set to Jane's Addiction's "Mountain Song," you know, so its badassery really sets in. Jokes (about the narration) aside, the video is impressively-edited with its stylistic, "golden" approach to blood and gore.
Unfortunately, all we know about Mafia Wars 2 is apparently how badass it's going to be. While that may be all some need to get psyched, you can check out and "Like" the game's official Facebook fan page to find out more about the game.
Oh, and you'll score some early items for the game by hopping on board early like some accessories for your character and decorations. These already tell us a great deal about the game--fully customizable 3D avatars, anyone? Alright, now we know you're hyped.
[Video and Image Credit: Zynga]
Are you excited to get your clickers on some fresh gang bustin' in Mafia Wars 2? What did you think of the announcement trailer?
Judging from this early artwork and the ... interesting trailer below, it seems as if Zynga could make good on previous speculation that its next Mafia Wars game would take a more literal approach in paying homage to its inspirations.
The trailer is set to Jane's Addiction's "Mountain Song," you know, so its badassery really sets in. Jokes (about the narration) aside, the video is impressively-edited with its stylistic, "golden" approach to blood and gore.
Unfortunately, all we know about Mafia Wars 2 is apparently how badass it's going to be. While that may be all some need to get psyched, you can check out and "Like" the game's official Facebook fan page to find out more about the game.
Oh, and you'll score some early items for the game by hopping on board early like some accessories for your character and decorations. These already tell us a great deal about the game--fully customizable 3D avatars, anyone? Alright, now we know you're hyped.
[Video and Image Credit: Zynga]
Are you excited to get your clickers on some fresh gang bustin' in Mafia Wars 2? What did you think of the announcement trailer?
Thứ Hai, 12 tháng 12, 2011
BBCW launches CBeebies games app
Games based on popular CBeebies Games series Charlie & Lola, Teletubbies, 3rd & Bird and Numberjacks are available through a new app launched by BBC Worldwide.
CBeebies On The Go is available for free on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to pre-school children in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Developed by Tag Apps, it includes matching pairs picture games for the Teletubbies and Charlie & Lola, a Kerwhizz jigsaw game and a 3rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge. It also holds a number of short video clips from popular shows.
Director of CBeebies investment at BBCW, Henrietta Hurford-Jones, said the team had “worked hard to build a product that upholds the core values of learning through play”.
She added: “This new kids’ app is a first for the Channels business, so the learnings from this pilot phase will help shape any future plans to roll CBeebies Games On The Go out to new territories and different devices.”
More than 53m homes have access to the CBeebies channel worldwide.
CBeebies On The Go is available for free on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to pre-school children in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Developed by Tag Apps, it includes matching pairs picture games for the Teletubbies and Charlie & Lola, a Kerwhizz jigsaw game and a 3rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge. It also holds a number of short video clips from popular shows.
Director of CBeebies investment at BBCW, Henrietta Hurford-Jones, said the team had “worked hard to build a product that upholds the core values of learning through play”.
She added: “This new kids’ app is a first for the Channels business, so the learnings from this pilot phase will help shape any future plans to roll CBeebies Games On The Go out to new territories and different devices.”
More than 53m homes have access to the CBeebies channel worldwide.
Disney-branded Facebook games coming in 2012, Playdom head says
Can we all just say, “finally?” During a panel named “The Rise of Social Games” at the f8 Facebook Developers Conference in San Francisco, Disney Interactive and Playdom head John Pleasants revealed that two to four Facebook games surrounding Disney xd brands will hit Facebook in 2012. The general topic of the panel was the fact that branded social games are taking off.
Pleasants was joined on the panel by Kabam CEO Kevin Chou, EA Interactive head Barry Cottle and Zynga CBO Owen Van Natta. Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan moderated the panel with the preface that branded games will take over the Facebook platform. And he might be right: EA just released The Sims Social, Zynga will soon re-brand its new Adventure World with Indiana Jones and Kabam recently announced The Godfather: Five Families.
Playdom, which Disney acquired in July 2010 for a whopping $740 million, is ahead of the pack with two branded games on Facebook: ESPNU College Town and ESPN Sports Bar & Grill. Both games performed well, thanks to advertising through the ESPN TV network. While Disney owns the ESPN brand, notice how neither of those actually involve the insanely popular Disney characters we’ve come to love.
Honestly, we’re surprised this didn’t happen sooner. Consider this: Disney has its own cable TV channel through which it could, in theory, advertise whatever it wants. Pleasants didn’t get into why it’s taken this long for disney channel games to throw its cast of characters into Facebook games, but did reveal the power of the Disney name.
Gnome Town, which Playdom launched in the summer–and we enjoyed quite a bit–peaked at 530,000 daily players. But just plopping the Disney logo on top of the existing one made users more likely to spend in the game just through trust of the company’s name, according to Pleasants. “We think it’s an advantage, if you put game play first,” Pleasants said.
It’s comforting to hear this emphasized by these developers. (Kabam’s Chou shared the same sentiment.) Branded games on Facebook are OK in my book, but the last thing anyone wants to see is the genre become a branding machine.
Pleasants was joined on the panel by Kabam CEO Kevin Chou, EA Interactive head Barry Cottle and Zynga CBO Owen Van Natta. Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan moderated the panel with the preface that branded games will take over the Facebook platform. And he might be right: EA just released The Sims Social, Zynga will soon re-brand its new Adventure World with Indiana Jones and Kabam recently announced The Godfather: Five Families.
Playdom, which Disney acquired in July 2010 for a whopping $740 million, is ahead of the pack with two branded games on Facebook: ESPNU College Town and ESPN Sports Bar & Grill. Both games performed well, thanks to advertising through the ESPN TV network. While Disney owns the ESPN brand, notice how neither of those actually involve the insanely popular Disney characters we’ve come to love.
Honestly, we’re surprised this didn’t happen sooner. Consider this: Disney has its own cable TV channel through which it could, in theory, advertise whatever it wants. Pleasants didn’t get into why it’s taken this long for disney channel games to throw its cast of characters into Facebook games, but did reveal the power of the Disney name.
Gnome Town, which Playdom launched in the summer–and we enjoyed quite a bit–peaked at 530,000 daily players. But just plopping the Disney logo on top of the existing one made users more likely to spend in the game just through trust of the company’s name, according to Pleasants. “We think it’s an advantage, if you put game play first,” Pleasants said.
It’s comforting to hear this emphasized by these developers. (Kabam’s Chou shared the same sentiment.) Branded games on Facebook are OK in my book, but the last thing anyone wants to see is the genre become a branding machine.
Phineas And Ferb 3D Game – Disney XD Games 63
New Disney Game – Phineas and Ferb
Disney released a new game. Phineas and Ferb 3D online game. Klick here to read the complete review.
The new game is available at the Disney XD discovery channel. Get ahead of the game before its officially released next week!
Disney is introducing the brand new DisneyXD game. Phineas and Ferb in: The Transport inators of Doooom!
Doofenschmitz is up to his old tricks again, and who has gone missing? Phineas! Help Ferb find his brother and try to help Agent P thwarth Doofenschmitz evil plans!
Check out this new exciting Disney XD online game before all others do at the Disney Cartoon network games website!
Check out Disney’s cartoon network to find a lot of amazing games and news. Disney offers a lot of cartoon games on their site. So head over to the Disney XD site and play the new Phineas and Ferb – The Transport-inators of Doooom! game!
Disney released a new game. Phineas and Ferb 3D online game. Klick here to read the complete review.
The new game is available at the Disney XD discovery channel. Get ahead of the game before its officially released next week!
Disney is introducing the brand new DisneyXD game. Phineas and Ferb in: The Transport inators of Doooom!
Doofenschmitz is up to his old tricks again, and who has gone missing? Phineas! Help Ferb find his brother and try to help Agent P thwarth Doofenschmitz evil plans!
Check out this new exciting Disney XD online game before all others do at the Disney Cartoon network games website!
Check out Disney’s cartoon network to find a lot of amazing games and news. Disney offers a lot of cartoon games on their site. So head over to the Disney XD site and play the new Phineas and Ferb – The Transport-inators of Doooom! game!
Play the Scary Maze Game With Your Friends!
Have you ever played the Scary Maze Game 8 now? If not, brotha you haven’t lived!!! This maze game is the most awesome game on earth! But in order to play it you MUST have a partner in the room with you. So go find a friend, co-hort, or even an enemy – it doesn’t matter! Then match your wits and your mouse skills with the game and see if you’re awesome enough to win the BIG prize at the end!
Chinese Couple Sells All Three Kids to Play Online Games
A young Chinese couple has sold all three of their children in exchange for money to play online Nick jr games at Internet cafes, reports a southern Chinese newspaper.
According to Sanxiang City News, the couple met in an Internet cafe back in 2007 and bonded over their obsession with online video games. A year later, the parents — who are both under 21 — welcomed their first child, a son. Days after his birth, they left him home alone while they went to play online agame at an Internet cafe 30 km away.
In 2009, Li Lin and Li Juan welcomed their second child, a baby girl, and came up with the idea to sell her for money to fund their online game obsession. They did so, receiving RMB 3,000 (less than $500), which they spent entirely shortly after. The couple then proceeded to sell their first child and got 10 times as much for him — RMB 30,000, or about $4600.
Upon having their third child — another boy — the parents followed in their previous footsteps and also got RMB 30,000 for him.
They were finally turned into authorities when Li Lin’s mother found out what her son and his girlfriend had done.
When asked if they missed their children, the parents answered, “We don’t want to raise them, we just want to sell them for some money.”
Sanxiang City Newsreports the couple didn’t know they were breaking the law.
According to Sanxiang City News, the couple met in an Internet cafe back in 2007 and bonded over their obsession with online video games. A year later, the parents — who are both under 21 — welcomed their first child, a son. Days after his birth, they left him home alone while they went to play online agame at an Internet cafe 30 km away.
In 2009, Li Lin and Li Juan welcomed their second child, a baby girl, and came up with the idea to sell her for money to fund their online game obsession. They did so, receiving RMB 3,000 (less than $500), which they spent entirely shortly after. The couple then proceeded to sell their first child and got 10 times as much for him — RMB 30,000, or about $4600.
Upon having their third child — another boy — the parents followed in their previous footsteps and also got RMB 30,000 for him.
They were finally turned into authorities when Li Lin’s mother found out what her son and his girlfriend had done.
When asked if they missed their children, the parents answered, “We don’t want to raise them, we just want to sell them for some money.”
Sanxiang City Newsreports the couple didn’t know they were breaking the law.
Official Pokemon Game Coming To Smartphones
The Pokemon Company is set to bring an official Pokemon Online game to smartphone devices, marking the first time that an official Nintendo-copyrighted app will be available on the iOS and Android.
Called Pokemon Iie Tap (rougly Pokemon: Say Tap?), the app appears to be a rhythm game where players “tap on Pokemon indigo trading cards to the beat of a song from the anime,” according to a translation by consumer video game site GamesRadar.
According to the game’s official announcement, it will be available for most iOS devices, as well as Android devices running version 2.1 of the platform.
Though this is the first iOS or Android application to carry an official Nintendo copyright, it is not the first mobile app of any kind: a Pokemon mobile phone game called Pokemate was released in Japan in 2006.
Though it is a rarity, Nintendo does have a history of releasing official games on platforms that are not its own, including a promotional Flash game to promote its Tingle character.
A release outside of Japan has not been announced.
Called Pokemon Iie Tap (rougly Pokemon: Say Tap?), the app appears to be a rhythm game where players “tap on Pokemon indigo trading cards to the beat of a song from the anime,” according to a translation by consumer video game site GamesRadar.
According to the game’s official announcement, it will be available for most iOS devices, as well as Android devices running version 2.1 of the platform.
Though this is the first iOS or Android application to carry an official Nintendo copyright, it is not the first mobile app of any kind: a Pokemon mobile phone game called Pokemate was released in Japan in 2006.
Though it is a rarity, Nintendo does have a history of releasing official games on platforms that are not its own, including a promotional Flash game to promote its Tingle character.
A release outside of Japan has not been announced.
Nick Jr., MTVN expand in Asia
Rugrats and music fans in Singapore and Malaysia will be able to tune in to “Dora the Explorer” and 24-hour music videos, docus and concerts with the launch of Viacom’s Nick Jr. and MTVN HD in the territories in coming weeks.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Disney XD Games
Disney Friends for Change Games
To support the “Disney Friends for Change Games” on Disney Channel and Disney XD, Disneychannelgames.biz has launched an online destination at Disneyxd.biz, where kids and families can take part in the Games from home and help the planet — by making personal pledges of their own, playing online versions of the Games, and making art that matters! When kids play online versions of the Games at Disneyxd.biz, they can donate the points they earn to one of the four charities involved. At the end of the Games, the charity with the most points given by the Disney.com online community will receive $100K.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
In addition to playing online games for charity, kids can view exclusive video content and participate in a number of funonline activities. Kids can create online art on the Friends for Change Group Wall at Disneyxd.biz, where they can see the transformative power of friends everywhere pitching in to make a difference. The Disneyxd.biz site will also feature exclusive videos from the “Disney Friends for Change Games,” including a special wrap-up show hosted by Tiffany Thorntonand Jason Earles. Kids can also download the official 2011 Friends for Change anthem “We Can Change the World” featuring Bridgit Mendler on Disneyxd.biz
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
Over 30 Disney Channel Games and Disney XD Games stars from around the globe will compete in “Disney Friends for Change Games.” Four teams will play on behalf of a global charity — Fauna and Flora International, World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Conservancy and UNICEF. For five weeks beginning Friday, June 24, Disney Channelwill present “Disney Friends for Change Games” in interstitials during its Friday, Saturday and Sunday primetime original series programming, and Disney XD will present a special episode from the games Monday nights beginning June 27 (9:30 p.m., ET/PT). The Games will culminate with a special half-hour episode Sunday, July 31 on Disney Channel.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
About Disney’s Friends for Change
Disney’s Friends for Change is a multi-platform initiative that helps inspire kids and families to join together and make a positive impact on their world (and the people and animals that live there). Through PSAs on-air and online tool-kits, the program aims to provide useful information to help kids make small changes that add up to big differences. As part of the program, Disney donates $1 million dollars annually to fund projects all around the globe and has funded over 41 projects that help the planet ranging from educational & community programs to species & habitat protection. Friends for Change currently has over 4 million actions taking place from kids in 33 countries throughoutthe United States, Europe, Latin America, Japan, India and China. For more information, please visit Disneyxd.biz.
- Disney XD gets its game on
Astral-owned Disney XD Canada is delving deeper into the gaming space in a month-long promotion that will see the multi-platform brand take viewers behind the scenes of June’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), offer up two new games on DisneyXD.biz every week and give away five video game consoles to Disney XD viewers.
The Level Up contest runs through the month of September and is set to feature the star of What’s, Up Warthogs!, Eduard Witzke, reporting from this year’s E3 in eight short interstitial reports entitled Ed’s E3. New episodes of Ed’s E3 will premiere every Tuesday and Thursday from September 1 and will air throughout the Disney XD schedule. Additionally, a weekly entry word will appear in each episode, which can be used to enter the Level Up contest online to win one of five game consoles.
On top of entering the Level Up contest on DisneyXD.ca, viewers can explore a dedicated minisite to re-watch episodes of Ed’s E3 as well as test their skills on brand-new Disney XD games. Two new games will be unveiled each week with a bonus game available for those who can work out the special DisneyXD.biz game code.
To support the “Disney Friends for Change Games” on Disney Channel and Disney XD, Disneychannelgames.biz has launched an online destination at Disneyxd.biz, where kids and families can take part in the Games from home and help the planet — by making personal pledges of their own, playing online versions of the Games, and making art that matters! When kids play online versions of the Games at Disneyxd.biz, they can donate the points they earn to one of the four charities involved. At the end of the Games, the charity with the most points given by the Disney.com online community will receive $100K.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
In addition to playing online games for charity, kids can view exclusive video content and participate in a number of funonline activities. Kids can create online art on the Friends for Change Group Wall at Disneyxd.biz, where they can see the transformative power of friends everywhere pitching in to make a difference. The Disneyxd.biz site will also feature exclusive videos from the “Disney Friends for Change Games,” including a special wrap-up show hosted by Tiffany Thorntonand Jason Earles. Kids can also download the official 2011 Friends for Change anthem “We Can Change the World” featuring Bridgit Mendler on Disneyxd.biz
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
Over 30 Disney Channel Games and Disney XD Games stars from around the globe will compete in “Disney Friends for Change Games.” Four teams will play on behalf of a global charity — Fauna and Flora International, World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Conservancy and UNICEF. For five weeks beginning Friday, June 24, Disney Channelwill present “Disney Friends for Change Games” in interstitials during its Friday, Saturday and Sunday primetime original series programming, and Disney XD will present a special episode from the games Monday nights beginning June 27 (9:30 p.m., ET/PT). The Games will culminate with a special half-hour episode Sunday, July 31 on Disney Channel.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
About Disney’s Friends for Change
Disney’s Friends for Change is a multi-platform initiative that helps inspire kids and families to join together and make a positive impact on their world (and the people and animals that live there). Through PSAs on-air and online tool-kits, the program aims to provide useful information to help kids make small changes that add up to big differences. As part of the program, Disney donates $1 million dollars annually to fund projects all around the globe and has funded over 41 projects that help the planet ranging from educational & community programs to species & habitat protection. Friends for Change currently has over 4 million actions taking place from kids in 33 countries throughoutthe United States, Europe, Latin America, Japan, India and China. For more information, please visit Disneyxd.biz.
- Disney XD gets its game on
Astral-owned Disney XD Canada is delving deeper into the gaming space in a month-long promotion that will see the multi-platform brand take viewers behind the scenes of June’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), offer up two new games on DisneyXD.biz every week and give away five video game consoles to Disney XD viewers.
The Level Up contest runs through the month of September and is set to feature the star of What’s, Up Warthogs!, Eduard Witzke, reporting from this year’s E3 in eight short interstitial reports entitled Ed’s E3. New episodes of Ed’s E3 will premiere every Tuesday and Thursday from September 1 and will air throughout the Disney XD schedule. Additionally, a weekly entry word will appear in each episode, which can be used to enter the Level Up contest online to win one of five game consoles.
On top of entering the Level Up contest on DisneyXD.ca, viewers can explore a dedicated minisite to re-watch episodes of Ed’s E3 as well as test their skills on brand-new Disney XD games. Two new games will be unveiled each week with a bonus game available for those who can work out the special DisneyXD.biz game code.
Disney XD News
DISNEY XD TO PREMIERE “FORT BOYARD – ULTIMATE CHALLENGE,” A REALITY ADVENTURE SERIES ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
Geno Segers (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”) and popular British television presenter Laura Hamilton (“Dancing On Ice”) host an exciting competition requiring brainpower, courage and teamwork, “Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge,” a 10-part series premiering MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), with a thrilling finale MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Based on the international game show phenomenon “Fort Boyard,” the series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams — 24 teens from the United States and the United Kingdom — who team up for a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves “the conquerors of Fort Boyard.”
The reality adventure series marks the first kids’ version of the popular game show which premiered more than 20 years ago and has since been produced in over 38 countries worldwide.
In the premiere episode, team members from the Red Vipers and Yellow Scorpions compete in the first round of challenges to find out which team has what it takes to move on to become the conquerors of the fort.
“Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge” is produced by Zodiak Media Group’s production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions, who created the concept for the original “Fort Boyard” and have been producing the series for 22 years.
The executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde for Adventure Line Productions and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay.
The series will be televised on Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and CiTV in the UK.
About “Fort Boyard”
“Fort Boyard” is the most successful adventure game show in the world, having sold to over 30 territories, while dominating France 2′s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. The action takes place in an imposing fortress built in the middle of the ocean. This provides the perfect backdrop for strenuous, against-the-clock physical challenges and mind-boggling riddles, featuring strange characters and fearsome animals. All this and more awaits those attempting to reach the Treasure Room! Only the fittest and most intelligent contestants can hope to conquer Fort Boyard.
About Disney XD:
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., disney channel XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 22 other Disney XD Games channels around the world.
Geno Segers (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”) and popular British television presenter Laura Hamilton (“Dancing On Ice”) host an exciting competition requiring brainpower, courage and teamwork, “Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge,” a 10-part series premiering MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), with a thrilling finale MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Based on the international game show phenomenon “Fort Boyard,” the series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams — 24 teens from the United States and the United Kingdom — who team up for a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves “the conquerors of Fort Boyard.”
The reality adventure series marks the first kids’ version of the popular game show which premiered more than 20 years ago and has since been produced in over 38 countries worldwide.
In the premiere episode, team members from the Red Vipers and Yellow Scorpions compete in the first round of challenges to find out which team has what it takes to move on to become the conquerors of the fort.
“Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge” is produced by Zodiak Media Group’s production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions, who created the concept for the original “Fort Boyard” and have been producing the series for 22 years.
The executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde for Adventure Line Productions and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay.
The series will be televised on Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and CiTV in the UK.
About “Fort Boyard”
“Fort Boyard” is the most successful adventure game show in the world, having sold to over 30 territories, while dominating France 2′s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. The action takes place in an imposing fortress built in the middle of the ocean. This provides the perfect backdrop for strenuous, against-the-clock physical challenges and mind-boggling riddles, featuring strange characters and fearsome animals. All this and more awaits those attempting to reach the Treasure Room! Only the fittest and most intelligent contestants can hope to conquer Fort Boyard.
About Disney XD:
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., disney channel XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 22 other Disney XD Games channels around the world.
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