Leave it to the Canadians to not only A. create the first Facebook game revolving around marijuana, but B. have it earn a nomination in the Canadian Video Game Awards. East Bay Express reports that Pot Farm, the BC Bud-breeding Facebook game that peaked with over 1.5 million monthly players in 2010, has earned a nomination in the annual ceremony. It's a fitting description considering the game's developer, Downtown East Side Games, is from Vancouver in British Columbia.
The East Bay Express Legalization Nation blog estimates that Pot Farm rakes in nearly $150 thousand per month from players who purchase fertilizer from their digital, um, crops. Regardless, it begs the question: How in the world do worshipers of the fire grass have money to spend on virtual pot plants much less the real deal? There's another mildly existential question born of the world's most hated and beloved plant. Even if you aren't from the most chill province on the planet (which could be both good and bad), you can still vote for the game before May 16. Just don't do it at work.
[Image Credit: Downtown East Side Games]
Have you ever played Pot Farm? Will you be voting for it? Do you think the game is deserving of a Canadian Video Game Award?
Thứ Năm, 29 tháng 12, 2011
Easter Guide: FarmVille, FrontierVille, CityVille & more
This year Easter Sunday is on April 24th. Whether you're celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ or simply basking in the lovely spring weather, Easter is a reason to rejoice! Much like other holidays, for Easter you can expect all your favorite Facebook games to roll out unique themes, updates, and specials for their festive Easter celebrations.
Right here is the best place to learn about Easter deals, limited edition items, and exciting goodies. Make sure to check back in with our Easter Guide for FarmVille, CityVille, FrontierVille, and more, as we'll be updating it all week with any new Easter releases!
Check out our complete FarmVille, CityVille, and FrontierVille Easter coverage in the list below:
Note: The newest updates are at the bottom of each game list!
Jump to:
FarmVille Easter | FrontierVille Easter | CityVille Easter | Cafe World Easter
farmville easter
FarmVille Easter
FarmVille Spring Garden Flowers sprout up as Free Gifts
FarmVille Spring Basket has sprung: Everything you need to know
FarmVille: The Spring Garden has sprung; here's how to build it
FarmVille Spring Decorations: Peeky Bunny, Chick-n-Egg, Egg Fence, and more
FarmVille Spring Animal: Meet the Bunny Ewe
FarmVille Easter Trees: Spring Egg Tree & Giant Spring Egg Tree
FarmVille Scam Alert: Obvious Giant Cream Egg Tree scam is obvious
frontierville easter
FrontierVille Easter
FrontierVille: Clear debris to find Spring Bear Cub injured critter
Redeem FrontierVille Game Card, receive free Easter Mystery Crate
FrontierVille Spring has Sprung Goals: Everything you need to know
FrontierVille: Clear debris to find a Spring Chinchilla shy critter
cityville easter
CityVille Easter
CityVille goes for Spring fling with new buildings, decorations
Cafe World easter
Cafe World Easter
Check back later for Cafe World Easter updates
[Top image via Stephstuff69]
What is your favorite Easter-themed update?
Right here is the best place to learn about Easter deals, limited edition items, and exciting goodies. Make sure to check back in with our Easter Guide for FarmVille, CityVille, FrontierVille, and more, as we'll be updating it all week with any new Easter releases!
Check out our complete FarmVille, CityVille, and FrontierVille Easter coverage in the list below:
Note: The newest updates are at the bottom of each game list!
Jump to:
FarmVille Easter | FrontierVille Easter | CityVille Easter | Cafe World Easter
farmville easter
FarmVille Easter
FarmVille Spring Garden Flowers sprout up as Free Gifts
FarmVille Spring Basket has sprung: Everything you need to know
FarmVille: The Spring Garden has sprung; here's how to build it
FarmVille Spring Decorations: Peeky Bunny, Chick-n-Egg, Egg Fence, and more
FarmVille Spring Animal: Meet the Bunny Ewe
FarmVille Easter Trees: Spring Egg Tree & Giant Spring Egg Tree
FarmVille Scam Alert: Obvious Giant Cream Egg Tree scam is obvious
frontierville easter
FrontierVille Easter
FrontierVille: Clear debris to find Spring Bear Cub injured critter
Redeem FrontierVille Game Card, receive free Easter Mystery Crate
FrontierVille Spring has Sprung Goals: Everything you need to know
FrontierVille: Clear debris to find a Spring Chinchilla shy critter
cityville easter
CityVille Easter
CityVille goes for Spring fling with new buildings, decorations
Cafe World easter
Cafe World Easter
Check back later for Cafe World Easter updates
[Top image via Stephstuff69]
What is your favorite Easter-themed update?
Surveys: Casual gamers make up 63 percent of all UK Internet users
I guess PopCap was right to launch Bejeweled 3 in London, huh? The newest UK National Gamers Survey has found that 28 million Internet users in the UK, or 63 percent of the total, are casual gamers. Business 2 Community reports that, of those 28 million, 20 million play casual games on a mobile device. Of course, this likely means games including FarmVille and Angry Birds, but way over half of the British Internet population is widespread nonetheless.
Need more convincing? The survey goes on to report that it finds 40 percent of time spent on Facebook is playing games, and that 19 percent of social gamers admit their addiction. While some countries aren't as addicted to social media as the US, the numbers go to show that no culture is immune to the gripping effects of social games.
However, also keep in mind the the survey was conducted by a pro-gamer organization. The B2C report continues to mention more detailed, unsurprising statistics such as demographics and projected profits but just the figure "63 percent" is enough to show the seemingly unstoppable spread of social gaming.
[Image Credit: GamesRadar]
How long do you think it will take before that number reaches, say, 80 percent of all UK Internet users? How will this level of ubiquity affect the industry as a whole?
Need more convincing? The survey goes on to report that it finds 40 percent of time spent on Facebook is playing games, and that 19 percent of social gamers admit their addiction. While some countries aren't as addicted to social media as the US, the numbers go to show that no culture is immune to the gripping effects of social games.
However, also keep in mind the the survey was conducted by a pro-gamer organization. The B2C report continues to mention more detailed, unsurprising statistics such as demographics and projected profits but just the figure "63 percent" is enough to show the seemingly unstoppable spread of social gaming.
[Image Credit: GamesRadar]
How long do you think it will take before that number reaches, say, 80 percent of all UK Internet users? How will this level of ubiquity affect the industry as a whole?
Resident Evil: Outbreak Survive infects Japanese social network GREE
Capcom has wasted no time getting its hands in mobile and social gaming, and now the developer brings the all-too-familiar grunts and groans of Resident Evil to social games. VG Chartz reports that Capcom will launch Resident Evil: Outbreak survive on GREE, one of Japan's most popular social gaming networks, this coming June. According to VG Chartz, the game will release on Japanese smartphones and task players with collaborating together to, you know, survive.
More specifically, survivors must share weapons, ammo and healing items as they complete missions together. Considering Resident Evil's immense popularity in the states as well, we're hopeful Capcom will smarten up and unleash this plague on the US. Only the best of plagues, of course: games.
[Image Credit: Capcom]
Would you play a Resident Evil game on Facebook? What if it were a Facebook Connected iPhone game
More specifically, survivors must share weapons, ammo and healing items as they complete missions together. Considering Resident Evil's immense popularity in the states as well, we're hopeful Capcom will smarten up and unleash this plague on the US. Only the best of plagues, of course: games.
[Image Credit: Capcom]
Would you play a Resident Evil game on Facebook? What if it were a Facebook Connected iPhone game
Zynga survey reveals possible FrontierVille mounts, cast your vote
FrontierVille Horses
Getting bored of your mighty steed in FrontierVille? Perhaps it simply doesn't compare with the vast selection of a certain fantasy MMO (ahem, World of Warcraft). Zynga seems to be out to rectify that, according to another of its mysterious surveys that appear unannounced on its various games' pages. The survey, which you can fill out here, asks, "If you were given any of the choices below as mounts in race around your homestead what animals would you select?" You have three choices total between options including Ostriches, Desert Tortoises and even Cougars, so try to consider the potentially awesome (or horribly boring) results of your choices. No pressure, but seriously, who wouldn't want to ride on a giant turtle?
Which of these potential mounts is most appealing to you? Aside from mounts, what content would you like to see in FrontierVille more than anything?
Getting bored of your mighty steed in FrontierVille? Perhaps it simply doesn't compare with the vast selection of a certain fantasy MMO (ahem, World of Warcraft). Zynga seems to be out to rectify that, according to another of its mysterious surveys that appear unannounced on its various games' pages. The survey, which you can fill out here, asks, "If you were given any of the choices below as mounts in race around your homestead what animals would you select?" You have three choices total between options including Ostriches, Desert Tortoises and even Cougars, so try to consider the potentially awesome (or horribly boring) results of your choices. No pressure, but seriously, who wouldn't want to ride on a giant turtle?
Which of these potential mounts is most appealing to you? Aside from mounts, what content would you like to see in FrontierVille more than anything?
Thứ Hai, 26 tháng 12, 2011
FarmVille Sneak Peek: Scottish Decorations and Buildings coming soon
While the actual English Countryside theme may be coming to a close in FarmVille (by Zynga's admission), it looks like we'll be continuing in our trip to Europe, at least virtually, as a new Scottish theme looks to be coming to the game in the near future (perhaps as early as tomorrow evening).
There are plenty of buildings and decorations to take a look at here. We have the Scottish Barn, Bluebell Woods, Crofting Cottage, Scotland Flag, Scottish Piper Gnome, and the Scottish Loch (think Loch Ness Monster).
Notice the third item - the Crofting Cottage. This isn't a misspelling, Crofting is actually a term used for a type of farming and small-scale food production in the Scottish Highlands. Once again, Zynga has done its homework with the authenticity of these items, and it's appreciated. Unfortunately, we won't know for sure when we can add these lovely new items to our farms until Zynga decides to make that decision known. We'll be right there when they do, so keep checking back.
Do you like the idea of a Scottish theme in FarmVille? Which other geographical areas (even outside of Europe) would you like to see represented in the game?
There are plenty of buildings and decorations to take a look at here. We have the Scottish Barn, Bluebell Woods, Crofting Cottage, Scotland Flag, Scottish Piper Gnome, and the Scottish Loch (think Loch Ness Monster).
Notice the third item - the Crofting Cottage. This isn't a misspelling, Crofting is actually a term used for a type of farming and small-scale food production in the Scottish Highlands. Once again, Zynga has done its homework with the authenticity of these items, and it's appreciated. Unfortunately, we won't know for sure when we can add these lovely new items to our farms until Zynga decides to make that decision known. We'll be right there when they do, so keep checking back.
Do you like the idea of a Scottish theme in FarmVille? Which other geographical areas (even outside of Europe) would you like to see represented in the game?
FarmVille Sneak Peek: Craftshops to receive quests and new building materials?
It's been a long, long time since we've seen any new building materials released in FarmVille, but with the new Craftshops, it looks like that very well may be the case. We've come across some unreleased images dealing with the construction of these new (equally unreleased) Craftshops, which tell us that you'll be able to leave the Wooden Boards, Nails, and Bricks behind (at least for one building), and collect Hammers, Concrete, and Spools of Twine in their place.
We've also been able to predict that the launch of the Craftshops will come with at least a three-part mission series, as you can see the three logos for those quests in the image at the top of this post. Sure, we don't know what those quests will entail, but it does mean we'll need to stay on our toes all the same.
As usual, we'll make sure to give you all of the details about Craftshops when they're officially made available in the game, so keep checking back.
In the meantime, let us know what you'd do if all of your Wooden Boards, Nails, and Bricks suddenly became useless. Would you be happy you could clear out your stockpiles? Or, would you be upset that you'd have to start three new collections all over again?
We've also been able to predict that the launch of the Craftshops will come with at least a three-part mission series, as you can see the three logos for those quests in the image at the top of this post. Sure, we don't know what those quests will entail, but it does mean we'll need to stay on our toes all the same.
As usual, we'll make sure to give you all of the details about Craftshops when they're officially made available in the game, so keep checking back.
In the meantime, let us know what you'd do if all of your Wooden Boards, Nails, and Bricks suddenly became useless. Would you be happy you could clear out your stockpiles? Or, would you be upset that you'd have to start three new collections all over again?
FarmVille Sneak Peek Scottish Animals and Trees: Eriskay Pony, Rowan Tree and More
If you didn't think that FarmVille's (unreleased) Scottish item theme would be complete without new animals and trees, well... you're right. It looks like the theme will be a complete one, with new animals and trees also being prepared for launch in the game very, very soon (perhaps even this week). We've come across some unreleased images of those animals and trees, and will jump right into the speculation as usual.
The four animals are the Eriskay Pony and Eriskay Pony Foal, along with the Highland Cow and Highland Calf. The Eriskay is a proper Scottish breed, if you've never heard of it (I'll admit that I hadn't), while the Highland Cow is so furry that I almost can't stand its cuteness.
Meanwhile, the two trees are the Ash Tree and Rowan Tree. If I had to guess, I'd say the Rowen Tree will be the Mystery Seedling part of this pair, that will likely cost 10 or 12 Farm Cash in the store, but will be found for free by claiming Mystery Seedlings from your friends (or even harvesting your own Orchards). The Ash Tree, then, should be available for either 5 or 7 Farm Cash. Of course the trees will be available to master, but whether these will require larger or smaller numbers of harvests remains to be seen as of this writing.
Make sure to keep checking back with us, as we expect some (if not all) of these items to launch in the game this week (likely tomorrow). You won't want to miss your chance at these limited edition items, and we'll make sure you don't!
What do you think of these new animals and trees? Are you more of a tree or animal collector in FarmVille? How big are your collections?
The four animals are the Eriskay Pony and Eriskay Pony Foal, along with the Highland Cow and Highland Calf. The Eriskay is a proper Scottish breed, if you've never heard of it (I'll admit that I hadn't), while the Highland Cow is so furry that I almost can't stand its cuteness.
Meanwhile, the two trees are the Ash Tree and Rowan Tree. If I had to guess, I'd say the Rowen Tree will be the Mystery Seedling part of this pair, that will likely cost 10 or 12 Farm Cash in the store, but will be found for free by claiming Mystery Seedlings from your friends (or even harvesting your own Orchards). The Ash Tree, then, should be available for either 5 or 7 Farm Cash. Of course the trees will be available to master, but whether these will require larger or smaller numbers of harvests remains to be seen as of this writing.
Make sure to keep checking back with us, as we expect some (if not all) of these items to launch in the game this week (likely tomorrow). You won't want to miss your chance at these limited edition items, and we'll make sure you don't!
What do you think of these new animals and trees? Are you more of a tree or animal collector in FarmVille? How big are your collections?
FarmVille Craftshops: You can build them, but you can't use them (yet)
Attention farmers! The FarmVille Craftshop has started to slowly rollout to certain (lucky) players. Just as we predicted (this evening too!), you'll need to build this new building using three new construction materials: Spools of Twine, Hammers and Concrete.
You'll need 10 of each of these ingredients to build your Craftshop (thank goodness it's not more, since we're all starting out with zero stockpiles), with these items available to send to your friends via the game's free gifts page. You can also earn these items by looking inside the frame of your Crafting Shop and then asking your friends to send you these items - basically, it's the same setup as every other building, but with different ingredients.
Unfortunately, once you build the Craftshop, it doesn't really do anything. Ok, it does nothing currently, but we are given this image as a confirmation that new crafting abilities will be "coming soon." Specifically, the image says that we can "Make farm aides, decorations, and much more."
Remember, a lot of these crafting items (at least those pictured) look to be those that we can already earn from other methods (Love Potions, Bottles, and the Fertilize Alls), so perhaps these are just placeholder images for what will be a much more exciting feature down the line? We can only hope that that's the case.
What we do know is that a new quest line comes along with the release of the Craftshop, and that the first quest in the set will require you to complete two tasks:
Buy the Craftshop
Fertilize 25 Plots on Neighbors' Farms
We'll make sure to bring you the news on the other missions in this Craftshop series just as soon as we can, so keep checking back.
[First and last image credit: FarmVille Forums user tHciNc]
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
In the meantime, let us know if you've been lucky enough to receive a Craftshop. What do you think of needing three new building materials?
You'll need 10 of each of these ingredients to build your Craftshop (thank goodness it's not more, since we're all starting out with zero stockpiles), with these items available to send to your friends via the game's free gifts page. You can also earn these items by looking inside the frame of your Crafting Shop and then asking your friends to send you these items - basically, it's the same setup as every other building, but with different ingredients.
Unfortunately, once you build the Craftshop, it doesn't really do anything. Ok, it does nothing currently, but we are given this image as a confirmation that new crafting abilities will be "coming soon." Specifically, the image says that we can "Make farm aides, decorations, and much more."
Remember, a lot of these crafting items (at least those pictured) look to be those that we can already earn from other methods (Love Potions, Bottles, and the Fertilize Alls), so perhaps these are just placeholder images for what will be a much more exciting feature down the line? We can only hope that that's the case.
What we do know is that a new quest line comes along with the release of the Craftshop, and that the first quest in the set will require you to complete two tasks:
Buy the Craftshop
Fertilize 25 Plots on Neighbors' Farms
We'll make sure to bring you the news on the other missions in this Craftshop series just as soon as we can, so keep checking back.
[First and last image credit: FarmVille Forums user tHciNc]
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
In the meantime, let us know if you've been lucky enough to receive a Craftshop. What do you think of needing three new building materials?
FrontierVille: Conestoga Wagons begin to roll in, do nothing (yet)
Look, we know how excited you are to get on into the Oregon Trail in FrontierVille, but cool your jets. Seriously, you're scaring us. Now, FrontierVille Info has finally completed the 12 Goals for the McBaggins family and received his Conestoga Wagon. Alright! So, we're ready to go, right? Not quite, my friends.
No, the Wagon is completely inert at the moment--all you can do is move it around. Don't be alarmed, because no matter what, Zynga will release the next step to unlocking the Oregon Trail, which has been said to release this month. Just because you have so much free time you're doesn't mean the stragglers shouldn't get a chance to see the new content when you do. Give her time, the Trail ain't going nowhere. For real, it's right here.
[Image Credit: FrontierVille Info]
Have you received your Conestoga Wagon already too? What are most excited to do in the Oregon Trail?
No, the Wagon is completely inert at the moment--all you can do is move it around. Don't be alarmed, because no matter what, Zynga will release the next step to unlocking the Oregon Trail, which has been said to release this month. Just because you have so much free time you're doesn't mean the stragglers shouldn't get a chance to see the new content when you do. Give her time, the Trail ain't going nowhere. For real, it's right here.
[Image Credit: FrontierVille Info]
Have you received your Conestoga Wagon already too? What are most excited to do in the Oregon Trail?
Chủ Nhật, 25 tháng 12, 2011
FarmVille Mystery Box offers up horses (and foals) for collectors
With tonight's FarmVille update we see the launch of another one-day-only Birthday Mystery Box in the game's store. This time, the Mystery Box contains a set of six Horses, each of which can give off like-foals when placed in a Horse Stable and randomly bred.
Fortunately, the price for each Mystery Box is actually a bit cheaper than the price of an individual Horse in the store (which averages between 22-26 Farm Cash), as you can buy a single box for 20 Farm Cash. Of course, there's a chance you might end up with something you already have from a previous release, but I suppose that's the risk you take. Here's what you'll have a chance to find:
Black Shire Horse
Black Stallion
Camargue Horse
Falabella Horse
Mongolian Horse
Welsh Pony
Again, this installment of the Birthday Mystery Box will only be available for one day, so we'd expect to see another six items re-released in another box tomorrow night. If that happens, we'll make sure to let you know what's inside.
Fortunately, the price for each Mystery Box is actually a bit cheaper than the price of an individual Horse in the store (which averages between 22-26 Farm Cash), as you can buy a single box for 20 Farm Cash. Of course, there's a chance you might end up with something you already have from a previous release, but I suppose that's the risk you take. Here's what you'll have a chance to find:
Black Shire Horse
Black Stallion
Camargue Horse
Falabella Horse
Mongolian Horse
Welsh Pony
Again, this installment of the Birthday Mystery Box will only be available for one day, so we'd expect to see another six items re-released in another box tomorrow night. If that happens, we'll make sure to let you know what's inside.
Zynga vs Vostu: Brazilian game developer responds to Zynga infringement lawsuit
Zynga vs Vostu
Yesterday, Zynga filed suit against Brazilian social game developer Vostu for infringement. According to detailed examples provided by Zynga, Vostu has copied Zynga games like CityVille and PetVille wholesale in its Mega City and Pet Mania games, even going so far as to replicating the company's mistakes in its games, as TechCrunch reports. In response to Zynga's detailed accusations, Vostu spokesman Davidson Goldin said:
Zynga has been accused of copying so many games that they've sadly lost the ability to recognize games like ours that are chock full of original content and have been independently created. Vostu has 500 brilliant employees working night and day making hand drawings and writing proprietary code for online games that our 35 million users worldwide enjoy. Zynga's anti-competitive effort to bully us with a frivolous lawsuit - especially when we have some of the same key investors - is pathetic. While Zynga plays games with the legal process we will continue focusing on using our substantial resources to create games that entertain our customers.
Essentially, Vostu is responding how we initially responded to the news yesterday: Zynga has had a history of run-ins with other companies for similar reasons. Most recently, it's Oregon Trail expansion to FrontierVille had its name changed in response to a lawsuit filed by The Learning Company, the creators of the original PC adventure game. However, we're interested to see how Zynga responds to Vostu's, um, direct statement, but more importantly how the courts perceive the wealth of comparisons. We've contacted Zynga for comment.
What do you think of Vostu's response? Does Zynga have a place in suing Vostu, and does the company's response hold weight?
Yesterday, Zynga filed suit against Brazilian social game developer Vostu for infringement. According to detailed examples provided by Zynga, Vostu has copied Zynga games like CityVille and PetVille wholesale in its Mega City and Pet Mania games, even going so far as to replicating the company's mistakes in its games, as TechCrunch reports. In response to Zynga's detailed accusations, Vostu spokesman Davidson Goldin said:
Zynga has been accused of copying so many games that they've sadly lost the ability to recognize games like ours that are chock full of original content and have been independently created. Vostu has 500 brilliant employees working night and day making hand drawings and writing proprietary code for online games that our 35 million users worldwide enjoy. Zynga's anti-competitive effort to bully us with a frivolous lawsuit - especially when we have some of the same key investors - is pathetic. While Zynga plays games with the legal process we will continue focusing on using our substantial resources to create games that entertain our customers.
Essentially, Vostu is responding how we initially responded to the news yesterday: Zynga has had a history of run-ins with other companies for similar reasons. Most recently, it's Oregon Trail expansion to FrontierVille had its name changed in response to a lawsuit filed by The Learning Company, the creators of the original PC adventure game. However, we're interested to see how Zynga responds to Vostu's, um, direct statement, but more importantly how the courts perceive the wealth of comparisons. We've contacted Zynga for comment.
What do you think of Vostu's response? Does Zynga have a place in suing Vostu, and does the company's response hold weight?
FarmVille English Countryside Storage Transfer Goals: Everything you need to know
FarmVille Storage Transfer
The time has finally come to bring FarmVille's English Countryside Goals to a close--and to get that nifty Storage Transfer. The final Goals have arrived, and while they don't have an overarching title, we went with "Storage Transfer" because that's ultimately what we're all here for. It's a series of five Goals that task you with preparing several items for the Duke before you leave forever (just kidding). At any rate, it's a long road to Storage Transfer, so use this handy guide to prepare yourself for what's to come.
Cream of the Crop
1. Cream of the Crop
Harvest one Dairy Farm
Harvest 100 Red Currants
Get 6 Ice Cream Cones
Cream of the Crop rewards
To harvest 100 Red Currants, it will take you at least four hours and cost you 4,000 Coins. The six Ice Cream Cones are to be requested from friends, and that can be done from inside the Goal window. Finishing these simple tasks will reward you with 1,000 Coins, 100 XP and Garden Urn.
Perfect Preparations
2. Perfect Preparations
Harvest 100 Bluebells
Get 3 Glasses of Grape Juice
Make 6 Barley Crumpet recipes
Perfect Preparations rewards
The 100 Bluebells will cost you a total of 12,000 Coins and take at least 12 hours if you plant them all at once. The three Glasses of Grape Juice are sourced from friends, which you can do from within the Goal window. To make six Barley Crumpet recipes you will need a total of 12 Barley Bushels, 12 English Peas Bushels and three English Rose Bushels. Each time you create it will take six hours, and you must be Level 20 to do so. Complete this Goal for 100 XP, 1,000 Coins and four Country Flowerbeds.
Parting Gifts
3. Parting Gifts
Get 6 Presents
Place 3 Lambs
Harvest 100 Field Beans
Parting Gifts rewards
Like those before it, the six Presents are requested by friends through the Goal menu. Placing three Lambs will take some breeding in the Sheep Pen, which could anywhere from mere seconds to 24 hours depending on how many Love Potions you provide. The 100 Field Beans cost 8,000 Coins and will take at least 16 hours to harvest. Finish this Goal, and 250 XP, 1 Lord Outfit, 1 Lady Outfit and 2,500 coins are yours.
Once Around the Farm
4. Once Around the Farm
Get 6 Airship Patches
Harvest 100 Black Tea
Make 3 Rosehip Tea recipes
Once Around the Farm rewards
We're sensing a pattern here. The six Airship Patches come from requesting friends for help through the Goal menu. The 100 Black Tea crops will cost you 5,000 Coins and take at least eight hours to harvest. All the while, you will need 12 Black Tea Bushels and 12 English Rose Bushels to create the Rosehip Tea, which take six hours to craft. The rewards for finishing this Goal include 250 XP, 6 Country Flowerbeds and 2,500 coins.
A Great Start
5. A Great Start
Get 6 Donation Cheques
Harvest 200 Cara Potatoes
Get 15 Bushels from Friends
A Great Start rewards
Of course, the six Donation Cheques are found through friends in the Goal menu. To harvest the 200 Cara Potatoes, you'll need a whopping 50,000 Coins and at least two days to grow them all. It might be worth your time (and money) to spend the Farm Cash on an Instant Grow for this Goal. To get the 15 Bushels from friends, just visit their Farmer's Market Stalls and buy them. Finishing this monolithic Goal will finally reward you with the completed English Countryside Map and Storage Transfer. You'll also nab 500 XP, an English Castle and 2,500 coins, but ... Storage Transfer!
[Source and Image Credit: FarmVille Feed]
Have you started the final English Countryside storyline Goals yet? What tips might you have for completing them even more quickly?
The time has finally come to bring FarmVille's English Countryside Goals to a close--and to get that nifty Storage Transfer. The final Goals have arrived, and while they don't have an overarching title, we went with "Storage Transfer" because that's ultimately what we're all here for. It's a series of five Goals that task you with preparing several items for the Duke before you leave forever (just kidding). At any rate, it's a long road to Storage Transfer, so use this handy guide to prepare yourself for what's to come.
Cream of the Crop
1. Cream of the Crop
Harvest one Dairy Farm
Harvest 100 Red Currants
Get 6 Ice Cream Cones
Cream of the Crop rewards
To harvest 100 Red Currants, it will take you at least four hours and cost you 4,000 Coins. The six Ice Cream Cones are to be requested from friends, and that can be done from inside the Goal window. Finishing these simple tasks will reward you with 1,000 Coins, 100 XP and Garden Urn.
Perfect Preparations
2. Perfect Preparations
Harvest 100 Bluebells
Get 3 Glasses of Grape Juice
Make 6 Barley Crumpet recipes
Perfect Preparations rewards
The 100 Bluebells will cost you a total of 12,000 Coins and take at least 12 hours if you plant them all at once. The three Glasses of Grape Juice are sourced from friends, which you can do from within the Goal window. To make six Barley Crumpet recipes you will need a total of 12 Barley Bushels, 12 English Peas Bushels and three English Rose Bushels. Each time you create it will take six hours, and you must be Level 20 to do so. Complete this Goal for 100 XP, 1,000 Coins and four Country Flowerbeds.
Parting Gifts
3. Parting Gifts
Get 6 Presents
Place 3 Lambs
Harvest 100 Field Beans
Parting Gifts rewards
Like those before it, the six Presents are requested by friends through the Goal menu. Placing three Lambs will take some breeding in the Sheep Pen, which could anywhere from mere seconds to 24 hours depending on how many Love Potions you provide. The 100 Field Beans cost 8,000 Coins and will take at least 16 hours to harvest. Finish this Goal, and 250 XP, 1 Lord Outfit, 1 Lady Outfit and 2,500 coins are yours.
Once Around the Farm
4. Once Around the Farm
Get 6 Airship Patches
Harvest 100 Black Tea
Make 3 Rosehip Tea recipes
Once Around the Farm rewards
We're sensing a pattern here. The six Airship Patches come from requesting friends for help through the Goal menu. The 100 Black Tea crops will cost you 5,000 Coins and take at least eight hours to harvest. All the while, you will need 12 Black Tea Bushels and 12 English Rose Bushels to create the Rosehip Tea, which take six hours to craft. The rewards for finishing this Goal include 250 XP, 6 Country Flowerbeds and 2,500 coins.
A Great Start
5. A Great Start
Get 6 Donation Cheques
Harvest 200 Cara Potatoes
Get 15 Bushels from Friends
A Great Start rewards
Of course, the six Donation Cheques are found through friends in the Goal menu. To harvest the 200 Cara Potatoes, you'll need a whopping 50,000 Coins and at least two days to grow them all. It might be worth your time (and money) to spend the Farm Cash on an Instant Grow for this Goal. To get the 15 Bushels from friends, just visit their Farmer's Market Stalls and buy them. Finishing this monolithic Goal will finally reward you with the completed English Countryside Map and Storage Transfer. You'll also nab 500 XP, an English Castle and 2,500 coins, but ... Storage Transfer!
[Source and Image Credit: FarmVille Feed]
Have you started the final English Countryside storyline Goals yet? What tips might you have for completing them even more quickly?
Nintendo's 'not interested' in Facebook games, but Wii U will go social
If you're a bit confused, let us clarify: Nintendo will not make Facebook or mobile games until Pikachu's fly. But, according to Joystiq, the company is very much interested in social media when it comes to console experiences, specifically the Wii U. When asked during a Q&A about the upcoming console's online experience, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata admitted, "We are no longer in a period where we cannot have any connection at all with social networking sites."
Of course, in true Nintendo fashion, no concrete details were given. Though, Iwata went on to say, "We're looking at ways that will convey to this audience which games are fun and, ideally, in a way that will enable people who are playing those games with others, to share that information socially."
So, the company still isn't keen on making its games free, but Nintendo does at least recognize that the social features that Facebook games provide are valuable. However, we're still waiting to see exactly what Iwata means by "sharing information socially," and how that will fit into the console's online infrastructure (which we also know little to nothing about).
[Source: Nintendo]
How do you think Nintendo will integrate social media into the Wii U console? Does it sound like it will be enough to attract social gamers (you) to the new system?
Of course, in true Nintendo fashion, no concrete details were given. Though, Iwata went on to say, "We're looking at ways that will convey to this audience which games are fun and, ideally, in a way that will enable people who are playing those games with others, to share that information socially."
So, the company still isn't keen on making its games free, but Nintendo does at least recognize that the social features that Facebook games provide are valuable. However, we're still waiting to see exactly what Iwata means by "sharing information socially," and how that will fit into the console's online infrastructure (which we also know little to nothing about).
[Source: Nintendo]
How do you think Nintendo will integrate social media into the Wii U console? Does it sound like it will be enough to attract social gamers (you) to the new system?
Lunchtime Poll: How well do you know your Facebook game friends?
Our guess is, "Not very well," but let's not get ahead of ourselves. A recent study reported by TechCrunch reveals that the average Facebook user has never met 7 percent of their friends on the social network in person. That's actually pretty impressive, considering how many celebrities and other folks that we follow on Twitter without so much as a "hello."
However, we have fairly good reason to believe that this is certainly not the case when it comes to the "other" Facebook user: the Facebook gamer. (Seriously, have you ever seen the comments on a game update via Facebook?) Though, we're going to let you confirm that for us in today's Lunchtime Poll:
How well do you know your Facebook game friends?
I actually know most of them personally, thank you very much.I only know a few personally, the rest I've met through games.Come to think of it, I don't know any of them "IRL," as the kids say.Are you kidding? I comb/post "Add Me" comments all the time!
VoteView ResultsShare ThisPolldaddy.com
Have any interesting stories to tell about how you met your Facebook game friends?
However, we have fairly good reason to believe that this is certainly not the case when it comes to the "other" Facebook user: the Facebook gamer. (Seriously, have you ever seen the comments on a game update via Facebook?) Though, we're going to let you confirm that for us in today's Lunchtime Poll:
How well do you know your Facebook game friends?
I actually know most of them personally, thank you very much.I only know a few personally, the rest I've met through games.Come to think of it, I don't know any of them "IRL," as the kids say.Are you kidding? I comb/post "Add Me" comments all the time!
VoteView ResultsShare ThisPolldaddy.com
Have any interesting stories to tell about how you met your Facebook game friends?
FarmVille Pic of the Day: Skya's Monster Gaga
After last week's brief retreat to Curtlav's mountain farm, the FarmVille Pic of the Day series is back to GagaVille. Today's featured farm was created by Skya, an aspiring farm artist over at the FarmVille Forums. Her farm, an exceptionally massive Lady Gaga portrait, managed to distinguish itself from the dozens of other Lady Gaga farm designs.
In addition to the carefully placed haybales used to create the face, there are two other points of interest. First, the crazy hair created using nothing more than the different species of trees. In all my years of FarmVille, I've never seen trees used like that. In addition, Skya used the new Lady Gaga crops to create a necklace and blouse for the pop artist. All this was enough to earn Skya a winning prize in the Lady Gaga Farm Contest held by Zynga. Congratulations Skya!
Fortunately we were able to get the official word from Skya herself. Check out what she had to say about this gargantuan Gaga:
What inspired your creative farm design?
I just wanted to use the violet hay bales from GagaVille theme. Then I saw a picture of Gaga while loading FarmVille; it was black, pink, and violet. So i decided to do this face with the bales, and then the hair with trees, because i had plenty of them.
Do you have any awesome decorating tips to share?
I don´t know...just look at some farm of the week posts...there is always something nice =)
How did you create the wonderful crop and hay bale art?
I just copy the picture in paint as i saw in one video, made it bigger 5 or 10x, to see good the squares..but i wanted to make it 45° turned, but couldn't rotate it in paint (I don't have Photoshop). So i just made approximated. Then I got gems and giant gem trees the day i started making it, so it comes to my mind that these two crystal crops would make a great necklace. Then in contrast I used pink roses for a top, because with chrome daises the crystals wouldn't be so visible.
How did you go about making the perfectly shaped face and hair? Was it difficult?
I don't think the face is perfectly shaped =D but I did the best I could =) As for the hair, i just make waves, this was quite easy =)
How long did it take you to complete the design?
It took like 1.5 days, don´t know the hours exactly =D I´m really glad you like my farm so much =)) Thank you for this =)
- Veronika =)
What do you guys think of Skya's massive Gaga farm?
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!
In addition to the carefully placed haybales used to create the face, there are two other points of interest. First, the crazy hair created using nothing more than the different species of trees. In all my years of FarmVille, I've never seen trees used like that. In addition, Skya used the new Lady Gaga crops to create a necklace and blouse for the pop artist. All this was enough to earn Skya a winning prize in the Lady Gaga Farm Contest held by Zynga. Congratulations Skya!
Fortunately we were able to get the official word from Skya herself. Check out what she had to say about this gargantuan Gaga:
What inspired your creative farm design?
I just wanted to use the violet hay bales from GagaVille theme. Then I saw a picture of Gaga while loading FarmVille; it was black, pink, and violet. So i decided to do this face with the bales, and then the hair with trees, because i had plenty of them.
Do you have any awesome decorating tips to share?
I don´t know...just look at some farm of the week posts...there is always something nice =)
How did you create the wonderful crop and hay bale art?
I just copy the picture in paint as i saw in one video, made it bigger 5 or 10x, to see good the squares..but i wanted to make it 45° turned, but couldn't rotate it in paint (I don't have Photoshop). So i just made approximated. Then I got gems and giant gem trees the day i started making it, so it comes to my mind that these two crystal crops would make a great necklace. Then in contrast I used pink roses for a top, because with chrome daises the crystals wouldn't be so visible.
How did you go about making the perfectly shaped face and hair? Was it difficult?
I don't think the face is perfectly shaped =D but I did the best I could =) As for the hair, i just make waves, this was quite easy =)
How long did it take you to complete the design?
It took like 1.5 days, don´t know the hours exactly =D I´m really glad you like my farm so much =)) Thank you for this =)
- Veronika =)
What do you guys think of Skya's massive Gaga farm?
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!
Thứ Năm, 22 tháng 12, 2011
Zynga says, 'Cheers!' to UK CityVille players with new British items
A slew of British items have invaded CityVille, though we doubt will players will want to resist, as some are pretty darn cool. (What did you think we meant?) From a Chippy--British fish and chips--Shop to a London Palace and a Rugby Scrum, Zynga brings a dollop of English culture to our miniature cities. Let's get on with what's in store for players as they log into CityVille today:
Chippy Shop
Goods: 200
Earnings: 1,100 Coins
Costs: 35 City Cash
Contributes to Surf and Turf Collection
Found in Mystery Crate
London Palace
Community Building
Population: Allows 2,500 more
Found in Mystery Crate
England, Scotland, Union and Wales Flags
Cost: 1,000 Coins
Bonus: 1% payout increase
CityVille British Items
Red Telephone Box
Costs: 1,000 Coins
Bonus: 1% payout increase
Rugby Scrum
Costs: 5,000 Coins
Bonus: 4% payout increase
Backyard Soccer
Costs: 75,000 coins or 35 City Cash
Bonus: 12% payout increase
CityVille British Items
Twee Terrace
Population: Adds 250-500
Rent: 461 Coins per 24 hours
Found in Mystery Crate
Monarchal Maisonette
Unlocked at Level 39
Population: Adds 150-250
Rent: 60 coins per hour
Costs: 25,000 coins.
Scottish Castle
Population: Adds 800-1500
Rent: 432 coins per 18 hours
Costs: 60 City Cash
Found in Mystery Crate
As you can see from the list, four of these items have a chance of appearing in the new British Mystery Crate, which costs 35 City Cash, or just under $5. However, many of these items are only around for another six days, so get to spending if you want a slice of life across the pond in your city.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Which of the British items have you picked up already or plan to? What international theme would you like to see next in CityVille?
Chippy Shop
Goods: 200
Earnings: 1,100 Coins
Costs: 35 City Cash
Contributes to Surf and Turf Collection
Found in Mystery Crate
London Palace
Community Building
Population: Allows 2,500 more
Found in Mystery Crate
England, Scotland, Union and Wales Flags
Cost: 1,000 Coins
Bonus: 1% payout increase
CityVille British Items
Red Telephone Box
Costs: 1,000 Coins
Bonus: 1% payout increase
Rugby Scrum
Costs: 5,000 Coins
Bonus: 4% payout increase
Backyard Soccer
Costs: 75,000 coins or 35 City Cash
Bonus: 12% payout increase
CityVille British Items
Twee Terrace
Population: Adds 250-500
Rent: 461 Coins per 24 hours
Found in Mystery Crate
Monarchal Maisonette
Unlocked at Level 39
Population: Adds 150-250
Rent: 60 coins per hour
Costs: 25,000 coins.
Scottish Castle
Population: Adds 800-1500
Rent: 432 coins per 18 hours
Costs: 60 City Cash
Found in Mystery Crate
As you can see from the list, four of these items have a chance of appearing in the new British Mystery Crate, which costs 35 City Cash, or just under $5. However, many of these items are only around for another six days, so get to spending if you want a slice of life across the pond in your city.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Which of the British items have you picked up already or plan to? What international theme would you like to see next in CityVille?
Facebook working to bring Credits to mobile browsers [Rumor]
The rumored Project Spartan, Facebook's HTML5-centric effort to escape the App Store via your phone's web browser, could make bookoo bucks. Bloomberg reports that, according to three unnamed sources, Facebook is in talks with developers in an effort to bring Facebook Credits to mobile browsers. Couple a mobile version of Facebook--complete with support from app and game developers including the omnipotent Zynga--and a payment platform to support shopping within those games, and Facebook becomes its own mobile app company of sorts.
Purchases made within Facebook-connected apps downloaded from the App Store or Android Market don't provide Facebook with the 30 percent cut it enjoys on the web, thanks to Facebook Credits. So, it only makes sense that, if the company is focused on a mobile browser-based Facebook offering, that its cash cow would be included. Speaking of cows, it's rumored that Zynga is working on a number HTML5-based versions of its hit games, including FarmVille, for this new mobile browser Facebook.
Bloomberg event hints at an upcoming change to how new apps and games might be discovered on the web version of Facebook. Citing more unnamed sources, Bloomberg reports that Facebook might soon have a separate News Feed solely for posts related to Facebook games and apps that will appear on the right side of the browser window. We've contacted Facebook for comment.
Do you believe that Facebook is working on a brand new approach to mobile? How do you think Facebook games on the whole will be affected?
Purchases made within Facebook-connected apps downloaded from the App Store or Android Market don't provide Facebook with the 30 percent cut it enjoys on the web, thanks to Facebook Credits. So, it only makes sense that, if the company is focused on a mobile browser-based Facebook offering, that its cash cow would be included. Speaking of cows, it's rumored that Zynga is working on a number HTML5-based versions of its hit games, including FarmVille, for this new mobile browser Facebook.
Bloomberg event hints at an upcoming change to how new apps and games might be discovered on the web version of Facebook. Citing more unnamed sources, Bloomberg reports that Facebook might soon have a separate News Feed solely for posts related to Facebook games and apps that will appear on the right side of the browser window. We've contacted Facebook for comment.
Do you believe that Facebook is working on a brand new approach to mobile? How do you think Facebook games on the whole will be affected?
Disney-owned social game studio Three Melons suffers layoffs
Disney has had quite a time getting used to the whole "Facebook" thing. The next of the company's troubles--or rather its employees--is a series of unfortunate layoffs that have struck Three Melons, one of Playdom's social game studios. Gamasutra reports that, according to an anonymous source, "30 people and counting" have been affected in the Buenos Aires, Argentina-based studio.
Playdom, snagged by Disney last year for around $763 million, bought Three Melons just months before being acquired, and conducted the layoffs through Disney's Interactive Media Group. "As part of our ongoing strategy to best position the Disney Interactive Media Group for success in digital media, we continually evaluate and refine our business," Disney told Gamasutra. "As part of this process we've made targeted layoffs within the division."
Three Melons, known best for a Facebook game called Bola! that enjoys 1.9 million monthly players, employed 45 people in March 2010, according to Gamasutra. (We sure hope the studio made quite a bit of hires before today's terrible news.) This news follows analysts recently playing doomsayer over Disney and Playdom's place in the social games business. Disney didn't reveal what will happen to Three Melons after the layoffs were through, though some "good luck" wishes are in order.
With layoffs beginning within its network, how do you Disney and Playdom fit into the larger social gaming puzzle? Which Disney or Playdom game would you miss most on Facebook?
Playdom, snagged by Disney last year for around $763 million, bought Three Melons just months before being acquired, and conducted the layoffs through Disney's Interactive Media Group. "As part of our ongoing strategy to best position the Disney Interactive Media Group for success in digital media, we continually evaluate and refine our business," Disney told Gamasutra. "As part of this process we've made targeted layoffs within the division."
Three Melons, known best for a Facebook game called Bola! that enjoys 1.9 million monthly players, employed 45 people in March 2010, according to Gamasutra. (We sure hope the studio made quite a bit of hires before today's terrible news.) This news follows analysts recently playing doomsayer over Disney and Playdom's place in the social games business. Disney didn't reveal what will happen to Three Melons after the layoffs were through, though some "good luck" wishes are in order.
With layoffs beginning within its network, how do you Disney and Playdom fit into the larger social gaming puzzle? Which Disney or Playdom game would you miss most on Facebook?
Zynga's Customer Support site is down: Oh, the irony [UPDATE]
Update: Fortunately, this downtime didn't last as long as we had feared, and things look to be back to normal. Your mileage may vary.
Well, this does put us in a pickle. While bugs and glitches in Zynga's games are (unfortunately) pretty abundant (especially in FarmVille and FrontierVille), we've always been able to call on Zynga's Customer Support site to at least attempt to find a resolution. But what happens when we can't do that? Well, for the next little while we'll learn the answer to that puzzle, as Zynga has announced that their CS site is down, meaning that we can't call on them for help for the time being.
Here's the direct quote, which you can find above most Zynga games, or plastered all over the company's forums:
"Zynga's Customer Service Site is down, which is preventing players from filing a ticket. Zynga is investigating the issue and is looking to resolve it as fast as possible. Thank you for your patience."
Sure, the site will be back online (eventually), but I suppose we're left on our own in the meantime. Hopefully, this doesn't cause a huge backup when the site and service does come back online, making it an even more lengthy process to hear back about our issues. Either way, I'm left to wonder: am I the only one that finds a bit of humor in this irony?
Do you routinely contact Zynga Customer Support concerning questions and issues you've experienced with Zynga's games? How helpful have they been?
Well, this does put us in a pickle. While bugs and glitches in Zynga's games are (unfortunately) pretty abundant (especially in FarmVille and FrontierVille), we've always been able to call on Zynga's Customer Support site to at least attempt to find a resolution. But what happens when we can't do that? Well, for the next little while we'll learn the answer to that puzzle, as Zynga has announced that their CS site is down, meaning that we can't call on them for help for the time being.
Here's the direct quote, which you can find above most Zynga games, or plastered all over the company's forums:
"Zynga's Customer Service Site is down, which is preventing players from filing a ticket. Zynga is investigating the issue and is looking to resolve it as fast as possible. Thank you for your patience."
Sure, the site will be back online (eventually), but I suppose we're left on our own in the meantime. Hopefully, this doesn't cause a huge backup when the site and service does come back online, making it an even more lengthy process to hear back about our issues. Either way, I'm left to wonder: am I the only one that finds a bit of humor in this irony?
Do you routinely contact Zynga Customer Support concerning questions and issues you've experienced with Zynga's games? How helpful have they been?
FrontierVille Sneak Peek: Will Captain Flintlock return for true love with Bess?
While Hank and Fanny Wildcat have found true love in FrontierVille (and have even headed off on their Honeymoon), what does that leave Bess to do? Will she ever find true love? Signs point to yes, as Zynga has given us a bit of a sneak peek today concerning the Captain and Bess. We've been told that Captain Flintlock definitely will be coming back to the game in the future, although the form and duration of his stay is still unknown.
Remember, Bess and Captain Flintlock aren't exactly strangers, as he gifted her (well, us) a lovely Black Stallion at the end of the Cowgirls Don't Cry missions which were released back in May. Could Flintlock's return be something as romantic as him refusing to stay away from Bess any longer, or will the "will they / won't they" storyline continue even with his return?
Personally, I'm all for Bess finding true love, just as Hank and Fanny were given. After all, it's still interesting to think that so many players had Hank courting Bess instead of Fanny back in February's Valentine's Day event, and that Zynga decided to finally make a decision themselves, so it's only fair that we should see this romantic soap opera come to a close for Bess as well. Am I reading too much into the game's storyline? Probably, but after investing so much time with these characters, it's hard not to! We'll just have to wait and see exactly what happens between Captain Flintlock and Bess when he makes his return to the Homestead in the future.
Are you hoping Captain Flintlock's return brings about a second wedding on the Homestead? Would you like a second set of wedding goals, or do you hope this event would be smaller than the first?
Remember, Bess and Captain Flintlock aren't exactly strangers, as he gifted her (well, us) a lovely Black Stallion at the end of the Cowgirls Don't Cry missions which were released back in May. Could Flintlock's return be something as romantic as him refusing to stay away from Bess any longer, or will the "will they / won't they" storyline continue even with his return?
Personally, I'm all for Bess finding true love, just as Hank and Fanny were given. After all, it's still interesting to think that so many players had Hank courting Bess instead of Fanny back in February's Valentine's Day event, and that Zynga decided to finally make a decision themselves, so it's only fair that we should see this romantic soap opera come to a close for Bess as well. Am I reading too much into the game's storyline? Probably, but after investing so much time with these characters, it's hard not to! We'll just have to wait and see exactly what happens between Captain Flintlock and Bess when he makes his return to the Homestead in the future.
Are you hoping Captain Flintlock's return brings about a second wedding on the Homestead? Would you like a second set of wedding goals, or do you hope this event would be smaller than the first?
EA's Peter Moore: Paying players spend an average of $56 on sports Facebook games
That's a lot of Facebook Credits. In a recent conference call, EA Sports President Peter Moore revealed that interesting tidbit, which gives some indication of just how adamant sports fans are about their games, both on and off of Facebook. To be specific, EA / Playfish's Madden NFL Superstars, FIFA Superstars and World Series Superstars Facebook games pull in an average of $56 per paying user over their lifetime experience(s) with the games.
That's not saying that each and every player shells out money, but of those that are willing to open their wallets, the number adds up to a $56 average - almost the price of a full retail sports game on consoles. What's more, this high of an average means that some players are clearly investing far more money into these games to pull the number up, when there are surely other groups of players that may only invest a few dollars.
Moore confirmed that there are far more people (a "majority") playing these three games for free, which "add[s] to the ecosystem of that type of game." EA CEO John Riccitiello adds that they believe the low number of paying players may be attributable to the previous need to enter a credit card for each purchase. Now, with the widespread adoption of Facebook Credits, allowing users to keep a credit balance on their account at all times, he says that it "is a growth engine for us and, if you will, a playfield leveling program for Electronic Arts and social."
With Facebook Credits being a hot topic amongst most Facebook developers, it will be interesting to see if Riccitiello's prediction comes true, resulting in a higher average from paying players down the line. Only time will tell.
[Via the Associated Press]
Do you actively play any of these three EA Sports Facebook games? Have you ever invested money in these games, or any other Facebook game? What would EA / Playfish need to do to make you want to invest in these games with real money of your own?
That's not saying that each and every player shells out money, but of those that are willing to open their wallets, the number adds up to a $56 average - almost the price of a full retail sports game on consoles. What's more, this high of an average means that some players are clearly investing far more money into these games to pull the number up, when there are surely other groups of players that may only invest a few dollars.
Moore confirmed that there are far more people (a "majority") playing these three games for free, which "add[s] to the ecosystem of that type of game." EA CEO John Riccitiello adds that they believe the low number of paying players may be attributable to the previous need to enter a credit card for each purchase. Now, with the widespread adoption of Facebook Credits, allowing users to keep a credit balance on their account at all times, he says that it "is a growth engine for us and, if you will, a playfield leveling program for Electronic Arts and social."
With Facebook Credits being a hot topic amongst most Facebook developers, it will be interesting to see if Riccitiello's prediction comes true, resulting in a higher average from paying players down the line. Only time will tell.
[Via the Associated Press]
Do you actively play any of these three EA Sports Facebook games? Have you ever invested money in these games, or any other Facebook game? What would EA / Playfish need to do to make you want to invest in these games with real money of your own?
Thứ Sáu, 16 tháng 12, 2011
Game of the Day: Alchemy
Alchemy is a game of strategy and wit. Carefully place runes and turn the entire board to gold. You can only place runes next to pieces of the same color or shape. However, you can place a rune of any color or shape next to a grey stone. If you can't place the rune, you may discard it. But be careful, discard four runes in a row and it'll be game over! If you fill a row or column with runes, they'll all disappear, opening up the board. Similarly, a skull will let you destroy any rune on the board.
Alchemy may seem complicated at first, but once you grasp the basics, you'll be hooked on its addictive gameplay. Good luck!
Click here to play Alchemy!
alchemy game of the day alchemy game of the day
What did you think of Alchemy? Where you able to turn lead into gold?
Alchemy may seem complicated at first, but once you grasp the basics, you'll be hooked on its addictive gameplay. Good luck!
Click here to play Alchemy!
alchemy game of the day alchemy game of the day
What did you think of Alchemy? Where you able to turn lead into gold?
Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski is awfully addicted to Angry Birds
Another falls to the power of casual games. Just as actress Emma Stone had to go cold turkey on FarmVille, Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski has admitted to Collider an acute Angry Birds addiction. The actress (and voice of Miranda Lawson in Bioware's Mass Effect series) told the website she's not just hopelessly addicted to the game, but has some serious bird-slinging game.
"I don't know if this classifies as a video game, but I have a terrible obsession with Angry Birds," Strahovski admitted to Collider. "I have 3 stared every single level that has ever come out ever except for this one in this moon thing that just came out." Well, she already has me beat, it seems, and likely many of you.
When asked whether she used YouTube or something else to cheat, the Australian starlet replied, "No. I am legitimate. The only thing I looked up is that I could't find the last two golden watermelons in the Rio version. I could't find them. I was like, 'Where are the watermelons?!' So I had to go online and find out where they were." Alright, we get it, so you know your stuff.
Her next mission? Clear every level in the game with 100 percent using the Mighty Eagle. Well, I guess that's about the only challenge she has left, considering she's obliterated every last level. After that, maybe she might consider voice over work for the upcoming Angry Birds movie when it goes into production in oh, I don't know, two years? And who knows, maybe you'll catch her in a Starbucks, flicking away to destroy your high score sometime soon.
"I don't know if this classifies as a video game, but I have a terrible obsession with Angry Birds," Strahovski admitted to Collider. "I have 3 stared every single level that has ever come out ever except for this one in this moon thing that just came out." Well, she already has me beat, it seems, and likely many of you.
When asked whether she used YouTube or something else to cheat, the Australian starlet replied, "No. I am legitimate. The only thing I looked up is that I could't find the last two golden watermelons in the Rio version. I could't find them. I was like, 'Where are the watermelons?!' So I had to go online and find out where they were." Alright, we get it, so you know your stuff.
Her next mission? Clear every level in the game with 100 percent using the Mighty Eagle. Well, I guess that's about the only challenge she has left, considering she's obliterated every last level. After that, maybe she might consider voice over work for the upcoming Angry Birds movie when it goes into production in oh, I don't know, two years? And who knows, maybe you'll catch her in a Starbucks, flicking away to destroy your high score sometime soon.
FarmVille Pic of the Day: AlexisSkrull's petting zoo
A few days ago, I featured a massive FarmVille zoo. However, plenty of folks complained that it was just too crowded and busy. While it was a super detailed zoo, the jumbled appearance diminished its aesthetic appeal. Today's featured zoo farm resolves many of the issues present in the old farm, by attempting a simpler approach to the FarmVille zoo.
Today's featured farm, created by AlexisSkrull, is in many ways quite humble. For instance, it doesn't even fill the whole farm plot and there are no fancy complex illusions to be found. However, the simplicity of the fenced in pens full of animals is charming. It reminds me of the early days of FarmVille and FrontierVille, when all I had was a few animals, crops, and some decorations that I was forced to buy in order to complete goals.
Of course, in reality this farm is far more detailed than my boring starter farm. There are unique habitats and exhibitions built for various animals. So make sure to look closely at the images below to get the full effect of AlexisSkrull's farm.
Click the images to make them larger.
farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm
farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm
What do you think of AlexisSkrull's zoo farm? Which zoo farm do you prefer?
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!
Today's featured farm, created by AlexisSkrull, is in many ways quite humble. For instance, it doesn't even fill the whole farm plot and there are no fancy complex illusions to be found. However, the simplicity of the fenced in pens full of animals is charming. It reminds me of the early days of FarmVille and FrontierVille, when all I had was a few animals, crops, and some decorations that I was forced to buy in order to complete goals.
Of course, in reality this farm is far more detailed than my boring starter farm. There are unique habitats and exhibitions built for various animals. So make sure to look closely at the images below to get the full effect of AlexisSkrull's farm.
Click the images to make them larger.
farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm
farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm
What do you think of AlexisSkrull's zoo farm? Which zoo farm do you prefer?
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!
Google+ opens its doors to all, but (hopefully) mostly social gamers
The proverbial veil has been lifted, everyone. Google+ is finally open to the public, meaning anyone can join Google's social network regardless of whether they've been invited through a friend. More importantly, this means the service, which soft-launched back in August to a controlled amount of users through invites, is open to even more social gamers than before.
Granted, there are only 16 games so far on Google+ Games. But surely the company hopes, that with an influx of potential players, that developers will become even more interested in Google as a social gaming destination. However, there are several arguably basic social features that aren't yet a part of the Google+ developer API, or application programming interface.
Namely, the posts that players can push through to the Games Stream from a Google+ game are not interactive. This means that the viral nature of social gaming is severely hindered on the network--players cannot directly help one another through the Games Stream like the can through the Facebook News Feed. This essentially thwarts what is popularly believed to give social games their name.
At the moment, players can only post general updates such as, "I scored 5 bajillion points in Bejeweled Blitz!" However, Rovio played somewhat of a smarter game with Angry Birds on Google+ Games, and introduced a friend gate to most of its content, meaning players have to add so many friends to access new levels. Luckily, Google has already stated that it's working to introduce more robust features over time.
Regardless, omissions like this serve as proof that Google+ Games, while impressive in its scope, ambition and support, is still a nascent gaming platform when put up against competitors like Facebook. With this news, perhaps the race Google+ is running has changed track to whether Google+ Games can keep up with the demands and needs of its players, rather than its competitors.
[Via Inside Social Games]
Have you tried out Google+ Games yet? Do you think, after what you experienced, that Google has a chance at competing in the social games world?
Granted, there are only 16 games so far on Google+ Games. But surely the company hopes, that with an influx of potential players, that developers will become even more interested in Google as a social gaming destination. However, there are several arguably basic social features that aren't yet a part of the Google+ developer API, or application programming interface.
Namely, the posts that players can push through to the Games Stream from a Google+ game are not interactive. This means that the viral nature of social gaming is severely hindered on the network--players cannot directly help one another through the Games Stream like the can through the Facebook News Feed. This essentially thwarts what is popularly believed to give social games their name.
At the moment, players can only post general updates such as, "I scored 5 bajillion points in Bejeweled Blitz!" However, Rovio played somewhat of a smarter game with Angry Birds on Google+ Games, and introduced a friend gate to most of its content, meaning players have to add so many friends to access new levels. Luckily, Google has already stated that it's working to introduce more robust features over time.
Regardless, omissions like this serve as proof that Google+ Games, while impressive in its scope, ambition and support, is still a nascent gaming platform when put up against competitors like Facebook. With this news, perhaps the race Google+ is running has changed track to whether Google+ Games can keep up with the demands and needs of its players, rather than its competitors.
[Via Inside Social Games]
Have you tried out Google+ Games yet? Do you think, after what you experienced, that Google has a chance at competing in the social games world?
Mobile social game taps into 700K player base for children's charity
Parallel Kingdom 700,000K players
What do you do when you're a well-respected mobile game with 700K players worldwide? You design a virtual soup can helmet and sell it to your players for charity! At least, that's what Per Blue's Parallel Kingdom is doing (with Playmob) for the SOS Children relief in North Kenya.
SOS Children's Villages is an independently operated, international organization that's been saving kids since 1949. Currently, funds are needed for emergency food and medical aid due to a severe drought in the area. Soup Can Helmets cost 550 Food each (the virtual currency of Parallel Kingdom), which is the equivalent of $5.50 USD and enough to feed three children. Since the helmet is priced with Food, it's possible for you to not spend any real money on the helmet for it to still count. (In fact, for those of you who haven't liked the game's Facebook page yet, there's a free 100 Food offer that you can use towards a helmet purchase.)
According to Per Blue, this charity drive is at its halfway point with only a week left to go. So far, 550 Soup Can Helmets have been sold, which means 1,650 children have been cared for. If you play the game, you can buy the Soup Can Helmet in the PK Swag section of your local Trade Post until September 29.
Parallel Kingdom Donate Food
If you're new to the game and feeling adventurous, then after the tutorial stage, click on the Food tab on the bottom of your game screen to reach the Get Food menu. You'll see the Donate Food option, but it's really just a notice for the charity drive. Instead, you need to go to Travel, click on a Trade Hub (the one in Madison, WI is one of the two biggest ones), and locate your Local Trade Post, which should be a white building with a red roof buried under a dozen other players who are represented as little heads. Finally, you need to be at Level 2 to be allowed to purchase the helmet. (If you get lost, fire up the in-game chat. Special thanks goes to MisMoon, MoldyBanana, and ZeroGr@vity for their help.)
Parallel Kingdom Trade Post
Parallel Kingdom is best described as FourSquare meets a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game). It surpassed a half million players in June, was voted 2009 Best Augmented Reality App Second Place (first place went to XMG Studio Inc.'s Pandemica) and 2009 Best MMO Game Third Place (beaten by ngmoco's Eliminate Pro, with Miraphonic's Epic Pet Wars in first place). Although Parallel Kingdom is not a true Facebook game (its Facebook game app simply links you to register on the website), it does possess Facebook Connect and can be played on your PC with a web browser.
What do you do when you're a well-respected mobile game with 700K players worldwide? You design a virtual soup can helmet and sell it to your players for charity! At least, that's what Per Blue's Parallel Kingdom is doing (with Playmob) for the SOS Children relief in North Kenya.
SOS Children's Villages is an independently operated, international organization that's been saving kids since 1949. Currently, funds are needed for emergency food and medical aid due to a severe drought in the area. Soup Can Helmets cost 550 Food each (the virtual currency of Parallel Kingdom), which is the equivalent of $5.50 USD and enough to feed three children. Since the helmet is priced with Food, it's possible for you to not spend any real money on the helmet for it to still count. (In fact, for those of you who haven't liked the game's Facebook page yet, there's a free 100 Food offer that you can use towards a helmet purchase.)
According to Per Blue, this charity drive is at its halfway point with only a week left to go. So far, 550 Soup Can Helmets have been sold, which means 1,650 children have been cared for. If you play the game, you can buy the Soup Can Helmet in the PK Swag section of your local Trade Post until September 29.
Parallel Kingdom Donate Food
If you're new to the game and feeling adventurous, then after the tutorial stage, click on the Food tab on the bottom of your game screen to reach the Get Food menu. You'll see the Donate Food option, but it's really just a notice for the charity drive. Instead, you need to go to Travel, click on a Trade Hub (the one in Madison, WI is one of the two biggest ones), and locate your Local Trade Post, which should be a white building with a red roof buried under a dozen other players who are represented as little heads. Finally, you need to be at Level 2 to be allowed to purchase the helmet. (If you get lost, fire up the in-game chat. Special thanks goes to MisMoon, MoldyBanana, and ZeroGr@vity for their help.)
Parallel Kingdom Trade Post
Parallel Kingdom is best described as FourSquare meets a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game). It surpassed a half million players in June, was voted 2009 Best Augmented Reality App Second Place (first place went to XMG Studio Inc.'s Pandemica) and 2009 Best MMO Game Third Place (beaten by ngmoco's Eliminate Pro, with Miraphonic's Epic Pet Wars in first place). Although Parallel Kingdom is not a true Facebook game (its Facebook game app simply links you to register on the website), it does possess Facebook Connect and can be played on your PC with a web browser.
Putting the 'face' in Facebook games: Arkadium and Image Metrics
Arkadium is likely best known on Facebook for games like Mahjongg Dimensions and Cooking Mama, but that's about to change. Thanks to a brand new partnership with Image Metrics, an animation studio best known for the facial capture technology it provides to traditional game developers, your own face could be the star of Arkadium's next Facebook game.
During an interview with Gamasutra, the new found duo revealed Portable You, a new toolset for Facebook game developers--starting with New York City-based Arkadium--to allow players to include their own face as the centerpiece of their avatars. Using a simple webcam, Portable You, embedded in any given Facebook, could create a 3D rendering of your head and face.
By the way, that picture to the right is a 3D reproduction of an actress's face done by Image Metrics--it's not real. But we doubt Portable You will be as powerful. This is especially considering the technology was bought through an acquisition of Big Stage earlier this year.
"Mostly we've been the user of our own technologies," Image Metrics CEO Robert Gehorsam said to Gamasutra. "But we've also really come to realize and believe there's a major shift going on in how people want to represent themselves, express themselves and communicate online, starting with creating your own character in a game."
"We work directly from video; we don't require any kind of markers, or the special makeup," Gehorsam told Gamasutra. "We can go directly from a video screen or from a single image to 3D animation... through a whole bunch of equations that recognize the face in a 2D context. It's not a photo; it's really 3D."
Sure, this has the potential to introduce a never-before-seen level of immersion to Facebook games. The idea of representing or expressing yourself more accurately than ever has plenty of charm. But the more pressing question I have for Image Metrics is: How well does Portable You render beards?
What do you think this type of technology means for Facebook games in the future? Would you ever place a 3D version of yourself into your favorite Facebook games?
During an interview with Gamasutra, the new found duo revealed Portable You, a new toolset for Facebook game developers--starting with New York City-based Arkadium--to allow players to include their own face as the centerpiece of their avatars. Using a simple webcam, Portable You, embedded in any given Facebook, could create a 3D rendering of your head and face.
By the way, that picture to the right is a 3D reproduction of an actress's face done by Image Metrics--it's not real. But we doubt Portable You will be as powerful. This is especially considering the technology was bought through an acquisition of Big Stage earlier this year.
"Mostly we've been the user of our own technologies," Image Metrics CEO Robert Gehorsam said to Gamasutra. "But we've also really come to realize and believe there's a major shift going on in how people want to represent themselves, express themselves and communicate online, starting with creating your own character in a game."
"We work directly from video; we don't require any kind of markers, or the special makeup," Gehorsam told Gamasutra. "We can go directly from a video screen or from a single image to 3D animation... through a whole bunch of equations that recognize the face in a 2D context. It's not a photo; it's really 3D."
Sure, this has the potential to introduce a never-before-seen level of immersion to Facebook games. The idea of representing or expressing yourself more accurately than ever has plenty of charm. But the more pressing question I have for Image Metrics is: How well does Portable You render beards?
What do you think this type of technology means for Facebook games in the future? Would you ever place a 3D version of yourself into your favorite Facebook games?
Thứ Ba, 13 tháng 12, 2011
Wilson washes up on Pocket God players' shores on Facebook
Boy, Pocket God seems to be killing it these days on Facebook. Well, it's more like the players are killing it in Pocket God on Facebook. Either way you look at it is a good reason for Canadian developer Frima Studio to update its social take on the hit mobile game. In "Episode 11 1/2," a new friend has arrived for all players to interact with and score goodies from: Wilson.
A clear nod to Tom Hanks's best, inanimate buddy in Castaway, Wilson sounds like the CityVille Sam or Frontier Jack of Pocket God. In that sense, he's a non-player friend for players to visit and get some free sacrifices from daily. Players can also drop Wilson on their islands for the same effect Frima tells us.
And speaking of curing "the lonelies," players can now use their friends' unlocked powers to clobber some pygmies while visiting their islands. And for checking out powers that you might not have, Frima will calm down your fit of jealousy with some free XP, SP and a devotion bonus.
And finally, a small power has been introduced to the game: the Glowfish. This power, according to Frima, will make your pygmies a whole lot brighter when eaten ... and probably make them explode or something else disastrous. With all of these changes, we could easily see the game's 170,000 players wiping out another 2 million pygmies by December 2012.
Pocket God update 11.5
Are you still plotting pygmies' demise in Pocket God? If not, what did you think of the game?
A clear nod to Tom Hanks's best, inanimate buddy in Castaway, Wilson sounds like the CityVille Sam or Frontier Jack of Pocket God. In that sense, he's a non-player friend for players to visit and get some free sacrifices from daily. Players can also drop Wilson on their islands for the same effect Frima tells us.
And speaking of curing "the lonelies," players can now use their friends' unlocked powers to clobber some pygmies while visiting their islands. And for checking out powers that you might not have, Frima will calm down your fit of jealousy with some free XP, SP and a devotion bonus.
And finally, a small power has been introduced to the game: the Glowfish. This power, according to Frima, will make your pygmies a whole lot brighter when eaten ... and probably make them explode or something else disastrous. With all of these changes, we could easily see the game's 170,000 players wiping out another 2 million pygmies by December 2012.
Pocket God update 11.5
Are you still plotting pygmies' demise in Pocket God? If not, what did you think of the game?
GREE wants you ... to work for it in San Francisco (and play its games)
GREE, the Japanese mobile social game network, looks to make headway in the US and abroad in a big way. That is, the company wants to hire over 100 new employees in its San Francisco office and the surrounding Silicon Valley through 2012. Drivers on the I-80 will see the just lovely above billboard heading northbound for the next year, openly calling for new employees for the next year.
The news follows the Japanese company's announcement Friday detailing a number of other Japanese game makers hopping on board with its soon-to-be OpenFeint-powered game network on iPhones and Android phones. Developers like Capcom and Konami will bring acclaimed franchises to the platform when it launches as soon as April 2012, including Resident Evil and DanceDanceRevolution.
In other words, GREE looks like it's doing everything in its power to ensure that it catches up with competitors like DeNA and its ngmoco-powered Mobage mobile game network. (Zynga has also revealed that it has quite the following on mobile devices.) However, "April 2012" may as well be a lifetime in the mobile and social games space. Perhaps another 100 employees will help speed that process along, and maybe bring some more ... mainstream games to GREE when it finally launches next year. And nothing says "You'll love working with us" like a rotting pooch.
Do you think GREE has a chance of competing with the likes of DeNA, Zynga and other mobile game companies? Where do you prefer to get your social gaming on when on your phone?
The news follows the Japanese company's announcement Friday detailing a number of other Japanese game makers hopping on board with its soon-to-be OpenFeint-powered game network on iPhones and Android phones. Developers like Capcom and Konami will bring acclaimed franchises to the platform when it launches as soon as April 2012, including Resident Evil and DanceDanceRevolution.
In other words, GREE looks like it's doing everything in its power to ensure that it catches up with competitors like DeNA and its ngmoco-powered Mobage mobile game network. (Zynga has also revealed that it has quite the following on mobile devices.) However, "April 2012" may as well be a lifetime in the mobile and social games space. Perhaps another 100 employees will help speed that process along, and maybe bring some more ... mainstream games to GREE when it finally launches next year. And nothing says "You'll love working with us" like a rotting pooch.
Do you think GREE has a chance of competing with the likes of DeNA, Zynga and other mobile game companies? Where do you prefer to get your social gaming on when on your phone?
Will the infamous 'Add Me' page be but a memory, thanks to Zynga?
Update: Thanks to a few of our awesome readers, we've learned that the "Zynga Recommended Friends" feature is live. You can access it and make the change right here. However, it appears that this option is simply to opt out of features like FarmVille Friends and Building Buddies. However, Zynga game-wide recommended friends is still a possibility in the future.
Man, and we just made all of those "Add Me" pages! Fansite CE Gamers reports that Zynga will soon (or already has) roll out a feature known as "Zynga Recommended Friends." This will allow the developer to recommend friends for you--regardless of whether they're your Facebook friends--based on your level, mutual (in-game) friends.
In essence, this is FarmVille Friends, but across all Zynga games. CE Gamers provides the below screen shot, but it's unclear where this image comes from exactly, as the Zynga home page does not have a log-in option that we're aware of. And RewardVille only allows log-ins via Facebook with no customization options. Our best guess is that this is part of the upcoming Project Z initiative, which will supposedly a Zynga games network outside of Facebook ... but powered by Facebook.
However, here's the thing: According to this screen shot, Zynga friends that aren't Facebook friends with you will have access to your public profile. That's all well and good for those who know how to put their profile on lockdown, but what about those who don't? And while it appears that you'll be able to opt out of recommendations, you may still receive them from Zynga. Just think--soon, you might not have to get lost in 2,500 comment-long threads, all with the same words: Add Me!!!11!11!!!1
Zynga Recommened Friends
Would you prefer to have Zynga recommend friends for you? Is Zynga going too far with your privacy, should you opt in?
Man, and we just made all of those "Add Me" pages! Fansite CE Gamers reports that Zynga will soon (or already has) roll out a feature known as "Zynga Recommended Friends." This will allow the developer to recommend friends for you--regardless of whether they're your Facebook friends--based on your level, mutual (in-game) friends.
In essence, this is FarmVille Friends, but across all Zynga games. CE Gamers provides the below screen shot, but it's unclear where this image comes from exactly, as the Zynga home page does not have a log-in option that we're aware of. And RewardVille only allows log-ins via Facebook with no customization options. Our best guess is that this is part of the upcoming Project Z initiative, which will supposedly a Zynga games network outside of Facebook ... but powered by Facebook.
However, here's the thing: According to this screen shot, Zynga friends that aren't Facebook friends with you will have access to your public profile. That's all well and good for those who know how to put their profile on lockdown, but what about those who don't? And while it appears that you'll be able to opt out of recommendations, you may still receive them from Zynga. Just think--soon, you might not have to get lost in 2,500 comment-long threads, all with the same words: Add Me!!!11!11!!!1
Zynga Recommened Friends
Would you prefer to have Zynga recommend friends for you? Is Zynga going too far with your privacy, should you opt in?
Playdom searches for further success with Gardens of Time for iPad
Warning: This is one of those news pieces that you'll read and think, "Shouldn't I have read this months ago?" Playdom has finally launched Gardens of Time for the iPad, a long overdue expansion of its most popular Facebook game. The 9 million monthly and 2 million daily player-strong game will now likely gobble up the App Store, because it's completely free to play.
While that likely means the iPad version of the game is limited by the same design choices of the Facebook version (Energy, namely), that doesn't make the news any less exciting. Well, the game is also independent from the Facebook version, which could be a bummer for some. However, this version of Gardens of Time sports OpenFeint, Game Center and Facebook support.
The game will play out largely similar to the Facebook version in that you're the newest recruit to the Time Society, and it's up to you to recover misplaced objects in time and restore them to their respective gardens ... of time. As players complete the numerous hidden-object puzzles, they'll acquire new items to decorate their gardens with and thus unlock more locales to search. Well, showing off you garden to your friends is an added bonus.
This version of the game also allows players to challenge their friends in timed hidden-object matches. But really, we're just excited about getting to touch objects rather than click. We imagine the "ah-ha!" moments are so much cooler when you get to touch the objects with the finger you raised in the air in excitement, you know, if you own the $500 gadget.
While that likely means the iPad version of the game is limited by the same design choices of the Facebook version (Energy, namely), that doesn't make the news any less exciting. Well, the game is also independent from the Facebook version, which could be a bummer for some. However, this version of Gardens of Time sports OpenFeint, Game Center and Facebook support.
The game will play out largely similar to the Facebook version in that you're the newest recruit to the Time Society, and it's up to you to recover misplaced objects in time and restore them to their respective gardens ... of time. As players complete the numerous hidden-object puzzles, they'll acquire new items to decorate their gardens with and thus unlock more locales to search. Well, showing off you garden to your friends is an added bonus.
This version of the game also allows players to challenge their friends in timed hidden-object matches. But really, we're just excited about getting to touch objects rather than click. We imagine the "ah-ha!" moments are so much cooler when you get to touch the objects with the finger you raised in the air in excitement, you know, if you own the $500 gadget.
Canadians get to have all the fun: ForestVille testing way up north
Maybe it's consolation for being cold all the time? (Can you tell this writer has never been to Canada?) Inside Mobile Apps reports that Zynga is currently testing the recently-leaked ForestVille iPhone game on Canadian audiences. In fact, you can download the game on the Canadian iTunes App Store right now for absolutely nothing, but only if you have access (i.e. are actually Canadian).
The Facebook page has since been pulled, but we had enough time to catch a glimpse of the game's early promotional artwork. Now, we have a brief idea of what the game will look like, based on a few screen shots. The game looks decidedly more macro than previous 'Ville games on mobile phones, namely CityVille Hometown and Holidaytown. However, players can connect their ForestVille game to the two CityVille games and check pending messages from both while playing this new game.
ForestVille map
The play hooks seem to be all the same: Help a fledgling community (in this case, woodland creatures) build a thriving city, decorate said city, make money from said city, continue growing city, repeat. The visuals in ForestVille look less detailed than their CityVille counterparts, but that might be because the game view is more zoomed out than previous versions.
ForestVille will work on all iOS devices dating back to the iPhone 3GS, and it will feature Facebook Connect, according to the Canadian app page. However, keep in mind that this game is testing, which means it may not even make it elsewhere. (You know, like Kingdoms & Castles?)
ForestVille balloon
[Image Credit: Zynga]
Are you excited about this new 'Ville game? Based on these early images, what do you think of the game's graphics? Play mechanics?
The Facebook page has since been pulled, but we had enough time to catch a glimpse of the game's early promotional artwork. Now, we have a brief idea of what the game will look like, based on a few screen shots. The game looks decidedly more macro than previous 'Ville games on mobile phones, namely CityVille Hometown and Holidaytown. However, players can connect their ForestVille game to the two CityVille games and check pending messages from both while playing this new game.
ForestVille map
The play hooks seem to be all the same: Help a fledgling community (in this case, woodland creatures) build a thriving city, decorate said city, make money from said city, continue growing city, repeat. The visuals in ForestVille look less detailed than their CityVille counterparts, but that might be because the game view is more zoomed out than previous versions.
ForestVille will work on all iOS devices dating back to the iPhone 3GS, and it will feature Facebook Connect, according to the Canadian app page. However, keep in mind that this game is testing, which means it may not even make it elsewhere. (You know, like Kingdoms & Castles?)
ForestVille balloon
[Image Credit: Zynga]
Are you excited about this new 'Ville game? Based on these early images, what do you think of the game's graphics? Play mechanics?
Could Zynga really double its paying fans? CrowdStar's CEO thinks so
Sure, it's shattered every other record out there, so why the hell not? It Girl maker CrowdStar's CEO and OpenFeint chairman (busy guy) Peter Relan agrees when asked whether CityVille creator Zynga could truly double its paying base of players. If you remember from last week, company CEO Mark Pincus made the bold claim during a presentation to investors in Boston.
According to Relan, this could happen one of two ways: Either Zynga simply grows to engross 300 million unique monthly players (the number of Facebookers is slowly nearing 1 billion globally), or somehow get more like 4 to 5 percent of its existing players to start paying up. Even with the norm for paying players being 2 to 3 percent, this would be quite the challenge for the company, which is poised for its initial public offering this week.
"Could 30 percent [of Facebook users] play Zynga games over time? Yeah," Relan confidently replies. "That doesn't seem like a 60-70 percent number, right? I think [the latter] one is trickier, and not so easy. But I think that the definition of paying will change. I think advertising may become a bigger portion of their revenue, because often times when you have scale--people are not pulling out their credit cards--you can stick ads in front of them and they become monetized users in that way."
As for whether Zynga's current valuation of $6 to $9 billion is crazy, the CrowdStar chief's opinion seems to have changed since Zynga first revealed it would go public. "I think the $20 billion one was a little suspect," Relan admits. So, if it's really in that range [between $6 and $9 billion], I don't think it's totally out of whack. The fact of the matter is that they are the dominant--by far--player in the US social gaming market. And that's a position, as long as Facebook's alive, unlikely to be challenged."
However, Relan spoke to the famed Facebook game maker's internal culture. "[Zynga] has got a 'take no prisoners' style, and that works very well as long as the performance is there." We'll see whether the performance is there this weekend, no doubt.
Will Zynga raise $1.15 billion when/if it goes public this week? For how long can the social games giant keep this up, and could it really grip 30 percent of Facebook users worldwide?
According to Relan, this could happen one of two ways: Either Zynga simply grows to engross 300 million unique monthly players (the number of Facebookers is slowly nearing 1 billion globally), or somehow get more like 4 to 5 percent of its existing players to start paying up. Even with the norm for paying players being 2 to 3 percent, this would be quite the challenge for the company, which is poised for its initial public offering this week.
"Could 30 percent [of Facebook users] play Zynga games over time? Yeah," Relan confidently replies. "That doesn't seem like a 60-70 percent number, right? I think [the latter] one is trickier, and not so easy. But I think that the definition of paying will change. I think advertising may become a bigger portion of their revenue, because often times when you have scale--people are not pulling out their credit cards--you can stick ads in front of them and they become monetized users in that way."
As for whether Zynga's current valuation of $6 to $9 billion is crazy, the CrowdStar chief's opinion seems to have changed since Zynga first revealed it would go public. "I think the $20 billion one was a little suspect," Relan admits. So, if it's really in that range [between $6 and $9 billion], I don't think it's totally out of whack. The fact of the matter is that they are the dominant--by far--player in the US social gaming market. And that's a position, as long as Facebook's alive, unlikely to be challenged."
However, Relan spoke to the famed Facebook game maker's internal culture. "[Zynga] has got a 'take no prisoners' style, and that works very well as long as the performance is there." We'll see whether the performance is there this weekend, no doubt.
Will Zynga raise $1.15 billion when/if it goes public this week? For how long can the social games giant keep this up, and could it really grip 30 percent of Facebook users worldwide?
Cool story, Storm8: Zoo Story 2, Pet Shop hit iPhone, iPad for free
Seriously, though. Mobile social game publisher Storm8 announced that two new games in its popular "Story" franchise of games have hit the App Store for both iPhone and iPad. (And for free, mind you.) Both developed by TeamLava, Zoo Story 2 and Pet Shop Story are available now on nearly all Apple devices, and mark the 10th and 11th releases from the developer in 18 months.
Zoo Story 2, according to Storm8 CEO Perry Tam, is "the most beautiful, fun and social zoo game on iOS." The game allows players to create their own zoos from scratch, choose from more than 100 animals to populate it and even crossbreed critters. Ever wanted to make your own gryphon? You got it. How about a flying monkey? Yours. Of course, players can invite friends to their zoos through Facebook Connect and help them build new habitats for their animals through gifting.
Pet Shop Story, however, sounds as if it's the same premise in a different setting. (Or would that be the other way around?) Players can create a thriving pet shop with a wide variety of domesticated animals. As with the former, you can also crossbreed your pets, though it doesn't sound like you'll be able to create creatures like winged dogs or cats with fins. Of course, this game too allows for friendly interactions via Facebook Connect, and we're sure you're going to need it.
Zoo Story 2
Storm8 is on a roll with mobile social games this year. In June, the publisher had its first million-dollar day, meaning it made $1 million in a single day from virtual goods sales. And now, it's one of the launch partners on the release of Facebook Mobile platform, with games like World War available in HTML5. So, yes: Cool story, bro Storm8.
Click here to download Zoo Story 2 and here to download Pet Shop Story for free Now >
Are you a fan of Storm8's Story series of mobile games? What are your favorite mobile social games these days?
Zoo Story 2, according to Storm8 CEO Perry Tam, is "the most beautiful, fun and social zoo game on iOS." The game allows players to create their own zoos from scratch, choose from more than 100 animals to populate it and even crossbreed critters. Ever wanted to make your own gryphon? You got it. How about a flying monkey? Yours. Of course, players can invite friends to their zoos through Facebook Connect and help them build new habitats for their animals through gifting.
Pet Shop Story, however, sounds as if it's the same premise in a different setting. (Or would that be the other way around?) Players can create a thriving pet shop with a wide variety of domesticated animals. As with the former, you can also crossbreed your pets, though it doesn't sound like you'll be able to create creatures like winged dogs or cats with fins. Of course, this game too allows for friendly interactions via Facebook Connect, and we're sure you're going to need it.
Zoo Story 2
Storm8 is on a roll with mobile social games this year. In June, the publisher had its first million-dollar day, meaning it made $1 million in a single day from virtual goods sales. And now, it's one of the launch partners on the release of Facebook Mobile platform, with games like World War available in HTML5. So, yes: Cool story, bro Storm8.
Click here to download Zoo Story 2 and here to download Pet Shop Story for free Now >
Are you a fan of Storm8's Story series of mobile games? What are your favorite mobile social games these days?
Do young folk get Alec Baldwin's thing for Words With Friends?
They might "understand" Mr. Baldwin's desire to play mobile games while on the runway, but we doubt they understand his ... handling of the situation. According to poll of 1,356 by Poll Position, 69.9 percent of people aged 18 to 29 years old think that passengers should be able to play electronic games with others while awaiting take-off in the plane. They got your back, Alec!
That's all well and good, but what about people that are the guy's age--the 45 to 64-year-old group? According to the poll, only 26.8 percent of folks in that group think you should be able to play said games while waiting for take-off. In that case, we almost definitely know that they wouldn't be down with Baldwin's reported outburst on an American Airlines flight last week.
The snafu had far more of a ripple effect than you'd might imagine. Not only did it lead to both American Airlines and the Greyhound bus company's embarrassment, but it drove Baldwin off of Twitter and (of course) garnered the support of Zynga. The Words With Friends creator enjoyed a fine week with its hit word game: Last week, the game skyrocketed by 500,000 daily players to oust competitor The Sims Social on the charts, knocking it down to sixth place. In short, Words With Friends is serious business. That is, if you ask over-privileged millennials.
[Image Credit: Jim Lopes]
Do you think people should be able to play video games while waiting for the plane to take off? Was Baldwin right in his outrage with American Airlines?
That's all well and good, but what about people that are the guy's age--the 45 to 64-year-old group? According to the poll, only 26.8 percent of folks in that group think you should be able to play said games while waiting for take-off. In that case, we almost definitely know that they wouldn't be down with Baldwin's reported outburst on an American Airlines flight last week.
The snafu had far more of a ripple effect than you'd might imagine. Not only did it lead to both American Airlines and the Greyhound bus company's embarrassment, but it drove Baldwin off of Twitter and (of course) garnered the support of Zynga. The Words With Friends creator enjoyed a fine week with its hit word game: Last week, the game skyrocketed by 500,000 daily players to oust competitor The Sims Social on the charts, knocking it down to sixth place. In short, Words With Friends is serious business. That is, if you ask over-privileged millennials.
[Image Credit: Jim Lopes]
Do you think people should be able to play video games while waiting for the plane to take off? Was Baldwin right in his outrage with American Airlines?
The Sims Social PSA: Playfish Cash Cards on sale on Target
Heads up! If you're a player of one Playfish's Facebook games - The Sims Social, Pet Society, Restaurant City, FIFA Superstars or Madden NFL Superstars, as examples - you'll want to pay attention to Target this week, as the department store is offering $10 Playfish Cash Cards for 20% off. To be specific, that makes a $10 Cash Card just $8. You can redeem these cards on Playfish's website by simply connecting your Facebook account, choosing your game and redeeming your code.
If you're one that only checks your weekly newspaper ads for deals, you will have missed this one, as it's not technically a "sale," but rather a case where the price has been temporarily cut (a Temporary Price Cut, or TPC, in Target jargon). Typically, these TPC events last a few weeks or longer, but we don't have that luxury here. This deal ends on December 17.
Using the Sims Social as an example, if you choose to redeem your card for SimCash, you'll receive 72 SimCash for the $8 price. That's the $10 bundle of SimCash, but of course you will have paid $2 less to receive it. It's not a huge savings, but if you were already planning on purchasing a Cash Card as a present this holiday season, why not save money where you can?
This Playfish sale follows a similar discount on Zynga Game Cards at Target, so could Playdom or another major Facebook game developer be next? You can be sure we'll keep an eye on things and will let you know when and if another opportunity to save some money comes around.
Will you buy a Playfish Cash Card for someone special this holiday since they're now on sale, or will you use your Playfish Cash Card as an early present for yourself?
If you're one that only checks your weekly newspaper ads for deals, you will have missed this one, as it's not technically a "sale," but rather a case where the price has been temporarily cut (a Temporary Price Cut, or TPC, in Target jargon). Typically, these TPC events last a few weeks or longer, but we don't have that luxury here. This deal ends on December 17.
Using the Sims Social as an example, if you choose to redeem your card for SimCash, you'll receive 72 SimCash for the $8 price. That's the $10 bundle of SimCash, but of course you will have paid $2 less to receive it. It's not a huge savings, but if you were already planning on purchasing a Cash Card as a present this holiday season, why not save money where you can?
This Playfish sale follows a similar discount on Zynga Game Cards at Target, so could Playdom or another major Facebook game developer be next? You can be sure we'll keep an eye on things and will let you know when and if another opportunity to save some money comes around.
Will you buy a Playfish Cash Card for someone special this holiday since they're now on sale, or will you use your Playfish Cash Card as an early present for yourself?
Keep the little ones off of Facebook: MokoFarm is FarmVille for kids
You love them to tears, but your kids want shut the heck up about FarmVille. And what (good) parent wants their toddler on Facebook? MokoMomo Interactive has released MokoFarm for the iPad for $1.99 on the App Store. This game is said to give kids the FarmVille experience and might teach them a thing or two in the process. And near everything in the game is touchable.
And we all know your kids like to touch things--you put those plastic things on the outlets around the house for a reason. MokoFarm doesn't look like it's limited by the boundaries of normal social games like energy or lengthy time constraints. However, kids can also share their farm creations through their parents' Facebook accounts. According to MokoMomo, the game is narrated to help the younger folks learn new words.
Of course, the common FarmVille-like tropes are all present like buying animals, crops and new buildings to deck out the farm. That said, nearly every piece of content, including the animals, appear to be interactive. Kids can tap the windmills to make them spin, touch trees to shake their leaves and tap critters to make them run. Your tike can even take pictures of his/her farm to send to you. Sure, it's no FarmVille, but for what it's worth it looks pretty darn close.
And we all know your kids like to touch things--you put those plastic things on the outlets around the house for a reason. MokoFarm doesn't look like it's limited by the boundaries of normal social games like energy or lengthy time constraints. However, kids can also share their farm creations through their parents' Facebook accounts. According to MokoMomo, the game is narrated to help the younger folks learn new words.
Of course, the common FarmVille-like tropes are all present like buying animals, crops and new buildings to deck out the farm. That said, nearly every piece of content, including the animals, appear to be interactive. Kids can tap the windmills to make them spin, touch trees to shake their leaves and tap critters to make them run. Your tike can even take pictures of his/her farm to send to you. Sure, it's no FarmVille, but for what it's worth it looks pretty darn close.
Canadians get to have all the fun: ForestVille testing way up north
Maybe it's consolation for being cold all the time? (Can you tell this writer has never been to Canada?) Inside Mobile Apps reports that Zynga is currently testing the recently-leaked ForestVille iPhone game on Canadian audiences. In fact, you can download the game on the Canadian iTunes App Store right now for absolutely nothing, but only if you have access (i.e. are actually Canadian).
The Facebook page has since been pulled, but we had enough time to catch a glimpse of the game's early promotional artwork. Now, we have a brief idea of what the game will look like, based on a few screen shots. The game looks decidedly more macro than previous 'Ville games on mobile phones, namely CityVille Hometown and Holidaytown. However, players can connect their ForestVille game to the two CityVille games and check pending messages from both while playing this new game.
ForestVille map
The play hooks seem to be all the same: Help a fledgling community (in this case, woodland creatures) build a thriving city, decorate said city, make money from said city, continue growing city, repeat. The visuals in ForestVille look less detailed than their CityVille counterparts, but that might be because the game view is more zoomed out than previous versions.
ForestVille will work on all iOS devices dating back to the iPhone 3GS, and it will feature Facebook Connect, according to the Canadian app page. However, keep in mind that this game is testing, which means it may not even make it elsewhere. (You know, like Kingdoms & Castles?)
ForestVille balloon
[Image Credit: Zynga]
Are you excited about this new 'Ville game? Based on these early images, what do you think of the game's graphics? Play mechanics?
The Facebook page has since been pulled, but we had enough time to catch a glimpse of the game's early promotional artwork. Now, we have a brief idea of what the game will look like, based on a few screen shots. The game looks decidedly more macro than previous 'Ville games on mobile phones, namely CityVille Hometown and Holidaytown. However, players can connect their ForestVille game to the two CityVille games and check pending messages from both while playing this new game.
ForestVille map
The play hooks seem to be all the same: Help a fledgling community (in this case, woodland creatures) build a thriving city, decorate said city, make money from said city, continue growing city, repeat. The visuals in ForestVille look less detailed than their CityVille counterparts, but that might be because the game view is more zoomed out than previous versions.
ForestVille will work on all iOS devices dating back to the iPhone 3GS, and it will feature Facebook Connect, according to the Canadian app page. However, keep in mind that this game is testing, which means it may not even make it elsewhere. (You know, like Kingdoms & Castles?)
ForestVille balloon
[Image Credit: Zynga]
Are you excited about this new 'Ville game? Based on these early images, what do you think of the game's graphics? Play mechanics?
Game of the Day: Madpet Half-Pipe
Help the Madpets tear up the half-pipe in this cute skateboarding game. Choose between cute foxes, pigs, bunnies, and more. Then select between Free Ride, Challenge, or Big Air; and you're ready to hit the pipe. Think you've mastered the half-pipe and have what it takes to be a pro skater? Then open up the combo list and attempt some of the more advanced tricks. Complete them all and you've earned yourself a place amongst the best of the Madpet skaters.
Click here to play Madpet Half-Pipe!
madpet half pipe game of the day madpet half pipe game of the day
Pro Tips:
To execute the harder tricks, press the combo buttons at the same time, that way your pet won't preemptively do a different trick.
Practice in free mode before attempting challenge and big air. That way you can learn some of the higher scoring tricks before taking them to competition.
Even if your trick looks as though it has completed by the time you land, if you cut it close, often your pet will fall and lose all momentum. Play it safe and finish your tricks well before the landing.
Click here to play Madpet Half-Pipe!
What did you think of Madpet Half-Pipe? Were you able to execute all the tricks?
Click here to play Madpet Half-Pipe!
madpet half pipe game of the day madpet half pipe game of the day
Pro Tips:
To execute the harder tricks, press the combo buttons at the same time, that way your pet won't preemptively do a different trick.
Practice in free mode before attempting challenge and big air. That way you can learn some of the higher scoring tricks before taking them to competition.
Even if your trick looks as though it has completed by the time you land, if you cut it close, often your pet will fall and lose all momentum. Play it safe and finish your tricks well before the landing.
Click here to play Madpet Half-Pipe!
What did you think of Madpet Half-Pipe? Were you able to execute all the tricks?
Club Penguin fires a salvo of fun with Puffle Launch for iPhone [Video]
Parents, secure the iPhones and iPads. If Club Penguin isn't going to slide onto Facebook anytime soon, we'll take the next best thing: the iPhone. Puffle Launch, first released as a mini game within the kids world of Club Penguin over a year ago, launches onto iPhone tomorrow, Sept. 15. The game, which will be available for the paltry price of $.99, puts players in control of Daredevil, one of the many Puffles available in the existing Disney-owned web game.
Just like in Club Penguin, kids can fire Daredevil from a cannon, careening into obstacles and collecting Coins. Better yet, those Coins can be transferred to kids' existing Club Penguin accounts to buy new items from the web game's store. As players advance through the game's many daring and dangerous aerial courses, they will eventually have to face the Crab Boss.
According to a Club Penguin representative, Puffle Launch is already played by 150,000 kids daily, and a new Puffle is adopted every second in the kid-friendly virtual world. (That amounts to more than 20 million of the little balls of love adopted in 2011 already!) With statistics like that, color us baffled as to why Club Penguin has yet to hit Facebook, especially considering the amount of preteens that are already active on the social network.
Hopefully, this is just the beginning of Club Penguin's expansion beyond its little home on the web and onto new platforms (aside from Nintendo's stable of consoles). Check out the game's trailer below, but you might not want to show the kids just yet, unless you're willing to buy it on every iOS device in the house.
Are you excited that Club Penguin has finally made it to iOS? Where or how else would you like to see the Club Penguin franchise go?
Just like in Club Penguin, kids can fire Daredevil from a cannon, careening into obstacles and collecting Coins. Better yet, those Coins can be transferred to kids' existing Club Penguin accounts to buy new items from the web game's store. As players advance through the game's many daring and dangerous aerial courses, they will eventually have to face the Crab Boss.
According to a Club Penguin representative, Puffle Launch is already played by 150,000 kids daily, and a new Puffle is adopted every second in the kid-friendly virtual world. (That amounts to more than 20 million of the little balls of love adopted in 2011 already!) With statistics like that, color us baffled as to why Club Penguin has yet to hit Facebook, especially considering the amount of preteens that are already active on the social network.
Hopefully, this is just the beginning of Club Penguin's expansion beyond its little home on the web and onto new platforms (aside from Nintendo's stable of consoles). Check out the game's trailer below, but you might not want to show the kids just yet, unless you're willing to buy it on every iOS device in the house.
Are you excited that Club Penguin has finally made it to iOS? Where or how else would you like to see the Club Penguin franchise go?
Chủ Nhật, 11 tháng 12, 2011
Get Hooked on RockYou's underwater card game on Facebook
Earlier this month, we brought you exclusive first details concerning RockYou's new Facebook game Hooked, an underwater-themed card game based on five card poker. Now that the game has launched in open beta (in a very simple form, at present), we're able to bring you a complete rundown of what to expect from this game. Don't let simple appearances deceive you, however, as there's actually a lot of fun at dangling on the end of the line.
The basic premise of Hooked is simple. Each game lasts 60 seconds, and sees you trying to earn as many points as possible by creating hands of five cards, or, in this case Card Fish. Fish come in different colors and, as you'd expect, from suits in a regular deck of cards, which help you form quick flushes. You'll even start each and every hand with two Card Fish. To be specific, these two cards are random, and you'll then be given a selection of seven more cards to choose from. You'll have to choose just three to make the best hand possible to earn points.
You can return cards three and four (that is, your first two selections) to the pile by spending a Pearl, a type of premium currency. You can also activate power-ups--again, using Pearls--like an Eel that will allow you to see more Card Fish. As for scoring, it follows the basic rules of Poker, with a basic hand worth 100 points, even if it has no pairs, etc. As you earn Pairs, Two Pairs, Three of a Kind, Straights, Full Houses and more, you'll earn more and more points for that particular hand.
Throughout each 60-second game, bonus fish will randomly swim across the bottom of the screen, giving you a chance for instant point bonuses. If you complete a Flush or Rainbow Hand, you'll earn a multiplier bonus. (Rainbow Hands are comprised of one card of each uniquely colored Card Fish--blue, red, purple, yellow and black.) As of right now, the game comes with just two modes: Solo and Match Play. Since the game is so new, I unfortunately wasn't able to find anyone else to play a Match with, but you can still play by yourself while in this mode in case another player comes along later on.
Gallery: Hooked on Facebook
As you play games, you'll earn Tickets that will eventually allow you to purchase power-ups, along with items for an aquarium feature called "The Cove," that is also yet-to-be-released. Players will level up, allowing them access to different areas on the map. These different locations unlock other power-up fish besides the Eel, like Rainbow Fish that give you a chance to earn more points by acting as Wild Cards. Once you start playing with other friends, you'll also be able to track your high score against them on both overall and weekly high score tables.
While Hooked may be incredibly simplistic in its current form, I actually find the gameplay to be some of the most hectic and enjoyable around, at least when compared to other games that are presented in 60-second bite-sized chunks. While we're (mostly) all familiar with the way Poker hands are created in slower games, you're left to think incredibly quickly in Hooked. Clicking on the wrong Card Fish can be the difference between massive points and barely anything at all. It will be interesting to see how Facebook's overall audience takes to this underwater adventure, especially as more features are added, and we'll be sure to let you know if this one takes off.
Click here to play Hooked on Facebook Now >
Have you tried Hooked on Facebook? What's your high score so far in this underwater card game? What did you think of the game so far?
The basic premise of Hooked is simple. Each game lasts 60 seconds, and sees you trying to earn as many points as possible by creating hands of five cards, or, in this case Card Fish. Fish come in different colors and, as you'd expect, from suits in a regular deck of cards, which help you form quick flushes. You'll even start each and every hand with two Card Fish. To be specific, these two cards are random, and you'll then be given a selection of seven more cards to choose from. You'll have to choose just three to make the best hand possible to earn points.
You can return cards three and four (that is, your first two selections) to the pile by spending a Pearl, a type of premium currency. You can also activate power-ups--again, using Pearls--like an Eel that will allow you to see more Card Fish. As for scoring, it follows the basic rules of Poker, with a basic hand worth 100 points, even if it has no pairs, etc. As you earn Pairs, Two Pairs, Three of a Kind, Straights, Full Houses and more, you'll earn more and more points for that particular hand.
Throughout each 60-second game, bonus fish will randomly swim across the bottom of the screen, giving you a chance for instant point bonuses. If you complete a Flush or Rainbow Hand, you'll earn a multiplier bonus. (Rainbow Hands are comprised of one card of each uniquely colored Card Fish--blue, red, purple, yellow and black.) As of right now, the game comes with just two modes: Solo and Match Play. Since the game is so new, I unfortunately wasn't able to find anyone else to play a Match with, but you can still play by yourself while in this mode in case another player comes along later on.
Gallery: Hooked on Facebook
As you play games, you'll earn Tickets that will eventually allow you to purchase power-ups, along with items for an aquarium feature called "The Cove," that is also yet-to-be-released. Players will level up, allowing them access to different areas on the map. These different locations unlock other power-up fish besides the Eel, like Rainbow Fish that give you a chance to earn more points by acting as Wild Cards. Once you start playing with other friends, you'll also be able to track your high score against them on both overall and weekly high score tables.
While Hooked may be incredibly simplistic in its current form, I actually find the gameplay to be some of the most hectic and enjoyable around, at least when compared to other games that are presented in 60-second bite-sized chunks. While we're (mostly) all familiar with the way Poker hands are created in slower games, you're left to think incredibly quickly in Hooked. Clicking on the wrong Card Fish can be the difference between massive points and barely anything at all. It will be interesting to see how Facebook's overall audience takes to this underwater adventure, especially as more features are added, and we'll be sure to let you know if this one takes off.
Click here to play Hooked on Facebook Now >
Have you tried Hooked on Facebook? What's your high score so far in this underwater card game? What did you think of the game so far?
armVille 2 Comments FarmVille Lighthouse Cove Pirate Bonus Goals: Everything you need to know
As we told you last night, the next set of 7 Comments in FarmVille will continue in the spirit of Halloween, but will transition from ghosts to Pirates on the high seas. After you've completed the three basic Pirate Goals - 7 Comments - you'll be able to move onto three harder Bonus Challenges, according to the folks at FVNation. Here, the goals will reward you with a few themed items (animals and decorations), but they'll also require you to do plenty of recipe crafting, plenty of farming and more, all within a very short time limit. Here's your guide for what to expect.
Bonus Challenge 1
Get Creamed Corn to Level 20
Harvest 110 Daylilies
Harvest Lighthouse Cove
Daylilies take 16 hours to grow. In that time, you'll need to be working on your Cream Corn recipe (unless you're lucky enough to have reached this milestone ahead of time). Each individual Creamed Corn requires three Butter & Sugar Corn, three Tarragon and one Pepper Bushels. Since these goals haven't technically launched yet, and as you'll need to complete the first three Pirate Goals anyway, you still have some time to work on this before you're actually required to, which is a smart idea. For finishing this first Bonus Challenge goal, you'll receive 500 XP, a spooky, plant-covered Tombstone decoration, and 2,500 coins.
Bonus Challenge 2
Achieve Level 1 Mastery of Butter & Sugar Corn
Improve the Cove to Level 7
Make Jonny Cakes 4 Times
Butter & Sugar Corn takes 12 hours to grow, and the first star of mastery is earned at 425 harvests (if you don't have it already). Jonny Cakes are crafted inside the Restaurant using two Butter & Sugar Corn, two Rye and two Daylily bushels each. Finishing this second bonus goal gives you 1,000 XP, 2,500 coins and a long-tailed Duck (the exact name might be different).
Bonus Challenge 3
Harvest an Aviary
Harvest 110 Dill
Harvest one Orchard
If you haven't built an Aviary on your Lighthouse Cove, here's our guide to doing so. Meanwhile, Dill takes 12 hours to grow. For completing this final Bonus Challenge, you'll receive 500 XP, 2,500 coins and a Pirate Sheep. Plus, you'll also walk away with the satisfaction of knowing that you completed all three Bonus Challenges, which is sometimes a prize in and of itself.
Remember, you'll only have a matter of days to complete these goals once they launch in your game, so you'll want to do as much as you can before they arrive to prepare. Make sure to start crafting Cream Corn to level it up, or even expand your cove to hold more crops at once. How far you go will be up to you, but we wish you luck regardless.
Check out the rest of our Halloween 2011 coverage right here.
What do you think of these Pirate Goal Bonus Challenges? Are they harder than previous Bonus Challenges that we've seen?
Bonus Challenge 1
Get Creamed Corn to Level 20
Harvest 110 Daylilies
Harvest Lighthouse Cove
Daylilies take 16 hours to grow. In that time, you'll need to be working on your Cream Corn recipe (unless you're lucky enough to have reached this milestone ahead of time). Each individual Creamed Corn requires three Butter & Sugar Corn, three Tarragon and one Pepper Bushels. Since these goals haven't technically launched yet, and as you'll need to complete the first three Pirate Goals anyway, you still have some time to work on this before you're actually required to, which is a smart idea. For finishing this first Bonus Challenge goal, you'll receive 500 XP, a spooky, plant-covered Tombstone decoration, and 2,500 coins.
Bonus Challenge 2
Achieve Level 1 Mastery of Butter & Sugar Corn
Improve the Cove to Level 7
Make Jonny Cakes 4 Times
Butter & Sugar Corn takes 12 hours to grow, and the first star of mastery is earned at 425 harvests (if you don't have it already). Jonny Cakes are crafted inside the Restaurant using two Butter & Sugar Corn, two Rye and two Daylily bushels each. Finishing this second bonus goal gives you 1,000 XP, 2,500 coins and a long-tailed Duck (the exact name might be different).
Bonus Challenge 3
Harvest an Aviary
Harvest 110 Dill
Harvest one Orchard
If you haven't built an Aviary on your Lighthouse Cove, here's our guide to doing so. Meanwhile, Dill takes 12 hours to grow. For completing this final Bonus Challenge, you'll receive 500 XP, 2,500 coins and a Pirate Sheep. Plus, you'll also walk away with the satisfaction of knowing that you completed all three Bonus Challenges, which is sometimes a prize in and of itself.
Remember, you'll only have a matter of days to complete these goals once they launch in your game, so you'll want to do as much as you can before they arrive to prepare. Make sure to start crafting Cream Corn to level it up, or even expand your cove to hold more crops at once. How far you go will be up to you, but we wish you luck regardless.
Check out the rest of our Halloween 2011 coverage right here.
What do you think of these Pirate Goal Bonus Challenges? Are they harder than previous Bonus Challenges that we've seen?
CityVille Treats 'N Sweets Booth: Everything you need to know
If you didn't already have enough to work on in CityVille this Halloween, then there's a new feature that you might want to check out in the game. A Treats N' Sweets booth is now available for you to build, that will allow you to gather pieces of candy similar to the Sea Shell gathering event we saw over the summer. Eventually a Halloween Carnival will be coming to town, but for now, you can build this Treats N' Sweets booth to get started.
First things first, building the booth will help you complete a new goal called "Calorie Count," that comes with 500 Goods as a reward. You won't get those Goods, however, until you actually complete the building's construction. This is done by gathering plenty of building materials:
3 Sugar
3 Ribbon
3 Candy Molds
3 Candy Wrappers
3 Candy Coloring
The Sugar and Candy Molds are earned through generic wall posts that you can place on your news feed, while the Candy Wrappers and Candy Coloring come from individual requests sent to friends. You can also purchase any of these items for five City Cash each.
Once the Treats N' Sweets Booth is complete, you'll be able to start gathering candy from it. At its current, Level 1 state, you'll get a single piece of candy each time you collect. However, the building can be upgraded two more times, with each time allowing you to gather more candy per collection (two pieces for Level 2, and three pieces for Level 3, as you might expect). To upgrade, you'll need to collect the same five items as above, but in bigger quantities.
That is, to upgrade to Level 2, you'll need five each of Ribbons, Candy Molds, Candy Coloring, Candy Wrappers and Sugar, and for Level 3, you'll need seven of each item. Not only will upgrading allow you to get more candy, but you'll also earn more coins from your upgraded booth each time you collect from it.
We'll make sure to let you know when the rest of the Halloween Carnival feature launches in your town, so keep checking back with us!
Check out the rest of our Halloween 2011 coverage right here.
What do you think of this Treats 'N Sweets Booth? Will you take the time to upgrade it twice, or will you leave it in its original state?
First things first, building the booth will help you complete a new goal called "Calorie Count," that comes with 500 Goods as a reward. You won't get those Goods, however, until you actually complete the building's construction. This is done by gathering plenty of building materials:
3 Sugar
3 Ribbon
3 Candy Molds
3 Candy Wrappers
3 Candy Coloring
The Sugar and Candy Molds are earned through generic wall posts that you can place on your news feed, while the Candy Wrappers and Candy Coloring come from individual requests sent to friends. You can also purchase any of these items for five City Cash each.
Once the Treats N' Sweets Booth is complete, you'll be able to start gathering candy from it. At its current, Level 1 state, you'll get a single piece of candy each time you collect. However, the building can be upgraded two more times, with each time allowing you to gather more candy per collection (two pieces for Level 2, and three pieces for Level 3, as you might expect). To upgrade, you'll need to collect the same five items as above, but in bigger quantities.
That is, to upgrade to Level 2, you'll need five each of Ribbons, Candy Molds, Candy Coloring, Candy Wrappers and Sugar, and for Level 3, you'll need seven of each item. Not only will upgrading allow you to get more candy, but you'll also earn more coins from your upgraded booth each time you collect from it.
We'll make sure to let you know when the rest of the Halloween Carnival feature launches in your town, so keep checking back with us!
Check out the rest of our Halloween 2011 coverage right here.
What do you think of this Treats 'N Sweets Booth? Will you take the time to upgrade it twice, or will you leave it in its original state?
Adventure World: Add new neighbors for tons of free energy
It was only a matter of time before the folks at Zynga launched some sort of progress bar in Adventure World in an effort to get users to invite their friends to try out the game for themselves. Well, a new promotion has started popping up for users, asking them to complete the task of adding five new neighbors in the game with the prize of free energy hanging in the balance.
Actually, just saying free energy really doesn't cut it here. You'll be given a whopping 50 free energy once you add those five neighbors. Unfortunately, this promotion doesn't seem to clarify whether they'd need to be five new people that have never played the game before, or if they can be long-time players that you simply haven't added as neighbors. I've sent out plenty of requests myself, trying to solve that question, but with no luck as of this writing.
Another thing that wasn't exactly clarified was how we'd be receiving these Energy points. Would they simply be added to our in-game total, or will they be energy packs that we can use at our own discretion? Will the energy points expire if not used immediately? Maybe these things don't matter, since we're ultimately getting something for nothing, but am I the only one that wants to know exactly what I'm getting into when it comes to me sending out random invites to friends?
Either way, we'll make sure to let you know if any other promotions launch in the game, or if the prize changes from energy to something more exclusive, so keep checking back.
Check out the rest of our Adventure World Cheats & Tips right here.
Will you try to add new neighbors for free energy points, or are all of your interested friends already playing the game with you?
Actually, just saying free energy really doesn't cut it here. You'll be given a whopping 50 free energy once you add those five neighbors. Unfortunately, this promotion doesn't seem to clarify whether they'd need to be five new people that have never played the game before, or if they can be long-time players that you simply haven't added as neighbors. I've sent out plenty of requests myself, trying to solve that question, but with no luck as of this writing.
Another thing that wasn't exactly clarified was how we'd be receiving these Energy points. Would they simply be added to our in-game total, or will they be energy packs that we can use at our own discretion? Will the energy points expire if not used immediately? Maybe these things don't matter, since we're ultimately getting something for nothing, but am I the only one that wants to know exactly what I'm getting into when it comes to me sending out random invites to friends?
Either way, we'll make sure to let you know if any other promotions launch in the game, or if the prize changes from energy to something more exclusive, so keep checking back.
Check out the rest of our Adventure World Cheats & Tips right here.
Will you try to add new neighbors for free energy points, or are all of your interested friends already playing the game with you?
FarmVille: Free Mystery Game Darts making the rounds
If you've yet to try this week's FarmVIlle Mystery Game, filled with Halloween-themed animals and decorations, make sure to go into your game pretty quickly, as you'll be able to play for free! That's right, another free dart as started rolling out to players, and if you haven't already claimed yours, you can do so right now!
When you login to your farm, you'll likely see the Mystery Game pop-up automatically, telling you that you have a free dart. If not, you can go into the store and click on the Mystery Game manually as though you were going to pay to play. There, you should see that you have a Free Play available, in place of the button that would normally charge your Farm Cash. If this is anything like previous free Darts, you can hold onto it for future use, if this week's items don't do it for you.
For your reference, this week offers the following prizes:
Dragon Fountain
Haunted Theater
Nightmare Duck
Nightmare Pegasus
Scuba Chicken
Witch House
Remember, the prize you'll end up with is random. For instance, I won the Dragon Fountain with my free dart, but you may have better luck and walk away with the Nightmare Pegasus (you lucky farmer, you)! Either way, make sure to claim your free dart as soon as possible, even if you don't use it right away, as it's likely it won't be available forever.
Did you receive a free Mystery Game dart when logging into FarmVille? If you've already thrown it at the board, which item did you end up winning?
When you login to your farm, you'll likely see the Mystery Game pop-up automatically, telling you that you have a free dart. If not, you can go into the store and click on the Mystery Game manually as though you were going to pay to play. There, you should see that you have a Free Play available, in place of the button that would normally charge your Farm Cash. If this is anything like previous free Darts, you can hold onto it for future use, if this week's items don't do it for you.
For your reference, this week offers the following prizes:
Dragon Fountain
Haunted Theater
Nightmare Duck
Nightmare Pegasus
Scuba Chicken
Witch House
Remember, the prize you'll end up with is random. For instance, I won the Dragon Fountain with my free dart, but you may have better luck and walk away with the Nightmare Pegasus (you lucky farmer, you)! Either way, make sure to claim your free dart as soon as possible, even if you don't use it right away, as it's likely it won't be available forever.
Did you receive a free Mystery Game dart when logging into FarmVille? If you've already thrown it at the board, which item did you end up winning?
CityVille: Crypt Keeper's Crib added to Halloween extravaganza
While most of us are busy slaving away, building small community buildings and homes in CityVille for the 9,000+ Monsters we'll eventually need to be living in our towns for the Halloween event, if you're one of the users that's willing to pay City Cash to more easily complete tasks (or, you just really love the look of the game's premium Halloween items), you'll be happy to know that a new premium home has been added to the game's store, at an equally expensive price.
The Crypt Keeper's Crib costs a whopping 80 City Cash, but for that price you'll have a home that will give you an equally large amount of Monster citizens: 2,350, to be exact. Rent accumulates every eight hours, allowing you to each 250 coins each time you collect it, by default (keep in mind you can make that number much higher with decorations). Furthermore, if you're lucky enough to receive population increases when you collect the Crib's rent, you could eventually see this one's population grow to 4,350 Monsters (or citizens, depending on whether or not Halloween has passed by that point).
Either way, this particular building may be nice for those that already have a massive Monster population cap, but if your town can't currently hold 2,350 more Monsters, you'll need to build enough Community Buildings to reach that cap. There are plenty of options available for City Cash (why stop your splurging on just one building?), that will more easily raise the cap the necessary amount of Monsters, or you can building multiple Trees of Enchantment or Zombie ERs (as examples) to achieve the same end. Whatever the case, make sure to make your decision quickly, as these items won't be around forever.
Check out the rest of our Halloween coverage right here.
Will you purchase the Crypt Keeper's Crib for your town in CityVille? How far have you been able to grow your Monster population so far?
The Crypt Keeper's Crib costs a whopping 80 City Cash, but for that price you'll have a home that will give you an equally large amount of Monster citizens: 2,350, to be exact. Rent accumulates every eight hours, allowing you to each 250 coins each time you collect it, by default (keep in mind you can make that number much higher with decorations). Furthermore, if you're lucky enough to receive population increases when you collect the Crib's rent, you could eventually see this one's population grow to 4,350 Monsters (or citizens, depending on whether or not Halloween has passed by that point).
Either way, this particular building may be nice for those that already have a massive Monster population cap, but if your town can't currently hold 2,350 more Monsters, you'll need to build enough Community Buildings to reach that cap. There are plenty of options available for City Cash (why stop your splurging on just one building?), that will more easily raise the cap the necessary amount of Monsters, or you can building multiple Trees of Enchantment or Zombie ERs (as examples) to achieve the same end. Whatever the case, make sure to make your decision quickly, as these items won't be around forever.
Check out the rest of our Halloween coverage right here.
Will you purchase the Crypt Keeper's Crib for your town in CityVille? How far have you been able to grow your Monster population so far?
'Zynga is making games for accidental gamers,' studio VP says
Look, nobody gets hooked on FarmVille by accident--there's always that friend. Zynga studio VP Bill Mooney (pictured) recently spoke to students at The University of California at Santa Cruz during its Research Review Day about the company's design philosophy. During his talk, titled "Social Games: An Overview and Exploration," Mooney said, "Zynga is making games for accidental gamers," according to IndustryGamers.
The studio head was implying that Zynga doesn't create video games for hardcore or traditional gamers. Sure, that's stating the obvious, but it's vitally important to remember when looking at Zynga's games. They're not exactly technological marvels, accessible to those who just don't get the complexity of controllers and traversing 3D space. But as players progress, they become well-versed in increasingly complex interfaces, thus becoming, well, gamers.
Regardless, social gamers still aren't the same as traditional game fans, and probably never will be. (At least until another friend introduces them to something new.) And because of these "accidental gamers" have a different understanding of what a game should be, Zynga says it caters to that understanding. "You're not shipping a product, you're running an amusement park," Mooney told the students.
And traditional game companies are trying to keep up with that philosophy, wary that even hardcore gamers might yearn for that experience. (Just look at Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty Elite.) "Don't be like work, don't ask too much, be social, help me connect," Mooney said. That, ironically enough, might be the burgeoning industry's greatest challenge, if you ask the right folks.
[Image Credit: Josh Lowensohn (CNET)]
What do you expect from your social games these days? Have you come to expect this level of "connectedness" from other games or services, too?
The studio head was implying that Zynga doesn't create video games for hardcore or traditional gamers. Sure, that's stating the obvious, but it's vitally important to remember when looking at Zynga's games. They're not exactly technological marvels, accessible to those who just don't get the complexity of controllers and traversing 3D space. But as players progress, they become well-versed in increasingly complex interfaces, thus becoming, well, gamers.
Regardless, social gamers still aren't the same as traditional game fans, and probably never will be. (At least until another friend introduces them to something new.) And because of these "accidental gamers" have a different understanding of what a game should be, Zynga says it caters to that understanding. "You're not shipping a product, you're running an amusement park," Mooney told the students.
And traditional game companies are trying to keep up with that philosophy, wary that even hardcore gamers might yearn for that experience. (Just look at Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty Elite.) "Don't be like work, don't ask too much, be social, help me connect," Mooney said. That, ironically enough, might be the burgeoning industry's greatest challenge, if you ask the right folks.
[Image Credit: Josh Lowensohn (CNET)]
What do you expect from your social games these days? Have you come to expect this level of "connectedness" from other games or services, too?
Video Game Roundup: Kinect Sports Season Two, FIFA 12, New Professor Layton
This week's Video Game Roundup takes a look at the new season of Kinect Sports, where tennis, golf and darts (yes, that's a sport!) rule the day. Then it's off to the pitch with FIFA 12, the latest in the world's best-selling video game. Lastly, we use our brain muscle (that's a muscle, right?) in the brand new Nintendo DS game Professor Layton and the Last Specter.
Kinect Sports: Season Two
Kinect Sports holds a special place in my heart as the best reason to own the Kinect for Xbox 360. Sports like bowling, boxing and table tennis were faithfully reproduced, but given a fun, colorful style that made it addictive to play. Season Two offers up the same mix of tried-and-true gameplay with stylish visuals and a great soundtrack, this time for sports like baseball, football and tennis.
Thankfully, Rare and Big Park, the two developers of the game, didn't try to get cute with the gameplay. It is as fun as ever, and the sports lineup is pretty great. Football consists of four downs of passes and run plays, while baseball has you swinging for the fences. Even lesser-known sports like darts are made extremely fun thanks to the tracking technology of the Kinect. Works just as good as the original, if not better.
Our personal favorite has to be golf, and you have the option to play in one, three or nine-hole tournaments against competitors of different skill levels. Put your hand up before taking your shot and your player will step back to allow a few practice swings. Put your hand to your brow like you're shading your eyes and the camera will pan back and show the entire hole. When you're putting, feel free to crouch down and get a closer look at the ball and its potential path. These little touches both improve the gameplay and bring you further into the experience.
Just like the first one, there are special modes for many of the sports as well to keep things fresh. Golf has you pitching to a number of random targets in the ocean, while baseball has a home run derby. And just try to play only one session of Balloon Pop Darts--addictive!
When you're done just competing with the computer, you can always challenge a friend, either someone in the same room or over Xbox Live. You can even send challenges to other gamers as a way to play against others without having them online. Send a challenge and the next time your friend logs on, they'll have your new high score to contend with. Pretty cool!
Kinect Sports: Season Two is most definitely a must-have, and adds onto the Kinect Sports series with some very fun games and new modes of play. While we have no idea what they'll bring out for Season Three (curling, anyone?), we're just happy to have yet another championship season on Kinect.
FIFA 12
Another year, another version of FIFA, but that's a-okay with the millions of soccer fans who make up FIFA Nation. FIFA is consistently one of the best selling games on the entire planet, and it's easy to see why. Take the world's most popular sport and give it the works: include every big league and team you can think of, give it a broadcast-quality presentation, and keep the gameplay tight so it feels like you're running the pitch. FIFA 12 continues the tradition of great soccer gaming, and adds a few new moves to the mix.
If you're unfamiliar with the FIFA series, it's pretty simple to get started. Use your controller to pass, lob and through-pass (which means passing slightly ahead of the recipient) to get as close to goal before trying to shoot for the net. Sounds simple enough, but when you look at some of the more advanced techniques, you'll have a lot of weapons at your disposal.
For example, defensive checking is an integral part of the game, and holding down the A button (on Xbox 360) marks your defender to the ball carrier (in other words, he ain't going anywhere!). If the player with the ball is sprinting in front of you, now you can press the B button to give him a little tug on his shoulder or jersey to slow him down. These and other advance moves make FIFA 12 a game that, while easy to pick up and play, will take months to master.
Thankfully, for gamers without Pele aspirations, the game offers a lot of fun with varying difficulty levels and modes of play. You can create your own baseball card-style Ultimate Team, play coach to a championship contender, or even choose to play as a single player throughout their entire career. Add to that robust online play on both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, and you have a very compelling experience.
While it's not the easiest game to get into if you're a rookie (the options are plentiful but could be daunting), FIFA 12 is without a doubt the best game of the series. Its already racking up record sales as football fans of all sizes get their kick on, and if you have even just a little bit of soccer in your heart, you have to pick up FIFA 12.
Professor Layton and the Last Specter
Professor Layton and the Last Specter is a wonderful game that fits like a comfy pair of slippers. Longtime fans will find everything the franchise is known for, including a wide array of eccentric characters, a satisfying mix of puzzles, animated cut scenes and a gripping story. Newcomers, meanwhile, are in for a real treat, since this is technically the first game in the series. In other words, the perfect place to start.
There's no use dancing around it. The Last Specter plays like every Professor Layton that has come before it. You'll wander through a town under siege (in this case, the foggy burg of Misthallery), poking various objects in search of hint coins, gathering clues and meeting townsfolk that'll gladly provide valuable bits of information, so long as you solve mind bending puzzles.
Speaking of which, prepare to scratch your head for hours trying to figure out a variety of challenges, from ferrying animals across a river to packing a woman's cart so that no objects overlap.
That said, some of these puzzles cover familiar ground from past Layton games, so expect new takes on classic brain teasers, though the talented developers at Level-5 did manage to shove a bunch of new challenges into the game, forcing you to stress over making the tough decision of spending hint coins or working things out on your own.
The story, meanwhile, is vintage Layton. In this case, one of the professor's good friends, Clark Triton, begs him to unravel the mystery behind a strange giant that's been tearing the city to pieces. Told through beautifully animated scenes (though, to be fair, the DS screens show their age), you'll thoroughly enjoy each twist and turn, from Layton running into his assistant, Emmy, to his trusty and more well known sidekick, Luke.
In addition, you also have a bonus game, the 100 plus hour RPG, London Life, which sort of works like Animal Crossing in that you wander through a fictitious city completing tasks for its residents, decorating your home and trying on different outfits. While not particularly gripping (too many fetch quests), the charming 8-bit graphics (think Mother 3, the Japan-only Game Boy Advance RPG) and world of Layton should keep you glued for a little while.
If it doesn't, you'll find three addictive mini games stashed away in Layton's trunk, each of which offers a completely unique experience; definitely make a note to play Toy Train.
All told, Professor Layton and the Last Specter is another fine addition to the celebrated series and one of the last quality puzzle games for Nintendo's DS. Don't miss it.
Originally published on Modojo by Chris Buffa
Kinect Sports: Season Two
Kinect Sports holds a special place in my heart as the best reason to own the Kinect for Xbox 360. Sports like bowling, boxing and table tennis were faithfully reproduced, but given a fun, colorful style that made it addictive to play. Season Two offers up the same mix of tried-and-true gameplay with stylish visuals and a great soundtrack, this time for sports like baseball, football and tennis.
Thankfully, Rare and Big Park, the two developers of the game, didn't try to get cute with the gameplay. It is as fun as ever, and the sports lineup is pretty great. Football consists of four downs of passes and run plays, while baseball has you swinging for the fences. Even lesser-known sports like darts are made extremely fun thanks to the tracking technology of the Kinect. Works just as good as the original, if not better.
Our personal favorite has to be golf, and you have the option to play in one, three or nine-hole tournaments against competitors of different skill levels. Put your hand up before taking your shot and your player will step back to allow a few practice swings. Put your hand to your brow like you're shading your eyes and the camera will pan back and show the entire hole. When you're putting, feel free to crouch down and get a closer look at the ball and its potential path. These little touches both improve the gameplay and bring you further into the experience.
Just like the first one, there are special modes for many of the sports as well to keep things fresh. Golf has you pitching to a number of random targets in the ocean, while baseball has a home run derby. And just try to play only one session of Balloon Pop Darts--addictive!
When you're done just competing with the computer, you can always challenge a friend, either someone in the same room or over Xbox Live. You can even send challenges to other gamers as a way to play against others without having them online. Send a challenge and the next time your friend logs on, they'll have your new high score to contend with. Pretty cool!
Kinect Sports: Season Two is most definitely a must-have, and adds onto the Kinect Sports series with some very fun games and new modes of play. While we have no idea what they'll bring out for Season Three (curling, anyone?), we're just happy to have yet another championship season on Kinect.
FIFA 12
Another year, another version of FIFA, but that's a-okay with the millions of soccer fans who make up FIFA Nation. FIFA is consistently one of the best selling games on the entire planet, and it's easy to see why. Take the world's most popular sport and give it the works: include every big league and team you can think of, give it a broadcast-quality presentation, and keep the gameplay tight so it feels like you're running the pitch. FIFA 12 continues the tradition of great soccer gaming, and adds a few new moves to the mix.
If you're unfamiliar with the FIFA series, it's pretty simple to get started. Use your controller to pass, lob and through-pass (which means passing slightly ahead of the recipient) to get as close to goal before trying to shoot for the net. Sounds simple enough, but when you look at some of the more advanced techniques, you'll have a lot of weapons at your disposal.
For example, defensive checking is an integral part of the game, and holding down the A button (on Xbox 360) marks your defender to the ball carrier (in other words, he ain't going anywhere!). If the player with the ball is sprinting in front of you, now you can press the B button to give him a little tug on his shoulder or jersey to slow him down. These and other advance moves make FIFA 12 a game that, while easy to pick up and play, will take months to master.
Thankfully, for gamers without Pele aspirations, the game offers a lot of fun with varying difficulty levels and modes of play. You can create your own baseball card-style Ultimate Team, play coach to a championship contender, or even choose to play as a single player throughout their entire career. Add to that robust online play on both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, and you have a very compelling experience.
While it's not the easiest game to get into if you're a rookie (the options are plentiful but could be daunting), FIFA 12 is without a doubt the best game of the series. Its already racking up record sales as football fans of all sizes get their kick on, and if you have even just a little bit of soccer in your heart, you have to pick up FIFA 12.
Professor Layton and the Last Specter
Professor Layton and the Last Specter is a wonderful game that fits like a comfy pair of slippers. Longtime fans will find everything the franchise is known for, including a wide array of eccentric characters, a satisfying mix of puzzles, animated cut scenes and a gripping story. Newcomers, meanwhile, are in for a real treat, since this is technically the first game in the series. In other words, the perfect place to start.
There's no use dancing around it. The Last Specter plays like every Professor Layton that has come before it. You'll wander through a town under siege (in this case, the foggy burg of Misthallery), poking various objects in search of hint coins, gathering clues and meeting townsfolk that'll gladly provide valuable bits of information, so long as you solve mind bending puzzles.
Speaking of which, prepare to scratch your head for hours trying to figure out a variety of challenges, from ferrying animals across a river to packing a woman's cart so that no objects overlap.
That said, some of these puzzles cover familiar ground from past Layton games, so expect new takes on classic brain teasers, though the talented developers at Level-5 did manage to shove a bunch of new challenges into the game, forcing you to stress over making the tough decision of spending hint coins or working things out on your own.
The story, meanwhile, is vintage Layton. In this case, one of the professor's good friends, Clark Triton, begs him to unravel the mystery behind a strange giant that's been tearing the city to pieces. Told through beautifully animated scenes (though, to be fair, the DS screens show their age), you'll thoroughly enjoy each twist and turn, from Layton running into his assistant, Emmy, to his trusty and more well known sidekick, Luke.
In addition, you also have a bonus game, the 100 plus hour RPG, London Life, which sort of works like Animal Crossing in that you wander through a fictitious city completing tasks for its residents, decorating your home and trying on different outfits. While not particularly gripping (too many fetch quests), the charming 8-bit graphics (think Mother 3, the Japan-only Game Boy Advance RPG) and world of Layton should keep you glued for a little while.
If it doesn't, you'll find three addictive mini games stashed away in Layton's trunk, each of which offers a completely unique experience; definitely make a note to play Toy Train.
All told, Professor Layton and the Last Specter is another fine addition to the celebrated series and one of the last quality puzzle games for Nintendo's DS. Don't miss it.
Originally published on Modojo by Chris Buffa
Zynga studio VP Lou Castle leaves for Las Vegas casino games maker
Hey, look on the bright side, Zynga: At least the guy didn't leave for a competitor. IndustryGamers reports that former Zynga studio VP Lou Castle (pictured) left for Shuffle Master, a Las Vegas-based creator of various casino game products like shufflers. According to IndustryGamers, Castle's move was purely for personal reasons, just months after joining the social game giant.
"The Zynga gig was clearly a 5 day a week, 24/7 requirement," Castle told IndustryGamers. "[I have] twins in senior year of high school and [Shuffle Master's] a local job. Life's too short, so I couldn't resist." Quite the noble move, eh? Well, Castle had already served on Shuffle Master's board of directors for six years before becoming the company's CSO, or chief strategy officer. Castle opted to resign from his position on the board as Chairman of the Audit Committee before taking on the job.
Castle is best known for his contributions in creating the famed strategy game series, Command & Conquer, as co-founder of Westwood Studios. The former Zynga executive most recently joins Treasure Isle GM Jeremy Verba in leaving the company. Verba also entered a completely different industry, becoming the CEO of famous (or infamous?) online dating website eHarmony.
These recent departures from Zynga aren't to other game companies, but away from the games industry entirely. Whether Zynga proves to be the video game swan song for industry veterans has yet to be seen. But the San Francisco-based social games maker presses on, with almost too many games announced recently.
Why do you think folks are leaving Zynga, but for companies in completely different industries? Is this the start of a trend of the social game maker?
"The Zynga gig was clearly a 5 day a week, 24/7 requirement," Castle told IndustryGamers. "[I have] twins in senior year of high school and [Shuffle Master's] a local job. Life's too short, so I couldn't resist." Quite the noble move, eh? Well, Castle had already served on Shuffle Master's board of directors for six years before becoming the company's CSO, or chief strategy officer. Castle opted to resign from his position on the board as Chairman of the Audit Committee before taking on the job.
Castle is best known for his contributions in creating the famed strategy game series, Command & Conquer, as co-founder of Westwood Studios. The former Zynga executive most recently joins Treasure Isle GM Jeremy Verba in leaving the company. Verba also entered a completely different industry, becoming the CEO of famous (or infamous?) online dating website eHarmony.
These recent departures from Zynga aren't to other game companies, but away from the games industry entirely. Whether Zynga proves to be the video game swan song for industry veterans has yet to be seen. But the San Francisco-based social games maker presses on, with almost too many games announced recently.
Why do you think folks are leaving Zynga, but for companies in completely different industries? Is this the start of a trend of the social game maker?
You might be able to invest in Zynga just in time for Turkey Day
The fabled Zynga initial public offering (IPO) of legend draws near, the prophets of Mt. Reuters foretell. Jokes aside, the San Francisco-based social games maker could go public--meaning you and I could buy Zynga stock--the week before Thanksgiving. At least that's what two anonymous sources told Reuters on Monday, but these plans, of course, could change.
You know, like they've changed several times before? Since its original announcement in July, the exact date of the FarmVille maker's IPO has been pushed back more times than the company would likely care for. According to most reports, the IPO is set to inject another $1 billion into the already filthy rich company. Recent valuations mentioned in filings with the Security and Exchange Commission set Zynga at around $11.5 billion, which is more than what competitor EA is said to be worth.
The company has delayed its IPO in fear of a shaky market, but recently held Zynga Unleashed, a press event that announced a number of new games and initiatives like Project Z. While this was certainly to show off what the company had in store for its fans (and to show off its spiffy new offices), we're sure Zynga was looking to impress investors and analysts. If successful, this move could set the big red dog on the track to becoming the most valuable game company around. And with 70 times voting power on his share of the company, you can be sure that CEO Mark Pincus (pictured) will be at the reins.
[Via Business Insider]
[Image Credit: Getty Images/Bloomberg]
Would you ever invest in Zynga if and when it went public? What other effects do you think this move might have on the games industry overall?
You know, like they've changed several times before? Since its original announcement in July, the exact date of the FarmVille maker's IPO has been pushed back more times than the company would likely care for. According to most reports, the IPO is set to inject another $1 billion into the already filthy rich company. Recent valuations mentioned in filings with the Security and Exchange Commission set Zynga at around $11.5 billion, which is more than what competitor EA is said to be worth.
The company has delayed its IPO in fear of a shaky market, but recently held Zynga Unleashed, a press event that announced a number of new games and initiatives like Project Z. While this was certainly to show off what the company had in store for its fans (and to show off its spiffy new offices), we're sure Zynga was looking to impress investors and analysts. If successful, this move could set the big red dog on the track to becoming the most valuable game company around. And with 70 times voting power on his share of the company, you can be sure that CEO Mark Pincus (pictured) will be at the reins.
[Via Business Insider]
[Image Credit: Getty Images/Bloomberg]
Would you ever invest in Zynga if and when it went public? What other effects do you think this move might have on the games industry overall?
Thứ Sáu, 9 tháng 12, 2011
CityVille: Winter comes early with new Cookie Condos, Gingerbread House and more
Another set of Christmas and Winter themed items has launched in CityVille's store this week, proving that there's no better way to deck your city's virtual halls than with buildings covered in snow and lights (and a little bit of snow on the ground never hurt either). We've already brought you a look at the first wave of items in this "Winter" theme, but now there's a Mystery Crate, along with new homes and businesses to help flesh out the theme.
First things first, you can now purchase a blanket of snow to cover your city's grassy areas. This costs just 500 coins to do, and while it only applies to the ground, you'll see every square (including trees that you've yet to chop down) covered in snow, regardless of whether you've expanded into them. To be clear, last year we were given an option to turn on snow and lights on our buildings as well, but that hasn't been launched as of this writing. Also, your beach will stay sandy, and isn't affected by the snow cover.
Here's a look at the rest of the newly released items:
Cookie Condos
Costs: 60 City Cash
Population: 1850 - 3650
Rent: 326 coins every day
Gingerbread House
Costs: 40 City Cash
Population: 600 - 1200
Rent: 197 coins every four hours
Sugar Plum Palace
Costs: 30 City Cash
Population: 300 - 600
Rent: 19 coins every five minutes
Frozen Water Mill (Community Building)
Costs: 65 City Cash
Allows: Raises max population cap by 3,750 citizens
Holiday Tree Lot
Costs: 40 City Cash
Requires: 305 Goods
Earnings: 1648 coins
In addition to these items, you can also pick up a Winter Mystery Crate for 40 City Cash. For each crate you purchase, you'll have a chance of winning the Holiday Tree Lot, Gingerbread House, Frozen Water Mill or another new building: Ginger Tower. This tower made of gingerbread serves as a home, offering your town 2,500 - 4,500 citizens, and is the rarest prize in the box. If history tells us anything, this will likely be released as a standalone item for purchase in the store at a later date, but at a higher price. So, if you want to get it for cheap, feel free to gamble and purchase one of these crates, hoping to get lucky.
Also, if you happen to be a veteran player that still has last year's Holiday Tree Lot, keep in mind that this new business is just that - a business. It's a different item than last year's decoration, although it does look incredibly similar.
All of these items have been given a "limited time" marking in the store, but I'd be willing to wager that we won't see them actually leave the store for quite some time. As this theme is given more items and the holidays truly start to kick off in CityVille, we'll make sure to let you know.
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2011 coverage right here.
Will you change your town's land to snow, or are you still celebrating fall in your game? What do you think of these new Winter / Christmas themed items?
First things first, you can now purchase a blanket of snow to cover your city's grassy areas. This costs just 500 coins to do, and while it only applies to the ground, you'll see every square (including trees that you've yet to chop down) covered in snow, regardless of whether you've expanded into them. To be clear, last year we were given an option to turn on snow and lights on our buildings as well, but that hasn't been launched as of this writing. Also, your beach will stay sandy, and isn't affected by the snow cover.
Here's a look at the rest of the newly released items:
Cookie Condos
Costs: 60 City Cash
Population: 1850 - 3650
Rent: 326 coins every day
Gingerbread House
Costs: 40 City Cash
Population: 600 - 1200
Rent: 197 coins every four hours
Sugar Plum Palace
Costs: 30 City Cash
Population: 300 - 600
Rent: 19 coins every five minutes
Frozen Water Mill (Community Building)
Costs: 65 City Cash
Allows: Raises max population cap by 3,750 citizens
Holiday Tree Lot
Costs: 40 City Cash
Requires: 305 Goods
Earnings: 1648 coins
In addition to these items, you can also pick up a Winter Mystery Crate for 40 City Cash. For each crate you purchase, you'll have a chance of winning the Holiday Tree Lot, Gingerbread House, Frozen Water Mill or another new building: Ginger Tower. This tower made of gingerbread serves as a home, offering your town 2,500 - 4,500 citizens, and is the rarest prize in the box. If history tells us anything, this will likely be released as a standalone item for purchase in the store at a later date, but at a higher price. So, if you want to get it for cheap, feel free to gamble and purchase one of these crates, hoping to get lucky.
Also, if you happen to be a veteran player that still has last year's Holiday Tree Lot, keep in mind that this new business is just that - a business. It's a different item than last year's decoration, although it does look incredibly similar.
All of these items have been given a "limited time" marking in the store, but I'd be willing to wager that we won't see them actually leave the store for quite some time. As this theme is given more items and the holidays truly start to kick off in CityVille, we'll make sure to let you know.
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2011 coverage right here.
Will you change your town's land to snow, or are you still celebrating fall in your game? What do you think of these new Winter / Christmas themed items?
Đăng ký:
Bài đăng (Atom)