frontierville cheats
FrontierVille has been out for a long time now, so we've had tons of time to discover all kinds of FrontierVille Cheats & Tips to help you get ahead. At last, we've combined all our FrontierVille Cheats & Tips into one easy-to-use guide. So, whether you're a new FrontierVille player looking for cheats and tips, or a FrontierVille veteran well versed in the game's cheats and tips, I guarantee you'll be able to learn something from our FrontierVille Cheats & Tips Guide.
Check out all our FrontierVille Cheats & Tips guides below:
Scroll down to see older FrontierVille Cheats & Tips at the bottom of the list.
Pioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Bake Sale Guide Pioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Crafting Workshop Guide
Pioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Ice Shed Guide pioneer trail cheats potting shedPioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Potting Shed Guide
pioneer trail cheats 4f animal mastery clubPioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
4F Animal Mastery Club Guide pioneer trail cheats animal mastery frontiervillePioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Animal Mastery Goals
pioneer trail cheats school house upgradePioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
School House Upgrade Guide pioneer trail cheats bank goalsPioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Bank and Goals Guide
pioneer trail cheats chuck wagon goalsPioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Chuck Wagon Goals Guide pioneer trail cheats chuck wagonPioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Chuck Wagon Guide
FrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Beaver Valley Bridge Cheat frontierville pioneer trail cheats hidden questsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Hidden Quests Guide
frontierville pioneer trail rations cheatsPioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Ration Guide frontierville pioneer trail cheatsPioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
High Plains Guide
frontierville pioneer trail cheatsPioneer Trail Cheats and Tips:
Avalanche Pass Guide frontierville pioneer trail cheatsPioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Beaver Valley
frontierville pioneer trail cheatsPioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Friends Guide frontierville pioneer trail cheatsPioneer Trail Cheats & Tips:
Getting Started Guide
frontierville cheats l amour inn goalsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
L'Amour Inn Goals Guide frontierville cheats animal hospital goalsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Animal Hospital Goals Guide
frontierville cheats animal hospitalFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Animal Hospital Guide frontierville cheats level up fastFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Leveling Up Fast Guide
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Birch Still Goals Guide frontierville cheats birch stillFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Birch Still Guide
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Roman Candle Free Energy frontierville cheats wedding goalsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Wedding Goals Guide
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Fowl Pond Guide frontierville cheats fowl pondFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Fowl Pond Goals Guide
frontierville cheats rodeo arenaFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Rodeo Arena Guide frontierville cheats rodeo arenaFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Rodeo Arena Goals Guide
frontierville cheats pioneer campFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Pioneer Camp Guide frontierville cheats pioneer campFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Pioneer Camp Goals Guide
frontierville cheats wedding dress fannyFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Fanny's Wedding Dress Guide frontierville cheats plannin the big dayFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Plannin' the Big Day Goals Guide
frontierville cheats add neighborsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
How to Advance Without Neighbors FrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Poker Table Guide
FrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Poker Table Goals Guide FrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Colossal Land Expansion Goals Guide
frontierville cheats love is in the airFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Love is in the Air Guide frontierville cheats big barn upgradeFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Instant Big Barn Badges Cheat
FrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Big Barn Guide frontierville cheats big barn goals upgradeFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Big Barn Goals Guide
frontierville cheats orchardFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Orchard Guide Frontierville cheats orchard goalsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Orchard Goals Guide
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Saloon Guide frontierville cheats saloon goalsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Saloon Goals Guide
frontierville cheats fort courageFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Fort Courage/Shower Goals Guide frontierville cheats fort courage showerFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Fort Courage/Shower Guide
frontierville cheats livestock pen goalsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Livestock Pen Goals Guide frontierville cheats livestock penFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Livestock Pen Guide
frontierville cheats easy money cloverFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Easy Money Trick frontierville cheats dog guideFrontierVille Cheats & TIps:
Building a Kennel Guide
frontierville cheats dog trainingFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Dog Training Guide frontierville cheats dog kennel goalsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Kennel Goals Guide
frontierville cheats update horse corralFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Horse Corral Upgrade Goals frontierville cheats upgrade horse corralFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Horse Corral Upgrade Guide
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Trouble on the Trail Guide frontierville water well goals guideFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Water Well Goals Guide
frontierville cheats pet storeFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Pet Store Guide frontierville cheats pet store goals guideFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Pet Store Goals Guide
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Oregon Ho! Goals Guide frontierville cheats adobe bricksFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
How to Find Adobe Bricks
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Ponderosa Lodge Goals Guide frontierville cheats ponderosa lodgeFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Ponderosa Lodge Guide
frontierville cheats bear collectionFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Bear Collection Guide frontierville cheats news standFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
News Stand Guide
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News Stand Goals Guide frontierville cheats bee hiveFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Beehive Guide
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Canning Master Goals Guide frontierville cheats horse corralFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Horse Corral Guide
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Horse Corral Goals Guide frontierville dog doghouseFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Dog & Doghouse Guide
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Dog & Doghouse Goals Guide frontierville cheats detective agencyFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Detective Agency Guide
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Blacksmith Guide frontierville cheat detective agency goalsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Detective Agency Goals Guide
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Chicken Coop Upgrade Guide FrontierVille Cheats Flower MissionsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Flower Missions Guide
FrontierVille Cheats Flower Shop MissionsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Flower Shop Missions Guide frontierville cheats flower shopFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Flower Shop Guide
frontierville cheats doctors officeFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Doctor's Office Guide frontierville cheats prarie pox goalsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Prarie Pox Goals Guide
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How to Find a Syringe frontierville cheats insane bonusFrontierVille Cheats & TIps:
Insane Bonus Guide
farmville cheats character guideFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Character Guide frontierville cheats pony expressFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Pony Express Goals Guide
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Pony Express Guide frontierville cheats 37 x 37 expansionFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
37 x 37 Expansion Goals Guide
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35 x 35 Expansion Goals Guide frontierville cheats barbershopFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Barbershop Guide
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Victory Garden Guide frontierville cheatsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Top Five XP Sources
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How to Sell Items frontierville cheatsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Crop Boosts Guide
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Kids & Family Guide frontierville cheatsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Six More Ways to Get Ahead
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Instant Gifts & Energy Cheat frontierville cheatsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Horseshoe Pit Guide
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School Supplies Quick Links frontierville cheatsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Storage Guide: Part 1 & Part 2
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Goals Mastery Guide frontierville cheatsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
How to Earn Coins Guide
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Tree Cheat-Sheet frontierville cheatsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Animal Cheat-Sheet
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How to Get Married frontierville cheatsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Find Lost Spouse
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Building Materials Quick Links frontierville cheatsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Energy Guide
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Getting Started Guide frontierville cheatsFrontierVille Cheats & Tips:
Four Easy Tips to Get Ahead
Check out our other guides:
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FarmVille Cheats & Tips Guide
Thứ Hai, 30 tháng 1, 2012
FrontierVille Gingerbread Man Goals: Everything you need to know
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2010 coverage right here.
If you thought you were done with the scrumptious-looking Gingerbread House in FrontierVille, think again. As it turns out, the Gingerbread Man's stay on the homestead is part of a series of three Goals starting with "Building the Gingerbread Man a Home." And if you followed our guide on how to build it, you've already got the hardest part of this Goal out of the way.
As for the other two requirements, you've been asked to plant five Fruit Trees. This means that you can plant five fruit-bearing trees of any kind to fulfill this portion of the Goal. So, if you're living on the cheap, just go with five Cherry Trees. That will only cost you a total of 3,100 coins and will be ready harvest in the least amount of time, which leads us to the final requirement. All you need to do is harvest or water 20 fruit trees on your homestead. If you don't have 20 trees already, this will take some extra cash and time, but for those with bigger homesteads this should be easy pickings. Enjoy the 150 XP, 250 coins and Light Snack as a reward for your hard work.
Find out how to best complete Part II and III of the Gingerbread Man Goals after the break.
Eaten Gingerbread HousePart II of the Gingerbread Man Goals requires the unthinkable (and, if the forums are any indication, annoying): you must eat the Gingerbread House. I guess your pioneer, after witnessing its sweet, cavity-inducing glory, decided that they just could not resist. Well, that's my suspension of disbelief, anyway. And to go with that delicious Gingerbread House, you'll need two Milk from the Cow Collection and 15 Cloth (napkins... get it?). As always, Cloth comes from visiting friends, but if you don't have any Milk saved you'll have to try your luck at finding it at random from tending Cows. Once this is completed, 200 XP, 500 coins and 75 Food await you.
Brace yourselves, Part III is somewhat of a doozie. You're going to have to rebuild that Gingerbread House you just gorged. Let that sink in a little bit before we move on. You're good? Great. Now, this means that you'll need to do the same three cross-game Goals again and ask for the same three items from friends, according to several forum members whose posts have since been removed. But that's not all. In addition to rebuilding the little guy's crib, you will also have to harvest any crop 150 times and harvest 50 of your friends' fruit trees. While you don't have to harvest the same 150 crops, you're probably better off just picking one crop and sticking to it like the Clovers or Tomatoes, the cheapest, fastest crops in the game. Either way, this Goal is going to be time consuming for most, to say the least. You're reward for getting there and back again will be 450 XP, 2,500 coins and a Mini Gingerbread House. Now that you know what to do, go on and make that Gingerbread Man one happy cookie.
If you thought you were done with the scrumptious-looking Gingerbread House in FrontierVille, think again. As it turns out, the Gingerbread Man's stay on the homestead is part of a series of three Goals starting with "Building the Gingerbread Man a Home." And if you followed our guide on how to build it, you've already got the hardest part of this Goal out of the way.
As for the other two requirements, you've been asked to plant five Fruit Trees. This means that you can plant five fruit-bearing trees of any kind to fulfill this portion of the Goal. So, if you're living on the cheap, just go with five Cherry Trees. That will only cost you a total of 3,100 coins and will be ready harvest in the least amount of time, which leads us to the final requirement. All you need to do is harvest or water 20 fruit trees on your homestead. If you don't have 20 trees already, this will take some extra cash and time, but for those with bigger homesteads this should be easy pickings. Enjoy the 150 XP, 250 coins and Light Snack as a reward for your hard work.
Find out how to best complete Part II and III of the Gingerbread Man Goals after the break.
Eaten Gingerbread HousePart II of the Gingerbread Man Goals requires the unthinkable (and, if the forums are any indication, annoying): you must eat the Gingerbread House. I guess your pioneer, after witnessing its sweet, cavity-inducing glory, decided that they just could not resist. Well, that's my suspension of disbelief, anyway. And to go with that delicious Gingerbread House, you'll need two Milk from the Cow Collection and 15 Cloth (napkins... get it?). As always, Cloth comes from visiting friends, but if you don't have any Milk saved you'll have to try your luck at finding it at random from tending Cows. Once this is completed, 200 XP, 500 coins and 75 Food await you.
Brace yourselves, Part III is somewhat of a doozie. You're going to have to rebuild that Gingerbread House you just gorged. Let that sink in a little bit before we move on. You're good? Great. Now, this means that you'll need to do the same three cross-game Goals again and ask for the same three items from friends, according to several forum members whose posts have since been removed. But that's not all. In addition to rebuilding the little guy's crib, you will also have to harvest any crop 150 times and harvest 50 of your friends' fruit trees. While you don't have to harvest the same 150 crops, you're probably better off just picking one crop and sticking to it like the Clovers or Tomatoes, the cheapest, fastest crops in the game. Either way, this Goal is going to be time consuming for most, to say the least. You're reward for getting there and back again will be 450 XP, 2,500 coins and a Mini Gingerbread House. Now that you know what to do, go on and make that Gingerbread Man one happy cookie.
Game of the Day: Frosty Flips
The game of the day is in the Christmas spirit! Frosty Flips is fun, flipping snowboard ride with Santa Claus. In Frosty Flips help Snowboarding Santa stock up on goodies for Christmas! Flip and spin your way to highest scores. Frosty Flips is fast, funky and there is nothing better than landing a great trick or bailing hard with Santa.
Important side note: Just by playing The Game of the Day you will be entered into a monthly drawing to win aFlipCam HD. You don't need to do anything else, just play! The more you play, the more chances you have to win. For more information on the Game of Day check out the official Game of the Day hub
Play Frosty Flips now -->
Important side note: Just by playing The Game of the Day you will be entered into a monthly drawing to win aFlipCam HD. You don't need to do anything else, just play! The more you play, the more chances you have to win. For more information on the Game of Day check out the official Game of the Day hub
Play Frosty Flips now -->
FarmVille Holiday Avatar Costumes: Polar Bear & Snowman
Still looking for that perfect holiday costume for your avatar in FarmVille? How about a costume that will last you through the holiday season and the rest of winter to boot? If you've said yes, then you might be interested in the two newest offerings that have been added to FarmVille this week.
The costumes are the Polar Bear and Snowman costumes. Both of these costumes are limited edition, and are part of the Winter Holiday theme of items, giving them a time limit of 17 days remaining in the game's store. They are both premium, costing 10 Farm Cash each. For purchasing either costume, you'll gain 350 experience points as a reward.
If you've spent most of your Farm Cash on other items this holiday season, remember that Zynga has offered compensation to those users affected by the many glitches in the Snowman event, which we told you about earlier this week, so you may have 20 free Farm Cash on hand and not even know it. Conveniently enough, that's just what these costumes would cost to add to your wardrobe. Whether or not you do in fact purchase them, though, is of course up to you.
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2010 coverage right here.
What do you think of these newest costumes? How many holiday costumes have you purchased for your avatar this month?
The costumes are the Polar Bear and Snowman costumes. Both of these costumes are limited edition, and are part of the Winter Holiday theme of items, giving them a time limit of 17 days remaining in the game's store. They are both premium, costing 10 Farm Cash each. For purchasing either costume, you'll gain 350 experience points as a reward.
If you've spent most of your Farm Cash on other items this holiday season, remember that Zynga has offered compensation to those users affected by the many glitches in the Snowman event, which we told you about earlier this week, so you may have 20 free Farm Cash on hand and not even know it. Conveniently enough, that's just what these costumes would cost to add to your wardrobe. Whether or not you do in fact purchase them, though, is of course up to you.
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2010 coverage right here.
What do you think of these newest costumes? How many holiday costumes have you purchased for your avatar this month?
CityVille: Inventory Limit raised to 500 - keep collecting those presents!
By now, most CityVille players are probably knee-deep in presents, snow, and holiday lights as they try to decorate their land for the holidays, and build their very own Holiday Tree to celebrate. However, with the addition of the Holiday Tree quests came a very real concern on the part of users concerning the current inventory limit of 250 individual items.
As those participating in the Holiday Tree quests can tell you, sending presents back and forth, to and from friends can fill up your inventory, and fast, especially when taking all of the other items a user might have in their inventory into account. All you need is a group of very active players sending each other presents, free gifts, and the like daily, or even two or three times per day (where applicable), and suddenly that 250 item limit isn't nearly enough. Redeem a few collections here, send a few energy bonuses there... you get the idea.
Zynga had already increased the limit from the initial cap of 100 items to 250 about a week ago, but that clearly hasn't been enough to satisfy users, so the team has doubled the inventory cap - bringing the current cap to 500 items. Surely, this will be more than enough space to at least give users a chance to collect all of their bonuses and free gifts, even if they choose to sell most of those items therein in order to free up some space.
What does this mean for the Holiday Tree quests? It means you can now send free gifts until your heart is content, resting easy that your friends will (most likely) now have the room to hold them, and that's a great feeling indeed.
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2010 coverage right here.
Have you ever filled your inventory in CityVille? What do you think of the idea of an unlimited inventory system in CityVille?
As those participating in the Holiday Tree quests can tell you, sending presents back and forth, to and from friends can fill up your inventory, and fast, especially when taking all of the other items a user might have in their inventory into account. All you need is a group of very active players sending each other presents, free gifts, and the like daily, or even two or three times per day (where applicable), and suddenly that 250 item limit isn't nearly enough. Redeem a few collections here, send a few energy bonuses there... you get the idea.
Zynga had already increased the limit from the initial cap of 100 items to 250 about a week ago, but that clearly hasn't been enough to satisfy users, so the team has doubled the inventory cap - bringing the current cap to 500 items. Surely, this will be more than enough space to at least give users a chance to collect all of their bonuses and free gifts, even if they choose to sell most of those items therein in order to free up some space.
What does this mean for the Holiday Tree quests? It means you can now send free gifts until your heart is content, resting easy that your friends will (most likely) now have the room to hold them, and that's a great feeling indeed.
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2010 coverage right here.
Have you ever filled your inventory in CityVille? What do you think of the idea of an unlimited inventory system in CityVille?
Thứ Tư, 11 tháng 1, 2012
Portal-maker Valve cryptically announces free-to-play game
It's only been just over a week since Valve brought five fancy free-to-play games to Steam, its digital games distribution service. And already the developer slash online marketplace curator has caught the fever known as free, as spokesman Doug Lombardi replied simply "yes" when asked by French magazine Barre de Vie whether Valve had its own free-to-play games in the making.
According to Gamasutra, some guess that the game in question could be Dota 2 (pictured), a game inspired by the Defense of the Ancients game mod created within WarCraft 3, a strategy game by Blizzard released in 2002. The game is said to join other spin-offs of the original like League of Legends by Riot Games, which just so happens to be free-to-play as well. However, this is all guesswork based on Valve's existing projects and what the competition offers within the genre.
Last week, the company brought several free-to-play albeit hardcore games (aside from Spiral Knights) to its Steam service, so it is understandable that Valve would have confidence in the increasingly popular business model. In fact, we all know companies like Zynga, traditionally hardcore developers like EA and even designers like John Romero are digging on free games. So, it appears that Valve is looking to keep up with the competition--at least when it comes to its "hardcore" fans. You know, the ones who bought Bejeweled 3 and Peggle Nights from Steam?
According to Gamasutra, some guess that the game in question could be Dota 2 (pictured), a game inspired by the Defense of the Ancients game mod created within WarCraft 3, a strategy game by Blizzard released in 2002. The game is said to join other spin-offs of the original like League of Legends by Riot Games, which just so happens to be free-to-play as well. However, this is all guesswork based on Valve's existing projects and what the competition offers within the genre.
Last week, the company brought several free-to-play albeit hardcore games (aside from Spiral Knights) to its Steam service, so it is understandable that Valve would have confidence in the increasingly popular business model. In fact, we all know companies like Zynga, traditionally hardcore developers like EA and even designers like John Romero are digging on free games. So, it appears that Valve is looking to keep up with the competition--at least when it comes to its "hardcore" fans. You know, the ones who bought Bejeweled 3 and Peggle Nights from Steam?
Realm of the Mad God busts out of beta on Chrome Web Store
Do you like shooting things? How about ... lots of things? Then you'll more than likely love Realm of the Mad God. (Well, it helps to appreciate retro-style visuals and all things fantasy.) Game designer Daniel Cook has released his frenetic, fraternal side project from open beta to the Chrome Web Store for absolutely free. Just the way we like it. (Though, it's really just a link to the original web game. [Thanks, Laurent!])
The game enlists you, brave adventurer, as one of several fantasy tropes--the wizard, the warrior, you get the idea--to slay the evil god kings of each realm. Though, you'll need the help of some friends to make it happen, because there are a ton of bullets out there. Realm of the Mad God features solely cooperative play, but attempts to instill some competition through item stealing and friendly corpse-looting. If you want some more info on the game, check out our full guide right here.
Just like your standard fare social game, Realm of the Mad God has no downloads, installations or any of the other hurdles that come along with PC gaming. But unlike most social games, this one features real-time gameplay with monster-hunting parties of up to 85 players. Now that's what we call "social." The game takes a bit of getting used to for the ... less coordinated gamer, but give it a shot, and maybe we'll see you slay the Mad God Oryx.
The game enlists you, brave adventurer, as one of several fantasy tropes--the wizard, the warrior, you get the idea--to slay the evil god kings of each realm. Though, you'll need the help of some friends to make it happen, because there are a ton of bullets out there. Realm of the Mad God features solely cooperative play, but attempts to instill some competition through item stealing and friendly corpse-looting. If you want some more info on the game, check out our full guide right here.
Just like your standard fare social game, Realm of the Mad God has no downloads, installations or any of the other hurdles that come along with PC gaming. But unlike most social games, this one features real-time gameplay with monster-hunting parties of up to 85 players. Now that's what we call "social." The game takes a bit of getting used to for the ... less coordinated gamer, but give it a shot, and maybe we'll see you slay the Mad God Oryx.
Professor Layton: Brain-bending game goes social and mobile later this year
The popular puzzler/adventure game series starring a top-hat wearing sleuth named Professor Layton will be getting a social overhaul and will launch on mobile phones in Japan later this year.
Professor Layton Royale will be the first product of a partnership between Layton creator Level-5 and the Japanese mobile social network DeNA. The two companies plan to work together and adapt other popular video games into social games.
Right now, details are scant on the upcoming Professor Layton mobile game, outside the fact that you will take on the role of detective, citizen or thief and the game will feature a mashup of characters from both the Layton universe (including Layton and his precocious boy sidekick) as well as those from Mobage's popular Kaito Royale series.
Professor Layton Royale will be released on the Japanese Mobage social network. At launch, the game will only be available in Japan, but a press release says there are plans "to provide soon [sic] localized versions to international users on the highly anticipated global Mobage service."
There's no news about Royale being released as an Android or iOS app, but based on the popularity of this series (the franchise is one of the most popular Nintendo DS-exclusives and has sold 12 million copies worldwide), I'm sure -- as the old maxim goes -- where there's a will, there's a way.
As a side note: It's interesting that one of the Nintendo DS' most popular games is headed to mobile. Will this be a wake-up call to Nintendo, whose president recently said that the gaming company is 'not interested' in mobile and Facebook? I remember -- just a few years ago -- several Nintendo executives told me that Apple wasn't the competition. Fast forward to 2011. Nintendo higher-ups declare that Apple is the 'enemy of the future' and readies the Nintendo Wii-U, which bears a striking resemblance to the Apple iPad, for launch.
Professor Layton Royale will be the first product of a partnership between Layton creator Level-5 and the Japanese mobile social network DeNA. The two companies plan to work together and adapt other popular video games into social games.
Right now, details are scant on the upcoming Professor Layton mobile game, outside the fact that you will take on the role of detective, citizen or thief and the game will feature a mashup of characters from both the Layton universe (including Layton and his precocious boy sidekick) as well as those from Mobage's popular Kaito Royale series.
Professor Layton Royale will be released on the Japanese Mobage social network. At launch, the game will only be available in Japan, but a press release says there are plans "to provide soon [sic] localized versions to international users on the highly anticipated global Mobage service."
There's no news about Royale being released as an Android or iOS app, but based on the popularity of this series (the franchise is one of the most popular Nintendo DS-exclusives and has sold 12 million copies worldwide), I'm sure -- as the old maxim goes -- where there's a will, there's a way.
As a side note: It's interesting that one of the Nintendo DS' most popular games is headed to mobile. Will this be a wake-up call to Nintendo, whose president recently said that the gaming company is 'not interested' in mobile and Facebook? I remember -- just a few years ago -- several Nintendo executives told me that Apple wasn't the competition. Fast forward to 2011. Nintendo higher-ups declare that Apple is the 'enemy of the future' and readies the Nintendo Wii-U, which bears a striking resemblance to the Apple iPad, for launch.
PopCap bounces Peggle Android (for free) for 24 hours on Amazon
Oh, that productivity sure was nice while it lasted, wasn't it? Well, say goodbye to all that work you were getting done--Peggle has arrived on Android. Pocket Gamer reports that PopCap has released its hit Pachinko-meets-Breakout casual game to the Amazon Appstore. Oh, and it's 100 percent free for the next 24 hours, so get to it, like, now if you want in on some free peg-pinging action.
However, we'd probably pay for it regardless: The game is well worth your ... free download in this case. (But it's totally worth the $2.99 it'll bounce back in up to come tomorrow this time.) With a litany of single player levels, a bunch of different Peggle Master characters each with special powers, Challenge levels and more, Peggle on Android will keep you busy for hours. Perhaps even while you are busy doing, you know, work stuff.
However, we'd probably pay for it regardless: The game is well worth your ... free download in this case. (But it's totally worth the $2.99 it'll bounce back in up to come tomorrow this time.) With a litany of single player levels, a bunch of different Peggle Master characters each with special powers, Challenge levels and more, Peggle on Android will keep you busy for hours. Perhaps even while you are busy doing, you know, work stuff.
EA free-to-play studio GM leaves to head Ngmoco Sweden studio
Yet another EA executive has left the company for a competitor in the casual/free-to-play games industry. This time, former general manager of EA's free-to-play developer Easy Studios, Ben Cousins (pictured), has left to lead Ngmoco's Sweden studio in the making. According to Gamasutra, Cousins left EA back in March of this year, and just now has announced his association with Ngmoco's upcoming Stockholm studio, which will focus on global free-to-play titles for DeNA's Mobage Network.
The games industry is at an inflection point," Cousins explained to Gamasutra. "These platforms are bringing hundreds of millions of new gamers into the fold, and at the same time existing core gamers are discovering the innovation, immersion and connectivity they bring." This is the third time in just under two months that a former EA executive has left the company and later joined a competing free-to-play games provider.
Even Bing Gordon, former EA CCO and now an investor in Zynga, has shared his personal advice for the giant to survive amidst the rapidly shifting games scene. Times are uncertain for everyone in social games. While EA has enjoyed a distant second to Zynga for some time when it comes to Facebook games (and possibly even in wealth), it stills holds some valuable brands like Monopoly and its EA Sports games. So, all is far from lost. Though, it might be time to consider Bing's business-wise words.
The games industry is at an inflection point," Cousins explained to Gamasutra. "These platforms are bringing hundreds of millions of new gamers into the fold, and at the same time existing core gamers are discovering the innovation, immersion and connectivity they bring." This is the third time in just under two months that a former EA executive has left the company and later joined a competing free-to-play games provider.
Even Bing Gordon, former EA CCO and now an investor in Zynga, has shared his personal advice for the giant to survive amidst the rapidly shifting games scene. Times are uncertain for everyone in social games. While EA has enjoyed a distant second to Zynga for some time when it comes to Facebook games (and possibly even in wealth), it stills holds some valuable brands like Monopoly and its EA Sports games. So, all is far from lost. Though, it might be time to consider Bing's business-wise words.
Thứ Ba, 10 tháng 1, 2012
Have Facebook's platform policy changes killed free cash promotions?
At the end of July, Facebook changed their platform policies (rules that regulate the actions developers can take in their Facebook applications / games), and mostly for the worse. TechCrunch caught onto the changes today, and let me tell you: they reek of fear. One particular change seems to completely eliminate the ability for developers to cross-promote their applications across a wide variety of social networks, as developers are now told:
"Apps on Facebook may not integrate, link to, promote, distribute, or redirect to any app on any other competing social platform."
Let's put this more simply. Let's say a game that's available on Facebook also happens to be available to play on Google+ Games. If that developer mentions Google+ Games at all within the Facebook proper app, Facebook will now apparently block or remove the app from the site altogether. Our first reaction (that which makes perfect sense) is that this is Facebook corporate's attempt to stop all references of Google+ Games specifically from infiltrating the minds of players, to keep users right where they are (and keep the money flowing into its pockets). It looks like Facebook isn't entirely confident in its own abilities to combat the new social gaming platform after all.
The more interesting change, though, comes elsewhere, as the rules surrounding rewards of free virtual currency and items have changed. Here's the updated listing:
Applications may reward users with virtual currency or virtual goods in exchange for user actions that do not involve third parties, but rewards for user actions that involve third parties must be powered by Facebook Credits by integrating Facebook Credits offers.
For example, you may not reward users with virtual currency or virtual goods in exchange for any action in which personally identifiable information is shared with a third party, you may not reward users with virtual currency or virtual goods in exchange for third party downloads, such as toolbars or ringtones, and you may not reward users with virtual currency for engaging in passive actions offered by third parties, such as watching a video, playing a mini-game, or taking an anonymous poll.
See that last sentence? If you're like me, the first thing that comes to mind might be something along the lines of FarmVille's many, many free Farm Cash promotions. The question then becomes whether or not these have now been blocked. Technically, users do watch videos and answer poll questions anonymously, and are rewarded with virtual currency for doing so, but since Zynga now deals in Facebook Credits, does that really violate the terms of this new Platform Policy? In typical legal speak, it's hard to really decipher exactly what's being said here, but it's definitely something to think about.
If Facebook continues to limit the possible actions of game developers, aren't they effectively pushing them into the arms of another host (I hear Google+ Games looks nice this time of year)? Sure, Zynga's locked in for a bit of the long haul, but what of other huge developers like EA/Playfish or Disney/Playdom? I'm reminded of the phrase "don't bite the hand that feeds," but we'll just have to wait and see if developers decide to actually bite back.
"Apps on Facebook may not integrate, link to, promote, distribute, or redirect to any app on any other competing social platform."
Let's put this more simply. Let's say a game that's available on Facebook also happens to be available to play on Google+ Games. If that developer mentions Google+ Games at all within the Facebook proper app, Facebook will now apparently block or remove the app from the site altogether. Our first reaction (that which makes perfect sense) is that this is Facebook corporate's attempt to stop all references of Google+ Games specifically from infiltrating the minds of players, to keep users right where they are (and keep the money flowing into its pockets). It looks like Facebook isn't entirely confident in its own abilities to combat the new social gaming platform after all.
The more interesting change, though, comes elsewhere, as the rules surrounding rewards of free virtual currency and items have changed. Here's the updated listing:
Applications may reward users with virtual currency or virtual goods in exchange for user actions that do not involve third parties, but rewards for user actions that involve third parties must be powered by Facebook Credits by integrating Facebook Credits offers.
For example, you may not reward users with virtual currency or virtual goods in exchange for any action in which personally identifiable information is shared with a third party, you may not reward users with virtual currency or virtual goods in exchange for third party downloads, such as toolbars or ringtones, and you may not reward users with virtual currency for engaging in passive actions offered by third parties, such as watching a video, playing a mini-game, or taking an anonymous poll.
See that last sentence? If you're like me, the first thing that comes to mind might be something along the lines of FarmVille's many, many free Farm Cash promotions. The question then becomes whether or not these have now been blocked. Technically, users do watch videos and answer poll questions anonymously, and are rewarded with virtual currency for doing so, but since Zynga now deals in Facebook Credits, does that really violate the terms of this new Platform Policy? In typical legal speak, it's hard to really decipher exactly what's being said here, but it's definitely something to think about.
If Facebook continues to limit the possible actions of game developers, aren't they effectively pushing them into the arms of another host (I hear Google+ Games looks nice this time of year)? Sure, Zynga's locked in for a bit of the long haul, but what of other huge developers like EA/Playfish or Disney/Playdom? I'm reminded of the phrase "don't bite the hand that feeds," but we'll just have to wait and see if developers decide to actually bite back.
Camelot: The Game leaves Facebook just as quickly as it arrived
Earlier this year (mid-May to be exact), we brought you a detailed look at Starz' new Facebook game based on the Camelot television show. This Facebook game tie-in was appropriately called Camelot: the Game, but just as quickly as it was launched on the service (earlier this summer), it has already been given a stop-date.
Gamezebo reports that Camelot: the Game's 266,000 monthly players are now receiving emails notifying them of the game's closure, which will take place on September 16. While no reason is apparently given in the emails, one can only assume it is due to the fact that the television show was also canceled. As it stands, the game hasn't been officially commented on, on its Facebook page, since late July, and players have now simply been told that they will receive reduced prices on in-game items, should they wish to continue playing the game until its actual closing date, further proving that it is no longer being supported. If players are willing to jump into a new game, they'll also be given a free in-game item in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.
While this isn't the first time we've seen a Facebook game come and go, Camelot: the Game has definitely jumped into the pile of shortest lived games. Should any other developments surrounding the game's closure arise, we'll make sure to let you know.
Gamezebo reports that Camelot: the Game's 266,000 monthly players are now receiving emails notifying them of the game's closure, which will take place on September 16. While no reason is apparently given in the emails, one can only assume it is due to the fact that the television show was also canceled. As it stands, the game hasn't been officially commented on, on its Facebook page, since late July, and players have now simply been told that they will receive reduced prices on in-game items, should they wish to continue playing the game until its actual closing date, further proving that it is no longer being supported. If players are willing to jump into a new game, they'll also be given a free in-game item in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.
While this isn't the first time we've seen a Facebook game come and go, Camelot: the Game has definitely jumped into the pile of shortest lived games. Should any other developments surrounding the game's closure arise, we'll make sure to let you know.
Wooga's newest Facebook game whisks players away to a Magic Land
How ... original, guys. Wooga, the Berlin, Germany-based creator of Diamond Dash and Monster World, has announced Magic Land, its brand new Facebook role-playing game (RPG). The game offers a mix of RPG-style adventuring and city (or kingdom) building a' la CityVille. Players will build their kingdom with various houses, farm land and decorations, and much like traditional city-builders the former must be supplied with food harvested from farm plots while decorations increase payouts for houses.
The real adventures come with the fact that King Artie's (your guide and lord of the realm, so to speak) children have been kidnapped by a giant green dragon. Eventually, it will be your mission to rescue them, though you must build your kingdom first and protect it from the slew of trolls and other beasts that threaten its people. Players can choose from a male or female adventurer, each equipped with a wooden sword, though the customization appears to stop there.
Of course, players can visit their friends' kingdoms and provide bonuses, though Wooga teases that some "never-before-seen social interaction" to the game in later updates. The game is available now in seven languages, and an HTML5 extension of the game--known as Magic Land - Island--will be released to smartphones. So far, Wooga certainly lives up to the "Magic Land" name, because as of right now the game loads and runs, well, magically.
Magic Land in action
The real adventures come with the fact that King Artie's (your guide and lord of the realm, so to speak) children have been kidnapped by a giant green dragon. Eventually, it will be your mission to rescue them, though you must build your kingdom first and protect it from the slew of trolls and other beasts that threaten its people. Players can choose from a male or female adventurer, each equipped with a wooden sword, though the customization appears to stop there.
Of course, players can visit their friends' kingdoms and provide bonuses, though Wooga teases that some "never-before-seen social interaction" to the game in later updates. The game is available now in seven languages, and an HTML5 extension of the game--known as Magic Land - Island--will be released to smartphones. So far, Wooga certainly lives up to the "Magic Land" name, because as of right now the game loads and runs, well, magically.
Magic Land in action
Divide and conquer (literally) in Carcasonne for Android, BlackBerry
Board games are so last decade. And yet, they live on in every touch device we own. Finally, the epic tile-based board game surrounding the medieval French city, Carcassonne, has come to a smartphone near you. Berlin, Germany-based developer exozet games and London-based sister company of Ubisoft and Gameloft, Advanced Mobile Applications, have released the internationally-known board game to Android, BlackBerry and Java-based mobile devices.
Of course, the game has sold millions of passé decorated cardboard planks worldwide, but this is the digital age, people. And surely, the duo expects to sells millions more of the game to Android and BlackBerry users across the globe. Not much has changed from the original game: Five players spread their influence from the city of Carassonne to the surrounding roads, fields, cities and cloisters. Whomever develops the surrounding land best is, of course, the victor.
This mobile version of the game includes all of the content that came with "The River II" expansion for the physical board game (what's that?). Exozet and AMA were also so thorough as to include clever AI opponents for when your friends aren't around, and they'll need to be close by if you want to embark on a five-player journey out from Carcassonne--multiplayer is local only. For the uninitiated, the game also features a tutorial and 12 new challenges to keep your mobile, fickle minds intrigued. Look, board gamers just aren't how they used to be, hence Scrabble Words with Friends for mobile and Facebook, Risk for Facebook and now, Carcassonne for smartphones.
Carcassonne for mobile games
Of course, the game has sold millions of passé decorated cardboard planks worldwide, but this is the digital age, people. And surely, the duo expects to sells millions more of the game to Android and BlackBerry users across the globe. Not much has changed from the original game: Five players spread their influence from the city of Carassonne to the surrounding roads, fields, cities and cloisters. Whomever develops the surrounding land best is, of course, the victor.
This mobile version of the game includes all of the content that came with "The River II" expansion for the physical board game (what's that?). Exozet and AMA were also so thorough as to include clever AI opponents for when your friends aren't around, and they'll need to be close by if you want to embark on a five-player journey out from Carcassonne--multiplayer is local only. For the uninitiated, the game also features a tutorial and 12 new challenges to keep your mobile, fickle minds intrigued. Look, board gamers just aren't how they used to be, hence Scrabble Words with Friends for mobile and Facebook, Risk for Facebook and now, Carcassonne for smartphones.
Carcassonne for mobile games
Diamond Dash creator: 'Asynchronous play is not going to go away'
Well, there goes my dream of a real-time Diamond Dash battle with hundreds of crashing fireballs. Wooga CEO Jens Begemann (pictured) laid it out for everyone who had questions about social gaming at his GDC Europe keynote recently. Begemann said, "Social games are not here to take today's gamers and make them Farmville farmers," Gamasutra reports. The CEO of currently the second most popular Facebook games creator (according to AppData) also pointed out that, "Asynchronous play is not going to go away."
What he seems to imply here is that hardcore social games aren't going to overtake Facebook and other platforms. Social games weren't designed for your friends that play Call of Duty for 30 hours a week, but for those who pop into FarmVille for a few minutes to check on their crops every day. This is exactly why Begemann thinks that asynchronous gameplay (think of how friend interaction is handled in Empires & Allies as opposed to CivWorld): It caters so much better to casual spurts of play.
Begemann is of the belief that the majority of the 270 million plus Facebook gamers play for just minutes a day, and judging from a recent study regarding FarmVille players he's probably right. So, there are a great amount of Facebook gamers that play hardcore games like the recently-released Edgeworld by Kabam or Kixeye's Backyard Monsters. But, in Begemann's eyes, they pale in comparison to the growing casual Facebook player base that just doesn't have the time or care to check in on whether their base was invaded in the middle of the night.
"Social games are parallel play," Begemann said during his keynote address. "People want to play for themselves. Sometimes, they may walk up to the other and either help or destroy what the other has been doing." Considering wooga--which just launched Magic Land--is the second largest social games developer right now, it's hard to argue with that ideology. However, the hardcore approach is doing just fine for a select few companies. If anything, Facebook is proving to be quite the microcosm of the games industry at large.
What he seems to imply here is that hardcore social games aren't going to overtake Facebook and other platforms. Social games weren't designed for your friends that play Call of Duty for 30 hours a week, but for those who pop into FarmVille for a few minutes to check on their crops every day. This is exactly why Begemann thinks that asynchronous gameplay (think of how friend interaction is handled in Empires & Allies as opposed to CivWorld): It caters so much better to casual spurts of play.
Begemann is of the belief that the majority of the 270 million plus Facebook gamers play for just minutes a day, and judging from a recent study regarding FarmVille players he's probably right. So, there are a great amount of Facebook gamers that play hardcore games like the recently-released Edgeworld by Kabam or Kixeye's Backyard Monsters. But, in Begemann's eyes, they pale in comparison to the growing casual Facebook player base that just doesn't have the time or care to check in on whether their base was invaded in the middle of the night.
"Social games are parallel play," Begemann said during his keynote address. "People want to play for themselves. Sometimes, they may walk up to the other and either help or destroy what the other has been doing." Considering wooga--which just launched Magic Land--is the second largest social games developer right now, it's hard to argue with that ideology. However, the hardcore approach is doing just fine for a select few companies. If anything, Facebook is proving to be quite the microcosm of the games industry at large.
Thứ Hai, 9 tháng 1, 2012
RewardVille: Zynga plans a mysterious rewards program
zynga rewardville
Hot on the heels of CityVille, Zynga may already be planning another release: RewardVille. Today, Fusible confirmed rumors that Zynga has big plans for this mysterious reward program.
The speculation about RewardVille solidified into fact when it was discovered that Zynga had actually filed a trademark for RewardVille back in mid December. Not only that, but they paid $4,500 for the website: rewardville.com. Would you pay that much for a website you didn't plan on using? I think we can definitely expect to hear a lot more about RewardVille in the future.
As of right now, we can only speculate as to what RewardVille might be. A new Zynga Lotto? Maybe a new game? Some believe it may be a continuation of the American Express free items deal we saw in late November. Or perhaps it will just be a way to see all the current rewards across all Zynga's games in one place.
Either way, based on the name RewardVille it sounds like us Facebook gamers can expect some goodies from our friends at Zynga. Stay tuned for more info.
Hot on the heels of CityVille, Zynga may already be planning another release: RewardVille. Today, Fusible confirmed rumors that Zynga has big plans for this mysterious reward program.
The speculation about RewardVille solidified into fact when it was discovered that Zynga had actually filed a trademark for RewardVille back in mid December. Not only that, but they paid $4,500 for the website: rewardville.com. Would you pay that much for a website you didn't plan on using? I think we can definitely expect to hear a lot more about RewardVille in the future.
As of right now, we can only speculate as to what RewardVille might be. A new Zynga Lotto? Maybe a new game? Some believe it may be a continuation of the American Express free items deal we saw in late November. Or perhaps it will just be a way to see all the current rewards across all Zynga's games in one place.
Either way, based on the name RewardVille it sounds like us Facebook gamers can expect some goodies from our friends at Zynga. Stay tuned for more info.
Mafia Wars and The Green Hornet Event: Everything you need to know
The Green Hornet has been buzzing around in Mafia Wars for just a few hours, but it's time we get to bottom of just how to nab Black Beauty for our own garages. Unlike other promotional events, the drops in this are completely random, meaning that doing any job or fighting any player will have a chance at causing one of the seven items that count toward unlocking Black Beauty to drop.
However, there are certain items that only drop from fighting and others that drop solely from doing jobs. So, find our full list of all seven items and exactly where and how you can find them behind the break.
Hornet Crest
Drops from the first job completed after accepting the event
Kato's Mask
Drops from doing Jobs
Black Beauty's Missiles
Drops from winning Fights
Chudnovsky's Gas Mask
Drops from winning Fights (also available as a Free Gift)
Double Barreled Gun
Drops from doing Jobs
Hood Gun
Drops from winning Fights
Gas Gun
Drops from doing Jobs (also available as a Free Gift)
Technically, you only need to collect five items to unlock the Mastery Item with two of them available as Free Gifts, making this event even simpler. Essentially, this reduces the item hunt to just four items considering the Hornet Crest is a freebie. Find all four items to unlock the Black Beauty, a slick-looking car complete with missile launchers, chain gun, 90 Attack and 45 Defense.
However, there are certain items that only drop from fighting and others that drop solely from doing jobs. So, find our full list of all seven items and exactly where and how you can find them behind the break.
Hornet Crest
Drops from the first job completed after accepting the event
Kato's Mask
Drops from doing Jobs
Black Beauty's Missiles
Drops from winning Fights
Chudnovsky's Gas Mask
Drops from winning Fights (also available as a Free Gift)
Double Barreled Gun
Drops from doing Jobs
Hood Gun
Drops from winning Fights
Gas Gun
Drops from doing Jobs (also available as a Free Gift)
Technically, you only need to collect five items to unlock the Mastery Item with two of them available as Free Gifts, making this event even simpler. Essentially, this reduces the item hunt to just four items considering the Hornet Crest is a freebie. Find all four items to unlock the Black Beauty, a slick-looking car complete with missile launchers, chain gun, 90 Attack and 45 Defense.
FarmVille Winter Wonderland Theme Showcase: The farm goes skiing
In the most recent edition of the FarmVille Showcase by Zynga, the Winter Wonderland Theme is put on display for us. And surprisingly, we can gather quite a lot from 13 seconds of video. In fact, just about all of these items have already been released in the game like the Caribou, Totem Pole, Ski Shop, and Winter Fire Pit. Also released last night was the new animated Ski Jump. Watch in awe as this brave little man performs a back flip from atop the hill only to do it all over again. And again.
Also included in the video are the Fiorland Penguin, which has already been released in the game, what looks to be a black bear cub, a Koala and a giant Panda Bear. For good measure, Zynga threw in a B0V1NE-09 and a Gold Gnome--no farm is complete without them, really. Stay tuned for when the rest of these items go live in-game.
Also included in the video are the Fiorland Penguin, which has already been released in the game, what looks to be a black bear cub, a Koala and a giant Panda Bear. For good measure, Zynga threw in a B0V1NE-09 and a Gold Gnome--no farm is complete without them, really. Stay tuned for when the rest of these items go live in-game.
Games.com's 2011 social gaming predictions: Mobile, 3D, MMOs and more
For social gaming, 2010 was a roller coaster ride with stories of ups and downs almost weekly. In the end, it turned out to be a year that witnessed some truly wonderful games, so everyone was a winner, really. But now it's time to look forward to a year that will surely be rife with change. And like any self-respecting journalists and bloggers would, we gaze into the future with wild theories, educated guesses and speculation. We give you Games.com's Predictions for 2011.
facebook game predictions 2011
Social = Mobile
If you thought the slew of social games-gone-mobile like FarmVille for iPhone and Mafia Wars across iOS, Android Blackberry and webOS was a step forward in 2010, just wait for what's to come. While major developers like Zynga, Playfish and Playdom have all started to expand to mobile devices using their existing games like My Empire and Social City, 2011 will see many more original mobile social games--just look at games like Raise the Village. (Bonus prediction: Zynga's recent cross platform strategy using mobile browsers might take off elsewhere.)
Find the rest of our predictions for 2011 after the break.
facebook game predictions 2011
Faster, Prettier Games
It's inevitable, really. With games like Godswar Online and the upcoming EA Sports PGA Tour for Facebook, both of which in full 3D, it's almost certain that there will be more where that came from. The two technologies that will be most responsible for this are HTML5 and the Unity Engine. The former being the next step in how websites are created, HTML5 can do things that Flash can without the need for Flash at all. (Just take a look at what's possible with HTML5.) The Unity Engine, however, is much like Flash in that its software through which developers can create browser games. But in detailed, appealing 3D that can run smoothly in websites without extra downloads (i.e. Facebook). Not to mention that developers are getting much better with Flash (take CityVille, for instance).
facebook game predictions 2011
CityVille Can't Stay on Top Forever
As much as some of us here at The Games.com Blog love CityVille, there's no way it's going to last forever as the top Facebook game. Sure, FarmVille was on top for months, but it too fell from its ivory tower made of Zynga Game Cards. Admittedly, the game isn't doing anything that's seriously groundbreaking, which means a game that does city building better could have a chance at dethroning CityVille. But good luck competing with both the Zynga name and its pool of over 100 million potential players. It's sad to say that, if anything, it will probably be another Zynga game that topples CityVille.
facebook game predictions 2011
Ads, ads, and more ads-Oh, my!
Some social games have more players monthly than most countries have people living in them. As big wigs in the advertising world would say, "That's a lot of eyeballs." With huge companies like McDonalds and Coca-Cola along with big-time rappers such as Dr. Dre getting into the game early, it's only natural that the rest of corporate America is itching to dig its pickax into the social gaming gold mine. That said, advertising in social games could become as second nature as, say, viral marketing has become in the world of YouTube (we've all seen the Old Spice Man).
facebook game predictions 2011
Is Zynga Creating its Own Network?
If eight major purchases in the last eight months and its most recent weren't hint enough, then we'll say it now. More than likely, this is what Zynga is ultimately up to. Zynga CEO Mark Pincus even came forthright in saying that his vision for the future of gaming is a "dog-activated world." Now that we've squashed all doubt, one question remains: What does it mean? Well, it could mean a lot of things, but most importantly is that it could spell independence from Facebook for Zynga.
facebook game predictions 2011
Hey Guys, Check Out Our "Game"
You've seen them already. Out there, just waiting to trick you, thinking what you just clicked on will be a remotely entertaining or enjoyable experience. Advergames. Instead of partnering with major developers, some companies pushing products are saying to themselves, "You know what, screw working with an experienced game developer. I'll make my own game. How hard can it be?" And what we get is a quasi-game, a series of Flash animations and a few clickable buttons designed for one purpose: to show us how cool Product X is and that we should totally buy it immediately.
facebook game predictions 2011
There's an MMO in my Facebook
There are now at least two full blown massively mutliplayer online games (MMO) currently on Facebook, Godswar Online and Milmo. While browser-based MMOs have existed for over a year if not longer, this will be the year when the lines between Facebook game and MMO blur. The two genres are too similar not to. Both are free to play, involve transactions for individual virtual goods or boosts and can now run right within Facebook. However, the Facebook game genre-bending likely won't stop there. With a full 3D golf game (see above) coming to Facebook, who is to say other types of games can't?
facebook game predictions 2011
The Big Will Undoubtedly Get Bigger
Call us pessimistic, but it's just how things work, people. Companies like Zynga are attracting over half of the social gaming market's audience. Numbers like that are tough to crack even for other juggernauts like PopCap who have all but ruled the casual gaming space with Bejeweled, Peggle and Zuma. Even Disney--you know, the guys who thought up Mickey Mouse?--are having trouble competing with them through Playdom. Zynga is likely going to be on top for a long, long time. The question of the day will remain, "Who is number two?" with companies like EA's Playfish, CrowdStar, PopCap and Playdom battling fiercely for second best.
facebook game predictions 2011
Facebook Will Be Our Friend Again
As much as it looked like it was working against us in 2010, Facebook could turn a new leaf this year. In fact, it already has. Just in the second half of 2010, Facebook created an entire games engineering team dedicated to making Facebook better for us social gamers. Not to mention that even more recently the 600-million strong social network hired a social games partnerships director to keep developers like Zynga happy (pictured right). It's too bad that its already looking to grow beyond Facebook. Maybe the two can cut another deal?
facebook game predictions 2011
Social = Mobile
If you thought the slew of social games-gone-mobile like FarmVille for iPhone and Mafia Wars across iOS, Android Blackberry and webOS was a step forward in 2010, just wait for what's to come. While major developers like Zynga, Playfish and Playdom have all started to expand to mobile devices using their existing games like My Empire and Social City, 2011 will see many more original mobile social games--just look at games like Raise the Village. (Bonus prediction: Zynga's recent cross platform strategy using mobile browsers might take off elsewhere.)
Find the rest of our predictions for 2011 after the break.
facebook game predictions 2011
Faster, Prettier Games
It's inevitable, really. With games like Godswar Online and the upcoming EA Sports PGA Tour for Facebook, both of which in full 3D, it's almost certain that there will be more where that came from. The two technologies that will be most responsible for this are HTML5 and the Unity Engine. The former being the next step in how websites are created, HTML5 can do things that Flash can without the need for Flash at all. (Just take a look at what's possible with HTML5.) The Unity Engine, however, is much like Flash in that its software through which developers can create browser games. But in detailed, appealing 3D that can run smoothly in websites without extra downloads (i.e. Facebook). Not to mention that developers are getting much better with Flash (take CityVille, for instance).
facebook game predictions 2011
CityVille Can't Stay on Top Forever
As much as some of us here at The Games.com Blog love CityVille, there's no way it's going to last forever as the top Facebook game. Sure, FarmVille was on top for months, but it too fell from its ivory tower made of Zynga Game Cards. Admittedly, the game isn't doing anything that's seriously groundbreaking, which means a game that does city building better could have a chance at dethroning CityVille. But good luck competing with both the Zynga name and its pool of over 100 million potential players. It's sad to say that, if anything, it will probably be another Zynga game that topples CityVille.
facebook game predictions 2011
Ads, ads, and more ads-Oh, my!
Some social games have more players monthly than most countries have people living in them. As big wigs in the advertising world would say, "That's a lot of eyeballs." With huge companies like McDonalds and Coca-Cola along with big-time rappers such as Dr. Dre getting into the game early, it's only natural that the rest of corporate America is itching to dig its pickax into the social gaming gold mine. That said, advertising in social games could become as second nature as, say, viral marketing has become in the world of YouTube (we've all seen the Old Spice Man).
facebook game predictions 2011
Is Zynga Creating its Own Network?
If eight major purchases in the last eight months and its most recent weren't hint enough, then we'll say it now. More than likely, this is what Zynga is ultimately up to. Zynga CEO Mark Pincus even came forthright in saying that his vision for the future of gaming is a "dog-activated world." Now that we've squashed all doubt, one question remains: What does it mean? Well, it could mean a lot of things, but most importantly is that it could spell independence from Facebook for Zynga.
facebook game predictions 2011
Hey Guys, Check Out Our "Game"
You've seen them already. Out there, just waiting to trick you, thinking what you just clicked on will be a remotely entertaining or enjoyable experience. Advergames. Instead of partnering with major developers, some companies pushing products are saying to themselves, "You know what, screw working with an experienced game developer. I'll make my own game. How hard can it be?" And what we get is a quasi-game, a series of Flash animations and a few clickable buttons designed for one purpose: to show us how cool Product X is and that we should totally buy it immediately.
facebook game predictions 2011
There's an MMO in my Facebook
There are now at least two full blown massively mutliplayer online games (MMO) currently on Facebook, Godswar Online and Milmo. While browser-based MMOs have existed for over a year if not longer, this will be the year when the lines between Facebook game and MMO blur. The two genres are too similar not to. Both are free to play, involve transactions for individual virtual goods or boosts and can now run right within Facebook. However, the Facebook game genre-bending likely won't stop there. With a full 3D golf game (see above) coming to Facebook, who is to say other types of games can't?
facebook game predictions 2011
The Big Will Undoubtedly Get Bigger
Call us pessimistic, but it's just how things work, people. Companies like Zynga are attracting over half of the social gaming market's audience. Numbers like that are tough to crack even for other juggernauts like PopCap who have all but ruled the casual gaming space with Bejeweled, Peggle and Zuma. Even Disney--you know, the guys who thought up Mickey Mouse?--are having trouble competing with them through Playdom. Zynga is likely going to be on top for a long, long time. The question of the day will remain, "Who is number two?" with companies like EA's Playfish, CrowdStar, PopCap and Playdom battling fiercely for second best.
facebook game predictions 2011
Facebook Will Be Our Friend Again
As much as it looked like it was working against us in 2010, Facebook could turn a new leaf this year. In fact, it already has. Just in the second half of 2010, Facebook created an entire games engineering team dedicated to making Facebook better for us social gamers. Not to mention that even more recently the 600-million strong social network hired a social games partnerships director to keep developers like Zynga happy (pictured right). It's too bad that its already looking to grow beyond Facebook. Maybe the two can cut another deal?
Civilization on Facebook renamed Civ World: Alpha test starts Jan. 12
Since we last heard word of Civilization's imminent Facebook conquest, it's been a long and anxious 11 months. Civilization Network was originally slated for a June 2010 release, but was delayed until, well, right about now. Now named Civ World, the Firaxis-developed game will launch a closed alpha testing phase on Jan. 12. While anyone can join using Facebook Connect at this website, potential testers will need to sign up in groups of no less than five and no more than 50. (Acceptance messages will be distributed Jan. 10.) This is so the Civ World team can more easily test the game's social features, according to a lengthy post on the Civ World Facebook page written by the mastermind behind Civilization, Sid Meier.
The ubiquitous "Add Me" thread has already begun and is over 200 comments long, so don't worry about any potential lack of friends to play with. Meier has apparently opted for transparency going forward with Civ World, describing the reason for the name change from Civilization Network to Civ World:
Why a name change you say? The name better reflects the main theme of the game; in Civ World you will be joining your friends to form nations, which will compete with other player-nations to rule the world. Civ World's shaping up to be a really fun Facebook game, as well as another addictive Civilization experience.
Find more details on Civ World after the break.
Civ World Alpha is live!
Another reason why Civ World, like most social games, will require you to have plenty of friends to succeed and eventually rule the world (insert maniacal laughter here) is because you will need to collaborate with friends in order to do well, according to Meier. However, friends--even those on the same team--can just as easily become enemies and forge alliances with your opponents.
Surprisingly, Civ World will play much like its source material, according to Meier, with each game having both a beginning and an end. This is far different from most traditional Facebook games, but then again this is going to be far from your run-of-the-mill city builder. Game sessions will end with the most advanced player victorious, but Meier goes on to explain what will keep players coming back for more:
Along the way, as you progress through the different eras of time, you'll have the chance to win era victories as well. We want players to have both a final goal to work towards, as well as short-term objectives to achieve as they play. The trophies you unlock with your triumphs will carry over from game to game, and you can show them off in your throne room.
Consider this somewhat of an achievement system for Civ World, which is already featured in Civilization 5. Some features that we're still in the dark about include combat, map design and virtual goods among a long list that surely the more dedicated Civilization fans have already compiled and sent to Firaxis in a neatly organized letter. Either that or they've thrown their questions with reckless abandon among the litany of "Add Me" posts. For now, we're going to go with the latter.
The ubiquitous "Add Me" thread has already begun and is over 200 comments long, so don't worry about any potential lack of friends to play with. Meier has apparently opted for transparency going forward with Civ World, describing the reason for the name change from Civilization Network to Civ World:
Why a name change you say? The name better reflects the main theme of the game; in Civ World you will be joining your friends to form nations, which will compete with other player-nations to rule the world. Civ World's shaping up to be a really fun Facebook game, as well as another addictive Civilization experience.
Find more details on Civ World after the break.
Civ World Alpha is live!
Another reason why Civ World, like most social games, will require you to have plenty of friends to succeed and eventually rule the world (insert maniacal laughter here) is because you will need to collaborate with friends in order to do well, according to Meier. However, friends--even those on the same team--can just as easily become enemies and forge alliances with your opponents.
Surprisingly, Civ World will play much like its source material, according to Meier, with each game having both a beginning and an end. This is far different from most traditional Facebook games, but then again this is going to be far from your run-of-the-mill city builder. Game sessions will end with the most advanced player victorious, but Meier goes on to explain what will keep players coming back for more:
Along the way, as you progress through the different eras of time, you'll have the chance to win era victories as well. We want players to have both a final goal to work towards, as well as short-term objectives to achieve as they play. The trophies you unlock with your triumphs will carry over from game to game, and you can show them off in your throne room.
Consider this somewhat of an achievement system for Civ World, which is already featured in Civilization 5. Some features that we're still in the dark about include combat, map design and virtual goods among a long list that surely the more dedicated Civilization fans have already compiled and sent to Firaxis in a neatly organized letter. Either that or they've thrown their questions with reckless abandon among the litany of "Add Me" posts. For now, we're going to go with the latter.
Thứ Bảy, 7 tháng 1, 2012
Monster Story: New RPG meets Angry Birds
Monster Story
Monster Story is a brand new game launched today by Phoenix Age, the developers of one of the early RPGs to hit Facebook, Castle Age. Monster Story is a very interesting hybrid of many popular games. It brings in the treasure seeking aspect of a game like Treasure Isle, brings in a bit of Pokemon style pet battling, and uses the Angry Birds style mini-game for its combat. While it's still early and it's not perfect, this game has definite unique potential to be a standout hit for a more core type of gamer on Facebook.
Each player has their own avatar and can pick between a male or female. Each avatar starts with one pet that is used for battles. This pet can be upgraded and enhanced, and new pets can be found along the way. A player's avatar traverses across different game maps, taking quests from NPCs and digging/clearing through squares to find new weapons and armor, coins, and XP. Along the way there are monsters that stand in the way that need to be battled.
Battles in Monster Story are entirely a clone of Angry Birds. Your pet has a bow and arrow that you aim with the mouse directly at the enemies. Defeating the enemies is done by simply causing them to fall or be squished by the structure they are standing on. Fights earn the player XP and items. Boss fights use a slightly different mechanic more similar to Worms in which you have to aim at an NPC's pet across the screen and hit it enough times to deplete its health bar. Combat is more engaging than many Facebook games which are a simple random dice roll or click fest. Stars can be earned depending how quickly and expertly you defeat an enemy, and you can always go back to challenge the enemy again.
As mentioned above, Monster Story has an inventory and paper doll system not dissimilar to other roleplaying games. You can deck your avatar out with new weapons and armor, which can be found while adventuring and digging or purchased from the store. Items have statistics on them such as attack power and defense, and some have special status such as +firepower or +ice power. Items can be purchased for gold or for Monster Cash, the hard currency within the game.
Overall, the game has a cute art style that is polished and stylized. The entire game feels pretty good to play, but given that it's early there are definitely some bugs to be had. I had a ton of fun with my first experience playing the game,enough to make me want to log in and keep going. The quests, new pets, and battles make it fun to actually sit and play the game for awhile. I managed to use my energy wisely and keep my first session going for over a half hour before I needed to wait awhile and regenerate. Monster Story is a really neat concept that takes some of the best features from other games and combines them in a way that feels new and fun.
Monster Story is a brand new game launched today by Phoenix Age, the developers of one of the early RPGs to hit Facebook, Castle Age. Monster Story is a very interesting hybrid of many popular games. It brings in the treasure seeking aspect of a game like Treasure Isle, brings in a bit of Pokemon style pet battling, and uses the Angry Birds style mini-game for its combat. While it's still early and it's not perfect, this game has definite unique potential to be a standout hit for a more core type of gamer on Facebook.
Each player has their own avatar and can pick between a male or female. Each avatar starts with one pet that is used for battles. This pet can be upgraded and enhanced, and new pets can be found along the way. A player's avatar traverses across different game maps, taking quests from NPCs and digging/clearing through squares to find new weapons and armor, coins, and XP. Along the way there are monsters that stand in the way that need to be battled.
Battles in Monster Story are entirely a clone of Angry Birds. Your pet has a bow and arrow that you aim with the mouse directly at the enemies. Defeating the enemies is done by simply causing them to fall or be squished by the structure they are standing on. Fights earn the player XP and items. Boss fights use a slightly different mechanic more similar to Worms in which you have to aim at an NPC's pet across the screen and hit it enough times to deplete its health bar. Combat is more engaging than many Facebook games which are a simple random dice roll or click fest. Stars can be earned depending how quickly and expertly you defeat an enemy, and you can always go back to challenge the enemy again.
As mentioned above, Monster Story has an inventory and paper doll system not dissimilar to other roleplaying games. You can deck your avatar out with new weapons and armor, which can be found while adventuring and digging or purchased from the store. Items have statistics on them such as attack power and defense, and some have special status such as +firepower or +ice power. Items can be purchased for gold or for Monster Cash, the hard currency within the game.
Overall, the game has a cute art style that is polished and stylized. The entire game feels pretty good to play, but given that it's early there are definitely some bugs to be had. I had a ton of fun with my first experience playing the game,enough to make me want to log in and keep going. The quests, new pets, and battles make it fun to actually sit and play the game for awhile. I managed to use my energy wisely and keep my first session going for over a half hour before I needed to wait awhile and regenerate. Monster Story is a really neat concept that takes some of the best features from other games and combines them in a way that feels new and fun.
FarmVille Lunar New Year Trees: Chinese Lantern & Money Tree
Earlier this evening, FarmVille users started reporting that they were receiving Chinese Lantern trees as Mystery Seedlings on their farms. If you haven't been so lucky, however, you can now purchase said Chinese Lantern Tree, and an accompanying Money Tree for your farm from the game's store.
Both of these trees are part of the Lunar New Year limited edition item theme, with the Chinese Lantern tree being available for 10 Farm Cash, and the Money Tree being available for 5 Farm Cash. When placing a Money Tree into your Orchard, you'll have the ability to spawn these Chinese Lantern trees, so feel free to skip purchasing the latter from the store, if you're confident in your luck at producing Mystery Seedlings.
Both of these trees will be available in the game for the next two weeks, and while that does give you plenty of time to do a bit of shopping, if you're like me, you'll want to purchase these trees as soon as possible, simply due to their cool appearance. What do you think?
Both of these trees are part of the Lunar New Year limited edition item theme, with the Chinese Lantern tree being available for 10 Farm Cash, and the Money Tree being available for 5 Farm Cash. When placing a Money Tree into your Orchard, you'll have the ability to spawn these Chinese Lantern trees, so feel free to skip purchasing the latter from the store, if you're confident in your luck at producing Mystery Seedlings.
Both of these trees will be available in the game for the next two weeks, and while that does give you plenty of time to do a bit of shopping, if you're like me, you'll want to purchase these trees as soon as possible, simply due to their cool appearance. What do you think?
FarmVille Valentine Animals: Red Heart Chicken, Pink Gypsy Horse and Foal
Attention all chicken and horse lovers! If you're looking for a new chicken or horse to add to your collections in FarmVille, you'll be happy to know that tonight's FarmVille update brought with it one of each, both of which fit into the current Valentine's Day limited edition item theme.
The first animal is the Red Heart Chicken, and while some users are reporting that you can receive this animal at random from Golden Mystery Eggs, if you'd like a guarantee at adding this little fella to your farm, you'll be able to purchase it from the store for 14 Farm Cash. It can be harvested once per day and you'll receive 64 coins when doing so.
As for the Pink Gypsy Horse, you can purchase one for 26 Farm Cash. This horse can be added to your horse stable, or you can harvest from it individually once every three days for 140 coins each time. If you do choose to place it in your Horse Stable, you'll have a chance of breeding Pink Gypsy Foals. Remember, if you'd like to have one of these new foals on your land, simply keep an eye out on your news feed for someone else who has bred one and is sharing it.
Both of these animals will be available in the game for the next two weeks. Will that mark the finale of the Valentine's Day theme in FarmVille? Only time will tell, but we'll make sure to let you know if and when Zynga releases more items in the theme.
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Which of these animals is your favorite, or will you purchase them both?
The first animal is the Red Heart Chicken, and while some users are reporting that you can receive this animal at random from Golden Mystery Eggs, if you'd like a guarantee at adding this little fella to your farm, you'll be able to purchase it from the store for 14 Farm Cash. It can be harvested once per day and you'll receive 64 coins when doing so.
As for the Pink Gypsy Horse, you can purchase one for 26 Farm Cash. This horse can be added to your horse stable, or you can harvest from it individually once every three days for 140 coins each time. If you do choose to place it in your Horse Stable, you'll have a chance of breeding Pink Gypsy Foals. Remember, if you'd like to have one of these new foals on your land, simply keep an eye out on your news feed for someone else who has bred one and is sharing it.
Both of these animals will be available in the game for the next two weeks. Will that mark the finale of the Valentine's Day theme in FarmVille? Only time will tell, but we'll make sure to let you know if and when Zynga releases more items in the theme.
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Which of these animals is your favorite, or will you purchase them both?
FarmVille Valentine Decorations: Wedding Tent, Groom Gnome, Heart Balloon Arch and more
Another large wave of Valentine's Day decorations was released tonight as part of a new FarmVille update, with these new items allowing those users that prefer to shop with only coins to have plenty to be interested in. There is one new building to purchase (mercifully available for coins), along with four new decorative items.
The building is the Wedding Tent, and while not technically a solitary building, it will still make quite the statement on your farm. It displays an outdoor wedding scene, along with white tent and chairs covered in flowers, and a walkway for the bride to make her entrance. It can be added to your farm for 250,000 coins. For that high price, you'll receive not only the item itself, but also 2500 experience points as a reward for purchasing. As one final note, even though this item is technically listed in the game as a building, it can not be decorated with either snow or lights, so keep that in mind if it will affect your purchase decision.
As for the new decorations, there are four to choose from, three of which are available for coins. The one premium item is the Groom Gnome, which has already received his companion, a Bride Gnome, in the game via this week's Mystery Game. He can be purchased for 15 Farm Cash, and while there is no word yet as to when exactly the Bride Gnome will be released, it would only be presumable that she would cost the same amount.
As for the three coin decorations, you can now pick up a Heart Balloon Arch (a fairly large item, all things considered) for 20,000 coins, a set of Rose Petals (taking up about a bit more than a fourth of the size of one crop plot on your land) for 2,000 coins, and a single piece of Wedding Fencing for 5,000 coins. All of these items reward varying amounts of experience points for purchasing them, relative to the purchase price. The Heart Balloon Arch, as one example will reward you with 200 experience points, and so on.
If you're like me, your farm is now stuffed - nay, overflowing - with Valentine's Day goodies. Where we'll be able to store all of these items after the season is done is anyone's guess, but that won't stop at least this farmer from shelling out more virtual cash to have them in my collection.
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Do you agree? Do you simply have to have one of every item released in the game?
The building is the Wedding Tent, and while not technically a solitary building, it will still make quite the statement on your farm. It displays an outdoor wedding scene, along with white tent and chairs covered in flowers, and a walkway for the bride to make her entrance. It can be added to your farm for 250,000 coins. For that high price, you'll receive not only the item itself, but also 2500 experience points as a reward for purchasing. As one final note, even though this item is technically listed in the game as a building, it can not be decorated with either snow or lights, so keep that in mind if it will affect your purchase decision.
As for the new decorations, there are four to choose from, three of which are available for coins. The one premium item is the Groom Gnome, which has already received his companion, a Bride Gnome, in the game via this week's Mystery Game. He can be purchased for 15 Farm Cash, and while there is no word yet as to when exactly the Bride Gnome will be released, it would only be presumable that she would cost the same amount.
As for the three coin decorations, you can now pick up a Heart Balloon Arch (a fairly large item, all things considered) for 20,000 coins, a set of Rose Petals (taking up about a bit more than a fourth of the size of one crop plot on your land) for 2,000 coins, and a single piece of Wedding Fencing for 5,000 coins. All of these items reward varying amounts of experience points for purchasing them, relative to the purchase price. The Heart Balloon Arch, as one example will reward you with 200 experience points, and so on.
If you're like me, your farm is now stuffed - nay, overflowing - with Valentine's Day goodies. Where we'll be able to store all of these items after the season is done is anyone's guess, but that won't stop at least this farmer from shelling out more virtual cash to have them in my collection.
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Do you agree? Do you simply have to have one of every item released in the game?
FarmVille Lunar New Year Decorations: Magpie, Red Lantern, Beckoning Cat and more
While the Lunar / Chinese New Year may have already come and gone in the real world, that doesn't stop Zynga from continuing the celebration virtually in FarmVille. Tonight's FarmVille update saw the release of not only a new duo of trees in this theme, but also four new decorative items that can now be purchased from the store. Some of these items are re-releases, so make sure to dig through your Storage to make sure you don't already have these items in an effort not to duplicate.
One such re-released item is the Beckoning Cat, an animated item that sits on your farm and waves its paw up and down. Last year, you could purchase the cat for 2010 coins, and would gain 20 XP in the process. This year that's no different, but it seems to me that it would make much more sense with a price of 2011 coins, to correspond to the year. I guess we'll give Zynga the benefit of the doubt on this oversight however.
The other returning item is the Red Lantern. It too retains its pricing from last year - being available for just 700 coins, and rewarding you with just 7 experience points for purchasing.
The other two decorations released this evening are entirely new to the game, and come in the form of a Master Gnome, and a Magpie. The Master Gnome will make gnome collectors screech with excitement from his cute appearance and tiny fighting stick, but the price might turn some as the Master Gnome is only available for 15 Farm Cash. You'll receive 1500 XP for purchasing the Master Gnome.
As for the Magpie, this is an entirely decorative set of two birds that sit upon a branch. You'll be able to purchase these feathered friends for 120,000 coins, but again, they are only decorative, so you won't actually make any return on that investment unless you decide to sell the item altogether. You will receive some experience points for your purchase however - 1200 XP to be exact.
All four of these items will be available in the game for the next two weeks, taking the Chinese / Lunar New Year holiday to new lengths in the game. Hopefully by then you'll have had time to decide whether to purchase these items, the equally new Valentine's Day items, or both.
One such re-released item is the Beckoning Cat, an animated item that sits on your farm and waves its paw up and down. Last year, you could purchase the cat for 2010 coins, and would gain 20 XP in the process. This year that's no different, but it seems to me that it would make much more sense with a price of 2011 coins, to correspond to the year. I guess we'll give Zynga the benefit of the doubt on this oversight however.
The other returning item is the Red Lantern. It too retains its pricing from last year - being available for just 700 coins, and rewarding you with just 7 experience points for purchasing.
The other two decorations released this evening are entirely new to the game, and come in the form of a Master Gnome, and a Magpie. The Master Gnome will make gnome collectors screech with excitement from his cute appearance and tiny fighting stick, but the price might turn some as the Master Gnome is only available for 15 Farm Cash. You'll receive 1500 XP for purchasing the Master Gnome.
As for the Magpie, this is an entirely decorative set of two birds that sit upon a branch. You'll be able to purchase these feathered friends for 120,000 coins, but again, they are only decorative, so you won't actually make any return on that investment unless you decide to sell the item altogether. You will receive some experience points for your purchase however - 1200 XP to be exact.
All four of these items will be available in the game for the next two weeks, taking the Chinese / Lunar New Year holiday to new lengths in the game. Hopefully by then you'll have had time to decide whether to purchase these items, the equally new Valentine's Day items, or both.
Thứ Sáu, 6 tháng 1, 2012
FarmVille St. Patrick's Day Animals: Irish Cob Horse & Irish Hare
Tonight's FarmVille update (which was delayed due to the change in Daylight Saving Time) brings with it two new animals in the current St. Patrick's Day limited edition item theme, but these animals are far more realistic than those we've seen in the past (that is, no green bodies and shamrock patterns here). The two animals are the Irish Cob Horse (which we brought you a sneak peek of in the past) and an Irish Hare.
Both of these animals are premium, as we've come to expect. The Irish Cob Horse costs 26 Farm Cash, and will spawn an Irish Cob Foal when placed inside your Horse Stable and allowed to breed (which happens randomly). You'll gain 2600 experience points for purchasing the horse, which can be harvested once every three days if not placed inside the Horse Stable where you can harvest it daily. The Irish Hare, meanwhile, costs just 12 Farm Cash and will reward you with 1200 experience points for purchasing it, which is still a rather large sum for the price.
Both of these animals will be available in the game for the next two weeks.
Check out the rest of our St. Patrick's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Do you like either of these animals, or do you prefer the ones that take the theme more literally (green animals for St. Patrick's Day - pink animals for Valentine's Day and so on)?
Both of these animals are premium, as we've come to expect. The Irish Cob Horse costs 26 Farm Cash, and will spawn an Irish Cob Foal when placed inside your Horse Stable and allowed to breed (which happens randomly). You'll gain 2600 experience points for purchasing the horse, which can be harvested once every three days if not placed inside the Horse Stable where you can harvest it daily. The Irish Hare, meanwhile, costs just 12 Farm Cash and will reward you with 1200 experience points for purchasing it, which is still a rather large sum for the price.
Both of these animals will be available in the game for the next two weeks.
Check out the rest of our St. Patrick's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Do you like either of these animals, or do you prefer the ones that take the theme more literally (green animals for St. Patrick's Day - pink animals for Valentine's Day and so on)?
FarmVille St. Patrick's Day Decorations: Shamrock Manor, Clover Flower Bed, Mossy Stone & More
Tonight's FarmVille update brought with it quite a few new decorative items to the game in the current St. Patrick's Day limited edition theme - five items to be exact, with one building and four true decorations being available to purchase from the in-game market. The new building is the Shamrock Manor, which is quite large in size, being comparable in size to something like a large barn, rather than a smaller cottage. The building comes with an equally large price of 40 Farm Cash.
For that price, you'll receive a bonus of 4,000 experience points for purchasing the building, and should you choose to sell the building when the holiday has passed, you can do so to receive 20,000 coins in return. Of course, most users would agree that you aren't likely to spend that many Farm Cash just to sell an item a few weeks later, but the option is there if you want it.
Meet us behind the break for a look at the other four items released in tonight's update.
Two of these new decorative items cost Farm Cash, and come in the form of a Leprechaun Girl gnome and a Rainbow Fountain. The Leprechaun Girl gnome costs 15 Farm Cash, but we can't say we're surprised at the fairly high price, as all gnomes tend to be fairly expensive. The Rainbow Fountain, meanwhile, costs slightly more at 18 Farm Cash. For the price, you'll receive a four-tiered fountain made of clouds and dark blue water, with three sections of rainbow connecting the levels. It's actually quite a lovely item, and it would go great with any Rainbow Trees you happen to have on your farm.
Meanwhile, if you'd rather save your Farm Cash and spend coins instead, you also have two new items to choose from, although these are less impressive visually (as can be expected). A Clover Flower Bed is available for 10,000 coins, while a Mossy Stone decorations is available for 50,000 coins.
Regardless of the item you'd like to purchase, all come with the same expiration date in the store - that being two weeks from now. Yes, this means that these items will be available in the game even after St. Patrick's Day has passed, but at least this will give you a chance to stock up on items for next year.
Check out the rest of our St. Patrick's Day 2011 coverage right here.
What do you think of these new decorations in FarmVille? Will you purchase any of them for your farm?
For that price, you'll receive a bonus of 4,000 experience points for purchasing the building, and should you choose to sell the building when the holiday has passed, you can do so to receive 20,000 coins in return. Of course, most users would agree that you aren't likely to spend that many Farm Cash just to sell an item a few weeks later, but the option is there if you want it.
Meet us behind the break for a look at the other four items released in tonight's update.
Two of these new decorative items cost Farm Cash, and come in the form of a Leprechaun Girl gnome and a Rainbow Fountain. The Leprechaun Girl gnome costs 15 Farm Cash, but we can't say we're surprised at the fairly high price, as all gnomes tend to be fairly expensive. The Rainbow Fountain, meanwhile, costs slightly more at 18 Farm Cash. For the price, you'll receive a four-tiered fountain made of clouds and dark blue water, with three sections of rainbow connecting the levels. It's actually quite a lovely item, and it would go great with any Rainbow Trees you happen to have on your farm.
Meanwhile, if you'd rather save your Farm Cash and spend coins instead, you also have two new items to choose from, although these are less impressive visually (as can be expected). A Clover Flower Bed is available for 10,000 coins, while a Mossy Stone decorations is available for 50,000 coins.
Regardless of the item you'd like to purchase, all come with the same expiration date in the store - that being two weeks from now. Yes, this means that these items will be available in the game even after St. Patrick's Day has passed, but at least this will give you a chance to stock up on items for next year.
Check out the rest of our St. Patrick's Day 2011 coverage right here.
What do you think of these new decorations in FarmVille? Will you purchase any of them for your farm?
FarmVille: Lucky vehicles return for St. Patrick's Day
Tonight's FarmVille update brought with it a return of the three "Lucky" farm vehicles released in last year's St. Patrick's Day theme. These vehicles are the Lucky Tractor, Lucky Seeder, and Lucky Harvester. Joining them is the new Lucky Combine, which of course combines all three of the former vehicles' abilities into one convenient (albeit expensive) package.
Like last year, the Lucky Tractor costs 5,000 coins while the Lucky Harvester and Seeder cost 30,000 coins each. If you've yet to add one of these vehicles to your land, or you just want a green option to show off for St. Patrick's Day, then these are at least fairly cheap options.
Meanwhile, the new item is the Lucky Combine, which is premium. The Lucky Combine costs 110 Farm Cash, which equates to around $20 US with the current Farm Cash exchange rate. If anything, at least this vehicle is decidedly St. Patrick's Day in theme, as it has a shamrock on its roof, while the other three are just green in color. If you choose to purchase these vehicles, they can be stored in your Garage and upgraded to tend more squares of land at a time, just as with other vehicles.
These green farm vehicles will be available in the game for the next two weeks. We'll make sure to let you know if more themed vehicles are released in the future.
Check out the rest of our St. Patrick's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Do you like these green vehicles enough to replace your other vehicles on your farm? Or, will you simply purchase these as fun decorations to place around the farm?
Like last year, the Lucky Tractor costs 5,000 coins while the Lucky Harvester and Seeder cost 30,000 coins each. If you've yet to add one of these vehicles to your land, or you just want a green option to show off for St. Patrick's Day, then these are at least fairly cheap options.
Meanwhile, the new item is the Lucky Combine, which is premium. The Lucky Combine costs 110 Farm Cash, which equates to around $20 US with the current Farm Cash exchange rate. If anything, at least this vehicle is decidedly St. Patrick's Day in theme, as it has a shamrock on its roof, while the other three are just green in color. If you choose to purchase these vehicles, they can be stored in your Garage and upgraded to tend more squares of land at a time, just as with other vehicles.
These green farm vehicles will be available in the game for the next two weeks. We'll make sure to let you know if more themed vehicles are released in the future.
Check out the rest of our St. Patrick's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Do you like these green vehicles enough to replace your other vehicles on your farm? Or, will you simply purchase these as fun decorations to place around the farm?
FarmVille Mystery Game (3/13/2011): St. Patrick's Day items now available
The Mystery Game in FarmVille has been updated this evening with a new set of six animals and decorations available to win. This week's theme is "St. Patrick's Day," meaning that you'll be able to find plenty of green items here, along with some that are simply inspired by Ireland.
There are three animals and three decorations to win here. Here's a list of what you can win:
Shamrock Unicorn
Green Gazebo
Greenwig Duck
Green Parrots
Irish Elk
Green Farm House
Luckily, even with the inclusion of a unicorn (which is a highly sought after species of animal in the game), this week's Mystery Game only costs the standard 16 Farm Cash for a single dart to throw at the board. Of course, you're not guaranteed the Shamrock Unicorn when you play the game, but at least you won't lose more than the minimum Farm Cash in your attempt.
As usual, this Mystery Game set will only be available for the next week, at which point the available prizes will be swapped out for new items.
Check out the rest of our St. Patrick's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Which of these prizes would you most like to win on your farm? Are you hoping for the Shamrock Unicorn, or is another animal more your style?
There are three animals and three decorations to win here. Here's a list of what you can win:
Shamrock Unicorn
Green Gazebo
Greenwig Duck
Green Parrots
Irish Elk
Green Farm House
Luckily, even with the inclusion of a unicorn (which is a highly sought after species of animal in the game), this week's Mystery Game only costs the standard 16 Farm Cash for a single dart to throw at the board. Of course, you're not guaranteed the Shamrock Unicorn when you play the game, but at least you won't lose more than the minimum Farm Cash in your attempt.
As usual, this Mystery Game set will only be available for the next week, at which point the available prizes will be swapped out for new items.
Check out the rest of our St. Patrick's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Which of these prizes would you most like to win on your farm? Are you hoping for the Shamrock Unicorn, or is another animal more your style?
Ratchet & Clank maker Insomniac Games reveals social games division
With the way things are going, you'd think the next big E3 console reveal will be Facebook 2. Yet another console developer, Insomniac Games, plans to open a social games division called Insomniac Click, Gamasutra reports. The minds behind the Ratchet & Clank and Resistance series will open Insomniac Click as what Insomniac CCO Brian Hastings calls a "pragmatic necessity" in a blog post. While the company will always create "core" games, Hastings is looking to attract a new audience.
Of course, that new audience is the legion of casual and social gamers that seem to be all but dominating the industry these days. It's almost silly for traditional game studios not to get involved. However, Insomniac and Hastings seem to be approaching this relatively "new frontier," as he calls it, with the expectation to create deeper social games. Hastings lays out what appears to be Insomniac Click's mission statement, though he calls it his "Contract with the Audience." While a focus on making social interaction fun and reducing the disruptive nature of increasing user retention is exciting, we found this most intriguing:
Gameplay Depth. We want to create worlds to explore, challenges to master and a continuing story to discover. We promise to deliver the richness of gameplay content that you would expect from a console game, but freely playable online.
If Hastings and his team can deliver on what every traditional game designer has promised upon entering the space, that would certainly set a new standard for the genre. Hastings says that the five-person strong (including Hastings) studio division will have more information in the coming months, which would lead one to believe that their first Facebook game will launch in 2011.
What type of social game do you guess Insomniac Click is working on? How do you think this new venture from a traditional developer will fare against the giants?
Of course, that new audience is the legion of casual and social gamers that seem to be all but dominating the industry these days. It's almost silly for traditional game studios not to get involved. However, Insomniac and Hastings seem to be approaching this relatively "new frontier," as he calls it, with the expectation to create deeper social games. Hastings lays out what appears to be Insomniac Click's mission statement, though he calls it his "Contract with the Audience." While a focus on making social interaction fun and reducing the disruptive nature of increasing user retention is exciting, we found this most intriguing:
Gameplay Depth. We want to create worlds to explore, challenges to master and a continuing story to discover. We promise to deliver the richness of gameplay content that you would expect from a console game, but freely playable online.
If Hastings and his team can deliver on what every traditional game designer has promised upon entering the space, that would certainly set a new standard for the genre. Hastings says that the five-person strong (including Hastings) studio division will have more information in the coming months, which would lead one to believe that their first Facebook game will launch in 2011.
What type of social game do you guess Insomniac Click is working on? How do you think this new venture from a traditional developer will fare against the giants?
Thứ Ba, 3 tháng 1, 2012
Here's why (real) casino Facebook games might explode in 2012
A recent Department of Justice opinion has effectively allowed states to individually allow online gambling and lottery services, with Washington D.C. to be first in line, The Washington Times reports. In other words, a lot of Americans are going to find themselves strapped for cash this year, if enough states follow suit. And seriously, what state is going to refuse free tax money?
The new opinion is an interpretation of The Wire Act of 1961 that was essentially revisited to address whether Illinois and New York could allow out-of-state organizations to sell lottery tickets to residents online, according to The Times. (For a primer on the history of online gambling in the U.S., check out this page.) However, it appears that a few states have taken this interpretation as a green light for online, non-sports gambling.
"We always knew it was legal. It didn't come as a shock to us," independent D.C. Council member Michael A. Brown told The Times. "But other states might beat us to the punch, and that would be a tragedy. I'm hopeful we still will be the first to the marketplace. Frankly [other states] have said, 'We're just going to take D.C.'s legislation and copy it.'"
Those other states include Nevada and New Jersey, both of which reportedly begun to lay the groundwork for online gambling within their borders. This all sounds like quite the coincidence to the arguably already-explosive growth of casino games on Facebook, like DoubleDown Casino and Slotomania. Just look at Facebook's take on the top 10 social games of 2011.
More importantly, however, is that the big time social game players are keen on the genre, too. Both Zynga and PopCap plan to hit it big with casino games on Facebook. (Though, the latter is just a rumor.) Not to mention that Caesars now has its own Facebook game company. Of course, this all depends on whether Facebook gives the green light. But again, what social network is going to refuse free tax money?
[Via SitNews]
Are you down with the possibility of real online gambling coming to Facebook in 2012? Are you afraid this might harm the social gaming scene in any way?
The new opinion is an interpretation of The Wire Act of 1961 that was essentially revisited to address whether Illinois and New York could allow out-of-state organizations to sell lottery tickets to residents online, according to The Times. (For a primer on the history of online gambling in the U.S., check out this page.) However, it appears that a few states have taken this interpretation as a green light for online, non-sports gambling.
"We always knew it was legal. It didn't come as a shock to us," independent D.C. Council member Michael A. Brown told The Times. "But other states might beat us to the punch, and that would be a tragedy. I'm hopeful we still will be the first to the marketplace. Frankly [other states] have said, 'We're just going to take D.C.'s legislation and copy it.'"
Those other states include Nevada and New Jersey, both of which reportedly begun to lay the groundwork for online gambling within their borders. This all sounds like quite the coincidence to the arguably already-explosive growth of casino games on Facebook, like DoubleDown Casino and Slotomania. Just look at Facebook's take on the top 10 social games of 2011.
More importantly, however, is that the big time social game players are keen on the genre, too. Both Zynga and PopCap plan to hit it big with casino games on Facebook. (Though, the latter is just a rumor.) Not to mention that Caesars now has its own Facebook game company. Of course, this all depends on whether Facebook gives the green light. But again, what social network is going to refuse free tax money?
[Via SitNews]
Are you down with the possibility of real online gambling coming to Facebook in 2012? Are you afraid this might harm the social gaming scene in any way?
The creator of Zynga Poker ain't down with online gambling yet [Report]
Zynga Casino
Now that the lot of social and casual games makers are bound to hop on the imminent online gambling bandwagon in the U.S., it was safe to assume that Zynga would be in on the action. Apparently, that's not so, according to what nameless sources close to the multi-billion-dollar game maker told Business Insider. One source told the website that Zynga hasn't even tried to make online gambling games in countries where laws are less strict.
A source told Business Insider that Zynga doesn't want to "screw up that community," likely referring to the existing online gambling circles of foreign countries. "You might not want to take money from your friends or your mother on Facebook," the anonymous source said. "But at the same time, the people you play with don't have to be your Facebook friends."
Of course, another nameless source agreed that games in which players wager real money would be a huge opportunity for the company. That's especially considering Zynga already has Zynga Poker and plans to release a Zynga Casino suite of games including Zynga Bingo. In short, the company already has the infrastructure to create such a game or multiple games to support online gambling.
According to an anonymous source talking to Business Insider, there have been talks of making such a game within Zynga HQ, but none are planned for the foreseeable future. And, if you ask us, a number of companies already in that space are likely more than willing to partake, like Caesars, DoubleDown Interactive and more. If Zynga comes around to changing its mind, it better do it quick, before the goldmine it's sitting on gets stripped.
[Image Credit: Zynga]
Why do you think Zynga might be wary of entering the online gambling sector? Would you ever wager your real money in a Facebook game?
Now that the lot of social and casual games makers are bound to hop on the imminent online gambling bandwagon in the U.S., it was safe to assume that Zynga would be in on the action. Apparently, that's not so, according to what nameless sources close to the multi-billion-dollar game maker told Business Insider. One source told the website that Zynga hasn't even tried to make online gambling games in countries where laws are less strict.
A source told Business Insider that Zynga doesn't want to "screw up that community," likely referring to the existing online gambling circles of foreign countries. "You might not want to take money from your friends or your mother on Facebook," the anonymous source said. "But at the same time, the people you play with don't have to be your Facebook friends."
Of course, another nameless source agreed that games in which players wager real money would be a huge opportunity for the company. That's especially considering Zynga already has Zynga Poker and plans to release a Zynga Casino suite of games including Zynga Bingo. In short, the company already has the infrastructure to create such a game or multiple games to support online gambling.
According to an anonymous source talking to Business Insider, there have been talks of making such a game within Zynga HQ, but none are planned for the foreseeable future. And, if you ask us, a number of companies already in that space are likely more than willing to partake, like Caesars, DoubleDown Interactive and more. If Zynga comes around to changing its mind, it better do it quick, before the goldmine it's sitting on gets stripped.
[Image Credit: Zynga]
Why do you think Zynga might be wary of entering the online gambling sector? Would you ever wager your real money in a Facebook game?
In Star Supremacy on Facebook, go to war with the game's creators
Want to differentiate your strategy social game from the rest of them? Then get involved. Chinese developer Barbily plans to do just that with its Facebook version of browser-based, sci-fi strategy MMO (massively multiplayer online game), Star Supremacy. The game launches today on Facebook, and already the Barbily team plans to engage its players by bringing the fight to them.
For starters, three Barbily GMs (game masters) will actively play Star Supremacy, controlling two advanced colonies each. Of course, all of these territories will be home to massive reserves of resources, which players can attack for major gains. Barbily will publish the coordinates of these developer-controlled colonies on the Star Supremacy Facebook fan page. However, Barbily warns that there will be consequences if players decide to set up trade routes through these colonies or organize large assaults.
In other words, just try and take it to the developers--they're waiting for a good fight. Like most Facebook game developers with new games, Barbily will give its players free in-game gifts when the fan page reaches 500 and 1,000 "Likes". But the Suzhou-based developer thinks it's far different from Zynga's lot of games.
Star Supremacy in action
"What makes us different from CityVille, FarmVille, CastleVille, or even Empires & Allies is that we are a sci-fi RTS game. " Barbily PR manager Thomas Watson said. "We've read a lot of feedback from players both inside and outside our forums. Players expect a lot from a browser-based RTS. I am proud to say that our developers are working very fast and very hard to bring out new features and big fixes on a weekly basis."
While that's certainly true, we've yet to see what differentiates Star Supremacy from the growing lot of sci-fi strategy games on Facebook like Edgeworld and Galaxy Life. We certainly haven't heard of a Facebook game's developers taunting its players to battle immediately upon release before.
Click here to play Star Supremacy on Facebook Now >
Are you a strategy social game fan? Have you tried Star Supremacy yet, and what's your favorite in the sub genre yet?
For starters, three Barbily GMs (game masters) will actively play Star Supremacy, controlling two advanced colonies each. Of course, all of these territories will be home to massive reserves of resources, which players can attack for major gains. Barbily will publish the coordinates of these developer-controlled colonies on the Star Supremacy Facebook fan page. However, Barbily warns that there will be consequences if players decide to set up trade routes through these colonies or organize large assaults.
In other words, just try and take it to the developers--they're waiting for a good fight. Like most Facebook game developers with new games, Barbily will give its players free in-game gifts when the fan page reaches 500 and 1,000 "Likes". But the Suzhou-based developer thinks it's far different from Zynga's lot of games.
Star Supremacy in action
"What makes us different from CityVille, FarmVille, CastleVille, or even Empires & Allies is that we are a sci-fi RTS game. " Barbily PR manager Thomas Watson said. "We've read a lot of feedback from players both inside and outside our forums. Players expect a lot from a browser-based RTS. I am proud to say that our developers are working very fast and very hard to bring out new features and big fixes on a weekly basis."
While that's certainly true, we've yet to see what differentiates Star Supremacy from the growing lot of sci-fi strategy games on Facebook like Edgeworld and Galaxy Life. We certainly haven't heard of a Facebook game's developers taunting its players to battle immediately upon release before.
Click here to play Star Supremacy on Facebook Now >
Are you a strategy social game fan? Have you tried Star Supremacy yet, and what's your favorite in the sub genre yet?
Facebook gets called out, redefines its top games of 2011 list
Were you as surprised as we were when Facebook dubbed Playdom's Gardens of Time the "most popular Facebook game of 2011?" As it turns out, we certainly weren't the only ones, as TechCrunch plainly called the social network out on its methodology (which we, too, questioned). Facebook almost immediately added a disclaimer describing how it arrived at the list in detail.
"This list was compiled by looking at the top games on Facebook with more than 100,000 monthly active users and giving priority to those games with the highest user satisfaction scores," the addendum reads on the Facebook blog. "The result is a list of the games that received the most user recommendations in 2011."
But EDGE reports that Facebook has recently renamed its list entirely from the "Most Popular Games in 2011" to the "Top Recommended Games of 2011." While this reflects Facebook's methodology much more accurately, it's interesting to see the company backtrack after such a heated response. For one, it speaks volumes to how seriously end-of-year lists are taken.
However, it also speaks to Facebook's motivations for creating its end-of-year list this way. Rather than simply highlight the games with the most monthly or daily players, the company took this chance to highlight its own recommendation features as a tool for viral game growth and discovery. More importantly, this was a golden opportunity for Facebook to deter popular opinions of Zynga domination on the platform, and to promote diversity among developers. If only it were upfront about that from the start.
What did you think of Facebook's original list, and how about now that the company has backtracked a bit on it? What was your favorite Facebook game of 2011?
"This list was compiled by looking at the top games on Facebook with more than 100,000 monthly active users and giving priority to those games with the highest user satisfaction scores," the addendum reads on the Facebook blog. "The result is a list of the games that received the most user recommendations in 2011."
But EDGE reports that Facebook has recently renamed its list entirely from the "Most Popular Games in 2011" to the "Top Recommended Games of 2011." While this reflects Facebook's methodology much more accurately, it's interesting to see the company backtrack after such a heated response. For one, it speaks volumes to how seriously end-of-year lists are taken.
However, it also speaks to Facebook's motivations for creating its end-of-year list this way. Rather than simply highlight the games with the most monthly or daily players, the company took this chance to highlight its own recommendation features as a tool for viral game growth and discovery. More importantly, this was a golden opportunity for Facebook to deter popular opinions of Zynga domination on the platform, and to promote diversity among developers. If only it were upfront about that from the start.
What did you think of Facebook's original list, and how about now that the company has backtracked a bit on it? What was your favorite Facebook game of 2011?
Battlefield maker EA DICE loses three to ngmoco's Sweden studio
A new year can often be a bittersweet experience, especially in the world of career moves. In this case, it's been sweet for DeNA-owned mobile game maker ngmoco and rather bitter for EA. DICE, the Swedish division of the veteran games publisher responsible for hit shooter franchise Battlefield and critically-acclaimed Mirror's Edge, has lost three staffers to ngmoco Sweden.
This is the second, third and fourth loss for EA to ngmoco in six months, the first being former EA-ran Easy Studios general manager Ben Cousins, who left in June 2011 to start the Stockholm-based studio. Cousins announced the new hires through his Twitter account, name-dropping senior programmer Torbjørn Lædre, senior artist Wille Wintertidh and senior programmer Malte Hildigsson.
Collectively, the trio have experience with successful hardcore EA games ranging from the brand new Battlefield 3 to Mirror's Edge and Far Cry 2. Ngmoco Sweden has been keen on recruiting talent from traditional game developers, having snagged members of Crytek, German creator of the visually-stunning Crysis series, last year.
Ngmoco, largely responsible for bringing Japanese social game giant DeNA's mobile social games network, Mobage, to the Western world, is likely staffing up its Sweden studio to fill the network up with original games. Whether those games will skew toward shooter fans or folks who dig FarmVille is uncertain, but the lot it's hiring suggests the former.
[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Do you think ngmoco and DeNA will find success in the U.S. and abroad? Which mobile social game network do you prefer when playing smartphone games, if one at all?
This is the second, third and fourth loss for EA to ngmoco in six months, the first being former EA-ran Easy Studios general manager Ben Cousins, who left in June 2011 to start the Stockholm-based studio. Cousins announced the new hires through his Twitter account, name-dropping senior programmer Torbjørn Lædre, senior artist Wille Wintertidh and senior programmer Malte Hildigsson.
Collectively, the trio have experience with successful hardcore EA games ranging from the brand new Battlefield 3 to Mirror's Edge and Far Cry 2. Ngmoco Sweden has been keen on recruiting talent from traditional game developers, having snagged members of Crytek, German creator of the visually-stunning Crysis series, last year.
Ngmoco, largely responsible for bringing Japanese social game giant DeNA's mobile social games network, Mobage, to the Western world, is likely staffing up its Sweden studio to fill the network up with original games. Whether those games will skew toward shooter fans or folks who dig FarmVille is uncertain, but the lot it's hiring suggests the former.
[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Do you think ngmoco and DeNA will find success in the U.S. and abroad? Which mobile social game network do you prefer when playing smartphone games, if one at all?
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