At midnight, FarmVIlle for iPhone rolled out across the US, changing the lives of millions of farmers who can now tend their crops on the go. The game is free to download from the App Store, and can be played on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
So far, the game seems like a solid translation of the Facebook version, despite the fact that a handful of play features didn't make the jump to iPhone. The biggest new feature of the game is how you use tractors to plant, harvest and plow your virtual crops. Hold and press to automatically activate your tractor, harvester and seeder, and then swipe your finger (Zynga calls this "finger-painting") over the crops that need tending. FarmVille for iPhone also includes push notifications, and if you decide to activate them, a message will pop up when crops are ready to harvest. It might require a little extra battery life, but it'll hopefully help you avoid withering crops. There's also a special in-game market for Apple users, that include exclusive items such as a snow leopard, rainbow apple tree and a giftable white apple tree.
Gallery: FarmVille iPhone App
Zynga says it will roll out additional features for the iPhone 4 and iOS4 "in the near future," which includes better-looking graphics, "to showcase the retina display" as well as multi-tasking.
FarmVille for iPhone rolls out as people are activating their brand new iPhone 4 devices. The game has just reached it's one-year anniversary as well -- it's hard to believe this game has only been around for 12 months. In that time, FarmVille has:
Reached over 100 billion pageviews
FarmVille players have received 23 billion gifts
200 million gifts are sent in FarmVille every day
Players sent 1.7 billion Valentines in 10 days
34 million Horse Stables were installed in 15 days
1.2 billion Horse Stable parts were sent in 15 days
Maintained its position as the largest app on Facebook, with 72 million players
Of course, not everything has been rosy for the farming game, which has lost roughly 10 million players in the past few months and has been plagued with bugs and stability problems, which have set players on edge and put others on the defensive. The expansion of the game to iPhone as well as as a strategic partnership with Yahoo is clearly an attempt to expand its reach beyond Facebook, with hope of turning a few more casual gamers into obsessive farmers. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Earn Money online -Paid since 2008
Monday, February 13, 2012
Japanese PlayStation game tries out the 'freemium' model
Any social gamer worth their Farmville farm is familiar with the 'freemium' distribution model, even if they're not familiar with the term. Put simply, it's when a game developer decides to give a game away for free to attract players, then make money by selling optional premium items to some small percentage of those players (free + premium = "freemium"). Now, the popular social gconcept is making its way from the world of social gaming and into downloadable console RPGs.
Kotaku has the details on Bokamatsu Revolution, a completely free RPG coming to the Japanese PS3's PlayStation Network on June 26. The free download will have about ten hours worth of dungeon-crawling content, according to assistant producer Luke Rideout, but players will be able to extend that experience with new items (selling for about $1 to $2) and additional scenarios and quests (selling for about $3.25 to $4.50).
Personally, we hope this model can catch on for console games as well as it has for social games. We'd gladly take a free version of Street Fighter IV subsidized by costume and character downloads, or a free version of Super Mario Galaxy where you pay for only the stars you collect, or a free version of Modern Warfare where only the rich players can afford to buy the best guns that can instantly kill the opposition.
Kotaku has the details on Bokamatsu Revolution, a completely free RPG coming to the Japanese PS3's PlayStation Network on June 26. The free download will have about ten hours worth of dungeon-crawling content, according to assistant producer Luke Rideout, but players will be able to extend that experience with new items (selling for about $1 to $2) and additional scenarios and quests (selling for about $3.25 to $4.50).
Personally, we hope this model can catch on for console games as well as it has for social games. We'd gladly take a free version of Street Fighter IV subsidized by costume and character downloads, or a free version of Super Mario Galaxy where you pay for only the stars you collect, or a free version of Modern Warfare where only the rich players can afford to buy the best guns that can instantly kill the opposition.
New FarmVille Loading Screen: Japanese Garden Items Are Here!
FarmVille Japanese Garden items
FarmVille adds new loading screens from time to time as teasers for items or functions coming as well as show casing new items available in limited edition themes. A new loading screen last night features several items yet to be released in the most recent LE Japanese Garden theme on FarmVille.
Some FarmVille Freaks, shannon97405, DarkFarmer, Nugget, El_Zacatecas and Ctrtle74 gave these as their best guesses at what the unreleased items are!
Crane
Dragon Decoration
Japanese Deer– Sika Deer?
Japanese Maple - Acer Palmatum?
New Water Rock Decoration - Zen Garden 3
Which if these items are you most excited to have on your farm?
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FarmVille adds new loading screens from time to time as teasers for items or functions coming as well as show casing new items available in limited edition themes. A new loading screen last night features several items yet to be released in the most recent LE Japanese Garden theme on FarmVille.
Some FarmVille Freaks, shannon97405, DarkFarmer, Nugget, El_Zacatecas and Ctrtle74 gave these as their best guesses at what the unreleased items are!
Crane
Dragon Decoration
Japanese Deer– Sika Deer?
Japanese Maple - Acer Palmatum?
New Water Rock Decoration - Zen Garden 3
Which if these items are you most excited to have on your farm?
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FarmVille: Unreleased Buildable Japanese Barn
As promised by Lexilicious in the Official FarmVille Podcast a new LE Japanese Storage Barn will be coming soon as part of the Japanese Garden Limited Edition theme in FarmVille. This storage barn will be built with the help of your FarmVille Neighbors!
FarmVille Building Japanese Barn
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Oliver for finding the unreleased images of the frame of the Japanese Barn in the construction stages, the Barn completed, as well as, 2 more images of it expanded!
Note: Unreleased items have no official release date or guarantee that they will make it to the FarmVille Market. Zynga is the sole owner of all their copyrighted images.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FarmVille Building Japanese Barn
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Oliver for finding the unreleased images of the frame of the Japanese Barn in the construction stages, the Barn completed, as well as, 2 more images of it expanded!
Note: Unreleased items have no official release date or guarantee that they will make it to the FarmVille Market. Zynga is the sole owner of all their copyrighted images.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Restaurant City serves soccer fans with new World Cup foosball decor
Restaurant City World Cup 2010 foosball decor
Restaurant City is bypassing their current Lounge Bar theme, and following up on their World Cup 2010 country flags release by bringing a bit of footy flavor to the foodie scene. Eleven new decor items, of which seven are Astroturf floor tiles, are ready to turn your restaurant into a giant foosball table. Each lined tile costs 75 Coins, while a regular green patch of pitch goes for just 40. The Red and Blue Foosball Statues are a hefty 2,700 Coins each, along with a Football Goal post going for 12,000 Coins -- and it's all only available 'til July 13th!
Restaurant City World Cup 2010 decor
Restaurant City Soccer GiftsTwo other limited time offers include the Football Stove and the Foosball Table, which promises to cook "faster than a Brazillian striker on a breakaway", or practically speaking, 15% faster. Foosball Table earns 5 Gourmet Points (the game's equivalent of XP) and 1,700 Coins every 4 hours, and never breaks from use. But these two items require Playfish Cash to purchase -- the stove is going for 20 PFC, while the game table costs 35 PFC. (To give you an idea of cost, $5 USD equals 25 PFC.)
Finally, no game would be complete without a soccer ball and a referee. Restaurant City is offering both as gifts-only items (with the referee portion being uniforms that can be worn by your waiters), so you can get 'em for free from friends.
Restaurant City is bypassing their current Lounge Bar theme, and following up on their World Cup 2010 country flags release by bringing a bit of footy flavor to the foodie scene. Eleven new decor items, of which seven are Astroturf floor tiles, are ready to turn your restaurant into a giant foosball table. Each lined tile costs 75 Coins, while a regular green patch of pitch goes for just 40. The Red and Blue Foosball Statues are a hefty 2,700 Coins each, along with a Football Goal post going for 12,000 Coins -- and it's all only available 'til July 13th!
Restaurant City World Cup 2010 decor
Restaurant City Soccer GiftsTwo other limited time offers include the Football Stove and the Foosball Table, which promises to cook "faster than a Brazillian striker on a breakaway", or practically speaking, 15% faster. Foosball Table earns 5 Gourmet Points (the game's equivalent of XP) and 1,700 Coins every 4 hours, and never breaks from use. But these two items require Playfish Cash to purchase -- the stove is going for 20 PFC, while the game table costs 35 PFC. (To give you an idea of cost, $5 USD equals 25 PFC.)
Finally, no game would be complete without a soccer ball and a referee. Restaurant City is offering both as gifts-only items (with the referee portion being uniforms that can be worn by your waiters), so you can get 'em for free from friends.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Happy Pets goes to Heaven and Hell for its new Limited Edition pets
Happy Pets Angelic and Demonic Pets
Happy Pets new Limited Edition "Shadow & Light Series" sports halos and horns, but unless you get a unicorn, these items are pet props that can be taken off and are not breedable traits.
Right now, the cheapest and hottest selling pets are the Sparkling Guardian Dog and the Hell Hound, which both go for 60 Facebook Credits (or exactly $6 USD). The Hell Hound is no Cujo, but it's clearly blood-splattered. And there's only three of the heavenly hounds left!
Happy Pets Sparkling Guardian Dog almost gone!
Both the Sparkling Angel Cat and Hellcat go for 70 FB Credits ($7 USD), while the Sparkling Guardian Unicorn and Raven Unicorn are both 80 FB Credits ($8 USD). Of them all, the Hellcat is the least popular, with still 401 left in the store.
Happy Pets new Limited Edition "Shadow & Light Series" sports halos and horns, but unless you get a unicorn, these items are pet props that can be taken off and are not breedable traits.
Right now, the cheapest and hottest selling pets are the Sparkling Guardian Dog and the Hell Hound, which both go for 60 Facebook Credits (or exactly $6 USD). The Hell Hound is no Cujo, but it's clearly blood-splattered. And there's only three of the heavenly hounds left!
Happy Pets Sparkling Guardian Dog almost gone!
Both the Sparkling Angel Cat and Hellcat go for 70 FB Credits ($7 USD), while the Sparkling Guardian Unicorn and Raven Unicorn are both 80 FB Credits ($8 USD). Of them all, the Hellcat is the least popular, with still 401 left in the store.
Happy Pets: Decorate your own Jurassic Park with new prehistoric props
Happy Pets Jurassic Volcano wallpaper
Access the store from your yard in Happy Pets and you'll find these four latest decorations for your Dino Den: Fly in Amber, Lawn Torch, Bubbling Tar Pit, and the new Jurassic Volcano wallpaper.
Happy Pets Fly in Amber, Lawn Torch, and Bubbling Tar Pit
We can totally see decking out our yards full of flickering Lawn Torches (yes, it's an animated item) and Bubbling Tar Pits, though no one knows for sure if the Pit is actually an animated item. But for 4 FB Credits (or $4 USD), it better well be!
Access the store from your yard in Happy Pets and you'll find these four latest decorations for your Dino Den: Fly in Amber, Lawn Torch, Bubbling Tar Pit, and the new Jurassic Volcano wallpaper.
Happy Pets Fly in Amber, Lawn Torch, and Bubbling Tar Pit
We can totally see decking out our yards full of flickering Lawn Torches (yes, it's an animated item) and Bubbling Tar Pits, though no one knows for sure if the Pit is actually an animated item. But for 4 FB Credits (or $4 USD), it better well be!
Happy Aquarium: Everything You Need to Pull Off an Underwater Wedding
Happy Aquarium Wedding Tank
Times like this, I wish Happy Aquarium brought back their weekly demo tank, because the game is now into the third week of its wedding bonanza and shows no signs of slowing down. Some of these new items are now permanent store additions, while others were Limited Edition goods. This post will tell you what all the new items are, how much they cost, and where you can find them at the store (if they're still around).
Happy Aquarium Wedding Cake, Gazebo, and Arch
On July 9th, in the store's "Specials" tab, under "Premium" there's now a:
Wedding Cake; 12 Pearls or 10 FB Credits
Wedding Gazebo; 12 Pearls or 10 FB Credits
and Wedding Arch; 10 Pearls or 8 FB Credits
Happy Aquarium Wedding Gift Idol, Groom Fish, and Bride Fish
After briefly boot-legging Toy Story, July 13th and 14th was the appearance of the Wedding Gift Idol (get one free premium item everyday forever for $15) and Limited Edition Bride ($2.10 USD) and Groom Fish ($1.70 USD).
Happy Aquarium Love Birds
On July 17th, the Love Birds were added to the "Tank Mates" section of the store for 29 Pearls or 24 FB Credits ($2.40). They're animated, so they fly around, but because they're two-dimensional, the "LOVE" banner they're carrying sometimes gets flipped over, like it was put in front of a mirror.
Happy Aquarium Stackable Wedding Gifts
The next day, July 18th, under the store's "Decor" section in "Stackable" are:
Spring Wedding Gift; 95 Coins
Summer Wedding Gift; 96 Coins
Autumn Wedding Gift; 97 Coins
Happy Aquarium Tank Mate Flower Girl
Followed by an animated, Limited Edition, Tank Mate Flower Girl on July 19th for 22 Pearls or 18 FB Credits.
Happy Aquarium Wedding Bouquet and Ice Sculpture
Also on the 19th, are two new wedding bouquet corals to be found under "Decor" and "Coral" in the store, and a sparkly ice swan sculpture in "Props":
Ice Sculpture (it's got animated sparkles!); 900 Coins
Bright Wedding Bouquet; 93 Coins
Wedding Bouquet; 94 Coins
Happy Aquarium Coral gifts
While on the game's gifts page are three new coral that resemble flowers, especially one that looks like a pink rose: Pink Spike Coral, Purple Spike Coral, and Spiral Coral.
Happy Aquarium Wedding Ring, Bed of Floral, and Special Day Wallpaper
For July 22nd, comes a new wedding themed tank floor and wallpaper in the "Ambiance" section, giving tanks an outdoor, windswept meadows feel. There's also an animated clamshell that reveals a ring to be found in the "Specials" tab, under "Premium":
Wedding Ring (opens and shuts to reveal a sparkly diamond ring); 36 Pearls or 30 FB Credits
Bed of Floral; 25 Pearls or 21 FB Credits
Special Day ("Romantic wallpaper"); 36 Pearls or 30 FB Credits
Happy Aquarium Purple Bird, Yellow Bird, and Red Bird
Next up, on July 24th, either filed at the store under "Decor" then "Props", or "Specials" then "Premium", you'll find a trio of animated songbirds that fly in circular patterns. Yellow Bird, Purple Bird, and Red Bird each cost 10 Pearls or 8 FB Credits.
Happy Aquarium Wedding Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
Finally, on the 25th, under "Decor" then "Props", you'll find six new human wedding attendees -- the bride and groom (perched separately on a piece of magenta coral), 2 bridesmaids, and 2 groomsmen all suited and snorkeled up:
Scuba Groomsman ("Groom's brother"); 60 Coins
Aquatic Bride ("Beautiful bride in a flowing dress"); 6 Pearls or 5 FB Credits
Scuba Bridesmaid ("Bride's cousin"); 50 Coins
Happy Scuba Bridesmaid ("Bride's bestfriend from college"); 51 Coins
Aquatic Groom ("Lookin' spiffy for his big day"); 6 Pearls or 5 FB Credits
Happy Scuba Groomsman ("Groom's bestfriend"); 51 Coins
Times like this, I wish Happy Aquarium brought back their weekly demo tank, because the game is now into the third week of its wedding bonanza and shows no signs of slowing down. Some of these new items are now permanent store additions, while others were Limited Edition goods. This post will tell you what all the new items are, how much they cost, and where you can find them at the store (if they're still around).
Happy Aquarium Wedding Cake, Gazebo, and Arch
On July 9th, in the store's "Specials" tab, under "Premium" there's now a:
Wedding Cake; 12 Pearls or 10 FB Credits
Wedding Gazebo; 12 Pearls or 10 FB Credits
and Wedding Arch; 10 Pearls or 8 FB Credits
Happy Aquarium Wedding Gift Idol, Groom Fish, and Bride Fish
After briefly boot-legging Toy Story, July 13th and 14th was the appearance of the Wedding Gift Idol (get one free premium item everyday forever for $15) and Limited Edition Bride ($2.10 USD) and Groom Fish ($1.70 USD).
Happy Aquarium Love Birds
On July 17th, the Love Birds were added to the "Tank Mates" section of the store for 29 Pearls or 24 FB Credits ($2.40). They're animated, so they fly around, but because they're two-dimensional, the "LOVE" banner they're carrying sometimes gets flipped over, like it was put in front of a mirror.
Happy Aquarium Stackable Wedding Gifts
The next day, July 18th, under the store's "Decor" section in "Stackable" are:
Spring Wedding Gift; 95 Coins
Summer Wedding Gift; 96 Coins
Autumn Wedding Gift; 97 Coins
Happy Aquarium Tank Mate Flower Girl
Followed by an animated, Limited Edition, Tank Mate Flower Girl on July 19th for 22 Pearls or 18 FB Credits.
Happy Aquarium Wedding Bouquet and Ice Sculpture
Also on the 19th, are two new wedding bouquet corals to be found under "Decor" and "Coral" in the store, and a sparkly ice swan sculpture in "Props":
Ice Sculpture (it's got animated sparkles!); 900 Coins
Bright Wedding Bouquet; 93 Coins
Wedding Bouquet; 94 Coins
Happy Aquarium Coral gifts
While on the game's gifts page are three new coral that resemble flowers, especially one that looks like a pink rose: Pink Spike Coral, Purple Spike Coral, and Spiral Coral.
Happy Aquarium Wedding Ring, Bed of Floral, and Special Day Wallpaper
For July 22nd, comes a new wedding themed tank floor and wallpaper in the "Ambiance" section, giving tanks an outdoor, windswept meadows feel. There's also an animated clamshell that reveals a ring to be found in the "Specials" tab, under "Premium":
Wedding Ring (opens and shuts to reveal a sparkly diamond ring); 36 Pearls or 30 FB Credits
Bed of Floral; 25 Pearls or 21 FB Credits
Special Day ("Romantic wallpaper"); 36 Pearls or 30 FB Credits
Happy Aquarium Purple Bird, Yellow Bird, and Red Bird
Next up, on July 24th, either filed at the store under "Decor" then "Props", or "Specials" then "Premium", you'll find a trio of animated songbirds that fly in circular patterns. Yellow Bird, Purple Bird, and Red Bird each cost 10 Pearls or 8 FB Credits.
Happy Aquarium Wedding Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
Finally, on the 25th, under "Decor" then "Props", you'll find six new human wedding attendees -- the bride and groom (perched separately on a piece of magenta coral), 2 bridesmaids, and 2 groomsmen all suited and snorkeled up:
Scuba Groomsman ("Groom's brother"); 60 Coins
Aquatic Bride ("Beautiful bride in a flowing dress"); 6 Pearls or 5 FB Credits
Scuba Bridesmaid ("Bride's cousin"); 50 Coins
Happy Scuba Bridesmaid ("Bride's bestfriend from college"); 51 Coins
Aquatic Groom ("Lookin' spiffy for his big day"); 6 Pearls or 5 FB Credits
Happy Scuba Groomsman ("Groom's bestfriend"); 51 Coins
BREAKING: Disney buys Playdom for $563.2M, plus potential bonuses
Welp, it looks like the rumors were true; social game maker Playdom has been bought by Disney. The news first came across our desk via a tweet from Playdom programmer David Carlton, and has since been confirmed by other Playdom employees and a Business Wire announcement.
Disney will reportedly pay $563.2 million for the company behind games like Wild Ones, Sorority Life and Social City, with an extra $200 million coming if the company meets performance goals. "We see strong growth potential in bringing together Playdom's talented team and capabilities with our great creative properties, people and world-renowned brands like Disney, ABC, ESPN and Marvel," Disney President and CEO Robert Iger said in the statement.
More on this huge acquisition as we get it.
Update: See the CNBC report below on Disney's purchase of Playdom.
Disney will reportedly pay $563.2 million for the company behind games like Wild Ones, Sorority Life and Social City, with an extra $200 million coming if the company meets performance goals. "We see strong growth potential in bringing together Playdom's talented team and capabilities with our great creative properties, people and world-renowned brands like Disney, ABC, ESPN and Marvel," Disney President and CEO Robert Iger said in the statement.
More on this huge acquisition as we get it.
Update: See the CNBC report below on Disney's purchase of Playdom.
Opinion: What does Disney buying Playdom mean?
I just read 15 tweets that told the world that Disney bought Playdom. Ok - I get it! But, what does it all mean? As an games industry veteran and social media maven, I'll take a stab at what's coming next:
1. The Facebook gaming phenomenon is about to get even hotter.
Big companies (Viacom, Sony, Activision) are going to look to make their presence felt or feel like they are being left behind. No one wants the music to stop and be left without a seat to the dance. Or worse, stretch and make a purchase like AOL did with Bebo. More money will be poured in and CEOs of companies will be asked by their boards "We pay you big bucks to know what's going on? Where is your FarmVille?"
2. Look for the next acquisition to be CrowdStar.
Not because it's the next largest games company but because they have the best quality games with the highest engagement. CrowdStar has the best relationship with Facebook of the remaining game developers. They have been the guinea pig for Facebook credits, have not been spending wildly on acquisitions and continue to just make good, solid Facebook games. (See Happy Aquarium and Happy Pets) While I haven't heard any rumors they are available, it stands to reason that they are going to get offered huge money and may not be able to resist the buy out.
3. Big branded Intellectual Properties (IP) will make their way on to Facebook.
Big brands on Facebook has been a trend predicted by Kristian Segerstråle of Playfish in March at GDC and John Pleasants of Playdom just last week at Casual Connect. Disney with it's stable of classic characters from Mickey Mouse to Hannah Montana or Jack Sparrow on through Wolverine will be able to unleash a parade of branded games if they so chose. Think about it, would you play a superhero game that is like Mobsters by Playdom but set in the Marvel Universe? I can already hear comic book nerds drooling in anticipation.
4. Facebook will have to acknowledge that it is a gaming platform at some level.
Facebook lucked into the gaming just like the iPhone. They had no idea gaming would be within the top two or three things people do on Facebook. Since the app platform opened up in 2007 Facebook has made concerted efforts to deal with the gaming explosion. Most of the changes negatively affected game developers. Finally it may be time for Facebook to learn to stop worrying and embrace the gaming bomb. Gaming is a an integral part of Facebook and the viral channels Facebook provides are integral to game developers, the relationship is going to have to be repaired for both to move forward. If Facebook turns its back on the game developers, the developers will find new avenues of distribution. (As many companies are betting on see Hi5 and Oberon) Without the games, one could argue, Facebook would not be half the size it is today and certainly would not have the revenue.
1. The Facebook gaming phenomenon is about to get even hotter.
Big companies (Viacom, Sony, Activision) are going to look to make their presence felt or feel like they are being left behind. No one wants the music to stop and be left without a seat to the dance. Or worse, stretch and make a purchase like AOL did with Bebo. More money will be poured in and CEOs of companies will be asked by their boards "We pay you big bucks to know what's going on? Where is your FarmVille?"
2. Look for the next acquisition to be CrowdStar.
Not because it's the next largest games company but because they have the best quality games with the highest engagement. CrowdStar has the best relationship with Facebook of the remaining game developers. They have been the guinea pig for Facebook credits, have not been spending wildly on acquisitions and continue to just make good, solid Facebook games. (See Happy Aquarium and Happy Pets) While I haven't heard any rumors they are available, it stands to reason that they are going to get offered huge money and may not be able to resist the buy out.
3. Big branded Intellectual Properties (IP) will make their way on to Facebook.
Big brands on Facebook has been a trend predicted by Kristian Segerstråle of Playfish in March at GDC and John Pleasants of Playdom just last week at Casual Connect. Disney with it's stable of classic characters from Mickey Mouse to Hannah Montana or Jack Sparrow on through Wolverine will be able to unleash a parade of branded games if they so chose. Think about it, would you play a superhero game that is like Mobsters by Playdom but set in the Marvel Universe? I can already hear comic book nerds drooling in anticipation.
4. Facebook will have to acknowledge that it is a gaming platform at some level.
Facebook lucked into the gaming just like the iPhone. They had no idea gaming would be within the top two or three things people do on Facebook. Since the app platform opened up in 2007 Facebook has made concerted efforts to deal with the gaming explosion. Most of the changes negatively affected game developers. Finally it may be time for Facebook to learn to stop worrying and embrace the gaming bomb. Gaming is a an integral part of Facebook and the viral channels Facebook provides are integral to game developers, the relationship is going to have to be repaired for both to move forward. If Facebook turns its back on the game developers, the developers will find new avenues of distribution. (As many companies are betting on see Hi5 and Oberon) Without the games, one could argue, Facebook would not be half the size it is today and certainly would not have the revenue.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Madden 11 Football finally arrives on Facebook as Madden NFL Superstars
The inevitable has happened, Madden 11 football has come to Facebook as Madden NFL Superstars. From the moment Electronic Arts, the owner and publisher of the Madden Football series, purchased Playfish, creators of hugely popular Facebook games Pet Society and My Empire, we wondered if Madden Footbal arrive on Facebook anytime soon. That day has come.
Gallery: Madden NFL Superstars
Gallery: Madden NFL Superstars
Happy Aquarium: Flight to Cloud 9 and two new Wizard of Oz tankmates
Rounding out the cast of last week's Happy Aquarium set, two new animated Wizard of Oz characters have arrived -- Toto ("Sticks his tongue out when you tap the glass") in scuba gear, and the blue Flying Monkey ("Smiles big when you tap the glass") of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Toto is being sold at a pricey 76 Pearls or 63 Facebook Credits ($6.30 USD), while the monkey is going for 47 Pearls or 39 FB Credits ($3.90 USD). Both are Limited Edition items.
Happy Aquarium Cloud 9 items
Toto is being sold at a pricey 76 Pearls or 63 Facebook Credits ($6.30 USD), while the monkey is going for 47 Pearls or 39 FB Credits ($3.90 USD). Both are Limited Edition items.
Happy Aquarium Cloud 9 items
Madden NFL Superstars Getting Started Guide [Video]
Madden NFL Superstars is hours old and the The Games.com Blog already has the first video footage! Check out the opening moments of the latest and greatest - Madden on Facebook!
--- > Click here to play Madden NFL Superstars
--- > Click here to play Madden NFL Superstars
FishVille takes tanks deep into the Phosphorus Forest
FishVille Phosphorus items
FishVille's newest theme came out just before the weekend. Right now, it's a small release comprised of six items, but they're richly detailed and give off a spectacular effect when used together. That magical nighttime glow is a beautiful sight.
The only thing that'd improve the view is if Zynga hired itself a spellchecker, because "Phosphorus" has been misspelled as "Phosphorous" throughout the game. Only two of the items in the store got it right.
FishVille Phosphorus Forest
Anyway, the six items are: Luminous Reeds (7 Sand Dollars), Plasma Orb (250,000 Coins), Treehouse (14 SD), Phosphorus Jungle Wallpaper (10 SD), Phosphorus Gravel (5 SD), and the Limited Edition Chimaera (18 SD) which will only be available for the next 6 days.
FishVille action shot of Phosphorus Forest items
Above is an action shot of three decor pieces and one fish used together -- Chimaera, Luminous Reed, and the two tank papers. It almost looks like someone's work of art, doesn't it?
FishVille's newest theme came out just before the weekend. Right now, it's a small release comprised of six items, but they're richly detailed and give off a spectacular effect when used together. That magical nighttime glow is a beautiful sight.
The only thing that'd improve the view is if Zynga hired itself a spellchecker, because "Phosphorus" has been misspelled as "Phosphorous" throughout the game. Only two of the items in the store got it right.
FishVille Phosphorus Forest
Anyway, the six items are: Luminous Reeds (7 Sand Dollars), Plasma Orb (250,000 Coins), Treehouse (14 SD), Phosphorus Jungle Wallpaper (10 SD), Phosphorus Gravel (5 SD), and the Limited Edition Chimaera (18 SD) which will only be available for the next 6 days.
FishVille action shot of Phosphorus Forest items
Above is an action shot of three decor pieces and one fish used together -- Chimaera, Luminous Reed, and the two tank papers. It almost looks like someone's work of art, doesn't it?
Yee-haw! FarmVille releases more Wild West limited edition items
FarmVille brings more of the Wild West to the farm with a slew of new limited edition items. The following are now available in the in-game Market:
Animal
Cottontail Rabbit
Buildings
Wild West Home
Wild West Hotel
Decorations
Ironwood Tree
Stagecoach
Wagon Wheel Bench
Red Tailed Hawk
farmville wild west hawk
What do you think of the new Wild West items? Which ones are you planning to buy?
Animal
Cottontail Rabbit
Buildings
Wild West Home
Wild West Hotel
Decorations
Ironwood Tree
Stagecoach
Wagon Wheel Bench
Red Tailed Hawk
farmville wild west hawk
What do you think of the new Wild West items? Which ones are you planning to buy?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
YoVille Game Cards from GameStop will let you put a game in your game
Zynga, with the help of GameStop, is going to let millions of YoVille players live out their wildest dream of putting a game in their game... so they can play while they play. Buying a YoVille Game Card at any GameStop right now might win you a free YoVille Game Console.
No, this isn't a game machine solely dedicated to playing YoVille. For cryin' out loud, my parents' 10-year-old Dell can run this game. Redeeming your YoCash code in the game will double as an item redemption code for the YoVille Game Console to put in your room in YoVille. It might not sound like much, but not many social games can say they've mastered the feat of making this confusing internet meme a reality.
No, this isn't a game machine solely dedicated to playing YoVille. For cryin' out loud, my parents' 10-year-old Dell can run this game. Redeeming your YoCash code in the game will double as an item redemption code for the YoVille Game Console to put in your room in YoVille. It might not sound like much, but not many social games can say they've mastered the feat of making this confusing internet meme a reality.
Social Game Fads: Harassing friends to send materials
Social Game Fads is a new series where we take a look at some of the unoriginal game mechanics that are being reused over and over again in our favorite Facebook games. Are you getting bored of the same ole' thing? We are too, and we're exposing some of the copycats who are to blame.
While Zynga aren't exactly known for being the most creative and morally righteous game developers in the world, they definitely do a few things right. This is evidenced by the number of other games who copy what they have done, and the number of times Zynga reuses their own inventions. One prime example of this is in the buildables that require parts from friends. Originally seen in FarmVille, these are objects that require materials that can either be bought with hard currency or received from friends.
In most games, an object is the finished result such as the Treasure Isle gem mines and relics. In other games, such as PetVille, the materials are used to build something that gives you access to a new area, such as the backyard. In some games, the buildable pieces create an object that acts as a major functionality upgrade, such as the Super Stoves in Cafe World or the Coffee Machines in Baking Life. These buildable objects completely flood the Facebook news feeds because everyone is trying to get friends to help them build their objects.
Almost every successful game in the top 20 Facebook games has an object or a feature that is gated by the collection of materials from friends. We hope this is a fad that dies quick, because we're tired of begging for materials from our friends.
While Zynga aren't exactly known for being the most creative and morally righteous game developers in the world, they definitely do a few things right. This is evidenced by the number of other games who copy what they have done, and the number of times Zynga reuses their own inventions. One prime example of this is in the buildables that require parts from friends. Originally seen in FarmVille, these are objects that require materials that can either be bought with hard currency or received from friends.
In most games, an object is the finished result such as the Treasure Isle gem mines and relics. In other games, such as PetVille, the materials are used to build something that gives you access to a new area, such as the backyard. In some games, the buildable pieces create an object that acts as a major functionality upgrade, such as the Super Stoves in Cafe World or the Coffee Machines in Baking Life. These buildable objects completely flood the Facebook news feeds because everyone is trying to get friends to help them build their objects.
Almost every successful game in the top 20 Facebook games has an object or a feature that is gated by the collection of materials from friends. We hope this is a fad that dies quick, because we're tired of begging for materials from our friends.
PopCap CEO: FarmVille for iPhone is an 'abysmal failure'
PopCap Games Dave Roberts
This morning, at the TechNW forum hosted by the Washington Technology Industry Association, PopCap Games CEO Dave Roberts lashed out at Zynga, calling Zynga's FarmVille port to the iPhone an "abysmal failure" and accusing Zynga of "using money to buy their customers every day." Roberts doesn't say anything new, as Zynga's business tactics haven't been a secret for a while now, but those are definitely fighting words.
PopCap Games, maker of the widely successful Bejeweled Blitz and the upcoming Zuma Blitz on Facebook, has been in the games biz for a decade now. Roberts attributes their longevity and continued success on their prioritizing content over marketing. Even though Zynga's userbase far exceeds PopCap's on Facebook, Roberts "noted how PopCap's Bejeweled Blitz was kicking the ass of Zynga's Mafia Wars in terms of daily unique visitors, and had done so without spending money on advertising." In the end, Roberts says, "great games are always going to be better than great marketing."
But the antagonism is certainly tinged with respect, since in a more private interview last week, Roberts credits Zynga with "blazing some great trails," for example, FarmVille alone has created millions of new, dedicated players.
This morning, at the TechNW forum hosted by the Washington Technology Industry Association, PopCap Games CEO Dave Roberts lashed out at Zynga, calling Zynga's FarmVille port to the iPhone an "abysmal failure" and accusing Zynga of "using money to buy their customers every day." Roberts doesn't say anything new, as Zynga's business tactics haven't been a secret for a while now, but those are definitely fighting words.
PopCap Games, maker of the widely successful Bejeweled Blitz and the upcoming Zuma Blitz on Facebook, has been in the games biz for a decade now. Roberts attributes their longevity and continued success on their prioritizing content over marketing. Even though Zynga's userbase far exceeds PopCap's on Facebook, Roberts "noted how PopCap's Bejeweled Blitz was kicking the ass of Zynga's Mafia Wars in terms of daily unique visitors, and had done so without spending money on advertising." In the end, Roberts says, "great games are always going to be better than great marketing."
But the antagonism is certainly tinged with respect, since in a more private interview last week, Roberts credits Zynga with "blazing some great trails," for example, FarmVille alone has created millions of new, dedicated players.
Accept all FarmVille gifts with a single click? Yes, you can
One of my biggest pet peeves about playing FarmVille and other Facebook games is accepting gifts from friends. It's a needlessly laborious process, so much so that I put it off during the weekdays and then set aside an hour on the weekends to accept all of my virtual booty. Then I gripe to myself as I click back and forth between the Facebook gifts page and the dozen or so games I play on a regular basis. It's during these moments that I sometimes wonder when playing games started to feel more like work.
farmville gamers united
Until yesterday. I spotted a red button on my Facebook game requests page -- right above my FarmVille gifts -- that said 'Accept All.' Is this something new from Facebook? I wondered. I clicked the button and noticed that one-by-one my gifts were being processed and accepted for FarmVille. Awesome! Then I did the same for Mafia Wars, then FrontierVille. And, always a skeptic, I double checked my games to make sure my gifts arrived -- and there they were. Sweet!
gamers unite one-click giftsAnd then I noticed that this new 'Accept All' button was not from Facebook, but a new offering from Gamers Unite!, a clever and semi-controversial application that help you find friends, lets you trade virtual items (when possible) and -- what's frowned upon the most -- automatically snags all game bonus items from your Facebook feed, no clicking required. Basically, using the Gamers Unite toolbar can get you banned from certain games, and I personally know a few players who will unfriend people who use this application.
So, if you're in the anti-Gamers Unite! camp -- you're probably not going to like what I have to say next. The new one-click gifting is ingenious, so much so that I'm counting down the hours until Zynga or Facebook either put a stop to it or simply buy the app to make it official.
Whether or not you use GU's one-click gifting is up to you, but either way, this new add-on just underscores how badly the social gaming gifting process needs a complete overhaul, making it as easy as possible for us farmers, mobsters and restaurateurs to get our quick game fix without any distractions.
farmville gamers united
Until yesterday. I spotted a red button on my Facebook game requests page -- right above my FarmVille gifts -- that said 'Accept All.' Is this something new from Facebook? I wondered. I clicked the button and noticed that one-by-one my gifts were being processed and accepted for FarmVille. Awesome! Then I did the same for Mafia Wars, then FrontierVille. And, always a skeptic, I double checked my games to make sure my gifts arrived -- and there they were. Sweet!
gamers unite one-click giftsAnd then I noticed that this new 'Accept All' button was not from Facebook, but a new offering from Gamers Unite!, a clever and semi-controversial application that help you find friends, lets you trade virtual items (when possible) and -- what's frowned upon the most -- automatically snags all game bonus items from your Facebook feed, no clicking required. Basically, using the Gamers Unite toolbar can get you banned from certain games, and I personally know a few players who will unfriend people who use this application.
So, if you're in the anti-Gamers Unite! camp -- you're probably not going to like what I have to say next. The new one-click gifting is ingenious, so much so that I'm counting down the hours until Zynga or Facebook either put a stop to it or simply buy the app to make it official.
Whether or not you use GU's one-click gifting is up to you, but either way, this new add-on just underscores how badly the social gaming gifting process needs a complete overhaul, making it as easy as possible for us farmers, mobsters and restaurateurs to get our quick game fix without any distractions.
ESPNU College Town: Bring your favorite sports university to greatness
Famous sports network ESPN has teamed up with Disney's Playdom to create a game that captures the the campus management and college sports experiences at the same time, ESPNU College Town. The game, released today, puts you in charge of a college campus, running everything from building and finance management to maintaining school spirit and athletics teams.
ESPNU College Town, which features over 60 different real-life universities, follows the mold of Playdom's previous hit Social City pretty closely, but differentiates itself in both the subject matter and some key features like Challenges. This unique feature allows you to put your athletics teams (football and basketball thus far) against other players' teams for reputation and the option to recruit team members from the available colleges, which cost either coins or Campus Cash, the game's paid currency.
Check out more of what ESPNU College Town is all about after the break.
ESPNU Challenge
Your victory within Challenges depends on who you choose from your team to act as your All Star, whose stats will be put up against your opponent's All Star. The winner of the game, which is decided for you through a slots-type mini game, receives bragging rights and a notch up on the leaderboards.
To keep your school in tip top shape, you'll need to recruit more students, which is done through building dorms, entertainment venues and academic buildings. Tapping these units whenever available will increase your school spirit, finances, and experience. Leveling up unlocks access to more advanced buildings and venue upgrades, which will in turn allow you to increase your standing in the leaderboards and acquire more All Star players.
ESPNU Campus view
ESPNU College Town is heavily inspired by those before it like Social City to the point where the sports portion of the game feels downplayed. But the game brings a competitive edge to the property management sub genre of social games that could keep fans of games like City of Wonder coming back for more.
Play ESPNU College Town on Facebook Now >
ESPNU College Town, which features over 60 different real-life universities, follows the mold of Playdom's previous hit Social City pretty closely, but differentiates itself in both the subject matter and some key features like Challenges. This unique feature allows you to put your athletics teams (football and basketball thus far) against other players' teams for reputation and the option to recruit team members from the available colleges, which cost either coins or Campus Cash, the game's paid currency.
Check out more of what ESPNU College Town is all about after the break.
ESPNU Challenge
Your victory within Challenges depends on who you choose from your team to act as your All Star, whose stats will be put up against your opponent's All Star. The winner of the game, which is decided for you through a slots-type mini game, receives bragging rights and a notch up on the leaderboards.
To keep your school in tip top shape, you'll need to recruit more students, which is done through building dorms, entertainment venues and academic buildings. Tapping these units whenever available will increase your school spirit, finances, and experience. Leveling up unlocks access to more advanced buildings and venue upgrades, which will in turn allow you to increase your standing in the leaderboards and acquire more All Star players.
ESPNU Campus view
ESPNU College Town is heavily inspired by those before it like Social City to the point where the sports portion of the game feels downplayed. But the game brings a competitive edge to the property management sub genre of social games that could keep fans of games like City of Wonder coming back for more.
Play ESPNU College Town on Facebook Now >
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