This is an official post by Zynga's Platinum Ninja.
YoVille has another lost puppy that will be wandering through town soon!! He is sooooo cute and bound to be one of your favorites too. Who can deny those sweet little eyes. Let's walk through how to get your hands on this sweet little guy!
How to Receive a Beagle Puppy:
Keep your eyes out for the Beagle Lost Puppy Feed. Once you find one you can receive a puppy by clicking "Help Save a Puppy" on one your Friend's Lost Puppy Feeds. Make sure to be one of the first to save this guy to accept this cute puppy. He will then hang out for a few days before the owner comes to pick him up. When the owner comes to get him, he'll reward you and offer you to purchase him at a discount!
yoville lost puppies
How to Post a Feed to your Friends
Keep your eyes out for this guy in game! I've heard he likes to hang out around your rooms, your friends rooms and around town. Once you find him make sure to click on him and '"Share" with your friends so they can collect him too!
Anywho, that's about all folks! Have fun with this puppy and try to see how many you can collect!!
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
YoVille Add Comment Tweet YoVille Hollywood Bedroom Furniture now in stores
YoVille added a wide collection of bedroom furniture inspired from the lavish 30s. For 9 YoCash, you can get a chic animated fireplace or a royal red bed.
The $hiny gold door of fame is yours for 7 YoCash, so hurry up and grab this fancy item! And finally, windows with beautiful hollywood views are available for 3 and 5 YoCash.
A long list of pictures and prices gathered by our Angie is after the link. All previous Hollywood items can be viewed in our item database.
What items are you going to buy? Tell us in comments.
yoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroom
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
The $hiny gold door of fame is yours for 7 YoCash, so hurry up and grab this fancy item! And finally, windows with beautiful hollywood views are available for 3 and 5 YoCash.
A long list of pictures and prices gathered by our Angie is after the link. All previous Hollywood items can be viewed in our item database.
What items are you going to buy? Tell us in comments.
yoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroomyoville hollywood bedroom
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
YoVille: Where is the YoVille Hollywood sign?
The newly released Hollywood furniture line is the talk of the town! Furniture, fashion and mansions form the lavish 30s are here. YoVille has given us the chance to decorate and dress like Hollywood celebrities. But one thing is still missing... Yes, the iconic Hollywood sign! Well Zynga, we want a YoVille Hollywood sign- A big one!
YoVille players who play FarmVille might remember that Zynga added a FarmVille Hollywood sign during the California theme.
Do you want a YoVille Hollywood Sign?
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
YoVille players who play FarmVille might remember that Zynga added a FarmVille Hollywood sign during the California theme.
Do you want a YoVille Hollywood Sign?
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
YoVille: Hollywood Cotumes arrive
yoville hollywood costumes
Get your cameras rolling because new Hollywood fashion has just arrived to the YoVille Clothing boutique. The latest collection of clothes include costumes inspired from very famous celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol. You can also unleash your filming skills with the new director outfit and hand-held clapboard.
As usual, all body costumes are for coins and all hats and accessories are for YoCash.
More pictures are after the link!
yoville hollywood costumesyoville hollywood costumes
yvl
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
Get your cameras rolling because new Hollywood fashion has just arrived to the YoVille Clothing boutique. The latest collection of clothes include costumes inspired from very famous celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol. You can also unleash your filming skills with the new director outfit and hand-held clapboard.
As usual, all body costumes are for coins and all hats and accessories are for YoCash.
More pictures are after the link!
yoville hollywood costumesyoville hollywood costumes
yvl
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
Pet Society: What's your longest break?
pet society break
Today, I logged into Pet Society for the first time in over a week. Poor Sushi was being attacked by a swarm of flies when I found him. While I was in London last week, I had trouble getting onto the game for a couple of reasons:
The hotel's Internet failed
I was too busy touring the city and having fun in the real world
After I returned home, I didn't log into the game for other reasons:
I was too tired from jetlag
I realized that Pet Society isn't as addictive as I'd thought
That last reason has come as a real surprise to me. Some people, including tech writer Michael Arrington, has claimed that games are like cigarettes. I used to think he was right, but now I can say that's not the case at all, at least not for me.
While I was in London, one of the Playfish staffers asked me if I was attached to my pet. I said, yes, I actually do feel affection for Sushi, and I start to miss him if I don't log in every day. I like seeing his cute little expressions and hearing the cheerful Pet Society music. But that was more than 10 days ago. This is the longest break I've ever taken from the game, and the truth is, I haven't really missed Sushi or Pet Society.
That's not to say that I'm quitting the game. Just a few minutes of logging in today reminded me of how much I enjoy seeing Sushi and his little friends. Maybe I'm just feeling Pet Society fatigue, but I've been playing this game since November 2008. In terms of pet age, that makes Sushi a great-great-great grandfather. And perhaps it's time for him to consider retirement... or at least take things slowly for a while.
Have you taken a break from Pet Society? What was the longest time you went without seeing your pet? Were you anxious to get back into the game? Or were you OK with the break?
This article originally appeared on Pet Society Anonymous.
Today, I logged into Pet Society for the first time in over a week. Poor Sushi was being attacked by a swarm of flies when I found him. While I was in London last week, I had trouble getting onto the game for a couple of reasons:
The hotel's Internet failed
I was too busy touring the city and having fun in the real world
After I returned home, I didn't log into the game for other reasons:
I was too tired from jetlag
I realized that Pet Society isn't as addictive as I'd thought
That last reason has come as a real surprise to me. Some people, including tech writer Michael Arrington, has claimed that games are like cigarettes. I used to think he was right, but now I can say that's not the case at all, at least not for me.
While I was in London, one of the Playfish staffers asked me if I was attached to my pet. I said, yes, I actually do feel affection for Sushi, and I start to miss him if I don't log in every day. I like seeing his cute little expressions and hearing the cheerful Pet Society music. But that was more than 10 days ago. This is the longest break I've ever taken from the game, and the truth is, I haven't really missed Sushi or Pet Society.
That's not to say that I'm quitting the game. Just a few minutes of logging in today reminded me of how much I enjoy seeing Sushi and his little friends. Maybe I'm just feeling Pet Society fatigue, but I've been playing this game since November 2008. In terms of pet age, that makes Sushi a great-great-great grandfather. And perhaps it's time for him to consider retirement... or at least take things slowly for a while.
Have you taken a break from Pet Society? What was the longest time you went without seeing your pet? Were you anxious to get back into the game? Or were you OK with the break?
This article originally appeared on Pet Society Anonymous.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
FarmVille Unreleased Gem Trophy, Moss Rock, & Yellow Dome
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Martijn from FarmVille Code Hunters for finding these unreleased Gem Trophy, Lamp Sculpture, Lush Knoll, Moss Rock, & Yellow Dome!
Source: Zynga, FarmVille
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.
Source: Zynga, FarmVille
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 Unreleased Daikon Crop & Daikon Mastery Sign
farmville daikon crop farmville daikon crop farmville daikon crop
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Martijn and FarmVille Freak Hicham for finding these unreleased FarmVille Daikon Crop and Daikon Mastery Sign.
Source: Zynga, FarmVille
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.
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Martijn and FarmVille Freak Hicham for finding these unreleased FarmVille Daikon Crop and Daikon Mastery Sign.
Source: Zynga, FarmVille
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 Unreleased Mafia Wars Mystery Box
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Hicham for finding this unreleased FarmVille Mafia Wars Mystery Box!
Source: Zynga, FarmVille
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.
Source: Zynga, FarmVille
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 Unreleased Animals: Egret & Sika Deer
farmville sika deer
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Shiori for finding these unreleased FarmVille Egret and Sika Deer animals!
Continue reading to see them move!
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Bookmark this site!
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Shiori for finding these unreleased FarmVille Egret and Sika Deer animals!
Continue reading to see them move!
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Bookmark this site!
New Summer Fashion In Clothing Boutique
Yoville added a colorful line of patio furniture. Pool chairs, tables , swings are added for YoCash. While reed candles, cintronella, hurricane lamps, throw pillows, beach towels and umbrellas are also added for YoCoins..
These colorful items will definitely will make your place more relaxing and ready for the hot summer days!
Author's Pick:
Pool Party Umbrella available in different colors for 1995 coins.
Thanks Angie for all pictures and prices.
These colorful items will definitely will make your place more relaxing and ready for the hot summer days!
Author's Pick:
Pool Party Umbrella available in different colors for 1995 coins.
Thanks Angie for all pictures and prices.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
FarmVille Crafting Building Achievements: Cunning Crafter, Super Seller & Best Buyer
FarmVille Crafting Buildings Ribbon Achievements
FarmVille has released some new Ribbon Achievements that work with the new Crafting Building feature.
Your participation in Crafting Buildings and the making, selling, and buying of Crafting Goods can now earn you new ribbon rewards that include the following achievements: Cunning Crafter, Super Seller, and Best Buyer.
Crafting Building Rewards and Requirements:
Cunning Crafter: Crafting Goods will earn you the Cunning Crafter Ribbon.
Super Seller: Selling your Crafting Goods will earn you a Super Seller Ribbon.
Best Buyer: Purchasing Crafting Goods from your FarmVille neighbors will earn you a Best Buyer Ribbon.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FarmVille has released some new Ribbon Achievements that work with the new Crafting Building feature.
Your participation in Crafting Buildings and the making, selling, and buying of Crafting Goods can now earn you new ribbon rewards that include the following achievements: Cunning Crafter, Super Seller, and Best Buyer.
Crafting Building Rewards and Requirements:
Cunning Crafter: Crafting Goods will earn you the Cunning Crafter Ribbon.
Super Seller: Selling your Crafting Goods will earn you a Super Seller Ribbon.
Best Buyer: Purchasing Crafting Goods from your FarmVille neighbors will earn you a Best Buyer Ribbon.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FarmVille Adoptable Lonely Animal - White Tailed Buck
FarmVille White Tail Buck on a Farm
The latest FarmVille lost, lonely and adoptable animal is the White Tailed Buck!
You can adopt your very own White Tailed Buck for free from one of your FarmVille neighbors via the FaceBook newsfeed. Likewise if you find a White Tailed Buck on your farm, you cannot keep it for yourself but will be given the opportunity to post a newsfeed notice to share with your neighbors. What do you think of the newest adoptable, White Tailed Buck?
FarmVille White Tail Buck
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
The latest FarmVille lost, lonely and adoptable animal is the White Tailed Buck!
You can adopt your very own White Tailed Buck for free from one of your FarmVille neighbors via the FaceBook newsfeed. Likewise if you find a White Tailed Buck on your farm, you cannot keep it for yourself but will be given the opportunity to post a newsfeed notice to share with your neighbors. What do you think of the newest adoptable, White Tailed Buck?
FarmVille White Tail Buck
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FarmVille Crafting Building & Bushels Upgraded
FarmVille Buy All Crafting Ingredients for Sweet Sake
FarmVille has upgraded Bushels to include a few new features.
You can now purchase Crafting Building Recipe ingredients directly from the FarmVille Market. You may buy ingredients for your Recipe including complete Bushel sets in the FarmVille Market for 3 FV$ farm cash. If you don't have the required Bushels or can't "adopt" any from a friend, this will help out anyone missing a few obscure Bushels for a Crafting Building Recipe.
In another Bushel upgrade, the storage capacity for Bushels has been increased to 100 Bushels.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FarmVille has upgraded Bushels to include a few new features.
You can now purchase Crafting Building Recipe ingredients directly from the FarmVille Market. You may buy ingredients for your Recipe including complete Bushel sets in the FarmVille Market for 3 FV$ farm cash. If you don't have the required Bushels or can't "adopt" any from a friend, this will help out anyone missing a few obscure Bushels for a Crafting Building Recipe.
In another Bushel upgrade, the storage capacity for Bushels has been increased to 100 Bushels.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Bejeweled Blitz gives away 5 free Facebook Credits to fans
Bejewled Blitz gives away 5 free Facebook Credits
Even if you're not a Bejeweled Blitz fan (which I can't imagine why, being hopelessly addicted to the thing), Facebook gamers would find the offer of 5 free Facebook Credits too good to pass up. Granted, the monetary value of this giveaway is approximately 50 cents USD, but add that to the recent $1 to $2.50 USD in FB Credits given out by Facebook itself, and that can add up.
On top of that, FB Credits aren't an exclusive games currency, so you can use them for games that you do play. Fans and new players can grab their freebie by logging into Facebook, then clicking here.
Update: Since our readers have been asking how to use their 5 FB Credits, here's some instructions:
Bejeweled Blitz Boost Menu
1) Click on "BOOSTS" at the bottom of the screen.
2) Then click on "ADD COINS" on the top of the screen. This will take you to the payment menu.
3) Currently, 5 FB Credits can buy you 30,000 coins for Boosts.
Bejeweled Blitz Add More Coins
This is just for Bejeweled Blitz. If you want to know how to use your Facebook Credits for other games, the experience will differ. But for the most part, if you buy something that requires FB Credits, just click "Buy" and the game will figure out the rest for you.
Even if you're not a Bejeweled Blitz fan (which I can't imagine why, being hopelessly addicted to the thing), Facebook gamers would find the offer of 5 free Facebook Credits too good to pass up. Granted, the monetary value of this giveaway is approximately 50 cents USD, but add that to the recent $1 to $2.50 USD in FB Credits given out by Facebook itself, and that can add up.
On top of that, FB Credits aren't an exclusive games currency, so you can use them for games that you do play. Fans and new players can grab their freebie by logging into Facebook, then clicking here.
Update: Since our readers have been asking how to use their 5 FB Credits, here's some instructions:
Bejeweled Blitz Boost Menu
1) Click on "BOOSTS" at the bottom of the screen.
2) Then click on "ADD COINS" on the top of the screen. This will take you to the payment menu.
3) Currently, 5 FB Credits can buy you 30,000 coins for Boosts.
Bejeweled Blitz Add More Coins
This is just for Bejeweled Blitz. If you want to know how to use your Facebook Credits for other games, the experience will differ. But for the most part, if you buy something that requires FB Credits, just click "Buy" and the game will figure out the rest for you.
Happy Island's candylicious new decor inspired by Charlie the Unicorn viral video
If you guys haven't checked out the extremely weird but hilarious "Charlie the Unicorn" film from 2005, then now's the time, because Happy Island's latest items release is completely in on the joke, even if they've yet to admit.
Happy Aquarium Taffy Hill, Fuzzy Unicorn, and other candy decorations
Taffy Hill (for 60 Facebook Credits; $6 USD) is essentially the Candy Mountain cave in the film, and the Fuzzy Unicorn (for 75,000 Coins) is, well, a purple unicorn, which is also in the film. Taffy Hill and Candy Hall (for 32 FB Credits; $3.20 USD) are Limited Edition attractions. This means that they'll be available while supplies last, and you can upgrade them! Upgrades in Happy Island usually get you bigger and cooler looking buildings. So we're very excited.
Another premium item, the red gumdrop Berry Sweet Stand, isn't limited, and goes for 35 FB Credits or $3.50 USD. And for those who don't want to spend real money, there's the Candy Hut topped with pink meringue for 80,000 Coins.
Happy Island candy decor
Decor-wise, you've got Candy Corn for 3 FB Credits (30 cents USD), while everything else -- Eclair, Cupcake, and Lollipop Swirl -- is available for coins.
Happy Aquarium Taffy Hill, Fuzzy Unicorn, and other candy decorations
Taffy Hill (for 60 Facebook Credits; $6 USD) is essentially the Candy Mountain cave in the film, and the Fuzzy Unicorn (for 75,000 Coins) is, well, a purple unicorn, which is also in the film. Taffy Hill and Candy Hall (for 32 FB Credits; $3.20 USD) are Limited Edition attractions. This means that they'll be available while supplies last, and you can upgrade them! Upgrades in Happy Island usually get you bigger and cooler looking buildings. So we're very excited.
Another premium item, the red gumdrop Berry Sweet Stand, isn't limited, and goes for 35 FB Credits or $3.50 USD. And for those who don't want to spend real money, there's the Candy Hut topped with pink meringue for 80,000 Coins.
Happy Island candy decor
Decor-wise, you've got Candy Corn for 3 FB Credits (30 cents USD), while everything else -- Eclair, Cupcake, and Lollipop Swirl -- is available for coins.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
DateBid brings creepy social gaming twist to online dating
And here we thought date auctions were just a fiction created by hack writers for third-rate sitcoms and romantic comedies. No, apparently they are a real thing, or a virtually real thing, at least, thanks to a new social game called DateBid.
Just launched on Facebook (and coming soon to other social networks), DateBid gives new members 5,000 "Datebid Fun Dollars" to bid on auctions for virtual webcam dates with other desperate shutins virtual daters. Accumulate enough fun dollars and you can redeem the balance for prizes from retailers like Victoria's Secret, Best Buy, and Apple, or donate the proceeds to charity. Selling your affection to the highest bidder has never been simpler!
If the idea of spending virtual money to get virtual webcam dates with strangers seems creepy to you, the people behind DateBid would like to assure you that you are wrong. "Our vision for DateBid is to combine the excitement of social gaming and online dating for a safe, fun, and socially engaging way to meet new people," said Alex Yamane, Chief Technology Officer for DateBid. "With our online and mobile webcam dates, we solve the problem of not knowing for sure whether the person you meet online is really who they say they are."
Hey, if it gets me an iPad, I don't care who's on the other end of that webcam.
Just launched on Facebook (and coming soon to other social networks), DateBid gives new members 5,000 "Datebid Fun Dollars" to bid on auctions for virtual webcam dates with other desperate shutins virtual daters. Accumulate enough fun dollars and you can redeem the balance for prizes from retailers like Victoria's Secret, Best Buy, and Apple, or donate the proceeds to charity. Selling your affection to the highest bidder has never been simpler!
If the idea of spending virtual money to get virtual webcam dates with strangers seems creepy to you, the people behind DateBid would like to assure you that you are wrong. "Our vision for DateBid is to combine the excitement of social gaming and online dating for a safe, fun, and socially engaging way to meet new people," said Alex Yamane, Chief Technology Officer for DateBid. "With our online and mobile webcam dates, we solve the problem of not knowing for sure whether the person you meet online is really who they say they are."
Hey, if it gets me an iPad, I don't care who's on the other end of that webcam.
Team Crossword: Your new Facebook gaming addiction
The pointy hatted wizards at the Microsoft FUSE studio have conjured up Team Crossword, a cool mix of a standard crossword puzzle and social gaming staples -- friend invites, chat options and Facebook sharing. If you don't know 25 DOWN you can post that to your Facebook stream and have your friends join you in the game. Still having trouble with the whole puzzle? Share the link via email and your friend can join you in real-time to work on the puzzle.
The interface is not perfect -- It took a while to figure out how to type the answer into the correct box, in the correct direction. Despite that one small quirk, anyone with a knack for crosswords will want to give this new Facebook game a go.
Click here to play Team Crossword Now >
Here is the official information about the game from the about section:
About Team Crossword
Team Crossword was primarily developed by 3 members of the Microsoft FUSE Labs team during the semi-annual creative week. The inspiration for the project comes from the weekly inter-family tug of war that occurs at Matt's house with the paper version of the Sunday crossword puzzle. And Jeff wanted to finally build some software his mom would like.
Technologies used to build Team Crossword include:ASP.net MVC 2, jQuery, SQL Azure, Visual Studio 2010, and it's hosted on Windows Azure. Crossword puzzle data is provided by uClick LLC.
To provide feedback or report an issue, please visit our support/feature ideas forum, or else email us at xwrd AT microsoft dot com
Happy (team) puzzling!
The interface is not perfect -- It took a while to figure out how to type the answer into the correct box, in the correct direction. Despite that one small quirk, anyone with a knack for crosswords will want to give this new Facebook game a go.
Click here to play Team Crossword Now >
Here is the official information about the game from the about section:
About Team Crossword
Team Crossword was primarily developed by 3 members of the Microsoft FUSE Labs team during the semi-annual creative week. The inspiration for the project comes from the weekly inter-family tug of war that occurs at Matt's house with the paper version of the Sunday crossword puzzle. And Jeff wanted to finally build some software his mom would like.
Technologies used to build Team Crossword include:ASP.net MVC 2, jQuery, SQL Azure, Visual Studio 2010, and it's hosted on Windows Azure. Crossword puzzle data is provided by uClick LLC.
To provide feedback or report an issue, please visit our support/feature ideas forum, or else email us at xwrd AT microsoft dot com
Happy (team) puzzling!
FarmVille Pig Truffle Hunting: Sniff out special 'shrooms for cool rewards
FarmVille Pigpens debuted last week. Most farmers have already built their Pigpens and were waiting for the next steps. Starting tonight, farmers began having access to the Truffle Hunting that works with Pigpens. Note, this feature is being rolled out in phases, so if you do not have access yet, you soon will.
farmville pig trufflin
So how does Truffle Hunting work? You can start by accessing this feature through your FarmVille Pigpen. You can use your Pigs to hunt for Truffles on your neighbors' farms. The better Pigs, will give better Truffles. The better Truffles can be traded in for prizes which will include some new Pigs. Some of the prizes you can get are a Strawberry Pig and Black Pig.
1. Make Pig Slop from Bushels.
2. Feed your Pig Slop.
3. Hunt with fed Pig.
FarmVille Pigpen Click to Start Hunting
Pigs that have just hunted for Truffles will need to rest for 2 days in the Pigsty and catch up on their sleep before they can hunt again.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
farmville pig trufflin
So how does Truffle Hunting work? You can start by accessing this feature through your FarmVille Pigpen. You can use your Pigs to hunt for Truffles on your neighbors' farms. The better Pigs, will give better Truffles. The better Truffles can be traded in for prizes which will include some new Pigs. Some of the prizes you can get are a Strawberry Pig and Black Pig.
1. Make Pig Slop from Bushels.
2. Feed your Pig Slop.
3. Hunt with fed Pig.
FarmVille Pigpen Click to Start Hunting
Pigs that have just hunted for Truffles will need to rest for 2 days in the Pigsty and catch up on their sleep before they can hunt again.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FIFA Superstars: EA Account Link feature for FIFA 11 demo is now live!
Assuming you soccer football fanatics haven't been living under a rock for the past few months, EA Sports has been inundating us with updates on the September 28 release of FIFA 11. However, an apparently accidental update to FIFA Superstars will soon allow you to link your EA Account with your Facebook game.
According to the instructions (which we found on the Playfish forums), linking your accounts will allow you reap benefits while playing the yet-to-be-released demo of FIFA 11 on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 (sorry, Wii wagglers, no linking for you).
Sorry folks, the update page has since been taken down, but it should come back when the FIFA 11 demo launches.
Update: Playfish has updated the FIFA Superstars fan page with a teaser for the new EA Account link feature. However, there's still no word on when the demo will touch down.
Update #2: This news also comes with the announcement of the FIFA 11 Creation Centre, a new online feature for those who preordered FIFA 11 for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Take a look and create your dream team before the game releases and import your creations into the game when it finally launches.
Update 3: The EA Account Link feature is now live! Head over to FIFA Superstars to link your EA Account with the FIFA 11 demo set to release September 16 to get bonuses to your FIFA Superstars team while playing.
Continue reading to find out more about these cool bonuses that you'll soon be able to receive.
The log-in page for FIFA Superstars FIFA 11 demo link.
According to the image above, all you'll need to do is enter your e-mail address and password for your EA Account and once the demo releases, your two games will be linked. From there, here's what you'll receive when playing the FIFA 11 demo:
11 Match Points - playing the demo (we're assuming this is just for your first log-in)
One Gold Player - score a goal
30,000 Gold Coins - Win 5 matches
11 Match Credits - Play 10 matches
Gold Transfers - Win 15 matches
Stay tuned to FIFA Superstars for when this feature officially launches!
According to the instructions (which we found on the Playfish forums), linking your accounts will allow you reap benefits while playing the yet-to-be-released demo of FIFA 11 on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 (sorry, Wii wagglers, no linking for you).
Sorry folks, the update page has since been taken down, but it should come back when the FIFA 11 demo launches.
Update: Playfish has updated the FIFA Superstars fan page with a teaser for the new EA Account link feature. However, there's still no word on when the demo will touch down.
Update #2: This news also comes with the announcement of the FIFA 11 Creation Centre, a new online feature for those who preordered FIFA 11 for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Take a look and create your dream team before the game releases and import your creations into the game when it finally launches.
Update 3: The EA Account Link feature is now live! Head over to FIFA Superstars to link your EA Account with the FIFA 11 demo set to release September 16 to get bonuses to your FIFA Superstars team while playing.
Continue reading to find out more about these cool bonuses that you'll soon be able to receive.
The log-in page for FIFA Superstars FIFA 11 demo link.
According to the image above, all you'll need to do is enter your e-mail address and password for your EA Account and once the demo releases, your two games will be linked. From there, here's what you'll receive when playing the FIFA 11 demo:
11 Match Points - playing the demo (we're assuming this is just for your first log-in)
One Gold Player - score a goal
30,000 Gold Coins - Win 5 matches
11 Match Credits - Play 10 matches
Gold Transfers - Win 15 matches
Stay tuned to FIFA Superstars for when this feature officially launches!
The FrontierVille Game Bar is here: Get free Horshoes for installing!
The FrontierVille Gamebar Promotional logo
Want to know exactly when it's time to greet your friends on the homestead? Zynga just released the FrontierVille game bar for both Internet Explorer 7+ and Firefox 2 and up (sorry, Chrome fans, nothing for you just yet).
First things first, installing the game bar places an extra toolbar beneath your browser's address bar that will net you 20 free Horseshoes and an extra one daily for 15 days. Continue reading for a short guide on how to install the FrontierVille game bar on your browser and learn what other bonuses you'll receive.
The install page for the FrontierVille game bar install.
Installing the FrontierVille game bar is pretty simple. Just go to this install page and you'll see an option to either log in usingInstall Prompt for the FrontierVille Game bar Facebook Connect or to simply install the game bar if you're already logged in.
Then you'll probably be asked by your browser to confirm that you want to install the add-on. Confirm it and you'll be prompted to restart your browser for the install to take effect.
Voila! You can now access FrontierVille right from your browser and get up-to-the-second updates on:
When your crops will be ready for harvest
You energy levels as well as free energy every eight hours
Instant updates on who is visiting your homestead
Check out the FrontierVille game bar now and claim your free Horseshoes.
Want to know exactly when it's time to greet your friends on the homestead? Zynga just released the FrontierVille game bar for both Internet Explorer 7+ and Firefox 2 and up (sorry, Chrome fans, nothing for you just yet).
First things first, installing the game bar places an extra toolbar beneath your browser's address bar that will net you 20 free Horseshoes and an extra one daily for 15 days. Continue reading for a short guide on how to install the FrontierVille game bar on your browser and learn what other bonuses you'll receive.
The install page for the FrontierVille game bar install.
Installing the FrontierVille game bar is pretty simple. Just go to this install page and you'll see an option to either log in usingInstall Prompt for the FrontierVille Game bar Facebook Connect or to simply install the game bar if you're already logged in.
Then you'll probably be asked by your browser to confirm that you want to install the add-on. Confirm it and you'll be prompted to restart your browser for the install to take effect.
Voila! You can now access FrontierVille right from your browser and get up-to-the-second updates on:
When your crops will be ready for harvest
You energy levels as well as free energy every eight hours
Instant updates on who is visiting your homestead
Check out the FrontierVille game bar now and claim your free Horseshoes.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
New YoVille Free Cottage Blue Mystery Box: Find out what's inside
A new YoVille Mystery item was added to the Free Gift page today! Cottage Blue Mystery Box holds several lovely items to use in any room in your Cottage: Credenzas in different colors, dressers, wooden sconces... and of course, Coins and YoCash are available in this mystery box as well!
Check some of the items after the link and tell us what you got from your mystery boxes in comments!
Thank you Yodinaryguy for the pictures!
yoville cottage blue mystery box prizesyoville cottage blue mystery box prizesyoville cottage blue mystery box prizesyoville cottage blue mystery box prizesyoville cottage blue mystery box prizes
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
Check some of the items after the link and tell us what you got from your mystery boxes in comments!
Thank you Yodinaryguy for the pictures!
yoville cottage blue mystery box prizesyoville cottage blue mystery box prizesyoville cottage blue mystery box prizesyoville cottage blue mystery box prizesyoville cottage blue mystery box prizes
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
YoVille factory & jobs dish out double coins
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
Cafe World Goals: Everything you need to know
On top of the festivities for Cafe World's One Year Anniversary, Zynga has added new goals to the game that work much like those in FrontierVille. In other words: fulfill the goals requirements and you'll be rewarded extra coins. This is pretty standard stuff, but a welcome addition nonetheless. You can find these new goals as they appear just beneath your Cafe Buzz Rating and your progress will automatically update in little pop-ups that will appear as you press on.
The general theme of these new goals is coffee to help you along the path to the new coffee recipes, but there are goals for beginners as well. There is also a goal, "Fast as Lightning," designed to get you your very first Lightning Stove or some extra rewards if you've been there and done that. Many of the goals' requirements can be unlocked through Cafe Cash if you want to live life in the expensive fast lane.
Join us behind the break for a detailed look at how these new goals work.
Flip Some Burgers
When a new goal appears underneath your Buzz Rating, clicking on it will open a window detailing what needs to be done for said goal. For beginners, you'll find a goal titled "Flip Some Burgers," which pretty much explains it all. After serving 10 order Bacon Cheeseburgers and cleaning 10 stoves, you'll be rewarded with 100 coins and access to two new goals, "Elegant Simplicity" and "Go Taste Testing."
If you're concerned about your progress, you can click on the goal again to see where you are, but you'll be updated on the fly as you move forward with pop-ups on the left side of your screen. It looks as though only a few new goals will be available at a time, making for a linear progression throughout. We'd like to see a feature in the future that allows you to see all of your goals and reorder them to your liking, which is again something that has been improved in FrontierVille.
Flip Some Bugers Completed
Unfortunately, the exact rewards for the later goals is unknown as this feature is brand new, but we can only imagine the rewards getting better as the goals become more daunting. So, consider these new goals an incentive to spruce up the place, will ya?
The general theme of these new goals is coffee to help you along the path to the new coffee recipes, but there are goals for beginners as well. There is also a goal, "Fast as Lightning," designed to get you your very first Lightning Stove or some extra rewards if you've been there and done that. Many of the goals' requirements can be unlocked through Cafe Cash if you want to live life in the expensive fast lane.
Join us behind the break for a detailed look at how these new goals work.
Flip Some Burgers
When a new goal appears underneath your Buzz Rating, clicking on it will open a window detailing what needs to be done for said goal. For beginners, you'll find a goal titled "Flip Some Burgers," which pretty much explains it all. After serving 10 order Bacon Cheeseburgers and cleaning 10 stoves, you'll be rewarded with 100 coins and access to two new goals, "Elegant Simplicity" and "Go Taste Testing."
If you're concerned about your progress, you can click on the goal again to see where you are, but you'll be updated on the fly as you move forward with pop-ups on the left side of your screen. It looks as though only a few new goals will be available at a time, making for a linear progression throughout. We'd like to see a feature in the future that allows you to see all of your goals and reorder them to your liking, which is again something that has been improved in FrontierVille.
Flip Some Bugers Completed
Unfortunately, the exact rewards for the later goals is unknown as this feature is brand new, but we can only imagine the rewards getting better as the goals become more daunting. So, consider these new goals an incentive to spruce up the place, will ya?
FIFA 11 for iPhone & iPod Touch: Portable footie redefined [video]
fifa 11 iphone ipad
Fans of the popular soccer games know that FIFA 11 was just released for video game consoles yesterday. However, in addition to FIFA on the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC, and FIFA Superstars on Facebook, there is another way to experience the venerable football sim. I'm talking about the new FIFA 11 for iPhone and iPod Touch.
fifa 11 iphone ipad
Unlike FIFA Superstars on Facebook, this is no watered down FIFA experience. The FIFA 11 iPhone/iPod Touch game is a full FIFA game featuring dozens of teams, comprehensive and deep gameplay, and some pretty flashy graphics for a game played on a phone.
Continue reading to see some footage straight from the upcoming FIFA 11 iPhone/iPod Touch game.
If you didn't believe me before when I said FIFA 11 for iPhone and iPod Touch would be a legitimate footie game, check out the videos below. As always you'll have to dribble, pass, defend, and score your way to victory. Don't forget to use that ever important Through Ball button.
The first video shows off the penalty kick taking system in FIFA 11 for iPhone and iPod Touch. The second video displays a little more action as we get to see a somewhat floppy Real Madrid goal.
So yeah, I think us veterans can agree that whoever was playing in the videos above is terrible at FIFA 11. They not only managed to botch a penalty kick with David Villa, but they also managed to concede a goal when their defenders heavily outnumbered Real Madrid striker: Gonzalo Higuain. Regardless, you got to see a glimpse of the FIFA 11 iPhone and iPod Touch game in action before it hits the app store. You have to admit, it looks pretty gorgeous and fluid for an iPhone/iPod game.
There is a catch: To play FIFA 11 on iPhone and iPod Touch you must have a recent model: a third generation iPod Touch or an iPhone 3g. Sorry about that old iPod owners.
Look out for the FIFA 11 iPhone/iPod Touch game, sure to be available very soon (it's already out in New Zealand right now).
Check back in with The Blog to see the latest gaming news.
Fans of the popular soccer games know that FIFA 11 was just released for video game consoles yesterday. However, in addition to FIFA on the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC, and FIFA Superstars on Facebook, there is another way to experience the venerable football sim. I'm talking about the new FIFA 11 for iPhone and iPod Touch.
fifa 11 iphone ipad
Unlike FIFA Superstars on Facebook, this is no watered down FIFA experience. The FIFA 11 iPhone/iPod Touch game is a full FIFA game featuring dozens of teams, comprehensive and deep gameplay, and some pretty flashy graphics for a game played on a phone.
Continue reading to see some footage straight from the upcoming FIFA 11 iPhone/iPod Touch game.
If you didn't believe me before when I said FIFA 11 for iPhone and iPod Touch would be a legitimate footie game, check out the videos below. As always you'll have to dribble, pass, defend, and score your way to victory. Don't forget to use that ever important Through Ball button.
The first video shows off the penalty kick taking system in FIFA 11 for iPhone and iPod Touch. The second video displays a little more action as we get to see a somewhat floppy Real Madrid goal.
So yeah, I think us veterans can agree that whoever was playing in the videos above is terrible at FIFA 11. They not only managed to botch a penalty kick with David Villa, but they also managed to concede a goal when their defenders heavily outnumbered Real Madrid striker: Gonzalo Higuain. Regardless, you got to see a glimpse of the FIFA 11 iPhone and iPod Touch game in action before it hits the app store. You have to admit, it looks pretty gorgeous and fluid for an iPhone/iPod game.
There is a catch: To play FIFA 11 on iPhone and iPod Touch you must have a recent model: a third generation iPod Touch or an iPhone 3g. Sorry about that old iPod owners.
Look out for the FIFA 11 iPhone/iPod Touch game, sure to be available very soon (it's already out in New Zealand right now).
Check back in with The Blog to see the latest gaming news.
FarmVille Combine Vehicle: This super-tractor plants, harvests and plows all at once
The FarmVille Combine Vehicle has finally arrived in the Market. The Combine costs 500,000 coins to buy the chassis and then you have to collect 40 Vehicle parts from friends to complete it. Or, you can buy a completed version for 110 Farm Cash. More details coming soon.
A special thanks to nazfarm for the image of the completed Combine.
farmville combine chassis -- hot rod combine
farmville super combine chassis
Once the Combine tractor is built, it can be leveled up to plow more plots by feeding it vehicle parts. Here's a breakdown of how many plots the Combine can plow/plant/harvest at each level, and how many parts you need to collect to make it a serious multi-tasking machine:
Level 1: 2x2 plot
Level 2: 6 parts for 3x2 plot
Level 3: 15 parts for 3x3 plot
Level 4: 30 parts for 4x3 plot
Level 5: 45 parts for 4x4 plot
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
A special thanks to nazfarm for the image of the completed Combine.
farmville combine chassis -- hot rod combine
farmville super combine chassis
Once the Combine tractor is built, it can be leveled up to plow more plots by feeding it vehicle parts. Here's a breakdown of how many plots the Combine can plow/plant/harvest at each level, and how many parts you need to collect to make it a serious multi-tasking machine:
Level 1: 2x2 plot
Level 2: 6 parts for 3x2 plot
Level 3: 15 parts for 3x3 plot
Level 4: 30 parts for 4x3 plot
Level 5: 45 parts for 4x4 plot
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Cute Game of The Day: Match a Pretty Kitty
Today's cute-ness overload arrives in the form of this memory game where the goal is to match pictures of adorable kittens. It sounds simple, but once you start playing, you won't be able to stop until every kitten card has been overturned. See if you can resist this game's charm -- we dare you.
Click to play Match a Pretty Kitty >
Click to play Match a Pretty Kitty >
Video Game Reviews: Sonic 4, Comic Jumper, Super Meat Boy
Our latest batch of video game reviews tackles downloadable games that you can buy right now through Xbox Live, PlayStation Network or WiiWare. We take a look at the return of one of video gaming's biggest characters, as well as two new debuts.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, WiiWare
Sonic the Hedgehog is one of video gaming's most popular characters, but he has seen a bit of a slump over the past several years. Thankfully, Sega is returning to the speed that made Sonic famous in the first place with the new Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. Available as a downloadable game on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Sonic 4 focuses on what made the Sonic games so memorable on the Sega Genesis.
The action is all about pure speed, from the loops and curves found on most levels to a homing attack Sonic has brought over to this 2D environment. Sonic 4's colors pop and the world is presented in gorgeous high-definition, making anyone who has ever played an old school Sonic game geek out. The music can get a little annoying, and they're the only part of the package that hasn't tried to evolve, sticking to the chip tunes of old.
A return to form, Sonic 4 is just what Sega needed to kickstart this video game icon's return to the mainstream. The levels show enough variety and the gameplay is speedy enough to make this a fun time, and it's a must-have for anyone who wants to relive Sonic's speed in brand new HD environments.
Games.com Overall Score: 4 (out of 5 sonic booms)
Joystiq: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1
Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley
Xbox 360
Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley is a new downloadable game from Twisted Pixel Games, the makers of other Xbox Live titles The Maw and Splosion Man. In Comic Jumper, you take control of Captain Smiley, a hapless comic book super hero that has probably seen his best days behind him. Teamed up with Star, a (wait for it) star that is embedded into his chest, Captain Smiley travels through different comic book-themed levels with guns a-blazin', all in the hopes of regaining his original street cred.
Graphically, Comic Jumper is very impressive, with some great animation to accompany the varied environments as you go from comic book to comic book. Each level has a unique visual style that should be familiar to anyone who has read comics. The first level, set in today's world, has a normal color palette, but as you get into the game, you'll see that the next book (loosely based on The Adventures of Conan) has a more washed out appearance. It's a really cool touch that will make you want to play more.
The gameplay also shows variety, as the main action takes place as a side-scroller with bullets flying everywhere, but there will be moments in the game that will have it turn into a brawler, and other times as a timed-button game where you have to press the correct button at just the right time to plow through the level. Some of the levels can get a little long, but just when you start to get bored, Comic Jumper mixes it up for you.
All of this makes for a pretty good game, but Comic Jumper becomes a great one thanks to its uncanny sense of humor. The script has lot of funny moments, from the jerk who yells out insults when you lose a life ("Hope no one's watching!") to the dialogue Captain Smiley has with Star and the other characters in the game. Just play until the end of the first level for a priceless encounter between the two heroes for an example of the humor.
Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley really came out of left field for me, and is one of the best games to hit Xbox Live this year. If you're a comic book fan or in need of a good laugh, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up.
Games.com Overall Score: 5 (out of 5 BLAM-KAPOW-BAMs)
Joystiq: Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley
Super Meat Boy
Xbox 360, WiiWare
Super Meat Boy started life as a playable web game on Meat Boy at newgrounds.com and since release has gained over 8 million plays. Now, Super Meat Boy is splattering onto consoles with enhanced graphics and new levels as a downloadable game.
The premise of Super Meat Boy is pretty standard save-the-princess fare, but with a bunch of characters that are very unique in video games. The graphics are a strange mix of cute and gross, so it's not for kids. However, if you're looking for a mix of jumping action with some puzzle elements, Super Meat Boy is worth a try.
Our hero, SMB, has the ability to run quickly and jump, and he must navigate cliffs and platforms to get to your heroine in as quick a time as possible. The game can be very challenging, but the more you play, the better you'll get at it. Sometimes, the game's challenge can be frustrating, but practice makes perfect.
If you're looking for a game with a bit more edge, and you want to play the sequel to one of the web's most popular casual games ever, Super Meat Boy could be for you!
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, WiiWare
Sonic the Hedgehog is one of video gaming's most popular characters, but he has seen a bit of a slump over the past several years. Thankfully, Sega is returning to the speed that made Sonic famous in the first place with the new Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. Available as a downloadable game on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Sonic 4 focuses on what made the Sonic games so memorable on the Sega Genesis.
The action is all about pure speed, from the loops and curves found on most levels to a homing attack Sonic has brought over to this 2D environment. Sonic 4's colors pop and the world is presented in gorgeous high-definition, making anyone who has ever played an old school Sonic game geek out. The music can get a little annoying, and they're the only part of the package that hasn't tried to evolve, sticking to the chip tunes of old.
A return to form, Sonic 4 is just what Sega needed to kickstart this video game icon's return to the mainstream. The levels show enough variety and the gameplay is speedy enough to make this a fun time, and it's a must-have for anyone who wants to relive Sonic's speed in brand new HD environments.
Games.com Overall Score: 4 (out of 5 sonic booms)
Joystiq: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1
Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley
Xbox 360
Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley is a new downloadable game from Twisted Pixel Games, the makers of other Xbox Live titles The Maw and Splosion Man. In Comic Jumper, you take control of Captain Smiley, a hapless comic book super hero that has probably seen his best days behind him. Teamed up with Star, a (wait for it) star that is embedded into his chest, Captain Smiley travels through different comic book-themed levels with guns a-blazin', all in the hopes of regaining his original street cred.
Graphically, Comic Jumper is very impressive, with some great animation to accompany the varied environments as you go from comic book to comic book. Each level has a unique visual style that should be familiar to anyone who has read comics. The first level, set in today's world, has a normal color palette, but as you get into the game, you'll see that the next book (loosely based on The Adventures of Conan) has a more washed out appearance. It's a really cool touch that will make you want to play more.
The gameplay also shows variety, as the main action takes place as a side-scroller with bullets flying everywhere, but there will be moments in the game that will have it turn into a brawler, and other times as a timed-button game where you have to press the correct button at just the right time to plow through the level. Some of the levels can get a little long, but just when you start to get bored, Comic Jumper mixes it up for you.
All of this makes for a pretty good game, but Comic Jumper becomes a great one thanks to its uncanny sense of humor. The script has lot of funny moments, from the jerk who yells out insults when you lose a life ("Hope no one's watching!") to the dialogue Captain Smiley has with Star and the other characters in the game. Just play until the end of the first level for a priceless encounter between the two heroes for an example of the humor.
Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley really came out of left field for me, and is one of the best games to hit Xbox Live this year. If you're a comic book fan or in need of a good laugh, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up.
Games.com Overall Score: 5 (out of 5 BLAM-KAPOW-BAMs)
Joystiq: Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley
Super Meat Boy
Xbox 360, WiiWare
Super Meat Boy started life as a playable web game on Meat Boy at newgrounds.com and since release has gained over 8 million plays. Now, Super Meat Boy is splattering onto consoles with enhanced graphics and new levels as a downloadable game.
The premise of Super Meat Boy is pretty standard save-the-princess fare, but with a bunch of characters that are very unique in video games. The graphics are a strange mix of cute and gross, so it's not for kids. However, if you're looking for a mix of jumping action with some puzzle elements, Super Meat Boy is worth a try.
Our hero, SMB, has the ability to run quickly and jump, and he must navigate cliffs and platforms to get to your heroine in as quick a time as possible. The game can be very challenging, but the more you play, the better you'll get at it. Sometimes, the game's challenge can be frustrating, but practice makes perfect.
If you're looking for a game with a bit more edge, and you want to play the sequel to one of the web's most popular casual games ever, Super Meat Boy could be for you!
Mafia Wars Halloween Loot: Grab devilish items for a nightmarish price
Been waiting to get your spook on in the streets of Italy? Zynga will be adding four intense, limited edition loot items to Mafia Wars on Oct. 28. With names like Nightmare, Doom Gauntlet and Hell Sickle, Mafia Wars is definitely looking to the badass side of Halloween.
Each item will cost 35 Reward Points, or around $7 with the sale going on right now, and will be available through Halloween. Honestly, the chance to ride around on a chopper made of bones while wielding a hellish sickle with a hand wrapped in doom might be worth every penny.
But take a look at the stats on the other three items after the break to be the judge of that.
Bone Cycle
Doom Gauntlet
Hell Sickle
With maximum stats not even breaking 80 points, asking around $7 for each of these items might be a bit much. Unless you take into account the coolness factor, which could make these items totally worth it.
Each item will cost 35 Reward Points, or around $7 with the sale going on right now, and will be available through Halloween. Honestly, the chance to ride around on a chopper made of bones while wielding a hellish sickle with a hand wrapped in doom might be worth every penny.
But take a look at the stats on the other three items after the break to be the judge of that.
Bone Cycle
Doom Gauntlet
Hell Sickle
With maximum stats not even breaking 80 points, asking around $7 for each of these items might be a bit much. Unless you take into account the coolness factor, which could make these items totally worth it.
Treasure Isle Hallows Eve map is jam-packed with monstrous Quests
Hallows Eve
There's nothing better do to during Halloween than dress up in ridiculous outfits, eat candy and... journey to treacherous islands in search of buried treasure. Well, not everybody can manage that (next year, buddy, next year), but you can live the dream in Treasure Isle with yet another new map. Titled "Hallows Eve," this brand new map contains seven scary islands and a new set of Quests that will be available through Nov. 2.
Pumpkin Preparation
The Quests task you with preparing the ultimate Halloween Party for Draculina. First you'll need to carve five pumpkins and find the best pumpkin pie recipe out there from the Pumpkin King. After finishing the job, it's off to the next Quest titled "Witch's Brew."
Take a look behind the break for a sneak peek at this next daunting task.
Witch's Brew
In the Witch's Brew Quest, players will have to find a long series of ingredients, but luckily you can travel to the map that contains each item instantly through the Quest menu. Better yet, as you drudge through each task, you'll be updated on your progress in the lower left corner of the screen.
Treasure Isle Quest
We imagine there is a task associated with each of the seven islands in the Hallows Eve map, so expect to be in it for the long haul this Halloween weekend. And be on the lookout for five new quests as, according to Zynga, they're on the way soon. In the meantime, try your luck at completing the seven new collections associated with Hallows Eve:
Crazy Science
Devious Decor
Fall Fashion
Famous Frights
Jack o' Lanterns
Spirited Spooks
Witches Wardrobe
There's nothing better do to during Halloween than dress up in ridiculous outfits, eat candy and... journey to treacherous islands in search of buried treasure. Well, not everybody can manage that (next year, buddy, next year), but you can live the dream in Treasure Isle with yet another new map. Titled "Hallows Eve," this brand new map contains seven scary islands and a new set of Quests that will be available through Nov. 2.
Pumpkin Preparation
The Quests task you with preparing the ultimate Halloween Party for Draculina. First you'll need to carve five pumpkins and find the best pumpkin pie recipe out there from the Pumpkin King. After finishing the job, it's off to the next Quest titled "Witch's Brew."
Take a look behind the break for a sneak peek at this next daunting task.
Witch's Brew
In the Witch's Brew Quest, players will have to find a long series of ingredients, but luckily you can travel to the map that contains each item instantly through the Quest menu. Better yet, as you drudge through each task, you'll be updated on your progress in the lower left corner of the screen.
Treasure Isle Quest
We imagine there is a task associated with each of the seven islands in the Hallows Eve map, so expect to be in it for the long haul this Halloween weekend. And be on the lookout for five new quests as, according to Zynga, they're on the way soon. In the meantime, try your luck at completing the seven new collections associated with Hallows Eve:
Crazy Science
Devious Decor
Fall Fashion
Famous Frights
Jack o' Lanterns
Spirited Spooks
Witches Wardrobe
Happy Pets' Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns are eerily animated
Jack-O-Lanterns
While glowing and vampiric pets are interesting, these new Animated Jack-O-Lanterns will definitely spruce up your home in Happy Pets. Not to mention that at a mere 8 Facebook Credits, or just $0.8, these decorations are a cheap way to surround your beloved critters with even more eerie ambiance for Halloween. (That's just $3.20 for the whole set.) Each Jack-O-Lantern also grants 16 XP, so it's a win-win. Well, unless creepy facades carved onto pumpkins freak you out, then your pretty much out of luck. Maybe these items will tickle your fancy? (...Pansy.)
While glowing and vampiric pets are interesting, these new Animated Jack-O-Lanterns will definitely spruce up your home in Happy Pets. Not to mention that at a mere 8 Facebook Credits, or just $0.8, these decorations are a cheap way to surround your beloved critters with even more eerie ambiance for Halloween. (That's just $3.20 for the whole set.) Each Jack-O-Lantern also grants 16 XP, so it's a win-win. Well, unless creepy facades carved onto pumpkins freak you out, then your pretty much out of luck. Maybe these items will tickle your fancy? (...Pansy.)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Madden NFL Superstars: Card Pack Promo, Friend Invite 2.0 and more in recent update
Friend Invite 2.0
Filling out those precious Collections just got that much easier thanks to the most recent update to Madden NFL Superstars. For a limited time, Playfish is handing out free Gold Card Packs for every Ultimate or Platinum Pack purchased with Playfish Cash. Also included in the update are the new Players of the Week: a 99-rated quarterback Michael Vick--who brought insane game to the field this Monday evening, might I add--and Dwayne Bowe, a 93-rated wide receiver. Remember, Players of the Week are only found in Ultimate and Platinum packs, but that deal should make spending the dough a little more appealing.
Better yet, 16 new Achievements have been added to the game like the cleverly named "For the Hoard," which requires you to put 100 Cards into your Collection. An example of one of the more challenging Achievements, "Lucky Guess" asks you to predict 70 percent of the NFL game results correctly in a single week.
In an effort to get more eyes on Madden, a new friend promotion has been introduced, rewarding referred players with a free, 72-rated Drew Brees Card to get them started. With this promotion comes a new featured that causes the friends page to appear as a pop up rather than close the game and open a new page entirely, which every game should bite off of.
Filling out those precious Collections just got that much easier thanks to the most recent update to Madden NFL Superstars. For a limited time, Playfish is handing out free Gold Card Packs for every Ultimate or Platinum Pack purchased with Playfish Cash. Also included in the update are the new Players of the Week: a 99-rated quarterback Michael Vick--who brought insane game to the field this Monday evening, might I add--and Dwayne Bowe, a 93-rated wide receiver. Remember, Players of the Week are only found in Ultimate and Platinum packs, but that deal should make spending the dough a little more appealing.
Better yet, 16 new Achievements have been added to the game like the cleverly named "For the Hoard," which requires you to put 100 Cards into your Collection. An example of one of the more challenging Achievements, "Lucky Guess" asks you to predict 70 percent of the NFL game results correctly in a single week.
In an effort to get more eyes on Madden, a new friend promotion has been introduced, rewarding referred players with a free, 72-rated Drew Brees Card to get them started. With this promotion comes a new featured that causes the friends page to appear as a pop up rather than close the game and open a new page entirely, which every game should bite off of.
Social City revisits Honda, increases Daily Bonus and more in update
Community GardenIt's time to witness the Odyssey again in Social City after the game's most recent update. Playdom has added another Honda Odyssey video for players to watch, but the reward for viewing the ad is the same old Honda Dealership. If you've watched the first video within a week of today, wait until next to watch this new clip or you won't receive the free item. For what might be a 30-second ad that plays within your game, this isn't a bad deal at all.
Also included in today's update is a much-needed increase to the Daily Bonus considering today's buildings are starting to cost astronomical amounts of coins. Furthermore, Playdom phased out the Autumn Raffle to introduce the November Raffle (which... is still autumn) that includes some of the items released recently for the standard 8 City Bucks a spin. Lastly, this update reigns one, lonely new item: the Community Garden. For 23 City Bucks, or just under $5, this grass roots agricultural center will boost Happiness by 23 thousand and grant you 680 XP.
Also included in today's update is a much-needed increase to the Daily Bonus considering today's buildings are starting to cost astronomical amounts of coins. Furthermore, Playdom phased out the Autumn Raffle to introduce the November Raffle (which... is still autumn) that includes some of the items released recently for the standard 8 City Bucks a spin. Lastly, this update reigns one, lonely new item: the Community Garden. For 23 City Bucks, or just under $5, this grass roots agricultural center will boost Happiness by 23 thousand and grant you 680 XP.
Wildlife Refuge: Sony Online release third Facebook game
Wildlife Refuge Facebook game
Sony Online Entertainment have just released a brand new game on Facebook today titled Wildlife Refuge. The main objective to this game is around exploring while out in African safaris to rescue animals and take care of them in your own refuge. This is the third attempt at a Facebook game for SOE; their first, PoxNora has only 502 people playing each day, and their second The Agency: Covert Ops has dwindled away in traffic down to only 13,000 MAU (down from a fairly mediocre all-time high of 391,000). Wildlife Refuge appears to be poised to fair better than The Agency, as it's rooted in some successful games of its type and has a cute factor that the Agency was missing. Let's take a quick peek at this new game.
Wildlife Refuge is a game that's fairly new in theme, but borrows heavily from other games in feature. In this game, you are the owner of an animal refuge. You explore out in the wilderness to find animals who are hurt and in need of assistance, and you bring them back to your refuge. After rehabilitating them for some time, you release them back out into the wild in order to gain XP and increase your Ecosystem Rating. Exploring and uncovering new animals uses a very FrontierVille or Treasure Isle-esque energy mechanic. You have to click on trees, rocks, dens, and stumps to try to uncover animals. When you find one, you actually uncover an animal track that you need to click on several times to actually reveal the animal. Once you find an animal, you place it in storage and you can take it out back on your refuge in order to click on it to 'care' for it.
Wildlife Refuge
The game uses an Almanac to keep track of the animals that you have discovered. Some animals require you to have reached a certain level before you can bring them home, and others require that your Ecosystem Rating be at a certain threshold. This puts an element of complexity into the game that might work for or against it depending how easily players grasp the concept. In addition to th e Almanac that gives you animal goals, there is also a quest system similar to FrontierVille that tells you what crops to plant, decor items to buy, and objectives to achieve in order to keep the player interested and knowing what to do next.
Players can breed animals and share the offspring with friends, run poachers off each other's refuges, and help each other build their buildings using the standard collaborative building feature that most games are using right now. This is where the social features come in, which appear to be done better than The Agency (where it wasn't apparent what having friends would actually do for you).
Cheetah Conservation Fund
One interesting thing that Sony has done here is come out of the gate with a partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Players who purchase particular animals for the game's paid currency, Station Cash, will be donating part of the profits to a real world organization. This element of charity will undoubtedly work well for Sony, as players will be more likely to pay real world money for an item if they know that it is going to a good cause.
The game is well done, and aside from a few usability issues in the game such as the inability to click through objects which hinders finding tracks, Wildlife Refuge is poised to do decently for Sony Online. If it doesn't take off and do well, it could be because the game mechanics themselves are not innovative. Zoo/animal rescue/safari games are not new on Facebook, and neither are games with collections, quests, energy, and the same style of gameplay as Wildlife Refuge. It's not a direct clone of any other games, however, therefore it's possible that it could have the right mix of theme and gameplay elements to be the first Facebook game hit for Sony.
Play Wildlife Refuge on Facebook >
Sony Online Entertainment have just released a brand new game on Facebook today titled Wildlife Refuge. The main objective to this game is around exploring while out in African safaris to rescue animals and take care of them in your own refuge. This is the third attempt at a Facebook game for SOE; their first, PoxNora has only 502 people playing each day, and their second The Agency: Covert Ops has dwindled away in traffic down to only 13,000 MAU (down from a fairly mediocre all-time high of 391,000). Wildlife Refuge appears to be poised to fair better than The Agency, as it's rooted in some successful games of its type and has a cute factor that the Agency was missing. Let's take a quick peek at this new game.
Wildlife Refuge is a game that's fairly new in theme, but borrows heavily from other games in feature. In this game, you are the owner of an animal refuge. You explore out in the wilderness to find animals who are hurt and in need of assistance, and you bring them back to your refuge. After rehabilitating them for some time, you release them back out into the wild in order to gain XP and increase your Ecosystem Rating. Exploring and uncovering new animals uses a very FrontierVille or Treasure Isle-esque energy mechanic. You have to click on trees, rocks, dens, and stumps to try to uncover animals. When you find one, you actually uncover an animal track that you need to click on several times to actually reveal the animal. Once you find an animal, you place it in storage and you can take it out back on your refuge in order to click on it to 'care' for it.
Wildlife Refuge
The game uses an Almanac to keep track of the animals that you have discovered. Some animals require you to have reached a certain level before you can bring them home, and others require that your Ecosystem Rating be at a certain threshold. This puts an element of complexity into the game that might work for or against it depending how easily players grasp the concept. In addition to th e Almanac that gives you animal goals, there is also a quest system similar to FrontierVille that tells you what crops to plant, decor items to buy, and objectives to achieve in order to keep the player interested and knowing what to do next.
Players can breed animals and share the offspring with friends, run poachers off each other's refuges, and help each other build their buildings using the standard collaborative building feature that most games are using right now. This is where the social features come in, which appear to be done better than The Agency (where it wasn't apparent what having friends would actually do for you).
Cheetah Conservation Fund
One interesting thing that Sony has done here is come out of the gate with a partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Players who purchase particular animals for the game's paid currency, Station Cash, will be donating part of the profits to a real world organization. This element of charity will undoubtedly work well for Sony, as players will be more likely to pay real world money for an item if they know that it is going to a good cause.
The game is well done, and aside from a few usability issues in the game such as the inability to click through objects which hinders finding tracks, Wildlife Refuge is poised to do decently for Sony Online. If it doesn't take off and do well, it could be because the game mechanics themselves are not innovative. Zoo/animal rescue/safari games are not new on Facebook, and neither are games with collections, quests, energy, and the same style of gameplay as Wildlife Refuge. It's not a direct clone of any other games, however, therefore it's possible that it could have the right mix of theme and gameplay elements to be the first Facebook game hit for Sony.
Play Wildlife Refuge on Facebook >
FarmVille: Redeem Zynga Game Card, get a free Mystery Dart
Zynga has updated the bonus that is given to FarmVille users who redeem a Zynga Game Card in the game. Now, instead of simply receiving a Mystery Box, users that redeem a Zynga Game Card will now receive a free Mystery Dart, allowing them one free play in that week's Mystery Game, where they have a chance at one of six exclusive items (animals, decorations and the like, that tend to not be available anywhere else - that is, you must play the game to get them). These darts tend to cost 16 Farm Cash each, depending on the Mystery Game's price during a particular week.
As of this writing, the feature doesn't have an expiration date, but we'll update you with one (if there is one) as soon as we know more.
What's interesting is that Zynga hasn't created a new item exclusive to these gift cards. It would make sense that users would spend more money buying game cards if they were actually guaranteed an item that they could only receive through purchasing said card - at least I know that would tempt my wallet more.
Perhaps you guys are different, though - let us know your thoughts on this new "free-with-purchase" prize in the comments. Will you head out to your local Gamestop or 7-Eleven (among other retailers) to purchase a Zynga Game Card now that you'll receive a Mystery Dart? Let us know!
As of this writing, the feature doesn't have an expiration date, but we'll update you with one (if there is one) as soon as we know more.
What's interesting is that Zynga hasn't created a new item exclusive to these gift cards. It would make sense that users would spend more money buying game cards if they were actually guaranteed an item that they could only receive through purchasing said card - at least I know that would tempt my wallet more.
Perhaps you guys are different, though - let us know your thoughts on this new "free-with-purchase" prize in the comments. Will you head out to your local Gamestop or 7-Eleven (among other retailers) to purchase a Zynga Game Card now that you'll receive a Mystery Dart? Let us know!
FarmVille Thanksgiving Basket: Everything you need to know
Just this afternoon, we took a look at the mysterious Fruitcake in FarmVille, that has been appearing out of farmers' Turkey Roosts, but seemingly had no purpose - until now, that is.
In a very slow rollout, the Thanksgiving Basket has begun showing up on players' farms. This collection feature will have you sending and receiving dishes to and from friends over the next few weeks, with six different (base) prizes being available to earn.
Meet us behind the break for all of the details about this exciting new feature.
When the Thanksgiving Basket update is available for your farm, you will alerted that you have received your free Thanksgiving Basket, and you can place it, again, for free, onto your farm. This event is locked to users under level 5, so new players will need to plant a few extra crops to boost themselves to level 5 in order to participate.
Once the Thanksgiving Basket has been placed on your farm, you'll learn that in this holiday's collection event, you'll be responsible for collecting "Dishes." You can track your progress by clicking on the Basket (or table, as that's how it appears), and clicking "Look Inside," where you will see a menu like the following:
You'll be able to redeem your gathered dishes for six different prizes:
Mystery Box - 10 Dishes
Thank Ewe - 25 Dishes
Pilgrim Gnome - 45 Dishes
Harvest Fountain - 70 Dishes
Baby Bourbon - 100 Dishes
Mayflower (yes, the ship) - 145 Dishes
As for gathering Dishes, you'll be able to do so in a variety of ways. The easiest way to earn dishes will be to ask for them from your friends directly by clicking on the "Ask for Dishes" button from within the Thanksgiving Feast table. This allows you to send an gift request to individual friends, asking them to send you a dish for your basket.
Other methods include the ability to earn Dishes by opening Special Delivery Boxes, or receiving them as a bonus from harvesting your Turkey Roost (like with the Fruitcake that we've had sitting in our gift boxes for days). You can also purchase Dishes in groups of five for 5 Farm Cash from within the Basket by clicking the "Buy Dishes" button.
Finally, your friends can send you Dishes voluntarily from the free gifts page. This brings in the group of five holiday food items we brought you news of earlier this month: the Fruit Cake, Stuffing, Spiced Cider, Casserole, and Leaf Candle. We're not quite sure how a "Leaf Candle" qualifies as a food item, but we'll give Zynga the benefit of the doubt with this one.
As you collect Dishes, your Thanksgiving Basket will change in appearance, becoming more complex and decorated. You will also earn various stage titles, like "Gathering" and "Preparing" as you fill the table with Dishes. The different stages are met when you've gathered 30, 60, 90, 120, and finally 150 Dishes. You can continue to collect dishes after this point, and you will still earn points that can be used to redeem for the six prizes in this event, but your table will stop changing in appearance at this point.
Once you finish filling the Basket, Zynga says that we'll earn a very special surprise that our avatars will love. We're guessing this is a new piece of clothing (perhaps a costume), but we aren't sure exactly what this prize is, as of this writing.
While this new feature does seem to be roilling out to users at an especially slow rate, you'll want to start collecting Dishes as quickly as you can, as once the month ends (or on December 1), you will no longer be able to gift new Dishes to friends, ask for anymore Dishes, or purchase Dishes with Farm Cash from the market. In addition, the Dishes will also be removed from the Special Delivery Box at the same time.
In a very slow rollout, the Thanksgiving Basket has begun showing up on players' farms. This collection feature will have you sending and receiving dishes to and from friends over the next few weeks, with six different (base) prizes being available to earn.
Meet us behind the break for all of the details about this exciting new feature.
When the Thanksgiving Basket update is available for your farm, you will alerted that you have received your free Thanksgiving Basket, and you can place it, again, for free, onto your farm. This event is locked to users under level 5, so new players will need to plant a few extra crops to boost themselves to level 5 in order to participate.
Once the Thanksgiving Basket has been placed on your farm, you'll learn that in this holiday's collection event, you'll be responsible for collecting "Dishes." You can track your progress by clicking on the Basket (or table, as that's how it appears), and clicking "Look Inside," where you will see a menu like the following:
You'll be able to redeem your gathered dishes for six different prizes:
Mystery Box - 10 Dishes
Thank Ewe - 25 Dishes
Pilgrim Gnome - 45 Dishes
Harvest Fountain - 70 Dishes
Baby Bourbon - 100 Dishes
Mayflower (yes, the ship) - 145 Dishes
As for gathering Dishes, you'll be able to do so in a variety of ways. The easiest way to earn dishes will be to ask for them from your friends directly by clicking on the "Ask for Dishes" button from within the Thanksgiving Feast table. This allows you to send an gift request to individual friends, asking them to send you a dish for your basket.
Other methods include the ability to earn Dishes by opening Special Delivery Boxes, or receiving them as a bonus from harvesting your Turkey Roost (like with the Fruitcake that we've had sitting in our gift boxes for days). You can also purchase Dishes in groups of five for 5 Farm Cash from within the Basket by clicking the "Buy Dishes" button.
Finally, your friends can send you Dishes voluntarily from the free gifts page. This brings in the group of five holiday food items we brought you news of earlier this month: the Fruit Cake, Stuffing, Spiced Cider, Casserole, and Leaf Candle. We're not quite sure how a "Leaf Candle" qualifies as a food item, but we'll give Zynga the benefit of the doubt with this one.
As you collect Dishes, your Thanksgiving Basket will change in appearance, becoming more complex and decorated. You will also earn various stage titles, like "Gathering" and "Preparing" as you fill the table with Dishes. The different stages are met when you've gathered 30, 60, 90, 120, and finally 150 Dishes. You can continue to collect dishes after this point, and you will still earn points that can be used to redeem for the six prizes in this event, but your table will stop changing in appearance at this point.
Once you finish filling the Basket, Zynga says that we'll earn a very special surprise that our avatars will love. We're guessing this is a new piece of clothing (perhaps a costume), but we aren't sure exactly what this prize is, as of this writing.
While this new feature does seem to be roilling out to users at an especially slow rate, you'll want to start collecting Dishes as quickly as you can, as once the month ends (or on December 1), you will no longer be able to gift new Dishes to friends, ask for anymore Dishes, or purchase Dishes with Farm Cash from the market. In addition, the Dishes will also be removed from the Special Delivery Box at the same time.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wishful Features: Automatic neighbor additions in FarmVille
I've been playing FarmVille since around the time of the Halloween celebration in 2009. During that time, I've accumulated around 80 neighbors, which is a respectable number, but nowhere near the mass amounts of some of my friends. Regardless, one of the biggest technical issues concerning FarmVille neighbors, in my mind, is simply what a hassle it is to add those neighbors to your in-game account in the first place.
Other games, from other developers, seem to have figured out that users who are adding a game probably want to play that game with friends, and have since incorporated an automatic neighbor addition tool that will show you each and every friend that has installed the game on your neighbor bar, even if they stopped playing the game months ago. Why can't FarmVille do the same?
One could argue that Zynga refrains from adding such a feature because it would throw off the items in the store that require you to add a certain amount of neighbors to unlock access to purchase them, but this just doesn't seem fair.
As I look at my in-game neighbors page, I see seven people that actively play FarmVille, but technically aren't my neighbors. I can send them gifts via Facebook news feed items, and we can send free gifts between one another, but I can't visit their farm. The most basic of social interactions in FarmVille and I have to go through special steps to activate it. Sure, it doesn't take much for a neighbor request to be sent or accepted, as it is done through a basic "gift request" scenario, but the fact that we have to do it in the first place just seems a bit silly.
For now, though, I guess I'm stuck with trying to remind myself to frequently check on my Neighbors page to find those farmers that I've left out in the cold. Hopefully that won't be the case for much longer.
Do you regularly check your Neighbors page to find those neighbors that you may have forgotten to add? Which other Facebook games would you like to see automatic neighbor addition added to?
Other games, from other developers, seem to have figured out that users who are adding a game probably want to play that game with friends, and have since incorporated an automatic neighbor addition tool that will show you each and every friend that has installed the game on your neighbor bar, even if they stopped playing the game months ago. Why can't FarmVille do the same?
One could argue that Zynga refrains from adding such a feature because it would throw off the items in the store that require you to add a certain amount of neighbors to unlock access to purchase them, but this just doesn't seem fair.
As I look at my in-game neighbors page, I see seven people that actively play FarmVille, but technically aren't my neighbors. I can send them gifts via Facebook news feed items, and we can send free gifts between one another, but I can't visit their farm. The most basic of social interactions in FarmVille and I have to go through special steps to activate it. Sure, it doesn't take much for a neighbor request to be sent or accepted, as it is done through a basic "gift request" scenario, but the fact that we have to do it in the first place just seems a bit silly.
For now, though, I guess I'm stuck with trying to remind myself to frequently check on my Neighbors page to find those farmers that I've left out in the cold. Hopefully that won't be the case for much longer.
Do you regularly check your Neighbors page to find those neighbors that you may have forgotten to add? Which other Facebook games would you like to see automatic neighbor addition added to?
Mafia Wars: Become the Governator in Governor's Run event
Ready for another limited time event in Mafia Wars? I hope so, because Zynga has launched one either way. This newest event will see you rallying for votes among your Mafia, so that you can become the in-game Governor and receive a very special prize at the end of the election.
This event will only be available until Sunday, and between now and then, you'll need to ask for, and send Mafia Wars ballots to those you'd like to help, or wish to receive help from. You'll need to have a total of 10 ballots to win the election (must be a pretty small state), and yes, you can vote for yourself (this is done automatically, as seen in the image above). Interestingly, you don't look to have an opponent in this election, but we'll give Zynga the benefit of the doubt on that one.
Earning ballots is as simple as clicking on the "Post" button underneath each of your Facebook friends' pictures. You'll unfortunately need to give Mafia Wars automatic access to posting news items on your behalf, so that you can quickly post individual ballot requests on individual users' walls, but once you finish the event, you can easily remove this access via the Facebook Applications Settings page (in the new Facebook menu layout, this is located under Privacy Settings).
If you can manage to bribe, cheat, lie and steal your way into the nine other ballots you need (or simply ask nicely and have your helpful friends oblige), you'll finish your rise to power and will be rewarded with the 2nd Amendment as a reward. The 2nd Amendment, in the real world, protects the right for individuals to keep and bear arms, so it only makes sense that the in-game 2nd Amendment would actually be the name of a gun, which has some pretty high stats, at 52 Attack and 80 Defense points.
Remember, each and every member of your mafia can be equipped with a gun when you go into battle against rival mafia members, so it's highly unlikely that you won't be able to put this fancy new weapon to good use.
With only a limited time to complete this event (remember, it ends on Sunday), make sure you start asking for votes soon to stand a chance at winning.
Will you try to win the Governor's Run event in Mafia Wars? Have you already finished the event? If so, how are you enjoying your well-deserved reward?
This event will only be available until Sunday, and between now and then, you'll need to ask for, and send Mafia Wars ballots to those you'd like to help, or wish to receive help from. You'll need to have a total of 10 ballots to win the election (must be a pretty small state), and yes, you can vote for yourself (this is done automatically, as seen in the image above). Interestingly, you don't look to have an opponent in this election, but we'll give Zynga the benefit of the doubt on that one.
Earning ballots is as simple as clicking on the "Post" button underneath each of your Facebook friends' pictures. You'll unfortunately need to give Mafia Wars automatic access to posting news items on your behalf, so that you can quickly post individual ballot requests on individual users' walls, but once you finish the event, you can easily remove this access via the Facebook Applications Settings page (in the new Facebook menu layout, this is located under Privacy Settings).
If you can manage to bribe, cheat, lie and steal your way into the nine other ballots you need (or simply ask nicely and have your helpful friends oblige), you'll finish your rise to power and will be rewarded with the 2nd Amendment as a reward. The 2nd Amendment, in the real world, protects the right for individuals to keep and bear arms, so it only makes sense that the in-game 2nd Amendment would actually be the name of a gun, which has some pretty high stats, at 52 Attack and 80 Defense points.
Remember, each and every member of your mafia can be equipped with a gun when you go into battle against rival mafia members, so it's highly unlikely that you won't be able to put this fancy new weapon to good use.
With only a limited time to complete this event (remember, it ends on Sunday), make sure you start asking for votes soon to stand a chance at winning.
Will you try to win the Governor's Run event in Mafia Wars? Have you already finished the event? If so, how are you enjoying your well-deserved reward?
Zynga gives Mafia Wars' home page a makeover
Damn, Mafia Wars, you lookin' good. Mmmm mmm mm. That's what Zynga might expect a lot of its players will be saying when they log in to the game today only to see that its home page looks brand new. As a matter of fact, it is brand new. The company decided it was time to make navigation simpler in Mafia Wars, doing away with the Daily Checklist while emphasizing features that players will most likely care more about.
You'll notice that those thin, barely noticeable banner ads for weekly events have received much more screen real estate with what appears to be room for two advertisements. Below that is something completely different: "Game Progress" and "Build Your Empire." The former, found on the left hand side, allows players to jump right into the game from where they left off, displaying detailed information about their current Mastery and Energy Packs. Below that details your latest activity in the most recent cities you've visited.
The latter will appear on the right hand side and it seems like this will allow you to access the week's particular gifting or building events, in this case being the "Private Zoo" event. Below that is where players can buy the game's featured Reward Point items like the current Miami Vice loot. Aside from this, it doesn't seem as if much else has changed, but this is a welcome improvement if anything. Unfortunately, this change is slowly being rolled out to players, which means I've yet to receive the change. Keep your eyes peeled to Mafia Wars to make sure you take advantage of the changes as early as possible.
You'll notice that those thin, barely noticeable banner ads for weekly events have received much more screen real estate with what appears to be room for two advertisements. Below that is something completely different: "Game Progress" and "Build Your Empire." The former, found on the left hand side, allows players to jump right into the game from where they left off, displaying detailed information about their current Mastery and Energy Packs. Below that details your latest activity in the most recent cities you've visited.
The latter will appear on the right hand side and it seems like this will allow you to access the week's particular gifting or building events, in this case being the "Private Zoo" event. Below that is where players can buy the game's featured Reward Point items like the current Miami Vice loot. Aside from this, it doesn't seem as if much else has changed, but this is a welcome improvement if anything. Unfortunately, this change is slowly being rolled out to players, which means I've yet to receive the change. Keep your eyes peeled to Mafia Wars to make sure you take advantage of the changes as early as possible.
EA brings Pogo to Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch for free
Pogo Games App
Facebook is so 2010. The next big thing will be getting these addictive little gems onto mobile phones, if EA 's recent move is any indication. The gaming giant that bought social game company Playfish earlier this year for about $400 million just launched its popular online gaming site, Pogo, on iOS within the Pogo Games App. The app is available now for absolutely free, though there is an ad-free version available for $2.99, and includes five games:
Poppit!™ - Pop groups of balloons of two or more of the same color to release hidden "prizes."
Word Whomp™ - Spell as many words as possible before the clock runs out.
Turbo 21™ - Take on a fast-paced black-jack inspired card game.
Mahjong Safari - Topple tiles in this classic game of Mahjong with a wild new spin.
Sweet Tooth™ 2 - Match three or more sweets in a row to score.
Find more after the break.
Pogo Free Games
If you're already a Club Pogo member (that includes Pogo on Facebook), you can use your log-in information within the app to avoid the advertisements as well. It seems that Pogo players' existing leader boards, rewards and challenges will migrate over to their iOS device upon logging as well in an attempt to extend the social experience of Pogo's casual games to mobile devices.
"We've been entertaining audiences for more than 10 years, and that experience has given us a deep understanding of the types of games that engage people and keep them coming back for more," said Michael Marchetti , SVP & GM Pogo at Electronic Arts . "With the move to iPhone and iPod touch, we're giving people new ways to play, share and compete-now any moment can turn into a fun moment."
This announcement comes after Zynga recently revealed that Mafia Wars is coming to Android phones along with FarmVille and that Japanese social gaming company DeNa will soon release its own smartphone social game network with the help of Ngmoco. Let's just say that 2011, your social games are going to get much smaller and that much bigger at the same time.
Facebook is so 2010. The next big thing will be getting these addictive little gems onto mobile phones, if EA 's recent move is any indication. The gaming giant that bought social game company Playfish earlier this year for about $400 million just launched its popular online gaming site, Pogo, on iOS within the Pogo Games App. The app is available now for absolutely free, though there is an ad-free version available for $2.99, and includes five games:
Poppit!™ - Pop groups of balloons of two or more of the same color to release hidden "prizes."
Word Whomp™ - Spell as many words as possible before the clock runs out.
Turbo 21™ - Take on a fast-paced black-jack inspired card game.
Mahjong Safari - Topple tiles in this classic game of Mahjong with a wild new spin.
Sweet Tooth™ 2 - Match three or more sweets in a row to score.
Find more after the break.
Pogo Free Games
If you're already a Club Pogo member (that includes Pogo on Facebook), you can use your log-in information within the app to avoid the advertisements as well. It seems that Pogo players' existing leader boards, rewards and challenges will migrate over to their iOS device upon logging as well in an attempt to extend the social experience of Pogo's casual games to mobile devices.
"We've been entertaining audiences for more than 10 years, and that experience has given us a deep understanding of the types of games that engage people and keep them coming back for more," said Michael Marchetti , SVP & GM Pogo at Electronic Arts . "With the move to iPhone and iPod touch, we're giving people new ways to play, share and compete-now any moment can turn into a fun moment."
This announcement comes after Zynga recently revealed that Mafia Wars is coming to Android phones along with FarmVille and that Japanese social gaming company DeNa will soon release its own smartphone social game network with the help of Ngmoco. Let's just say that 2011, your social games are going to get much smaller and that much bigger at the same time.
FarmVille sneak peek: New Year's Party mini-game
The holidays are just getting started, but behind the scenes, the magical elves that create FarmVille are apparently thinking ahead to New Year's Eve. Based on the image above, it looks like you'll be throwing a big virtual bash on your farm, where you'll be required to invite as many friends as possible. The more friends that RSVP for your shindig, the more special New Year's-themed items you'll be able to collect? Maybe? Just a guess at that point.
One thing's certainly evident -- this New Year's Party looks way more involved than last year's NYE event, which involved watching a virtual ball drop and then earning a 'level up' or level increase for your farm. So if you were level 42, you were automatically jumped to level 43. Pretty sweet, right? Maybe we'll be ringing in 2011 with an even bigger surprise, like a bundle of free Farm Cash. Keep those fingers crossed.
One thing's certainly evident -- this New Year's Party looks way more involved than last year's NYE event, which involved watching a virtual ball drop and then earning a 'level up' or level increase for your farm. So if you were level 42, you were automatically jumped to level 43. Pretty sweet, right? Maybe we'll be ringing in 2011 with an even bigger surprise, like a bundle of free Farm Cash. Keep those fingers crossed.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Mix Mafia Wars with an in-depth storyline and you have Chronicles of Herenvale on Facebook
An evil Lord is threatening to return to the land of Herenvale thanks to the Cult of Marras. A hero is needed to stop such a return, as the land will be overcome, and all goodness swept aside. You are that hero, if you'll answer the call of the Chronicles of Herenvale, a new game from the small Austin development studio Mososh, Inc.
The game is text based, with images as accompaniment, and would be perfect for those who use Facebook on a slower internet connection. For everyone else, the detailed storyline might be enough to draw one in for an extended period of time (as it has already worked to draw in more than 12,000 players in the short time the game has been available). Meet us behind the break to see if Chronicles of Herenvale is something you'd like to try.
chroi
The game offers some very (very) light character customization, in terms of allowing you to pick whether or not you are a girl or a boy, and to give yourself a name, but afterwards, you're quickly shoved into your first battle. You're told that you've come across a group of crows fighting some deadly worrocks. The worrocks are attempting to kill an innocent bystander, and you must turn the tide of the battle by jumping in on her behalf.
Attacks in battle are achieved by simply hitting the attack button. You'll use Energy for each attack you begin, and you'll receive experience points and gold (along with the occasional random loot drop) after you've successfully ended a conflict. Any loot items that can be equipped on your warrior are placed in your inventory, and you'll be able to equip these items from the Profile screen. Items have types, and your warrior's body is separated into zones, where only certain items can be equipped - one item in each particular zone.
As you go along, the story is played out through lots of text, and the world map is represented by various star markings on a stationary map. Impressive graphics, no, but the game's story seems to be a rather deep one, considering the nature of the title. As you earn experience points, you'll go up levels, increasing your maximum energy, allowing you to do more work in a single sitting. You'll also earn Stat Points that will increase your Energy even further, or can be manually assigned to a number of different traits, like Knowledge (increases your accuracy), Fortitude (health), or Strength, among others.
Just as Mafia Wars separates missions based on your progress in the game (chapters, regions, and so on), so too does Chronicles of Herenvale separate missions based on the storyline at the time. For a particular battle, it might be represented by a number of circular stars, with each stars representing a different stage of the battle. Only after you complete the steps necessary at each star within a particular cluster will you unlock the next step of the storyline.
Your quest will take you all through the land, with eight main cities, or areas, being represented as eventual travel points on the map, along with what appears to be a slew of other outcroppings where you can complete quests. You'll be able to purchase new equipment along the way, making your character even stronger, and giving you a better edge in battle.
As for social elements, you'll be able to add friends as "Allies," at which point you'll be given a better advantage in large battles, which increases depending on the number of Allies you happen to have at the time.
Chronciles of Herenvale will be incredibly familiar to those that have played Mafia Wars, or even (more specifically) Castle Age, as the fantasy storyline and unique monster races hearken back that particular title. Still, if you haven't tried a new text-based mission game in a while, Chronicles of Herenvale might be worth a shot.
The game is text based, with images as accompaniment, and would be perfect for those who use Facebook on a slower internet connection. For everyone else, the detailed storyline might be enough to draw one in for an extended period of time (as it has already worked to draw in more than 12,000 players in the short time the game has been available). Meet us behind the break to see if Chronicles of Herenvale is something you'd like to try.
chroi
The game offers some very (very) light character customization, in terms of allowing you to pick whether or not you are a girl or a boy, and to give yourself a name, but afterwards, you're quickly shoved into your first battle. You're told that you've come across a group of crows fighting some deadly worrocks. The worrocks are attempting to kill an innocent bystander, and you must turn the tide of the battle by jumping in on her behalf.
Attacks in battle are achieved by simply hitting the attack button. You'll use Energy for each attack you begin, and you'll receive experience points and gold (along with the occasional random loot drop) after you've successfully ended a conflict. Any loot items that can be equipped on your warrior are placed in your inventory, and you'll be able to equip these items from the Profile screen. Items have types, and your warrior's body is separated into zones, where only certain items can be equipped - one item in each particular zone.
As you go along, the story is played out through lots of text, and the world map is represented by various star markings on a stationary map. Impressive graphics, no, but the game's story seems to be a rather deep one, considering the nature of the title. As you earn experience points, you'll go up levels, increasing your maximum energy, allowing you to do more work in a single sitting. You'll also earn Stat Points that will increase your Energy even further, or can be manually assigned to a number of different traits, like Knowledge (increases your accuracy), Fortitude (health), or Strength, among others.
Just as Mafia Wars separates missions based on your progress in the game (chapters, regions, and so on), so too does Chronicles of Herenvale separate missions based on the storyline at the time. For a particular battle, it might be represented by a number of circular stars, with each stars representing a different stage of the battle. Only after you complete the steps necessary at each star within a particular cluster will you unlock the next step of the storyline.
Your quest will take you all through the land, with eight main cities, or areas, being represented as eventual travel points on the map, along with what appears to be a slew of other outcroppings where you can complete quests. You'll be able to purchase new equipment along the way, making your character even stronger, and giving you a better edge in battle.
As for social elements, you'll be able to add friends as "Allies," at which point you'll be given a better advantage in large battles, which increases depending on the number of Allies you happen to have at the time.
Chronciles of Herenvale will be incredibly familiar to those that have played Mafia Wars, or even (more specifically) Castle Age, as the fantasy storyline and unique monster races hearken back that particular title. Still, if you haven't tried a new text-based mission game in a while, Chronicles of Herenvale might be worth a shot.
Zynga Poker now available on Android devices
Back in November, we told you that Zynga's Justin Cincolo had revealed that Zynga Poker would soon be coming to Android devices everywhere, and the time for that launch is now. That's right, everyone with an Android device will be able to head into the Android Market and download a free copy of Zynga Poker, that can be instantly connected with your Facebook account to allow you to play a quick hand (or 50) on the go, no matter where you happen to be at the time.
To be clear, the app is free, and requires you to sign in with Facebook in order to play. From there, you'll see all of your Facebook friends that have also been playing the game (either recently or in the past), whether they've been playing it on Facebook proper, or on another Android device. From there, you can jump into a room, take a seat at a table, and start betting on hands, just as you would from a traditional desktop computer. How neat is that?!
If Zynga Poker is as successful as other Android, or even iPhone releases that Zynga has launched in the past, this may potentially open up the door for other Zynga games to be launched on the service(s), so make sure to download the game on your Android device to show the developer some support!
To be clear, the app is free, and requires you to sign in with Facebook in order to play. From there, you'll see all of your Facebook friends that have also been playing the game (either recently or in the past), whether they've been playing it on Facebook proper, or on another Android device. From there, you can jump into a room, take a seat at a table, and start betting on hands, just as you would from a traditional desktop computer. How neat is that?!
If Zynga Poker is as successful as other Android, or even iPhone releases that Zynga has launched in the past, this may potentially open up the door for other Zynga games to be launched on the service(s), so make sure to download the game on your Android device to show the developer some support!
FrontierVille 12 Days of Christmas Goals: Everything you need to know for Day Three
With nine days behind us in this long, arduous series of FrontierVille Goals known as the 12 Days of Christmas, we arrive at Day Three. In "On the Third Day O' Christmas," players will have to make lots of chicken soup. On a completely unrelated note, you'll first have to fulfill three items on friends' wish lists. It doesn't seem as if there are too many stipulations to this portion of the Goal, meaning that if one friend has three different items in their wish list that you can fulfill, sending one of each of those items will fulfill this requirement.
Secondly, you will need three Chicken Drumsticks, which are found at random while tending to Chickens. And remember, these are part of the Chicken Collection, so do not turn them in as you attempt to complete this Goal no matter how tempting the 4 Energy reward is. Lastly, it's back to the begging as you will need 10 Chicken Soup Recipes and only your friends will have them. Finish this and enjoy 3,000 coins and three Chickens. Alright, being rewarded with items we could have used in the Goal is getting tired, but the extra coins ain't too shabby. Not to mention that you're now one step closer to that elusive Partridge in a Pear Tree.
Find the rest of our Holiday 2010 coverage right here.
Secondly, you will need three Chicken Drumsticks, which are found at random while tending to Chickens. And remember, these are part of the Chicken Collection, so do not turn them in as you attempt to complete this Goal no matter how tempting the 4 Energy reward is. Lastly, it's back to the begging as you will need 10 Chicken Soup Recipes and only your friends will have them. Finish this and enjoy 3,000 coins and three Chickens. Alright, being rewarded with items we could have used in the Goal is getting tired, but the extra coins ain't too shabby. Not to mention that you're now one step closer to that elusive Partridge in a Pear Tree.
Find the rest of our Holiday 2010 coverage right here.
CityVille Cheats and Tips: Reputation by the numbers
Hearts in CityVille
In CityVille, Reputation is more important than you might think. Anyone who has read our guide on Neighbor Visits might agree. As many probably know already, doing each of the five actions you're allowed for a Neighbor every 12 hours drops a single Heart. These Hearts act exactly like the blue stars that stand for XP while tending to your own city, but increase your Reputation level.
However, few might have known exactly how many Hearts it takes to get your Reputation to the maximum level of 50. Here's a hint: it rhymes with "heaven" and ends in "thousand." That's right, it takes a whopping 7,000 Hearts to reach Reputation Level 50
Join us after the break for a full breakdown of how many Hearts it takes to achieve each Reputation level in CityVille.
Reputation in CityVilleAnd here you are: the number of Hearts needed for every level of Reputation in CityVille:
Level 2 – 10 Hearts
Level 3 – 25 Hearts
Level 4 – 45 Hearts
Level 5 – 70 Hearts
Level 6 – 100 Hearts
Level 7 – 200 Hearts
Level 8 – 300 Hearts
Level 9 – 400 Hearts
Level 10 – 500 Hearts
Level 11 – 600 Hearts
Level 12 – 700 Hearts
Level 13 – 800 Hearts
Level 14 – 900 Hearts
Level 15 – 1000 Hearts
Level 16 – 1100 Hearts
Level 17 – 1200 Hearts
Level 18 – 1300 Hearts
Level 19 – 1400 Hearts
Level 20 – 1500 Hearts
Level 21 – 1750 Hearts
Level 22 – 2000 Hearts
Level 23 – 2500 Hearts
Level 24 – 3000 Hearts
Level 25 – 3500 Hearts
Level 26 – 4000 Hearts
Level 27 – 4500 Hearts
Level 28 – 5000 Hearts
Level 29 – 6000 Hearts
Level 30 – 7000 Hearts
Level 31 – 8000 Hearts
Level 32 – 9000 Hearts
Level 33 – 10000 Hearts
Level 34 – 11000 Hearts
Level 35 – 12000 Hearts
Level 36 – 13000 Hearts
Level 37 – 14000 Hearts
Level 38 – 15000 Hearts
Level 39 – 16000 Hearts
Level 40 – 17000 Hearts
Level 41 – 18000 Hearts
Level 42 – 19000 Hearts
Level 43 – 20000 Hearts
Level 44 – 21000 Hearts
Level 45 – 22000 Hearts
Level 46 – 23000 Hearts
Level 47 – 24000 Hearts
Level 48 – 25000 Hearts
Level 49 – 30000 Hearts
Level 50 – 35000 Hearts
As you can see, things get a little crazy around Level 28, doubling the amount of Hearts required for each level to one thousand. The best way to level your Reputation as quickly as possible is to make as many friends as you can and master the 12-hour timer system attached to Reputation. As silly as it sounds, scheduling your Neighbor visits around your daily life will maximize your daily Reputation games. But it's up to you if you want to take it that far.
In CityVille, Reputation is more important than you might think. Anyone who has read our guide on Neighbor Visits might agree. As many probably know already, doing each of the five actions you're allowed for a Neighbor every 12 hours drops a single Heart. These Hearts act exactly like the blue stars that stand for XP while tending to your own city, but increase your Reputation level.
However, few might have known exactly how many Hearts it takes to get your Reputation to the maximum level of 50. Here's a hint: it rhymes with "heaven" and ends in "thousand." That's right, it takes a whopping 7,000 Hearts to reach Reputation Level 50
Join us after the break for a full breakdown of how many Hearts it takes to achieve each Reputation level in CityVille.
Reputation in CityVilleAnd here you are: the number of Hearts needed for every level of Reputation in CityVille:
Level 2 – 10 Hearts
Level 3 – 25 Hearts
Level 4 – 45 Hearts
Level 5 – 70 Hearts
Level 6 – 100 Hearts
Level 7 – 200 Hearts
Level 8 – 300 Hearts
Level 9 – 400 Hearts
Level 10 – 500 Hearts
Level 11 – 600 Hearts
Level 12 – 700 Hearts
Level 13 – 800 Hearts
Level 14 – 900 Hearts
Level 15 – 1000 Hearts
Level 16 – 1100 Hearts
Level 17 – 1200 Hearts
Level 18 – 1300 Hearts
Level 19 – 1400 Hearts
Level 20 – 1500 Hearts
Level 21 – 1750 Hearts
Level 22 – 2000 Hearts
Level 23 – 2500 Hearts
Level 24 – 3000 Hearts
Level 25 – 3500 Hearts
Level 26 – 4000 Hearts
Level 27 – 4500 Hearts
Level 28 – 5000 Hearts
Level 29 – 6000 Hearts
Level 30 – 7000 Hearts
Level 31 – 8000 Hearts
Level 32 – 9000 Hearts
Level 33 – 10000 Hearts
Level 34 – 11000 Hearts
Level 35 – 12000 Hearts
Level 36 – 13000 Hearts
Level 37 – 14000 Hearts
Level 38 – 15000 Hearts
Level 39 – 16000 Hearts
Level 40 – 17000 Hearts
Level 41 – 18000 Hearts
Level 42 – 19000 Hearts
Level 43 – 20000 Hearts
Level 44 – 21000 Hearts
Level 45 – 22000 Hearts
Level 46 – 23000 Hearts
Level 47 – 24000 Hearts
Level 48 – 25000 Hearts
Level 49 – 30000 Hearts
Level 50 – 35000 Hearts
As you can see, things get a little crazy around Level 28, doubling the amount of Hearts required for each level to one thousand. The best way to level your Reputation as quickly as possible is to make as many friends as you can and master the 12-hour timer system attached to Reputation. As silly as it sounds, scheduling your Neighbor visits around your daily life will maximize your daily Reputation games. But it's up to you if you want to take it that far.
Godswar Online: Facebook game and MMO unite
Since free-to-play massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) like Maple Story and Dungeons and Dragons Eberron Unlimited gained popularity in the U.S., their similarities with Facebook games became crystal clear. Each are free to play and download, both have item shops that deal in real world currency, and finally, most are playable on a wide range of computers. In short, it was only a matter of time before the two worlds merged, and Godswar Online, developed by Kalydo and IGG, aims to do just that.
The two companies have brought the Grecian-themed MMO to Facebook using Kalydo technology, which allows complex 3D games to run directly in the browser without a full download. However, a small Java applet download is required to play Godswar Online. Do that and soon enough you'll be in the thick of an ancient war between Athens and Sparta complete with wizards, minotaurs and walking tree creatures. Alright, so none of that really happened, but it makes for a pretty robust, entertaining Facebook game. Is it even a Facebook game?
See for yourself in our impressions after the break.
Character Creation
Through and through, Godswar Online is an MMO. With customizable, full-3D characters, four playable classes (warriors, champions, priests and wizards) and full quest and combat systems, this game could be described as nothing else. Frankly, this is going to be a shock for folks who have only played games like FarmVille or FrontierVille seriously. While seasoned MMO players will have no issue with navigating the game, fully aware of common MMO tropes and tendencies, those new to this type of game might go cross-eyed from looking at the walls of text, the littered icons and randomly moving shapes that resemble children in battle armor.
And that's exactly why the Newbie Guide is here to help. A series of pop ups that tell players exactly what to do and where to click, it's pretty tough to get lost in this game with the Newbie Guide around. The guide will hold your hand as you complete quests, which are visible at any time by pressing the scroll icon on the bottom right of the screen. Quests are the primary mode of advancement in Godswar Online like in most MMOs, granting players precious Experience Points along with new armor, weapons and skills. Those will be extremely useful if not vital in combat with the various monsters of Godswar Online.
Combat
Ranging from your standard deer to vicious tree creatures and quaint pixie fairies, there are a ton of mythical beasts to slay in the world of Ancient Greece. Fighting enemies is simple enough, requiring a double click of an enemy. Aside from clicking on your various combat skills mapped to the center area on the bottom of your screen, your character will take care of the rest. While the combat may sound a bit dry, things will spice up as you gain more abilities and when monsters become more difficult to defeat, requiring you to team up with fellow players to defeat them.
All of this probably sounds somewhat daunting, so IGG and Kalydo included a feature in the game known as the Search function. In the text of any given quest and through the Search menu beneath the mini map, players can click on highlighted portion of text to cause their character to walk in the direction of the item, place, person or monster it refers to. Think of it as effortless navigation to nearly anywhere in the game. Better yet is an AFK, or away from keyboard, option. This setting, activated by clicking on the small crossed swords icon above the action bar lining the bottom of the screen, will automatically cause your character to endlessly attack monsters if he or she is surrounded by them. Just set the skills you want your avatar to use, select healing and mana (a resource used for skills) potions for automated use, and press "Start." Go read a book, make a sandwich and watch the Experience Points flow in.
City Life in Godswar
Keep in mind that the entire game, including combat, occurs in real time. Just about everyone you see in the game is an actual player. However, this raises somewhat of a conundrum. Godswar Online, because it's successfully crossed genres, seems to be having trouble figuring out what it is. In the traditional sense of play time limitations, gifting and News Feed posts, this is not a social game. Though, with full blown guild (persistent groups of players with similar interests) support, the ability to add friends within the game and the need for adventuring parties to defeat larger monsters in real time, perhaps this is a social game in another sense.
In the sense that it allows for natural social connections through real time gameplay where players will face obstacles that require them to join forces. Players don't necessarily need friends to play Godswar Online, but at least they can make them on their own terms. Whether this type of game can survive on Facebook has yet to be seen, but Godswar Online certainly makes a strong first step in a potential new direction for social games--or whatever we're supposed to call them these days.
The two companies have brought the Grecian-themed MMO to Facebook using Kalydo technology, which allows complex 3D games to run directly in the browser without a full download. However, a small Java applet download is required to play Godswar Online. Do that and soon enough you'll be in the thick of an ancient war between Athens and Sparta complete with wizards, minotaurs and walking tree creatures. Alright, so none of that really happened, but it makes for a pretty robust, entertaining Facebook game. Is it even a Facebook game?
See for yourself in our impressions after the break.
Character Creation
Through and through, Godswar Online is an MMO. With customizable, full-3D characters, four playable classes (warriors, champions, priests and wizards) and full quest and combat systems, this game could be described as nothing else. Frankly, this is going to be a shock for folks who have only played games like FarmVille or FrontierVille seriously. While seasoned MMO players will have no issue with navigating the game, fully aware of common MMO tropes and tendencies, those new to this type of game might go cross-eyed from looking at the walls of text, the littered icons and randomly moving shapes that resemble children in battle armor.
And that's exactly why the Newbie Guide is here to help. A series of pop ups that tell players exactly what to do and where to click, it's pretty tough to get lost in this game with the Newbie Guide around. The guide will hold your hand as you complete quests, which are visible at any time by pressing the scroll icon on the bottom right of the screen. Quests are the primary mode of advancement in Godswar Online like in most MMOs, granting players precious Experience Points along with new armor, weapons and skills. Those will be extremely useful if not vital in combat with the various monsters of Godswar Online.
Combat
Ranging from your standard deer to vicious tree creatures and quaint pixie fairies, there are a ton of mythical beasts to slay in the world of Ancient Greece. Fighting enemies is simple enough, requiring a double click of an enemy. Aside from clicking on your various combat skills mapped to the center area on the bottom of your screen, your character will take care of the rest. While the combat may sound a bit dry, things will spice up as you gain more abilities and when monsters become more difficult to defeat, requiring you to team up with fellow players to defeat them.
All of this probably sounds somewhat daunting, so IGG and Kalydo included a feature in the game known as the Search function. In the text of any given quest and through the Search menu beneath the mini map, players can click on highlighted portion of text to cause their character to walk in the direction of the item, place, person or monster it refers to. Think of it as effortless navigation to nearly anywhere in the game. Better yet is an AFK, or away from keyboard, option. This setting, activated by clicking on the small crossed swords icon above the action bar lining the bottom of the screen, will automatically cause your character to endlessly attack monsters if he or she is surrounded by them. Just set the skills you want your avatar to use, select healing and mana (a resource used for skills) potions for automated use, and press "Start." Go read a book, make a sandwich and watch the Experience Points flow in.
City Life in Godswar
Keep in mind that the entire game, including combat, occurs in real time. Just about everyone you see in the game is an actual player. However, this raises somewhat of a conundrum. Godswar Online, because it's successfully crossed genres, seems to be having trouble figuring out what it is. In the traditional sense of play time limitations, gifting and News Feed posts, this is not a social game. Though, with full blown guild (persistent groups of players with similar interests) support, the ability to add friends within the game and the need for adventuring parties to defeat larger monsters in real time, perhaps this is a social game in another sense.
In the sense that it allows for natural social connections through real time gameplay where players will face obstacles that require them to join forces. Players don't necessarily need friends to play Godswar Online, but at least they can make them on their own terms. Whether this type of game can survive on Facebook has yet to be seen, but Godswar Online certainly makes a strong first step in a potential new direction for social games--or whatever we're supposed to call them these days.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The Top 10 Most Influential People in Facebook and Social Games
Facebook games have attracted some of the most popular figures in the game industry since their dawn about four years ago. The past two years alone saw more video game veterans than we care to count leave the world of shooters and strategy games behind for Facebook. That said, we decided it was about time to see how these game design and business juggernauts sized up against one another after PeekYou approached us with a way to do so.
PeekYou, a search company focused on indexing the web around people, also runs PeekScore. This service ranks people on a scale of 1 to 10 based on their influence across the Internet. The score takes active and passive content creation into account, the former being social media use and blogging, and the latter being mentions in online news outlets, archives and databases.
However, we had to populate the list with 10 names. In an attempt at fairness, we took to AppData's developer leaderboard, but also peppered the list with industry transplants of note. We're certain we've glossed over some video game veterans, but did you really want a list of 30 people? So, feel free to give us your two cents in the comments. (We've put on our flame-retardant suits already.) Here are the top 10 most influential people in Facebook and social games:
PeekYou, a search company focused on indexing the web around people, also runs PeekScore. This service ranks people on a scale of 1 to 10 based on their influence across the Internet. The score takes active and passive content creation into account, the former being social media use and blogging, and the latter being mentions in online news outlets, archives and databases.
However, we had to populate the list with 10 names. In an attempt at fairness, we took to AppData's developer leaderboard, but also peppered the list with industry transplants of note. We're certain we've glossed over some video game veterans, but did you really want a list of 30 people? So, feel free to give us your two cents in the comments. (We've put on our flame-retardant suits already.) Here are the top 10 most influential people in Facebook and social games:
Q-Games to tower over Facebook with PixelJunk Monsters Online
Whenever traditional console developers announce Facebook games, they're normally completely different experiences. (Alright, we were just being nice--they're usually nothing more than buzz-builders.) But GameZebo reports that developer Q-Games will launch its hit PS3 tower defense game, PixelJunk Monsters, on Facebook with "Online" following its title.
While its title certainly isn't original, this social version of PixelJunk Monsters is anything but a buzz-builder. According to an early look by GameZebo, the game is in "an early alpha state," and is scheduled to launch in full on Facebook this year. However, it appears that PixelJunk Monsters Online is available to all at the moment, and has about 2,000 monthly players.
Despite that, the game is far from feature-complete, and thankfully the in-game item shop has yet to be open for business. As far as we know, PixelJunk Monsters Online is under development by Q-Games. The basic gameplay of PixelJunk Monsters remains intact: Players create armed towers on top of existing trees to automatically fend off encroaching if adorable enemies.
However, there aren't many types of towers or enemies in the game yet. Q-Games was apparently more worried about laying on the old PixelJunk charm with impressive pseudo-3D visuals with a Candy Land style and a lovely tune. While the game has yet to officially launch on Facebook, you can play it right here to get a taste of what's to come. And what great timing you have, Q-Games: There aren't many tower defense games on Facebook, and yours is one of the best around, we hear.
While its title certainly isn't original, this social version of PixelJunk Monsters is anything but a buzz-builder. According to an early look by GameZebo, the game is in "an early alpha state," and is scheduled to launch in full on Facebook this year. However, it appears that PixelJunk Monsters Online is available to all at the moment, and has about 2,000 monthly players.
Despite that, the game is far from feature-complete, and thankfully the in-game item shop has yet to be open for business. As far as we know, PixelJunk Monsters Online is under development by Q-Games. The basic gameplay of PixelJunk Monsters remains intact: Players create armed towers on top of existing trees to automatically fend off encroaching if adorable enemies.
However, there aren't many types of towers or enemies in the game yet. Q-Games was apparently more worried about laying on the old PixelJunk charm with impressive pseudo-3D visuals with a Candy Land style and a lovely tune. While the game has yet to officially launch on Facebook, you can play it right here to get a taste of what's to come. And what great timing you have, Q-Games: There aren't many tower defense games on Facebook, and yours is one of the best around, we hear.
PapayaMobile's mobile social game network gets friendly with iOS
OpenFeint and Mobage might want to watch out ... or get a delicious fruit in their logo somehow. Beijing-based PapayaMobile announced that it has expanded its mobile social game network from Android to iOS devices. iPhone and iPad game developers can now incorporate PapayaMobile into their game much like they would OpenFeint or Apple's Game Center.
But not only that, developers can create their own social games from scratch through PapayaMobile's Social Game Engine, and launch said games across both iOS and Android devices at once. PapayaMobile's social game network works across both iOS and Android. This means that if a mobile game uses PapayaMobile on both its iOS and Android versions, players can issue challenges, send game invitations, view leaderboards and more between both versions of the game.
PapayaMobile's main goal is to connect both Android and iOS gamers through a single network, something that can't be said for most mobile social game networks (well, aside from OpenFeint). Surely PapayaMobile hopes this cross-platform move will boost its player base of over 30 million. It looks like the mobile social games arena just met a new challenger.
Well, make that a few new challengers. The first games to hit iOS with PapayaMobile include X-City by Aidi Game, Contagion by 2Clams, and Burger Joint by Arctic Empire. Something tells us Facebook missed a golden opportunity with Connect.
But not only that, developers can create their own social games from scratch through PapayaMobile's Social Game Engine, and launch said games across both iOS and Android devices at once. PapayaMobile's social game network works across both iOS and Android. This means that if a mobile game uses PapayaMobile on both its iOS and Android versions, players can issue challenges, send game invitations, view leaderboards and more between both versions of the game.
PapayaMobile's main goal is to connect both Android and iOS gamers through a single network, something that can't be said for most mobile social game networks (well, aside from OpenFeint). Surely PapayaMobile hopes this cross-platform move will boost its player base of over 30 million. It looks like the mobile social games arena just met a new challenger.
Well, make that a few new challengers. The first games to hit iOS with PapayaMobile include X-City by Aidi Game, Contagion by 2Clams, and Burger Joint by Arctic Empire. Something tells us Facebook missed a golden opportunity with Connect.
Nexon's next social game, Zombie Misfits, looks for brains on Facebook
Alright, we thought it too: "Another zombie game?" But hold on just a second there, naysayers. Nexon's new Facebook game, Zombie Misfits, takes the whole zombie craze in a decidedly different direction. Co-developed by Canadian studio Antic Entertainment, this social take on what's quickly becoming a tired trend turns is a side-scrolling tower defense game.
Wait, according to a release, it's a "cartoon-style apocalyptic tower defense game with an RPG flare." Does that sound different enough for you? And if you ask us, the game's art style looks like something you'd easily find on Cartoon Network.
Ever since Nexon struck gold with MapleStory Adventures, the company has been bullish on Facebook games, but has taken its sweet time. (The publisher likely could have thrown its name on a number of Facebook games this year, but didn't.)
But back to the brain bustin'. Zombie Misfits has players defend survivors of the zombie apocalypse in two-dimensional zones against wave after wave of walking cadavers. To do so, you must place Defenders in key, predefined points in each level to kill off the walkers (thanks, The Walking Dead) before they reach the hovel of "breathers", as tutorial character Slim calls them.
The game features a number of different defenders like the Biker, a club-wielding badass type, and the pistol-toting Trooper--all of which can be modified and upgraded. Of course, you'll need to strategize which Defenders to place as you unlock them to fight the numerous types of zombies. And players can enlist the help of their friends, as per usual. But really, nothing beats the feeling of taking a giant chain saw to a morose mob of undead mouth-breathers.
Wait, according to a release, it's a "cartoon-style apocalyptic tower defense game with an RPG flare." Does that sound different enough for you? And if you ask us, the game's art style looks like something you'd easily find on Cartoon Network.
Ever since Nexon struck gold with MapleStory Adventures, the company has been bullish on Facebook games, but has taken its sweet time. (The publisher likely could have thrown its name on a number of Facebook games this year, but didn't.)
But back to the brain bustin'. Zombie Misfits has players defend survivors of the zombie apocalypse in two-dimensional zones against wave after wave of walking cadavers. To do so, you must place Defenders in key, predefined points in each level to kill off the walkers (thanks, The Walking Dead) before they reach the hovel of "breathers", as tutorial character Slim calls them.
The game features a number of different defenders like the Biker, a club-wielding badass type, and the pistol-toting Trooper--all of which can be modified and upgraded. Of course, you'll need to strategize which Defenders to place as you unlock them to fight the numerous types of zombies. And players can enlist the help of their friends, as per usual. But really, nothing beats the feeling of taking a giant chain saw to a morose mob of undead mouth-breathers.
Compare (hilarious) Apples to Apples on Facebook, mobile this winter
Look, if you've never played Apples to Apples before, just go out to Walmart or something and fork up the 20 bucks. Play the game with a few friends, come back to read this news and you'll understand why we're excited. (Just trust us on this one, OK?) THQ and Mattel have announced that they're working to bring the awesome board game to Facebook and mobile this winter.
Better yet, like Zynga's Words With Friends, the game will be playable across platforms. This means players can challenge their friends in games of goofy comparisons from either Facebook or their mobile device (likely iOS and Android), and their friends can respond from either device. The game is quite simple: One player chooses a card from a deck with an adjective, while the other players choose one card from their hand with a person, place or thing of note. The former then chooses which card they think fits bests, generally based on whether it's funny ... which is almost always the case.
On Facebook and mobile, players will be able to create their own games with their friends or jump into existing games with random players. Through playing Apples to Apples, you'll earn Apple Coins, Apple Cash and Apple Achievements to unlock additional avatars, playing cards and themed backgrounds, according to a release.
THQ and Mattel are also releasing the game for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network for $10, but we imagine the Facebook and mobile versions will be free. We also imagine that Apples to Apples will create awkward situations when players inexplicably laugh to themselves in public.
Better yet, like Zynga's Words With Friends, the game will be playable across platforms. This means players can challenge their friends in games of goofy comparisons from either Facebook or their mobile device (likely iOS and Android), and their friends can respond from either device. The game is quite simple: One player chooses a card from a deck with an adjective, while the other players choose one card from their hand with a person, place or thing of note. The former then chooses which card they think fits bests, generally based on whether it's funny ... which is almost always the case.
On Facebook and mobile, players will be able to create their own games with their friends or jump into existing games with random players. Through playing Apples to Apples, you'll earn Apple Coins, Apple Cash and Apple Achievements to unlock additional avatars, playing cards and themed backgrounds, according to a release.
THQ and Mattel are also releasing the game for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network for $10, but we imagine the Facebook and mobile versions will be free. We also imagine that Apples to Apples will create awkward situations when players inexplicably laugh to themselves in public.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
FarmVille Sneak Peek: Visit England Sign hints at European expansion
Just like Lexilicious said, we'll soon be traveling to a faraway land in FarmVille. The folks at FarmVille Freak have stumbled upon an image of a sign that reads "Visit England Soon." It actually looks very similar to the recent sign promoting CityVille in the game, so perhaps this will be a portal into another location in FarmVille.
However, it could just as easily be a new theme of items that will release. But I would hope with a build up like this--between what sounded like a British man teasing the feature on the FarmVille podcast and now a promotional sign--that England in FarmVille would be much deeper than that. And unlike most of FarmVille Freak's findings, this is, in fact, confirmed. Stay tuned for when the time comes to journey across the pond.
[Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
What do you think the new England expansion will turn out to be? When do you think it will be released to the game?
However, it could just as easily be a new theme of items that will release. But I would hope with a build up like this--between what sounded like a British man teasing the feature on the FarmVille podcast and now a promotional sign--that England in FarmVille would be much deeper than that. And unlike most of FarmVille Freak's findings, this is, in fact, confirmed. Stay tuned for when the time comes to journey across the pond.
[Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
What do you think the new England expansion will turn out to be? When do you think it will be released to the game?
FarmVille Valentine Costumes: Dress your avatar as Cupid or a Pink Rabbit
Since Zynga has released a slew of new Valentine's Day decorations in FarmVille, many users began to wonder if we'd soon be able to dress up our in-game avatars in new themed costumes, as well as decorating our farms. We receive our answer this week, as Zynga has released three new Valentine's Day limited edition costumes to the store.
These three costumes actually come in only two varieties - Cupid Costumes, and a Bunny Costume. There is a completely different Cupid Costume available for either boy or girl avatars (the girl costume is a dress with pink wings and red tights, while the boy costume is a white suit with white wings), but both costumes cost the same at 15 Farm Cash each You'll receive 525 experience points for purchasing either one.
The Pink Rabbit costume however, is unisex. While males might scoff at the thought of dressing their avatar as a fluffy pink bunny, I personally think it would be downright adorable. Maybe that's just me though. Regardless, anyone interested can pick up this costume for 10 Farm Cash. You'll receive 350 experience points as a bonus.
All told, these costumes will be available in the game for the next 17 days, bringing us right up to Valentine's Day proper. It's unknown as of now whether or not more costumes will be released in the future, but you'll be the first to know if there are.
These three costumes actually come in only two varieties - Cupid Costumes, and a Bunny Costume. There is a completely different Cupid Costume available for either boy or girl avatars (the girl costume is a dress with pink wings and red tights, while the boy costume is a white suit with white wings), but both costumes cost the same at 15 Farm Cash each You'll receive 525 experience points for purchasing either one.
The Pink Rabbit costume however, is unisex. While males might scoff at the thought of dressing their avatar as a fluffy pink bunny, I personally think it would be downright adorable. Maybe that's just me though. Regardless, anyone interested can pick up this costume for 10 Farm Cash. You'll receive 350 experience points as a bonus.
All told, these costumes will be available in the game for the next 17 days, bringing us right up to Valentine's Day proper. It's unknown as of now whether or not more costumes will be released in the future, but you'll be the first to know if there are.
FarmVille: Unintentional(?) update brings Red Pagoda and New Year Rabbit to market early
Earlier today, we brought you a sneak peek of some unreleased Chinese New Year items that we believe will be coming to FarmVille in the near future. This afternoon, we've received confirmation that at least two of those items will in fact be released officially, as they have - get this - already appeared in many users' games.
That's right, two particular items - the Red Pagoda, and the New Year Rabbit - have been spotted on many users' farms, at the very back of the Building and Animal tabs of the store. I personally have the Red Pagoda in my own store, and have purchased one of these buildings for myself, confirming that it works. It is available to purchase for 40,000 coins. While you can purchase the building early if you'd like - one word of warning. The building is... well, it's rather blurry, as if Zynga hasn't put all of the finishing touches on it quite yet. This makes sense, as we didn't expect these items to be released until at least next month as part of an eventual Chinese New Year theme in the game. I've added a full-size screenshot of the item on my farm to show you just how big this item is, and its current state.
As for the New Year Rabbit, it is a much more costly item, priced at 250,000 coins. It also further explains the unintentional nature of this weird update, as it is invisible. It's position is found in the store, and the animal itself can be purchased, but it will show up as an invisible spot on your farm, that is, if you can find the item in the store before Zynga catches to their accident and removes both it and the Pagoda.
Whether or not you want to take a risk on purchasing either of these items will be up to you. Either way, though, it is nice to get a heads-up on what these items will eventually cost, so it might be worth looking into.
That's right, two particular items - the Red Pagoda, and the New Year Rabbit - have been spotted on many users' farms, at the very back of the Building and Animal tabs of the store. I personally have the Red Pagoda in my own store, and have purchased one of these buildings for myself, confirming that it works. It is available to purchase for 40,000 coins. While you can purchase the building early if you'd like - one word of warning. The building is... well, it's rather blurry, as if Zynga hasn't put all of the finishing touches on it quite yet. This makes sense, as we didn't expect these items to be released until at least next month as part of an eventual Chinese New Year theme in the game. I've added a full-size screenshot of the item on my farm to show you just how big this item is, and its current state.
As for the New Year Rabbit, it is a much more costly item, priced at 250,000 coins. It also further explains the unintentional nature of this weird update, as it is invisible. It's position is found in the store, and the animal itself can be purchased, but it will show up as an invisible spot on your farm, that is, if you can find the item in the store before Zynga catches to their accident and removes both it and the Pagoda.
Whether or not you want to take a risk on purchasing either of these items will be up to you. Either way, though, it is nice to get a heads-up on what these items will eventually cost, so it might be worth looking into.
FarmVille Sneak Peek: Valentine Gnome, Romantic Cottage, Heart Pig & More
And the love-themed items just keep on coming. Thanks to some new unreleased images, we can now speculate that a whole host of additional Valentines' Day themed goodies will be coming to FarmVille in the very near future.
These items range from animals and buildings to even a set of decorative items, all, of course, filled with enough pink, purple, and red to make even the most girly of girly girls squeal in delight. These new items are (listed from left to right in the above picture) a Love Gondola, Romantic Picnic, Romantic Cottage, Valentine Gnome, Pink Persian Cat and Heart Pig.
We can guarantee that at least the Romantic Picnic, Pink Persian Cat, Heart Pig and Love Gondola will be released in the game, as they were featured in the most recent Valentine's Day Theme Showcase video released just this week. As for the other items, only time will tell at this point.
As an educated guess, we'd think that some of these items will start to appear in the game as soon as this weekend, as Zynga has taken to updating the game on Sunday evenings. Again, there's no guarantee that that prediction will come true, so keep that in mind. If these guys don't appear in the store, they might also show up as Mystery Game items, or even as additional prizes in the recently released Valentines Mailbox. Either way, we'll be sure to let you know when they're released in the game.
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day coverage right here.
These items range from animals and buildings to even a set of decorative items, all, of course, filled with enough pink, purple, and red to make even the most girly of girly girls squeal in delight. These new items are (listed from left to right in the above picture) a Love Gondola, Romantic Picnic, Romantic Cottage, Valentine Gnome, Pink Persian Cat and Heart Pig.
We can guarantee that at least the Romantic Picnic, Pink Persian Cat, Heart Pig and Love Gondola will be released in the game, as they were featured in the most recent Valentine's Day Theme Showcase video released just this week. As for the other items, only time will tell at this point.
As an educated guess, we'd think that some of these items will start to appear in the game as soon as this weekend, as Zynga has taken to updating the game on Sunday evenings. Again, there's no guarantee that that prediction will come true, so keep that in mind. If these guys don't appear in the store, they might also show up as Mystery Game items, or even as additional prizes in the recently released Valentines Mailbox. Either way, we'll be sure to let you know when they're released in the game.
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day coverage right here.
Earn 30 free FarmVille Farm Cash in Bing Rewards Promotion
Here's a big one for you - how would you like to earn 30 Farm Cash in FarmVille absolutely free, thanks to a promotion from Bing Rewards, and their new Bing Rewards Toolbar? Well, I hope you answered that you would like to do just that, as you can via a new Sponsored Link that has started making the rounds to FarmVille players on Facebook.
The sponsored link [pictured] will take you to a new page where you'll need to sing up with Bing's Rewards program, which involves downloading a free toolbar. This toolbar is only available to users (and therefore so is the offer) who are using Internet Explorer - sorry Chrome, Firefox, etc. users. Also, you won't be able to take advantage of this offer if you're on a Mac. The deal goes like this - install the toolbar, register for a Rewards account, and make one search using the toolbar.
After allowing up to 15 minutes for the Farm Cash to appear in your account (says Zynga), you should be able to refresh your FarmVille game page to see your free 30 Farm Cash in your account. This is a great opportunity, to say the least, to really rack up some quick and easy Farm Cash on your account, even if you choose not to use the Bing Rewards Toolbar in the future (you can even uninstall it if you want). If you've already signed up for their toolbar in the past, simply make a new account to take advantage of this great offer.
There's no telling how long this promotion will be available, so make sure to sign up fast so that you don't miss out.
The sponsored link [pictured] will take you to a new page where you'll need to sing up with Bing's Rewards program, which involves downloading a free toolbar. This toolbar is only available to users (and therefore so is the offer) who are using Internet Explorer - sorry Chrome, Firefox, etc. users. Also, you won't be able to take advantage of this offer if you're on a Mac. The deal goes like this - install the toolbar, register for a Rewards account, and make one search using the toolbar.
After allowing up to 15 minutes for the Farm Cash to appear in your account (says Zynga), you should be able to refresh your FarmVille game page to see your free 30 Farm Cash in your account. This is a great opportunity, to say the least, to really rack up some quick and easy Farm Cash on your account, even if you choose not to use the Bing Rewards Toolbar in the future (you can even uninstall it if you want). If you've already signed up for their toolbar in the past, simply make a new account to take advantage of this great offer.
There's no telling how long this promotion will be available, so make sure to sign up fast so that you don't miss out.
Friday, January 6, 2012
CityVille: Five things Zynga says it could have done better
After CityVille launched, it was only a matter of weeks before it surpassed FarmVille and reached its current height of 20 million daily players. Zynga Product Development VP Mark Skaggs says they managed to perform what he considers the "impossible" with FarmVille and then with CityVille almost two years later.
And even though Zynga's city building Facebook game is breaking all sorts of records in popularity, Skaggs admitted there were things they could have done better. And his laundry list, revealed in his talk at the 2011 Game Developer Conference in San Francisco, goes something like this:
Trains are only "kind of cool"
Yes, the trains in the game will bring you goods, but they don't really add that 'wow' factor.
Simpler interface for Franchises
"People just click on the buttons and don't really know what they mean," says Skaggs.
Expansions
It was too easy to buy expansions and people's cities grew too quickly.
Longer run way on the simulation
In normal-person speak, that means that power players shouldn't have been able to crank through the game as quickly as they did.
More surprises and easter eggs
What's more fun than discovering a hidden secret in the game? In FarmVille, it's great to discover that you can trap your farmer so you can get things done faster. In Pet Society, it's really fun the first time you get your pet to produce collectible poo.
Other challenges Skaggs said the CityVlle team faced when making the game was creating a story that was as engaging as the one in FrontierVille (you have to get a spouse, start a family) and injecting fun into the game.
This might be controversial, but I'd argue that CityVille -- despite its runaway success -- is still lacking on the fun factor. Maybe perhaps improvements to the five things listed above (my personal vote is for more surprises/Easter eggs) would bring a much needed sense of delight to the game that's present in FarmVille and FrontierVille but somehow still missing in this virtual city planner.
And even though Zynga's city building Facebook game is breaking all sorts of records in popularity, Skaggs admitted there were things they could have done better. And his laundry list, revealed in his talk at the 2011 Game Developer Conference in San Francisco, goes something like this:
Trains are only "kind of cool"
Yes, the trains in the game will bring you goods, but they don't really add that 'wow' factor.
Simpler interface for Franchises
"People just click on the buttons and don't really know what they mean," says Skaggs.
Expansions
It was too easy to buy expansions and people's cities grew too quickly.
Longer run way on the simulation
In normal-person speak, that means that power players shouldn't have been able to crank through the game as quickly as they did.
More surprises and easter eggs
What's more fun than discovering a hidden secret in the game? In FarmVille, it's great to discover that you can trap your farmer so you can get things done faster. In Pet Society, it's really fun the first time you get your pet to produce collectible poo.
Other challenges Skaggs said the CityVlle team faced when making the game was creating a story that was as engaging as the one in FrontierVille (you have to get a spouse, start a family) and injecting fun into the game.
This might be controversial, but I'd argue that CityVille -- despite its runaway success -- is still lacking on the fun factor. Maybe perhaps improvements to the five things listed above (my personal vote is for more surprises/Easter eggs) would bring a much needed sense of delight to the game that's present in FarmVille and FrontierVille but somehow still missing in this virtual city planner.
Mahjongg Dimensions Facebook game now on iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch
Mahjongg Dimensions made a name for itself on Facebook as a new take on the traditional Mahjongg tile-matching template, giving the game a 3D layout, asking you to rotate cubes in a full 360 degree circle to match symbols on the edge of those cubes. The faster you make matches, the more boards you clear within the game's time limit, and the more points you score.
Mahjongg Dimensions on Facebook has over 1.3 million monthly active players, according to the latest AppData figures, and Arkadium and Backflip Studios are hoping that fans of the game will be willing to pay to take that gameplay with them wherever they go thanks to the release of Mahjongg Dimensions on iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad.
Mahjongg Dimensions on iOS allows you to play the same gameplay that you've come to know and love on Facebook right in the palm of your hand, but with actual levels to complete. Your score carries on from one level to the next, and you aren't nearly as timed in this version of the game, as your overall timer starts at 5 minutes. While there is a free version of the game available to download from the App Store, the full game costs 99 cents, and contains 30 more levels than the demo.
The game offers Facebook connectivity, so you can show off your high scores to your friends back on Facebook, and contains full touch controls, allowing you to tap on blocks easily and quickly, and to rotate the board with a simple tap of your finger, as you'd expect. Mahjongg Dimensions has already been updated once since it launched on the App Store earlier this month, so Arkadium seems to be dedicated to making the mobile version as grand as its predecessor.
Mahjongg Dimensions on Facebook has over 1.3 million monthly active players, according to the latest AppData figures, and Arkadium and Backflip Studios are hoping that fans of the game will be willing to pay to take that gameplay with them wherever they go thanks to the release of Mahjongg Dimensions on iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad.
Mahjongg Dimensions on iOS allows you to play the same gameplay that you've come to know and love on Facebook right in the palm of your hand, but with actual levels to complete. Your score carries on from one level to the next, and you aren't nearly as timed in this version of the game, as your overall timer starts at 5 minutes. While there is a free version of the game available to download from the App Store, the full game costs 99 cents, and contains 30 more levels than the demo.
The game offers Facebook connectivity, so you can show off your high scores to your friends back on Facebook, and contains full touch controls, allowing you to tap on blocks easily and quickly, and to rotate the board with a simple tap of your finger, as you'd expect. Mahjongg Dimensions has already been updated once since it launched on the App Store earlier this month, so Arkadium seems to be dedicated to making the mobile version as grand as its predecessor.
Cafe World Renewed Renovations Goals: Everything you need to know
Back that beginning of February, Zynga launched a series of three "Free Renovations" goals in Cafe World, which offered users some pretty nice rewards for completing them - prizes that are normally only found in the game's store for Cafe Cash. Those goals apparently went over fairly well, as the "Renovations" series has been expanded with four new goals, called "Renewed Renovations."
The first of four new goals will only show up on your account once you have finished the first three goals in this series, so check out our complete guide to completing them if you still haven't made your way through them. As for this, once you're ready for what is technically the fourth mission in this series, you'll need to complete three tasks, which should look mighty familiar to those who finished the first trio of missions in this set.
Serve Eggs Benedict 14 Times
Cook Bacon and Eggs 14 Times
Ask for 10 Ladders
Eggs Benedict cooks in six hours, while Bacon and Eggs cooks in nine hours. While you're waiting for those dishes to cook, you can ask your friends for the ladders by clicking on Ask button and then sending individual requests to those friends that you think would be most likely to help you. Your rewards for completing this quest are 2 Stainless Wall Ovens, which are normally only available for 10 Cafe Cash.
Moving on from that quest, you'll start the second of these four new goals, called "A Perfect Pair." This quest asks you to serve quite a bit of food, but luckily, the particular dish doesn't take very long to prepare.
Serve Fish n Chips 45 times
Ask for 12 Lunchboxes
Ask for 12 Coolers
The item collection here is the same process as with the ladders in the first quest, and while you're waiting for your friends to send you those items, you can cook and serve the 45 Fish n Chips, which are ready after just two hours. Again, this is a quest that is nearly identical to that of that released back at the beginning of the month, so don't feel bad if you're suffering from a bit of deja vu. Your rewards for completing this mission are a Stainless Steel Cooker, and a Stainless Steel Countertop, more decorative items that will allow you to build a virtual kitchen in your equally virtual cafe.
The next quest is called Twice as Nice, and it is setup just like A Perfect Pair, asking you to cook a single dish in bulk while asking for 24 collectible items.
Serve Ginger Plum Pork Chops 35 times
Ask for 12 Bibs
Ask for 12 Serving Bowls
The Ginger Plum Pork Chops take a full day to cook, but remember, you can always speed this process up by using spices. You likely won't need to, however, as it will probably take you at least a day, or more, to collect the necessary items anyway. Finishing this quest rewards you with a Stainless Steel Counter, an actual functional item that acts as any other Counter in the game, allowing you to serve food on it.
Finally, after making it through these three new missions (technically six, if you count the missions that come before this), you'll need to run through another cooking and item collecting setup, but the prize here seems to definitely be worth it.
Serve King Crab Bisque 40 times
Ask for 12 Lunchboxes
Ask for 12 Coolers
King Crab Bisque is available to serve after one full day. Again, use spices if you'd rather not wait. Finishing this mission will reward you with two Lightning Stoves. Yes, that's correct - Lightning Stoves. If you don't consider this a worthwhile prize after this work, then I'm not quite sure what could make it better. The only problem will be in actually getting these quests to actually show up on your account in the first place, so that you can ask for these items (is a mission select screen really too much to ask Zynga?).
The first of four new goals will only show up on your account once you have finished the first three goals in this series, so check out our complete guide to completing them if you still haven't made your way through them. As for this, once you're ready for what is technically the fourth mission in this series, you'll need to complete three tasks, which should look mighty familiar to those who finished the first trio of missions in this set.
Serve Eggs Benedict 14 Times
Cook Bacon and Eggs 14 Times
Ask for 10 Ladders
Eggs Benedict cooks in six hours, while Bacon and Eggs cooks in nine hours. While you're waiting for those dishes to cook, you can ask your friends for the ladders by clicking on Ask button and then sending individual requests to those friends that you think would be most likely to help you. Your rewards for completing this quest are 2 Stainless Wall Ovens, which are normally only available for 10 Cafe Cash.
Moving on from that quest, you'll start the second of these four new goals, called "A Perfect Pair." This quest asks you to serve quite a bit of food, but luckily, the particular dish doesn't take very long to prepare.
Serve Fish n Chips 45 times
Ask for 12 Lunchboxes
Ask for 12 Coolers
The item collection here is the same process as with the ladders in the first quest, and while you're waiting for your friends to send you those items, you can cook and serve the 45 Fish n Chips, which are ready after just two hours. Again, this is a quest that is nearly identical to that of that released back at the beginning of the month, so don't feel bad if you're suffering from a bit of deja vu. Your rewards for completing this mission are a Stainless Steel Cooker, and a Stainless Steel Countertop, more decorative items that will allow you to build a virtual kitchen in your equally virtual cafe.
The next quest is called Twice as Nice, and it is setup just like A Perfect Pair, asking you to cook a single dish in bulk while asking for 24 collectible items.
Serve Ginger Plum Pork Chops 35 times
Ask for 12 Bibs
Ask for 12 Serving Bowls
The Ginger Plum Pork Chops take a full day to cook, but remember, you can always speed this process up by using spices. You likely won't need to, however, as it will probably take you at least a day, or more, to collect the necessary items anyway. Finishing this quest rewards you with a Stainless Steel Counter, an actual functional item that acts as any other Counter in the game, allowing you to serve food on it.
Finally, after making it through these three new missions (technically six, if you count the missions that come before this), you'll need to run through another cooking and item collecting setup, but the prize here seems to definitely be worth it.
Serve King Crab Bisque 40 times
Ask for 12 Lunchboxes
Ask for 12 Coolers
King Crab Bisque is available to serve after one full day. Again, use spices if you'd rather not wait. Finishing this mission will reward you with two Lightning Stoves. Yes, that's correct - Lightning Stoves. If you don't consider this a worthwhile prize after this work, then I'm not quite sure what could make it better. The only problem will be in actually getting these quests to actually show up on your account in the first place, so that you can ask for these items (is a mission select screen really too much to ask Zynga?).
Wishful Features: True in-game gifting in CityVille
As we seem to be receiving more and more CityVille quests that require you to have one or more of a particular collectible item, I've come to the conclusion that the game desperately needs a true in-game gifting feature. While adding an item to your wishlist and then posting that wishlist to your wall is one thing, the fact that the item disappears from your wishlist automatically after a single person sends you the item in question seems rather counter-productive.
What if you need more than one of the item you're asking for? What if one of your CityVille friends has 20 of that item that they're ready and willing to give to you, but now can't because it's no longer on your wishlist? Unless you monitor your game 24 hours a day, you might miss out on these important items that you clearly needed, or else you wouldn't have asked for them in the first place.
Imagine instead a game where you could simply head into your inventory and choose a particular item to send, in bulk, to any of your neighbors. FrontierVille has this system in place, and I use it all of the time - as do many of my neighbors. Wouldn't it be great if we could share excess decorations, or even excess energy with friends when we simply didn't need it? Isn't the point of Facebook games to be social? This would definitely be a new social feature, and I'd love to see it arrive in the game sooner, rather than later.
What do you think of the concept of in-game gifting in CityVille? What other changes would you like to see come to the city-building game?
What if you need more than one of the item you're asking for? What if one of your CityVille friends has 20 of that item that they're ready and willing to give to you, but now can't because it's no longer on your wishlist? Unless you monitor your game 24 hours a day, you might miss out on these important items that you clearly needed, or else you wouldn't have asked for them in the first place.
Imagine instead a game where you could simply head into your inventory and choose a particular item to send, in bulk, to any of your neighbors. FrontierVille has this system in place, and I use it all of the time - as do many of my neighbors. Wouldn't it be great if we could share excess decorations, or even excess energy with friends when we simply didn't need it? Isn't the point of Facebook games to be social? This would definitely be a new social feature, and I'd love to see it arrive in the game sooner, rather than later.
What do you think of the concept of in-game gifting in CityVille? What other changes would you like to see come to the city-building game?
CityVille Wedding Hall receives redesign for more universal look
Wedding Halls
The Wedding Hall Community Building in CityVille looked shockingly different last week to forum user randelex. According to three pages worth of responses, he is absolutely right. Zynga sneakily changed the appearance of the low-level building to be more ... universally acceptable. Forum user Crisis City built the new hotness immediately to the right of his old-and-busted (pictured above) to show the difference. Several players cry foul, claiming it was a move for political correctness. They might be right (OK, that's more than likely), but what's wrong with having both a chapel and a reception hall?
[Image Credit: Crisis City]
What do you think of the new Wedding Hall? Was this a necessary change?
The Wedding Hall Community Building in CityVille looked shockingly different last week to forum user randelex. According to three pages worth of responses, he is absolutely right. Zynga sneakily changed the appearance of the low-level building to be more ... universally acceptable. Forum user Crisis City built the new hotness immediately to the right of his old-and-busted (pictured above) to show the difference. Several players cry foul, claiming it was a move for political correctness. They might be right (OK, that's more than likely), but what's wrong with having both a chapel and a reception hall?
[Image Credit: Crisis City]
What do you think of the new Wedding Hall? Was this a necessary change?
Thursday, January 5, 2012
FarmVille: Giant Candy Apple Tree found from Mystery Seedlings
If you like having FarmVille trees in your collection before they're even released in the store, be sure to claim any and all Mystery Seedlings that your friends post on their walls, and make sure to harvest your Orchards as soon as they are ready, as a new tree has started appearing from Mystery Seedlings - the otherwise unreleased Giant Candy Apple Tree.
While this tree will eventually be available (presumably) as a Mystery Seedling of the also unreleased normal Candy Apple Tree, you can only find it now through growing Mystery Seedlings and hoping to get lucky, or by hoping that you friends have grown one only to share an extra on their wall.
We'll make sure to let you know when these trees are released in the game's store, so keep checking back.
Have you received a Giant Candy Apple Tree from a Mystery Seedling?
While this tree will eventually be available (presumably) as a Mystery Seedling of the also unreleased normal Candy Apple Tree, you can only find it now through growing Mystery Seedlings and hoping to get lucky, or by hoping that you friends have grown one only to share an extra on their wall.
We'll make sure to let you know when these trees are released in the game's store, so keep checking back.
Have you received a Giant Candy Apple Tree from a Mystery Seedling?
FrontierVille: Expand to 37 x 37 now for coins
It's been a long time coming. We've known that a 37 x 37 land expansion would be coming to FrontierVille via a new set of goals discovered way back at the beginning of February. Last week, the expansion was finally made available in the game, but only to those players who wanted to shell out a whopping 185 Horseshoes to unlock the missions early.
Now, though, the time has finally come as users can now purchase the 37 x 37 land expansion goals for coins - 1,000 coins, to be exact. For that price, you'll simply unlock the mission set that sees you expanding your land at the end, meaning that you won't instantly have access to more squares in your game, but you will be finally working your way towards that with a guarantee of availability.
For a complete guide as to what to expect from these missions, check out our guide.
Have you purchased the 37 x 37 land expansion goals, or do you already have all of the room you need?
Now, though, the time has finally come as users can now purchase the 37 x 37 land expansion goals for coins - 1,000 coins, to be exact. For that price, you'll simply unlock the mission set that sees you expanding your land at the end, meaning that you won't instantly have access to more squares in your game, but you will be finally working your way towards that with a guarantee of availability.
For a complete guide as to what to expect from these missions, check out our guide.
Have you purchased the 37 x 37 land expansion goals, or do you already have all of the room you need?
FarmVille Sneak Peek: Spring Basket and collectibles
While we know (or are pretty well certain) that a Spring Basket collection feature will be coming to FarmVille in the coming days and weeks, we now also have a better understanding of what it will look like, through some unreleased images. The Spring Basket itself is a flower-basket of sorts, that we'll apparently fill with more flowers that we gather from friends.
It looks like there will be four different flowers to collect: a kind of Lilly, Daffodils, Foxglove, and Forget Me Not. This would present Zynga with a fantastic opportunity, to allow users to plant these flowers in their games and then receive a fraction of that they planted as flowers redeemable in the basket for prizes, but we're not sure if Zynga's thought of that yet.
Again, Spring Basket information is really light at this point, but we'll make sure to give you all of the details about this feature and the prizes you'll (presumably) win as soon as we know more.
What items would you like to see given away in a Spring Basket in FarmVille?
It looks like there will be four different flowers to collect: a kind of Lilly, Daffodils, Foxglove, and Forget Me Not. This would present Zynga with a fantastic opportunity, to allow users to plant these flowers in their games and then receive a fraction of that they planted as flowers redeemable in the basket for prizes, but we're not sure if Zynga's thought of that yet.
Again, Spring Basket information is really light at this point, but we'll make sure to give you all of the details about this feature and the prizes you'll (presumably) win as soon as we know more.
What items would you like to see given away in a Spring Basket in FarmVille?
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