A new critter has been added to FrontierVille today, as Zynga has officially launched the Spring Quail in the game. You'll be able to find this Spring Quail egg in the same was that you find the Spring Robin, by simply tending to your trees (whether fruit trees, oaks or pines).
Once you find a Spring Quail, you'll need to confirm that you want to help the animal via a pop-up like the one above. Then, you'll be tasked with collecting a whole slew of Fuzzy Blankets to warm up the Quail egg and help it hatch. This seems like one of the most difficult animals to "heal," as, while the Fuzzy Blankets are fairly easy to come by (just ask your friends to send them to you via wall posts), it will take a lot of Fuzzy Blankets to fill the Quail's meter to the point that the egg cracks and you have a true, ready-to-be-fed animal for your Homestead.
With more birds being released in the game, it almost makes me wonder if some sort of Aviary is in the works for the future. Sure, that's a complete speculation out of left field, but now that I think about it, it would make sense. Either way, keep stocking up on those pink Fuzzy Blankets, as you never know when one of these cute little eggs will drop from your trees.
Have you already found a Spring Quail egg on your Homestead? Will you heal as many as you find, or is one enough?
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Gree acquires Open Feint; the Japanese Invasion begins ... again
Forget the Japanese Invasion of the 1980s, the Japanese Invasion is here ... again in social games. (Seriously, what does every parent call every video game system ever? That damned Nintendo.) Gree, a Japanese company that runs the Gree mobile social games platform, has bought OpenFeint, a company that does exactly the same thing in the US. You've probably seen OpenFeint in hit iPhone games like Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja, meaning this acquisition could result in a little name change. USA Today reports that the purchase was made for a sweet $104 million, and is another step in Gree's plan to create a global social gaming network that expands past its 25 million mobile users. In other words, Zynga better watch its back.
"We are excited that Gree shares our belief in the OpenFeint network and are ecstatic to partner with a renowned global leader to build a multi-billion dollar business," OpenFeint CEO Jason Citron said in a statement. "Together, we will deliver the strongest global ecosystem of gaming networks to our combined 100 million users." And it takes more than one invader to call it an invasion, correct?
This isn't the first time that a Japanese company has bought an American one. DeNa, a rival of Gree's, bought mobile game developer Ngmoco for an insane $403 million just months ago. These companies are throwing down some serious cash for the sake of their mission: global domination--of the social gaming space. Surely Zynga will rise to the challenge, so just grab some fresh popcorn, sit back and watch the fur fly.
[Image Credit: Asiajin]
How do you think these Japanese companies will fare in their global expansion? How will Zynga respond to this threat?
"We are excited that Gree shares our belief in the OpenFeint network and are ecstatic to partner with a renowned global leader to build a multi-billion dollar business," OpenFeint CEO Jason Citron said in a statement. "Together, we will deliver the strongest global ecosystem of gaming networks to our combined 100 million users." And it takes more than one invader to call it an invasion, correct?
This isn't the first time that a Japanese company has bought an American one. DeNa, a rival of Gree's, bought mobile game developer Ngmoco for an insane $403 million just months ago. These companies are throwing down some serious cash for the sake of their mission: global domination--of the social gaming space. Surely Zynga will rise to the challenge, so just grab some fresh popcorn, sit back and watch the fur fly.
[Image Credit: Asiajin]
How do you think these Japanese companies will fare in their global expansion? How will Zynga respond to this threat?
Zynga teases FarmVille Love Potion crafting
Players on the FarmVille forums have been complaining about the lack of Love Potions for Sheep Breeding, to which community manager Grimwell responded, "What if you could craft them. Would that help?" While the update certainly didn't surface last night, we now know exactly what Zynga is working on when it comes to new convenience features. Soon, players will be able to craft their own Love Potions in addition to asking their friends every four hours.
Being able to craft our own Love Potions would be a boon, especially considering we'll need them for Pig Breeding. No details have been announced as to how or where exactly the Love Potions will be crafted. Regardless, any news regarding a much-requested feature is good news. Stay tuned for when this update lands, as we'll be all over it.
[Source and Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
Are you excited to learn that you'll soon be able to create your own Love Potions? What other tools do you think should be in the hands of the players?
Being able to craft our own Love Potions would be a boon, especially considering we'll need them for Pig Breeding. No details have been announced as to how or where exactly the Love Potions will be crafted. Regardless, any news regarding a much-requested feature is good news. Stay tuned for when this update lands, as we'll be all over it.
[Source and Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
Are you excited to learn that you'll soon be able to create your own Love Potions? What other tools do you think should be in the hands of the players?
Zynga wields the ban hammer; 6,400 Mafia Wars bot accounts booted
Cheating is a plague that has infected nearly every form of sport or interactive entertainment, and social games are far from immune to its effects. Zynga, doing good by its metrics addiction, has used this information to ban 6,400 accounts and unleash over 1 thousand penalties in Mafia Wars. The crime that spawned the ban spree is botting, or using an automated program to play a game while the player is away.
Just like FarmVille and FrontierVille, there are third-party Facebook apps that promise to "enhance" your experience in Mafia Wars, such as the Rank Hack. Just search for "Mafia Wars mods" on Google and you'll have every cheat you could ever ask for to make the game that much easier. But don't expect to sustain the dishonesty for long--Zynga's eye is aimed directly on cheaters who use these helpful little pieces of software. If you'd like some heavy reading (or loophole finding), check the Zynga Terms of Service Agreement. But don't try anything funny--you have been warned.
[Source and Image Credit: Mafia Wars Blog]
Are you happy to see that Zynga is cracking down on cheaters? Do you think Zynga should do the same in its other games, if it doesn't already?
Just like FarmVille and FrontierVille, there are third-party Facebook apps that promise to "enhance" your experience in Mafia Wars, such as the Rank Hack. Just search for "Mafia Wars mods" on Google and you'll have every cheat you could ever ask for to make the game that much easier. But don't expect to sustain the dishonesty for long--Zynga's eye is aimed directly on cheaters who use these helpful little pieces of software. If you'd like some heavy reading (or loophole finding), check the Zynga Terms of Service Agreement. But don't try anything funny--you have been warned.
[Source and Image Credit: Mafia Wars Blog]
Are you happy to see that Zynga is cracking down on cheaters? Do you think Zynga should do the same in its other games, if it doesn't already?
Wheel of Fortune creator GSN goes green with Earth Day tournament
For the third year in a row, you can help plant trees for Earth Day right from the comfort of your butt-grooved computer chair. GSN Digital, creators of the Wheel of Fortune Facebook game, has teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation to host its third annual Play, Plant and Protect tournament series starting today, Earth Day, through Arbor Day on April 29.
"We're proud to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation for the third time and build on the nearly $50,000 we've contributed thus far," said Peter Blacklow, executive VP of GSN Digital and president of WorldWinner. "Our special edition Play, Plant and Protect tournaments give our players the chance to give back to a cause we're passionate about – replenishing our nation's forests and protecting our environment."
The tournament will be playable through GSN Digital's cash tournament website, WorldWinner. Starting today, you can play games like Wheel of Fortune, Bejeweled 2 and Family Feud to help replant one of the most desperate forests in the US. Of course, you will have to throw in an entry fee--these are cash tournaments--but every dollar donated goes to planting one tree.
Well, at least 10 percent of it does, while the rest likely goes to the prize pools like Wheel of Fortune's $10 thousand reward. Hey, there has to be some motivation to throw in a few bucks for some tournament play. If you're interested in planting a few trees without even getting your hands dirty, register with WorldWinner right here and have a payment method ready.
[Image Credit: Marie Claire]
Will you participate in the Play, Plant and Protect tournament? What else are you doing to honor Earth Day
"We're proud to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation for the third time and build on the nearly $50,000 we've contributed thus far," said Peter Blacklow, executive VP of GSN Digital and president of WorldWinner. "Our special edition Play, Plant and Protect tournaments give our players the chance to give back to a cause we're passionate about – replenishing our nation's forests and protecting our environment."
The tournament will be playable through GSN Digital's cash tournament website, WorldWinner. Starting today, you can play games like Wheel of Fortune, Bejeweled 2 and Family Feud to help replant one of the most desperate forests in the US. Of course, you will have to throw in an entry fee--these are cash tournaments--but every dollar donated goes to planting one tree.
Well, at least 10 percent of it does, while the rest likely goes to the prize pools like Wheel of Fortune's $10 thousand reward. Hey, there has to be some motivation to throw in a few bucks for some tournament play. If you're interested in planting a few trees without even getting your hands dirty, register with WorldWinner right here and have a payment method ready.
[Image Credit: Marie Claire]
Will you participate in the Play, Plant and Protect tournament? What else are you doing to honor Earth Day
Playdom co-founder to launch divine Facebook game, IdleWorship
If you hadn't noticed, your FarmVilles and CityVilles are variations on the age-old "god games" of the 1990s like Sim City, Black and White and Civilization. Playdom co-founder Rick Thompson, with his new company Idle Games, is throwing his hat into the ring of god games on Facebook with IdleWorship, its first game set to lunch this June. According to Inside Social Games, the game puts players directly into the role of a god, overseeing the lives of Mudlings, a primitive island community.
Players will be able to create not just buildings and decorations like in most Facebook games, but introduce nature and wildlife into the world. Also, it's up to you, the god, on whether you'll treat your people with grace or ruthless oppression. And whether your a benevolent or begrudging god will affect your people's perception of you and their Belief. Most of the things you introduce to your people will rely on their Belief, the main currency in IdleWorship.
IdleWorship plans to evolve social interaction beyond the friends bar beneath most social games, Inside Social Games reports. Instead, friends and strangers alike will appear nearby, within the game, in a vast ocean of islands controlled by players. However, players' surrounding islands will be populated with gods of similar outlooks--loving gods will be surrounded by more graceful gods while angry gods will have their oceans populated with other evil deities.
It sounds like IdleWorship is about to bring automatic weapons a social gaming arena of swords and arrows, throwing the top developers like Zynga for a spin. However, whether the general audience is ready for such a game won't be seen for months to come. If you're interested in playing right now, you can sign up to become a beta tester right here.
[Image Credit: Idle Games]
Are you excited to play IdleWorship when it releases? How do you think this game will do against the big developers' established games?
Players will be able to create not just buildings and decorations like in most Facebook games, but introduce nature and wildlife into the world. Also, it's up to you, the god, on whether you'll treat your people with grace or ruthless oppression. And whether your a benevolent or begrudging god will affect your people's perception of you and their Belief. Most of the things you introduce to your people will rely on their Belief, the main currency in IdleWorship.
IdleWorship plans to evolve social interaction beyond the friends bar beneath most social games, Inside Social Games reports. Instead, friends and strangers alike will appear nearby, within the game, in a vast ocean of islands controlled by players. However, players' surrounding islands will be populated with gods of similar outlooks--loving gods will be surrounded by more graceful gods while angry gods will have their oceans populated with other evil deities.
It sounds like IdleWorship is about to bring automatic weapons a social gaming arena of swords and arrows, throwing the top developers like Zynga for a spin. However, whether the general audience is ready for such a game won't be seen for months to come. If you're interested in playing right now, you can sign up to become a beta tester right here.
[Image Credit: Idle Games]
Are you excited to play IdleWorship when it releases? How do you think this game will do against the big developers' established games?
Monday, December 26, 2011
FarmVille GagaVille items appear on iOS app early
It seems that in anticipation of tomorrow's launch of GagaVille in FarmVille, Zynga might have prematurely published the code for some of the decorative items we can see in the game, starting with the Crystal Flowerbed. When playing on my farm on my iPad, I entered the store only to see this lovely Crystal Flowerbed available to purchase for 2,000 coins. The item wasn't marked as being part of any sort of special theme, and it didn't have an expiration time limit associated with it - it simply looked like a permanent decoration that I was able to purchase from the store.
There's a catch though. Once I placed the item, it only took a matter of ten or fifteen seconds for my farm to go "Out of Sync," forcing me to reload. Once I did, the item was gone. Disappointing yes, but it did allow me just enough time to snap a screenshot to show you what this first item in the GagaVille theme will look like.
If you have an iOS device, try logging into your own farm and seeing if you can keep the item? We'd love to know if you have any success, or if you see other GagaVille items appearing ahead of schedule.
Have you been able to purchase a Crystal Flowerbed from FarmVille iOS? Did you farm go out of sync, or were you able to keep it?
There's a catch though. Once I placed the item, it only took a matter of ten or fifteen seconds for my farm to go "Out of Sync," forcing me to reload. Once I did, the item was gone. Disappointing yes, but it did allow me just enough time to snap a screenshot to show you what this first item in the GagaVille theme will look like.
If you have an iOS device, try logging into your own farm and seeing if you can keep the item? We'd love to know if you have any success, or if you see other GagaVille items appearing ahead of schedule.
Have you been able to purchase a Crystal Flowerbed from FarmVille iOS? Did you farm go out of sync, or were you able to keep it?
FarmVille: Bushels will soon be available from both neighbors' farms
FarmVille Community Manager Lexilicious posted an interesting announcement today on the official FarmVille forums. Soon, users will be able to purchase crafting Bushels from their friends regardless of which farm that friend is currently active on. That is, similar to the way you can only visit the farm that your neighbors' last visited, you currently can only purchase a neighbors' bushels that were grown on that farm.
With this future update, however, you'll be able to buy the same friends' bushels from both of their farms, even if they aren't current active there. To further explain, let's say that your neighbor John has English Pea bushels in the English Countryside and Sunflower bushels on his Home Farm. You'll be able to buy bushels from both of those farms, even though John is only currently working on one of them.
From my own experience, it seems that this update will really help those players with fewer neighbors, who don't have as many possibilities for new bushels each day, but really, everyone can benefit from added selection, right?
Do you think you'll personally benefit from being able to shop from both players' farms when you shop for Bushels? What other differences do you think should be made to Crafting?
With this future update, however, you'll be able to buy the same friends' bushels from both of their farms, even if they aren't current active there. To further explain, let's say that your neighbor John has English Pea bushels in the English Countryside and Sunflower bushels on his Home Farm. You'll be able to buy bushels from both of those farms, even though John is only currently working on one of them.
From my own experience, it seems that this update will really help those players with fewer neighbors, who don't have as many possibilities for new bushels each day, but really, everyone can benefit from added selection, right?
Do you think you'll personally benefit from being able to shop from both players' farms when you shop for Bushels? What other differences do you think should be made to Crafting?
CityVille: City Cash and coins on sale for limited time, but is it worthwhile?
Well mayors, a new sale has started in CityVille, allowing you to pick up discounted City Cash and coin packages. But, the discount is only 10% off. Sure, that saves you more on the larger packages (like a savings of $10 on the largest $100 package), but otherwise this seems pretty pointless.
For those that had been saving their Zynga Game Cards for a sale - this probably isn't worth turning it in. The smallest of the three options still costs $18, which only saves you $2 when purchasing 179 City Cash. As it stands, City Cash has always been one of the most affordable premium currencies in Zynga's catalog, so it seems to me that if they really wanted the sale to stand out, they'd mark down packages more - by at least 25% and then try again.
Do you think the same thing? Is a 10% sale on premium currency really worthwhile, or is it more insulting to users?
For those that had been saving their Zynga Game Cards for a sale - this probably isn't worth turning it in. The smallest of the three options still costs $18, which only saves you $2 when purchasing 179 City Cash. As it stands, City Cash has always been one of the most affordable premium currencies in Zynga's catalog, so it seems to me that if they really wanted the sale to stand out, they'd mark down packages more - by at least 25% and then try again.
Do you think the same thing? Is a 10% sale on premium currency really worthwhile, or is it more insulting to users?
FarmVille: GagaVille Gem Trees now appearing from Mystery Seedlings
And it's official! The rollout of GagaVille items in FarmVille has started, with the two Gem Trees now appearing as Mystery Seedlings in the game. FVNation has the proof that you'll be able to claim not just one, but both of the trees (the regular-sized Gem Tree and the Giant Gem Tree) from seedlings either earned from your own Orchards or those claimed off of your Facebook news feed.
While this is exciting, it does leave a question looming - will these trees be available in the market, if they're also available as Mystery Seedlings? It's likely, but the fact that we're now being given a "free" option does lead me to believe that the store prices will be mighty high, as (presumably) the team at Zynga might want to capitalize on the fact that people don't want to wait to earn them otherwise.
Either way, we'll make sure to bring you all of the news concerning the launch of GagaVille in Facebook, so keep checking back!
[Image Credit: FVNation]
What do you think of these new trees? Have you received either type of Gem Tree from a Mystery Seedling?
While this is exciting, it does leave a question looming - will these trees be available in the market, if they're also available as Mystery Seedlings? It's likely, but the fact that we're now being given a "free" option does lead me to believe that the store prices will be mighty high, as (presumably) the team at Zynga might want to capitalize on the fact that people don't want to wait to earn them otherwise.
Either way, we'll make sure to bring you all of the news concerning the launch of GagaVille in Facebook, so keep checking back!
[Image Credit: FVNation]
What do you think of these new trees? Have you received either type of Gem Tree from a Mystery Seedling?
Sunday, December 25, 2011
CityVille Boat Race Goals: Everything you need to know
Soon enough, Boats in CityVille won't just be for shipping, but racing too. A new set of Goals has been revealed, titled simply for now as "Boat Race." There are six Goals in all, and the rewards are quite appealing--not to mention terribly fitting for a Boat Race between ornery sailors.
1. Rusty's Challenge
Visit 10 Neighbors
Send and Receive 5 Cargo Ships
Get 2 Popularity Votes
This first Goal is simple enough. Essentially, just do what you do best: Visit friends and make liberal use of the game's Goods shipment system. Then you must ask your friends for two Popularity Votes through the Goal menu. For completing this easy task, you'll receive Spinach as a brand new crop to plant.
2. Cruise Control
Collect from any City Dojo 8 times
Harvest 40 Spinach
Ask friends for 3 Racing Flags
If you don't already have a City Dojo, the building costs 4,250 Coins and runs through 110 Goods at a time. Unfortunately, these Goals haven't been released yet, so there are no details on Spinach. However, you will have to ask your friends for three Racing Flags, something we're all familiar with at this point. You'll receive a Junk Boat as a reward for finishing this Goal.
3. See Food Training
Send and Receive 10 Trains
Have 2 Crabs
Have 1 Lobster
Sending and Receiving 10 Trains is kid stuff at this point in CityVille. Both the Crabs and Lobster come from the Surf and Turf Collection, which can be completed by collecting from both the Tower Eats and the Seafood Restaurant. Of course, you're better off having both. If you own neither, the Tower Eats costs 1 million Coins and runs through 165 Goods, while the Seafood Restaurant costs 7,500 Coins, requires 15 neighbors to buy and consumes 140 Goods. For this Goal, you will be rewarded with the Boat Shop, likely a new business.
CityVille Shipping
4. Ready? Set? Race!
Send and Receive 20 San Francisco Supply Boats
Send and Receive 4 Cruise Ships
Have 2 Sports Drinks
You'll have to make liberal use of your Goods shipment Boats in this Goal. While you send out a whopping 24 Boats, you need to collect two Sports Drinks, part of the Fitness Collection. This can be accomplished by collecting from either the Bike Shop and the Extreme Sports Store. The former costs 2,500 Coins, requires nine neighbors and eats through 75 Goods, while the latter costs 33 City Cash, so you can already your best option. No information on this Goal's rewards is available at the moment.
CityVille Cruise5. New Friends In China
Harvest 30 Eggplant
Collect from 4 Noodle Shops
Ask friends for 5 Chinese Kites
Harvesting 30 Eggplant will cost a tiny 840 Coins and take at least one hour to complete. Then, you must collect from the Noodle Shop four times, a business that costs 4,000 Coins and runs through 90 Goods. Then, just ask your friends for five Chinese Kites from the Goal menu, and you're on your way to a brand new Export Port as reward.
6. Click It And Ticket
Place Ticket Booth
Collect 3 Carnival Tickets
The Ticket Booth unlocks as a reward for completing the Zoo, so place that wherever if you hadn't already. Then, you must collect three Carnival Tickets, which we imagine are again sourced from friends through the Goal menu. Unfortunately, reward information isn't available for this Goal either.
[Editor's Note: This content is not yet released in CityVille, details may change before it goes live.]
[Source and Image Credit: CityVille Info]
Have you seen these Goals appear in your game yet? What tips might you have for completing them even more quickly?
1. Rusty's Challenge
Visit 10 Neighbors
Send and Receive 5 Cargo Ships
Get 2 Popularity Votes
This first Goal is simple enough. Essentially, just do what you do best: Visit friends and make liberal use of the game's Goods shipment system. Then you must ask your friends for two Popularity Votes through the Goal menu. For completing this easy task, you'll receive Spinach as a brand new crop to plant.
2. Cruise Control
Collect from any City Dojo 8 times
Harvest 40 Spinach
Ask friends for 3 Racing Flags
If you don't already have a City Dojo, the building costs 4,250 Coins and runs through 110 Goods at a time. Unfortunately, these Goals haven't been released yet, so there are no details on Spinach. However, you will have to ask your friends for three Racing Flags, something we're all familiar with at this point. You'll receive a Junk Boat as a reward for finishing this Goal.
3. See Food Training
Send and Receive 10 Trains
Have 2 Crabs
Have 1 Lobster
Sending and Receiving 10 Trains is kid stuff at this point in CityVille. Both the Crabs and Lobster come from the Surf and Turf Collection, which can be completed by collecting from both the Tower Eats and the Seafood Restaurant. Of course, you're better off having both. If you own neither, the Tower Eats costs 1 million Coins and runs through 165 Goods, while the Seafood Restaurant costs 7,500 Coins, requires 15 neighbors to buy and consumes 140 Goods. For this Goal, you will be rewarded with the Boat Shop, likely a new business.
CityVille Shipping
4. Ready? Set? Race!
Send and Receive 20 San Francisco Supply Boats
Send and Receive 4 Cruise Ships
Have 2 Sports Drinks
You'll have to make liberal use of your Goods shipment Boats in this Goal. While you send out a whopping 24 Boats, you need to collect two Sports Drinks, part of the Fitness Collection. This can be accomplished by collecting from either the Bike Shop and the Extreme Sports Store. The former costs 2,500 Coins, requires nine neighbors and eats through 75 Goods, while the latter costs 33 City Cash, so you can already your best option. No information on this Goal's rewards is available at the moment.
CityVille Cruise5. New Friends In China
Harvest 30 Eggplant
Collect from 4 Noodle Shops
Ask friends for 5 Chinese Kites
Harvesting 30 Eggplant will cost a tiny 840 Coins and take at least one hour to complete. Then, you must collect from the Noodle Shop four times, a business that costs 4,000 Coins and runs through 90 Goods. Then, just ask your friends for five Chinese Kites from the Goal menu, and you're on your way to a brand new Export Port as reward.
6. Click It And Ticket
Place Ticket Booth
Collect 3 Carnival Tickets
The Ticket Booth unlocks as a reward for completing the Zoo, so place that wherever if you hadn't already. Then, you must collect three Carnival Tickets, which we imagine are again sourced from friends through the Goal menu. Unfortunately, reward information isn't available for this Goal either.
[Editor's Note: This content is not yet released in CityVille, details may change before it goes live.]
[Source and Image Credit: CityVille Info]
Have you seen these Goals appear in your game yet? What tips might you have for completing them even more quickly?
Scrubs will live on in iPhone, Android game this summer
Scrubs mobile game
So what if the hit medical sitcom was canceled last year. Scrubs ain't goin' nowhere, thanks to a mobile game that developer Herocraft plans to release this summer. Pocket Gamer reports that the game will be available for iPhone, Android, Symbian and Windows Phone devices.
Scrubs mobile game 2
In this pocket edition of Scrubs, players will assume the role of a new intern at Sacred Hearts in a brand new storyline that will feature the show's lovable and laughable characters like Dr. Cox and The Janitor. Judging from the screen shots provided by Pocket Gamer, it looks like Herocraft is making a hidden object game like the wildly popular Gardens of Time on Facebook. Since the show's major characters will appear in the game, you can (hopefully) expect some one-liners dashed amongst the puzzles.
[Image Credit: Pocket Gamer]
Are you psyched to see Scrubs get a much-needed revival on mobile devices? How do you think this game will stack up against existing hidden object hits like Gardens of Time?
So what if the hit medical sitcom was canceled last year. Scrubs ain't goin' nowhere, thanks to a mobile game that developer Herocraft plans to release this summer. Pocket Gamer reports that the game will be available for iPhone, Android, Symbian and Windows Phone devices.
Scrubs mobile game 2
In this pocket edition of Scrubs, players will assume the role of a new intern at Sacred Hearts in a brand new storyline that will feature the show's lovable and laughable characters like Dr. Cox and The Janitor. Judging from the screen shots provided by Pocket Gamer, it looks like Herocraft is making a hidden object game like the wildly popular Gardens of Time on Facebook. Since the show's major characters will appear in the game, you can (hopefully) expect some one-liners dashed amongst the puzzles.
[Image Credit: Pocket Gamer]
Are you psyched to see Scrubs get a much-needed revival on mobile devices? How do you think this game will stack up against existing hidden object hits like Gardens of Time?
Earn 2 free FarmVille Farm Cash in Captain America promotion
Alright Zynga, you've piqued my interest. The next sponsored link in FarmVille is thanks to a promotion for the upcoming Captain America flick, which the fanboy in me simply cannot wait any longer for. (I've already made my shield.) Actually, the promotion is through Norton, the anti-virus software provider, but of course that takes a back seat to the Cap'n! Like all sponsored links, you'll find this one beneath the FarmVille game screen, and it will read, "Take the Captain America quiz..."
Click on the link for a pop-up to appear in yellow. As the Captain America promotional video plays above, just take the simple quiz and, when the video is through, you will find the familiar blue "X" in the upper right corner of the window. Click on it to close the window, and the 2 Farm Cash will be added to your total--not your inventory or anywhere else. Give it at least 30 minutes before you go calling Zynga customer support, and remember to refresh your game to see your updated Farm Cash.
Captain America sponsored link
If you've yet to see the sponsored link, do not panic. Some of these promotions take time, like all Zynga game features, to make it in front of every player. Not to mention that some promotions are only available in the US--sorry, international folks. Free Farm Cash or not, you'll find me in a theater somewhere at midnight July 22.
[Image Credit: ScreenRant]
[Source and Image Credit: FarmVille Feed]
Have you seen this sponsored link in your game yet, and have you participated? How psyched are you for Captain America's imminent ass-kickery on the silver screen?
Click on the link for a pop-up to appear in yellow. As the Captain America promotional video plays above, just take the simple quiz and, when the video is through, you will find the familiar blue "X" in the upper right corner of the window. Click on it to close the window, and the 2 Farm Cash will be added to your total--not your inventory or anywhere else. Give it at least 30 minutes before you go calling Zynga customer support, and remember to refresh your game to see your updated Farm Cash.
Captain America sponsored link
If you've yet to see the sponsored link, do not panic. Some of these promotions take time, like all Zynga game features, to make it in front of every player. Not to mention that some promotions are only available in the US--sorry, international folks. Free Farm Cash or not, you'll find me in a theater somewhere at midnight July 22.
[Image Credit: ScreenRant]
[Source and Image Credit: FarmVille Feed]
Have you seen this sponsored link in your game yet, and have you participated? How psyched are you for Captain America's imminent ass-kickery on the silver screen?
FrontierVille: Earn 7 free Horseshoes from MasterCard Marketplace
Check out the bottom of your FrontierVille game for a banner from MasterCard Marketplace and after answering two simple survey questions, you'll be rewarded with 7 free Horseshoes, which is the game's premium currency. While not a huge payout, 7 Horseshoes is still a hefty offer. This MasterCard promotion follows on the heels of last week's 5 free Farm Cash on FarmVille. Obviously, MasterCard is eager to get the word out on their new service.
So what is MasterCard Marketplace? Well, in the spirit of sites like GroupOn, LivingSocial, etc, MasterCard Marketplace is a coupon network and daily deals aggregator. Basically, you only need to visit one place to find out what's on sale at tons of other places. This one place will tell you how much you'll save and how long each sale will last. Currently, unique features with MasterCard Marketplace seems to be that they like showcasing 50% discounts, a reward points system, and many personalization options for signing up. But yeah, enough about that -- grab those 7 free horseshoes while you can!
FrontierVille 7 free horseshoes
MasterCard MarketPlace
So what is MasterCard Marketplace? Well, in the spirit of sites like GroupOn, LivingSocial, etc, MasterCard Marketplace is a coupon network and daily deals aggregator. Basically, you only need to visit one place to find out what's on sale at tons of other places. This one place will tell you how much you'll save and how long each sale will last. Currently, unique features with MasterCard Marketplace seems to be that they like showcasing 50% discounts, a reward points system, and many personalization options for signing up. But yeah, enough about that -- grab those 7 free horseshoes while you can!
FrontierVille 7 free horseshoes
MasterCard MarketPlace
Civilization World for Facebook reveals a crazy complex city [Video]
You wanted complexity in your Facebook games, right? Firaxis Games plans to deliver enough of it to keep you interested for, well, ever in Civilization World. (And probably more than we could handle.) In Episode 2 of CivWorld's Gameplay Walkthrough, Pete Murray shows the nitty gritty of each of the game's primary resources: Food, Gold, Science, Culture and Production. And Sid Meier's social rendition of his hit strategy game looks to be deeper and more daunting than ever.
In CivWorld, you can change your workers' tasks at any time to fill gaps in any particular resource. Have some Farmers producing Food, but you need more culture progression? Then just switch them over and they'll start gathering the Culture resource. Scientific progression can be automated using the Job system, but can be micromanaged as well. The most exciting aspect of city progression in CivWorld, however, is the mini games.
For each resource, there is a mini game that you can play for extra boosts to that stat. For more science points and faster progression, you can work on a vast, sprawling maze mini game. To increase your Culture, you must collaborate with your friends to complete artifacts and acquire Great People before the opposition does, which can be sped along through a picture-swap game.
Most intriguing of all is the first footage of the combat system we recently heard about, which amounts to a card battle game that uses your Civilization's collective units. So, it pays to--you guessed it--collaborate. If anything, CivWorld is looking to be a seriously deep game, and we can't wait to dive in.
[Video and Image Credit: Firaxis Games]
Are you even more psyched now for Civilization World to flex your brain muscles? Do you think the game is looking to be too complex, or is this exactly what you're looking for?
In CivWorld, you can change your workers' tasks at any time to fill gaps in any particular resource. Have some Farmers producing Food, but you need more culture progression? Then just switch them over and they'll start gathering the Culture resource. Scientific progression can be automated using the Job system, but can be micromanaged as well. The most exciting aspect of city progression in CivWorld, however, is the mini games.
For each resource, there is a mini game that you can play for extra boosts to that stat. For more science points and faster progression, you can work on a vast, sprawling maze mini game. To increase your Culture, you must collaborate with your friends to complete artifacts and acquire Great People before the opposition does, which can be sped along through a picture-swap game.
Most intriguing of all is the first footage of the combat system we recently heard about, which amounts to a card battle game that uses your Civilization's collective units. So, it pays to--you guessed it--collaborate. If anything, CivWorld is looking to be a seriously deep game, and we can't wait to dive in.
[Video and Image Credit: Firaxis Games]
Are you even more psyched now for Civilization World to flex your brain muscles? Do you think the game is looking to be too complex, or is this exactly what you're looking for?
FrontierVille Rodeo Goals: Everything you need to know
Rodeo Arena
It's finally time to take a seat on a more serious saddle in FrontierVille, as Zynga has released the Rodeo Goals to the game. In this series of four Goals, players will have lots to do on Horseback, so make sure you've already completed the Horse Corral Goals before getting into these. (In fact, these might not even appear to those who haven't completed those prior Goals.) At any rate, here is everything you need to know to complete the Rodeo Goals.
Saddle Up
1. Saddle Up!
Tend 25 Animals on Horseback
Plant 20 Corn
Harvest 20 Apples
Considering there have already been Goals in which you complete tasks on Horseback, we'll jump right ahead. Planting 20 Corn will cost you 4,500 Coins, while Apple Trees go for 800 Coins a piece, if you don't already have a few. Completing this Goal rewards players with 250 Coins, 250 XP and a Sugar Cube.
Mysterious Stranger
2. A Mysterious Stranger!
Clobber 3 Gophers on horseback
Clear 10 Grass (yours or a neighbor's)
Have 10 Rodeo Posters
The only tips we can give for this Goal would be to not harvest that planted Corn until you take on this Goal. Groundhogs are found by harvesting crops, and Corn just so happens to be one of their favorites. The 10 Rodeo Posters are sourced from friends through the Goal menu. Finish these simple tasks and you will score another 250 XP, 250 Coins and a Carrot Treat.
How Bout Them Cowgirls
3. How 'Bout Them Cowgirls?
Collect 10 Go Bess Go Flags
Harvest 20 Flax
Mix a Concoction
The "Go Bess Go" Flags are found through even more help requests from friends. Harvesting 20 Flax will cost 3,000 Coins and take at least eight hours. Then, all you need to do is mix any Concoction in the Saloon to finish this Goal (however, most drinks in the Saloon require the help of friends), which will reward you with yet another 250 XP and 250 Coins.
Giddyap
4. Giddyap!
Compete in 5 Barrel Races
Feed 5 Neighbor Horses
Collect 3 Rodeo Arena Bonuses
In order to finish this Goal, you must complete the Rodeo Arena, which is a new building that released with this set of Goals. Though, you also must visit your friends and feed five of their Horses. Completing this fourth and final Goal will reward you with--surprise!--250 Coins, 250 XP and a Midnight Bronco, a new Horse to ride in the Rodeo Arena.
[Source and Image Credit: FrontierVille Info]
Check out the rest of our FrontierVille Cheats & Tips right here.
Have you started these new Goals yet? What do you think of the Rodeo Arena feature, and what tips do you have to complete these Goals even faster?
It's finally time to take a seat on a more serious saddle in FrontierVille, as Zynga has released the Rodeo Goals to the game. In this series of four Goals, players will have lots to do on Horseback, so make sure you've already completed the Horse Corral Goals before getting into these. (In fact, these might not even appear to those who haven't completed those prior Goals.) At any rate, here is everything you need to know to complete the Rodeo Goals.
Saddle Up
1. Saddle Up!
Tend 25 Animals on Horseback
Plant 20 Corn
Harvest 20 Apples
Considering there have already been Goals in which you complete tasks on Horseback, we'll jump right ahead. Planting 20 Corn will cost you 4,500 Coins, while Apple Trees go for 800 Coins a piece, if you don't already have a few. Completing this Goal rewards players with 250 Coins, 250 XP and a Sugar Cube.
Mysterious Stranger
2. A Mysterious Stranger!
Clobber 3 Gophers on horseback
Clear 10 Grass (yours or a neighbor's)
Have 10 Rodeo Posters
The only tips we can give for this Goal would be to not harvest that planted Corn until you take on this Goal. Groundhogs are found by harvesting crops, and Corn just so happens to be one of their favorites. The 10 Rodeo Posters are sourced from friends through the Goal menu. Finish these simple tasks and you will score another 250 XP, 250 Coins and a Carrot Treat.
How Bout Them Cowgirls
3. How 'Bout Them Cowgirls?
Collect 10 Go Bess Go Flags
Harvest 20 Flax
Mix a Concoction
The "Go Bess Go" Flags are found through even more help requests from friends. Harvesting 20 Flax will cost 3,000 Coins and take at least eight hours. Then, all you need to do is mix any Concoction in the Saloon to finish this Goal (however, most drinks in the Saloon require the help of friends), which will reward you with yet another 250 XP and 250 Coins.
Giddyap
4. Giddyap!
Compete in 5 Barrel Races
Feed 5 Neighbor Horses
Collect 3 Rodeo Arena Bonuses
In order to finish this Goal, you must complete the Rodeo Arena, which is a new building that released with this set of Goals. Though, you also must visit your friends and feed five of their Horses. Completing this fourth and final Goal will reward you with--surprise!--250 Coins, 250 XP and a Midnight Bronco, a new Horse to ride in the Rodeo Arena.
[Source and Image Credit: FrontierVille Info]
Check out the rest of our FrontierVille Cheats & Tips right here.
Have you started these new Goals yet? What do you think of the Rodeo Arena feature, and what tips do you have to complete these Goals even faster?
Building the FrontierVille Rodeo Arena: Everything you need to know
If there were any situation where it was most appropriate to let out a "yee-haw!" over a Facebook game, it'd be right now. The Rodeo Arena has landed in FrontierVille, and along with it a series of Rodeo Goals.
However, those Goals won't help you build the Rodeo Arena in the slightest, so allow us to help, thanks to FrontierVille Info. Not only that, but how's about a primer on how the new racing feature works? OK, we're done teasing--let's get right into it.
Building the Rodeo Arena isn't a far cry from other feature-rich buildings in the game, meaning you will need to ask your friends for lots of items. This building in particular requires:
12 Round Pens
1 Rodeo Lariat
8 Clown Chaps
8 Rodeo Dirts
8 Bronco Chutes
8 Racing Barrels
That's a whopping 45 items in all, which is especially daunting considering they all must be found through friends. To break it down, the top three items must be requested from friends directly, while the bottom three will be found by posting News Feeds on your friends' Walls. That single Rodeo Lariat has us guessing, however, that it may require you to add a new player to the game, which is quite the feat. (If that's the case, you could always make a phony Facebook account solely for this item and delete it later, but you didn't hear that from me.)
Building the Rodeo Arena
Anyway, once the Rodeo Arena is complete you can click it and select "Race" to dive right into this new mini game. A menu will appear, displaying your own Horses and their skills, which finally have a purpose--to race! Choose your best Horse, and pick a friend to race against based on their difficulty level. This is decided by either your Horses skills compared to the opponents, or simply by a basic metric like the opponents' skills.
However, a feature called "Cheers" can turn the tables. This allows players to request Cheers from their friends, which increase their Horse's chances of winning a race and last for 12 hours. However, it's unsure how heavily Cheers are weighed in races, as it would be pretty disappointing to have your hard-working Horse beat down by a cheering crowd rather than honest competition.
Rodeo Arena Menu
Unfortunately, Horses can only race so often, and require rest between races. If you're willing to cough up the 8 Horseshoes, your Horses can be revived with a Bronco Tonic. So, it helps to have more than one Horse leveled up, if you want to compete multiple times daily.
[Image Credit: FrontierVille Info]
Check out the rest of our FrontierVille Cheats & Tips right here.
Have you started racing in the Rodeo Arena yet? What do you think of this new competitive feature, and how do you plan on coming out on top?
However, those Goals won't help you build the Rodeo Arena in the slightest, so allow us to help, thanks to FrontierVille Info. Not only that, but how's about a primer on how the new racing feature works? OK, we're done teasing--let's get right into it.
Building the Rodeo Arena isn't a far cry from other feature-rich buildings in the game, meaning you will need to ask your friends for lots of items. This building in particular requires:
12 Round Pens
1 Rodeo Lariat
8 Clown Chaps
8 Rodeo Dirts
8 Bronco Chutes
8 Racing Barrels
That's a whopping 45 items in all, which is especially daunting considering they all must be found through friends. To break it down, the top three items must be requested from friends directly, while the bottom three will be found by posting News Feeds on your friends' Walls. That single Rodeo Lariat has us guessing, however, that it may require you to add a new player to the game, which is quite the feat. (If that's the case, you could always make a phony Facebook account solely for this item and delete it later, but you didn't hear that from me.)
Building the Rodeo Arena
Anyway, once the Rodeo Arena is complete you can click it and select "Race" to dive right into this new mini game. A menu will appear, displaying your own Horses and their skills, which finally have a purpose--to race! Choose your best Horse, and pick a friend to race against based on their difficulty level. This is decided by either your Horses skills compared to the opponents, or simply by a basic metric like the opponents' skills.
However, a feature called "Cheers" can turn the tables. This allows players to request Cheers from their friends, which increase their Horse's chances of winning a race and last for 12 hours. However, it's unsure how heavily Cheers are weighed in races, as it would be pretty disappointing to have your hard-working Horse beat down by a cheering crowd rather than honest competition.
Rodeo Arena Menu
Unfortunately, Horses can only race so often, and require rest between races. If you're willing to cough up the 8 Horseshoes, your Horses can be revived with a Bronco Tonic. So, it helps to have more than one Horse leveled up, if you want to compete multiple times daily.
[Image Credit: FrontierVille Info]
Check out the rest of our FrontierVille Cheats & Tips right here.
Have you started racing in the Rodeo Arena yet? What do you think of this new competitive feature, and how do you plan on coming out on top?
Plants vs. Zombies, unite! PopCap's charity auction enters Week 2
While most sites right now are abuzz with the rumored auctioning of PopCap Games to Electronic Arts ("Auction item number one: PopCap ... the whole thing! Bidding starts at ... $1 billion!"), there's a smaller, equally important one started by PopCap itself.
To recap on PopCap, for every week until July 12th, the company will put a bunch of official, one-of-a-kind games merchandise up on eBay to bidders. All proceeds (the first week's raised $1,700 USD) will benefit the Starlight Children's Foundation in America and SpecialEffect in the United Kingdom.
Since Bejeweled, Plants vs. Zombies is the most well-known and beloved of PopCap's games, so it's great that we're seeing a lot of PvZ merchandise this week.
Following the ceramic Peggle sake set, you can now serve up some delicious breakfast (or braaaaains) with a Plants vs. Zombies ceramic mug and bowl set! Fend off the undead hordes with an official Peashooter costume that was used in the NYC Greenwich Halloween parade! Or get a box diorama of a PvZ Final Wave to display in your home.
Plants vs. Zombies ceramic mug bowl set
This week's auction closes June 28th with more goods on the way. (I'm excited to see what the Zuma-themed ceramic tea set will look like!) Keep up with the releases here: www.ebay.com/popcap.
To recap on PopCap, for every week until July 12th, the company will put a bunch of official, one-of-a-kind games merchandise up on eBay to bidders. All proceeds (the first week's raised $1,700 USD) will benefit the Starlight Children's Foundation in America and SpecialEffect in the United Kingdom.
Since Bejeweled, Plants vs. Zombies is the most well-known and beloved of PopCap's games, so it's great that we're seeing a lot of PvZ merchandise this week.
Following the ceramic Peggle sake set, you can now serve up some delicious breakfast (or braaaaains) with a Plants vs. Zombies ceramic mug and bowl set! Fend off the undead hordes with an official Peashooter costume that was used in the NYC Greenwich Halloween parade! Or get a box diorama of a PvZ Final Wave to display in your home.
Plants vs. Zombies ceramic mug bowl set
This week's auction closes June 28th with more goods on the way. (I'm excited to see what the Zuma-themed ceramic tea set will look like!) Keep up with the releases here: www.ebay.com/popcap.
FarmVille Sneak Peek: Star Flowers will bloom this Fourth of July
Star Flower Mastery Star Flower Market Stall Star Flower Bushel
Every American's favorite summer holiday, the Fourth of July, is almost upon. And what's more American than lying around, playing FarmVille all day? (Throw in a few Big Macs and you might top it.) Zynga will soon honor the day of our independence with a new crop in the game, the Star Flower. To us, the Star Flower looks more like a sparkler or one of those pinwheels you put in your garden. Then again, this is the same farm that has seen Crystal and Cupcake crops within a month of each other.
Star Flower budding Star Flower budding Star Flower mid growth
This flower has the works: Bushels, a Mastery sign, and Market Stall and more, which leads us to believe that this limited edition crop will be around longer than most, but stranger things have happened. No other information has been released regarding the new flower, but our guess is that it will be released with one of those Farm Cash licenses. You call it "cynicism," we call it "being realistic."
Star Flower fully grown Star Flower fully grown Star Flower withered
[Via FarmVille Feed]
[Image Credit: FarmVille Cool]
How do you think Zynga will release the Star Flower--for Coins or a Farm Cash license? How else do you expect Zynga to celebrate Fourth of July in FarmVille?
Every American's favorite summer holiday, the Fourth of July, is almost upon. And what's more American than lying around, playing FarmVille all day? (Throw in a few Big Macs and you might top it.) Zynga will soon honor the day of our independence with a new crop in the game, the Star Flower. To us, the Star Flower looks more like a sparkler or one of those pinwheels you put in your garden. Then again, this is the same farm that has seen Crystal and Cupcake crops within a month of each other.
Star Flower budding Star Flower budding Star Flower mid growth
This flower has the works: Bushels, a Mastery sign, and Market Stall and more, which leads us to believe that this limited edition crop will be around longer than most, but stranger things have happened. No other information has been released regarding the new flower, but our guess is that it will be released with one of those Farm Cash licenses. You call it "cynicism," we call it "being realistic."
Star Flower fully grown Star Flower fully grown Star Flower withered
[Via FarmVille Feed]
[Image Credit: FarmVille Cool]
How do you think Zynga will release the Star Flower--for Coins or a Farm Cash license? How else do you expect Zynga to celebrate Fourth of July in FarmVille?
Thursday, December 22, 2011
NBA Jam creator splits EA for Zynga; next stop, BasketballVille? [Rumor]
With Zynga, anything is possible. Come on, it made a mini game called PrivacyVille. Kotaku reports that Mark Turmell (pictured), creator of the legendary NBA Jam series of arcade-style basketball games that were recently revisited on the Wii and other consoles, has left EA Sports and joined the creator of FarmVille. (However, no sources have been cited.) And considering his extensive track record with entertaining sports games with wide appeal, Zynga might intend on entering the sports genre with Turmell.
Turmell had been with EA Sports at its Tiburon studio since 2009 and also helped bring iconic games like the '90s arcade game Smash TV and NFL Blitz, another arcade-style sports game. Turmell was senior creative director at EA Tiburon in Orlando, Fla., and while his Linkedin profile has yet to be updated with the new position, his departure is official. "We appreciate Mark's contribution to Tiburon and EA Sports and wish him well in future endeavors," an EA spokesman told Kotaku.
A number of EA employees have reportedly left the company in recent months for ventures in social gaming. Former EA CCO John Schappert has left the company for Zynga, and former EA CCO Bing Gordon has invested in the monolithic company. Ben Cousins of EA's free-to-play developer Easy Studios left the company for Ngmoco's (owned by Japanese gaming giant DeNA) new Sweden studio.
Amidst rampant departures, EA runs headstrong into the social games world and is making huge strides to compete--the company bought Bejeweled developer PopCap for a whopping potential $1.3 billion recently. However, it will be interesting to see if these talent losses affect EA's ability to go toe-to-toe with Zynga, but with an entire company's worth of talent now, we'd say it has a pretty solid shot at the big time.
Turmell had been with EA Sports at its Tiburon studio since 2009 and also helped bring iconic games like the '90s arcade game Smash TV and NFL Blitz, another arcade-style sports game. Turmell was senior creative director at EA Tiburon in Orlando, Fla., and while his Linkedin profile has yet to be updated with the new position, his departure is official. "We appreciate Mark's contribution to Tiburon and EA Sports and wish him well in future endeavors," an EA spokesman told Kotaku.
A number of EA employees have reportedly left the company in recent months for ventures in social gaming. Former EA CCO John Schappert has left the company for Zynga, and former EA CCO Bing Gordon has invested in the monolithic company. Ben Cousins of EA's free-to-play developer Easy Studios left the company for Ngmoco's (owned by Japanese gaming giant DeNA) new Sweden studio.
Amidst rampant departures, EA runs headstrong into the social games world and is making huge strides to compete--the company bought Bejeweled developer PopCap for a whopping potential $1.3 billion recently. However, it will be interesting to see if these talent losses affect EA's ability to go toe-to-toe with Zynga, but with an entire company's worth of talent now, we'd say it has a pretty solid shot at the big time.
FarmVille Pic of the Day: Tony1245's farm doesn't cut corners
Yesterday I featured a FarmVille design that had a remarkable pattern in the middle, but was a lacking around the edges. While it was beautiful, it simply wasn't a complete package. Today's farm, created by Tony 1245, is without a doubt a finished masterpiece.
Tony1245's farm pattern isn't too complicated or intricate, but that's what makes it so visually appealing. All too often we see high-level farm designers filling their farms to maximum capacity. While their many items and possessions are impressive, it clutters the design and results in some poor farm art.
Tony1245 keeps it simple with a beautiful square pattern that cuts no corners. Hay bales had to be meticulously placed to ensure that the squares lined up symmetrically and the color progression stayed consistent. Not only that, but his farm can still earn an income!
Here's what Tony1245 had to say about his excellent farm pattern:
What inspired your creative farm design?
The thing that inspired me to create my farm was inspiration from people.
Do you have any awesome decorating tips to share?
Yes, I do. In order to succeed keep working on the thing you like the most until you get it completed. And remember to work slowly if you want to get the whole design done.
How long did it take you to complete the design?
It took me around 2 days to complete my design.
What do you think of Tony1245's farm pattern?
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
Tony1245's farm pattern isn't too complicated or intricate, but that's what makes it so visually appealing. All too often we see high-level farm designers filling their farms to maximum capacity. While their many items and possessions are impressive, it clutters the design and results in some poor farm art.
Tony1245 keeps it simple with a beautiful square pattern that cuts no corners. Hay bales had to be meticulously placed to ensure that the squares lined up symmetrically and the color progression stayed consistent. Not only that, but his farm can still earn an income!
Here's what Tony1245 had to say about his excellent farm pattern:
What inspired your creative farm design?
The thing that inspired me to create my farm was inspiration from people.
Do you have any awesome decorating tips to share?
Yes, I do. In order to succeed keep working on the thing you like the most until you get it completed. And remember to work slowly if you want to get the whole design done.
How long did it take you to complete the design?
It took me around 2 days to complete my design.
What do you think of Tony1245's farm pattern?
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
FarmVille appears on the frontlines in Facebook war propaganda poster
It's been a long time since I was taught about the victory gardens of the World Wars in school, but something about them still reverberates. "Bring in the victory harvests! Get your farm in the fight! Farm work is war work!" are slogans from real American war propaganda posters.
Flash forward nearly 70 years later, and we've got FarmVille on Facebook. Those wars are long over, but the farm is no less a part of everyday life thanks to social gaming, and Aaron Wood's awesome social network propaganda posters are a testament to that. Here's all three below:
Aaron Wood social network propaganda posters
Right now, these are just pieces of concept art, which Wood shared on his Google+ profile, but fingers crossed that he'll translate these into purchasable posters, like others have done with similar social media propaganda-style designs. My cubicle is in desperate need of fresh art.
UPDATE: It looks like Wood is actually selling these designs as posters on Etsy, but they are currently all sold out. He seems to be updating his G+ profile when new ones are in stock. (Thanks, Leah!)
Flash forward nearly 70 years later, and we've got FarmVille on Facebook. Those wars are long over, but the farm is no less a part of everyday life thanks to social gaming, and Aaron Wood's awesome social network propaganda posters are a testament to that. Here's all three below:
Aaron Wood social network propaganda posters
Right now, these are just pieces of concept art, which Wood shared on his Google+ profile, but fingers crossed that he'll translate these into purchasable posters, like others have done with similar social media propaganda-style designs. My cubicle is in desperate need of fresh art.
UPDATE: It looks like Wood is actually selling these designs as posters on Etsy, but they are currently all sold out. He seems to be updating his G+ profile when new ones are in stock. (Thanks, Leah!)
Game of the Day: Papa's Taco Mia
Papa Louie is branching out with a new taco restaurant, and he's putting you in charge! You'll have to single handedly take customer's orders, cook meats, and assemble towering tacos. While Papa's Taco Mia may start off slow, it gets difficult fast. Even with purchasable golden utensils, meat timers, fancy hats, and restaurant decorations; you'll be struggling to serve those tasty tacos and keep up with your customers.
With over a dozen unlockable new toppings, taco shells, and meats; managing Papa Louie's taco restaurant is definitely going to keep you on your toes.
Click here to play Papa's Taco Mia!
papas taco mia game of the day papas taco mia game of the day
Pro Tips:
Save your money for the meat and customer timers (very important). Then purchase the taco shell signs and store decorations to keep your waiting customers happy.
At the build station, to make those perfect tacos, start on one side and gently move back and forth a few times. You want to evenly coat the meat, leaving no lumps and no spaces. Keep practicing and you'll be earning 100 points at the build station in no time.
If you accidentally mess up with an ingredient, don't panic. Just try to even out the lumps with the next ingredient.
Remember which people like which meats and shells. But be careful, after unlocking a new shell or meat their preferences might change.
When you start a new day, keep an eye out for who's hanging around the taco restaurant. The two people you see will be your first two customers.
Sometimes a customer's hair can give away what type of shell they'll want. Spiky hair will usually want a hard shell (with the spiky symbol).
Click here to play Papa's Taco Mia!
What do you think of Papa's Taco Mia? Have any more awesome tips to share?
With over a dozen unlockable new toppings, taco shells, and meats; managing Papa Louie's taco restaurant is definitely going to keep you on your toes.
Click here to play Papa's Taco Mia!
papas taco mia game of the day papas taco mia game of the day
Pro Tips:
Save your money for the meat and customer timers (very important). Then purchase the taco shell signs and store decorations to keep your waiting customers happy.
At the build station, to make those perfect tacos, start on one side and gently move back and forth a few times. You want to evenly coat the meat, leaving no lumps and no spaces. Keep practicing and you'll be earning 100 points at the build station in no time.
If you accidentally mess up with an ingredient, don't panic. Just try to even out the lumps with the next ingredient.
Remember which people like which meats and shells. But be careful, after unlocking a new shell or meat their preferences might change.
When you start a new day, keep an eye out for who's hanging around the taco restaurant. The two people you see will be your first two customers.
Sometimes a customer's hair can give away what type of shell they'll want. Spiky hair will usually want a hard shell (with the spiky symbol).
Click here to play Papa's Taco Mia!
What do you think of Papa's Taco Mia? Have any more awesome tips to share?
Facebook privacy tip: Hide your email address from game makers' prying eyes
To play most Facebook games, you're required to give up your email address and other personal info to have the privilege. It's like a new bartering system for the digital age -- if you're going to use an app (or, in this case, play a game) without spending any money, then you're going to have to pay by giving up a little bit of your privacy instead.
If you're one of the few who is still determined to keep your private info, well, private, you should check out this clever workaround that will keep your email concealed from the companies that make Facebook games.
Here's how it works: When you launch a game and get the permission screen (see above) that asks for access to your personal information, post messages on your Facebook wall and send you email, don't click the blue 'Allow' button right away. Instead, look under the 'Send me email' option, and click on the word 'Change.'
facebook email temporary change
That will launch a drop-down menu that will allow you to choose a temporary forwarding email just for the app. Select the temporary email and then go back and click the 'Allow' button.
facebook email temporary address
By making this one small change, you have ensured that you will still get email from the application in your email, but the company behind the game won't have your actual email address. This is nice in the case that, hypothetically, a company like Zynga decides to give away a list of its customer emails to a direct marketing firm or something of that ilk. Or maybe you're just one of those uber-paranoid digital privacy fanatics and try to keep your personal info as close to the vest as possible.
As an added bonus, if you decide to remove the game from your Facebook profile, the temporary email address will disappear as well. Brilliant!
If you're one of the few who is still determined to keep your private info, well, private, you should check out this clever workaround that will keep your email concealed from the companies that make Facebook games.
Here's how it works: When you launch a game and get the permission screen (see above) that asks for access to your personal information, post messages on your Facebook wall and send you email, don't click the blue 'Allow' button right away. Instead, look under the 'Send me email' option, and click on the word 'Change.'
facebook email temporary change
That will launch a drop-down menu that will allow you to choose a temporary forwarding email just for the app. Select the temporary email and then go back and click the 'Allow' button.
facebook email temporary address
By making this one small change, you have ensured that you will still get email from the application in your email, but the company behind the game won't have your actual email address. This is nice in the case that, hypothetically, a company like Zynga decides to give away a list of its customer emails to a direct marketing firm or something of that ilk. Or maybe you're just one of those uber-paranoid digital privacy fanatics and try to keep your personal info as close to the vest as possible.
As an added bonus, if you decide to remove the game from your Facebook profile, the temporary email address will disappear as well. Brilliant!
Facebook games to hit the red carpet at 2011 Golden Joystick Awards
This year, you may see CityVille Sam strutting or the Zuma Blitz frog hopping along the red carpet at the 2011 Golden Joystick Awards on Oct. 21 at the Westminster Bridge Park Plaza in London. (OK, probably not, but that would be seriously awesome.) Future, hosts of the awards for 29 years running, have teamed up with UK games magazine GamesMaster this time around and have introduced a new category: free-to-play games.
More importantly, there is a number of Facebook games on the list that could win the coveted honor of Free-to-play Game of the Year. CityVille, Empires & Allies, FIFA Superstars and Zuma Blitz have all been put up for a vote by the public starting now. However, they're beset on all sides by plenty more free-to-play MMOs (massively multiplayer online games) like the popular League of Legends, RuneScape and Champions Online among eight others.
Everyone knows that Facebook games are popular. But it's only recently that they have been publicly recognized at large media events. For instance, FarmVille and social other games scored nominations at this year's Webby Awards, while a number of upcoming social games like Sims Social and MargaritaVille were featured at this year's E3. (Even a game about illegal farming was nominated for an award recently.) So, consider this a call to action.
Voting in the Golden Joysticks is absolutely free and available now right here. And those who vote in every category will be eligible for prizes like copies of the nominated games and even a PS Vita--but back to the mission. Should you accept it, you must vote for your favorite Facebook game and make sure that the world's biggest place for games is not only recognized, but beats the competition. Dismissed!
[Image Credit: Future]
Do you think Facebook games have a place now in award shows like these? Which of the four Facebook games would you vote for?
More importantly, there is a number of Facebook games on the list that could win the coveted honor of Free-to-play Game of the Year. CityVille, Empires & Allies, FIFA Superstars and Zuma Blitz have all been put up for a vote by the public starting now. However, they're beset on all sides by plenty more free-to-play MMOs (massively multiplayer online games) like the popular League of Legends, RuneScape and Champions Online among eight others.
Everyone knows that Facebook games are popular. But it's only recently that they have been publicly recognized at large media events. For instance, FarmVille and social other games scored nominations at this year's Webby Awards, while a number of upcoming social games like Sims Social and MargaritaVille were featured at this year's E3. (Even a game about illegal farming was nominated for an award recently.) So, consider this a call to action.
Voting in the Golden Joysticks is absolutely free and available now right here. And those who vote in every category will be eligible for prizes like copies of the nominated games and even a PS Vita--but back to the mission. Should you accept it, you must vote for your favorite Facebook game and make sure that the world's biggest place for games is not only recognized, but beats the competition. Dismissed!
[Image Credit: Future]
Do you think Facebook games have a place now in award shows like these? Which of the four Facebook games would you vote for?
Zynga deals FarmVille players 20 Farm Cash for Mystery Game bug
Are you missing a few Farm Cash, by chance? If you used your complementary Mystery Game Dart in FarmVille over the weekend, then Zynga has something to return to you. FarmVille Freak reports that several players who used the supposedly free Mystery Game Dart doled out to players this weekend were actually charged 20 Farm Cash when they threw it.
Of course, it was a bug on the company's part, and Zynga in turn is crediting those affected with 20 Farm Cash. The fix comes in the form of the below pop-up window in the game, though we imagine this credit is only for those affected. So, no extra compensations for damages or emotional distress? (Hey, it never hurts to ask.)
While it's certainly nice (and expected) of Zynga to restore players' Farm Cash, this probably won't exactly get players hooked on the Mystery Game. And our guess is that this temporarily botched freebie was intended to do just that. Oh well, even a multibillion-dollar company can't win 'em all.
Farm Cash credit
[Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
Were you affected by this glitch over the weekend, and are you satisfied with how Zynga handled it? What do you think of the Mystery Game feature in FarmVille regardless?
Of course, it was a bug on the company's part, and Zynga in turn is crediting those affected with 20 Farm Cash. The fix comes in the form of the below pop-up window in the game, though we imagine this credit is only for those affected. So, no extra compensations for damages or emotional distress? (Hey, it never hurts to ask.)
While it's certainly nice (and expected) of Zynga to restore players' Farm Cash, this probably won't exactly get players hooked on the Mystery Game. And our guess is that this temporarily botched freebie was intended to do just that. Oh well, even a multibillion-dollar company can't win 'em all.
Farm Cash credit
[Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
Were you affected by this glitch over the weekend, and are you satisfied with how Zynga handled it? What do you think of the Mystery Game feature in FarmVille regardless?
Speed onto the streets in StreetRally on Facebook
It's no surprise that one of the most difficult video game genres to port to Facebook is the racer, as there's a fine line between perfectly balanced controls and oversimplifying the experience. With an overhead perspective similar to arcade racing games released on consoles years ago (Grand Theft Auto or Super Off Road immediately come to mind), and an in-depth car customization garage, StreetRally from Hypester certainly looks to be trying to hit that sweet spot.
There are two major elements to StreetRally: the actual racing, and the car tuning. You'll be given $10,000 to start, and can choose your starting car from a few (admittedly pathetic) options. In this (and in many other elements) the game takes on a feeling not entirely unlike the Need for Speed franchise on consoles, as you'll be able to purchase new cars with faster speed, better acceleration and handling, and upgrade them to even higher levels, before purchasing another new car and starting the process all over again.
When you want to enter a race, you'll do so from within your garage, and can then go about the process of completing races on an increasingly difficult series of tracks. Each car handles differently, but the controls are the same: use the arrow keys on your keyboard to accelerate and steer, while the shift and space keys control your nitrous boost and handbrake for tight turns. Races are slightly more complicated than just crossing the finish line first, however, as you'll need to pass through flags and route markers on your way, or else face a penalty at the end. Have a high enough penalty, and it won't matter how quickly you actually cross the finish line--you'll still lose.
As you complete races, you'll be able to travel around the world (England, LA, Miami, Tokyo and Australia are currently available to unlock) and race on different themed tracks, earning money and experience points as you go.
For the car-tuning fans out there, there are plenty of options here ranging from the visual options like windshield tinting, body color and rims to interior improvements like replacing the oil filters, adding new springs or shocks to the suspension and even changing out the brake pads. As you play, you'll actually be required to tune your car in parts, as parts will become somewhat damaged over time and need to be replaced.
For social features, there are leaderboards ranking your performance in races against players all over the world, and an open chat room also allows you to chat with any other player currently logged in. You can also challenge other players (including your friends) to races, but as the game currently only has 5,500 players, it might take some time for you to actually find someone to race.
There look to be additional features in the works in StreetRally, as new cars are marked as "coming soon," and we can only assume that more races would be added over time, if the game continues to gain in popularity. For now, there actually isn't any demand for a premium currency, so you can upgrade your car until your heart's content, all without spending a dime, but I also wouldn't expect that to be the case forever.
Gallery: StreetRally on Facebook
While a little light on features, the gameplay in StreetRally looks to offer enough challenge for those looking for it, and enough car customization to keep those who don't busy, at least in the short term. Whether the game can pack a punch in the long though, remains to be seen.
Play StreetRally on Facebook -->
Have you tried any arcade style racing games on Facebook? Will you try StreetRally, or will you stick with racers on consoles instead?
There are two major elements to StreetRally: the actual racing, and the car tuning. You'll be given $10,000 to start, and can choose your starting car from a few (admittedly pathetic) options. In this (and in many other elements) the game takes on a feeling not entirely unlike the Need for Speed franchise on consoles, as you'll be able to purchase new cars with faster speed, better acceleration and handling, and upgrade them to even higher levels, before purchasing another new car and starting the process all over again.
When you want to enter a race, you'll do so from within your garage, and can then go about the process of completing races on an increasingly difficult series of tracks. Each car handles differently, but the controls are the same: use the arrow keys on your keyboard to accelerate and steer, while the shift and space keys control your nitrous boost and handbrake for tight turns. Races are slightly more complicated than just crossing the finish line first, however, as you'll need to pass through flags and route markers on your way, or else face a penalty at the end. Have a high enough penalty, and it won't matter how quickly you actually cross the finish line--you'll still lose.
As you complete races, you'll be able to travel around the world (England, LA, Miami, Tokyo and Australia are currently available to unlock) and race on different themed tracks, earning money and experience points as you go.
For the car-tuning fans out there, there are plenty of options here ranging from the visual options like windshield tinting, body color and rims to interior improvements like replacing the oil filters, adding new springs or shocks to the suspension and even changing out the brake pads. As you play, you'll actually be required to tune your car in parts, as parts will become somewhat damaged over time and need to be replaced.
For social features, there are leaderboards ranking your performance in races against players all over the world, and an open chat room also allows you to chat with any other player currently logged in. You can also challenge other players (including your friends) to races, but as the game currently only has 5,500 players, it might take some time for you to actually find someone to race.
There look to be additional features in the works in StreetRally, as new cars are marked as "coming soon," and we can only assume that more races would be added over time, if the game continues to gain in popularity. For now, there actually isn't any demand for a premium currency, so you can upgrade your car until your heart's content, all without spending a dime, but I also wouldn't expect that to be the case forever.
Gallery: StreetRally on Facebook
While a little light on features, the gameplay in StreetRally looks to offer enough challenge for those looking for it, and enough car customization to keep those who don't busy, at least in the short term. Whether the game can pack a punch in the long though, remains to be seen.
Play StreetRally on Facebook -->
Have you tried any arcade style racing games on Facebook? Will you try StreetRally, or will you stick with racers on consoles instead?
Take a siesta in CityVille with brand new Spain items
Things just got a little more, um, calor in CityVille. Zynga has released a list of Spanish items to the game. The list contains a great number of buildings with a dash of decorations and a single business, the Tapas Restaurant.
Unfortunately, most of these items go for City Cash, though some are available in a Mystery Crate that, for 35 City Cash, will reward you with one of four items that ask for the real bucks. Here are all of the items that are available:
Tapas Restaurant
Goods: 200
Earns: 1100 coins
Costs: 35 City Cash
Found in Mystery Crate
Spanish Flag
Bonus: 1 percent payout
Costs: 1,000 Coins
CityVille Spain items 1
CityVille Spain Mystery CratePamplona Bull
Bonus: 2 percent payout
Costs: 12,500 Coins
Statue of Breogan
Bonus: 4 percent payout
Costs: 25,000 Coins
Madrid Arc de Triumph
Bonus: 12 percent payout
Costs: 20 City Cash
Galicia Tower
Population: + 300 to 600
Rent: 1,124 Coins per 73 hours
Costs: 40 City Cash
Found in Mystery Crate
Aragon Apartments
Population: + 350 to 700
Rent: 240 Coins per 4 hours
Costs: 50 City Cash
Found in Mystery Crate
Valencia Flat
Population: +150 to 250
Rent: 19 Coins per 5 minutes
Costs: 25,000 Coins
CityVille Spain items 2
Alcazar Castle
Population: +3000 to 5500
Rent: 1,004 Coins per 24 hours
Costs: 90 City Cash
Found in Mystery Crate
As with most items releases in Zynga games, all the super cool stuff costs City Cash. However, at least players can get a new building that puts out a steady amount of Coins in a short amount of time, the Valencia Flat. Unless you're looking to create a virtual Barcelona, there are buildings for Coins that can likely earn just as well as these if not close. Now, where's our Running of the Bulls update?
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Do you plan on picking up any of these new items? If City Cash were no object, which of these new items would you like the most?
Unfortunately, most of these items go for City Cash, though some are available in a Mystery Crate that, for 35 City Cash, will reward you with one of four items that ask for the real bucks. Here are all of the items that are available:
Tapas Restaurant
Goods: 200
Earns: 1100 coins
Costs: 35 City Cash
Found in Mystery Crate
Spanish Flag
Bonus: 1 percent payout
Costs: 1,000 Coins
CityVille Spain items 1
CityVille Spain Mystery CratePamplona Bull
Bonus: 2 percent payout
Costs: 12,500 Coins
Statue of Breogan
Bonus: 4 percent payout
Costs: 25,000 Coins
Madrid Arc de Triumph
Bonus: 12 percent payout
Costs: 20 City Cash
Galicia Tower
Population: + 300 to 600
Rent: 1,124 Coins per 73 hours
Costs: 40 City Cash
Found in Mystery Crate
Aragon Apartments
Population: + 350 to 700
Rent: 240 Coins per 4 hours
Costs: 50 City Cash
Found in Mystery Crate
Valencia Flat
Population: +150 to 250
Rent: 19 Coins per 5 minutes
Costs: 25,000 Coins
CityVille Spain items 2
Alcazar Castle
Population: +3000 to 5500
Rent: 1,004 Coins per 24 hours
Costs: 90 City Cash
Found in Mystery Crate
As with most items releases in Zynga games, all the super cool stuff costs City Cash. However, at least players can get a new building that puts out a steady amount of Coins in a short amount of time, the Valencia Flat. Unless you're looking to create a virtual Barcelona, there are buildings for Coins that can likely earn just as well as these if not close. Now, where's our Running of the Bulls update?
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Do you plan on picking up any of these new items? If City Cash were no object, which of these new items would you like the most?
Take the banker's offer or go for broke in Deal or No Deal on Facebook
Back in April, we brought you the news that iWin would be bringing Deal or No Deal to Facebook later this year, and guess what? It's now available to play! Unfortunately, Howie Mandel is nowhere to be found, but the famous gameplay from the TV show has been retained. The real question you need to answer is: "Is this a deal worth taking?"
At the beginning of gameplay, you'll be able to choose to play in either the classic gameplay mode, or in a tournament. If you go for classic, you're met with the expected setup from the show. You'll need to pick one of 26 cases to be your case throughout the game (games are called episodes), and will then go through a round-by-round system, picking cases to open and thereby eliminating their dollar amounts from your possible winnings. After each round, you're offered an amount of money relative to how many cases are left and how many high dollar amounts are still in play (that is, if you've already knocked out the top three prizes, your offer will be much lower than if they were still all available). The top prize is $1 million, but actually winning that much virtual money will require more luck than skill.
Two additional prizes are also hidden within the cases, like virtual cars, bonus experience points and extra cash. If at any time you choose to take the banker's offer, rather than continue on, you'll be able to open up your case to see just how good of a deal you made. The ultimate goal, in terms of leveling up, will be to earn the most amount of money possible from each game, and if you do take a deal, to have the amount in your briefcase be less than the amount you settled for. You'll still earn experience points either way, but the amounts will vary.
In between regular episodes, there's a Speed Deal round that allows you a chance to win bonus episodes. As with other game show ports on Facebook, you're limited in your gameplay sessions by how many episodes you currently have available. You can either purchase new episodes with Facebook Credits, wait to earn more over time or earn them through these mini-games (you can even win free games for friends).
Adding into all of this is the tournament style gameplay, which offers you a chance at big monetary payouts, but also costs Deal money (the game's virtual currency) to enter. Your first tournament is free, and it sees you legitimately playing against other users to see who can win the most money in their own individual games. The rules here are a bit different, in that you'll be able to bank three offers from the Banker into one cumulative total. You'll end the game with one final offer from the Banker, and the player with the most money in their overall total wins.
Interestingly, there's a lot of strategy in this tournament style, as you'll get to see when other players make deals, allowing you to know how much money you need to earn to beat them. Do you accept an offer of $50,000? Or, do you wait until your offer is over $200,000 to make a move? Other players are earning money just as you are, so you'll need to wager on whether or not they'll have an unlucky round before making your own choice.
Once you start racking up some earnings, you'll be able to use your funds to purchase collection items for the game's collectible system. Truth be told though, this is a fairly forgettable gameplay element, as you may never even remember these items exist in the big scheme of things.
Gallery: Deal or No Deal on Facebook
All things considered, is this the best of the Facebook game show ports? If you're looking for tons of social interaction, then not really. If you simply loved the television show however, the tournament style does scratch that itch for something new while letting you gamble and go for broke all at the same time, all in the financial safety of your own home.
At the beginning of gameplay, you'll be able to choose to play in either the classic gameplay mode, or in a tournament. If you go for classic, you're met with the expected setup from the show. You'll need to pick one of 26 cases to be your case throughout the game (games are called episodes), and will then go through a round-by-round system, picking cases to open and thereby eliminating their dollar amounts from your possible winnings. After each round, you're offered an amount of money relative to how many cases are left and how many high dollar amounts are still in play (that is, if you've already knocked out the top three prizes, your offer will be much lower than if they were still all available). The top prize is $1 million, but actually winning that much virtual money will require more luck than skill.
Two additional prizes are also hidden within the cases, like virtual cars, bonus experience points and extra cash. If at any time you choose to take the banker's offer, rather than continue on, you'll be able to open up your case to see just how good of a deal you made. The ultimate goal, in terms of leveling up, will be to earn the most amount of money possible from each game, and if you do take a deal, to have the amount in your briefcase be less than the amount you settled for. You'll still earn experience points either way, but the amounts will vary.
In between regular episodes, there's a Speed Deal round that allows you a chance to win bonus episodes. As with other game show ports on Facebook, you're limited in your gameplay sessions by how many episodes you currently have available. You can either purchase new episodes with Facebook Credits, wait to earn more over time or earn them through these mini-games (you can even win free games for friends).
Adding into all of this is the tournament style gameplay, which offers you a chance at big monetary payouts, but also costs Deal money (the game's virtual currency) to enter. Your first tournament is free, and it sees you legitimately playing against other users to see who can win the most money in their own individual games. The rules here are a bit different, in that you'll be able to bank three offers from the Banker into one cumulative total. You'll end the game with one final offer from the Banker, and the player with the most money in their overall total wins.
Interestingly, there's a lot of strategy in this tournament style, as you'll get to see when other players make deals, allowing you to know how much money you need to earn to beat them. Do you accept an offer of $50,000? Or, do you wait until your offer is over $200,000 to make a move? Other players are earning money just as you are, so you'll need to wager on whether or not they'll have an unlucky round before making your own choice.
Once you start racking up some earnings, you'll be able to use your funds to purchase collection items for the game's collectible system. Truth be told though, this is a fairly forgettable gameplay element, as you may never even remember these items exist in the big scheme of things.
Gallery: Deal or No Deal on Facebook
All things considered, is this the best of the Facebook game show ports? If you're looking for tons of social interaction, then not really. If you simply loved the television show however, the tournament style does scratch that itch for something new while letting you gamble and go for broke all at the same time, all in the financial safety of your own home.
Friday, December 16, 2011
CityVille Governor's Run Family Goals: Everything you need to know
In your quest to become Governor in CityVille, you've had to help the farmers and the toy makers, but now it's time to look a little closer to home. Your third and final portion of Act I of this event will see you earning a family's vote in your campaign. Specifically, you're looking to impress the Stumpford family (remember them from the Family Vacation goals released back in August?). Why the Stumpfords wouldn't automatically be on your side after helping them before is anyone's guess, but here's how to earn their vote of confidence officially.
Family Matters
Ask friends for 10 Magazine Subscriptions
Collect from the Executive Driving Range 4 times
Collect from Community Pool 6 times
As you might have guessed, the Magazine Subscriptions are earned via a general news post you'll post to your wall asking all of your friends to help you at once. As for the Executive Driving Range, this is the game's newest attraction that you can find the guide to building right here. Finally, the Community Pool is a Community Building that can be purchased from the store for 150,000 coins. By finishing this first goal, you'll receive a prize of 85 coins.
School of Thought
Ask for 15 Tutors
Upgrade Middle School to Level 3
Harvest 70 Brussel Sprouts
The 15 Tutors, again, need to be earned via friends. As for the Middle School, you've been able to upgrade this particular Community Building since late August, but if you don't have it done already, you can check out our guide to doing just that. Finally, Brussel Sprouts are available to plant for 48 coins and are ready to harvest after eight hours. Finishing this second of three goals gives you 4,500 coins.
Exterior Decorator
Ask friends for 20 Street Sweepers
Remodel 6 Residences
Unwither 24 Neighbor Crops
If you have any friends that stopped playing the game and left some crops growing (which most of us probably do), you should have no problem finding 24 individual squares to unwither. Just click on them when visiting friends' towns and you'll finish that task fast. For the residence remodeling task, this can turn into an expensive one, depending on the houses you choose to upgrade and the particular upgrades themselves, but you can see how to start the process in our guide. Finishing this final goal will complete your work with the Stumpfords (although I'm sure they'll be back in another feature in the future), and you'll receive the Mega Nail Salon business as a reward. This is a massive building that requires 410 Goods but supplies 3,050 coins each time those Goods are used.
Again, after you finish helping the Stumpfords (so long as you've also finished with the farmers and toy makers), you'll have finished the first portion of the Governor's Run event, but there's still a lot more waiting down the line. As the event continues to expand, we'll make sure to give you all of the details you need, so keep checking back with us!
[Via CityVille Wiki]
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of these Governor's Run Family goals? Are they the most difficult of the three goal sets in this event so far?
Family Matters
Ask friends for 10 Magazine Subscriptions
Collect from the Executive Driving Range 4 times
Collect from Community Pool 6 times
As you might have guessed, the Magazine Subscriptions are earned via a general news post you'll post to your wall asking all of your friends to help you at once. As for the Executive Driving Range, this is the game's newest attraction that you can find the guide to building right here. Finally, the Community Pool is a Community Building that can be purchased from the store for 150,000 coins. By finishing this first goal, you'll receive a prize of 85 coins.
School of Thought
Ask for 15 Tutors
Upgrade Middle School to Level 3
Harvest 70 Brussel Sprouts
The 15 Tutors, again, need to be earned via friends. As for the Middle School, you've been able to upgrade this particular Community Building since late August, but if you don't have it done already, you can check out our guide to doing just that. Finally, Brussel Sprouts are available to plant for 48 coins and are ready to harvest after eight hours. Finishing this second of three goals gives you 4,500 coins.
Exterior Decorator
Ask friends for 20 Street Sweepers
Remodel 6 Residences
Unwither 24 Neighbor Crops
If you have any friends that stopped playing the game and left some crops growing (which most of us probably do), you should have no problem finding 24 individual squares to unwither. Just click on them when visiting friends' towns and you'll finish that task fast. For the residence remodeling task, this can turn into an expensive one, depending on the houses you choose to upgrade and the particular upgrades themselves, but you can see how to start the process in our guide. Finishing this final goal will complete your work with the Stumpfords (although I'm sure they'll be back in another feature in the future), and you'll receive the Mega Nail Salon business as a reward. This is a massive building that requires 410 Goods but supplies 3,050 coins each time those Goods are used.
Again, after you finish helping the Stumpfords (so long as you've also finished with the farmers and toy makers), you'll have finished the first portion of the Governor's Run event, but there's still a lot more waiting down the line. As the event continues to expand, we'll make sure to give you all of the details you need, so keep checking back with us!
[Via CityVille Wiki]
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of these Governor's Run Family goals? Are they the most difficult of the three goal sets in this event so far?
FarmVille: Sheep and Pig Mastery now available
If you've been stocking up on pigs and sheep in FarmVille with the knowledge (or even just hope) that the FarmVille team would launch pig and sheep mastery in the game, your wait is over. Now, if you're wondering how exactly this will work with the literally thousands of possibilities for different kinds of pigs and sheep to be bred in the game, let me calm your fears: this doesn't result in the addition of an equal number of mastery signs; rather, the system is pretty straightforward, once you get past the "rules."
Basically, there are two sets of both sheep and pigs that determine which kind of mastery sign you'll earn. In Sheep Breeding, for an example, if the animal is specifically labeled as a Ram or Ewe, it's considered a "Sheep Pen Ram" or "Sheep Pen Ewe," which makes sense. All Sheep Pen Rams and Sheep Pen Ewes are combined into those two categories and work cumulatively towards a pair of mastery signs. That is, if you have a a purple Ewe on one farm and a pink or yellow Ewe on another farm (or even those with patterns), when harvesting them, they'll all be treated equally, working towards the same mastery sign.
This entire process is replicated when it comes to pigs. If it's a Boar or Sow, it works towards cumulative breeding pig mastery signs. On the other hand, if the animal is a basic pig or basic sheep that can be purchased from the store and doesn't immediately relate to breeding (some examples being a Party Pig, Grape Sheep, Polka Dots Sheep and so on), these do have their own individual signs, giving you plenty of additional signs to work towards.
As you might have guessed, the amount of mastery points required for these cumulative breeding signs are fairly substantial. In the case of pigs, the Pig Pen Boar sign's first star comes at 467 harvests, while the Pig Pen Sow's first star is earned after 588 harvests. For sheep, the Ewe sign's first star is earned at 840 harvests, while the first Ram star is acquired at 560 harvests.
Keep in mind, while pig and sheep mastery is fairly exciting, we still haven't seen the launch of Calf and Foal mastery in the game. That too is "coming soon," and we'll make sure to let you know when it launches in full.
Will you breed more sheep and pigs just to earn these new mastery signs? Will you purchase additional sheep or pigs from the store?
Basically, there are two sets of both sheep and pigs that determine which kind of mastery sign you'll earn. In Sheep Breeding, for an example, if the animal is specifically labeled as a Ram or Ewe, it's considered a "Sheep Pen Ram" or "Sheep Pen Ewe," which makes sense. All Sheep Pen Rams and Sheep Pen Ewes are combined into those two categories and work cumulatively towards a pair of mastery signs. That is, if you have a a purple Ewe on one farm and a pink or yellow Ewe on another farm (or even those with patterns), when harvesting them, they'll all be treated equally, working towards the same mastery sign.
This entire process is replicated when it comes to pigs. If it's a Boar or Sow, it works towards cumulative breeding pig mastery signs. On the other hand, if the animal is a basic pig or basic sheep that can be purchased from the store and doesn't immediately relate to breeding (some examples being a Party Pig, Grape Sheep, Polka Dots Sheep and so on), these do have their own individual signs, giving you plenty of additional signs to work towards.
As you might have guessed, the amount of mastery points required for these cumulative breeding signs are fairly substantial. In the case of pigs, the Pig Pen Boar sign's first star comes at 467 harvests, while the Pig Pen Sow's first star is earned after 588 harvests. For sheep, the Ewe sign's first star is earned at 840 harvests, while the first Ram star is acquired at 560 harvests.
Keep in mind, while pig and sheep mastery is fairly exciting, we still haven't seen the launch of Calf and Foal mastery in the game. That too is "coming soon," and we'll make sure to let you know when it launches in full.
Will you breed more sheep and pigs just to earn these new mastery signs? Will you purchase additional sheep or pigs from the store?
A Bit Lucky goes all in on hardcore Facebook games with Lucky Space
We know you're all thinking it, so we'll just come out and say it: Sci-fi is huge in Facebook games right now. (Like, crazy big.) The next developer to take a crack at the theme is A Bit Lucky with Lucky Space. The San Mateo, Calif.-based developer's second social game launches today, and it's light years away from Lucky Train.
In Lucky Space, players inherit a lifeless, barren alien planet purchased by Dr. X in his final days in search of the riches he was so sure are buried deep beneath its purple crust. You'll establish a thriving space colony with one mission: strip mine the planet for all its worth in rare gems and resources. Of course, it won't be long before you discover that Dr. X was onto more than just shiny rocks and black gold.
As you expand your colony and upgrade its buildings with unique components like the Force Field Dome and Ultra-Power Laser Extractor, you'll slowly uncover the remnants of an alien civilization. Through a series a quests and the help of your friends, you will dig out alien ruins while protecting your colony from a series of natural (to this world, maybe) disasters like meteor strikes. While the game is dubbed "hardcore," it doesn't look or sound as if combat is a focus in Lucky Space.
Gallery: Lucky Space on Facebook
Exclusive 1Exclusive 2Exclusive 3Exclusive 4
"Lucky Space was inspired by our love of the sci-fi genre and the desire to innovate within the social gaming space," A Bit Lucky CCO Jordan Maynard said in a release. "We've been able to blend social gaming with hardcore PC gameplay mechanics to create a new and engaging experience."
Regardless of the game being deemed "hardcore" with a lack of combat, a tenant of most Facebook games given the silly adjective, Lucky Space sounds like it might have players depend on their friends more than in most social games. You will need friends not just to visit your colony for a few boosts, but to trade rare components and identify mysterious alien artifacts. One thing we know for sure is that the game looks like a vibrant, even jolly take on Facebook games skewed for the hardcore crowd. But don't just take our word for it, check out the trailer below and see for yourself.
Click here to play Lucky Space on Facebook Now >
What do you think of A Bit Lucky's second Facebook game so far? Do you think there's still room for Facebook games within the sci-fi genre, or are you on the lookout for something new?
In Lucky Space, players inherit a lifeless, barren alien planet purchased by Dr. X in his final days in search of the riches he was so sure are buried deep beneath its purple crust. You'll establish a thriving space colony with one mission: strip mine the planet for all its worth in rare gems and resources. Of course, it won't be long before you discover that Dr. X was onto more than just shiny rocks and black gold.
As you expand your colony and upgrade its buildings with unique components like the Force Field Dome and Ultra-Power Laser Extractor, you'll slowly uncover the remnants of an alien civilization. Through a series a quests and the help of your friends, you will dig out alien ruins while protecting your colony from a series of natural (to this world, maybe) disasters like meteor strikes. While the game is dubbed "hardcore," it doesn't look or sound as if combat is a focus in Lucky Space.
Gallery: Lucky Space on Facebook
Exclusive 1Exclusive 2Exclusive 3Exclusive 4
"Lucky Space was inspired by our love of the sci-fi genre and the desire to innovate within the social gaming space," A Bit Lucky CCO Jordan Maynard said in a release. "We've been able to blend social gaming with hardcore PC gameplay mechanics to create a new and engaging experience."
Regardless of the game being deemed "hardcore" with a lack of combat, a tenant of most Facebook games given the silly adjective, Lucky Space sounds like it might have players depend on their friends more than in most social games. You will need friends not just to visit your colony for a few boosts, but to trade rare components and identify mysterious alien artifacts. One thing we know for sure is that the game looks like a vibrant, even jolly take on Facebook games skewed for the hardcore crowd. But don't just take our word for it, check out the trailer below and see for yourself.
Click here to play Lucky Space on Facebook Now >
What do you think of A Bit Lucky's second Facebook game so far? Do you think there's still room for Facebook games within the sci-fi genre, or are you on the lookout for something new?
Glitch, the weirdest Facebook-connected MMO yet, goes live today
Glitch on Facebook
(Editors Note: Glitch is not a Facebook game, but a Facebook-connected social MMO that exists in its own space on Glitch.com. Changes were made in this article to reflect this correction.)
And by weird we mean, "Just what the heck do I do in this game?" weird. When we first heard that Flickr co-creator Stewart Butterfield was working on a new breed of social game called Glitch earlier this year, we were excited to see what was in store. Starting today at 1 p.m. eastern, you can experience the goofy first release from Butterfield's Canada-based Tiny Speck.
Glitch, announced way back in November of last year, is Butterfield's attempt at putting the tools for expression in the players' hands. "Our vision for Glitch is to bring a new level of creativity, beauty and social engagement to players who expect more from their online social gaming experience – an experience that has value beyond traditional forms of entertainment," Butterfield told Kotaku. "Glitch is an experiment in culture building. We provide raw materials and a stimulating environment, but it's the players who bring the infinite world alive, shaping it with their imagination."
Based on an early look at the game co-created by Butterfield and Keita Takahashi--the man behind the equally- strange Katamari Damacy series of games--I can confidently say that the game will fill your daily quota of quirkiness. For instance, I recall during my time with an early build of the game entering a building you would normally find in Washington. Inside, I was to apply for an arbitrary license, and was told by an in-game character to sit and wait for my turn.
Growing confused and impatient from waiting for the green-faced clerk to return from behind the desk to call my name, I left the building. When I returned, I was forced to restart the process. So, I reapplied for the license, and literally waited for 10 minutes for the garish desk clerk to return with my new card for whatever purpose. That's when it hit me: Through Glitch, Butterfield was making a statement on the hilarity of bureaucracy. And you know what? I literally laughed out loud in front of my laptop.
However, what's worrying is that the average FarmVille fan isn't concerned with lofty if humorous statements or open-ended gameplay with nearly infinite methods of expression. They just want to feel accomplished within five minutes and get back to work from their lunch break. Since my look at the game, however, Tiny Speck has made major changes to Glitch to appeal to that crowd, Kotaku reports. That said, why not give Glitch a try--it might be the first social game to make you laugh out loud.
Click here to try out Glitch through Facebook Now >
Are you looking for a new kind of social game experience? Do you think lofty games like Glitch can find success in the world of CityVille and The Sims Social?
(Editors Note: Glitch is not a Facebook game, but a Facebook-connected social MMO that exists in its own space on Glitch.com. Changes were made in this article to reflect this correction.)
And by weird we mean, "Just what the heck do I do in this game?" weird. When we first heard that Flickr co-creator Stewart Butterfield was working on a new breed of social game called Glitch earlier this year, we were excited to see what was in store. Starting today at 1 p.m. eastern, you can experience the goofy first release from Butterfield's Canada-based Tiny Speck.
Glitch, announced way back in November of last year, is Butterfield's attempt at putting the tools for expression in the players' hands. "Our vision for Glitch is to bring a new level of creativity, beauty and social engagement to players who expect more from their online social gaming experience – an experience that has value beyond traditional forms of entertainment," Butterfield told Kotaku. "Glitch is an experiment in culture building. We provide raw materials and a stimulating environment, but it's the players who bring the infinite world alive, shaping it with their imagination."
Based on an early look at the game co-created by Butterfield and Keita Takahashi--the man behind the equally- strange Katamari Damacy series of games--I can confidently say that the game will fill your daily quota of quirkiness. For instance, I recall during my time with an early build of the game entering a building you would normally find in Washington. Inside, I was to apply for an arbitrary license, and was told by an in-game character to sit and wait for my turn.
Growing confused and impatient from waiting for the green-faced clerk to return from behind the desk to call my name, I left the building. When I returned, I was forced to restart the process. So, I reapplied for the license, and literally waited for 10 minutes for the garish desk clerk to return with my new card for whatever purpose. That's when it hit me: Through Glitch, Butterfield was making a statement on the hilarity of bureaucracy. And you know what? I literally laughed out loud in front of my laptop.
However, what's worrying is that the average FarmVille fan isn't concerned with lofty if humorous statements or open-ended gameplay with nearly infinite methods of expression. They just want to feel accomplished within five minutes and get back to work from their lunch break. Since my look at the game, however, Tiny Speck has made major changes to Glitch to appeal to that crowd, Kotaku reports. That said, why not give Glitch a try--it might be the first social game to make you laugh out loud.
Click here to try out Glitch through Facebook Now >
Are you looking for a new kind of social game experience? Do you think lofty games like Glitch can find success in the world of CityVille and The Sims Social?
Raptr report: Gamers play Zynga's 'Ville games almost as much as Halo
Wait a second, that's not possible. Zynga games are for casual players, aren't they? Well, maybe not as much as previously though. A report issued by Raptr, the social network for gamers, reveals that the 265 million fans of games like CityVille and FarmVille are playing those games almost as much as Halo players. More importantly, Raptr users are playing said games more than "core" game franchises like Grand Theft Auto, Assassin's Creed and Gears of War combined.
Raptr's report breaks down the top game franchises on the social network by time spent playing, as the service tracks whenever users enter a game and for how long they play. Zynga's stable of games tails top hardcore franchises like Call of Duty's massive 43 percent time share and Halo's 14 percent with 13 percent. The remaining 12 percent is reserved for other hardcore games.
According to the report, big time hardcore games like CoD and WoW are played for longer sessions at a time, but Zynga Facebook games such as Empires & Allies or Pioneer Trail are played more frequently. In fact, Raptr goes on to say that about 12 to 20 percent of CityVille players are also deep into games like StarCraft 2 and Call of Duty Black Ops. And the percentage of Xbox 360 owners that have played a Zynga game increased by 50 percent to a total of 30 percent, the report claims.
Top Franchises by Share Time Spent
The data goes on to show that Zynga controls 60 percent of the market in social games, at least judging from Raptr's 10 million users. And before The Sims Social came along, the massive company's top games racked up three times as many hours as the rest of the top 10 Facebook games combined. Not to mention that Zynga fans are loyal: 90 percent of FrontierVille, Treasure Isle, CityVille, and Empires & Allies players were pulled from existing Zynga games.
While it almost goes without saying, Zynga is still killing it. More importantly for the company, however, is that reports like this will help instill confidence in its upcoming $1 billion initial public offering. With recent news that the company's profits plummeted 90 percent--and that The Sims Social has gobbled up most of its top games--made those prospects shaky.
Raptr's report breaks down the top game franchises on the social network by time spent playing, as the service tracks whenever users enter a game and for how long they play. Zynga's stable of games tails top hardcore franchises like Call of Duty's massive 43 percent time share and Halo's 14 percent with 13 percent. The remaining 12 percent is reserved for other hardcore games.
According to the report, big time hardcore games like CoD and WoW are played for longer sessions at a time, but Zynga Facebook games such as Empires & Allies or Pioneer Trail are played more frequently. In fact, Raptr goes on to say that about 12 to 20 percent of CityVille players are also deep into games like StarCraft 2 and Call of Duty Black Ops. And the percentage of Xbox 360 owners that have played a Zynga game increased by 50 percent to a total of 30 percent, the report claims.
Top Franchises by Share Time Spent
The data goes on to show that Zynga controls 60 percent of the market in social games, at least judging from Raptr's 10 million users. And before The Sims Social came along, the massive company's top games racked up three times as many hours as the rest of the top 10 Facebook games combined. Not to mention that Zynga fans are loyal: 90 percent of FrontierVille, Treasure Isle, CityVille, and Empires & Allies players were pulled from existing Zynga games.
While it almost goes without saying, Zynga is still killing it. More importantly for the company, however, is that reports like this will help instill confidence in its upcoming $1 billion initial public offering. With recent news that the company's profits plummeted 90 percent--and that The Sims Social has gobbled up most of its top games--made those prospects shaky.
Game of the Day: Impale
impale game of the dayNo one likes zombies.They're scary, they're smelly, they eat our brains, they congest our highways, and are generally a nuisance to have around. Has one of your socks ever gone mysteriously missing in the wash? Chances are a zombie took it.
Today's Game of the Day, Impale, understands your zombie-hatred. That's why the object of the game is to hurl zombies from a catapult, impaling them on spikes, hooks, saws, and much much more. On each map there are a number of hazards with red lights on them, impaling a zombie on that object will turn off the red light. If you turn off all the red lights, you'll progress to the next level!
Though it may sound easy, Impale quickly ramps up the difficulty in it's 50 regular and 20 bonus levels. It'll take accuracy, wit, and a little luck to successfully impale all the zombies.
Click here to play Impale!
impale game of the day impale game of the day
Pro Tips:
To unlock the bonus levels you'll need to get a score of 1,000 on the first 50 levels. To do that, you're going to need to limit the amount of zombies you launch. The fewer zombies it takes you to complete a level, the higher your score.
Remember to aim carefully. The further your cursor is from the catapult when you click, the farther and faster your zombie will travel. Also, though they are above death, zombies aren't above gravity. When you launch a zombie, it will travel in an arc. Aim slightly above what your trying to hit for best results.
If you aren't looking to unlock the bonus levels or get a high score, and just want to have fun, may I suggest my preferred technique: the zombie catapult machine gun. Simply rapid-fire zombies at whatever you want for maximum effectiveness.
Today's Game of the Day, Impale, understands your zombie-hatred. That's why the object of the game is to hurl zombies from a catapult, impaling them on spikes, hooks, saws, and much much more. On each map there are a number of hazards with red lights on them, impaling a zombie on that object will turn off the red light. If you turn off all the red lights, you'll progress to the next level!
Though it may sound easy, Impale quickly ramps up the difficulty in it's 50 regular and 20 bonus levels. It'll take accuracy, wit, and a little luck to successfully impale all the zombies.
Click here to play Impale!
impale game of the day impale game of the day
Pro Tips:
To unlock the bonus levels you'll need to get a score of 1,000 on the first 50 levels. To do that, you're going to need to limit the amount of zombies you launch. The fewer zombies it takes you to complete a level, the higher your score.
Remember to aim carefully. The further your cursor is from the catapult when you click, the farther and faster your zombie will travel. Also, though they are above death, zombies aren't above gravity. When you launch a zombie, it will travel in an arc. Aim slightly above what your trying to hit for best results.
If you aren't looking to unlock the bonus levels or get a high score, and just want to have fun, may I suggest my preferred technique: the zombie catapult machine gun. Simply rapid-fire zombies at whatever you want for maximum effectiveness.
Android gaming gets smurfalicious, Smurfs' Village launches Sept. 28
Android owners, did you really think you could survive the blue wave for long? Capcom's Beeline Interactive announced that Smurfs' Village will launch on select Android devices for free on Sept. 28. Originally released for the iPhone and iPad in late 2010, the mobile social game skyrocketed in popularity and even resulted in one hilarious lesson in child rearing in 2011.
The game plays out much like mobile Zynga games like CityVille Hometown in that players are tasked (by Papa Smurf) to build up their very own--you guessed it--village. But this time, it's for the Smurfs to dwell in as the evil Gargamel seeks them out. During your time expanding the Smurfs' miniature empire, you'll gain access to some of the more popular Smurfs and their special abilities.
Namely, many of these blue buggers will unlock mini games for you to enjoy and find additional resources with like Greedy Smurf's Baking Game or Papa Smurf's Potion Mixing Game. Of course, players can also share their experiences with their friends on Facebook through Facebook Connect. According to Capcom, Smurfs' Village consistently ranks as a top grossing app worldwide. (We think we have an idea of how that happened back in the day.)
Most recently, Capcom and Beeline released Smurfs' Grabber to iPhone and iPad, which will soon integrate directly with Smurfs' Village. (Not to mention that Ubisoft released a full-blown Smurfs game for Facebook.) We imagine that, with the heaping gold mine that the Smurfs property has proven to be for Capcom, it won't be long before you're grabbing for goodies in Smurfs' Village with Smurfs' Grabber on Android devices, too. Until then, just focus on building your blue buddies some comfy mushroom houses.
Click here to find The Smurfs' Village on the Android Market >
Are you a fan of the recent mobile and social takes on the Smurfs in smartphones and on Facebook? Will we ever get enough of the smurfing?
The game plays out much like mobile Zynga games like CityVille Hometown in that players are tasked (by Papa Smurf) to build up their very own--you guessed it--village. But this time, it's for the Smurfs to dwell in as the evil Gargamel seeks them out. During your time expanding the Smurfs' miniature empire, you'll gain access to some of the more popular Smurfs and their special abilities.
Namely, many of these blue buggers will unlock mini games for you to enjoy and find additional resources with like Greedy Smurf's Baking Game or Papa Smurf's Potion Mixing Game. Of course, players can also share their experiences with their friends on Facebook through Facebook Connect. According to Capcom, Smurfs' Village consistently ranks as a top grossing app worldwide. (We think we have an idea of how that happened back in the day.)
Most recently, Capcom and Beeline released Smurfs' Grabber to iPhone and iPad, which will soon integrate directly with Smurfs' Village. (Not to mention that Ubisoft released a full-blown Smurfs game for Facebook.) We imagine that, with the heaping gold mine that the Smurfs property has proven to be for Capcom, it won't be long before you're grabbing for goodies in Smurfs' Village with Smurfs' Grabber on Android devices, too. Until then, just focus on building your blue buddies some comfy mushroom houses.
Click here to find The Smurfs' Village on the Android Market >
Are you a fan of the recent mobile and social takes on the Smurfs in smartphones and on Facebook? Will we ever get enough of the smurfing?
Monday, December 12, 2011
Disney-branded Facebook games coming in 2012, Playdom head says
Can we all just say, "finally?" During a panel named "The Rise of Social Games" at the f8 Facebook Developers Conference in San Francisco, Disney Interactive and Playdom head John Pleasants revealed that two to four Facebook games surrounding Disney brands will hit Facebook in 2012. The general topic of the panel was the fact that branded social games are taking off.
Pleasants was joined on the panel by Kabam CEO Kevin Chou, EA Interactive head Barry Cottle and Zynga CBO Owen Van Natta. Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan moderated the panel with the preface that branded games will take over the Facebook platform. And he might be right: EA just released The Sims Social, Zynga will soon re-brand its new Adventure World with Indiana Jones and Kabam recently announced The Godfather: Five Families.
Playdom, which Disney acquired in July 2010 for a whopping $740 million, is ahead of the pack with two branded games on Facebook: ESPNU College Town and ESPN Sports Bar & Grill. Both games performed well, thanks to advertising through the ESPN TV network. While Disney owns the ESPN brand, notice how neither of those actually involve the insanely popular Disney characters we've come to love.
Honestly, we're surprised this didn't happen sooner. Consider this: Disney has its own cable TV channel through which it could, in theory, advertise whatever it wants. Pleasants didn't get into why it's taken this long for Disney to throw its cast of characters into Facebook games, but did reveal the power of the Disney name.
Gnome Town, which Playdom launched in the summer--and we enjoyed quite a bit--peaked at 530,000 daily players. But just plopping the Disney logo on top of the existing one made users more likely to spend in the game just through trust of the company's name, according to Pleasants. "We think it's an advantage, if you put game play first," Pleasants said.
It's comforting to hear this emphasized by these developers. (Kabam's Chou shared the same sentiment.) Branded games on Facebook are OK in my book, but the last thing anyone wants to see is the genre become a branding machine.
[Source and Image Credit: VentureBeat]
Are you on board with the growing trend of branded games on Facebook? Do you think developers will maintain integrity as the focus on branded content in their games intensifies?
Pleasants was joined on the panel by Kabam CEO Kevin Chou, EA Interactive head Barry Cottle and Zynga CBO Owen Van Natta. Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan moderated the panel with the preface that branded games will take over the Facebook platform. And he might be right: EA just released The Sims Social, Zynga will soon re-brand its new Adventure World with Indiana Jones and Kabam recently announced The Godfather: Five Families.
Playdom, which Disney acquired in July 2010 for a whopping $740 million, is ahead of the pack with two branded games on Facebook: ESPNU College Town and ESPN Sports Bar & Grill. Both games performed well, thanks to advertising through the ESPN TV network. While Disney owns the ESPN brand, notice how neither of those actually involve the insanely popular Disney characters we've come to love.
Honestly, we're surprised this didn't happen sooner. Consider this: Disney has its own cable TV channel through which it could, in theory, advertise whatever it wants. Pleasants didn't get into why it's taken this long for Disney to throw its cast of characters into Facebook games, but did reveal the power of the Disney name.
Gnome Town, which Playdom launched in the summer--and we enjoyed quite a bit--peaked at 530,000 daily players. But just plopping the Disney logo on top of the existing one made users more likely to spend in the game just through trust of the company's name, according to Pleasants. "We think it's an advantage, if you put game play first," Pleasants said.
It's comforting to hear this emphasized by these developers. (Kabam's Chou shared the same sentiment.) Branded games on Facebook are OK in my book, but the last thing anyone wants to see is the genre become a branding machine.
[Source and Image Credit: VentureBeat]
Are you on board with the growing trend of branded games on Facebook? Do you think developers will maintain integrity as the focus on branded content in their games intensifies?
New Pioneer Trail World Map: Are four more expansions on the way?
Pioneer Trail World Map
That's the logical guess, at least. Zynga recently updated The Pioneer Trail with a brand new World Map that hints at four unreleased areas. Instead of showing the four areas on the Pioneer Trail, the "Travel" button now shows a condensed icon representing the recently-released expansion in a larger map. What's more important, however, is what surrounds it.
Considering this is all we have right now, prepare for some wild speculation. The Pioneer Trail icon is surrounded by four grayed out icons. Moving from most left to right, what first appears is either a castle or a fort, with no trail marks leading to it. Perhaps this is a new area for players to tend to much like the Homestead (maybe players claim Fort Courage for themselves.) To the bottom left is a canyon, which is most likely the long-teased Rattlesnake Canyon.
Directly below The Pioneer Trail icon is what appears to be a Gold Mine, likely alluding to the Gold Rush expansion that has been hinted at since almost day one. (You know, way back when this game was still known as FrontierVille?) Finally, a haunted graveyard of sorts is featured. We seriously doubt Zynga would create an entire expansion's worth of content with a Halloween theme, so maybe this will be the home of future season-specific events.
At this point, who knows what the developer is up to. What we do know, however, is that Zynga has big plans for Pioneer Trail well into 2012. And considering the game has lost the majority of its daily players since it was re-branded in August, we're not surprised Zynga would be working hard to keep the major content releases flowing.
That's the logical guess, at least. Zynga recently updated The Pioneer Trail with a brand new World Map that hints at four unreleased areas. Instead of showing the four areas on the Pioneer Trail, the "Travel" button now shows a condensed icon representing the recently-released expansion in a larger map. What's more important, however, is what surrounds it.
Considering this is all we have right now, prepare for some wild speculation. The Pioneer Trail icon is surrounded by four grayed out icons. Moving from most left to right, what first appears is either a castle or a fort, with no trail marks leading to it. Perhaps this is a new area for players to tend to much like the Homestead (maybe players claim Fort Courage for themselves.) To the bottom left is a canyon, which is most likely the long-teased Rattlesnake Canyon.
Directly below The Pioneer Trail icon is what appears to be a Gold Mine, likely alluding to the Gold Rush expansion that has been hinted at since almost day one. (You know, way back when this game was still known as FrontierVille?) Finally, a haunted graveyard of sorts is featured. We seriously doubt Zynga would create an entire expansion's worth of content with a Halloween theme, so maybe this will be the home of future season-specific events.
At this point, who knows what the developer is up to. What we do know, however, is that Zynga has big plans for Pioneer Trail well into 2012. And considering the game has lost the majority of its daily players since it was re-branded in August, we're not surprised Zynga would be working hard to keep the major content releases flowing.
The CityVille French Riviera Casino: Everything you need to know
Nearly a year after the game's release, it's finally time to unlock the first CityVille Wonder: The Eiffel Tower. We've guided you through building both the Sailboat Hotel and the Tonga Tower, and now Zynga has released the French Riviera Casino to the game. It's the third and final building required to access CityVille's first Wonder, and follows about the same pattern as its predecessors. But that doesn't make it any simpler of a task, so here's everything you need to know:
Players must be at least Level 30 to access the French Riviera Casino. Once you reach that point, you'll come across a new Goal from Edgar. It simply asks that you place the foundation for the building, and rewards you 2 XP for doing so. Keep in mind that you don't have to complete the Sailboat Hotel and Tonga Tower to access this Goal.
However, you will have to finish all three to access the Eiffel Tower. Once you place the new building, it will appear complete with massive tarps, scaffolding and a giant crane. Click on it again to reveal the next giant steps in constructing this massive building in a window featuring three tasks.
Unlock French Riviera Casino
Unlock the French Riviera Casino
Gather parts to Unlock
Upgrade one French Business to Level 2
Master one French Crop to Level 2
Like most buildings in CityVille, you must ask your friends for a list of items, though this time that list is more like a litany. You must ask friends for 12 of each of these items: Roulette Wheel, Dice, Slot Machine, Deck of Cards and Poker Chip. Once you receive one of each, you can place them on your Wish List to possibly make this part pass by more quickly.
Of the French Businesses listed in the Goal, we recommend upgrading the French Restaurant, as it costs the least at 4,500 Coins and holds just 110 Goods, meaning it will be open for collection more often and thus more upgrade points. Choosing the best French crop to upgrade is easy: Go with what's cheapest. That would be the Sun Flowers, which cost just 51 Coins and take 15 hours to harvest.
Inside French Riviera Casino
Once you completed all three daunting tasks, click "Finish Building" to unveil the French Riviera Casino. Of course, the building is functional, but operates much like a standard Hotel. Click on the building to supply it with a whopping 500 Goods. Click it again, and a menu similar to the Hotels will appear. While your city's residents will populate the French Riviera Casino, you can invite friends to boost the building's payout up to three times the normal value.
You can even invite friends as VIP guests after the Casino is ready to be collected. Just click on the hovering VIP icon to select five VIP friends. This is the final building to unlock the Eiffel Tower, so go on and build the first Wonder ever to hit CityVille.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Have you finished all three buildings to unlock the Eiffel Tower yet? What do you think of how Zynga has handled this new set of buildings?
Players must be at least Level 30 to access the French Riviera Casino. Once you reach that point, you'll come across a new Goal from Edgar. It simply asks that you place the foundation for the building, and rewards you 2 XP for doing so. Keep in mind that you don't have to complete the Sailboat Hotel and Tonga Tower to access this Goal.
However, you will have to finish all three to access the Eiffel Tower. Once you place the new building, it will appear complete with massive tarps, scaffolding and a giant crane. Click on it again to reveal the next giant steps in constructing this massive building in a window featuring three tasks.
Unlock French Riviera Casino
Unlock the French Riviera Casino
Gather parts to Unlock
Upgrade one French Business to Level 2
Master one French Crop to Level 2
Like most buildings in CityVille, you must ask your friends for a list of items, though this time that list is more like a litany. You must ask friends for 12 of each of these items: Roulette Wheel, Dice, Slot Machine, Deck of Cards and Poker Chip. Once you receive one of each, you can place them on your Wish List to possibly make this part pass by more quickly.
Of the French Businesses listed in the Goal, we recommend upgrading the French Restaurant, as it costs the least at 4,500 Coins and holds just 110 Goods, meaning it will be open for collection more often and thus more upgrade points. Choosing the best French crop to upgrade is easy: Go with what's cheapest. That would be the Sun Flowers, which cost just 51 Coins and take 15 hours to harvest.
Inside French Riviera Casino
Once you completed all three daunting tasks, click "Finish Building" to unveil the French Riviera Casino. Of course, the building is functional, but operates much like a standard Hotel. Click on the building to supply it with a whopping 500 Goods. Click it again, and a menu similar to the Hotels will appear. While your city's residents will populate the French Riviera Casino, you can invite friends to boost the building's payout up to three times the normal value.
You can even invite friends as VIP guests after the Casino is ready to be collected. Just click on the hovering VIP icon to select five VIP friends. This is the final building to unlock the Eiffel Tower, so go on and build the first Wonder ever to hit CityVille.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Have you finished all three buildings to unlock the Eiffel Tower yet? What do you think of how Zynga has handled this new set of buildings?
Game of the Day: Sudoku X
Sudoku X is a challenging rendition of the classic puzzle game. It's everything you're used to in Sudoku, but with one mine-bending twist. The object of Sudoku is to completely fill the grid with numbers. You aren't allowed to repeat the same number in any row, column, or 3 by 3 box. In Sudoku X you also aren't allowed to repeat a number in either of the purple diagonals running from corner to corner.
If you manage to finish today's puzzle, try attempting some of the other ones by clicking through the archive at the top!
Click here to play Sudoku X!
sudoku x game of the day sudoku x game of the day
Were you able to complete today's puzzle?
If you manage to finish today's puzzle, try attempting some of the other ones by clicking through the archive at the top!
Click here to play Sudoku X!
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Video Game Roundup: Gears of War 3, Star Fox 64 3D, The Gunstringer
Gears of War 3 has only had, let's say, a billion of advertisements all over the airwaves, so we figured we'd kick off this edition of the Video Game Roundup with a look at the the final game in the popular Xbox 360 trilogy. Then we'll delve into the outer space adventures of Fox McCloud in Star Fox 64 3D, and finish up with a look at the Kinect-only The Gunstringer on Xbox 360.
gears of war 3
Gears of War 3
Gears of War 3 continues the trilogy as you play Marcus Fenix, head of a team of super soldiers known as "Gears" who are intent on combating the various plagues that are infesting the planet Sera (got that?). Human resistance to the hostile enemies known as the Locust have all but wiped civilization out, but that's sooooo previous-game-in-the-series. In Gears of War 2, you made a dent in their forces, but they're still around, and now are joined by some crazy zombie aliens called the Lambent.
If this sounds confusing, we assure you, it isn't, mainly because you'll be way too busy blowing up stuff to care! The action is almost non-stop, and while we were able to complete the game in about a week, it always keeps you guessing with what they'll throw at you next. Our favorite part is... well, we won't spoil it!
The greatest thing about Gears is the fact that this is definitely not meant to be played just by one person. The real draw is when you get a group of buddies together to play through the story at the same time. Instead of protecting some computer-controlled player, having your friends in the roles of these characters makes the game a lot more dramatic!
Of course, instead of saving them, you may just want to throw a grenade at their feet, so the famous competitive modes are also in this version of Gears, and one play is definitely not enough. This game will have you hooked as you score medals and experience to unlock new weapons and characters.
Overall, Gears of War 3 is the best in the series, and our contender so far for video game of the year. Visually, it's a stunner, and while the story does try to add depth, the action is what it's all about. Amazing stuff.
Games.com Score: Five zombie aliens (out of five)
star fox 3d
Star Fox 64 3D
Star Fox 64 3D is the second Nintendo 64 title to get the Nintendo 3DS treatment (the first being the amazing The Legend if Zelda: Ocarina of Time), and in a lot of ways, it's a better fit for the 3D portable. You take control of Fox McCloud as he leads his cohorts (my personal favorite is Slippy) into some very cool space adventures, both in space and on land, and all of which uses the Nintendo 3DS in some pretty innovative ways.
For example, you can use the gyroscope in the Nintendo 3DS to tilt your ship any which way you want, so leaning into turns actually makes a difference. It feels very natural, and when used with the analog controls, you're able to get out of some pretty hair-raising situations. All that moving the system around makes the 3D fuzzy, but you can just turn the 3D slider down all the way for a clear view of the action.
Or you can play without the gyroscope and crank that 3D effect because the game is gorgeous. The stars and backgrounds have a great layering effect that makes this one of the best looking Nintendo 3DS games to come out. It's just a shame you almost have to choose either the gyro controls or the 3D effect, as both don't work too well at the same time.
Still this is a great game that is worth a purchase even if you have played the Nintendo 64 original. And if you haven't? You're in for a treat, as the story takes you from battle to battle, with a few variations that keeps things fresh. The main style of play will have you flying straight ahead as enemies come at you, and you just have to move the target around the screen to fire your lasers and bombs. This happens during many flying missions, although you'll hop in a tank for a very cool diversion a bit later in the game. There's also a free roam style that has you dogfighting against different enemies, including a few characters from the original game that are back to make life a pain for Fox.
The hardware shows off a great experience, although it's not perfect. It's still a lot of fun though (wait until you play against some of your friends in a very cool multiplayer mode) and worth a look!
Games.com Score: Four old rabbits in space (out of five)
the gunstringer
The Gunstringer
The Gunstringer is another Xbox 360 title worthy of a closer look. Made by the guys behind the indie sensation 'Splosion Man on Xbox Live, The Gunstringer uses the Xbox Kinect to bring to life the story of a cowboy with a sordid past out for revenge. And he happens to be an undead puppet. So, yeah, there's that.
Controlling the cowboy puppet is as simple as using your left hand to move him around like a marionette, while using your right hand to point like a pistol and shoot. This is as simple as it gets, folks, but it is a very fun time.
The story is full of laughs (just take a look at some of the audience members in your play), and the game changes it up quite a bit. One chapter will have you swinging your arm from side to side while avoiding boulders, while another will have you swiping at ninja enemies with your very own samurai blades.
Simple to pick up and play (since you're not actually picking up anything) and a great sense of humor make The Gunstringer a must-play game.
gears of war 3
Gears of War 3
Gears of War 3 continues the trilogy as you play Marcus Fenix, head of a team of super soldiers known as "Gears" who are intent on combating the various plagues that are infesting the planet Sera (got that?). Human resistance to the hostile enemies known as the Locust have all but wiped civilization out, but that's sooooo previous-game-in-the-series. In Gears of War 2, you made a dent in their forces, but they're still around, and now are joined by some crazy zombie aliens called the Lambent.
If this sounds confusing, we assure you, it isn't, mainly because you'll be way too busy blowing up stuff to care! The action is almost non-stop, and while we were able to complete the game in about a week, it always keeps you guessing with what they'll throw at you next. Our favorite part is... well, we won't spoil it!
The greatest thing about Gears is the fact that this is definitely not meant to be played just by one person. The real draw is when you get a group of buddies together to play through the story at the same time. Instead of protecting some computer-controlled player, having your friends in the roles of these characters makes the game a lot more dramatic!
Of course, instead of saving them, you may just want to throw a grenade at their feet, so the famous competitive modes are also in this version of Gears, and one play is definitely not enough. This game will have you hooked as you score medals and experience to unlock new weapons and characters.
Overall, Gears of War 3 is the best in the series, and our contender so far for video game of the year. Visually, it's a stunner, and while the story does try to add depth, the action is what it's all about. Amazing stuff.
Games.com Score: Five zombie aliens (out of five)
star fox 3d
Star Fox 64 3D
Star Fox 64 3D is the second Nintendo 64 title to get the Nintendo 3DS treatment (the first being the amazing The Legend if Zelda: Ocarina of Time), and in a lot of ways, it's a better fit for the 3D portable. You take control of Fox McCloud as he leads his cohorts (my personal favorite is Slippy) into some very cool space adventures, both in space and on land, and all of which uses the Nintendo 3DS in some pretty innovative ways.
For example, you can use the gyroscope in the Nintendo 3DS to tilt your ship any which way you want, so leaning into turns actually makes a difference. It feels very natural, and when used with the analog controls, you're able to get out of some pretty hair-raising situations. All that moving the system around makes the 3D fuzzy, but you can just turn the 3D slider down all the way for a clear view of the action.
Or you can play without the gyroscope and crank that 3D effect because the game is gorgeous. The stars and backgrounds have a great layering effect that makes this one of the best looking Nintendo 3DS games to come out. It's just a shame you almost have to choose either the gyro controls or the 3D effect, as both don't work too well at the same time.
Still this is a great game that is worth a purchase even if you have played the Nintendo 64 original. And if you haven't? You're in for a treat, as the story takes you from battle to battle, with a few variations that keeps things fresh. The main style of play will have you flying straight ahead as enemies come at you, and you just have to move the target around the screen to fire your lasers and bombs. This happens during many flying missions, although you'll hop in a tank for a very cool diversion a bit later in the game. There's also a free roam style that has you dogfighting against different enemies, including a few characters from the original game that are back to make life a pain for Fox.
The hardware shows off a great experience, although it's not perfect. It's still a lot of fun though (wait until you play against some of your friends in a very cool multiplayer mode) and worth a look!
Games.com Score: Four old rabbits in space (out of five)
the gunstringer
The Gunstringer
The Gunstringer is another Xbox 360 title worthy of a closer look. Made by the guys behind the indie sensation 'Splosion Man on Xbox Live, The Gunstringer uses the Xbox Kinect to bring to life the story of a cowboy with a sordid past out for revenge. And he happens to be an undead puppet. So, yeah, there's that.
Controlling the cowboy puppet is as simple as using your left hand to move him around like a marionette, while using your right hand to point like a pistol and shoot. This is as simple as it gets, folks, but it is a very fun time.
The story is full of laughs (just take a look at some of the audience members in your play), and the game changes it up quite a bit. One chapter will have you swinging your arm from side to side while avoiding boulders, while another will have you swiping at ninja enemies with your very own samurai blades.
Simple to pick up and play (since you're not actually picking up anything) and a great sense of humor make The Gunstringer a must-play game.
Pioneer Trail Shaman Lodge Goals: Everything you need to know
Finally, Halloween approaches. Zynga is already preparing its in-game festivities with the release of the Shaman Lodge to Pioneer Trail. Laughing Bear the Shaman has arrived on the Homestead, and he foresees a terrible spookiness on your land. It's up to you (if you're at least Level 17) to help Laughing Bear build his lodge to collect as many charms as possible in preparation for a seriously spooky event.
Once you complete the Lodge, you will be able to collect shiny charms from it daily. We assume these will come in handy in this year's Halloween event in Pioneer Trail, so it's in your best interest to get started on this new building right away. Since we know the suspense is killing you, here's everything you need to know to build the Shaman Lodge:
Clearin' the Ground
Place the Shaman Lodge
Clear 12 Skulls
Harvest 30 Sunflowers
When the even appears in your game, it will present you with the option to place the Lodge in a pop-up. Select "Build Lodge" to get started. Then, simply search your Homestead for Skulls--they're also a reward for completing the Cow and Graveyard Collections. Harvesting 30 Sunflowers will cost a total of 9,300 Coins and take at least 18 hours to grow. Your reward for completing this Goal includes one Mystery Animal Crate, 500 XP and 500 Coins.
Staffin' Up
Chop 30 Oak Trees on a Neighbor's Homestead
Collect Two Daily Bonuses from the Shaman Lodge
Collect 15 Eerie Gems
By this point, the Goals assume you've already completed the Shaman Lodge, so give the foundation a few whacks (which we imagine will cost Energy and Wood). Once that's complete, a window will appear with what's needed to complete the building, pictured below. Based on previous Goals, we imagine the first three items are requested through News Feed posts, while the latter three are found by asking your friends directly.
Finish your Shaman Lodge
After that's through, visit at least six friends to chop 30 Oak Trees. Collecting two Daily Bonuses from the Shaman Lodge will take at least two days. The 15 Eerie Gems will, again, come from your friends. Your rewards for this Goal include a welcome nod to the popular Internet video, the Double Rainbow, 500 XP and 500 Coins.
Final Preparations
Clobber six Snakes
Harvest 30 Peppermint
Collect 15 Monsterbane Arrows
Snakes appear most frequently beneath Skulls and Rocks, so try to avoid clobbering any Snakes from collecting Skulls in the first Goal. Peppermint acts more like a fruit tree than a crop, so you can choose to buy all 30, but I wouldn't recommend that. Regardless, this portion of the Goal will take you at least four hours at the very least. The Monsterbane Arrows are sourced from your friends like the Eerie Gems before them. Enjoy a Mystical Charm Totem, 700 XP and 700 Coins for completing this Goal.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Have you started your Shaman Lodge yet? What do you think these Charms will be used for this Halloween?
Once you complete the Lodge, you will be able to collect shiny charms from it daily. We assume these will come in handy in this year's Halloween event in Pioneer Trail, so it's in your best interest to get started on this new building right away. Since we know the suspense is killing you, here's everything you need to know to build the Shaman Lodge:
Clearin' the Ground
Place the Shaman Lodge
Clear 12 Skulls
Harvest 30 Sunflowers
When the even appears in your game, it will present you with the option to place the Lodge in a pop-up. Select "Build Lodge" to get started. Then, simply search your Homestead for Skulls--they're also a reward for completing the Cow and Graveyard Collections. Harvesting 30 Sunflowers will cost a total of 9,300 Coins and take at least 18 hours to grow. Your reward for completing this Goal includes one Mystery Animal Crate, 500 XP and 500 Coins.
Staffin' Up
Chop 30 Oak Trees on a Neighbor's Homestead
Collect Two Daily Bonuses from the Shaman Lodge
Collect 15 Eerie Gems
By this point, the Goals assume you've already completed the Shaman Lodge, so give the foundation a few whacks (which we imagine will cost Energy and Wood). Once that's complete, a window will appear with what's needed to complete the building, pictured below. Based on previous Goals, we imagine the first three items are requested through News Feed posts, while the latter three are found by asking your friends directly.
Finish your Shaman Lodge
After that's through, visit at least six friends to chop 30 Oak Trees. Collecting two Daily Bonuses from the Shaman Lodge will take at least two days. The 15 Eerie Gems will, again, come from your friends. Your rewards for this Goal include a welcome nod to the popular Internet video, the Double Rainbow, 500 XP and 500 Coins.
Final Preparations
Clobber six Snakes
Harvest 30 Peppermint
Collect 15 Monsterbane Arrows
Snakes appear most frequently beneath Skulls and Rocks, so try to avoid clobbering any Snakes from collecting Skulls in the first Goal. Peppermint acts more like a fruit tree than a crop, so you can choose to buy all 30, but I wouldn't recommend that. Regardless, this portion of the Goal will take you at least four hours at the very least. The Monsterbane Arrows are sourced from your friends like the Eerie Gems before them. Enjoy a Mystical Charm Totem, 700 XP and 700 Coins for completing this Goal.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Have you started your Shaman Lodge yet? What do you think these Charms will be used for this Halloween?
Using the CityVille Eiffel Tower: Everything you need to know
So, you've finally completed all three CityVille Landmarks required to unlock the Eiffel Tower: The Sailboat Hotel, the Tonga Tower and the French Riviera Casino. Now that the game's first Wonder is yours, just what do you do with it? More importantly, how does it work? Luckily for you, we have the answers. Here's everything you need to know about the Eiffel Tower:
What's This Thing Do?
Once you unlock the Eiffel Tower, building it is as simple as placing it, and then clicking on its foundation to finish it. What the building does essentially is power-up the payouts of all Restaurants, Hotels and other Businesses in your city. More specifically, Wonders triple the payout of Hotels, double the payout of Restaurants and boost other Businesses by 25 percent. However, this effect only lasts for a limited time. In that respect, Wonders are similar to Attractions in the game.
Giving the Shine Treatment
There's no range on the Eiffel Tower--it's bonuses are city-wide. So, place the building wherever you please. Then, click on the building to get it started. Each time you use the Eiffel Tower, it costs you 3 Energy, and the effect lasts for three minutes. You can extend this time with City Cash, which at least grants you with bonus Energy. During that three minutes, any relevant buildings surrounding the Wonder will sparkle, and you must collect from those buildings while the bonuses are in effect.
Eiffel Tower Maitenance
Pushing the Restart Button
After the three minutes are up, your Eiffel Tower will shut down, so to speak. An icon with a key inside will hover above the building. Click it to open a new window in which displays two options. If you want to use the Wonder again immediately, you can ask your friends for six Keys to start it up again, but if you're willing to wait, the Eiffel Tower recharges in 72 hours. In essence, the Eiffel Tower is one massive Attraction, so push the power button and reap the rewards.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
Have you unlocked the Eiffel Tower yet in CityVille? What do you think of Zynga's approach to Wonders?
What's This Thing Do?
Once you unlock the Eiffel Tower, building it is as simple as placing it, and then clicking on its foundation to finish it. What the building does essentially is power-up the payouts of all Restaurants, Hotels and other Businesses in your city. More specifically, Wonders triple the payout of Hotels, double the payout of Restaurants and boost other Businesses by 25 percent. However, this effect only lasts for a limited time. In that respect, Wonders are similar to Attractions in the game.
Giving the Shine Treatment
There's no range on the Eiffel Tower--it's bonuses are city-wide. So, place the building wherever you please. Then, click on the building to get it started. Each time you use the Eiffel Tower, it costs you 3 Energy, and the effect lasts for three minutes. You can extend this time with City Cash, which at least grants you with bonus Energy. During that three minutes, any relevant buildings surrounding the Wonder will sparkle, and you must collect from those buildings while the bonuses are in effect.
Eiffel Tower Maitenance
Pushing the Restart Button
After the three minutes are up, your Eiffel Tower will shut down, so to speak. An icon with a key inside will hover above the building. Click it to open a new window in which displays two options. If you want to use the Wonder again immediately, you can ask your friends for six Keys to start it up again, but if you're willing to wait, the Eiffel Tower recharges in 72 hours. In essence, the Eiffel Tower is one massive Attraction, so push the power button and reap the rewards.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
Have you unlocked the Eiffel Tower yet in CityVille? What do you think of Zynga's approach to Wonders?
The Sims Social: Celebrate the last days of summer with new Summer House theme
With the mass popularity of the Sims Social on Facebook, it's no surprise that Playfish / EA are continually adding new decorative items to the game's store, allowing you to personalize your home in new ways. Specifically, this week sees the launch of a "Summer House" theme of items, with items being available for your living room, bedroom and even outdoor areas. There are also plenty of decorative items here to take a look at, so we'll do our best to give you a complete guide to these new items. Check them out!
SolTrain Cubic (Shelving Unit)
Costs: 35 SimCash
Value: $5,150
SolTrain Chair (Buildable item)
Costs: 2,250 coins
Value: $1,800
SolTrain Kingsize (Bed)
Costs: 79 SimCash
Value: $11,700
Sleep Stat: 11
SolTrain Rays (Lamp)
Costs: 3 SimCash
Value: $450
BasketCase Travel (Requires Level 30)
Value: $350
SolTrain UV Lite
Costs: 12 SimCash
Value: $1,750
BasketCase XL (Requires Level 30)
Value: $600
SolTrain UV XL (Lamp)
Costs: 22 SimCash
Value: $3,250
Summer Tones (Painting - requires level 30)
Value: $750
Woody Divider (Requires Level 24)
Value: $1,300
SolTrain BagelUp
Costs: 5 SimCash
Value: $750
Woody Boxout B (Kitchen cabinet - requires Level 26 - Buildable item)
Value: $1,650
Woody Boxout L (Kitchen Cabinet - requires Level 26 - Buildable item)
Value: $1,650
SolTrain Panama (Outdoor Bed)
Costs: 49 Sim Cash
Value: $7,250
SolTrain Snug (Buildable item - requires Level 30)
Value: $2,200
Palm Tree
Costs: 1,750 coins
Value: $1,650
Happiness Stat: 3
Social Stat: 3
SolTrain Parasol
Costs: 59 SimCash
Value: $8,700
SolTrain Swing (Buildable item - requires Level 30)
Value: $4,850
Sleep Stat: 3
UltiMax Top Deck (Stereo)
Costs: 59 SimCash
Value: $8,700
Fun Stat: 5
In addition to all of these items, there's a full set of windows available in the Build menu is a new "Alpine" theme, which consists of a dark tan, almost orange colored frame. Four flooring options are available for either Social Points or (at most) a single SimCash per tile, and the theme is rounded out with a "SolTrain Beach" wallpaper that costs 55 Social Points per square.
As with previously released themes, these Summer House items don't appear to be limited edition; rather, they should be available permanently in the game's store. That being the case, you should be able to save up coins, or Social Points, or have time to purchase SimCash long into the future to create this theme in your home as far into the future as you like. If we see this change, we'll make sure to let you know.
What do you think of these Summer House items in Sims Social? What kinds of items would you like to see released next in the game?
SolTrain Cubic (Shelving Unit)
Costs: 35 SimCash
Value: $5,150
SolTrain Chair (Buildable item)
Costs: 2,250 coins
Value: $1,800
SolTrain Kingsize (Bed)
Costs: 79 SimCash
Value: $11,700
Sleep Stat: 11
SolTrain Rays (Lamp)
Costs: 3 SimCash
Value: $450
BasketCase Travel (Requires Level 30)
Value: $350
SolTrain UV Lite
Costs: 12 SimCash
Value: $1,750
BasketCase XL (Requires Level 30)
Value: $600
SolTrain UV XL (Lamp)
Costs: 22 SimCash
Value: $3,250
Summer Tones (Painting - requires level 30)
Value: $750
Woody Divider (Requires Level 24)
Value: $1,300
SolTrain BagelUp
Costs: 5 SimCash
Value: $750
Woody Boxout B (Kitchen cabinet - requires Level 26 - Buildable item)
Value: $1,650
Woody Boxout L (Kitchen Cabinet - requires Level 26 - Buildable item)
Value: $1,650
SolTrain Panama (Outdoor Bed)
Costs: 49 Sim Cash
Value: $7,250
SolTrain Snug (Buildable item - requires Level 30)
Value: $2,200
Palm Tree
Costs: 1,750 coins
Value: $1,650
Happiness Stat: 3
Social Stat: 3
SolTrain Parasol
Costs: 59 SimCash
Value: $8,700
SolTrain Swing (Buildable item - requires Level 30)
Value: $4,850
Sleep Stat: 3
UltiMax Top Deck (Stereo)
Costs: 59 SimCash
Value: $8,700
Fun Stat: 5
In addition to all of these items, there's a full set of windows available in the Build menu is a new "Alpine" theme, which consists of a dark tan, almost orange colored frame. Four flooring options are available for either Social Points or (at most) a single SimCash per tile, and the theme is rounded out with a "SolTrain Beach" wallpaper that costs 55 Social Points per square.
As with previously released themes, these Summer House items don't appear to be limited edition; rather, they should be available permanently in the game's store. That being the case, you should be able to save up coins, or Social Points, or have time to purchase SimCash long into the future to create this theme in your home as far into the future as you like. If we see this change, we'll make sure to let you know.
What do you think of these Summer House items in Sims Social? What kinds of items would you like to see released next in the game?
Cafe World Red Phone Booth Goals: Everything you need to know
While we all have plenty of goals on our plate in Cafe World right now, what with the release of not one, but two five-part goal series dealing with the game's two-year anniversary, there's another goal series to complete concerning a Red Phone Booth. To be fair, this trio of goals deals with the two-year anniversary event itself, in that it will give you a bonus on all of the Travel Passes you earn. Remember, collecting more Travel Passes gives you a better opportunity of earning prizes both in-game (stoves and the like) and in the real world (trips to exotic locales). Here's a complete look at the Red Phone Booth goals.
Also, this is another case where the dishes you're asked to serve will likely vary from those listed here. It is impossible for us to predict which dishes each individual user will be required to cook, but for that we apologize.
Phone a Friend 1
Place Red Phone Booth
Serve 12 Biscuits of Tomorrow
Call 3 Friends from your Phone Booth
Luckily, even though the Red Phone Booth is an item we'll place in our cafes, it doesn't need to be built like other items. Instead, you'll be able to look inside it and post messages ("phone calls") to your friends' walls. If they agree to be your Travel Buddy (it looks like you can collect 30 Travel Buddies in all), you'll earn points. As you earn Travel Buddies, you'll unlock items, as seen below:
3 Travel Buddies: Crispy Egg Rolls
6 Travel Buddies: Ivory Lightning Stove
10 Travel Buddies: Pineapple Cake
15 Travel Buddies: Double Travel Passes
Phone a Friend 2
Call 6 Friends from your Phone Booth
Spice 10 Neighbors' Stoves
Serve 10 Napoleon's Napoleon
Remember, if you want to rush your way through this goal series to get back to the main two-year anniversary goals, you can use spices on your own dishes to make them cook faster. You can also check out your Gift Box to make sure you don't have extra servings lying around that you can use to instantly skip any cooking time here.
Phone a Friend 3
Call 10 Friends from your Phone Booth
Spice 10 Neighbors' Stoves
Serve 15 Basil Finger Sandwiches
Again, this goal is fairly self-explanatory; just head inside your Red Phone Booth to post messages to your friends' walls, thus fulfilling the "call" task, and you'll be able to finish this one off basically in the time it takes to cook the dish you're required to. After that's done, you'll be able to celebrate by (hopefully) unlocking the double Travel Passes boost in your cafe, and can go back to completing tasks in the two-year anniversary event. Happy Cooking!
What do you think of these Red Phone Booth goals? Do you think they have a real purpose, or should the Phone Booth have been released without them?
Also, this is another case where the dishes you're asked to serve will likely vary from those listed here. It is impossible for us to predict which dishes each individual user will be required to cook, but for that we apologize.
Phone a Friend 1
Place Red Phone Booth
Serve 12 Biscuits of Tomorrow
Call 3 Friends from your Phone Booth
Luckily, even though the Red Phone Booth is an item we'll place in our cafes, it doesn't need to be built like other items. Instead, you'll be able to look inside it and post messages ("phone calls") to your friends' walls. If they agree to be your Travel Buddy (it looks like you can collect 30 Travel Buddies in all), you'll earn points. As you earn Travel Buddies, you'll unlock items, as seen below:
3 Travel Buddies: Crispy Egg Rolls
6 Travel Buddies: Ivory Lightning Stove
10 Travel Buddies: Pineapple Cake
15 Travel Buddies: Double Travel Passes
Phone a Friend 2
Call 6 Friends from your Phone Booth
Spice 10 Neighbors' Stoves
Serve 10 Napoleon's Napoleon
Remember, if you want to rush your way through this goal series to get back to the main two-year anniversary goals, you can use spices on your own dishes to make them cook faster. You can also check out your Gift Box to make sure you don't have extra servings lying around that you can use to instantly skip any cooking time here.
Phone a Friend 3
Call 10 Friends from your Phone Booth
Spice 10 Neighbors' Stoves
Serve 15 Basil Finger Sandwiches
Again, this goal is fairly self-explanatory; just head inside your Red Phone Booth to post messages to your friends' walls, thus fulfilling the "call" task, and you'll be able to finish this one off basically in the time it takes to cook the dish you're required to. After that's done, you'll be able to celebrate by (hopefully) unlocking the double Travel Passes boost in your cafe, and can go back to completing tasks in the two-year anniversary event. Happy Cooking!
What do you think of these Red Phone Booth goals? Do you think they have a real purpose, or should the Phone Booth have been released without them?
CityVille: Russian-themed items available for a limited time
After releasing Mexican-themed items in CityVille in celebration of the Mexican Independence Day, it looks like Zynga wasn't ready to leave the international travel behind just yet, as it has released a set of Russian items into the store. As usual, you can expect to find businesses, homes, decorations and more available here, so read on for a complete overview of these items.
Cosmonaut Statue (Decoration)
Costs: 10 City Cash
Payout Bonus: 10% - extra 10% to Russian-themed items
Baranovsky House (Home)
Costs: 500,000 coins
Population: 250-480
Rent: 110 coins every four hours
Balalaika Shop (Business)
Costs: 40 City Cash
Requires: 305 Goods
Earnings: 1,648 coins
Russian Tea Room (Business)
Costs: 30 City Cash
Requires: 265 Goods
Earnings: 1,468 coins
Winter Wheat (Crop)
Costs: 4 City Cash per square
Harvest Time: Instant
Produces: 127 Goods per square
Russian Hall (Community Building)
Costs: 75 City Cash
Allows: 2,250 citizens added to maximum population cap
Matryoshka Dolls (Decoration)
Costs: 10 City Cash
Payout Bonus: 10% - extra 10% to Russian-themed items
Caviar Shop (Business)
Costs: 65 City Cash
Requires: 430 Goods
Earnings: 2,198 coins
Rudzinskaya House (Home)
Costs: 25 City Cash
Population: 250-490
Rent: 120 coins every four hours
Ballet Company (Community Building)
Costs: 65 City Cash
Allows: 1,400 citizens added to maximum population cap
Russian Folk Dancers
Costs: 10 City Cash
Payout Bonus: 10% - extra 10% to Russian-themed items
Alexandrov Apartments (Home)
Costs: 55 City Cash
Population: 1,350-2,650
Rent: 165 coins every eight hours
Simcovich Apartments (Home)
Costs: 65 City Cash
Population: 1,850-3,650
Rent: 185 coins every eight hours
On top of all of this, there's also a Russia Mystery Crate available for 40 City Cash that contains one of four items: the Russian Hall, Simcovich Apartments, Alexandrov Apartments or the Balalaika Shop. Unfortunately, that wraps up the theme at this point, with all of these items being available ranging from 11 to 12 more days in the store. With only one coin-related item available, I personally really hope that more items are added in the future, or I doubt I'll be the only one that skips this theme altogether. Am I right?
What do you think of these Russian themed items? Would you purchase many of these items if they cost coins rather than City Cash?
Cosmonaut Statue (Decoration)
Costs: 10 City Cash
Payout Bonus: 10% - extra 10% to Russian-themed items
Baranovsky House (Home)
Costs: 500,000 coins
Population: 250-480
Rent: 110 coins every four hours
Balalaika Shop (Business)
Costs: 40 City Cash
Requires: 305 Goods
Earnings: 1,648 coins
Russian Tea Room (Business)
Costs: 30 City Cash
Requires: 265 Goods
Earnings: 1,468 coins
Winter Wheat (Crop)
Costs: 4 City Cash per square
Harvest Time: Instant
Produces: 127 Goods per square
Russian Hall (Community Building)
Costs: 75 City Cash
Allows: 2,250 citizens added to maximum population cap
Matryoshka Dolls (Decoration)
Costs: 10 City Cash
Payout Bonus: 10% - extra 10% to Russian-themed items
Caviar Shop (Business)
Costs: 65 City Cash
Requires: 430 Goods
Earnings: 2,198 coins
Rudzinskaya House (Home)
Costs: 25 City Cash
Population: 250-490
Rent: 120 coins every four hours
Ballet Company (Community Building)
Costs: 65 City Cash
Allows: 1,400 citizens added to maximum population cap
Russian Folk Dancers
Costs: 10 City Cash
Payout Bonus: 10% - extra 10% to Russian-themed items
Alexandrov Apartments (Home)
Costs: 55 City Cash
Population: 1,350-2,650
Rent: 165 coins every eight hours
Simcovich Apartments (Home)
Costs: 65 City Cash
Population: 1,850-3,650
Rent: 185 coins every eight hours
On top of all of this, there's also a Russia Mystery Crate available for 40 City Cash that contains one of four items: the Russian Hall, Simcovich Apartments, Alexandrov Apartments or the Balalaika Shop. Unfortunately, that wraps up the theme at this point, with all of these items being available ranging from 11 to 12 more days in the store. With only one coin-related item available, I personally really hope that more items are added in the future, or I doubt I'll be the only one that skips this theme altogether. Am I right?
What do you think of these Russian themed items? Would you purchase many of these items if they cost coins rather than City Cash?
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