Happy Aquarium: Limited Edition Mystery Fish Idol
Like the Pet Idol from Happy Pets, also owned by Crowdstar, users who purchase the new Limited Edition Mystery Fish Idol will get one free fish egg per day from the assortment of premium and level-locked fish at the store. That includes fish like Zemo, Chompers, and the Cinco de Mayo Fish.
Costing 300 Pearls or 250 Facebook Credits (which is roughly $25 USD), the idol will be available while supplies last or until the end of May 29th, (whichever comes first).
Earn money by clicking ads- Paid since 2008
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Happy Pets brings all the horses to the yard with new decor
Under ideal conditions, your Happy Pets yard can look like the one in the image above, but unless you've 320 Facebook Credits (roughly $32 USD) to spend on building a horse stable, or enough friends to send you the 80 items required, all those pretty horses you see there will remain a "look, but no touch" deal.
Until you get that stable out of the way, you could settle for pimpin' a yard for those horses instead. Four new items are now available at the yard store, including a new wallpaper, Horse Farm, which goes for whoppin' 11,250 Coins, while netting buyers 1,688 XP. Fortunately, it's not a premium item, but it's still six times the cost of the regulars. The new decor pieces are Pitchfork (350 Coins), Haystack (400 Coins), and Cow Skull (5,500 Coins).
As for other horse-related goodies, rocking horses are now available for free on the gifts page. They're being offered in the colors Brown, Pink and Blue.
Until you get that stable out of the way, you could settle for pimpin' a yard for those horses instead. Four new items are now available at the yard store, including a new wallpaper, Horse Farm, which goes for whoppin' 11,250 Coins, while netting buyers 1,688 XP. Fortunately, it's not a premium item, but it's still six times the cost of the regulars. The new decor pieces are Pitchfork (350 Coins), Haystack (400 Coins), and Cow Skull (5,500 Coins).
As for other horse-related goodies, rocking horses are now available for free on the gifts page. They're being offered in the colors Brown, Pink and Blue.
Cafe World: Complete your Spice Rack at 40 percent off
Cafe World Spice Rack 40 percent off
To build a spice rack in Cafe World, you need 5 kinds of items -- Shelves, Small Jars, Medium Jars, Large Jars, and Lids -- that total 30 in all. Each required item costs one Cafe Cash, which is the game's premium currency. If you've made no progress on your rack, then you'll basically need to pay 30 Cafe Cash, or roughly $7 USD to complete it.
But instead of begging for more friends gifts or clicking wall links, you can now purchase all the entire Cafe World Spice Rack for 40% off of whatever items you still need. Please note that this offer only works if you click the "Buy All Items" button.
To build a spice rack in Cafe World, you need 5 kinds of items -- Shelves, Small Jars, Medium Jars, Large Jars, and Lids -- that total 30 in all. Each required item costs one Cafe Cash, which is the game's premium currency. If you've made no progress on your rack, then you'll basically need to pay 30 Cafe Cash, or roughly $7 USD to complete it.
But instead of begging for more friends gifts or clicking wall links, you can now purchase all the entire Cafe World Spice Rack for 40% off of whatever items you still need. Please note that this offer only works if you click the "Buy All Items" button.
Social City's Limited Edition real estate: Stadium, McMansion, and Jewelry Store
Social City Football Stadium, Mauve McMansion, and Jewelry Store
Three new premium-priced Social City buildings are now up for City Bucks while supplies last -- two leisure buildings and one residential. These are Football Stadium (69 CB), Mauve McMansion (30 CB), and Jewelry Store (24 CB).
Football Stadium is the priciest and largest attraction, taking up a 3x3 square grid. It earns 10,000 Coins every 2 days and grants an amazing 60,000+ Happiness Points. The MegaCorp Tower, a non-premium attraction that unlocks at level 32, only puts out 40,000+ tops. But for what's essentially the price of $7 USD, the stats on the Stadium do need to be high.
Mauve McMansion brings in 500 Population Points, which the A-Frame House 1 is also capable of, but at four times the size. Clearly, getting the McMansion is all a matter of looks. The A-Frame goes for just 20,000 Coins.
Jewelry Store is another case of looks over functionality. It earns a meager 200 Coins every 2 days, a construction XP of 230, and Happiness Points at +7,000. For a store of its ilk, one would expect a little more profit. But for a store of its price, you are getting what you've paid for.
Three new premium-priced Social City buildings are now up for City Bucks while supplies last -- two leisure buildings and one residential. These are Football Stadium (69 CB), Mauve McMansion (30 CB), and Jewelry Store (24 CB).
Football Stadium is the priciest and largest attraction, taking up a 3x3 square grid. It earns 10,000 Coins every 2 days and grants an amazing 60,000+ Happiness Points. The MegaCorp Tower, a non-premium attraction that unlocks at level 32, only puts out 40,000+ tops. But for what's essentially the price of $7 USD, the stats on the Stadium do need to be high.
Mauve McMansion brings in 500 Population Points, which the A-Frame House 1 is also capable of, but at four times the size. Clearly, getting the McMansion is all a matter of looks. The A-Frame goes for just 20,000 Coins.
Jewelry Store is another case of looks over functionality. It earns a meager 200 Coins every 2 days, a construction XP of 230, and Happiness Points at +7,000. For a store of its ilk, one would expect a little more profit. But for a store of its price, you are getting what you've paid for.
FarmVille makes TIME Magazine's Top 50 Worst Inventions List
TIME Magazine has released its list of "50 Worst Inventions" and somehow FarmVille has made the list of one of the fifty!
The list of fifty worst inventions is compiled of "the world's bright ideas that just didn't work out". I'm not sure how TIME is rating success, as over 80 million people from around the world are playing FarmVille and the game developer, Zynga, has made itself a billion dollar company largely with the help of their number one game, FarmVille. It seems a little ridiculous for FarmVille to be on the same "50 Worst Inventions" list along with Agent Orange and Asbestos. For the complete list of fifty inventions read here: TIME's Complete List of 50 Worst Inventions
According to TIME, FarmVille deserves a spot on their worst list because of its addictive nature and for it's attribute of triggering unproductivty as a time-waster encouraging players to do "mindless chores on a digital farm, requiring endless clicking of a mouse to plant and harvest crops". Even so, Zynga, referred to as "evil geniuses" by TIME must have gotten something right with their "worst invention" because over "ten percent of Americans (alone) have created their online homestead (farms)."
What do you think FarmVille Freaks, should FarmVille deserve a spot on this list?
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
The list of fifty worst inventions is compiled of "the world's bright ideas that just didn't work out". I'm not sure how TIME is rating success, as over 80 million people from around the world are playing FarmVille and the game developer, Zynga, has made itself a billion dollar company largely with the help of their number one game, FarmVille. It seems a little ridiculous for FarmVille to be on the same "50 Worst Inventions" list along with Agent Orange and Asbestos. For the complete list of fifty inventions read here: TIME's Complete List of 50 Worst Inventions
According to TIME, FarmVille deserves a spot on their worst list because of its addictive nature and for it's attribute of triggering unproductivty as a time-waster encouraging players to do "mindless chores on a digital farm, requiring endless clicking of a mouse to plant and harvest crops". Even so, Zynga, referred to as "evil geniuses" by TIME must have gotten something right with their "worst invention" because over "ten percent of Americans (alone) have created their online homestead (farms)."
What do you think FarmVille Freaks, should FarmVille deserve a spot on this list?
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Treasure Isle: Fire God Mountain takes players to the Center of the Earth
Treasure Isle Fire God Mountain is open
The anticipation for the newest, hottest map of Treasure Isle has been so intense, there's even an official Facebook fanpage of 64,000+ members -- the Treasure Isle's Volcano Diggers Anonymous -- devoted to it. But today, the wait for Fire God Mountain is finally over!
To reach Fire God Mountain, you need to travel to the first page of Tiki Isles, where you'll spot a burning, animated volcano in the north. To get in, you're going to need 5 tubes of SPF-3000. To note, you'll start with 6 tubes for free, but it won't be enough on the long dig down, so you've gotta use Wall posts (those tubes aren't giftable) to request more from fellow players.
Treasure Isle: Enter the Volcano
Beating the Mountain maps requires completely new strategies and tools. There are 14 levels to explore. Fruits-wise, only Lava Mangoes will work in the mountain for energy replenishment. (You can also use Energy Packs.) Instead of dumbly plowing through every tile, you'll need to dig SMART and FAST.
Treasure Isle: Really Close and Nearby
For more info, check out the "Volcano FAQ" tab on your Treasure Island window, and the newly updated Fire God Mountain Info Thread at the Zynga forums. Click here to launch the game and get digging!
The anticipation for the newest, hottest map of Treasure Isle has been so intense, there's even an official Facebook fanpage of 64,000+ members -- the Treasure Isle's Volcano Diggers Anonymous -- devoted to it. But today, the wait for Fire God Mountain is finally over!
To reach Fire God Mountain, you need to travel to the first page of Tiki Isles, where you'll spot a burning, animated volcano in the north. To get in, you're going to need 5 tubes of SPF-3000. To note, you'll start with 6 tubes for free, but it won't be enough on the long dig down, so you've gotta use Wall posts (those tubes aren't giftable) to request more from fellow players.
Treasure Isle: Enter the Volcano
Beating the Mountain maps requires completely new strategies and tools. There are 14 levels to explore. Fruits-wise, only Lava Mangoes will work in the mountain for energy replenishment. (You can also use Energy Packs.) Instead of dumbly plowing through every tile, you'll need to dig SMART and FAST.
Treasure Isle: Really Close and Nearby
For more info, check out the "Volcano FAQ" tab on your Treasure Island window, and the newly updated Fire God Mountain Info Thread at the Zynga forums. Click here to launch the game and get digging!
Treasure Isle offers a free Lava Pineapple via its own sponsored link
With social games scams about, I don't normally trust the ads on the right-hand side of the Facebook site, but a free Treasure Isle Lava Pineapple certainly sounded too good to pass up.
And guess what? I hit the jackpot! Click here to grab your free Lava Pineapple, which grants 30 Energy and only works inside of Fire God Mountain.
But remember, don't go clicking on Facebook ads willy-nilly. Let a professional (that's moi) do that for you!
And guess what? I hit the jackpot! Click here to grab your free Lava Pineapple, which grants 30 Energy and only works inside of Fire God Mountain.
But remember, don't go clicking on Facebook ads willy-nilly. Let a professional (that's moi) do that for you!
FrontierVille stocks the market with its first Mystery Crate
Uh-oh -- looks like FrontierVille is targeting collection hounds by stocking the in-game market with Mystery Crates.
frontierville six collectibles
The mystery crates can be found in the 'Special' section of the market and cost 25 Horseshoes. You'll gain 10 XP by purchasing one of these bad boys, and you'll get one of six collectible items. What those are -- well, I don't know just yet. I'm too cheap to shell out for these crates, so will have to do some research to find out what's lurking in that wooden crate.
What did you find inside your FrontierVille Mystery Box? If you have pictures, send them to libe@games.com, and I'll add them here.
frontierville six collectibles
The mystery crates can be found in the 'Special' section of the market and cost 25 Horseshoes. You'll gain 10 XP by purchasing one of these bad boys, and you'll get one of six collectible items. What those are -- well, I don't know just yet. I'm too cheap to shell out for these crates, so will have to do some research to find out what's lurking in that wooden crate.
What did you find inside your FrontierVille Mystery Box? If you have pictures, send them to libe@games.com, and I'll add them here.
FarmVille: Japanese Barn is now available
FarmVille has just released the Japanese Barn, a 20 slot storage building. The frame is available in the market for 5000 coins or the barn for 50FV$. In order to build the barn, you will need to receive 10 of each of the following from your neighbors: brick, reed thatch, bamboo, nail and wooden board.
Will you be asking your neighbors for some help to build the Japanese Barn?
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Will you be asking your neighbors for some help to build the Japanese Barn?
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
FarmVille New England Decorations: Covered Bridge, White Pine Tree, & Cliff
farmville cliff farmville covered bridge
FarmVille released three new limited edition New England themed decorations including a Covered Bridge, White Pine Tree, and Cliff.
These LE decorations can be purchased with coins or farm cash (White Pine Tree) during the next ___ days in the FarmVille Market.
farmville cliff farmville white pine tree farmville covered bridge
FarmVille New England Decorations (Released July 27th 2010):
Covered Bridge – 400,000 Coins
Cliff – 70,000 Coins
White Pine Tree*- 4 FV$
*The White Pine Tree is a decorative tree, meaning it will not yield coins and is not harvestable.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Will you purchase any of these decorations for your farm?
FarmVille released three new limited edition New England themed decorations including a Covered Bridge, White Pine Tree, and Cliff.
These LE decorations can be purchased with coins or farm cash (White Pine Tree) during the next ___ days in the FarmVille Market.
farmville cliff farmville white pine tree farmville covered bridge
FarmVille New England Decorations (Released July 27th 2010):
Covered Bridge – 400,000 Coins
Cliff – 70,000 Coins
White Pine Tree*- 4 FV$
*The White Pine Tree is a decorative tree, meaning it will not yield coins and is not harvestable.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Will you purchase any of these decorations for your farm?
FarmVille New England Animal: Morgan Horse
farmville morgan horse
There is a new Limited Edition New England themed animal, the Morgan Horse, that hit the FarmVille Market tonight.
The Morgan Horse can be purchased for 24 FV$ farm cash in the FarmVille Market during the next 9 days only.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Will you purchase a Morgan Horse for you FarmVille Horse collection?
There is a new Limited Edition New England themed animal, the Morgan Horse, that hit the FarmVille Market tonight.
The Morgan Horse can be purchased for 24 FV$ farm cash in the FarmVille Market during the next 9 days only.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Will you purchase a Morgan Horse for you FarmVille Horse collection?
Gamestop invests further in social games with Kongregate purchase
It looks like game retailer Gamestop's interest in social gaming no longer begins and ends with its promotion of subsidiary Jolt Online. That's because the retail giant has announced plans to purchase web-based casual gaming hub Kongregate.
While most of Kongregate's thousands of free-to-play Flash games are single-player experiences, the site has many elements familiar to more traditional social games, like chat rooms, achievements, friends lists and a site-wide leveling system. The site also has its own virtual currency, Kreds, which players can use to purchase in-game items and levels in some of the more popular Kongregate games. These social and community features have helped the site attract 10 million registered players who spend 23 million hours on the site every month.
The acquisition seems like a logical move for Gamestop, which must be worried sick about the effect downloadable titles and web-based social games could have on their bottom line. Every credit card dollar spent directly in an online game is one fewer dollar available for Gamestop's bread-and-butter $60 game discs, and selling a handful of in-game cash cards in stores won't stop the bleeding. By investing in companies like Kongregate and Jolt Online, Gamestop guarantees they'll at least have a foothold in the new gaming ecosystem if and when brick-and-mortar video game stores become as quaint and outdated as record stores and malt shops.
While most of Kongregate's thousands of free-to-play Flash games are single-player experiences, the site has many elements familiar to more traditional social games, like chat rooms, achievements, friends lists and a site-wide leveling system. The site also has its own virtual currency, Kreds, which players can use to purchase in-game items and levels in some of the more popular Kongregate games. These social and community features have helped the site attract 10 million registered players who spend 23 million hours on the site every month.
The acquisition seems like a logical move for Gamestop, which must be worried sick about the effect downloadable titles and web-based social games could have on their bottom line. Every credit card dollar spent directly in an online game is one fewer dollar available for Gamestop's bread-and-butter $60 game discs, and selling a handful of in-game cash cards in stores won't stop the bleeding. By investing in companies like Kongregate and Jolt Online, Gamestop guarantees they'll at least have a foothold in the new gaming ecosystem if and when brick-and-mortar video game stores become as quaint and outdated as record stores and malt shops.
FarmVille New England Buildings: Vacation Estate, New England Barn, & New England Shed
farmville new england barn farmville vacation estate
Continuing with the New England theme, FarmVille released three new limited edition buildings including the Vacation Estate, New England Barn, and New England Shed.
You can purchase these buildings along with other New England LE items released tonight during the next 9 days in the FarmVille Market.
farmville new england shed farmville vacation estate farmville new england barn
FarmVille New England Buildings (Released July 27th 2010):
Vacation Estate – 50 FV$
New England Barn – 30 FV$
New England Shed – 24 FV$
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Will you purchase any of these Limited Edition buildings for your farm?
Continuing with the New England theme, FarmVille released three new limited edition buildings including the Vacation Estate, New England Barn, and New England Shed.
You can purchase these buildings along with other New England LE items released tonight during the next 9 days in the FarmVille Market.
farmville new england shed farmville vacation estate farmville new england barn
FarmVille New England Buildings (Released July 27th 2010):
Vacation Estate – 50 FV$
New England Barn – 30 FV$
New England Shed – 24 FV$
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Will you purchase any of these Limited Edition buildings for your farm?
FarmVille Mystery Game, Round 3: Find out what you can win
farmville mystery game update
Tonight marks the third installment of the FarmVille Mystery Game. This Mystery Game features new prizes.
You can play this Mystery Game by accessing it via the FarmVille Market. This game will be available during the next 7 days only. Each play will cost 20 FV$.
Mystery Games yield exclusive prizes that you cannot get anywhere else. However, like Mystery Boxes, playing a Mystery Game is a gamble at your own risk as you are not guaranteed any one specific prize.
farmville beach cottage farmville angora goat farmville hooded merganser
farmville ornate cottage farmville new carriage farmville mill
The following are confirmed prizes for this Mystery Game (Released on July 27th 2010):
Angora Goat
Beach Cottage
Hooded Merganser
Mill
New Carriage
Ornate Cottage
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Tonight marks the third installment of the FarmVille Mystery Game. This Mystery Game features new prizes.
You can play this Mystery Game by accessing it via the FarmVille Market. This game will be available during the next 7 days only. Each play will cost 20 FV$.
Mystery Games yield exclusive prizes that you cannot get anywhere else. However, like Mystery Boxes, playing a Mystery Game is a gamble at your own risk as you are not guaranteed any one specific prize.
farmville beach cottage farmville angora goat farmville hooded merganser
farmville ornate cottage farmville new carriage farmville mill
The following are confirmed prizes for this Mystery Game (Released on July 27th 2010):
Angora Goat
Beach Cottage
Hooded Merganser
Mill
New Carriage
Ornate Cottage
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Facebook Credits gift cards set to rule the world. First stop: Target
It's official -- Target has everything. In addition to buying camping supplies, kitchen equipment and cheap designer duds, you will soon be able to buy Facebook Credits gift cards.
Starting September 5, Target will be the first retailer to carry these cards, which will be available for $15, $25 and $50. The $15 card will be available exclusively at Tar-zhay.
If you play social games, you know that Facebook Credits are quickly becoming a popular way to buy virtual items in games such as FarmVille, Mafia Wars, Bejeweled Blitz, City of Wonder, FIFA Superstars and more. To see a complete list of games that accept Facebook Credits, go here.
Considering that Americans are predicted to spend 1.6 billion on virtual goods and social games this year and Facebook Credits is quickly becoming the de facto currency for making those purchases, we're sure that we will be seeing these bright blue cards in every big box retailer when the 2010 holiday buying season rolls around.
Hey, I'm not complaining. I already plan to ask St. Nick to stuff a few of these in my stocking as well. The only people that might have a problem with these cards are folks who work for FarmVille publisher Zynga (which has its own special form of currency for its games). We'll see who wins out in this virtual currency battle in the end.
Do you use Facebook Credits to buy virtual items in games? Or something else?
Starting September 5, Target will be the first retailer to carry these cards, which will be available for $15, $25 and $50. The $15 card will be available exclusively at Tar-zhay.
If you play social games, you know that Facebook Credits are quickly becoming a popular way to buy virtual items in games such as FarmVille, Mafia Wars, Bejeweled Blitz, City of Wonder, FIFA Superstars and more. To see a complete list of games that accept Facebook Credits, go here.
Considering that Americans are predicted to spend 1.6 billion on virtual goods and social games this year and Facebook Credits is quickly becoming the de facto currency for making those purchases, we're sure that we will be seeing these bright blue cards in every big box retailer when the 2010 holiday buying season rolls around.
Hey, I'm not complaining. I already plan to ask St. Nick to stuff a few of these in my stocking as well. The only people that might have a problem with these cards are folks who work for FarmVille publisher Zynga (which has its own special form of currency for its games). We'll see who wins out in this virtual currency battle in the end.
Do you use Facebook Credits to buy virtual items in games? Or something else?
The only Farmville guide you need
In looking for interesting things to post here on Games.com -- The Blog, we come across a lot of links to things that claim to be "The Ultimate Farmville Guide" or "How to make infinite cash on Farmville with no effort," or something along those lines. An overwhelming majority of the time, those guides are either poorly written, rambling blog posts or part some sort of pyramid scheme of resellers hawking the same old common sense tricks.
Then there's PC World's Farmville Almanac, which blessedly does not fall into either of those categories. Using clear language, easy-to-read charts and a pleasing presentation, the Almanac has everything a Farmville player needs to know from planting their first seeds to to milking the cash crops available at the higher levels. It even gives different advice depending on how frequently you're willing to log in to the game -- great for people who have better things to do than plan their entire life around their virtual harvests.
The only people this guide doesn't apply to are those who are literally trying to cheat the system by getting some sort of auto-clicking program to play Farmville for them. But really, if you're one of those people, you shouldn't be playing Farmville at all. You should be participating in your other hobbies of tripping little old ladies and kicking puppies. You monster.
Then there's PC World's Farmville Almanac, which blessedly does not fall into either of those categories. Using clear language, easy-to-read charts and a pleasing presentation, the Almanac has everything a Farmville player needs to know from planting their first seeds to to milking the cash crops available at the higher levels. It even gives different advice depending on how frequently you're willing to log in to the game -- great for people who have better things to do than plan their entire life around their virtual harvests.
The only people this guide doesn't apply to are those who are literally trying to cheat the system by getting some sort of auto-clicking program to play Farmville for them. But really, if you're one of those people, you shouldn't be playing Farmville at all. You should be participating in your other hobbies of tripping little old ladies and kicking puppies. You monster.
Mahjongg Dimensions wants you to send friends to the 'Fire Dimension'
Even if you're not hip to the whole Mahjongg scene, Mahjongg Dimensions on Facebook is an easy way for anyone to kill 5, 20 or 220 minutes any given day of the week. This game is not only a cool 3D version of the classic game, but you only have one minute to match tiles like a real Mahjongg master.
Like all Facebook games, there's the ever-present upsell -- in this case, to buy boosts for your game. But, lucky you, this week is Fire Dimension week, which allows players to send a free Deluxe Fire Bonus to friends, so they can "experience the Fire Dimension." Is that also a subtle way to tell our friends to go to hell? To the Fire Dimension with you all!
mahongg dimensions facebook
Play Mahjongg Dimensions on Facebook >
Like all Facebook games, there's the ever-present upsell -- in this case, to buy boosts for your game. But, lucky you, this week is Fire Dimension week, which allows players to send a free Deluxe Fire Bonus to friends, so they can "experience the Fire Dimension." Is that also a subtle way to tell our friends to go to hell? To the Fire Dimension with you all!
mahongg dimensions facebook
Play Mahjongg Dimensions on Facebook >
BigPoint CEO: Social game company sales values are "crazy"
$182 million. $300 million. $563.2 million. These are the kind of numbers that are getting thrown around casually in social gaming acquisitions these days, and they could go even higher, especially if industry-leader Zynga decides to sell out. But are these companies really worth as much as their buyers think they are?
As far as BigPoint CEO Heiko Hubertz is concerned, the answer is a definite "No." In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz the head of the online game publisher expressed extreme skepticism over the amount of money behind some recent high profile buyouts. "Just look at the Disney and Playdom acquisition," Hubertz said. "That was a crazy valuation from my point of view. We're also in the same segment and if you want to grow at the same speed as your competitors you cannot only grow organically, you have to buy other companies. In 12 months, maybe 18 months the prices will be more realistic and then we can look at buying more companies."
But are the prices so unrealistic now? That largely depends on what you think of the future prospects of social gaming. If you agree with Screen Digest's prediction that social gaming is going to be worth $1.5 billion a year by 2014, then investing millions for an established front-runner in the space doesn't seem so ridiculous. On the other hand, if you think social games are a fad that most players will soon grow tired of, those millions of dollars might as well be toilet paper.
Hubertz, for his part, is looking to zig where others are zagging by scooping up what he sees as struggling, undervalued publishers in the traditional console market. "In the traditional games industry, in the boxed industry, there are developers who are really struggling and they are not asking for high valuation, they are just asking for survival," he said. "We're looking exactly for these kind of developers because when it comes to high quality 3D games they have the experience. We can just give them another engine, they don't need to use the Xbox or PlayStation technology, they can use our web technology. They can still develop the same quality of game it's just for a browser."
As far as BigPoint CEO Heiko Hubertz is concerned, the answer is a definite "No." In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz the head of the online game publisher expressed extreme skepticism over the amount of money behind some recent high profile buyouts. "Just look at the Disney and Playdom acquisition," Hubertz said. "That was a crazy valuation from my point of view. We're also in the same segment and if you want to grow at the same speed as your competitors you cannot only grow organically, you have to buy other companies. In 12 months, maybe 18 months the prices will be more realistic and then we can look at buying more companies."
But are the prices so unrealistic now? That largely depends on what you think of the future prospects of social gaming. If you agree with Screen Digest's prediction that social gaming is going to be worth $1.5 billion a year by 2014, then investing millions for an established front-runner in the space doesn't seem so ridiculous. On the other hand, if you think social games are a fad that most players will soon grow tired of, those millions of dollars might as well be toilet paper.
Hubertz, for his part, is looking to zig where others are zagging by scooping up what he sees as struggling, undervalued publishers in the traditional console market. "In the traditional games industry, in the boxed industry, there are developers who are really struggling and they are not asking for high valuation, they are just asking for survival," he said. "We're looking exactly for these kind of developers because when it comes to high quality 3D games they have the experience. We can just give them another engine, they don't need to use the Xbox or PlayStation technology, they can use our web technology. They can still develop the same quality of game it's just for a browser."
Mafia Wars promises 'a better user experience'
Mafia Wars players have been extremely vocal about the game's bugs and general sluggishness. So it seems very brave for Zynga reps to say that a better user experience is on its way in the most recent post on the official Mafia Wars blog:
"Our team has fixed a whole lot of bugs over the past 2 days. Some of these issues include fixing cross-promotional items that players weren't receiving, replacing wonky error messages and stopping players from awarding themselves extra skill points when they complete jobs."
OK, so we're glad that some bugs have been fixed. Some is better than none. Perhaps more telling are the seemingly endless comments after the post, brimming with suggestions on other things that need to be fixed or changed in the game, including "overloaded' servers, complaints about players using 'snag' cheat apps, no more challenge missions and allow clans/all players to share loot... to name a few.
The post ends by saying "Our work is far from over." Seems like a lot of fed-up virtual mobsters will agree with that.
"Our team has fixed a whole lot of bugs over the past 2 days. Some of these issues include fixing cross-promotional items that players weren't receiving, replacing wonky error messages and stopping players from awarding themselves extra skill points when they complete jobs."
OK, so we're glad that some bugs have been fixed. Some is better than none. Perhaps more telling are the seemingly endless comments after the post, brimming with suggestions on other things that need to be fixed or changed in the game, including "overloaded' servers, complaints about players using 'snag' cheat apps, no more challenge missions and allow clans/all players to share loot... to name a few.
The post ends by saying "Our work is far from over." Seems like a lot of fed-up virtual mobsters will agree with that.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Mall World Cheats & Tips: 5 easy ways to get ahead
Mall World is a hot Facebook game by 50 Cubes, where players get to own their own fashion store while shopping and wearing the latest fashions on their avatar. The game has shown huge success, with almost 5 million monthly actives, and almost 1 million daily actives. There is no other game quite like Mall World on Facebook, and we have all of the latest hints, tips, and cheats to help you get ahead of your friends in Mall World.
1. Play the Dressing Room Game
The Dressing Room game can be accessed by clicking the "Dressing Room Game" button on the right side of the game screen. You are allowed five plays per day, which gives you the opportunity to earn quick XP and coins. The game is actually a pretty easy one, as long as you have the eye for fashion and can memorize which accessories go with which outfits. Memorize the different collections in the catalog, and you will completely ace the dressing room game. Mix and match the different outfits until you get one that is the highest rating as indicated by the meter on the left side of the game.
2. Don't Go Crazy With Decorating
One of the biggest mistakes someone new to Mall World can do, is spend all of their money decorating their shop. It can be very tempting to buy the latest fashions and buy furniture for your store to make it look the best, but you will not earn the coins back and it doesn't benefit you enough to waste time doing it. Instead of buying expensive furniture, spend all of your money stocking your store so that you get the best return for your money.
3. Buy Clothing for Yourself
Buying clothing for yourself is basically the name of the game in Mall World, and it's not just for fun. Buying clothes for your avatar actually gives you XP, which allows you to level up. Leveling up gives you access to new catalogs so that you can stock your store with better higher earning clothing and accessories. Buy yourself tons of outfits and go crazy.
4. Earn the Squeaky Clean Bonuses
Every day, clothing is spread around your store and if you click on it to pick it up you earn a ton of coins. Once you've cleaned up your own store, you can visit all of your neighbors and earn the Squeaky Clean Bonus from them as well. Basically, the more neighbors you have, the more coins that you will earn. Getting neighbors is beneficial in most Facebook games, but in Mall World it helps out even more.
5. Pay Attention to Profits
When you're buying catalogs for new outfits for your store, it's easy to just pick outfits based on which one you like the best. However, there is actually an art to maximizing your profits through picking the right outfits. Take a peek at what the total cost of the item is, and then what the sell price of the item. If it doesn't give you a profit of at least $50, you shouldn't even buy it unless there is nothing else to buy and you need something quickly. Make sure to look at the profits, and not just pick the prettiest clothes for your store.
Play Mall World on Facebook Now >
1. Play the Dressing Room Game
The Dressing Room game can be accessed by clicking the "Dressing Room Game" button on the right side of the game screen. You are allowed five plays per day, which gives you the opportunity to earn quick XP and coins. The game is actually a pretty easy one, as long as you have the eye for fashion and can memorize which accessories go with which outfits. Memorize the different collections in the catalog, and you will completely ace the dressing room game. Mix and match the different outfits until you get one that is the highest rating as indicated by the meter on the left side of the game.
2. Don't Go Crazy With Decorating
One of the biggest mistakes someone new to Mall World can do, is spend all of their money decorating their shop. It can be very tempting to buy the latest fashions and buy furniture for your store to make it look the best, but you will not earn the coins back and it doesn't benefit you enough to waste time doing it. Instead of buying expensive furniture, spend all of your money stocking your store so that you get the best return for your money.
3. Buy Clothing for Yourself
Buying clothing for yourself is basically the name of the game in Mall World, and it's not just for fun. Buying clothes for your avatar actually gives you XP, which allows you to level up. Leveling up gives you access to new catalogs so that you can stock your store with better higher earning clothing and accessories. Buy yourself tons of outfits and go crazy.
4. Earn the Squeaky Clean Bonuses
Every day, clothing is spread around your store and if you click on it to pick it up you earn a ton of coins. Once you've cleaned up your own store, you can visit all of your neighbors and earn the Squeaky Clean Bonus from them as well. Basically, the more neighbors you have, the more coins that you will earn. Getting neighbors is beneficial in most Facebook games, but in Mall World it helps out even more.
5. Pay Attention to Profits
When you're buying catalogs for new outfits for your store, it's easy to just pick outfits based on which one you like the best. However, there is actually an art to maximizing your profits through picking the right outfits. Take a peek at what the total cost of the item is, and then what the sell price of the item. If it doesn't give you a profit of at least $50, you shouldn't even buy it unless there is nothing else to buy and you need something quickly. Make sure to look at the profits, and not just pick the prettiest clothes for your store.
Play Mall World on Facebook Now >
FarmVille Official Podcast (9/27): Halloween, Nursery Barn, Crafting Co-Op jobs
Last week's official FarmVille Podcast was rescheduled until day. It is hosted by FarmVille Community Manager, Lexilicious. You can listen to the video below, read the FarmVille Freak Summary, or read the entire transcript at the bottom of the post.
Excess Nursery Barns Removed
Animals from removed 2nd Nursery Barn can be found in your Gift Box.
100 FV$ rewarded to affected players.
Will only be compensated for one removed Nursery Barn.
Will not restore animals or give more farm cash for Nursery Barns for users possessing more than 2. (Players with 3 or more will still only receive, 1 – 100 farm cash and the restoration of one buildings worth of animals.
FarmVille did warn users that having more than one Nursery Barn was risky. (But why didn't they warn players in advance that the Nursery Barns would be deleted today?)
Crafting Co-Op Jobs
Jobs are based on recipes available with Crafting Buildings.
Job requires that a certain number of ingredient be planted and harvested to get the reward.
Rewards for completing jobs include XP, Coins, and Bushels.
Access Crafting Jobs through same Co-Op icon in menu.
Process works similar to normal Co-Op Jobs.
Nursery Barn Expansion
20 additional storage space for baby animals.
LE & German Theme
Feathered Friend Mystery Game
LE Germany items and Dogwood LE Crop (with mastery, available until October 19th)
Coming Soon to FarmVille
Soon players can purchase CLOTHING including Costumes for their avatars in the coming weeks.
Halloween features including a constructible Haunted House, and a Halloween Candy Holiday Basket (Collection Event).
Players will soon be able to visit a special neighbor to earn one new consumable and one new decoration.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Excess Nursery Barns Removed
Animals from removed 2nd Nursery Barn can be found in your Gift Box.
100 FV$ rewarded to affected players.
Will only be compensated for one removed Nursery Barn.
Will not restore animals or give more farm cash for Nursery Barns for users possessing more than 2. (Players with 3 or more will still only receive, 1 – 100 farm cash and the restoration of one buildings worth of animals.
FarmVille did warn users that having more than one Nursery Barn was risky. (But why didn't they warn players in advance that the Nursery Barns would be deleted today?)
Crafting Co-Op Jobs
Jobs are based on recipes available with Crafting Buildings.
Job requires that a certain number of ingredient be planted and harvested to get the reward.
Rewards for completing jobs include XP, Coins, and Bushels.
Access Crafting Jobs through same Co-Op icon in menu.
Process works similar to normal Co-Op Jobs.
Nursery Barn Expansion
20 additional storage space for baby animals.
LE & German Theme
Feathered Friend Mystery Game
LE Germany items and Dogwood LE Crop (with mastery, available until October 19th)
Coming Soon to FarmVille
Soon players can purchase CLOTHING including Costumes for their avatars in the coming weeks.
Halloween features including a constructible Haunted House, and a Halloween Candy Holiday Basket (Collection Event).
Players will soon be able to visit a special neighbor to earn one new consumable and one new decoration.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FarmVille deletes extra Nursery Barns, replaces with 100 free Farm Cash
FarmVille has taken the, ahem, liberty of deleting any extra Nursery Barns from player's farms. Only one Nursery Barn is allowed per farm, but a recent glitch let farmers build more than one.
Community Manager Lexi 'Lexilicious' Smith says that, "if you were in possession of more than two Nursery Barns, we will not be able to restore any lost animals or building materials from your excess Nurseries."
The good news is -- those affected won't walk away empty handed. If you had an extra barn removed, you will be rewarded wtih an extra 100 Farm Cash (wow!). That and all of the animals from your deleted barn should appear in your gift box. Man, now I wish I had gone to the trouble of building that extra barn.
On the other hand, I'm still creeped out that someone can come in an delete a virtual item in your game anytime they want. Remember when Amazon deleted George Orwell's books '1984' and 'Animal Farm' from people's Kindles? Of course, that's another topic for another time.
Community Manager Lexi 'Lexilicious' Smith says that, "if you were in possession of more than two Nursery Barns, we will not be able to restore any lost animals or building materials from your excess Nurseries."
The good news is -- those affected won't walk away empty handed. If you had an extra barn removed, you will be rewarded wtih an extra 100 Farm Cash (wow!). That and all of the animals from your deleted barn should appear in your gift box. Man, now I wish I had gone to the trouble of building that extra barn.
On the other hand, I'm still creeped out that someone can come in an delete a virtual item in your game anytime they want. Remember when Amazon deleted George Orwell's books '1984' and 'Animal Farm' from people's Kindles? Of course, that's another topic for another time.
CrowdStar is Number 2 on Facebook, Playfish and Playdom eat dust
CrowdStar, creator of Happy Pets, is now the Number 2 social games company on Facebook with 54.6 million monthly users, according to Inside Social Games, beating out big timers Playdom and Playfish. We all know that Zynga has and probably will be the biggest social games company for a long time, which is why the focus on leading statistics has been on the coveted Number 2 spot.
So, how does a game company with no big time entertainment corporation behind it sneak in just beneath the sleeping giant's nose? Persistence, consistency and freedom. It's been over a month since Playfish has put out Madden NFL Superstars and Playdom had a drought for months before it released ESPNU College Town on September 27.
CrowdStar, on the other hand, has released two games in the past two weeks, It Girl and Pop Boom, which already have 2.5 million and 1.6 million monthly players respectively. Without the constraints of a corporate stepmother like Playdom's Disney or Playfish's Electronic Arts, CrowdStar can probably get more games developed, polished and out on the market in a fraction of the time it takes a developer like Playdom to even get clearance for one game from the higher ups.
While some might consider this a stroke of luck, developers still have to make good games to get noticed. Playfish is close behind CrowdStar with over 50 million monthly users, and a killer app could knock out CrowdStar more quickly than the company found itself in the spot. And that's the beauty of the social games business: everyone is on their toes.
So, how does a game company with no big time entertainment corporation behind it sneak in just beneath the sleeping giant's nose? Persistence, consistency and freedom. It's been over a month since Playfish has put out Madden NFL Superstars and Playdom had a drought for months before it released ESPNU College Town on September 27.
CrowdStar, on the other hand, has released two games in the past two weeks, It Girl and Pop Boom, which already have 2.5 million and 1.6 million monthly players respectively. Without the constraints of a corporate stepmother like Playdom's Disney or Playfish's Electronic Arts, CrowdStar can probably get more games developed, polished and out on the market in a fraction of the time it takes a developer like Playdom to even get clearance for one game from the higher ups.
While some might consider this a stroke of luck, developers still have to make good games to get noticed. Playfish is close behind CrowdStar with over 50 million monthly users, and a killer app could knock out CrowdStar more quickly than the company found itself in the spot. And that's the beauty of the social games business: everyone is on their toes.
Mafia Wars: Harvest 20 FarmVille crops for a free stamina refill
Mafia Wars cross promotions have been popular lately, and here is another from Zynga that will refill your stamina in Mafia Wars after harvesting 20 crops in FarmVille. While we're sure that this promotion will appear in your game in due time, why wait for that?
Mafia Wars Manic has found a shortcut link that will take you straight to the pop-up in Mafia Wars. Just copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://tiny.cc/lr9nx
After that, follow the pop-up to open up FarmVille and start harvesting. But remember to use all of your stamina up before starting this promotion to make the work worth your while.
Mafia Wars Manic has found a shortcut link that will take you straight to the pop-up in Mafia Wars. Just copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://tiny.cc/lr9nx
After that, follow the pop-up to open up FarmVille and start harvesting. But remember to use all of your stamina up before starting this promotion to make the work worth your while.
USA Network launches Club Psych: Social games branding drudges on
USA Network, part of NBC Universal, is launching a new program to maintain its spot as the number one free cable network: Character Rewards. An addition to its existing Character Arcade, this online program will reward USA fans for watching video content, playing their games and responding to the network on Twitter and Facebook. Players can then use these rewards for virtual goods or tangible gifts like gift cards.
To start the Character Rewards initiative USA has launched Club Psych, an online hub surrounding the hit crime drama, during the show's fifth season. Rewards for amassing points from challenges like "Watch a Full Episode of Psych" include a Nintendo Wii, Psych DVDs and bobble heads, from the looks of the website. There are also leaderboards for players to compete for ultimate Psych fan status.
If these branded social games can innovate in terms of design and push social games forward then I'm all ears, but if all we gamers are to see are more FarmVille and Social City clones, then count me out. And when brands like USA hold chief concern in creating "brand ambassadors," according to senior vice president of brand strategy and digital for USA Network Alexandra Shapiro, it's hard to swallow that they're concerned with making influential, forward-thinking games.
To start the Character Rewards initiative USA has launched Club Psych, an online hub surrounding the hit crime drama, during the show's fifth season. Rewards for amassing points from challenges like "Watch a Full Episode of Psych" include a Nintendo Wii, Psych DVDs and bobble heads, from the looks of the website. There are also leaderboards for players to compete for ultimate Psych fan status.
If these branded social games can innovate in terms of design and push social games forward then I'm all ears, but if all we gamers are to see are more FarmVille and Social City clones, then count me out. And when brands like USA hold chief concern in creating "brand ambassadors," according to senior vice president of brand strategy and digital for USA Network Alexandra Shapiro, it's hard to swallow that they're concerned with making influential, forward-thinking games.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Baking Life: Halloween goodies and costumes galore
Baking Life, a popular bakery ownership game by San Francisco-based ZipZapPlay, has released a number of special Halloween themed items to decorate your bakery, and even a few costumes to decorate yourself with! The game has launched decorations, a couple of recipes, a new gift, and some fun Halloween masks. No scary stuff here - all these items are fun and adorable just like the rest of Baking Life.
For those looking to send a Halloween gift to a friend, the Candy Pumpkins is a special baked good that can only be received from friends. You get to skip the pain of cooking the recipe and go right to the fun part - eating it. The store is full of decorations too, such as the Jack-o-Lantern, the Spooky Witch, and the Spooky Ghost (shown on the right). For recipes, you can make yourself a Graveyard Cake or Halloween Cookies.
Finally, the best part - the Halloween Masks. Baking Life has given players the chance to wear one of several cute masks including a Ghost Blanket, a Pumpkin Head, a PIrate or Ninja Mask, and a Frankenstein.
For those looking to send a Halloween gift to a friend, the Candy Pumpkins is a special baked good that can only be received from friends. You get to skip the pain of cooking the recipe and go right to the fun part - eating it. The store is full of decorations too, such as the Jack-o-Lantern, the Spooky Witch, and the Spooky Ghost (shown on the right). For recipes, you can make yourself a Graveyard Cake or Halloween Cookies.
Finally, the best part - the Halloween Masks. Baking Life has given players the chance to wear one of several cute masks including a Ghost Blanket, a Pumpkin Head, a PIrate or Ninja Mask, and a Frankenstein.
Fantasy University on Facebook: Filled with pop culture and humor, missing motivation
Simutronics Corp's new Facebook game Fantasy University (F.U.) is less about gaming and more about being an interactive pun-filled storybook.
From the moment the F.U. experience begins, you will see humorous pop culture references ranging from TV and film to comic books and teen culture. The Facebook app will bring you several giggles in your first 10 to 20 minutes of play as you work your way through a fun character creation tool. The finely inked hand drawn characters and settings are also an instant delight. However, after those first 20 minutes are up, you will soon find that this game is lacking any real substance worthy of your ongoing attention.
fantasy university on facebook
There isn't a central story or theme in Fantasy University. The game is not like Farmville, where you try to develop the biggest and best farm, or like Mafia Wars, where you are on a one-way track to being Facebook kingpin. Instead, you are simply students at an odd University that makes Hogwarts seem mundane. Every character and setting is either a play on words or a crossbreed of different fan fiction. For example, the dormitory is called Mordorms as a play off of Mordor from Lord of the Rings. It's even drawn with the one-eye of Sauron at the top. The first person you meet is Mad Willy Jack, who is a combination of Captain Jack Sparrow and Edward Scissorhands.
fantasy university on facebook
The game kicks off with an entertaining character creation menu. There are six classes of students at F.U Dodgebrawler, Mathemagician, Cheermonger, Slackninja, and Emomancer. You can easily pick up from the compound words the personality type and special ability of each character class. Gamers can modify the face, hair and weapons. You'll get most of your fun going through the different hairstyles like the 'Playin Kid' high top (based off of Kid 'n Play), the 'Verine' for Wolverine, 'Good ol Chuck' for Charlie Brown and the 'Smallville' for actor Tom Welling.
The game boils down to a series of fetch quests, picked up from the student union message board or one of the many cartoony characters, with a few battles sprinkled in between. Health doesn't replenish over time so you'll need to buy parsnip juice for a quick health boost or visit the school nurse. You'll kill a couple Spongeblobs (creatures that haunt the dreams of parents) here and there, while gaining experience and new abilities. Gamers can also craft new objects by experimenting with different items combinations from their inventory. The novelty of the humor begins to wear off without any story or motivational factors to tie all of your actions together. Fantasy University doesn't need to be Plot intensive; it just needs a goal to work towards.
Since most of the fetch quests will require a lot of clicking around to search and several lines of text to read, it will take a while before you stumble into the social part of the game. Gamers can invite BFFs to join their party, using them in battle or to complete various quests. Certain quests are designated by social class so you will only be able to go on it if one of your friends happens to be a Cheermonger, Emomancer or one of the other various classes.
fantasy university on facebook
Fantasy University is still in 'beta' so there's definitely room for improvement. Simutronics Corp just needs to add a touch of depth to the design so that gamers have a reason to uncover the various layers of comical pop-culture references.
From the moment the F.U. experience begins, you will see humorous pop culture references ranging from TV and film to comic books and teen culture. The Facebook app will bring you several giggles in your first 10 to 20 minutes of play as you work your way through a fun character creation tool. The finely inked hand drawn characters and settings are also an instant delight. However, after those first 20 minutes are up, you will soon find that this game is lacking any real substance worthy of your ongoing attention.
fantasy university on facebook
There isn't a central story or theme in Fantasy University. The game is not like Farmville, where you try to develop the biggest and best farm, or like Mafia Wars, where you are on a one-way track to being Facebook kingpin. Instead, you are simply students at an odd University that makes Hogwarts seem mundane. Every character and setting is either a play on words or a crossbreed of different fan fiction. For example, the dormitory is called Mordorms as a play off of Mordor from Lord of the Rings. It's even drawn with the one-eye of Sauron at the top. The first person you meet is Mad Willy Jack, who is a combination of Captain Jack Sparrow and Edward Scissorhands.
fantasy university on facebook
The game kicks off with an entertaining character creation menu. There are six classes of students at F.U Dodgebrawler, Mathemagician, Cheermonger, Slackninja, and Emomancer. You can easily pick up from the compound words the personality type and special ability of each character class. Gamers can modify the face, hair and weapons. You'll get most of your fun going through the different hairstyles like the 'Playin Kid' high top (based off of Kid 'n Play), the 'Verine' for Wolverine, 'Good ol Chuck' for Charlie Brown and the 'Smallville' for actor Tom Welling.
The game boils down to a series of fetch quests, picked up from the student union message board or one of the many cartoony characters, with a few battles sprinkled in between. Health doesn't replenish over time so you'll need to buy parsnip juice for a quick health boost or visit the school nurse. You'll kill a couple Spongeblobs (creatures that haunt the dreams of parents) here and there, while gaining experience and new abilities. Gamers can also craft new objects by experimenting with different items combinations from their inventory. The novelty of the humor begins to wear off without any story or motivational factors to tie all of your actions together. Fantasy University doesn't need to be Plot intensive; it just needs a goal to work towards.
Since most of the fetch quests will require a lot of clicking around to search and several lines of text to read, it will take a while before you stumble into the social part of the game. Gamers can invite BFFs to join their party, using them in battle or to complete various quests. Certain quests are designated by social class so you will only be able to go on it if one of your friends happens to be a Cheermonger, Emomancer or one of the other various classes.
fantasy university on facebook
Fantasy University is still in 'beta' so there's definitely room for improvement. Simutronics Corp just needs to add a touch of depth to the design so that gamers have a reason to uncover the various layers of comical pop-culture references.
AM Linkage: Zynga worth more than Electronic Arts, How to prep for zombie invasion
Zynga's Value Tops Electronic Arts as Virtual-Goods Sales Surge [Bloomberg]
10 games to help you prepare for a zombie invasion [Gamasutra]
Why social game maker Zynga wants a patent on virtual currencies [Venture Beat]
Report: Your Office Cube-Mate is Stalking Your Facebook Wall [Social Times]
Zynga "expanding operations into Ireland" [Gamesindustry.biz]
Facebook, Groupon And Zynga Investor Mail.ru (aka, DST) Shoots For $5.7B Valuation In IPO [TechCrunch]
What Disney Got in the Playdom Acquisition [Inside Social Games]
10 games to help you prepare for a zombie invasion [Gamasutra]
Why social game maker Zynga wants a patent on virtual currencies [Venture Beat]
Report: Your Office Cube-Mate is Stalking Your Facebook Wall [Social Times]
Zynga "expanding operations into Ireland" [Gamesindustry.biz]
Facebook, Groupon And Zynga Investor Mail.ru (aka, DST) Shoots For $5.7B Valuation In IPO [TechCrunch]
What Disney Got in the Playdom Acquisition [Inside Social Games]
Tiki Resort's Halloween Night Charm sets the sun on your island
Do islanders even celebrate Halloween? Well, in Tiki Resort they do with the new Halloween Night Charm, which unlocks five Halloween mystery items and sets the night upon your island getaway. With the big night just around the corner, it's alright to have nighttime last a bit longer than usual. Not to mention that 29 Facebook Credits, or $2.90, isn't half bad for transforming the look of your entire island.
You'll also find that your visitors have donned zombie and witch costumes to keep the spirits high. But don't leave the islanders dressed up with nowhere to go. The Hallow's Eve Treehouse and the Borderland Haunted House are both 30 percent off, costing 70 ($7) and 105 ($10.50) Facebook Credits, respectively. So, now you have no excuse to avoid transforming your island into the ghoulish getaway it should be this season.
You'll also find that your visitors have donned zombie and witch costumes to keep the spirits high. But don't leave the islanders dressed up with nowhere to go. The Hallow's Eve Treehouse and the Borderland Haunted House are both 30 percent off, costing 70 ($7) and 105 ($10.50) Facebook Credits, respectively. So, now you have no excuse to avoid transforming your island into the ghoulish getaway it should be this season.
FrontierVille's Ditch That Buggy Goal will tickle you pink
Ditch that Buggy
In the midst of the FrontierVille Halloween update's shoddy shenanigans, Zynga added a sequel to the Hot Wheels! Goal titled, "Ditch that Buggy." Apparently, while cruising the frontier you unfortunately hit a pothole and busted up your ride. All you need to do in this thankfully simple Goal (wasn't a Headless Horseman enough?) is ask your friends for 15 bars of Saddle Soap, 15 cans of Elbow Grease and clear 15 patches of grass.
Do these three tasks and a Deluxe Pink Buggy will be yours. Apparently, "fixing" means "buying" to them frontier folk, so enjoy a second ride in addition your fixed-up Deluxe Buggy from before. Also, if you have any Elbow Grease or Saddle Soap on you, it can be used to complete this Goal, inching you that much closer to a delightfully--well, depending on how you look at it--pink set of wheels. So, not to sound ungrateful or anything, but how about a paint job?
In the midst of the FrontierVille Halloween update's shoddy shenanigans, Zynga added a sequel to the Hot Wheels! Goal titled, "Ditch that Buggy." Apparently, while cruising the frontier you unfortunately hit a pothole and busted up your ride. All you need to do in this thankfully simple Goal (wasn't a Headless Horseman enough?) is ask your friends for 15 bars of Saddle Soap, 15 cans of Elbow Grease and clear 15 patches of grass.
Do these three tasks and a Deluxe Pink Buggy will be yours. Apparently, "fixing" means "buying" to them frontier folk, so enjoy a second ride in addition your fixed-up Deluxe Buggy from before. Also, if you have any Elbow Grease or Saddle Soap on you, it can be used to complete this Goal, inching you that much closer to a delightfully--well, depending on how you look at it--pink set of wheels. So, not to sound ungrateful or anything, but how about a paint job?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Celebrate Thanksgiving in Treasure Isle with fall decorations
Zynga has jumped into the fall / Thanksgiving celebration in Treasure Isle by releasing what could be just the first round of new fall and Thanksgiving themed decorative items in the treasure-hunting game.
These items can be found, you guessed it, by clicking on "Decorations" in the store. Here's a list of the available items, along with prices and special features, where available:
Cranberry Truck - Adds 10 spaces to your Backpack - 40 Island Cash
Big Barn - Adds 10 spaces to your Backpack - 40 Island Cash
Squirrel Table - 10,000 coins
Small Squash - 150 coins
Cornstalks - 200 coins
Indian Corn - 150 coins
Brown Pile of Leaves - 200 coins
Pile of Red Leaves - 200 coins
Pile of Yellow Leaves - 200 coins
Cornucopia - 400 coins
Wooden Fence - 100 coins
Cranberry Crate - 100 coins
Plough - 500 coins
Fortunately, the only two items on this list that are limited edition are the Cranberry Truck and the Big Barn, which will both only be available in the game for the next 12 days. After that, your chance at potentially 20 extra spaces of Backpack inventory will be gone, that is, until Zynga can release another item with a similar (or even the same) effect.
These items can be found, you guessed it, by clicking on "Decorations" in the store. Here's a list of the available items, along with prices and special features, where available:
Cranberry Truck - Adds 10 spaces to your Backpack - 40 Island Cash
Big Barn - Adds 10 spaces to your Backpack - 40 Island Cash
Squirrel Table - 10,000 coins
Small Squash - 150 coins
Cornstalks - 200 coins
Indian Corn - 150 coins
Brown Pile of Leaves - 200 coins
Pile of Red Leaves - 200 coins
Pile of Yellow Leaves - 200 coins
Cornucopia - 400 coins
Wooden Fence - 100 coins
Cranberry Crate - 100 coins
Plough - 500 coins
Fortunately, the only two items on this list that are limited edition are the Cranberry Truck and the Big Barn, which will both only be available in the game for the next 12 days. After that, your chance at potentially 20 extra spaces of Backpack inventory will be gone, that is, until Zynga can release another item with a similar (or even the same) effect.
Earn 2 free FarmVille Farm Cash in A Christmas Carol Promotion
Thanks to the good folks at FarmVille Feed, we've come to learn that Zynga has launched yet another free Farm Cash promotion in FarmVille.
This time, the promotion is for the upcoming release of Disney's A Christmas Carol on DVD. Simply click on the sponsored link window as seen at right, and you'll be able to watch the movie trailer and answer a question about your own holiday memories.
After that's said and done, you'll be rewarded with 2 Farm Cash, which can be found added to your total immediately upon refreshing the page.
We personally have yet to have this offer spawn on our own farms, but with the holiday season approaching, will we see more holiday-themed offers being given to FarmVille players? Stay tuned to find out.
This time, the promotion is for the upcoming release of Disney's A Christmas Carol on DVD. Simply click on the sponsored link window as seen at right, and you'll be able to watch the movie trailer and answer a question about your own holiday memories.
After that's said and done, you'll be rewarded with 2 Farm Cash, which can be found added to your total immediately upon refreshing the page.
We personally have yet to have this offer spawn on our own farms, but with the holiday season approaching, will we see more holiday-themed offers being given to FarmVille players? Stay tuned to find out.
My Vineyard Quaint Mystery Box: Find out what's inside
Playdom's My Vineyard released a new Mystery Box today - the Quaint Mystery Box. This one will cost you 18 Wine Cash each, and the resulting items are completely random. These items are all cozy realistic items for your vineyard, and many players on the Playdom forums are claiming that this is the best Mystery Box yet. We bet you want to know what's inside don't you? Here you go:
Quaint Cottage
Quaint Planter
Quaint Table and 2 Chairs
Quaint Swing
Quaint Banquet Table
While they're not exactly Thanksgiving items, you could still throw yourself a pretty quaint Turkey Day feast with these items. Get something you don't like? Sell it in your General Store to other players and make a profit!
This Mystery Box is limited quantity, and there are only 9,666 available as of this writing. We're sure these will sell fast because the items inside are just too cute for words.
Play My Vineyard on Facebook >
Quaint Cottage
Quaint Planter
Quaint Table and 2 Chairs
Quaint Swing
Quaint Banquet Table
While they're not exactly Thanksgiving items, you could still throw yourself a pretty quaint Turkey Day feast with these items. Get something you don't like? Sell it in your General Store to other players and make a profit!
This Mystery Box is limited quantity, and there are only 9,666 available as of this writing. We're sure these will sell fast because the items inside are just too cute for words.
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New FarmVille Limited Edition Crop: White Pumpkin
In a very late update this evening (or early this morning, depending on your thinking), Zynga has added a new limited edition crop to FarmVille in the form of the White Pumpkin.
This crop has been released as part of the now full-fledged Thanksgiving theme, and is available to grow until December 17. White Pumpkins can be planted for 100 coins per square, and they take a full eight hours to mature. You'll earn a single experience point for each square of the White Pumpkins that you plant, and they can be harvested for 150 coins, for just a 50 coin profit overall.
White Pumpkins are masterable, with the first star of mastery being available at a whopping 1000 harvests. With the crop's time limit of a month, it might be harder for some users (especially those with smaller fields) to make it through the three stars, so start planting these pumpkins now if you want a chance at earning the limited edition mastery sign.
This crop has been released as part of the now full-fledged Thanksgiving theme, and is available to grow until December 17. White Pumpkins can be planted for 100 coins per square, and they take a full eight hours to mature. You'll earn a single experience point for each square of the White Pumpkins that you plant, and they can be harvested for 150 coins, for just a 50 coin profit overall.
White Pumpkins are masterable, with the first star of mastery being available at a whopping 1000 harvests. With the crop's time limit of a month, it might be harder for some users (especially those with smaller fields) to make it through the three stars, so start planting these pumpkins now if you want a chance at earning the limited edition mastery sign.
Treasure Isle: New limited time fall themed animals
Along with the new Thanksgiving decorations released in Treasure Isle, Zynga has also given us eight new adorable fall animals to wander our islands. These animals are all available for only 12 days, and each one of them requires you to pay out with Island Cash. This could definitely get expensive if you're wanting to collect them all.
These animals are not just cute companions, they also provide you bonuses to your max energy. Any animal that gives you +3 to energy will cost you 65 Island Cash. Animals that give you +2 energy are priced at 55 Island Cash, and animals that give you 1 energy will set you back 35 Island Cash. Here are the animals you can get your hands on right now in Treasure Isle:
Rex the Raccoon - 3 Energy
Skunky the Skunk - 3 Energy
Sam the Squirrel - 2 Energy
Foxy the Fox - 2 Energy
Fuzz the Fox - 2 Energy
Bun Buns the Bunny - 1 Energy
Ben the Badger - 1 Energy
Bucky the Buck - 1 Energy
These aren't the most creative names we've ever heard of, but we'll give Treasure Isle a break. These items aren't really very fall-themed, but Treasure Isle are calling them fall animals.
Which animal do you think is the cutest?
These animals are not just cute companions, they also provide you bonuses to your max energy. Any animal that gives you +3 to energy will cost you 65 Island Cash. Animals that give you +2 energy are priced at 55 Island Cash, and animals that give you 1 energy will set you back 35 Island Cash. Here are the animals you can get your hands on right now in Treasure Isle:
Rex the Raccoon - 3 Energy
Skunky the Skunk - 3 Energy
Sam the Squirrel - 2 Energy
Foxy the Fox - 2 Energy
Fuzz the Fox - 2 Energy
Bun Buns the Bunny - 1 Energy
Ben the Badger - 1 Energy
Bucky the Buck - 1 Energy
These aren't the most creative names we've ever heard of, but we'll give Treasure Isle a break. These items aren't really very fall-themed, but Treasure Isle are calling them fall animals.
Which animal do you think is the cutest?
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