FarmVille Freak DarkFarmer's Island Resort
Three new limited edition Island themed buildings became available with tonight's FarmVille update.
The Tree Village, Island Resort, and Island Shanty can all be purchased with farm cash or coins during the next 12 days in the FarmVille Market.
FarmVille Island Shanty, Tree Villange, and Island Resort
FarmVille Island Buildings (June 10th 2010):
Tree Village – 42 FV$
Island Resort – 36 FV$
Island Shanty – 55,000 Coins
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Thứ Ba, 14 tháng 2, 2012
FarmVille Unreleased Oats Crop, Mastery Sign, Market Stall, & Bushel
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Farhan for finding these unreleased FarmVille Oats Seed, Oats Mastery Sign, Oats Market Stall, & Oats Bushel.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FarmVille Unreleased Lemon Balm Market Stall & Lemon Balm Bushel
FarmVille Lemon Balm Market and Bushel
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Farhan for finding these unreleased FarmVille Lemon Balm Market Stall & Lemon Balm Bushel.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Thank you to FarmVille Freak Farhan for finding these unreleased FarmVille Lemon Balm Market Stall & Lemon Balm Bushel.
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
Happy Aquarium: Walrus Referee and Football Seal join the team
Zack the soccer-playing lion cub is now joined by Russ Referee and Diego the Football Fan in Happy Aquarium. Both Russ and Diego are animated critters that cost premium currency to buy. Russ taps his foot, blinks his eyes, and blows his whistle. While Diego is more like Zack, and carries a hot pink soccer ball on his head with which he performs tricks in the tank.
Russ is also a Limited Edition character, so if you've got 24 Pearls or 20 Facebook Credits (the equivalent of $2 USD), you should grab him ASAP, cause he won't be sticking around the shop forever. You can find him under "Specials!" star tab, under the subcategory "Premium", while Diego is with Zack in the "Tank Mates" tab, and goes for 48 Pearls or 40 FB Credits ($4 USD).
Given the game's recent premium currency increase for leveling up, these characters should now be easily affordable for high-level players.
Russ is also a Limited Edition character, so if you've got 24 Pearls or 20 Facebook Credits (the equivalent of $2 USD), you should grab him ASAP, cause he won't be sticking around the shop forever. You can find him under "Specials!" star tab, under the subcategory "Premium", while Diego is with Zack in the "Tank Mates" tab, and goes for 48 Pearls or 40 FB Credits ($4 USD).
Given the game's recent premium currency increase for leveling up, these characters should now be easily affordable for high-level players.
Tiki Resort: Hire a cabana boy to tend your island
Ringing the icon of a hotel styled desk bell on the left side of your Tiki Resort game will allow you to summon Dan the Automator. Dan is a new game feature that promises to collect money and charms from your attractions, pick up trash, and tend your pets. He comes with a chart that'll let you to see just how much work he's done by how many things he's collected on his shift.
Tiki Resort Dan the Automator Shifts
Dan has two shifts you can set him up on. A 15 min. shift requires 25 Coconut Drink Charms, while a 3-day shift goes for 39 Facebook Credits, or roughly, $4 USD.
Coconut Drink Charms increase the walking speed of your tourists, leading them to visit more attractions, which means they'd spend more. You can buy a set of 50 at the in-game store for 149 FB Credits, which is approximately $14.90 USD. So unless you've got an attraction that generates that charm, the 15 min. shift isn't Dan's best deal for you.
Tiki Resort Dan the Automator Shifts
Dan has two shifts you can set him up on. A 15 min. shift requires 25 Coconut Drink Charms, while a 3-day shift goes for 39 Facebook Credits, or roughly, $4 USD.
Coconut Drink Charms increase the walking speed of your tourists, leading them to visit more attractions, which means they'd spend more. You can buy a set of 50 at the in-game store for 149 FB Credits, which is approximately $14.90 USD. So unless you've got an attraction that generates that charm, the 15 min. shift isn't Dan's best deal for you.
Thứ Bảy, 11 tháng 2, 2012
YoVille Mystery Gifts Rares Revealed (Spoilers)
The mystery gifts were updated with cool summer prizes. After the jump are many of the rares that you can find in the mystery chests. The guys on the YoVille Lounge forums are working to complete the list. If you got rares that are not mentioned below, head to the forums and post your pictures! YoVille Green Ceramic Vase
YoVille Orange Ceramic Vase
YoVille Pink Ceramic Vase
YoVille Summer Ottoman Tray
YoVille Cheese and Fruit Platter
YoVille Fish Sculpture
YoVille Lemonaide Server
YoVille Yellow Summer Platter
YoVille Yellow Summer Dish
YoVille Yellow Summer Plate
YoVille Pink Summer Plate
YoVille Condiment Servers
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
YoVille Orange Ceramic Vase
YoVille Pink Ceramic Vase
YoVille Summer Ottoman Tray
YoVille Cheese and Fruit Platter
YoVille Fish Sculpture
YoVille Lemonaide Server
YoVille Yellow Summer Platter
YoVille Yellow Summer Dish
YoVille Yellow Summer Plate
YoVille Pink Summer Plate
YoVille Condiment Servers
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
Happy Aquarium: More playtime decor inspired by Toy Story
Happy Aquarium Toy Story Green Army Men
Following on Happy Aquarium's small, faux Toy Story cast release, is a decor theme made up of three plastic toy soldiers, a pink toy car that's obviously Barbie's corvette, and a new tank wallpaper that looks like a kid's bedroom.
While they aren't the worst Green Army Men of all time, the game's new plastic toy soldiers -- Army Man with Binoculars, Kneeling Army Man, and Army Man on Walkie Talkie -- aren't exactly men of action. Granted, they don't move, though it would've been cool if Crowdstar made some animated ones that could wave or turn their heads. But these guys are complete non-combatants and might as well be birdwatchers. Well, at least they're a cheap 40 Coins apiece.
The Toy Car -- Pink Sporty Car costs 12 Pearls or 10 Facebook Credits ($1 USD), while the gorgeous Kids Room wallpaper is going for 36 Pearls or 3 FB Credits ($3 USD).
Following on Happy Aquarium's small, faux Toy Story cast release, is a decor theme made up of three plastic toy soldiers, a pink toy car that's obviously Barbie's corvette, and a new tank wallpaper that looks like a kid's bedroom.
While they aren't the worst Green Army Men of all time, the game's new plastic toy soldiers -- Army Man with Binoculars, Kneeling Army Man, and Army Man on Walkie Talkie -- aren't exactly men of action. Granted, they don't move, though it would've been cool if Crowdstar made some animated ones that could wave or turn their heads. But these guys are complete non-combatants and might as well be birdwatchers. Well, at least they're a cheap 40 Coins apiece.
The Toy Car -- Pink Sporty Car costs 12 Pearls or 10 Facebook Credits ($1 USD), while the gorgeous Kids Room wallpaper is going for 36 Pearls or 3 FB Credits ($3 USD).
Quote of the Moment: How Facebook raised the bar on social games
"Facebook's changes have also shortened product lifecycles and triggered a rapid consolidation phase ... The bar is now raised on competitive requirements like capitalization, scale and marketing...
"Conversely, while in 2009 the big story was how small developers like Slashkey established new genres like farming, the big story in 2010 is that the strong will get stronger, as evidenced by the high correlation of venture involvement and established scale with the 17 successful new games of 2010 thus far."
- Digital Chocolate CEO Trip Hawkins tells Gamasutra how Facebook's notification system changes stratified social gaming, making big games bigger and leaving smaller games in the dust.
"Conversely, while in 2009 the big story was how small developers like Slashkey established new genres like farming, the big story in 2010 is that the strong will get stronger, as evidenced by the high correlation of venture involvement and established scale with the 17 successful new games of 2010 thus far."
- Digital Chocolate CEO Trip Hawkins tells Gamasutra how Facebook's notification system changes stratified social gaming, making big games bigger and leaving smaller games in the dust.
FishVille: A Discovery Log Guide for Ichthyologists
FishVille Discovery Log Letter
At first glace, FishVille's new Discovery Log feature appears to have jumped on the recent treasure-hunting trend in Facebook games, but it's really just a spiffier, new achievements log that lets you track your awards and the kinds of fish you've bought.
FishVille Discovery Log
The old Awards page has been integrated into the Log on the bottom right corner. On the top of the Log is a score that'll go up as you acquire more fish and treasures, and complete more awards.
FishVille Discovery Log Fish
Some of the collections are pretty easy, when all you need is to buy stuff from the store. The Log facilitates this by allowing you to click on the items on the pages, so you can immediately see what you need to do to get the fish or treasure item. Others require Sand Dollars or gifting on certain days of the week. A major downside is that your past ownership of these items don't count. So you're going to have to engage in plenty of do-overs.
Here's are the current fish collections and what you need to do to get 'em:
Classic Fish: Shy Hamlet, Hawaiian Hogfish, Percula Clownfish, Swissguard Basslet, and Pinktail Trigger
Tip: All fish can be bought at the store, except for "Pinktail Trigger", which is only available on the Free Gifts page.
Anthias: Townsend Anthias, Tierra Anthias, Lyretail Anthias, Thompson Anthias, and Red Striped Anthias
Tip: These are all on the Free Gifts page, but there's a catch -- each one is only giftable on certain weekdays, from Monday through Friday! So you need a friend to send you "Townsend Anthias" on Mondays, "Tierra" on Tuesdays, "Lyretail" on Wednesdays, "Thompson" on Thursdays, and "Red Striped" on Fridays.
Shrimp Gobies: Prawn Goby, Flagtail Shrimpgoby, Giant Shrimpgoby, Wheelers Shrimpgoby, and Widebar Shrimpgoby
Tip: Except for the "Prawn Goby", which costs 90 Coins, all these fish must either be bought for Sand Dollars at the store or hatched by a "Mystery Goby Egg" from the Free Gifts page.
FishVille Discovery Log Mastery Fish
Mystery Fish: Black Percula, Broadbarred Goby, Immaculate Boxfish, Indido Hamlet, and Fine Spot Wrasse
Tip: Click on the Mystery Fish in the Discovery Log to take you to the Fish Mastery page. You can only get these fish by doing the Fish Mastery, which means you've got to buy a certain type a fish and sell 'em a certain number of times. Check out the Fish Mastery guide for complete details.
At first glace, FishVille's new Discovery Log feature appears to have jumped on the recent treasure-hunting trend in Facebook games, but it's really just a spiffier, new achievements log that lets you track your awards and the kinds of fish you've bought.
FishVille Discovery Log
The old Awards page has been integrated into the Log on the bottom right corner. On the top of the Log is a score that'll go up as you acquire more fish and treasures, and complete more awards.
FishVille Discovery Log Fish
Some of the collections are pretty easy, when all you need is to buy stuff from the store. The Log facilitates this by allowing you to click on the items on the pages, so you can immediately see what you need to do to get the fish or treasure item. Others require Sand Dollars or gifting on certain days of the week. A major downside is that your past ownership of these items don't count. So you're going to have to engage in plenty of do-overs.
Here's are the current fish collections and what you need to do to get 'em:
Classic Fish: Shy Hamlet, Hawaiian Hogfish, Percula Clownfish, Swissguard Basslet, and Pinktail Trigger
Tip: All fish can be bought at the store, except for "Pinktail Trigger", which is only available on the Free Gifts page.
Anthias: Townsend Anthias, Tierra Anthias, Lyretail Anthias, Thompson Anthias, and Red Striped Anthias
Tip: These are all on the Free Gifts page, but there's a catch -- each one is only giftable on certain weekdays, from Monday through Friday! So you need a friend to send you "Townsend Anthias" on Mondays, "Tierra" on Tuesdays, "Lyretail" on Wednesdays, "Thompson" on Thursdays, and "Red Striped" on Fridays.
Shrimp Gobies: Prawn Goby, Flagtail Shrimpgoby, Giant Shrimpgoby, Wheelers Shrimpgoby, and Widebar Shrimpgoby
Tip: Except for the "Prawn Goby", which costs 90 Coins, all these fish must either be bought for Sand Dollars at the store or hatched by a "Mystery Goby Egg" from the Free Gifts page.
FishVille Discovery Log Mastery Fish
Mystery Fish: Black Percula, Broadbarred Goby, Immaculate Boxfish, Indido Hamlet, and Fine Spot Wrasse
Tip: Click on the Mystery Fish in the Discovery Log to take you to the Fish Mastery page. You can only get these fish by doing the Fish Mastery, which means you've got to buy a certain type a fish and sell 'em a certain number of times. Check out the Fish Mastery guide for complete details.
FishVille: A Discovery Log Guide for Treasure Hunters
FishVille Discovery Log
The best way to describe FishVille's new Discovery Log is to call it the most sophisticated achievements page for a Facebook game we've ever seen. It makes players utilize every function of the game in order to complete collections. The Log keeps track of fish and treasures, but it's also a platform from which you can collect the stuff you need. For example, clicking on the item listed allows you to go straight to the action required for obtaining said item. But it's only that easy if you do the Sand Dollar method, which is simply ponying up real world cash.
Below we've got a list and tips for everything you need to know to get all your treasures. The easiest thing you can grab is the "Deep Sea Coral," but it's going to cost you 56,250 Coins.
FishVille Discovery Log Treasures
Mermaid Statues: Mermaid Maiden, Merman Minstrel, Mermaid Queen, Merman Soldier, and Dolphin Princess
Tip: Buy with Sand Dollars or find them inside Mermaid Mystery Boxes, which are free gifts. They're NOT on the Free Gifts page. Instead, click on the listing to send the boxes to friends.
Precious Shells: Blue Shell, Pink Shell, Purple Stombus, Spikey Shell, and Wavy Shell
Tip: You can get these only by redeeming "Fish Love". This involves regularly feeding and caring for your fish. When you do, you can collect their "Love" and buy items with it. For more info, please read the Fish Love guide.
FishVille Nautilus Shell Stash!Deep Sea Fauna: Bamboo Coral, Bubble Gum Coral, Deep Sea Coral, Gibsmithia, and Picasso Sponge
Tip: Grab the Deep Sea Coral at the store for 56,250 Coins, but you've gotta look at the "Deep Sea" or "Decor" section, as it won't be under "Plants". The first two items can only be found by collecting enough "Nautilus Shells" from friends. There should be a "Nautilus Shell Stash" icon on the lefthand side of your game window. Click on that to learn more. The last two coral pieces are on the Free Gifts page.
The best way to describe FishVille's new Discovery Log is to call it the most sophisticated achievements page for a Facebook game we've ever seen. It makes players utilize every function of the game in order to complete collections. The Log keeps track of fish and treasures, but it's also a platform from which you can collect the stuff you need. For example, clicking on the item listed allows you to go straight to the action required for obtaining said item. But it's only that easy if you do the Sand Dollar method, which is simply ponying up real world cash.
Below we've got a list and tips for everything you need to know to get all your treasures. The easiest thing you can grab is the "Deep Sea Coral," but it's going to cost you 56,250 Coins.
FishVille Discovery Log Treasures
Mermaid Statues: Mermaid Maiden, Merman Minstrel, Mermaid Queen, Merman Soldier, and Dolphin Princess
Tip: Buy with Sand Dollars or find them inside Mermaid Mystery Boxes, which are free gifts. They're NOT on the Free Gifts page. Instead, click on the listing to send the boxes to friends.
Precious Shells: Blue Shell, Pink Shell, Purple Stombus, Spikey Shell, and Wavy Shell
Tip: You can get these only by redeeming "Fish Love". This involves regularly feeding and caring for your fish. When you do, you can collect their "Love" and buy items with it. For more info, please read the Fish Love guide.
FishVille Nautilus Shell Stash!Deep Sea Fauna: Bamboo Coral, Bubble Gum Coral, Deep Sea Coral, Gibsmithia, and Picasso Sponge
Tip: Grab the Deep Sea Coral at the store for 56,250 Coins, but you've gotta look at the "Deep Sea" or "Decor" section, as it won't be under "Plants". The first two items can only be found by collecting enough "Nautilus Shells" from friends. There should be a "Nautilus Shell Stash" icon on the lefthand side of your game window. Click on that to learn more. The last two coral pieces are on the Free Gifts page.
Thứ Năm, 9 tháng 2, 2012
YoVille goes Camping: Marshmallow Stick, Camo Shirts & More
Camping fans can now enjoy the first set of Camp YoVille fashion. Men can grab the new camo shirts and cargo shorts for 800 and 900 coins respectively. Matching hats can be found for 8 Yocash. Ladies can also enjoy new tanks, cuffed shorts and sun hats.
You can also grab accessories like the new hiking stick, hiking bag, marshmallow stick and camping lantern for YoCash.
Prices and pictures of all the new items are gathered by Angie after the link! YoVille goes Camping: Lantern, shorts, sun hat
YoVille goes Camping: camping tank, hiking boots
YoVille goes Camping backpacks
YoVille goes Camping camo shirts, cargo shorts
YoVille goes Camping Hats
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
You can also grab accessories like the new hiking stick, hiking bag, marshmallow stick and camping lantern for YoCash.
Prices and pictures of all the new items are gathered by Angie after the link! YoVille goes Camping: Lantern, shorts, sun hat
YoVille goes Camping: camping tank, hiking boots
YoVille goes Camping backpacks
YoVille goes Camping camo shirts, cargo shorts
YoVille goes Camping Hats
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
Mafia Wars fan page contest: Enter to win an iPod or Mafia Wars swag
Over the weekend, Mafia Wars launched contest on its fan page, and you can enter to win an iPod or Mafia Wars swag through August 18. Sign up for the Mafia Wars fan page, and then keep your eyes peeled for a daily post that has 'Contest Day' in the title. Then, learn everything you need to do next in this post from Mafia Wars' community manager Victoria:
"In celebration of the Mafia Wars Armored Truck Blow-Up event (http://blog.mafiawars.com/2010/08/th...red-truck.html), we'll be hosting an additional mini sweepstakes on the Mafia Wars fan page!
Starting Saturday, August 14th and going through Aug 18th, be on the lookout for 5 updates to the official Mafia Wars fan page (http://www.facebook.com/MafiaWarsFans) with "Contest Day" in the title (i.e.: "Contest Day 1"). When you see a post with this in the title, send an email to ilovemafiawars@zynga.com with "I wanna get 10 million to Las Vegas and help blow up the truck!" as the subject, and provide the following information:
1) Full Name
2) Mailing Address
3) Mafia Wars Profile Link
4) Date of Birth
5) Primary Email
6) Phone Number (optional)
If you're one of the first 60 to respond for the day, you'll be the lucky winner of a Mafia Wars Schwag Pack filled with some awesome goodies. At the end of the 5th day, we'll select 3 Grand Prize winners at random from all the eligible entrants (except those who've already won a Schwag Pack), and will give them each an iPod!
The Rules
-From August 14th through 18th, watch for status updates on the Mafia Wars fan page with "Contest Day" in the title (i.e.: "Contest Day 1").
-When you see a status update on the fan page, send an email with the above requested info to ilovemafiawars@zynga.com
- Entrants must be in compliance with the Facebook Terms of Use (http://www.facebook.com/terms.php) and the Zynga Terms of Service (http://www.zynga.com/about/terms-of-service.php)
-The first 60 people to respond will win for that Contest Day
-One entry per person per contest day. Only the first entry from a mailing address will be accepted as an entry per contest day. (In other words, only one person from each household can win per contest day)
-Winners will be notified within 5 to 7 days of each Contest Day
-If you are one of the winners, please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of your prize
-Contest void where prohibited by law
The Prizes
-Mafia Wars Schwag Pack for 300 winners
-An iPod for 3 Grand Prize winners, to be chosen at random from all entrants who did not win a Schwag Pack"
"In celebration of the Mafia Wars Armored Truck Blow-Up event (http://blog.mafiawars.com/2010/08/th...red-truck.html), we'll be hosting an additional mini sweepstakes on the Mafia Wars fan page!
Starting Saturday, August 14th and going through Aug 18th, be on the lookout for 5 updates to the official Mafia Wars fan page (http://www.facebook.com/MafiaWarsFans) with "Contest Day" in the title (i.e.: "Contest Day 1"). When you see a post with this in the title, send an email to ilovemafiawars@zynga.com with "I wanna get 10 million to Las Vegas and help blow up the truck!" as the subject, and provide the following information:
1) Full Name
2) Mailing Address
3) Mafia Wars Profile Link
4) Date of Birth
5) Primary Email
6) Phone Number (optional)
If you're one of the first 60 to respond for the day, you'll be the lucky winner of a Mafia Wars Schwag Pack filled with some awesome goodies. At the end of the 5th day, we'll select 3 Grand Prize winners at random from all the eligible entrants (except those who've already won a Schwag Pack), and will give them each an iPod!
The Rules
-From August 14th through 18th, watch for status updates on the Mafia Wars fan page with "Contest Day" in the title (i.e.: "Contest Day 1").
-When you see a status update on the fan page, send an email with the above requested info to ilovemafiawars@zynga.com
- Entrants must be in compliance with the Facebook Terms of Use (http://www.facebook.com/terms.php) and the Zynga Terms of Service (http://www.zynga.com/about/terms-of-service.php)
-The first 60 people to respond will win for that Contest Day
-One entry per person per contest day. Only the first entry from a mailing address will be accepted as an entry per contest day. (In other words, only one person from each household can win per contest day)
-Winners will be notified within 5 to 7 days of each Contest Day
-If you are one of the winners, please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of your prize
-Contest void where prohibited by law
The Prizes
-Mafia Wars Schwag Pack for 300 winners
-An iPod for 3 Grand Prize winners, to be chosen at random from all entrants who did not win a Schwag Pack"
Yoville: Free Golden Yo-Statue when you redeem a Zynga Game Card
This is an official post by Zynga's Platinum Ninja.
We've just kicked off a special for YoVille Game Cards that many of you will be interested to know! When you redeem a game card now you will receive an awesome YoStatue in game! Not only are you going to be getting your YoCash or Coins that you are redeeming but an extra fun item too!
YoVille Zynga Game Cards
Pick up some Game Cards today at your local stores and start collecting these Gold Statues. Click HERE to check out the different stores carry these game cards and get yourself some today! Make sure that you check out the store locators provided and give these stores near you a call to make sure they are all stocked up!
YoVille Golden Statues
Redeem now and get your hands on these Golden Yo- Statues! Collect all 4! This opportunity will be available for both Myspace and Facebook players. So what are you waiting for? Don't miss out pick up some Game Cards today!!!!
Good Luck!
Platinum Ninja
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
We've just kicked off a special for YoVille Game Cards that many of you will be interested to know! When you redeem a game card now you will receive an awesome YoStatue in game! Not only are you going to be getting your YoCash or Coins that you are redeeming but an extra fun item too!
YoVille Zynga Game Cards
Pick up some Game Cards today at your local stores and start collecting these Gold Statues. Click HERE to check out the different stores carry these game cards and get yourself some today! Make sure that you check out the store locators provided and give these stores near you a call to make sure they are all stocked up!
YoVille Golden Statues
Redeem now and get your hands on these Golden Yo- Statues! Collect all 4! This opportunity will be available for both Myspace and Facebook players. So what are you waiting for? Don't miss out pick up some Game Cards today!!!!
Good Luck!
Platinum Ninja
This article originally appeared on YoVille Lounge.
Mafia Wars rep says big gifting changes are in the works
When you have 501 mafia members (or even 100), it's hard to swallow the fact that you can only bestow free gifts upon 30 or so mafiosos per day. Mafia Wars Community Manager Jonezie Malone says that that's all going to change soon, and that more information will be spilled this week:
"Gifting is a natural and fun part of the social sharing within Mafia Wars. Many of you have requested the ability to send more gifts daily. We are working on solutions to this request. We have some changes coming to our system that we hope you are going to enjoy and that make your life a little bit easier. We'll be able to share more specifics about these changes with you early next week as we get final approval and testing on the things we have been working on since Vegas was released and Myspace was updated."
Fingers crossed that we'll no longer have to bounce back and forth between the game and Facebook to accept gifts, and it would be great if there were an easier way to send gifts to specific mafia members, especially those who send us gifts the most. Read
What gifting changes do you want to see in Mafia Wars?
"Gifting is a natural and fun part of the social sharing within Mafia Wars. Many of you have requested the ability to send more gifts daily. We are working on solutions to this request. We have some changes coming to our system that we hope you are going to enjoy and that make your life a little bit easier. We'll be able to share more specifics about these changes with you early next week as we get final approval and testing on the things we have been working on since Vegas was released and Myspace was updated."
Fingers crossed that we'll no longer have to bounce back and forth between the game and Facebook to accept gifts, and it would be great if there were an easier way to send gifts to specific mafia members, especially those who send us gifts the most. Read
What gifting changes do you want to see in Mafia Wars?
Pet Society 'Fashionista' contest is giving away a free iPad and 500 Playfish Cash
Pet Society Fashionista Competition
Pet Society's latest competition carries an iPad and 500 Playfish Cash (the game's premium currency) as the grand prize! To enter, entrants must design new outfits for the game in the following categories -- Formal, Leisure, Haute, and Nightwear. The winners will get their designs featured in the game for one month, starting September 13th, 2010.
Four fashion category winners will also be picked for a prize of 150 PFC each. And four more runners-up will win 100 PFC each.
Here's what you need to design for Pet Society:
Guidelines template
Pink Pet template
Blue Pet template
White Pet template
Submission Form
The contest begins today and ends on August 24th, 11:59 pm (PDT). Click here for more details, such as eligibility rules and to view other people's entries.
Pet Society's latest competition carries an iPad and 500 Playfish Cash (the game's premium currency) as the grand prize! To enter, entrants must design new outfits for the game in the following categories -- Formal, Leisure, Haute, and Nightwear. The winners will get their designs featured in the game for one month, starting September 13th, 2010.
Four fashion category winners will also be picked for a prize of 150 PFC each. And four more runners-up will win 100 PFC each.
Here's what you need to design for Pet Society:
Guidelines template
Pink Pet template
Blue Pet template
White Pet template
Submission Form
The contest begins today and ends on August 24th, 11:59 pm (PDT). Click here for more details, such as eligibility rules and to view other people's entries.
Thứ Hai, 6 tháng 2, 2012
Quote of the Moment: FarmVille is killing daytime soaps
As part of the Enchanted Kingdom Collection in PetVille, Zynga added the Captive Carnelian Dragon to add a little something to your place. For 100 PetCash, this winged, doe-eyed lizard can be yours to enjoy (in captivity) for just six more days.
Honestly, the poor thing is in golden shackles. It's clearly depressed that it's been re-purposed as a piece of furniture (yep, it's found the Furniture section of the Enchanted Castle set). At least let it breathe some fire!
Honestly, the poor thing is in golden shackles. It's clearly depressed that it's been re-purposed as a piece of furniture (yep, it's found the Furniture section of the Enchanted Castle set). At least let it breathe some fire!
PetVille Enchanted Castle: Captive Carnelian Dragon is adorable if a little sad
As part of the Enchanted Kingdom Collection in PetVille, Zynga added the Captive Carnelian Dragon to add a little something to your place. For 100 PetCash, this winged, doe-eyed lizard can be yours to enjoy (in captivity) for just six more days.
Honestly, the poor thing is in golden shackles. It's clearly depressed that it's been re-purposed as a piece of furniture (yep, it's found the Furniture section of the Enchanted Castle set). At least let it breathe some fire!
Honestly, the poor thing is in golden shackles. It's clearly depressed that it's been re-purposed as a piece of furniture (yep, it's found the Furniture section of the Enchanted Castle set). At least let it breathe some fire!
Pop Boom: A new Bejeweled Blitz clone from Happy Pets maker CrowdStar
Happy Pets creator CrowdStar has launched a new game, but instead of another pet simulator, this game -- Pop Boom -- takes a note from Bejeweled Blitz. The goal of the game is to match as many sets of three or more of the same-colored bubbles in a minute. More details coming soon.
Play Pop Boom on Facebook >
popboom on facebookpop boom on facebook
Play Pop Boom on Facebook >
popboom on facebookpop boom on facebook
FarmVille zLotto Red Animals hit the Market!
farmville red sheep
For those of you who chose not to participate in zLotto or perhaps you couldn't get the animals you wanted, all of the featured FarmVille Red Animal redemption prizes can now be purchased directly in the FarmVille Market under the "Animals" tab.
The Red Sheep, Red Horse, Red Cow, and Red Goat are all available and are limited to one per farmer. Note, if you already own the animal, it will be "Locked".
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
For those of you who chose not to participate in zLotto or perhaps you couldn't get the animals you wanted, all of the featured FarmVille Red Animal redemption prizes can now be purchased directly in the FarmVille Market under the "Animals" tab.
The Red Sheep, Red Horse, Red Cow, and Red Goat are all available and are limited to one per farmer. Note, if you already own the animal, it will be "Locked".
This article originally appeared on FarmVille Freak.
FarmVille Mystery Gifts: Got too many? Now you can re-gift
Is your gift box overloaded with Mystery Gifts that you just can't find time to open? FarmVille is now allowing virtual farmers to practice the ancient art of re-gifting on unwanted Mystery Gifts. All you need to do is open your gift box, find your Mystery Gifts, and you'll see a new purple 'Re-Gift' button. Click it and you'll get a pop-up window that asks how many you want to give away and then you can share them with your farming buddies via a Facebook Wall post.
Right now, only Mystery Gifts can be re-gifted, but I can imagine this might eventually apply to Mystery Eggs and Special Deliveries as well.
Right now, only Mystery Gifts can be re-gifted, but I can imagine this might eventually apply to Mystery Eggs and Special Deliveries as well.
Thứ Sáu, 3 tháng 2, 2012
Zynga Giveaway: Win a free Zynga Laptop Bag
zynga laptop bag giveaway
Update: This contest has ended. Head to Blog.Games.com or our Facebook fanpage for more awesome giveaways.
Once again, we're kicking off the holiday season a little earlier this year by giving away a bunch of free stuff. We have all kinds of cool swag and we aim to give it all away to our readers. Everyone is eligible to get free prizes so continue reading to find out how you can enter to win.
On our previous giveaway, readers could enter to win a free FarmVille T-Shirt. Now, for our second Zynga giveaway, we have a protective Zynga laptop bag. This padded case will hold most modestly sized laptops. Emblazoned with the Zynga logo, closing with a velcro fold, and sporting a handle on the top; this case is perfect for gaming on the go. Zynga's laptop bag is a smart and convenient way to transport your precious computer safely.
Continue reading to learn how to enter.
To enter:
Step 1: Go to the Games.com Facebook fanpage (http://www.facebook.com/gamescom).
Step 2: 'Like' the fanpage so you can see Facebook game news, tips, and cheats.
Step 3: Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment on the fanpage, telling us what you love most about Halloween. Is it the costumes, the candy, the game updates, the nighttime antics? Are you dressing up in a costume this year? Let us know on the fanpage.
(My favorite part about Halloween is being in New York City. You go out and everyone on the subways and streets is in awesome costumes! As for my own costume, I'm dressing up as a Gaucho.)
After a few days, we'll randomly select a winner, message them on Facebook for their address, and send them their free prize. Sound easy enough?
Get started by heading to the Games.com fanpage to enter for a free Zynga Laptop Bag.
When you're done, check out all our Halloween 2010 Item Guide for all the latest Facebook game Halloween item updates.
Update: This contest has ended. Head to Blog.Games.com or our Facebook fanpage for more awesome giveaways.
Once again, we're kicking off the holiday season a little earlier this year by giving away a bunch of free stuff. We have all kinds of cool swag and we aim to give it all away to our readers. Everyone is eligible to get free prizes so continue reading to find out how you can enter to win.
On our previous giveaway, readers could enter to win a free FarmVille T-Shirt. Now, for our second Zynga giveaway, we have a protective Zynga laptop bag. This padded case will hold most modestly sized laptops. Emblazoned with the Zynga logo, closing with a velcro fold, and sporting a handle on the top; this case is perfect for gaming on the go. Zynga's laptop bag is a smart and convenient way to transport your precious computer safely.
Continue reading to learn how to enter.
To enter:
Step 1: Go to the Games.com Facebook fanpage (http://www.facebook.com/gamescom).
Step 2: 'Like' the fanpage so you can see Facebook game news, tips, and cheats.
Step 3: Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment on the fanpage, telling us what you love most about Halloween. Is it the costumes, the candy, the game updates, the nighttime antics? Are you dressing up in a costume this year? Let us know on the fanpage.
(My favorite part about Halloween is being in New York City. You go out and everyone on the subways and streets is in awesome costumes! As for my own costume, I'm dressing up as a Gaucho.)
After a few days, we'll randomly select a winner, message them on Facebook for their address, and send them their free prize. Sound easy enough?
Get started by heading to the Games.com fanpage to enter for a free Zynga Laptop Bag.
When you're done, check out all our Halloween 2010 Item Guide for all the latest Facebook game Halloween item updates.
Zynga Lotto shuts down, says 'Sorry!' to players
Zynga Lotto is closing soon!
Something strange is going on at Zynga Lotto, because last week, Zynga warned players that the current zlotto prize collections were going to be dropped from the store. For folks who didn't complete their sets, this news sucked, but it was also exciting, because we thought this meant that Zynga will add new prizes soon.
On top of that, Zynga used Zynga Lotto to reveal a new fall game by making exclusive access to the game as the zlotto grand prize. But this revelation came without any fanfare, the 'keys' you needed to win access were a no-brainer to get, and once you collected all three, you simply got an on-screen message that said they'll get back to you with an email once they were ready.
Yesterday, players noticed they could no longer ask or send for tickets. If you try, you get the announcement that "zLotto is closing soon!" It seems that all the signs of Zynga Lotto blossoming into something bigger and more fun might've simply been the site's way of going through its death throes.
Something strange is going on at Zynga Lotto, because last week, Zynga warned players that the current zlotto prize collections were going to be dropped from the store. For folks who didn't complete their sets, this news sucked, but it was also exciting, because we thought this meant that Zynga will add new prizes soon.
On top of that, Zynga used Zynga Lotto to reveal a new fall game by making exclusive access to the game as the zlotto grand prize. But this revelation came without any fanfare, the 'keys' you needed to win access were a no-brainer to get, and once you collected all three, you simply got an on-screen message that said they'll get back to you with an email once they were ready.
Yesterday, players noticed they could no longer ask or send for tickets. If you try, you get the announcement that "zLotto is closing soon!" It seems that all the signs of Zynga Lotto blossoming into something bigger and more fun might've simply been the site's way of going through its death throes.
Treasure Isle Pirates vs. Ninjas feature promises 'The battle of the universe'
Treasure Isle Pirates vs Ninjas
Considering Treasure Isle revolves around buried treasure and recently mysterious Asian islands, you'd think Zynga would have had this covered ages ago, but nay. The time has come for Treasure Isle to present the ultimate battlefield for the Internet's two most prized, bad ass character archetypes: pirates and ninjas.
In a forum update with scant details, it was announced that something relevant to the ongoing battle will soon make its way into Treasure Isle. While it's possible that this might only become the usual pop culture nod in a decoration set, we hope it turns out to be more than merely animated monkeys fighting each other for some unreasonable amount of Island Cash. Stay tuned here for details on whether this feature will live up to as much hype as "The battle of the universe."
Considering Treasure Isle revolves around buried treasure and recently mysterious Asian islands, you'd think Zynga would have had this covered ages ago, but nay. The time has come for Treasure Isle to present the ultimate battlefield for the Internet's two most prized, bad ass character archetypes: pirates and ninjas.
In a forum update with scant details, it was announced that something relevant to the ongoing battle will soon make its way into Treasure Isle. While it's possible that this might only become the usual pop culture nod in a decoration set, we hope it turns out to be more than merely animated monkeys fighting each other for some unreasonable amount of Island Cash. Stay tuned here for details on whether this feature will live up to as much hype as "The battle of the universe."
Cafe World Cheats & Tips: Drink Bar gifting links
Hello Cafe-folks, it's Mr. Cheats here with the down-low on the things you shouldn't know. Today, the folks over at The Facegamer got the Cafe World Cheats & Tips to help you finish your Drink Bar in a jiffy.
Everyone likes to relax with a nice beverage now and then, and your Cafe World customers are no exception. Fortunately, with my Cafe World Drink Bar gifting links you and your friends will be able to finish the project in record time. Completing the Cafe World Drink Bar even with our Drink Bar gifting links is a community effort: you're going to need your friends' help.
Click the images below to use the Drink Bar gifting links and send the various Cafe World Drink Bar parts to your friends. Then, share this page or send this page to your buddies so they can start returning the favor.
You're going to need 8 Buckets of Ice, 8 Menus, 8 Napkins, and 16 Kitchen Tools to finish your Cafe World Drink Bar. So what are you waiting for? Start sending gifts with our Cafe World Cheats & Tips: Drink Bar gifting links below:
cafe world cheats drink bar gifting links cafe world cheats drink bar gifting links
cafe world cheats drink bar gifting links cafe world cheats drink bar gifting links
Click the image you'd like to gift then select the friends to send it to.
Everyone likes to relax with a nice beverage now and then, and your Cafe World customers are no exception. Fortunately, with my Cafe World Drink Bar gifting links you and your friends will be able to finish the project in record time. Completing the Cafe World Drink Bar even with our Drink Bar gifting links is a community effort: you're going to need your friends' help.
Click the images below to use the Drink Bar gifting links and send the various Cafe World Drink Bar parts to your friends. Then, share this page or send this page to your buddies so they can start returning the favor.
You're going to need 8 Buckets of Ice, 8 Menus, 8 Napkins, and 16 Kitchen Tools to finish your Cafe World Drink Bar. So what are you waiting for? Start sending gifts with our Cafe World Cheats & Tips: Drink Bar gifting links below:
cafe world cheats drink bar gifting links cafe world cheats drink bar gifting links
cafe world cheats drink bar gifting links cafe world cheats drink bar gifting links
Click the image you'd like to gift then select the friends to send it to.
Restaurant City: Free Colossal Coins Giveaway Links Round-Up
Restaurant City free coins and ingredients
Restaurant City's official Facebook fanpage has been handing out lots of freebies this week in celebration of their Transylvannia theme, so we've rounded up all the links to the free coins, goods, and ingredients in order of oldest to newest (because some of these links expire within 24 hours):
Oct. 13th - Goth Club Waiter: http://bit.ly/aUzpXi
Oct. 13th - FREE Almond: http://bit.ly/9Nbz45
Oct. 13th - 5,000 Coins: http://bit.ly/ae7vwY
Oct. 14th - FREE Chili: http://playfi.sh/b2wNaM
Oct. 14th - FREE Garlic: http://bit.ly/abYY71
Oct. 14th - 9,000 Coins: http://playfi.sh/cJYGkE
Oct. 14th - FREE Almond: http://bit.ly/cDJzoX
Note: All these links will launch the game, but you only need to keep the game window open for a few seconds to accept your free item.
Restaurant City's official Facebook fanpage has been handing out lots of freebies this week in celebration of their Transylvannia theme, so we've rounded up all the links to the free coins, goods, and ingredients in order of oldest to newest (because some of these links expire within 24 hours):
Oct. 13th - Goth Club Waiter: http://bit.ly/aUzpXi
Oct. 13th - FREE Almond: http://bit.ly/9Nbz45
Oct. 13th - 5,000 Coins: http://bit.ly/ae7vwY
Oct. 14th - FREE Chili: http://playfi.sh/b2wNaM
Oct. 14th - FREE Garlic: http://bit.ly/abYY71
Oct. 14th - 9,000 Coins: http://playfi.sh/cJYGkE
Oct. 14th - FREE Almond: http://bit.ly/cDJzoX
Note: All these links will launch the game, but you only need to keep the game window open for a few seconds to accept your free item.
Thứ Năm, 2 tháng 2, 2012
Earn 30 free Facebook Credits via Happy Pets & Redbox promotion
CrowdStar has launched a new cross-promotion in Happy Pets, allowing first time users of the Redbox movie rental service to earn 30 Facebook Credits for renting their first movie.
The details are simple - simply head into Happy Pets, click on the Redbox link in the top left corner of the screen. Reserve your first DVD (you must have a valid credit card), and you ill receive your credits instantly. Again, this is only available to new users, that have never rented from Red Box before, so find someone in your family that's a newbie to the service and get going!
Sure, 30 Facebook Credits is only $3.00, but if you do go through with the DVD reservation, you will have paid $1.00 to earn 3 back, that you can use in many of your favorite Facebook games, including Happy Pets and other CrowdStar titles that have Facebook Credits as their premium currency.
With over 24,000 Redbox locations throughout the United States, it's likely that, if you do live in the States, you wouldn't have far to go to actually pick up your reserved movie, but it seems as though that isn't entirely necessary.
The details are simple - simply head into Happy Pets, click on the Redbox link in the top left corner of the screen. Reserve your first DVD (you must have a valid credit card), and you ill receive your credits instantly. Again, this is only available to new users, that have never rented from Red Box before, so find someone in your family that's a newbie to the service and get going!
Sure, 30 Facebook Credits is only $3.00, but if you do go through with the DVD reservation, you will have paid $1.00 to earn 3 back, that you can use in many of your favorite Facebook games, including Happy Pets and other CrowdStar titles that have Facebook Credits as their premium currency.
With over 24,000 Redbox locations throughout the United States, it's likely that, if you do live in the States, you wouldn't have far to go to actually pick up your reserved movie, but it seems as though that isn't entirely necessary.
Millionaire City celebrates Luxury Week I
Digital Chocolate was full of updates this week, releasing three new games (Hollywood City, Vegas City, and Island God, in that order), and then updating their smash hit Millionaire City with new Luxury Week items.
The items in this theme include two new houses, the Designer House and the Skyscraper Ultimate. The Designer House is available to those users level 16 and above, but the Skyscraper is called "Ultimate" for a reason, not unlocking until users have reached level 60.
Meanwhile, one more commercial building was added to the game in the form of Hotel Midas (level 29). When adding said hotel to your town, you trigger the spawning of black limousines that will drive around your town's streets. In addition, for those users that have previously purchased a Night Club or a Casino, you'll see two other kinds of limousines on your streets - White for the Night Club and Gold for the Casino.
It's interesting that Digital Chocolate calls this Luxury Week I. Does this mean we'll see a Luxury Week II or even III in the future? Only time will tell, but we certainly hope so.
The items in this theme include two new houses, the Designer House and the Skyscraper Ultimate. The Designer House is available to those users level 16 and above, but the Skyscraper is called "Ultimate" for a reason, not unlocking until users have reached level 60.
Meanwhile, one more commercial building was added to the game in the form of Hotel Midas (level 29). When adding said hotel to your town, you trigger the spawning of black limousines that will drive around your town's streets. In addition, for those users that have previously purchased a Night Club or a Casino, you'll see two other kinds of limousines on your streets - White for the Night Club and Gold for the Casino.
It's interesting that Digital Chocolate calls this Luxury Week I. Does this mean we'll see a Luxury Week II or even III in the future? Only time will tell, but we certainly hope so.
Earn free Cafe Cash for watching movie promo in Cafe World
Zynga has entered into a brief cross-promotion with Paramount to publicize the studios upcoming film Morning Glory, staring Rachel McAdams.
The promotion is actually fairly in-depth, considering the prize of just 1 Cafe Cash, and asks Cafe World users to watch a trailer for the movie, along with answering a few survey questions about your own priorities in terms of your career or job performance. They're light-hearted questions that can be answered in any way you see fit - whether truthfully or not!
After that, you'll need to enter your zip code so that a new window can pop-up to alert you of movie times for Morning Glory, and after that, you'll have to answer one last question about who you would take with you to see the movie.
Once you've completed that final step, you'll earn a whopping 1 Cafe Cash. No, it's not a lot, and it does seem like Zynga is making you jump through a lot of hoops just for a single Cafe Cash, but it's free, so I guess we can't complain.
The promotion is actually fairly in-depth, considering the prize of just 1 Cafe Cash, and asks Cafe World users to watch a trailer for the movie, along with answering a few survey questions about your own priorities in terms of your career or job performance. They're light-hearted questions that can be answered in any way you see fit - whether truthfully or not!
After that, you'll need to enter your zip code so that a new window can pop-up to alert you of movie times for Morning Glory, and after that, you'll have to answer one last question about who you would take with you to see the movie.
Once you've completed that final step, you'll earn a whopping 1 Cafe Cash. No, it's not a lot, and it does seem like Zynga is making you jump through a lot of hoops just for a single Cafe Cash, but it's free, so I guess we can't complain.
City of Wonder Russian Week: Complete recap
If we've come to know anything about Playdom, it's that they like their themes - not only is City of Wonder an entirely themed game, taking place in ancient times, but they have celebrated a new theme for an entire week, in the form of Russian Week.
Meet us behind the break for a recap of this week-long celebration.
For starters, a few limited edition items are available to purchase from the game's Bulletin menu (that being the menu the automatically appears every time you load the game). You can purchase a Siberian Fort, a Winter Palace, a Russian Church, and a Russian Distillery, costing anywhere from 24-49 Gold. Each of these items is limited to a certain number of units in the store, with all of these items being available in quantities of at least 6,000.
Meanwhile, in the game's store you also find quite a few items. A Siberian Home, covered in snow, is available in the Residential section of the store, but you must have researched Exploration before you can build it. Soviet Apartments are also available, but they require Totalitarianism.
Under the Cultural item menu, you'll find two premium items, the Kremlin Chapel and the Kremlin Church, in all of their multi-colored glory, available for 10 Gold each. They add just 80-90 Happiness and 8-9 Culture to your town.
For Military options, you can purchase the Cossack Cavalry (on horseback) after you've researched the Armed Forces. They provide 50 Attack and 100 Defense to your town.
Decorative items include the Kremlin Clock and Socialist Statue, and finally, one Marvel comes in the form of the St. Basil's Cathedral, which can be built with the help of friends, but the construction can only begin after you've learned Feudalism.
Finally, if you'd like to skip spending coins or Gold altogether, you can ask your friends to send you a few of the Russian-themed free gifts, which include the Kremlin Tower (a limited time free gift), the Russian Dolls decorative item, and the Kremlin Wall item (that can only be sent once you are at least level 18).
And there you have it! Enough Russian themed items to make even a true Russian proud to play City of Wonder.
Meet us behind the break for a recap of this week-long celebration.
For starters, a few limited edition items are available to purchase from the game's Bulletin menu (that being the menu the automatically appears every time you load the game). You can purchase a Siberian Fort, a Winter Palace, a Russian Church, and a Russian Distillery, costing anywhere from 24-49 Gold. Each of these items is limited to a certain number of units in the store, with all of these items being available in quantities of at least 6,000.
Meanwhile, in the game's store you also find quite a few items. A Siberian Home, covered in snow, is available in the Residential section of the store, but you must have researched Exploration before you can build it. Soviet Apartments are also available, but they require Totalitarianism.
Under the Cultural item menu, you'll find two premium items, the Kremlin Chapel and the Kremlin Church, in all of their multi-colored glory, available for 10 Gold each. They add just 80-90 Happiness and 8-9 Culture to your town.
For Military options, you can purchase the Cossack Cavalry (on horseback) after you've researched the Armed Forces. They provide 50 Attack and 100 Defense to your town.
Decorative items include the Kremlin Clock and Socialist Statue, and finally, one Marvel comes in the form of the St. Basil's Cathedral, which can be built with the help of friends, but the construction can only begin after you've learned Feudalism.
Finally, if you'd like to skip spending coins or Gold altogether, you can ask your friends to send you a few of the Russian-themed free gifts, which include the Kremlin Tower (a limited time free gift), the Russian Dolls decorative item, and the Kremlin Wall item (that can only be sent once you are at least level 18).
And there you have it! Enough Russian themed items to make even a true Russian proud to play City of Wonder.
Celebrate the changing of the leaves with Fall items in YoVille
Zynga has released a whole slew of fall-themed items in YoVille, for both the Bedroom and the Living Room. As of this writing, there are 77 items in the entire theme, and we're assuming that more will be added in the future (most likely for the Bathroom and Kitchen).
For those who want to get a head start on decorating, though, feel free to head over to the game's Furniture Store, where you can pick up a wide variety of items that come in one of four basic colors: Brown, Yellow, Green, and Red. In those colors, you'll find beds, dressers, stools, credenzas, and armoires for the bedroom, while in the Living Room, you can find those same for colors in chairs sofas, end tables, divider walls, entertainment centers, and even coffee tables.
Other items available for both rooms include themed decorative items, like rugs, large tree branches, fall baskets and leaf piles, and even a full Fall Burst Tree, which costs 8 YoCash and would probably envelop any backyard or front yard area you used it in.
As usual, these items range from those available for YoCash, and those available for regular coins. If you'd like to save a few coins, feel free to wait until the end of the theme, when we're assuming some, if not all, of these items might go on clearance, just as the Halloween items have (that clearance sale ends today, by the way).
For those who want to get a head start on decorating, though, feel free to head over to the game's Furniture Store, where you can pick up a wide variety of items that come in one of four basic colors: Brown, Yellow, Green, and Red. In those colors, you'll find beds, dressers, stools, credenzas, and armoires for the bedroom, while in the Living Room, you can find those same for colors in chairs sofas, end tables, divider walls, entertainment centers, and even coffee tables.
Other items available for both rooms include themed decorative items, like rugs, large tree branches, fall baskets and leaf piles, and even a full Fall Burst Tree, which costs 8 YoCash and would probably envelop any backyard or front yard area you used it in.
As usual, these items range from those available for YoCash, and those available for regular coins. If you'd like to save a few coins, feel free to wait until the end of the theme, when we're assuming some, if not all, of these items might go on clearance, just as the Halloween items have (that clearance sale ends today, by the way).
Thứ Tư, 1 tháng 2, 2012
FrontierVille: Zynga Message Center now available for streamlined gift requests
Zynga has finally rolled the Zynga Message Center out into a game that we can all be very happy about - FrontierVille. No longer will we have to accept each ribbon or free meal one by one, as we can now simply click on the red and white Z in the top right corner of the FrontierVille game page to see the menu like the one above, letting you accept all gifts in a streamlined fashion without ever clicking away from the game!
For those with no experience with the Zynga Message Center, this menu will allow you to accept not only the free gifts that your friends have sent to you, but you'll also be able to act on Help Requests - "Can you send me a XX?" - in a much quicker fashion as well.
Unfortunately, accepting a gift in the Zynga Message Center does not remove that request from your Facebook gift requests page, but you can easily go back and hit the "Ignore" button on each of those if you'd like to de-clutter the space.
If you don't have the ZMC in FrontierVille just yet, be patient, as it will be rolling out to users over time.
For those with no experience with the Zynga Message Center, this menu will allow you to accept not only the free gifts that your friends have sent to you, but you'll also be able to act on Help Requests - "Can you send me a XX?" - in a much quicker fashion as well.
Unfortunately, accepting a gift in the Zynga Message Center does not remove that request from your Facebook gift requests page, but you can easily go back and hit the "Ignore" button on each of those if you'd like to de-clutter the space.
If you don't have the ZMC in FrontierVille just yet, be patient, as it will be rolling out to users over time.
Social City: Create a home for Santa in the new North Pole District
Attention Mayors! If you're looking for a sure-fire way to put yourself into the Christmas spirit, then check out the newest addition in Social City - the launch of a new free district to players that comes in the form of the North Pole.
Let me say this again, all users now have a new free district to play around in. Not only that, but the land is covered in snow, the starter items are trees that are also covered in the fluffy white stuff, you have a large, literal North Pole surrounded by gifts, and even two Gingerbread Houses that provide residents to your town. What's more, Santa and his troop of reindeer fly through the sky at random - how cool is that!?
Sure, we may be a bit over-excited at the thought of having a Christmas-themed land in Social City, but Playdom must be just as excited, as they have created an entirely new store for the North Pole district, filled with snow covered versions of some of the game's previous items (like the Windmill or Chocolate shop), and all new items, like a Xmas Post Office, Hot Chocolate Shop, and a whole series of snow covered Log Cabins and various Gingerbread-themed goodies.
Don't worry about running out of space up at the North Pole either, as today Playdom announced that they have automatically increased the size of the North Pole district for all players to 27x27 squares, giving you plenty of room for massive snow ball fights, and whatever winter-themed fun you can imagine.
Let me say this again, all users now have a new free district to play around in. Not only that, but the land is covered in snow, the starter items are trees that are also covered in the fluffy white stuff, you have a large, literal North Pole surrounded by gifts, and even two Gingerbread Houses that provide residents to your town. What's more, Santa and his troop of reindeer fly through the sky at random - how cool is that!?
Sure, we may be a bit over-excited at the thought of having a Christmas-themed land in Social City, but Playdom must be just as excited, as they have created an entirely new store for the North Pole district, filled with snow covered versions of some of the game's previous items (like the Windmill or Chocolate shop), and all new items, like a Xmas Post Office, Hot Chocolate Shop, and a whole series of snow covered Log Cabins and various Gingerbread-themed goodies.
Don't worry about running out of space up at the North Pole either, as today Playdom announced that they have automatically increased the size of the North Pole district for all players to 27x27 squares, giving you plenty of room for massive snow ball fights, and whatever winter-themed fun you can imagine.
Social City: Spin to win Christmas items in new raffle
If you're as excited about the new North Pole District in Social City as we are, you're probably looking for any additional ways to add themed items to your winter playground. In comes a new holiday-themed raffle to solve this need, as you now have a chance to add 7 more winter-themed items to your North Pole district, by simply spinning to win.
This newest raffle is available via Featured section of the game's store. It costs 8 City Bucks for each individual spin you'd like to do, and there are six items that can be won, at random, for each spin. As usual, there is no guarantee that you won't land on a duplicate item on subsequent spins, so if you're looking to collect all six, you'll either need to be extremely lucky (to land on each item only once, taking just six spins), or be willing to spend a lot of City Bucks to make sure you get them all.
If you are a lucky player that collects all six items, you'll be rewarded with the grand prize - Santa's Workshop, an incredibly decorated and highly animated leisure item that will add 43,000 Happiness Points to your town.
Just as most raffles are time limited, we're guessing that this raffle will only be around as long as the holidays, so start spinning now for your chance to add some exclusive Christmas spirit to your North Pole!
This newest raffle is available via Featured section of the game's store. It costs 8 City Bucks for each individual spin you'd like to do, and there are six items that can be won, at random, for each spin. As usual, there is no guarantee that you won't land on a duplicate item on subsequent spins, so if you're looking to collect all six, you'll either need to be extremely lucky (to land on each item only once, taking just six spins), or be willing to spend a lot of City Bucks to make sure you get them all.
If you are a lucky player that collects all six items, you'll be rewarded with the grand prize - Santa's Workshop, an incredibly decorated and highly animated leisure item that will add 43,000 Happiness Points to your town.
Just as most raffles are time limited, we're guessing that this raffle will only be around as long as the holidays, so start spinning now for your chance to add some exclusive Christmas spirit to your North Pole!
PetVille: Decorate for the Holiday season with new Season's Greetings collection
If you've been waiting for the Holiday celebration to begin in PetVille, then wait no longer, as Zynga has released what we believe will just be the first of many waves of holiday items in the game.
This first set of items is for decorating the great outdoors. You can pick up a themed wallpaper and flooring (trees and the ground are covered in fluffy white snow), light posts, Winter Cottage buildings, light fixtures (yard ornaments like lighted snow-flakes and trees), decorated Christmas trees, strings of lights, groups of snow covered evergreen trees, a series of adorable snowmen, strands of lights, and more.
Most of the items in this set cost Pet Cash, so I hope you've been saving some in anticipation for such an item release. As of this writing, the Season's Greetings item theme only extends to the outdoor store, but we're guessing it's only a matter of time before the theme explodes into the Furniture, Clothing, and even functional stores as well. We'll be sure to let you know if and when this is the case.
This first set of items is for decorating the great outdoors. You can pick up a themed wallpaper and flooring (trees and the ground are covered in fluffy white snow), light posts, Winter Cottage buildings, light fixtures (yard ornaments like lighted snow-flakes and trees), decorated Christmas trees, strings of lights, groups of snow covered evergreen trees, a series of adorable snowmen, strands of lights, and more.
Most of the items in this set cost Pet Cash, so I hope you've been saving some in anticipation for such an item release. As of this writing, the Season's Greetings item theme only extends to the outdoor store, but we're guessing it's only a matter of time before the theme explodes into the Furniture, Clothing, and even functional stores as well. We'll be sure to let you know if and when this is the case.
FarmVille Candy Cane crop now available to grow for charity
We've been keeping tabs on the new Candy Cane crop in FarmVille over the past few weeks, and are happy to report that the crop is now available to grow in the game!
As we've told you, this crop is a premium crop, that can be grown only by those who purchase a permit to do so. 100% of the proceeds earned through the purchase of permits to grow the Candy Canes will go to support the UCSF Benoiff Children's Hospital.
As with previous charity crops in FarmVille, you can purchase the permit for one of three Farm Cash amounts, depending on how much you'd personally like to donate to the charity. The increments are 25, 55, and a whopping 240 Farm Cash. Regardless of which permit you buy, they will all allow you to receive a 1 week permit to plant as many of these seeds as you wish. The Candy Canes cost 15 coins to plant, and are harvestable for 100 coins a square just four hours later. You'll earn 2 experience points for every square of the Candy Canes that you plant.
The Candy Cane crop can be mastered (you will earn a mastery sign if you do so to three stars - the first star is earned at 500 harvests), and they will never wither, regardless of how long you leave them unattended.
As of this writing, there is no expiration date listed alongside the Candy Canes, in terms of how long you have to purchase the permit from the time of its release. A good guess, though, would be that it will be available to purchase for as long as the holiday celebration lasts in FarmVille, presumably until the end of the year.
As we've told you, this crop is a premium crop, that can be grown only by those who purchase a permit to do so. 100% of the proceeds earned through the purchase of permits to grow the Candy Canes will go to support the UCSF Benoiff Children's Hospital.
As with previous charity crops in FarmVille, you can purchase the permit for one of three Farm Cash amounts, depending on how much you'd personally like to donate to the charity. The increments are 25, 55, and a whopping 240 Farm Cash. Regardless of which permit you buy, they will all allow you to receive a 1 week permit to plant as many of these seeds as you wish. The Candy Canes cost 15 coins to plant, and are harvestable for 100 coins a square just four hours later. You'll earn 2 experience points for every square of the Candy Canes that you plant.
The Candy Cane crop can be mastered (you will earn a mastery sign if you do so to three stars - the first star is earned at 500 harvests), and they will never wither, regardless of how long you leave them unattended.
As of this writing, there is no expiration date listed alongside the Candy Canes, in terms of how long you have to purchase the permit from the time of its release. A good guess, though, would be that it will be available to purchase for as long as the holiday celebration lasts in FarmVille, presumably until the end of the year.
Thứ Hai, 30 tháng 1, 2012
CityVille Collections Guide: Where to find items, and the rewards you'll receive
As most CityVille players have picked up on by now, there is a huge section of CityVille dedicated to the completion of item collections. Similar to the collections found in other Zynga games (FarmVille and FrontierVille, as examples), these collection items can be earned by simply playing the game. Collections are themed, and if you can find all five items in a particular collection in CityVille, you'll be able to trade those items in for a helpful goodie(s) in the game. These prizes can be Experience Points, Energy Refills, or even exclusive items businesses, and houses that can only be earned through trading in collections, among other things.
Meet us behind the break for a complete list of the current collections available in CityVille, including the buildings that you'll need to collect from to earn these items, and the prizes you'll receive if you complete the collections.
Collection items usually have about a 3 percent chance of being dropped when you collect rent from a business or house, or harvest a crop. Of course there are exceptions such as the Danish from the Desserts Collection which has a 13 percent chance of being dropped. We'll go through the collections in the Collections Menu, which can be accessed by clicking on the Present / Cardboard Box icon in the bottom right corner of the CityVille gameplay screen, and clicking on the Gold Collections trophy.
Retail Collection - Earned from Tofu Burger, Grocery Store (City Supermarket), Department Store
Reward: 3 Energy & 25 Goods
Houseware Collection - Earned from Appliance Store
Reward: 50 Coins & 25 Goods
Home Furnishings Collection - Earned from Furniture Store
Reward: 3,000 Coins
Home Entertainment Collection - Earned from Music Store
Reward: 3,000 Coins
Bookworm Collection - Earned from Bookstore
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Peaceful Living Collection - Earned from Cozy Cottage, Lake House, and Country Home
Reward: White Picket Fence (1% Bonus item)
Suburbia Collection - Earned from Family Townhouse, Suburban House
Reward: Red Dog House (1% Bonus item)
Main Street Collection - Earned from Loft Apartments, Stylish Contemporary Home
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
City Life Collection - Earned from Terraced Apartments, Apartment Complex
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Rural Collection - Earned from Newlywed House, Ranch House, Rita's Country Home
Reward: 3 XP & 25 Goods
High Society Collection - Earned from Colonial Chalet, Modern Chateau, Sprawling Mansion
Reward: Driveway Gate (2% Bonus item)
Down Town Collection - Earned from Hotel Suites, Upscale Condos
Reward: Tavern (Building requiring 80 Goods; rewards 352 Coins by default)
Jet Setter Collection - Earned from Skyscraper Condos, Glass Condos, Atrium Lofts, Penthouse Tower
Reward: Tuxedo Rental (Building requiring 125 Goods; rewards 575 coins by default)
Just Desserts Collection - Earned from Bakery
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Garden Collection - Earned from Flower Kiosk
Reward: Purple Flowers (1% Bonus item)
Early Riser Collection - Earned from Coffee Shop, Hot Cocoa Shop
Reward: 3 Energy & 50 Goods
Game Collection - Earned from Toy Store, Video Game Store
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 Energy
Fast Food Collection - Earned from Burger Joint
Reward: Gray Hen (1% Bonus item)
Comfort Food Collection - Earned from Diner
Reward: Hot Dog Cart (1% Bonus item)
Forever Young Collection - Earned from Cosmetic Store
Reward: Pink Flowers (1% Bonus item)
Watering Hole Collection - Earned from Pool Hall, Tavern
Reward: 3 Energy & 3 XP
Fitness Collection - Earned from Bike Shop
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Designer Collection - Earned from Shoe Store, Sunglasses Store, Handbag Store
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
French Cuisine Collection - Earned from French Restaurant
Reward: Bird Fountain (9% Bonus item)
Surf and Turf Collection - Earned from Seafood Restaurant, Tower Eats
Reward: Black Cow (1% Bonus item)
Asian Cuisine Collection - Earned from Sushi Bar
Reward: Japanese Maple Tree (4% Bonus item)
Bridal Collection - Earned from Wedding Store, Tuxedo Rental
Reward: Newlywed House (Home offering 100 Population)
Silver Screen Collection - Earned from Cinema
Reward: Highway Billboard (9% Bonus item)
Convenience Store Collection - Earned from Corner Store
Reward: 3 Energy & 3 XP
Perfect Fit Collection - Earned from Seasonal Clothing Store, Chic Boutique, Laundromat
Reward: 50 Coins & 25 Goods
Bling Collection - Earned from Jewelry Store
Reward: 3,000 Coins
Corn Collection - Earned from Harvesting Corn Crop
Reward: White Goat (1% Bonus item)
Strawberry Collection - Earned from Harvesting Strawberry Crop
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Watermelon Collection - Earned from Harvesting Watermelon Crop
Reward: 3 XP & 25 Goods
Pumpkin Collection - Earned from Harvesting Pumpkin Crop
Reward: 3 XP & 3 Energy
Carrot Collection - Earned from Harvesting Carrot Crop
Reward: Gray Bunny (1% Bonus item)
Wheat Collection - Earned from Harvesting Wheat Crop
Reward: White Chicken (1% Bonus item)
Eggplant Collection - Earned from Harvesting Eggplant Crop
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Pea Collection - Earned from Harvesting Pea Crop
Reward: Corner Store (Building requiring 60 Goods; rewards 270 coins by default)
Cranberry Collection - Earned from Harvesting Cranberry Crop
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Lunar New Year Collection - Earned from Fireworks Shop, Noodle Shop, Martial Arts School (Dojo)
Reward: Country Pagoda
Remember, these collections are subject to change at any time, meaning that you may not always be able to find these items from the listed buildings - they might start randomly appearing from others. If / as things change with these collections, we'll make sure to update this space to ensure that you have the best possible information when trying to complete your own collections in the game. Happy collecting!
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
Meet us behind the break for a complete list of the current collections available in CityVille, including the buildings that you'll need to collect from to earn these items, and the prizes you'll receive if you complete the collections.
Collection items usually have about a 3 percent chance of being dropped when you collect rent from a business or house, or harvest a crop. Of course there are exceptions such as the Danish from the Desserts Collection which has a 13 percent chance of being dropped. We'll go through the collections in the Collections Menu, which can be accessed by clicking on the Present / Cardboard Box icon in the bottom right corner of the CityVille gameplay screen, and clicking on the Gold Collections trophy.
Retail Collection - Earned from Tofu Burger, Grocery Store (City Supermarket), Department Store
Reward: 3 Energy & 25 Goods
Houseware Collection - Earned from Appliance Store
Reward: 50 Coins & 25 Goods
Home Furnishings Collection - Earned from Furniture Store
Reward: 3,000 Coins
Home Entertainment Collection - Earned from Music Store
Reward: 3,000 Coins
Bookworm Collection - Earned from Bookstore
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Peaceful Living Collection - Earned from Cozy Cottage, Lake House, and Country Home
Reward: White Picket Fence (1% Bonus item)
Suburbia Collection - Earned from Family Townhouse, Suburban House
Reward: Red Dog House (1% Bonus item)
Main Street Collection - Earned from Loft Apartments, Stylish Contemporary Home
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
City Life Collection - Earned from Terraced Apartments, Apartment Complex
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Rural Collection - Earned from Newlywed House, Ranch House, Rita's Country Home
Reward: 3 XP & 25 Goods
High Society Collection - Earned from Colonial Chalet, Modern Chateau, Sprawling Mansion
Reward: Driveway Gate (2% Bonus item)
Down Town Collection - Earned from Hotel Suites, Upscale Condos
Reward: Tavern (Building requiring 80 Goods; rewards 352 Coins by default)
Jet Setter Collection - Earned from Skyscraper Condos, Glass Condos, Atrium Lofts, Penthouse Tower
Reward: Tuxedo Rental (Building requiring 125 Goods; rewards 575 coins by default)
Just Desserts Collection - Earned from Bakery
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Garden Collection - Earned from Flower Kiosk
Reward: Purple Flowers (1% Bonus item)
Early Riser Collection - Earned from Coffee Shop, Hot Cocoa Shop
Reward: 3 Energy & 50 Goods
Game Collection - Earned from Toy Store, Video Game Store
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 Energy
Fast Food Collection - Earned from Burger Joint
Reward: Gray Hen (1% Bonus item)
Comfort Food Collection - Earned from Diner
Reward: Hot Dog Cart (1% Bonus item)
Forever Young Collection - Earned from Cosmetic Store
Reward: Pink Flowers (1% Bonus item)
Watering Hole Collection - Earned from Pool Hall, Tavern
Reward: 3 Energy & 3 XP
Fitness Collection - Earned from Bike Shop
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Designer Collection - Earned from Shoe Store, Sunglasses Store, Handbag Store
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
French Cuisine Collection - Earned from French Restaurant
Reward: Bird Fountain (9% Bonus item)
Surf and Turf Collection - Earned from Seafood Restaurant, Tower Eats
Reward: Black Cow (1% Bonus item)
Asian Cuisine Collection - Earned from Sushi Bar
Reward: Japanese Maple Tree (4% Bonus item)
Bridal Collection - Earned from Wedding Store, Tuxedo Rental
Reward: Newlywed House (Home offering 100 Population)
Silver Screen Collection - Earned from Cinema
Reward: Highway Billboard (9% Bonus item)
Convenience Store Collection - Earned from Corner Store
Reward: 3 Energy & 3 XP
Perfect Fit Collection - Earned from Seasonal Clothing Store, Chic Boutique, Laundromat
Reward: 50 Coins & 25 Goods
Bling Collection - Earned from Jewelry Store
Reward: 3,000 Coins
Corn Collection - Earned from Harvesting Corn Crop
Reward: White Goat (1% Bonus item)
Strawberry Collection - Earned from Harvesting Strawberry Crop
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Watermelon Collection - Earned from Harvesting Watermelon Crop
Reward: 3 XP & 25 Goods
Pumpkin Collection - Earned from Harvesting Pumpkin Crop
Reward: 3 XP & 3 Energy
Carrot Collection - Earned from Harvesting Carrot Crop
Reward: Gray Bunny (1% Bonus item)
Wheat Collection - Earned from Harvesting Wheat Crop
Reward: White Chicken (1% Bonus item)
Eggplant Collection - Earned from Harvesting Eggplant Crop
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Pea Collection - Earned from Harvesting Pea Crop
Reward: Corner Store (Building requiring 60 Goods; rewards 270 coins by default)
Cranberry Collection - Earned from Harvesting Cranberry Crop
Reward: 50 Coins & 3 XP
Lunar New Year Collection - Earned from Fireworks Shop, Noodle Shop, Martial Arts School (Dojo)
Reward: Country Pagoda
Remember, these collections are subject to change at any time, meaning that you may not always be able to find these items from the listed buildings - they might start randomly appearing from others. If / as things change with these collections, we'll make sure to update this space to ensure that you have the best possible information when trying to complete your own collections in the game. Happy collecting!
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
FrontierVille glitch rewards mass amounts of random items
This is one glitch we'd actually be ok with accepting in the long-term (or even permanently) in FrontierVille. Over the last few days, we've seen more and more reports from users on the official FrontierVille forums who have received mass quantities of seemingly random objects in their inventory.
At first, we thought perhaps this glitch was just that - a one-off experience from one or two particular players, until we experienced it ourselves. In a particular example on the forums, users are now reporting (complete with screenshots) that their inventory is filled with 440 Dried Fruit, or even 740! For the record, I have 293, also as part of this glitch, so we know these users can't be lying. Dried Fruit was released as part of a 12 Days of Christmas mission in the game, so could this be a new glitch that has come along with this item?
Perhaps that is the case, but that doesn't explain my own particular experience, which has resulted in 121 Ink Wells appearing in my inventory at random. I haven't received these items as a gift (you can see who sent you items via your Gift Box when you login to the game), I didn't ask for them on my wall. One day I had less than ten Ink Wells, and now, as you can see from the image at the top of this post - I have 121. And 68 Chalks to boot!
Where are all of these items coming from? We're not exactly sure at this point, but the items do appear to function as normal all the same. That being the case, if you see a mass amount of a particular item having appeared in your inventory, it might be in your best interest to use all you can before Zynga fixes the glitch and removes the excess items.
At first, we thought perhaps this glitch was just that - a one-off experience from one or two particular players, until we experienced it ourselves. In a particular example on the forums, users are now reporting (complete with screenshots) that their inventory is filled with 440 Dried Fruit, or even 740! For the record, I have 293, also as part of this glitch, so we know these users can't be lying. Dried Fruit was released as part of a 12 Days of Christmas mission in the game, so could this be a new glitch that has come along with this item?
Perhaps that is the case, but that doesn't explain my own particular experience, which has resulted in 121 Ink Wells appearing in my inventory at random. I haven't received these items as a gift (you can see who sent you items via your Gift Box when you login to the game), I didn't ask for them on my wall. One day I had less than ten Ink Wells, and now, as you can see from the image at the top of this post - I have 121. And 68 Chalks to boot!
Where are all of these items coming from? We're not exactly sure at this point, but the items do appear to function as normal all the same. That being the case, if you see a mass amount of a particular item having appeared in your inventory, it might be in your best interest to use all you can before Zynga fixes the glitch and removes the excess items.
FrontierVille Gingerbread House changed - CityVille cross-promo removed
If you're one of the many FrontierVille players that are struggling to finish your Gingerbread House (either the first or the second time), due to a glitch with the CityVille cross promotion that doesn't give you a Chocolate Bar in FrontierVille after finishing the branded CityVille mission, you'll be happy to know that Zynga has listened to your concerns and has removed the CityVille cross-promotion from the Gingerbread House in FrontierVille altogether.
Whether you're on your first or second go around with the Gingerbread House, there are now just two cross-promotional activities that you'll need to take part in: one for Mafia Wars and one for Treasure Isle. To earn the Chocolate Bars, you'll now have to simply click on the "Ask for More" button from within the Gingerbread House's menu. This will allow you to post a news item to your wall, asking friends to send you a Chocolate Bar. This is a "Give one, get one" situation, so your friends will earn a Chocolate Bar in return, if they help you out.
The rest of the Gingerbread House building requirements remain unchanged, but as the cross-promotional links have now been fixed, this is one feature that now looks to be running fairly smoothly, all things considered.
Were you able to finish both rounds of building the Gingerbread House without running into the CityVille problem?
Whether you're on your first or second go around with the Gingerbread House, there are now just two cross-promotional activities that you'll need to take part in: one for Mafia Wars and one for Treasure Isle. To earn the Chocolate Bars, you'll now have to simply click on the "Ask for More" button from within the Gingerbread House's menu. This will allow you to post a news item to your wall, asking friends to send you a Chocolate Bar. This is a "Give one, get one" situation, so your friends will earn a Chocolate Bar in return, if they help you out.
The rest of the Gingerbread House building requirements remain unchanged, but as the cross-promotional links have now been fixed, this is one feature that now looks to be running fairly smoothly, all things considered.
Were you able to finish both rounds of building the Gingerbread House without running into the CityVille problem?
FrontierVille Hilarious Mission Series makes a game of Zynga's game
Bull@%!#
While these missions aren't actually in FrontierVille, you'll probably wish they were after taking a look at a few of them. A friend and fan of FrontierVille Info, Alexander Cain, employed some Photoshop magic to the standard FrontierVille Goal window for some gut-splitting albeit potentially offensive parodies of the game. Take Cain's first mission, "Bull@%!#," for example. It's description reads, "Trying to sort through all of the connection problems, begging requests, missed quests, crashes and overpriced decorations is sure a load of you-know-what! See if you can come up with a load of you-know-what on your own!"
To complete the Goal, you would fittingly enough have to collect 10 Meadow Muffins, sell 20 Adult Oxen and buy 10 Shovels. Another funny Mission, titled "Quit Arson Around," is described as, "Suspicious fires have been popping up all around your frontier lately; no one seems to know who is responsible. Maybe if you bought more Horseshoes, these things wouldn't happen." Thankfully, Zynga isn't that vindictive, but if they were at least we happen to have the tools to put them out.
Some of the more potentially offensive Missions include "Alone at Last," which reads, "A nice neighbor has taken the kids off your hands for the evening, leaving just you and your spouse. Search your homestead and your heart for some appropriate items for both fun AND pleasure," and "Cruci-fix'un!" We'll leave that last Goal to your imaginations, but check out the original post for even better laughs.
While these missions aren't actually in FrontierVille, you'll probably wish they were after taking a look at a few of them. A friend and fan of FrontierVille Info, Alexander Cain, employed some Photoshop magic to the standard FrontierVille Goal window for some gut-splitting albeit potentially offensive parodies of the game. Take Cain's first mission, "Bull@%!#," for example. It's description reads, "Trying to sort through all of the connection problems, begging requests, missed quests, crashes and overpriced decorations is sure a load of you-know-what! See if you can come up with a load of you-know-what on your own!"
To complete the Goal, you would fittingly enough have to collect 10 Meadow Muffins, sell 20 Adult Oxen and buy 10 Shovels. Another funny Mission, titled "Quit Arson Around," is described as, "Suspicious fires have been popping up all around your frontier lately; no one seems to know who is responsible. Maybe if you bought more Horseshoes, these things wouldn't happen." Thankfully, Zynga isn't that vindictive, but if they were at least we happen to have the tools to put them out.
Some of the more potentially offensive Missions include "Alone at Last," which reads, "A nice neighbor has taken the kids off your hands for the evening, leaving just you and your spouse. Search your homestead and your heart for some appropriate items for both fun AND pleasure," and "Cruci-fix'un!" We'll leave that last Goal to your imaginations, but check out the original post for even better laughs.
Mafia Wars 50,000 Feet Mission: Everything you need to know
While Challenge Missions in Mafia Wars normally take us to new locales, the sixth mission in the series, "50,000 Feet," will take us mobsters far above any location we've ever been to. This new Mission spanning three Chapters will only be around for another five days, so you better get to hijacking those planes and those three new Mastery items before you're out of time. And we want to help make that happen.
Check behind the break for our detailed guide on how to finish 50,000 Feet within the next 120 hours.
50,000 Feet Home Screen
To access this special event, find it under the Travel drop down box as if you're traveling to another location. This is where you can always find the Mission should you have to close the game. Thankfully, 50,000 Feet doesn't require players to recruit a new member to start the event nor is each Chapter locked behind a timer--just complete the first Chapter to access the next.
Reserve ChuteLike other Challenge Missions, a special item will be required to complete each job, which in this case is the Reserve Chute. You can collect up to 12 Reserve Chutes right from the Mission menu every 12 hours (depending on what Chapter you're on), but you'll probably need more sources of this item if you want to finish in time considering a total of 311 Reserve Chutes are required to finish the Mission. While it's not required, you'll be granted three extra Reserve Chutes for recruiting a new mafia member up to seven slots available. Better yet, Reserve Chutes are available in the Free Gifts page, so send away to complete these Jobs in good time.
Again, there is a Job Heat Meter that will increase as you complete Jobs, but unlike other Challenge Missions, this meter will only increase the Energy required to complete each Job and not the amount of Reserve Chutes needed. The Job Heat Meter will reset every eight hours , but don't push it--the meter will rest back to eight hours if you do a Job before it resets completely.
Mach-4 Halo Wingsuit Laser Rifle Prototype
Mastering each Job in a Chapter will reward players with one Skill Point and mastering all three will unlock the coveted Mastery Item. Here are all three Mastery Items for Chapters One, Two and Three:
Chapter 1: Mach-4 (Attack 66 Defense 48)
Chapter 2: HALO Wingsuit (Attack 88 Defense 51)
Chapter 3: Laser Rifle Prototype (Attack 114 Defense 63)
And there you have it. Since recruiting new players has been seriously downplayed this time around, gifting is essentially the fastest way to get this Challenge Mission completed in time. However, don't ignore the seven available Recruit slots as that's also a good source of 21 more Reserve Chutes. So, get back to gifting, respect that Job Heat Meter and you should nab that Laser Rifle Prototype in no time. Well, at least in five days, right?
Check behind the break for our detailed guide on how to finish 50,000 Feet within the next 120 hours.
50,000 Feet Home Screen
To access this special event, find it under the Travel drop down box as if you're traveling to another location. This is where you can always find the Mission should you have to close the game. Thankfully, 50,000 Feet doesn't require players to recruit a new member to start the event nor is each Chapter locked behind a timer--just complete the first Chapter to access the next.
Reserve ChuteLike other Challenge Missions, a special item will be required to complete each job, which in this case is the Reserve Chute. You can collect up to 12 Reserve Chutes right from the Mission menu every 12 hours (depending on what Chapter you're on), but you'll probably need more sources of this item if you want to finish in time considering a total of 311 Reserve Chutes are required to finish the Mission. While it's not required, you'll be granted three extra Reserve Chutes for recruiting a new mafia member up to seven slots available. Better yet, Reserve Chutes are available in the Free Gifts page, so send away to complete these Jobs in good time.
Again, there is a Job Heat Meter that will increase as you complete Jobs, but unlike other Challenge Missions, this meter will only increase the Energy required to complete each Job and not the amount of Reserve Chutes needed. The Job Heat Meter will reset every eight hours , but don't push it--the meter will rest back to eight hours if you do a Job before it resets completely.
Mach-4 Halo Wingsuit Laser Rifle Prototype
Mastering each Job in a Chapter will reward players with one Skill Point and mastering all three will unlock the coveted Mastery Item. Here are all three Mastery Items for Chapters One, Two and Three:
Chapter 1: Mach-4 (Attack 66 Defense 48)
Chapter 2: HALO Wingsuit (Attack 88 Defense 51)
Chapter 3: Laser Rifle Prototype (Attack 114 Defense 63)
And there you have it. Since recruiting new players has been seriously downplayed this time around, gifting is essentially the fastest way to get this Challenge Mission completed in time. However, don't ignore the seven available Recruit slots as that's also a good source of 21 more Reserve Chutes. So, get back to gifting, respect that Job Heat Meter and you should nab that Laser Rifle Prototype in no time. Well, at least in five days, right?
Thứ Tư, 11 tháng 1, 2012
Even with a Pokemon iPhone game, Nintendo still isn't cool with mobile
This whole ground-breaking, free Pokemon iPhone and Android game business? Fuhgettaboutit. Well, Nintendo shut that up real quick, didn't it? Bloomberg reports that the stubborn traditional game creator is still not interested in mobile or social games, and that it's strategy to develop games only for its platforms "hasn't changed and won't change," Yasuhiro Minagawa, a spokesman for the Kyoto-based company poised to release its Wii U system, told Bloomberg by phone.
So, how did the Pokemon mobile game, Pokemon Say Tap, get the green light? According to Kotaku, Nintendo only owns 32 percent of the Pokemon Brand, the rest of which presumably owned by developer Game Freak.
Since Nintendo doesn't hold majority rule over Pokemon, it can't dictate where the brand goes, regardless of whether Pokemon has been faithful to the company from the start. Nintendo seems to want fans (and investors) to see this as merely a rare occurrence, and none of Nintendo's in-house brands will leave its consoles.
While the company is interested in opening up its 3DS and later its Wii U console to social channels, Nintendo's relationship with social stops there. So, can this be the final word on Nintendo and mobile/social, or more appropriately free?
So, how did the Pokemon mobile game, Pokemon Say Tap, get the green light? According to Kotaku, Nintendo only owns 32 percent of the Pokemon Brand, the rest of which presumably owned by developer Game Freak.
Since Nintendo doesn't hold majority rule over Pokemon, it can't dictate where the brand goes, regardless of whether Pokemon has been faithful to the company from the start. Nintendo seems to want fans (and investors) to see this as merely a rare occurrence, and none of Nintendo's in-house brands will leave its consoles.
While the company is interested in opening up its 3DS and later its Wii U console to social channels, Nintendo's relationship with social stops there. So, can this be the final word on Nintendo and mobile/social, or more appropriately free?
CivWorld is live on Facebook now, if you want a real challenge
But remember to wait at least a half hour before you dive in. Wait, that's swimming, but it kind of still applies with a Facebook game this massive and ambitious. Developer Firaxis Games has unleashed CivWorld on the Facebook game world in an open beta. And you're invited to join in on the frantic, fraternal fun.
The game, revealed earlier this year and detailed in two preview videos by Firaxis, looks to be as close to the original as possible. Which could be a good or a bad thing, depending on who you talk to.
Of course, the game has several social features that you've come to love (or hate). However, the game operates in real time and requires some serious collaboration, which may or may not be too demanding for "casual" social gamers. We have our full impressions incoming, but check out the game for yourself while you wait.
The game, revealed earlier this year and detailed in two preview videos by Firaxis, looks to be as close to the original as possible. Which could be a good or a bad thing, depending on who you talk to.
Of course, the game has several social features that you've come to love (or hate). However, the game operates in real time and requires some serious collaboration, which may or may not be too demanding for "casual" social gamers. We have our full impressions incoming, but check out the game for yourself while you wait.
Shocker: Games are most popular apps on iPhone, Android devices
Seriously, what did you expect it be--apps for communicating with people? Please, this is 2011. Nielsen has found in a study that mobile games are the most popularly used apps on mobile devices like iPhones and Android phones.
According to the study, 64 percent of mobile folks have played games on their smartphone in the past 30 days. But what will make the industry folks absolutely salivate is that, according to Nielsen, app downloaders are most willing to pay for games than any other type of app.
If you're EA or Zynga, you've already wiped the drool off of the keyboard--though it is interesting that, as screen size gets smaller, gamers seem more willing to pay, no?
A whopping 93 percent of app downloaders would pay for games, and that's directly inverse with the supposed 1 to 3 percent that pays within social games. No wonder Zynga has released two mobile games, Hanging with Friends and CityVille Hometown, in just under two months.
Nielsen mobile gaming
The thing is, nowhere in this study are in-game, or in-app, transactions mentioned, which are quickly becoming the lynch pin in mobile game creators' strategies. For instance, Capcom launched Smurfs Village for free on iPhone with micro-transactions, and the game has made money like gangbusters ... perhaps too well. At any rate, don't look at your bulky laptop to see of the future of gaming--it's happening in your pocket right now.
According to the study, 64 percent of mobile folks have played games on their smartphone in the past 30 days. But what will make the industry folks absolutely salivate is that, according to Nielsen, app downloaders are most willing to pay for games than any other type of app.
If you're EA or Zynga, you've already wiped the drool off of the keyboard--though it is interesting that, as screen size gets smaller, gamers seem more willing to pay, no?
A whopping 93 percent of app downloaders would pay for games, and that's directly inverse with the supposed 1 to 3 percent that pays within social games. No wonder Zynga has released two mobile games, Hanging with Friends and CityVille Hometown, in just under two months.
Nielsen mobile gaming
The thing is, nowhere in this study are in-game, or in-app, transactions mentioned, which are quickly becoming the lynch pin in mobile game creators' strategies. For instance, Capcom launched Smurfs Village for free on iPhone with micro-transactions, and the game has made money like gangbusters ... perhaps too well. At any rate, don't look at your bulky laptop to see of the future of gaming--it's happening in your pocket right now.
Facebook gives in to Consumer Watchdog over Credits ... sort of
Consumer Watchdog has a bit of bite to that bark, after all. Facebook has changed its Facebook Credits terms oh-so-slightly after the non-profit consumer interest group called the company out on violating anti-trust laws last week, according to a press release.
Of course, Watchdog sniffed Facebook out as soon as Credits became the only official currency on Facebook last week. Both of Watchdog's formal attacks show that it isn't terribly pleased with how Facebook is essentially caging its developers by controlling how they price virtual goods on other platforms.
But now, Facebook has downgraded that ball and chain from steel to copper with its single revised line in its developer terms. The revised line reads, "You may not charge a logged-in Facebook user of your game app on Facebook a higher price in Credits for an item, virtual currency, or service than you would charge a logged-in Facebook user on another platform or service via another payment method."
Sure, Facebook has changed the terms of its, um, terms, but has merely taken an implicit limitation and transformed it into an implied one. Developers can undercut Facebook all they want on other platforms, but those games better not use Facebook Connect. Funny thing--that's where all of the players are.
It almost goes without saying that Watchdog is still calling for the Federal Trade Commission to intervene. At this point, developers' only hope of avoiding Facebooks' reportedly dastardly policies is for Google Games (and its rumored 20 percent cut) to take off in a big, big way. Like ... 250 million players big.
Of course, Watchdog sniffed Facebook out as soon as Credits became the only official currency on Facebook last week. Both of Watchdog's formal attacks show that it isn't terribly pleased with how Facebook is essentially caging its developers by controlling how they price virtual goods on other platforms.
But now, Facebook has downgraded that ball and chain from steel to copper with its single revised line in its developer terms. The revised line reads, "You may not charge a logged-in Facebook user of your game app on Facebook a higher price in Credits for an item, virtual currency, or service than you would charge a logged-in Facebook user on another platform or service via another payment method."
Sure, Facebook has changed the terms of its, um, terms, but has merely taken an implicit limitation and transformed it into an implied one. Developers can undercut Facebook all they want on other platforms, but those games better not use Facebook Connect. Funny thing--that's where all of the players are.
It almost goes without saying that Watchdog is still calling for the Federal Trade Commission to intervene. At this point, developers' only hope of avoiding Facebooks' reportedly dastardly policies is for Google Games (and its rumored 20 percent cut) to take off in a big, big way. Like ... 250 million players big.
Eminem has a Facebook game--way to keep it gangsta, Slim Shady
Aspiring thugs, the new way to show you're 100 percent gangsta has arrived: Eminem has launched his very own Facebook game. Titled Bad Meets Evil to match the name of Eminem's side project, the game is designed to promote Hell: The Sequel, a recently released EP by the duo.
But what you get is the rappers essentially shouting obscenities in your ear as you stab random passerby on your journey to Hell. That's the goal: to become so evil you reach the fiery pits of Hades. (This ought to be fun.)
Well, that and to get you hyped enough about Eminem to buy his new EP from iTunes. At any rate, the game operates like your standard fare with an energy resource that depletes as you search for Skulls, the game's primary currency, to kill random fellows walking down the street.
This increases your level and access to new weapons and gear with Cash, the game's standard currency. However, fighting your friends and random computer-controlled characters (asynchronously, of course) costs Skulls that can only be filled with Facebook Credits or by using more Energy to search through objects.
Bad Meets Evil Combat
It should go without saying, but to cover our bases, this game is absolutely NSFW for more reasons than we can count. Honestly, the number one reason Bad Meets Evil is NSFW is because we can't possibly think of ways for you to explain when your boss walks by and notices that your screen reads, "Shank that motherfucker!"
While highly interactive with its own battle system, featuring fully customizable characters and smooth animations by developer Grab Games, Bad Meets Evil appears to be more of a set piece for Eminem and his music than anything else. In fact, almost every environment within the game has a video screen that can play either promotional content or Eminem's music videos. So, if you want to hear some of Eminem's new tracks while stabbing a few dudes, give it a go, I guess.
But what you get is the rappers essentially shouting obscenities in your ear as you stab random passerby on your journey to Hell. That's the goal: to become so evil you reach the fiery pits of Hades. (This ought to be fun.)
Well, that and to get you hyped enough about Eminem to buy his new EP from iTunes. At any rate, the game operates like your standard fare with an energy resource that depletes as you search for Skulls, the game's primary currency, to kill random fellows walking down the street.
This increases your level and access to new weapons and gear with Cash, the game's standard currency. However, fighting your friends and random computer-controlled characters (asynchronously, of course) costs Skulls that can only be filled with Facebook Credits or by using more Energy to search through objects.
Bad Meets Evil Combat
It should go without saying, but to cover our bases, this game is absolutely NSFW for more reasons than we can count. Honestly, the number one reason Bad Meets Evil is NSFW is because we can't possibly think of ways for you to explain when your boss walks by and notices that your screen reads, "Shank that motherfucker!"
While highly interactive with its own battle system, featuring fully customizable characters and smooth animations by developer Grab Games, Bad Meets Evil appears to be more of a set piece for Eminem and his music than anything else. In fact, almost every environment within the game has a video screen that can play either promotional content or Eminem's music videos. So, if you want to hear some of Eminem's new tracks while stabbing a few dudes, give it a go, I guess.
Thứ Ba, 10 tháng 1, 2012
Google axes Slide, takes many Facebook games down with it
In a bit of a scandalous move, Google has announced that many (OK, almost all) of Slide's products--including many Facebook games and applications--will be shut down over the coming months. Google purchased Slide, the company behind Superpoke!, last August for $182 million, but now, they've dropped the hammer on the company.
The reasoning? It apparently all boils down to the fact that Max Levchin, the founder and CEO of Slide, has decided to leave Slide and Google altogether. If the reasoning goes deeper than that, we've yet to see that announced.
As reported by TechCrunch, most of Slide's specific employees will stay on at Google, but all of their products, save for one, will close. In terms of Facebook applications, this includes apps like SuperPoke! (one of the original truly popular social applications), SuperPoke! Pets (the company's pet care-taking sim) and SPP Ranch!, a game that had what I would argue are some of the cutest graphics in a social game to date.
When adding in Slide's other Facebook applications, we're left with a figure of around 460,000 monthly active users, according to AppData. But that arguably low number still doesn't make this news any less of a disappointment to those who remember just how popular SuperPoke! was back in the day. It also doesn't include the users that may not have used Facebook Connect to sign up for games like SPP Ranch! and SuperPoke! Pets that are now hosted outside of Facebook proper.
Outside of the Facebook game arena, this announcement also shutters the new photo-sharing iPhone application Photovine, which launched just last week. This leaves us to believe that there might be something more cryptic to the Slide closure than Max Levchin leaving, but that we'll probably never know for sure. With the closure of of Slide, we've certainly reached the end of an era, and I, for one, will be sad to see the adorable SuperPoke! sheep go.
The reasoning? It apparently all boils down to the fact that Max Levchin, the founder and CEO of Slide, has decided to leave Slide and Google altogether. If the reasoning goes deeper than that, we've yet to see that announced.
As reported by TechCrunch, most of Slide's specific employees will stay on at Google, but all of their products, save for one, will close. In terms of Facebook applications, this includes apps like SuperPoke! (one of the original truly popular social applications), SuperPoke! Pets (the company's pet care-taking sim) and SPP Ranch!, a game that had what I would argue are some of the cutest graphics in a social game to date.
When adding in Slide's other Facebook applications, we're left with a figure of around 460,000 monthly active users, according to AppData. But that arguably low number still doesn't make this news any less of a disappointment to those who remember just how popular SuperPoke! was back in the day. It also doesn't include the users that may not have used Facebook Connect to sign up for games like SPP Ranch! and SuperPoke! Pets that are now hosted outside of Facebook proper.
Outside of the Facebook game arena, this announcement also shutters the new photo-sharing iPhone application Photovine, which launched just last week. This leaves us to believe that there might be something more cryptic to the Slide closure than Max Levchin leaving, but that we'll probably never know for sure. With the closure of of Slide, we've certainly reached the end of an era, and I, for one, will be sad to see the adorable SuperPoke! sheep go.
Watch out, Zynga: EA's The Sims Social is gaining on you ... and fast
Is that a drop of sweat we see on Zynga's brow? EA and Playfish's The Sims Social is already growing faster than one of the FarmVille creator's most popular games, The Pioneer Trail. Since its "open beta" release a little over two weeks ago, the game has amassed over 6 million daily players, according to AppData. That's 2 million more than Zynga's aforementioned expansion to FrontierVille, and less than 900,000 below the company's fourth-largest game, Empires & Allies.
At this rate, The Sims Social could surpass the mighty CityVille in daily players sometime in September, according to Mashable. While the game didn't explode as quickly as, say, E&A did during its June launch, these numbers are unprecedented for a non-Zynga game. The Sims Social's astronomical growth is even more significant considering the game suffered performance and connection issues right out of the gate, which would spell death for any other Facebook game.
But it seems EA nailed the dismount, and is now poised to turn The Sims Social into Facebook's most popular game. Leave it to a property like The Sims to threaten Zynga's Facebook throne, as no other type of Facebook game has come as close.
Gallery: The Sims Social on Facebook
However, it looks like the social game behemoth might already have a retaliation in the works, as the company recently registered a domain with the word "FamilyVille" in it. But regardless of how popular this rumored game becomes, it's still not The Sims. In the Facebook Thunderdome, two developers enter, one developer leaves.
At this rate, The Sims Social could surpass the mighty CityVille in daily players sometime in September, according to Mashable. While the game didn't explode as quickly as, say, E&A did during its June launch, these numbers are unprecedented for a non-Zynga game. The Sims Social's astronomical growth is even more significant considering the game suffered performance and connection issues right out of the gate, which would spell death for any other Facebook game.
But it seems EA nailed the dismount, and is now poised to turn The Sims Social into Facebook's most popular game. Leave it to a property like The Sims to threaten Zynga's Facebook throne, as no other type of Facebook game has come as close.
Gallery: The Sims Social on Facebook
However, it looks like the social game behemoth might already have a retaliation in the works, as the company recently registered a domain with the word "FamilyVille" in it. But regardless of how popular this rumored game becomes, it's still not The Sims. In the Facebook Thunderdome, two developers enter, one developer leaves.
Zynga CEO tightens reigns on IPO with 70 times more voting power
Zynga CEO Mark Pincus (pictured) likes his four-year-old company just the way it is, and he's going to keep it that way. Bloomberg reports that the FarmVille creator's board has approved a new stock structure with three levels of voting power. More specifically, the change grants Pincus 70 votes per share he owns, 10 votes per share for early investors and just 1 vote for whomever buys shares once the company opens itself up to the market.
This effectively gives Pincus the final say in where the company goes during future shareholder meetings. And that's even with the tiny 16 percent of the company he owns (though, is the largest share). Lise Buyer, principal at Portola Valley, Calif.-based IPO advisory firm Class V Group, told Bloomberg that the unprecedented move may be to keep too much voting power from early shareholding employees. (Very sneaky, sis.)
"Maybe there are so many early employees that even 10-to-1 would put the ultimate decision power in the hands of too large a group of employees or investors," she told Bloomberg. Current shareholders must agree to the change by Sept. 2 and, if approved, the new structure--which even massive, publicly-traded companies like Google don't have--would go into effect along with the imminent initial public offering.
"Zynga is holding the trump card here in that they do not need the IPO," research director at New York-based GreenCrest Capital Management LLC Nitsan Hargil told Bloomberg. "This is the kind of company that the market needs more than it needs the market." In other words, the ball is in Zynga's court, and will continue to stay there even after folks like you and I can buy stake in the company. Smooth moves, Zynga.
This effectively gives Pincus the final say in where the company goes during future shareholder meetings. And that's even with the tiny 16 percent of the company he owns (though, is the largest share). Lise Buyer, principal at Portola Valley, Calif.-based IPO advisory firm Class V Group, told Bloomberg that the unprecedented move may be to keep too much voting power from early shareholding employees. (Very sneaky, sis.)
"Maybe there are so many early employees that even 10-to-1 would put the ultimate decision power in the hands of too large a group of employees or investors," she told Bloomberg. Current shareholders must agree to the change by Sept. 2 and, if approved, the new structure--which even massive, publicly-traded companies like Google don't have--would go into effect along with the imminent initial public offering.
"Zynga is holding the trump card here in that they do not need the IPO," research director at New York-based GreenCrest Capital Management LLC Nitsan Hargil told Bloomberg. "This is the kind of company that the market needs more than it needs the market." In other words, the ball is in Zynga's court, and will continue to stay there even after folks like you and I can buy stake in the company. Smooth moves, Zynga.
Zynga shows mad StarCraft 2 skills in the After Hours Gaming League
Maybe it was all that time spent working on Empires & Allies, huh? Zynga showed that it can hang with the hardcore gamers after all, as it placed second to Microsoft in the After Hours Gaming League (AHGL). The AHGL is a new, recurring nine-week long StarCraft 2 tournament in which teams comprised of staffers at eight major tech companies go head-to-head for charity.
Representing one of the company's long time charity partners, Save the Children, Zynga ended the epic tournament with five wins and two losses. However, it unfortunately couldn't best Team Microsoft's seven-nothing winning streak. Regardless, Team Zynga showed that while its company makes some of the most accessible games around, at least some of its staff has major gamer cred.
The other companies represented in the AHGL include Google, Amazon, Twitter, Dropbox, Facebook and Yelp ... most of which did terribly. But hey, not everyone can be awesome at hotkey management and clicking things really, really fast.
The AHGL is returning this fall for season two, and we can't wait to see if Zynga finally snags that number one spot and gets to donate $5,000 to Save the Children (they did get ping pong paddles...). Until then, the team better practice upping its actions per minute. Check out the awards ceremony below, and watch the matches between Team Microsoft and Team Zynga right here.
Representing one of the company's long time charity partners, Save the Children, Zynga ended the epic tournament with five wins and two losses. However, it unfortunately couldn't best Team Microsoft's seven-nothing winning streak. Regardless, Team Zynga showed that while its company makes some of the most accessible games around, at least some of its staff has major gamer cred.
The other companies represented in the AHGL include Google, Amazon, Twitter, Dropbox, Facebook and Yelp ... most of which did terribly. But hey, not everyone can be awesome at hotkey management and clicking things really, really fast.
The AHGL is returning this fall for season two, and we can't wait to see if Zynga finally snags that number one spot and gets to donate $5,000 to Save the Children (they did get ping pong paddles...). Until then, the team better practice upping its actions per minute. Check out the awards ceremony below, and watch the matches between Team Microsoft and Team Zynga right here.
Facebook wants its games selection to match consoles' variety
And they're getting mighty close. During an interview with MCV, Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan said, "There is a range of sophisticated games we want to get on our platform." He's referring to the fact that there is simply more of a variety of games on consoles when compared to Facebook. To him, Facebook doesn't have that wide selection because, as a games platform, it's only 3 and a half years old.
"We are a pure platform – we don't invest in games or make them," Ryan said to MCV. "But we ask ourselves how we can make games like a football manager title rise up and become a success." When asked about whether this would harm larger traditional game firms, he said to MCV that this is a chance to reach bigger audiences with high-end games. Um, does this mean we'll see Halo soon on the old Facebook?
"Our aim is to have more people playing on Facebook or via games on consoles using the Social Graph," Ryan said. "There is no question the hours spent on Facebook have to come from somewhere and that may mean eating into other traditional gaming areas." OK, so maybe not on Facebook ... but so close!
However, we've already seen full 3D graphics on Facebook in its early stages. It's also important to consider that we already have made game types that dominate the console space--shooters like N.O.V.A. and RPGs like King's Bounty--work on Facebook. These changes are already in motion.
Ryan and crew might have big ambitions for Facebook when it comes to games, but so does another massive web company. And based on Ryan's recent words in regards to Google+ Games, Facebook is ready to defend its position. Not to mention those recent changes--neat-o, huh?
"We are a pure platform – we don't invest in games or make them," Ryan said to MCV. "But we ask ourselves how we can make games like a football manager title rise up and become a success." When asked about whether this would harm larger traditional game firms, he said to MCV that this is a chance to reach bigger audiences with high-end games. Um, does this mean we'll see Halo soon on the old Facebook?
"Our aim is to have more people playing on Facebook or via games on consoles using the Social Graph," Ryan said. "There is no question the hours spent on Facebook have to come from somewhere and that may mean eating into other traditional gaming areas." OK, so maybe not on Facebook ... but so close!
However, we've already seen full 3D graphics on Facebook in its early stages. It's also important to consider that we already have made game types that dominate the console space--shooters like N.O.V.A. and RPGs like King's Bounty--work on Facebook. These changes are already in motion.
Ryan and crew might have big ambitions for Facebook when it comes to games, but so does another massive web company. And based on Ryan's recent words in regards to Google+ Games, Facebook is ready to defend its position. Not to mention those recent changes--neat-o, huh?
Thứ Hai, 9 tháng 1, 2012
Playdom's Ben Liu discusses City of Wonder's future through Colonies [Interview]
The Sea Colony
By now, a good amount of players have already journeyed into the new Colonies expansion in City of Wonder. Playdom's most recent content update for the game contains a ton of new features, but what does it all mean? We recently chatted with City of Wonder's executive producer Ben Liu to find out exactly what Colonies is all about. From brand new combat statistics to what this expansion implies for the future of the game, Liu had plenty to say about the new direction for City of Wonder.
What was the process like in arriving at the idea of Colonies for the next content update to City of Wonder?
Keeping with the idea of the game, which is to build your civilization and advance it through time, I think it was really [logical] for us to imagine the fans would want to take their civilizations and expand them to new worlds. It's something that's very consistent with what happened in history as well. Naturally, we looked at what the English did and what great empires like the Romans did. So, we definitely took that as inspiration.
Find the rest of our interview behind the break.
Build the Great Boat
What can players expect to see in this expansion aside from new buildings and technologies?
For the first time, players are going to have access to sea tiles. So, they have a small land area-basically about one fourth of the area of their new colony-and then access to three fourths of the area, which is basically sea. For the first time they'll be able to place not just land-based buildings but docks, boats, islands. We even have a school of dolphins, a blue whale-we have sea creatures that you can place as well.
We also made a change to the PvP (player vs. player) aspect of the game, which is the encounter system. You can do military encounters, cultural exchanges and trades just as you can do in the main city, but now there is a new statistic called naval power. Investing in buildings, ships and other structures with great naval power will improve your encounters with other civilizations.
So, these new islands and sea creatures that you can place on the sea tiles: How will they play into management?
It's similar to managing structures inland. Just like you have Goods buildings on land we also have things like a coconut grove that you can place on water that you'll be able to harvest coconuts from it and basically use that to generate-another thing I forgot to mention is that we have a new currency system. There's a new currency called Sand Dollars and you'll have to use these new structures to generate Sand Dollars to grow your colony.
You mentioned earlier combat changes with the new naval power statistic. How will that change the combat dynamic that's now just about Attack and Defense?
We got a lot of feedback from our fans that they love the current combat mechanic, so we didn't want to make a dramatic change to it. It's basically a bonus multiplier. The more naval power you have it will give you a bonus on top your core Attack and Defense. It will basically multiply your base stats to see how strong your place is in the colony.
We also made another slight tweak to the calculation. In your colony, land is more limited and the nature of encounters between civilizations is changing. So, instead of taking an aggregate of everything that's in your civilization we have a "Best Of." So, your best four buildings or ships will compete with the "Best Of" other civilizations.
And what becomes of those lesser items?
Because everything in your colony has naval power, they still play a factor, but they're less important than your four best.
Great Boat Help
I guess colonies will be the logical progression for the game. So, do you think Colonies will be the basis for future expansions with more territories to explore?
The new plans aren't public yet, but this first colony is a sea-based colony. And when you unlock it, you will a larger map with different territories and you'll see plots for future colonies. I think the current idea is to have different themes and different gameplay in each of these colonies. This is the first of much larger kinds of expansion and many more colonies for your civilization in the future.
How do you think Colonies will change the overall gameplay dynamic of City of Wonder? Will players approach the game differently given new content to explore and later manage?
I think so, because it really changes it from managing one city to managing an empire, a collection of territories and cities. So, it goes from a game that's about managing your great capital through time to managing your empire and civilizations through multiple territories.
By now, a good amount of players have already journeyed into the new Colonies expansion in City of Wonder. Playdom's most recent content update for the game contains a ton of new features, but what does it all mean? We recently chatted with City of Wonder's executive producer Ben Liu to find out exactly what Colonies is all about. From brand new combat statistics to what this expansion implies for the future of the game, Liu had plenty to say about the new direction for City of Wonder.
What was the process like in arriving at the idea of Colonies for the next content update to City of Wonder?
Keeping with the idea of the game, which is to build your civilization and advance it through time, I think it was really [logical] for us to imagine the fans would want to take their civilizations and expand them to new worlds. It's something that's very consistent with what happened in history as well. Naturally, we looked at what the English did and what great empires like the Romans did. So, we definitely took that as inspiration.
Find the rest of our interview behind the break.
Build the Great Boat
What can players expect to see in this expansion aside from new buildings and technologies?
For the first time, players are going to have access to sea tiles. So, they have a small land area-basically about one fourth of the area of their new colony-and then access to three fourths of the area, which is basically sea. For the first time they'll be able to place not just land-based buildings but docks, boats, islands. We even have a school of dolphins, a blue whale-we have sea creatures that you can place as well.
We also made a change to the PvP (player vs. player) aspect of the game, which is the encounter system. You can do military encounters, cultural exchanges and trades just as you can do in the main city, but now there is a new statistic called naval power. Investing in buildings, ships and other structures with great naval power will improve your encounters with other civilizations.
So, these new islands and sea creatures that you can place on the sea tiles: How will they play into management?
It's similar to managing structures inland. Just like you have Goods buildings on land we also have things like a coconut grove that you can place on water that you'll be able to harvest coconuts from it and basically use that to generate-another thing I forgot to mention is that we have a new currency system. There's a new currency called Sand Dollars and you'll have to use these new structures to generate Sand Dollars to grow your colony.
You mentioned earlier combat changes with the new naval power statistic. How will that change the combat dynamic that's now just about Attack and Defense?
We got a lot of feedback from our fans that they love the current combat mechanic, so we didn't want to make a dramatic change to it. It's basically a bonus multiplier. The more naval power you have it will give you a bonus on top your core Attack and Defense. It will basically multiply your base stats to see how strong your place is in the colony.
We also made another slight tweak to the calculation. In your colony, land is more limited and the nature of encounters between civilizations is changing. So, instead of taking an aggregate of everything that's in your civilization we have a "Best Of." So, your best four buildings or ships will compete with the "Best Of" other civilizations.
And what becomes of those lesser items?
Because everything in your colony has naval power, they still play a factor, but they're less important than your four best.
Great Boat Help
I guess colonies will be the logical progression for the game. So, do you think Colonies will be the basis for future expansions with more territories to explore?
The new plans aren't public yet, but this first colony is a sea-based colony. And when you unlock it, you will a larger map with different territories and you'll see plots for future colonies. I think the current idea is to have different themes and different gameplay in each of these colonies. This is the first of much larger kinds of expansion and many more colonies for your civilization in the future.
How do you think Colonies will change the overall gameplay dynamic of City of Wonder? Will players approach the game differently given new content to explore and later manage?
I think so, because it really changes it from managing one city to managing an empire, a collection of territories and cities. So, it goes from a game that's about managing your great capital through time to managing your empire and civilizations through multiple territories.
EA Sports PGA Tour Golf Challenge is a hole in one (after a few tries)
Sports games on Facebook are nothing new. Last year alone saw two sports games release from EA with FIFA Superstars and Madden NFL Superstars, but EA Sports PGA Tour Golf Challenge (we'll call it 'PGA Tour' for short) is a whole different type of sports game on the platform. It's far more literal than those before it, but plainly speaking, this is golf on Facebook. This is not some interpretation of the sport tailored to the social gaming audience--though, it is in the ways that matter. Nor is this game a lag-ridden, isometric Flash-based rendition of put-put. EA Sports PGA Tour Golf Challenge is the social extension of the company's PGA Tour franchise. And it cleans up good.
Find our detailed impressions after the break.
PGA Tour Scenery
Instantly upon loading the game, you'll notice that PGA Tour is a full 3D game thanks to the Unity Engine, which EA also used to develop Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online. Expect plenty more developers to hop on the Unity band wagon, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. PGA Tour looks incredible, but that's far from what makes this game. Achieving 3D gaming on Facebook has allowed EA to make few gameplay compromises with PGA Tour--it plays almost exactly like the series does on consoles. Though, there is plenty of streamlining to best fit the game for its audience.
Players start the game in a tutorial that trains them how to aim their shots, swing and apply spin to the ball. Coming from someone who doesn't swing a golf club unless he is surrounded by goofy wooden obstacles and waterfalls, EA makes it all fairly easy to understand. But boy, can this game be frustrating, which is an expected response when you're trained to expect instant results after clicking things arbitrarily. PGA Tour is simple to understand, but requires a good amount of accuracy and skill to come out of holes under par.
PGA Tour swing
The entire game is controlled simply through the mouse; click to aim shots, to swing and apply spin to the ball by clicking and dragging. The most difficult aspect of the game by far is aiming shots against wind patterns, which change in real time. You will more often than not overshoot the ball at first, compensating for wind that might not be as strong when the ball is hurling toward the hole. Some may say this somewhat random factor is unfair, but its realism cannot be denied. And while you have the option to change your driver, iron or putter of choice, the game automatically chooses the best option based on where your aiming.
In true social game fashion, your time spent playing daily will be limited by two factors. First, you will only be given so many shots daily to be used in the game's several play modes, which replenish over time. Think of your shots as Energy in games like FrontierVille. Second, PGA Tour takes a cue from EA's previous sports titles on Facebook with Training. This percentage will drop with each hole you complete in all gameplay modes and as it decreases so does your performance. Playing as close to 100 percent trained at all times is ideal, but impractical. That's why there are several training times that can be scheduled around your time away from the game. By the way, they can both be expedited through Golf Cash, the paid currency in PGA Tour.
Spin the ball
Through both coins and Golf Cash, players can outfit their golfer with new outfits, but more importantly new clubs that all have a set duration of a certain number of shots. Obviously, this is designed to get you to repeatedly visit the Pro Shop where you can also find special golf balls that boost spin, aiming, power and more. Does the game give an advantage to those who pay? Of course, but how many social games are there that don't (and are popular)?
What matters to most social gamers is the gameplay considering only a percentage of players actually buy items. And you can expect quite a display from PGA Tour. While the game will grate on the nerves of many a social gamer, that's likely because we're simply not used to many games that require focus and skill aside from a few gems. Even if you're not a golf fan it's worth it to give PGA Tour a go just for a glimpse of what's to come on the platform: deeper games.
Find our detailed impressions after the break.
PGA Tour Scenery
Instantly upon loading the game, you'll notice that PGA Tour is a full 3D game thanks to the Unity Engine, which EA also used to develop Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online. Expect plenty more developers to hop on the Unity band wagon, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. PGA Tour looks incredible, but that's far from what makes this game. Achieving 3D gaming on Facebook has allowed EA to make few gameplay compromises with PGA Tour--it plays almost exactly like the series does on consoles. Though, there is plenty of streamlining to best fit the game for its audience.
Players start the game in a tutorial that trains them how to aim their shots, swing and apply spin to the ball. Coming from someone who doesn't swing a golf club unless he is surrounded by goofy wooden obstacles and waterfalls, EA makes it all fairly easy to understand. But boy, can this game be frustrating, which is an expected response when you're trained to expect instant results after clicking things arbitrarily. PGA Tour is simple to understand, but requires a good amount of accuracy and skill to come out of holes under par.
PGA Tour swing
The entire game is controlled simply through the mouse; click to aim shots, to swing and apply spin to the ball by clicking and dragging. The most difficult aspect of the game by far is aiming shots against wind patterns, which change in real time. You will more often than not overshoot the ball at first, compensating for wind that might not be as strong when the ball is hurling toward the hole. Some may say this somewhat random factor is unfair, but its realism cannot be denied. And while you have the option to change your driver, iron or putter of choice, the game automatically chooses the best option based on where your aiming.
In true social game fashion, your time spent playing daily will be limited by two factors. First, you will only be given so many shots daily to be used in the game's several play modes, which replenish over time. Think of your shots as Energy in games like FrontierVille. Second, PGA Tour takes a cue from EA's previous sports titles on Facebook with Training. This percentage will drop with each hole you complete in all gameplay modes and as it decreases so does your performance. Playing as close to 100 percent trained at all times is ideal, but impractical. That's why there are several training times that can be scheduled around your time away from the game. By the way, they can both be expedited through Golf Cash, the paid currency in PGA Tour.
Spin the ball
Through both coins and Golf Cash, players can outfit their golfer with new outfits, but more importantly new clubs that all have a set duration of a certain number of shots. Obviously, this is designed to get you to repeatedly visit the Pro Shop where you can also find special golf balls that boost spin, aiming, power and more. Does the game give an advantage to those who pay? Of course, but how many social games are there that don't (and are popular)?
What matters to most social gamers is the gameplay considering only a percentage of players actually buy items. And you can expect quite a display from PGA Tour. While the game will grate on the nerves of many a social gamer, that's likely because we're simply not used to many games that require focus and skill aside from a few gems. Even if you're not a golf fan it's worth it to give PGA Tour a go just for a glimpse of what's to come on the platform: deeper games.
Mafia Wars' Trader Goh's Pawn Shop: Everything you need to know
Trader Goh's
How many useless items do you guesstimate you have in your Inventory on Mafia Wars? For many players in the 100s it could very well be past one thousand. Thankfully, Zynga realized this and has introduced a new feature to the game: Trader Goh's Pawn Shop. Found in the Marketplace and slowly being rolled out to everyone, Trader Goh (get it?) will take your old, rusted items and give you some shiny new weapons, armor, vehicles and animals.
Interested yet? Then join us behind the break to find out how it works.
Choose your items
After Level 20, players will have access to the Pawn Shop. Once there, you'll be able to scroll through several items that have already been made available through the shop. If you're willing to make a trade for an item, you'll need to choose items of matching quality and quantity. For instance, here I'm trading for a Man Opener, a weapon with 63 Attack and 40 Defense. In order to make a fair trade, I'll need to give up two items of Common quality (Gray) and one Uncommon item (Green), so I choose the Lucky Shamrock Medallion, a .22 Pistol and a Luxury Yacht.
Make the trade
However, every trade includes a Reward Point transaction fee dependent upon the , which is certainly a bummer for those who don't pay to play. Though, if you've yet to buy an item thus far and are already a high level player, you've surely accumulated enough Reward Points to make at least a few trades. And for those who just want some item fast, all of these items are available for straight Reward Points.
And the new item is yours
After clicking the "Make the Trade" button, those old busted items are destroyed, I'm one Reward Point poorer but one item richer. Just like that, I can tell all my friends that I made a trade. Many are going to cringe at the growing Reward Point transaction fee. This could have easily been one helluva feature, but to force players to pay up when they're already giving up items might be asking too much. Hey, at least it beats paying in full. Right?
How many useless items do you guesstimate you have in your Inventory on Mafia Wars? For many players in the 100s it could very well be past one thousand. Thankfully, Zynga realized this and has introduced a new feature to the game: Trader Goh's Pawn Shop. Found in the Marketplace and slowly being rolled out to everyone, Trader Goh (get it?) will take your old, rusted items and give you some shiny new weapons, armor, vehicles and animals.
Interested yet? Then join us behind the break to find out how it works.
Choose your items
After Level 20, players will have access to the Pawn Shop. Once there, you'll be able to scroll through several items that have already been made available through the shop. If you're willing to make a trade for an item, you'll need to choose items of matching quality and quantity. For instance, here I'm trading for a Man Opener, a weapon with 63 Attack and 40 Defense. In order to make a fair trade, I'll need to give up two items of Common quality (Gray) and one Uncommon item (Green), so I choose the Lucky Shamrock Medallion, a .22 Pistol and a Luxury Yacht.
Make the trade
However, every trade includes a Reward Point transaction fee dependent upon the , which is certainly a bummer for those who don't pay to play. Though, if you've yet to buy an item thus far and are already a high level player, you've surely accumulated enough Reward Points to make at least a few trades. And for those who just want some item fast, all of these items are available for straight Reward Points.
And the new item is yours
After clicking the "Make the Trade" button, those old busted items are destroyed, I'm one Reward Point poorer but one item richer. Just like that, I can tell all my friends that I made a trade. Many are going to cringe at the growing Reward Point transaction fee. This could have easily been one helluva feature, but to force players to pay up when they're already giving up items might be asking too much. Hey, at least it beats paying in full. Right?
Digital Chocolate launches Millionaire City & MMA Pro Fighter on Android
If you can't get enough of Facebook games Millionaire City (the second fastest growing game of last year, according to the company) or MMA Pro Fighter, and you happen to own an Android device, you can now play both games on said Android devices, as Digital Chocolate has today announced the launch of both titles on the Android Platform.
Both games are available to download exclusively via GetJar, the largest open app store around, and of course, both are free, just as they are online if you were to play through Facebook. Also, you can use Facebook Connect to find your friends that play the game, and add more social features to what might otherwise be a completely solo experience.
COO of Digital Chocolate, Jason Loia, says that bringing the company's games to Android "made a lot of sense," as the platform is growing. As for the decision to launch the games via GetJar, rather than the traditional Android Market, Loia had this to say (via a company press release):
We decided to launch our games on GetJar because of their proven ability to market apps and games to consumers, their understanding of the space and their willingness to work closely with publishers to build awareness of their content.
We'll be sure to let you know if and when Digital Chocolate brings more of their games to either the iPhone or Android platforms, so keep checking back with us.
Both games are available to download exclusively via GetJar, the largest open app store around, and of course, both are free, just as they are online if you were to play through Facebook. Also, you can use Facebook Connect to find your friends that play the game, and add more social features to what might otherwise be a completely solo experience.
COO of Digital Chocolate, Jason Loia, says that bringing the company's games to Android "made a lot of sense," as the platform is growing. As for the decision to launch the games via GetJar, rather than the traditional Android Market, Loia had this to say (via a company press release):
We decided to launch our games on GetJar because of their proven ability to market apps and games to consumers, their understanding of the space and their willingness to work closely with publishers to build awareness of their content.
We'll be sure to let you know if and when Digital Chocolate brings more of their games to either the iPhone or Android platforms, so keep checking back with us.
Head into the virtual kitchen with Cooking Mama on Facebook
I'm about to have a bit of a fan girl fit here (forgive me), but one of my favorite Nintendo DS game series is now available to play on Facebook. Arkadium, Majesco, and Cooking Mama Ltd have all partnered to bring Cooking Mama to Facebook as an in-depth experience, rather than just a standard mini-game title.
Sure, there are plenty of mini-games here to participate in, but the game is more complex than your standard handheld game. You won't just be completing mini-games by cooking dishes for the sake of cooking dishes, as you'll have customers that will order certain food dishes, and you'll need to take care of their needs and desires.
Meet us behind the break for a look at how you can fulfill your customers' orders, and how this online version of the game differs from those you've seen on other platforms.
For the overall scheme of gameplay, you'll need to use ingredients to cook dishes. Cooking dishes is a mini-game situation, where you'll find yourself spreading butter onto toast (click on the button and click and drag to spread it on the bread), chopping cheese or vegetables (click on the dotted line), and more. You'll be scored at the end of each step, with some recipes requiring a number of steps to be completed, based on their complexity.
As our example with the Buttered Toast, this would only require one step, as the toast has already been cooked and all you have to do is spread the butter. For something like a Grilled Cheese Sandwich, however, you'll first need to chop slices off of a block of cheese, and then physically grill the sandwich by moving your mouse back and forth to move the sandwich around the frying pan, and then flipping the sandwich over (so it doesn't burn) by flicking your mouse upwards.
After each step, you'll be scored on your accuracy (whether or not you burned the sandwich, to continue with our above example), and you'll earn experience points at the end of the dish, based on your scores. Once you've cooked a dish through these mini-games, you'll be able to serve them in your make-shift restaurant. In this comes the timed element to the game. You'll be able to choose how long you'd like to serve a dish, based on how long you'd like to be away from the game. Since we're talking about food, there is a "real-world" element in terms of spoilage, which makes the longer time frames worth less money (in the grand scheme of things), as the food would be of a lesser quality by the time the serving time frame ended. That is, you'll earn more coins overall if you come back every half hour, rather than waiting a few hours, but of course, this isn't realistic for the working individual.
As you level up, you'll be able to add more and more dishes to your menu, to be served at once, resulting in more profits and experience points when you return after your shift is over. These profits can be used either to purchase more ingredients, allowing you to cook more dishes, or to purchase decorative items like more cabinets, bread baskets, hanging pans, etc. to your kitchen, which is viewed at the top of the screen.
There are also quests to complete in the game, like serving a particular dish for a specific amount of time, or even adding decorations to your kitchen. Completing quests earns you coins and experience points, with these coins being used to purchase the ingredients necessary to cook more dishes.
As if all of this didn't give you enough to work on, as you level up, you'll unlock new dishes, and you can then upgrade those dishes by cooking them subsequent times (using more ingredients to do so). Not only will you earn points overall for cooking dishes, but each dish itself has an experience point bar. Simply cook the dish repeatedly to fill the bar, and the dish will level up.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to cook dishes indefinitely, as there is an Energy bar that uses up energy when you cook. For the first few levels, this isn't really an issue, as you'll level up quick enough to refill your energy bar during one sitting. However, in later levels, it might impact your progress while you wait for the bar to refill.
Technically, this is one of the cutest, most polished games we've seen, taking its graphical theme straight from the Nintendo DS game that started it all - meaning that you'll see more bright or pastel colors and shiny stars and glitter animations in the game than you can shake a stick at. Not the most masculine of themes, to be fair, but the gameplay is a solid transition, from what we can tell from our hands-on time with the game.
If you've liked the Cooking Mama games released on the Nintendo DS or Wii in the past, and want to continue the cooking fun on Facebook, the game is now open to play for everyone.
Sure, there are plenty of mini-games here to participate in, but the game is more complex than your standard handheld game. You won't just be completing mini-games by cooking dishes for the sake of cooking dishes, as you'll have customers that will order certain food dishes, and you'll need to take care of their needs and desires.
Meet us behind the break for a look at how you can fulfill your customers' orders, and how this online version of the game differs from those you've seen on other platforms.
For the overall scheme of gameplay, you'll need to use ingredients to cook dishes. Cooking dishes is a mini-game situation, where you'll find yourself spreading butter onto toast (click on the button and click and drag to spread it on the bread), chopping cheese or vegetables (click on the dotted line), and more. You'll be scored at the end of each step, with some recipes requiring a number of steps to be completed, based on their complexity.
As our example with the Buttered Toast, this would only require one step, as the toast has already been cooked and all you have to do is spread the butter. For something like a Grilled Cheese Sandwich, however, you'll first need to chop slices off of a block of cheese, and then physically grill the sandwich by moving your mouse back and forth to move the sandwich around the frying pan, and then flipping the sandwich over (so it doesn't burn) by flicking your mouse upwards.
After each step, you'll be scored on your accuracy (whether or not you burned the sandwich, to continue with our above example), and you'll earn experience points at the end of the dish, based on your scores. Once you've cooked a dish through these mini-games, you'll be able to serve them in your make-shift restaurant. In this comes the timed element to the game. You'll be able to choose how long you'd like to serve a dish, based on how long you'd like to be away from the game. Since we're talking about food, there is a "real-world" element in terms of spoilage, which makes the longer time frames worth less money (in the grand scheme of things), as the food would be of a lesser quality by the time the serving time frame ended. That is, you'll earn more coins overall if you come back every half hour, rather than waiting a few hours, but of course, this isn't realistic for the working individual.
As you level up, you'll be able to add more and more dishes to your menu, to be served at once, resulting in more profits and experience points when you return after your shift is over. These profits can be used either to purchase more ingredients, allowing you to cook more dishes, or to purchase decorative items like more cabinets, bread baskets, hanging pans, etc. to your kitchen, which is viewed at the top of the screen.
There are also quests to complete in the game, like serving a particular dish for a specific amount of time, or even adding decorations to your kitchen. Completing quests earns you coins and experience points, with these coins being used to purchase the ingredients necessary to cook more dishes.
As if all of this didn't give you enough to work on, as you level up, you'll unlock new dishes, and you can then upgrade those dishes by cooking them subsequent times (using more ingredients to do so). Not only will you earn points overall for cooking dishes, but each dish itself has an experience point bar. Simply cook the dish repeatedly to fill the bar, and the dish will level up.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to cook dishes indefinitely, as there is an Energy bar that uses up energy when you cook. For the first few levels, this isn't really an issue, as you'll level up quick enough to refill your energy bar during one sitting. However, in later levels, it might impact your progress while you wait for the bar to refill.
Technically, this is one of the cutest, most polished games we've seen, taking its graphical theme straight from the Nintendo DS game that started it all - meaning that you'll see more bright or pastel colors and shiny stars and glitter animations in the game than you can shake a stick at. Not the most masculine of themes, to be fair, but the gameplay is a solid transition, from what we can tell from our hands-on time with the game.
If you've liked the Cooking Mama games released on the Nintendo DS or Wii in the past, and want to continue the cooking fun on Facebook, the game is now open to play for everyone.
Thứ Bảy, 7 tháng 1, 2012
Game of the Day: Fishdom Frosty Splash
The game of the day takes us under the sea. Fishdom: Frosty Splash is Fishdom for the winter with a colorful Match 3 experience to turn your tank into a winter wonderland. Create a sparkling aquarium filled with snowmen, candy canes and penguins by using your matching skills to flip over tiles. The quicker you are, the more money you can earn to visit the shop!
Click here to play Fishdom: Frosty Splash
Important side note: Just by playing The Game of the Day you will be entered into a monthly drawing to win a FlipCam HD. You don't need to do anything else, just play! The more you play, the more chances you have to win. For more information on the Game of Day check out the official Game of the Day hub.
Click here to play Fishdom: Frosty Splash
Important side note: Just by playing The Game of the Day you will be entered into a monthly drawing to win a FlipCam HD. You don't need to do anything else, just play! The more you play, the more chances you have to win. For more information on the Game of Day check out the official Game of the Day hub.
Picture of the Day: Tdk's Valentine's Day Farm
Folks, we've been showing off some seriously impressive FarmVille Valentine's Day farm art over the last few days, but Tdk from the FarmVille Forums, is sure to up the ante once again.
Glance at this farm and you'll first see a massive heart. Sure that's impressive, but we've seen people do that before. But then you look around and realize, goodness me! the entire farm is a Valentine's Day themed optical illusion of height and magic. There are walls, pyramids, all kinds of goodies in Tdk's farm. There are even hearts inside the hay bale walls. Tdk, you have some serious farm art skills. It's as if the artist took Cupid's Castle and turned it into Cupid's Kingdom!
farmville valentine's day farm art tdk farmville valentine's day farm art tdk
Here's what Tdk had to say about the farm:
What inspired your great Valentine's Day farm design?
Valentine's Day (of course!).
Do you have any awesome decorating tips to share?
Just look on the web and try everything. You need to have patience. Try lots of things, you never know what may work.
How did you create the wonderful crop and hay bale art?
I used roses.
How did you go about making the heart or the optical illusion walls? Was it difficult?
No it was not difficult, I just tried it first before I put it out. The other thing that helps me is graph paper, the farm is nothing but a giant graph.
How long did it take you to complete the design?
It took me about 12 hours
What do you guys think of this awesome Valentine's Day farm?
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day 2011 coverage right here.
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to be considered for Pic of the Day, please email it to editors@games.com, Include the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
Glance at this farm and you'll first see a massive heart. Sure that's impressive, but we've seen people do that before. But then you look around and realize, goodness me! the entire farm is a Valentine's Day themed optical illusion of height and magic. There are walls, pyramids, all kinds of goodies in Tdk's farm. There are even hearts inside the hay bale walls. Tdk, you have some serious farm art skills. It's as if the artist took Cupid's Castle and turned it into Cupid's Kingdom!
farmville valentine's day farm art tdk farmville valentine's day farm art tdk
Here's what Tdk had to say about the farm:
What inspired your great Valentine's Day farm design?
Valentine's Day (of course!).
Do you have any awesome decorating tips to share?
Just look on the web and try everything. You need to have patience. Try lots of things, you never know what may work.
How did you create the wonderful crop and hay bale art?
I used roses.
How did you go about making the heart or the optical illusion walls? Was it difficult?
No it was not difficult, I just tried it first before I put it out. The other thing that helps me is graph paper, the farm is nothing but a giant graph.
How long did it take you to complete the design?
It took me about 12 hours
What do you guys think of this awesome Valentine's Day farm?
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day 2011 coverage right here.
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to be considered for Pic of the Day, please email it to editors@games.com, Include the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
FarmVille Anti-Valentine Decorations: Broken Heart Home, Barbed Heart, and more
Remember back in the middle of January, when Zynga asked users what they thought about potentially having an Anti-Valentine's Day theme of items in FarmVille? While the majority of this month's festivities have been about celebrating the light and cheery side of love, Zynga has come through with their impromptu suggestion of releasing Anti-Valentine's Day items in the game, as they have released a whole set of decorations in tonight's update.
The first item is actually a building, which comes with one of the best animations I've seen in the game. It is the Broken Heart Home, and it is available for 18 Farm Cash. This is a fairly large item, both in terms of its base size and its height, as a dark rain cloud hovers over the home, sending a never-ending rain-shower onto the home below. The home is also decorated as its name suggests - as a broken heart with a crack down the center - so if you're single this Valentine's Day, or just appreciate the darker theme of this item, make sure to give it a look.
As for the new purely decorative items, there are five to choose from, with one in particular bordering on being Anti- or Pro- Valentine's Day. That item is the Valentine Willow, an animated purple tree that drops hearts from its branches. Again, this is only a decorative tree - it can't be harvested from, so don't purchase this one if you are expecting to make a profit out of it. Adding a Valentine Willow to your farm will cost 6 Farm Cash.
The other decorative items are more decidedly Anti-Valentine's Day, and come in the form of two topiaries - a Barbed Heart and a Dark Heart - a Black Rose Arch, and a Heart Broken Gnome. For those that were playing the game around Halloween of 2010, you'll recognize this Black Rose Arch as an item that was released in the game last October. The price has remained the same over its relatively short absence from the game, as you can pick one up for 10,000 coins. The Barbed Heart and Dark Heart topiaries also cost 10,000 coins each, and will reward you with 100 XP for purchasing them.
Finally, the Heart Broken Gnome is another premium item, only being available for 15 Farm Cash. For that price, you'll be able to add this sad little fella to your gnome collection, as he stands with a broken box of chocolates and wilted flowers.
All of these Anti-Valentine's Day items will be available in the game for the next two weeks, giving you plenty of time to celebrate your hatred of this admittedly mushy holiday on your farm.
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Will you purchase any of these items to celebrate your single-status this Valentine's Day?
The first item is actually a building, which comes with one of the best animations I've seen in the game. It is the Broken Heart Home, and it is available for 18 Farm Cash. This is a fairly large item, both in terms of its base size and its height, as a dark rain cloud hovers over the home, sending a never-ending rain-shower onto the home below. The home is also decorated as its name suggests - as a broken heart with a crack down the center - so if you're single this Valentine's Day, or just appreciate the darker theme of this item, make sure to give it a look.
As for the new purely decorative items, there are five to choose from, with one in particular bordering on being Anti- or Pro- Valentine's Day. That item is the Valentine Willow, an animated purple tree that drops hearts from its branches. Again, this is only a decorative tree - it can't be harvested from, so don't purchase this one if you are expecting to make a profit out of it. Adding a Valentine Willow to your farm will cost 6 Farm Cash.
The other decorative items are more decidedly Anti-Valentine's Day, and come in the form of two topiaries - a Barbed Heart and a Dark Heart - a Black Rose Arch, and a Heart Broken Gnome. For those that were playing the game around Halloween of 2010, you'll recognize this Black Rose Arch as an item that was released in the game last October. The price has remained the same over its relatively short absence from the game, as you can pick one up for 10,000 coins. The Barbed Heart and Dark Heart topiaries also cost 10,000 coins each, and will reward you with 100 XP for purchasing them.
Finally, the Heart Broken Gnome is another premium item, only being available for 15 Farm Cash. For that price, you'll be able to add this sad little fella to your gnome collection, as he stands with a broken box of chocolates and wilted flowers.
All of these Anti-Valentine's Day items will be available in the game for the next two weeks, giving you plenty of time to celebrate your hatred of this admittedly mushy holiday on your farm.
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Will you purchase any of these items to celebrate your single-status this Valentine's Day?
FarmVille Anti-Valentine Animals: Skunk, Black Cherry Horse, Black Cherry Foal
Continuing in FarmVille's short Anti-Valentine's Day theme, we see the release of three new animals in the game this evening. Two of these animals are available to purchase in the store, and come in the form of a Skunk and a Black Cherry Horse.
If you're looking to celebrate your single-status this Valentine's Day, we can't think of a better way to keep your friends away from you than to have a Skunk on your farm. You can purchase one for 16 Farm Cash. Skunks are available to harvest every two days, and you'll receive 90 coins when doing so. You'll earn 1600 experience points for purchasing the Skunk. It should be noted that the Skunk was released previously in the game as a Mystery Game item, so don't be alarmed if it looks familiar.
Meanwhile, the Black Cherry Horse will be an expensive addition to your horse collection, as it costs 26 Farm Cash. As with other horses, the Black Cherry variety can be harvested every three days, and you'll gain 140 coins when doing so. The Black Cherry Horse can be placed inside your Horse Stable, and if combined with a Stallion (either wandering or permanent), you'll have a chance to breed a matching Black Cherry Foal.
Personally, we think the Black Cherry Horse is pretty enough to not need hiding after Valentine's Day has come and past, but we'll leave that up to you.
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day coverage right here.
Will you purchase either of these Anti-Valentine animals? Is it because they are simply pretty, or do you like what the theme represents?
If you're looking to celebrate your single-status this Valentine's Day, we can't think of a better way to keep your friends away from you than to have a Skunk on your farm. You can purchase one for 16 Farm Cash. Skunks are available to harvest every two days, and you'll receive 90 coins when doing so. You'll earn 1600 experience points for purchasing the Skunk. It should be noted that the Skunk was released previously in the game as a Mystery Game item, so don't be alarmed if it looks familiar.
Meanwhile, the Black Cherry Horse will be an expensive addition to your horse collection, as it costs 26 Farm Cash. As with other horses, the Black Cherry variety can be harvested every three days, and you'll gain 140 coins when doing so. The Black Cherry Horse can be placed inside your Horse Stable, and if combined with a Stallion (either wandering or permanent), you'll have a chance to breed a matching Black Cherry Foal.
Personally, we think the Black Cherry Horse is pretty enough to not need hiding after Valentine's Day has come and past, but we'll leave that up to you.
Check out the rest of our Valentine's Day coverage right here.
Will you purchase either of these Anti-Valentine animals? Is it because they are simply pretty, or do you like what the theme represents?
Thứ Sáu, 6 tháng 1, 2012
FarmVille St. Patrick's Day Avatar Clothing: Shamrock Hat & Leprechaun Costume
Looking to take your St. Patrick's Day celebration in FarmVille one step further? Just in time for the holiday itself, Zynga has released two new clothing items with which you can deck out your in-game avatar. While you can purchase each of these items separately, they do compliment each other to form a complete outfit.
The Shamrock Hat costs 5 Farm Cash while a full Leprechaun Costume costs 10 Farm Cash. For those looking to shop on a budget, you'll find that the Shamrock Hat is large enough in scale to show off your enthusiasm without breaking the bank, but if you'd like to splurge on both, you can definitely do that too.
Should you want to carry the festivities on into the future, you'll be able to purchase both of these items for the next two weeks, in order to stock up for a great costume for next year. Just don't expect either of these items to really boost your experience point total, as you'll only gain 175-350 points, depending on the item you purchase.
Check out the rest of our St. Patrick's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Will you purchase either of these items for your avatar, or would you have preferred that Zynga released them earlier in the month to get more use out of them?
The Shamrock Hat costs 5 Farm Cash while a full Leprechaun Costume costs 10 Farm Cash. For those looking to shop on a budget, you'll find that the Shamrock Hat is large enough in scale to show off your enthusiasm without breaking the bank, but if you'd like to splurge on both, you can definitely do that too.
Should you want to carry the festivities on into the future, you'll be able to purchase both of these items for the next two weeks, in order to stock up for a great costume for next year. Just don't expect either of these items to really boost your experience point total, as you'll only gain 175-350 points, depending on the item you purchase.
Check out the rest of our St. Patrick's Day 2011 coverage right here.
Will you purchase either of these items for your avatar, or would you have preferred that Zynga released them earlier in the month to get more use out of them?
Game of the Day: Gold Miner Vegas
The Game of the Day to let you know, what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Vegas.Gold Miner Vegas The Gold Miner is taking his dream to the modern-day mother lode. Can you get your bearded friend all the way to golden streets of Las Vegas? By hook or by crook, grab as much gold as you can and advance!
Click --> play Gold Miner Vegas
Important side note: Just by playing The Game of the Day you will be entered into a monthly drawing to win a FlipCam HD. You don't need to do anything else, just play! The more you play, the more chances you have to win. For more information on the Game of Day check out the official Game of the Day hub.
Click --> play Gold Miner Vegas
Important side note: Just by playing The Game of the Day you will be entered into a monthly drawing to win a FlipCam HD. You don't need to do anything else, just play! The more you play, the more chances you have to win. For more information on the Game of Day check out the official Game of the Day hub.
CityVille Dance Studio Goals: Everything you need to know
Even though we're in the middle of St. Patrick's Day, new Goals have arrived in CityVille surrounding two brand new buildings: The Dance Studio and Fine Arts Theatre. Alexi, a Russian dance instructor, has emigrated from his homeland to CityVille (which we should assume is in the US?) and needs your help to get his famous Dance Studio back in gear and bring some culture to your city. We have the details behind the break, but keep in mind that this is mostly early information. Some bits of information, like rewards, are unavailable.
Alexi Goals
Dance in the City (Part 1):
Have 4 Modern Chateaus
Get 3 Pairs of Ballet Shoes
Gather 3 CD Players
Modern Chateaus are available in the Market for 1,500 coins, but is only available after completing "The Burger Joint," a Goal in which players complete the Burger Joint business and unlock the Modern Chateau. It takes only 3 Energy to construct and provides 60 population. The Pairs of Ballet Shoes are a friend request item, so just ask away from the Goal's menu. Finally, CD Players are part of the Main Street Collection and drop at random when collecting from the Loft Apartments and Stylish Contemporary homes. The Fine Arts Theatre will unlock as your reward, which costs a whopping 14 thousand coins and allows for 370 more Population.
Fine Arts TheatreFine Arts Theatre (Part 2):
Have one Fine Arts Theatre
Collect from any Fine Arts Theatre twice
Supply your Franchises twice
Since the Fine Arts Theatre unlocked as a reward for completing the first Goal, this one should be easy as pie. Just build up that Theatre, which we're sure involves staffing like all community buildings. Then, collect from it twice and supply your Franchises in the mean time. On average, community buildings will take one day before being open to collection again, so this Goal will take you at least two days.
Find Lost Luggage (Part 3):
Have 7 Leotards
Collect from Cosmetic Stores 10 times
Have 2 Street Clocks
The seven Leotards will come from asking your friends through the Goal menu. The Cosmetic Store is a Business that I can't imagine many players having. So, if you're one of them, the building costs 1,900 coins and takes 3 Energy to build. Street Clocks are Free Gift decorations, so throw them on your Wish List and send friends some so that they might return the favor.
Dance StudioBallet to Stay (Part 4):
Place one Dance Studio
Collect from Dance Studio 5 times
Send 40 Tour Buses
We imagine that because this Goal requires you to construct the Dance Studio that the reward for the third Goal is unlocking the Dance Studio. Regardless, the building costs 5,300 coins and earns 528 coins for every 120 Goods supplied. Then, you'll have to collect from this Business five times--the more Population you have, the faster you can collect from Businesses. Finally, you must send 40 Tour Buses to your friends, meaning that you have to visit them and tend to their Businesses rather than tending crops or collecting from homes. With that, these Goals are finished and you have two brand new buildings.
[Sources: CityVille Goals and Tutorials XO]
[Image Credit: CityVille Feed]
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
Have you completed any of these Goals yet? What tips do you have for completing these Goals any faster?
Alexi Goals
Dance in the City (Part 1):
Have 4 Modern Chateaus
Get 3 Pairs of Ballet Shoes
Gather 3 CD Players
Modern Chateaus are available in the Market for 1,500 coins, but is only available after completing "The Burger Joint," a Goal in which players complete the Burger Joint business and unlock the Modern Chateau. It takes only 3 Energy to construct and provides 60 population. The Pairs of Ballet Shoes are a friend request item, so just ask away from the Goal's menu. Finally, CD Players are part of the Main Street Collection and drop at random when collecting from the Loft Apartments and Stylish Contemporary homes. The Fine Arts Theatre will unlock as your reward, which costs a whopping 14 thousand coins and allows for 370 more Population.
Fine Arts TheatreFine Arts Theatre (Part 2):
Have one Fine Arts Theatre
Collect from any Fine Arts Theatre twice
Supply your Franchises twice
Since the Fine Arts Theatre unlocked as a reward for completing the first Goal, this one should be easy as pie. Just build up that Theatre, which we're sure involves staffing like all community buildings. Then, collect from it twice and supply your Franchises in the mean time. On average, community buildings will take one day before being open to collection again, so this Goal will take you at least two days.
Find Lost Luggage (Part 3):
Have 7 Leotards
Collect from Cosmetic Stores 10 times
Have 2 Street Clocks
The seven Leotards will come from asking your friends through the Goal menu. The Cosmetic Store is a Business that I can't imagine many players having. So, if you're one of them, the building costs 1,900 coins and takes 3 Energy to build. Street Clocks are Free Gift decorations, so throw them on your Wish List and send friends some so that they might return the favor.
Dance StudioBallet to Stay (Part 4):
Place one Dance Studio
Collect from Dance Studio 5 times
Send 40 Tour Buses
We imagine that because this Goal requires you to construct the Dance Studio that the reward for the third Goal is unlocking the Dance Studio. Regardless, the building costs 5,300 coins and earns 528 coins for every 120 Goods supplied. Then, you'll have to collect from this Business five times--the more Population you have, the faster you can collect from Businesses. Finally, you must send 40 Tour Buses to your friends, meaning that you have to visit them and tend to their Businesses rather than tending crops or collecting from homes. With that, these Goals are finished and you have two brand new buildings.
[Sources: CityVille Goals and Tutorials XO]
[Image Credit: CityVille Feed]
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
Have you completed any of these Goals yet? What tips do you have for completing these Goals any faster?
FarmVille English Countryside Cheats and Tips: Working two farms
Sheep Breeding and rebuilding an entire farm are two of the most important and potentially complicated features in FarmVille's first expansion, the English Countryside. However, many might have forgotten one important fact: You'll now own two farms, and your old farm isn't necessarily going away. So, here are some pointers for how Zynga has resolved the issue with having two farms and how you'll have to handle it.
1. Only one farm will be "Active" at a time
We know, that's terribly confusing. How can one farm just go "inactive" while the other presses on? Would the crops I plant in FarmVille just grow and ripen as I work in EC? The answer is no. Zynga must have thought that keeping track of two farms at once would have been too much, so it forced the two games to be even further linked. The moment you log into the new expansion for the first time, your original farm will essentially freeze in time.
For instance, if you plant Strawberries in your old farm and then log right into your farm in EC, your Strawberries will not grow for as long as you're in that farm. In fact, even when you log out of your EC farm those Strawberries in your old farm will still not grow. It's not until you log into that farm again that the game's timers will start to tick again. This works to your advantage, really, as all timers will stop on the farm that's inactive including wither and pet hunger. To recap: Only the farm you most recently worked in will be active, meaning that wither timers will tick, animals will go hungry and timed Goals will run out.
Full view of English Countryside
2. Friends can only visit "Active" farms
Knowing that one farm will be essentially on pause at all times, that also means that friends will not be able to visit that farm. Don't worry, farmers can still visit both farms, but it depends on which is active at the time. Thankfully, which farm you're actively working on will be displayed to yours friends on their friend bar. When you're working on your original farm, a home symbol will appear next to your name in your friends' friend bars, while a British flag will replace that when you're over in England. This gives players fair warning of what farm they're about to visit.
While this all might sound unnecessarily complicated, it will actually be more beneficial to you in the long run. This gives you even more control of when your crops wither. Say you're going away on vacation and you don't want your crops to wither in your EC farm, but your original farm happens to be empty. Just make the old farm active and it's almost as if you have a free Unwither Ring in England.
[Source: FarmVille Freak]
[Image Credit: IGN]
Check out the rest of our English Countryside coverage right here.
How have you prepared for the English Countryside? How will you take advantage of these active and inactive farms?
1. Only one farm will be "Active" at a time
We know, that's terribly confusing. How can one farm just go "inactive" while the other presses on? Would the crops I plant in FarmVille just grow and ripen as I work in EC? The answer is no. Zynga must have thought that keeping track of two farms at once would have been too much, so it forced the two games to be even further linked. The moment you log into the new expansion for the first time, your original farm will essentially freeze in time.
For instance, if you plant Strawberries in your old farm and then log right into your farm in EC, your Strawberries will not grow for as long as you're in that farm. In fact, even when you log out of your EC farm those Strawberries in your old farm will still not grow. It's not until you log into that farm again that the game's timers will start to tick again. This works to your advantage, really, as all timers will stop on the farm that's inactive including wither and pet hunger. To recap: Only the farm you most recently worked in will be active, meaning that wither timers will tick, animals will go hungry and timed Goals will run out.
Full view of English Countryside
2. Friends can only visit "Active" farms
Knowing that one farm will be essentially on pause at all times, that also means that friends will not be able to visit that farm. Don't worry, farmers can still visit both farms, but it depends on which is active at the time. Thankfully, which farm you're actively working on will be displayed to yours friends on their friend bar. When you're working on your original farm, a home symbol will appear next to your name in your friends' friend bars, while a British flag will replace that when you're over in England. This gives players fair warning of what farm they're about to visit.
While this all might sound unnecessarily complicated, it will actually be more beneficial to you in the long run. This gives you even more control of when your crops wither. Say you're going away on vacation and you don't want your crops to wither in your EC farm, but your original farm happens to be empty. Just make the old farm active and it's almost as if you have a free Unwither Ring in England.
[Source: FarmVille Freak]
[Image Credit: IGN]
Check out the rest of our English Countryside coverage right here.
How have you prepared for the English Countryside? How will you take advantage of these active and inactive farms?
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