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.

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.

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.

Restaurant City: Gourmet Edition whips up screenshots, but no release date

At the beginning of July, EA and Playfish quietly announced the existence of a Restaurant City iPhone game, now called Restaurant City: Gourmet Edition. While we plan on having a Q&A with the developer closer to the game's launch (the date is still unknown to even us), we have been given some screenshots, and even a logo, to help tide us over. Ok, so these will probably only make us more excited, rather than calming us down, but there you have it.

This first shot seems to show that we won't lose much of the "design-a-restaurant" gameplay found on the Facebook version, with its transition to the smartphone (although it does look like we may only be able to have one theme at a time, rather than swapping out on the fly). Also, it doesn't look like we'll be able to expand to an outdoor grassy area, as this particular screenshot seems to have decorated one of the four corners of its indoors to look that way instead. However, the basics are here: there are stoves with individual chefs, drink stations and all of the tables and chairs we'd expect, along with bathroom facilities at the far right. So far so good.

What does look to be a bit different is the design of our ingredients and cooking screen. This particular screenshot shows off the ingredient trading feature, which will again allow us to trade ingredients with friends to more easily complete recipes. It's presumable that the entirety of the cooking menu (including the recipe select screen) would have just as streamlined an appearance, in order to make browsing simple on the smaller screen.

I wish we had more information as to what to expect with Restaurant City: Gourmet Edition, as I'm just as excited about trying out this new game as you are, but I suppose for now, we'll have to simply scan and re-scan these pictures for any new details we may have missed while waiting for more news to be announced. You can be sure we'll let you know when there is.

Are you excited for Restaurant City: Gourmet Edition on iPhone? Which item themes are you hoping Playfish brings into the mobile version of the game? Do you want an entirely new decorative theme for your new restaurant, or will you try to duplicate your Facebook restaurant?

he Sims Social 4 Comments The Sims Social: Celebrate the last days of summer with new Summer House theme

With the mass popularity of the Sims Social on Facebook, it's no surprise that Playfish / EA are continually adding new decorative items to the game's store, allowing you to personalize your home in new ways. Specifically, this week sees the launch of a "Summer House" theme of items, with items being available for your living room, bedroom and even outdoor areas. There are also plenty of decorative items here to take a look at, so we'll do our best to give you a complete guide to these new items. Check them out!

SolTrain Cubic (Shelving Unit)

    Costs: 35 SimCash
    Value: $5,150


SolTrain Chair (Buildable item)

    Costs: 2,250 coins
    Value: $1,800


SolTrain Kingsize (Bed)

    Costs: 79 SimCash
    Value: $11,700
    Sleep Stat: 11


SolTrain Rays (Lamp)

    Costs: 3 SimCash
    Value: $450


BasketCase Travel (Requires Level 30)

    Value: $350


SolTrain UV Lite

    Costs: 12 SimCash
    Value: $1,750


BasketCase XL (Requires Level 30)

    Value: $600


SolTrain UV XL (Lamp)

    Costs: 22 SimCash
    Value: $3,250


Summer Tones (Painting - requires level 30)

    Value: $750


Woody Divider (Requires Level 24)

    Value: $1,300



SolTrain BagelUp

    Costs: 5 SimCash
    Value: $750


Woody Boxout B (Kitchen cabinet - requires Level 26 - Buildable item)

    Value: $1,650


Woody Boxout L (Kitchen Cabinet - requires Level 26 - Buildable item)

    Value: $1,650


SolTrain Panama (Outdoor Bed)

    Costs: 49 Sim Cash
    Value: $7,250


SolTrain Snug (Buildable item - requires Level 30)

    Value: $2,200


Palm Tree

    Costs: 1,750 coins
    Value: $1,650
    Happiness Stat: 3
    Social Stat: 3


SolTrain Parasol

    Costs: 59 SimCash
    Value: $8,700


SolTrain Swing (Buildable item - requires Level 30)

    Value: $4,850
    Sleep Stat: 3


UltiMax Top Deck (Stereo)

    Costs: 59 SimCash
    Value: $8,700
    Fun Stat: 5


In addition to all of these items, there's a full set of windows available in the Build menu is a new "Alpine" theme, which consists of a dark tan, almost orange colored frame. Four flooring options are available for either Social Points or (at most) a single SimCash per tile, and the theme is rounded out with a "SolTrain Beach" wallpaper that costs 55 Social Points per square.

As with previously released themes, these Summer House items don't appear to be limited edition; rather, they should be available permanently in the game's store. That being the case, you should be able to save up coins, or Social Points, or have time to purchase SimCash long into the future to create this theme in your home as far into the future as you like. If we see this change, we'll make sure to let you know.

What do you think of these Summer House items in Sims Social? What kinds of items would you like to see released next in the game?

EA, Playfish developing 'the hell out of SimCity' for Facebook [Report]

Hey, if The Sims Social struck gold, it only makes sense at this point. Business Insider reports, citing nameless sources, that a China-based Playfish team has suspended all other projects to "develop the hell out of SimCity" for Facebook. Of course, the idea is that the second place developer is doing so to go toe-to-toe directly with CityVille, the number one game on Facebook.

Zynga's city-builder has held the top spot on Facebook for over a year, and EA is reportedly doing everything in its power to dethrone the king of social games. According to Business Insider, multiple sources within the company say that SimCity has been in development for over a year, around the same time that Zynga started work on CityVile. But when the game broke every record in the book over the past year, EA had no choice but to ramp up work on SimCity.

At the time, Zynga had more time and resources to pour into CityVille than EA did with SimCity, which had "doubled down" on The Sims Social. Since the game has now proven itself, putting a dent into Zynga's then spotless lineup, the veteran games publisher has placed a laser focus on the social iteration of game designer Will Wright's masterpiece.

According to the news outlet, Playfish's Norway and San Francisco teams are working on entirely new games for EA. And yes, it's OK to be more excited by that rumor than yet another city-builder. This better be good.

[Via IndustryGamers]

Are you excited by the thought of SimCity hitting Facebook? Do you think it could give CityVille a run for its (boatloads of) money?

Other Games Add Comment Sims Social survey lets you sound off on item prices, favorite features and more

It's that time folks - time to let your collective voices be heard! EA wants to know how much fun (or not) you're having with the Sims Social on Facebook, and they've released a fairly long survey to help you tell them. This survey contains all sorts of questions, ranging from the basics of how often you play the game, to allowing you to rate your opinion on item pricing (are they too cheap? too expensive?) and what some of your favorite features are in the game.

Of course, the point of all of this is to gather enough opinions to actually sway the way the game develops in the future. Hopefully, with questions dealing with how much we like to "build" items with parts (bookcases, double beds, etc.), and the option to say that you don't like it at all, we may actually see a lessening in those kinds of items, if enough users agree. You can even rank various gameplay features (decorating your house, visiting friends, customizing your Sim, etc.) in the order that you like them. In this way, perhaps we'll see more focus being placed on the most (overall) liked feature, and you'll be able to say you helped to make that happen.

Unfortunately, this isn't the kind of survey that will allow you to give your opinion on future item sets, but there are plenty of blank text boxes for you to say exactly what you want to the developers in a place that you know they'll see it. Again, this survey is prety lengthy (when compared to other Facebook game surveys anyway), so you'll want to make sure you have around 5-10 minutes to set aside to take it.

We've taken this survey as well, and if we start to notice any gameplay changes arising because of options listed here, we'll make sure to let you know. In the meantime, head over to this link right here to take the survey for yourself.

The Sims Social: Country meets chic with Country Kitchen items

Is it just me, or is decorating our houses one of the best things to do in the Sims Social? I know I could personally spend plenty of time rearranging furniture in each room, only to ripe it all out and start over again, and to help us do that with even more themes is a new Country Kitchen theme that has launched in the game this week. These country kitchen items bring in all sorts of shades of brown and ivory, and it's one of the most complete themes we've seen released in the game yet. Here's a rundown of what to look out for in the store to make this theme complete in your own home.

Plate Collection

• Costs: 4 SimCash
• Value: $600

Perfecto Fruitbowl

• Costs: 4 SimCash
• Value $600

Vintage Wines

• Costs: 6 SimCash
• Value: $900

RuralU Deluxe C (Kitchen Counter Piece)

• Costs: 10 SimCash
• Value: $1500

RuralU Deluxe (Kitchen Counter Piece)

• Costs: 12 SimCash
• Value: $1750

Antiquitate Deco (Wall Sconce)

• Costs: 3 SimCash
• Value: $450

19th Century Lamp

• Costs: 10 SimCash
• Value: $1500

19th Century Pot (Flowers)

• Costs: 19 SimCash
• Value: $2800

Antiquitate Oil

• Costs: 325 Social Points
• Value: $700

Basinuate Marble (Sink)

• Costs: 12 SimCash
• Value: 1750
• Clean Stat: 5

FrancoFaux Chaise (Buildable item)

• Costs: 225 Social Points
• Value: $500

Cereal Shelf

• Costs: 250 Social Points
• Value: $550

19th Century Mat

• Costs: 19 SimCash
• Value: $2800

Clox Fruitful

• Costs: 350 Social Points
• Value: $800

RuralU Trove (Wall Cabinet Piece)

• Costs: 600 Social Points
• Value: $1450

RuralU Charm (Wall Cabinet Piece)

• Costs: 800 Social Points
• Value: $2050

FrancoFaux Tableau (Buildable item)

• Costs: 800 Social Points
• Value: $2050

RuralU Latch (Hutch - Buildable item)

• Costs: 1100 Social Points
• Value: $3100

G King Counter (Center Island - Buildable item)

• Costs: 15,000 Social Points
• Value: $21,250
• Happiness Stat: 3

Normanity Chair (Living Room Furniture - Buildable item)

• Costs: 450 Social Points
• Value: $1050

FrancoFaux Cafe (Living Room Furniture - Buildable item)

• Costs: 650 Social Points
• Value: $1600

Normanity Sofa (Living Room Furniture - Buildable item)

• Costs: 700 Social Points
• Value: $1750
• Sleep Stat: 3

In addition to all of these items, there's also a Cooking Skill vent hood called the SuxDelux that's available to users that have reached a Cooking Skill of 40 or higher. This item has a value of $3650.

In the Build Menu, you can also find a selection of new windows in the same matching dark wood color, ranging in price from 750 coins for the RealOak 2 Pane to 6,000 coins for the RealOak 5 Pane. If you want the window in the picture above, with the quaint ivory curtains, that will set you back a whopping 39 SimCash. Along with this, there are five new wallpapers and three new floor tiles to round out the theme.

There's no listed time limit on any of these items, so if you don't have enough Social Points or SimCash available to buy them now, you should be able to save up and purchase them well into the future. Still, if you want to get your hands on these items while they're fresh, I really couldn't blame you. I just hope your kitchen is big enough to hold them all!

[Final Image Credit: Playfish/EA]

What do you think of these Country Kitchen items? Are you more of a modern fan, or do you like country / southwestern items? Sound off in the comments.

The Sims Social: Claim your free Pogo Arcade Machine

While you may already be the proud owner of one or two Arcade Machines in the Sims Social, if you're like me, you'll always be ready for one more - especially if it's free. Such is the case with this new goodie, a Pogo branded Arcade Machine, spotted by BadgeHungry. The single link to claim your reward has apparently been going around for about a week, but hasn't been heavily advertised. It does, however, still work (as of this writing).

To claim your free Pogo Arcade Machine in the Sims Social just make sure you're logged into your Facebook account and click on this link right here. This will take you to Facebook, where you'll be told whether or not your claim attempt was successful. Once in your house, the Pogo Arcade Machine will go into your storage, where you can then freely place it anywhere in your house (or even outside).

As for interactivity, the machine allows you to do two things: Play Games (no energy required), and "Redeem Tokens at Pogo." This link will let you earn 25,000 free tokens on the site, but unfortunately, doesn't come with any free Simoleons back in the Sims Social. But hey, we've walked away with a free Arcade Machine; it's that all we could really ask for?

Have you already claimed your free Pogo Arcade Machine? What other sorts of goodies do you hope come to the Sims Social? Sound off in the comments.