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?

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.