Brass Robot Mechanical Wings
Man, Steampunk is so awesome. The Victorian furniture, the fine leather clothing, the crazy blueprints--aw, who am I kidding? We want airships, mechanical arms and monocles. Next week in Pet Society you'll find most of those things in the game's various stores--even the furniture! Playfish has declared the week of Nov. 14 Steampunk Week and we couldn't be more psyched.
Anyone out there who grew up on movies like The Rocketeer will know why we're excited to see items like Mechanical Wings from the Boutique, the Vintage Goggles digging reward and the Red Flying Airplane that will be found in the Market. There will be a ton of new pieces of Victorian furniture, outfits and super cool accessories like monocles. But the best of all has to be the steam-powered Brass Robot and Brass Motorcycle. Sadly, there are no jetpacks as of right now, but like Playfish says, "Please keep in mind that everything shown/mentioned in this blog is not necessarily set in stone, and may change before it's released." Our fingers are firmly crossed.
Great Site to Earn From Home
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Happy Island Wizard Week: Collect four LE items to unleash the Dragon
Unleash the Dragon
The wizard fever has struck Happy Island in excitement for the seventh (but not final) Harry Potter movie to release next week, but CrowdStar decided to tone down the direct references and--gasp--be original. There are five attractions in all that will be available all week until the movie launches, so you have some time to collect them all. And trust us, you might want to.
Wizard's Bank ($9.90): Collects all Moneybags with one click, 2,250 coins
Wizard's Pranks ($4): Collects 2,250 coins
Wizard's Order ($4): Collects 2,250 coins
Wizard's Wands ($4): Collects 3,650 coins
Wizard's Burrow ($4): Collects 2250 coins
Purchasing the last four items in that list will reward players with the Red Dragon decoration, which will flutter adorably around your island and breathe fire--cute fire, that is. Players can also buy Demented Diamond gems for $1 a piece that will add demented* ghosts to their items, which should ring a bell for just about any Harry Potter fan. And we were so close to complete originality. Oh well, at least it has dragons.
The wizard fever has struck Happy Island in excitement for the seventh (but not final) Harry Potter movie to release next week, but CrowdStar decided to tone down the direct references and--gasp--be original. There are five attractions in all that will be available all week until the movie launches, so you have some time to collect them all. And trust us, you might want to.
Wizard's Bank ($9.90): Collects all Moneybags with one click, 2,250 coins
Wizard's Pranks ($4): Collects 2,250 coins
Wizard's Order ($4): Collects 2,250 coins
Wizard's Wands ($4): Collects 3,650 coins
Wizard's Burrow ($4): Collects 2250 coins
Purchasing the last four items in that list will reward players with the Red Dragon decoration, which will flutter adorably around your island and breathe fire--cute fire, that is. Players can also buy Demented Diamond gems for $1 a piece that will add demented* ghosts to their items, which should ring a bell for just about any Harry Potter fan. And we were so close to complete originality. Oh well, at least it has dragons.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Monty Python for Facebook establishes The Ministry of Silly Games
This game might be so funny that it needs its own regulatory body to keep things in line. Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones (pictured left to right) announced just that last night at Tower Bridge in London. The dippy duo revealed that the upcoming Monty Python Facebook game being developed by UK-based Zattikka will be known as The Ministry of Silly Games.
Find out what's in store for you in The Ministry of Silly Games after the break.
Ministry of Silly Games Characters
Scheduled to launch early next year, The Ministry of Silly Games will be a hub of sorts for a long list of ridiculous mini games like:
King Arthur's Knight Fight – Frantic "slice-'em-up", featuring the Black Knight, The Killer Rabbit, Tim the Enchanter, the Holy Hand Grenade and God. (We called it.)
Monty Python's Scratch 'N Sniff – Observation game featuring Zattikka's original Flash "Scratchcard" mechanic.
Camelot Smashalot – Catapult livestock, Holy Hand Grenades and Trojan rabbits at the fiendish French fortresses. (Also called it.)
Twit Russian Roulette – Keep your Upper-Class Twit alive for as long as you can in this wacky game of Russian Roulette!
Mr Creosote – Feed Mr Creosote his favorite nosh but avoid the wafer thin mints in this fun one-button reaction game.
Gumby Flower Arranging – Help the Gumby match three flowers of the same kind, otherwise he's going to hit himself with bricks!
Gillaxian – Arcade-style shooter that's also a tribute to a great game and a great artist.
Aerial Antics – Balance your TV aerial on household objects to tune in your telly in this fun puzzler.
It seems like, for Monty Python fans, there's going to be a lot to do and hopefully even more sidesplitting laughs to be had. Not to mention that it sounds like there's a great amount of variety in each of these games, which is a welcome change from your everyday social games. While many of the game's features have yet to be detailed (such as sharing), everyone involved appears to be excited about the project.
"I guess my visuals have always been a bit videogamey," adds Monty Python member Terry Gilliam. "So, it's brilliant seeing them actually in games at last. The Ministry of Silly Games looks like what was inside my head when I was creating all that iconic imagery. I know the game will prove massively popular when it launches." If you're at all unsure about Gilliam's confidence--or if you're as excited as we are and just want to play it--Zattikka is currently accepting beta applications on the game's website.
Find out what's in store for you in The Ministry of Silly Games after the break.
Ministry of Silly Games Characters
Scheduled to launch early next year, The Ministry of Silly Games will be a hub of sorts for a long list of ridiculous mini games like:
King Arthur's Knight Fight – Frantic "slice-'em-up", featuring the Black Knight, The Killer Rabbit, Tim the Enchanter, the Holy Hand Grenade and God. (We called it.)
Monty Python's Scratch 'N Sniff – Observation game featuring Zattikka's original Flash "Scratchcard" mechanic.
Camelot Smashalot – Catapult livestock, Holy Hand Grenades and Trojan rabbits at the fiendish French fortresses. (Also called it.)
Twit Russian Roulette – Keep your Upper-Class Twit alive for as long as you can in this wacky game of Russian Roulette!
Mr Creosote – Feed Mr Creosote his favorite nosh but avoid the wafer thin mints in this fun one-button reaction game.
Gumby Flower Arranging – Help the Gumby match three flowers of the same kind, otherwise he's going to hit himself with bricks!
Gillaxian – Arcade-style shooter that's also a tribute to a great game and a great artist.
Aerial Antics – Balance your TV aerial on household objects to tune in your telly in this fun puzzler.
It seems like, for Monty Python fans, there's going to be a lot to do and hopefully even more sidesplitting laughs to be had. Not to mention that it sounds like there's a great amount of variety in each of these games, which is a welcome change from your everyday social games. While many of the game's features have yet to be detailed (such as sharing), everyone involved appears to be excited about the project.
"I guess my visuals have always been a bit videogamey," adds Monty Python member Terry Gilliam. "So, it's brilliant seeing them actually in games at last. The Ministry of Silly Games looks like what was inside my head when I was creating all that iconic imagery. I know the game will prove massively popular when it launches." If you're at all unsure about Gilliam's confidence--or if you're as excited as we are and just want to play it--Zattikka is currently accepting beta applications on the game's website.
FrontierVille Land Grab: Cool new feature or cheap ploy to lure new players?
FrontierVille has introduced a new feature called the Land Grab, which pops up at random while you're paying a visit to your neighbors. At first, it seemed like it was actually offering additional land for your frontier, but on closer inspection, it's really a new way to invite people to play FrontierVille. Some might be tempted to call this Land Grab feature a "cheap ploy."
Anyway -- it works like this. While you are visiting a neighbor, you will see a pop-up window that says the following:
You set foot on an unclaimed parcel of land on the way to your neighbor's homestead! Tidy 'er up then choose a friend who'd like to Manifest Destiney here -- once they settle down with a cozy little cabin, you'll get a 10,000 coin finders fee.
If you decide to accept 'Tidy Up,' you'll be prompted to spend 100 coins and buy a title for a friend who is not currently playing FrontierVille. If that person decides to build a cabin on that property, you'll get the 10K coins.
frontierville land grab land title
After you buy a title and notify your friends, you can "tidy" up the place and do five tasks on your friend's would-be property.
frontierville land grab
When you're done with that -- the waiting begins. Will your friends accept the invite or will you be denied your 10,000 coins? Only time will tell.
Anyway -- it works like this. While you are visiting a neighbor, you will see a pop-up window that says the following:
You set foot on an unclaimed parcel of land on the way to your neighbor's homestead! Tidy 'er up then choose a friend who'd like to Manifest Destiney here -- once they settle down with a cozy little cabin, you'll get a 10,000 coin finders fee.
If you decide to accept 'Tidy Up,' you'll be prompted to spend 100 coins and buy a title for a friend who is not currently playing FrontierVille. If that person decides to build a cabin on that property, you'll get the 10K coins.
frontierville land grab land title
After you buy a title and notify your friends, you can "tidy" up the place and do five tasks on your friend's would-be property.
frontierville land grab
When you're done with that -- the waiting begins. Will your friends accept the invite or will you be denied your 10,000 coins? Only time will tell.
Barbarians on Facebook: Vikings of Thule brings intense PvP combat
Vikings of Thule Battle
After watching a three-minute long tutorial video, I am ready to pillage. Yes, Vikings of Thule for Facebook is that intense. Developed by Icelandic studio Gogogic, Vikings of Thule places you in the leathery shoes of a viking who escaped Norway and its oppression for Thule, the Nordic promised land. It's your job to settle this land and we highly recommend you watch the video if you want to get good at it. In order to become one of the top 39 viking chiefs in the game, you'll need to train your ability to manage and organize as much as your fighting prowess.
Sneak a peek of Vikings of Thule after the break.
Map of Thule
After creating your barbarian, you'll find yourself looking at a map of Thule with almost too many options in front of you and the wailing of harsh winds throughout. Thankfully, the game contains a "Chapters" feature that when clicked will give you small text tutorials for nearly every aspect of the game, rewarding you with small amounts of resources for reading. Scratch that, this game is so intense it has two tutorials.
After reading the tutorials--if you're still interested at this point--you can embark on your very first quest: slaying a Wyrm. Clicking on the dragon in the center of the Map will send you into a small sequence of text and illustrations to set the scene, which do an excellent job of getting you psyched for what's to come. If there's one thing Gogogic seems to know, it's exposition and immersion. After that's through, players will find themselves staring at a large map with various numbered bullet points. Clicking on the highlighted one sweeps you into your first exciting albeit automated battle with a pack of wolves. The comparison of yours and the enemy's stats will decide the outcome. However, these fight sequences lean on the terribly long side and skipping is not an option. So, go off and enjoy a sandwich while your warrior dukes it out.
Quest battle
After a few fights, you'll probably want to do something else rather than sit and watch some flying wolves and bloody scratch marks, so click on the Map and then enter the glowing city icon whose name won't even bother trying to reproduce. It's here that you can access the Quartermaster who sells weapons, the Blacksmith who sells armor and shields and other important features. (This is also where Silver coins, the game's paid currency, comes into play.) Most important here is the Weapon Master. This mysterious fellow will teach the moves you need to compete in player versus player (PvP) combat.
Forget the overcomplicated Land Management system (more on that later), Vikings of Thule shines brightest in its combat. Named the Battlefield and accessed from the lower left corner of the Map, this real-time battle system features a live chat room and random matchmaking service. It's here that players will be able to talk trash and organize matches with one another. Once inside a duel, things happen more strategically than you would think for a game revolving around mindless, bloodthirsty warriors.
Battle Menu
Fights are broken down into a series of rounds on what looks strikingly similar to a chess board. While the matches occur in real time, the way brawls go down is turn-based. As soon as you enter a match, you'll notice a wide selection of ability cards (movements, attacks, spells, etc.) with only three open spots for moves. Within the time limit, decide on three moves for your warrior to perform on the battlefield. Then, your and your opponent's moves will trade off turn-by-turn until all three moves for each player have been used. Rinse, repeat and you have yourself one of deepest PvP systems I've seen in a Facebook game to date. Trust us, battles become strangely cerebral when things get down to the wire.
However, Vikings of Thule becomes entirely too cerebral with its Land Management system. Clicking on the icon to the most immediate right of your character while on the Map screen will take you to your property. From here, you can claim new stakes of land in Thule, recruit more peasants and other units to inhabit and tend your land and upgrade your home. This all sounds easy enough, but it's the interface that confuses things. All of these actions require Ore, the game's main currency, and the aptly named "Resources." Ore, Resources and Runes (spent for using special moves in combat) are all found through quests, collecting various "windfall" icons on the Map and defeating opponents in battle.
Village Menu
All things considered, Vikings of Thule is most definitely a social game for the hardcore crowd, which is both refreshing and off-putting. For the genre's sake, it needs new ideas like this game's unique and rewarding PvP system. However, the rest of the game is simply too complex for the average social gamer to grasp. (Hell, I even had to ask around in the live chat to find out what Runes did.) Those looking for some real challenge in their social games look further, but for those trying to kick back and relax, move along.
Click here to try out Vikings of Thule on Facebook Now>
After watching a three-minute long tutorial video, I am ready to pillage. Yes, Vikings of Thule for Facebook is that intense. Developed by Icelandic studio Gogogic, Vikings of Thule places you in the leathery shoes of a viking who escaped Norway and its oppression for Thule, the Nordic promised land. It's your job to settle this land and we highly recommend you watch the video if you want to get good at it. In order to become one of the top 39 viking chiefs in the game, you'll need to train your ability to manage and organize as much as your fighting prowess.
Sneak a peek of Vikings of Thule after the break.
Map of Thule
After creating your barbarian, you'll find yourself looking at a map of Thule with almost too many options in front of you and the wailing of harsh winds throughout. Thankfully, the game contains a "Chapters" feature that when clicked will give you small text tutorials for nearly every aspect of the game, rewarding you with small amounts of resources for reading. Scratch that, this game is so intense it has two tutorials.
After reading the tutorials--if you're still interested at this point--you can embark on your very first quest: slaying a Wyrm. Clicking on the dragon in the center of the Map will send you into a small sequence of text and illustrations to set the scene, which do an excellent job of getting you psyched for what's to come. If there's one thing Gogogic seems to know, it's exposition and immersion. After that's through, players will find themselves staring at a large map with various numbered bullet points. Clicking on the highlighted one sweeps you into your first exciting albeit automated battle with a pack of wolves. The comparison of yours and the enemy's stats will decide the outcome. However, these fight sequences lean on the terribly long side and skipping is not an option. So, go off and enjoy a sandwich while your warrior dukes it out.
Quest battle
After a few fights, you'll probably want to do something else rather than sit and watch some flying wolves and bloody scratch marks, so click on the Map and then enter the glowing city icon whose name won't even bother trying to reproduce. It's here that you can access the Quartermaster who sells weapons, the Blacksmith who sells armor and shields and other important features. (This is also where Silver coins, the game's paid currency, comes into play.) Most important here is the Weapon Master. This mysterious fellow will teach the moves you need to compete in player versus player (PvP) combat.
Forget the overcomplicated Land Management system (more on that later), Vikings of Thule shines brightest in its combat. Named the Battlefield and accessed from the lower left corner of the Map, this real-time battle system features a live chat room and random matchmaking service. It's here that players will be able to talk trash and organize matches with one another. Once inside a duel, things happen more strategically than you would think for a game revolving around mindless, bloodthirsty warriors.
Battle Menu
Fights are broken down into a series of rounds on what looks strikingly similar to a chess board. While the matches occur in real time, the way brawls go down is turn-based. As soon as you enter a match, you'll notice a wide selection of ability cards (movements, attacks, spells, etc.) with only three open spots for moves. Within the time limit, decide on three moves for your warrior to perform on the battlefield. Then, your and your opponent's moves will trade off turn-by-turn until all three moves for each player have been used. Rinse, repeat and you have yourself one of deepest PvP systems I've seen in a Facebook game to date. Trust us, battles become strangely cerebral when things get down to the wire.
However, Vikings of Thule becomes entirely too cerebral with its Land Management system. Clicking on the icon to the most immediate right of your character while on the Map screen will take you to your property. From here, you can claim new stakes of land in Thule, recruit more peasants and other units to inhabit and tend your land and upgrade your home. This all sounds easy enough, but it's the interface that confuses things. All of these actions require Ore, the game's main currency, and the aptly named "Resources." Ore, Resources and Runes (spent for using special moves in combat) are all found through quests, collecting various "windfall" icons on the Map and defeating opponents in battle.
Village Menu
All things considered, Vikings of Thule is most definitely a social game for the hardcore crowd, which is both refreshing and off-putting. For the genre's sake, it needs new ideas like this game's unique and rewarding PvP system. However, the rest of the game is simply too complex for the average social gamer to grasp. (Hell, I even had to ask around in the live chat to find out what Runes did.) Those looking for some real challenge in their social games look further, but for those trying to kick back and relax, move along.
Click here to try out Vikings of Thule on Facebook Now>
FarmVille attempts to lure back AWOL players with 20 free Farm Cash
FarmVille, which was once 80 million monthly players strong is now down to 53 million players and, according to AppData, the downward trend continues month over month. So it's no surprise to see FarmVille offering 20 Farm Cash to get no-show farmers back to their virtual fields.
FarmVille isn't the only game begging former players to return. Vpet society pet misses youirtual cash incentives seem to be coming in fast and hard these days. In fact, I just got one today from Pet Society offering me 1,000 coins to pay attention to my virtual pet Nano, who is most likely is wearing a pouty face while flies circle her head. Ah, the guilt of neglect.
Of course, the question is -- do these offers actually get people to come back? My guess is that it largely depends on the offer. Twenty Farm Cash is pretty hard to resist, and I'm sure I'd at least click that once time to claim the cash... just to have it. One thousand Pet Society coins? Hm, I can take it or leave it.
FarmVille isn't the only game begging former players to return. Vpet society pet misses youirtual cash incentives seem to be coming in fast and hard these days. In fact, I just got one today from Pet Society offering me 1,000 coins to pay attention to my virtual pet Nano, who is most likely is wearing a pouty face while flies circle her head. Ah, the guilt of neglect.
Of course, the question is -- do these offers actually get people to come back? My guess is that it largely depends on the offer. Twenty Farm Cash is pretty hard to resist, and I'm sure I'd at least click that once time to claim the cash... just to have it. One thousand Pet Society coins? Hm, I can take it or leave it.
FarmVille Winter Workshop: Everything you need to know
The Winter Workshop is now available in FarmVille! This new constructable building is the first major step to the FarmVille holiday season and soon enough you'll be able to harvest special Holiday Gifts from the Winter Workshop for special use later (hint: they'll probably be used in quests).
This brand new building will most likely operate like the recent Halloween Candy Basket, requiring players to ask friends for parts to build it and upgrade it. As for the gifts, we imagine there will be a lot of sharing going around and not through the Gifts section.
Workin' on the Workshop
You'll get the base for the Winter Workshop for free the first time you play FarmVille after the game update, and you will immediately be entered into Placement Mode. You can place the Winter Workshop base on your farm now, or you can choose to place it in your Gift Box for use later.
You'll only be able to have one Winter Workshop at a time. If you sell yours and want another, you can find it in the Market in the "Buildings" tab for 5,000 coins. You'll need to be Level 5 in order to place and use the Winter Workshop.
Take a look after the break for more information about this winter fun factory from Zynga.
FarmVille Winter Workshop
The basic Winter Workshop looks pretty but you won't be able to harvest it for Holiday Gifts when the time comes. You'll need twelve (12) parts (4 bricks, 4 nails and 4 wooden boards) to complete construction of the first level:
FarmVille Winter Workshop Construction Parts
Like other constructable buildings, you can acquire these parts by:
Asking your neighbors for these parts by posting a help request to your feed (click on the "Ask For More" button for each type of part).
Give parts to your neighbors via the Free Gifts page or the "Send Gifts" button.
Acquire individual parts by spending Farm Cash (click on the "Buy" button for that particular part). Each part is 1 Farm Cash.
Acquire all needed parts for the building by spending Farm Cash (click on the "Complete Now" button to purchase parts for the rest of the building). The Cost is X Farm Cash, where X is the amount of parts left needed to finish the building.
Parts awarded through Special Delivery Boxes.
Using individual parts available in your Gift Box.
Once you complete construction of the first level you'll see this new window:
FarmVille Winter Workshop More Construction Parts
There are two more levels of construction; the second level requires forty-five (45) total parts (15 bricks, 15 nails and 15 wooden boards), where the meter will be halfway filled, while the third level requires an additional sixty (60) parts (20 each of the 3 above). The bigger the level of the Winter Workshop, the more Holiday Gifts you'll get when you harvest it.
Here's how the Winter Workshop will look:
Basic Workshop
First Level Constructed (Capable of Harvesting)
Second Level Constructed
Fully Built & Operational
Harvesting for Holiday Gifts will begin soon. Your neighbors will be able to harvest your Winter Workshops for Holiday Gifts as well. Seeing the logical, vertical progression of the Winter Workshop is interesting. It's currently unknown what gifts the Winter Workshop will hold, but expect them to have a grander purpose than just looking pretty. What's most exciting is this building will give us yet another reason to visit our friends' farms, something that isn't encouraged enough in FarmVille. But most importantly, will elves be included? Who knows, but a man can dream, can't he?
Source: Zynga FarmVille Forum
Find the rest of our Holidays coverage right here.
This brand new building will most likely operate like the recent Halloween Candy Basket, requiring players to ask friends for parts to build it and upgrade it. As for the gifts, we imagine there will be a lot of sharing going around and not through the Gifts section.
Workin' on the Workshop
You'll get the base for the Winter Workshop for free the first time you play FarmVille after the game update, and you will immediately be entered into Placement Mode. You can place the Winter Workshop base on your farm now, or you can choose to place it in your Gift Box for use later.
You'll only be able to have one Winter Workshop at a time. If you sell yours and want another, you can find it in the Market in the "Buildings" tab for 5,000 coins. You'll need to be Level 5 in order to place and use the Winter Workshop.
Take a look after the break for more information about this winter fun factory from Zynga.
FarmVille Winter Workshop
The basic Winter Workshop looks pretty but you won't be able to harvest it for Holiday Gifts when the time comes. You'll need twelve (12) parts (4 bricks, 4 nails and 4 wooden boards) to complete construction of the first level:
FarmVille Winter Workshop Construction Parts
Like other constructable buildings, you can acquire these parts by:
Asking your neighbors for these parts by posting a help request to your feed (click on the "Ask For More" button for each type of part).
Give parts to your neighbors via the Free Gifts page or the "Send Gifts" button.
Acquire individual parts by spending Farm Cash (click on the "Buy" button for that particular part). Each part is 1 Farm Cash.
Acquire all needed parts for the building by spending Farm Cash (click on the "Complete Now" button to purchase parts for the rest of the building). The Cost is X Farm Cash, where X is the amount of parts left needed to finish the building.
Parts awarded through Special Delivery Boxes.
Using individual parts available in your Gift Box.
Once you complete construction of the first level you'll see this new window:
FarmVille Winter Workshop More Construction Parts
There are two more levels of construction; the second level requires forty-five (45) total parts (15 bricks, 15 nails and 15 wooden boards), where the meter will be halfway filled, while the third level requires an additional sixty (60) parts (20 each of the 3 above). The bigger the level of the Winter Workshop, the more Holiday Gifts you'll get when you harvest it.
Here's how the Winter Workshop will look:
Basic Workshop
First Level Constructed (Capable of Harvesting)
Second Level Constructed
Fully Built & Operational
Harvesting for Holiday Gifts will begin soon. Your neighbors will be able to harvest your Winter Workshops for Holiday Gifts as well. Seeing the logical, vertical progression of the Winter Workshop is interesting. It's currently unknown what gifts the Winter Workshop will hold, but expect them to have a grander purpose than just looking pretty. What's most exciting is this building will give us yet another reason to visit our friends' farms, something that isn't encouraged enough in FarmVille. But most importantly, will elves be included? Who knows, but a man can dream, can't he?
Source: Zynga FarmVille Forum
Find the rest of our Holidays coverage right here.
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