Well, if it wasn't for the loading issues FarmVille is suffering as of this writing, you'd already be slopping it up in the Pig Pen. FarmVille Feed has confirmed that the new Pig Breeding feature is slowly rolling out to players. After just a week of leaks, the new feature was released at just around the same time the game started to experience issues. (Coincidence? Possibly.) Players will be able to use the same Sheep Breeding techniques on Pigs to create colorful combinations and share them with their friends. The Market also has a Purple Boar available for 30 Farm Cash, but we doubt that's part of the Goals that will likely come with the new Pig Pen. Regardless, expect Pig Breeding to start not long, if instantly, after the game is restored.
[Image Credit: FarmVille Feed]
Did you receive the Pig Breeding feature before the game glitched out? Do you expect to find yourself breeding Pigs or Sheep more once the feature releases?
Great Site to Earn From Home
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
FarmVille Sneak Peek: Thoroughbred Prince Horse, Crystal Trees et al.
If you play like me, you probably don't even have the Farm Cash to cover these new FarmVille items. Regardless, Zynga presses on with an update of regal proportions to match its expected price tags. First is the Thoroughbred Horse Prince, a fine steed dressed in royal garb that FarmVille Feed expects to cost between 24 and 26 Farm Cash. Join us behind the break for a look at four more items headed to FarmVille soon enough.
Pink and Purple Crystal Trees
These Crystal Trees, available in Pink and Purple, are likely coming to FarmVille in an update this week or next, according to FarmVille Feed. The fan website also estimates that they'll cost between 5 and 10 Farm Cash. As you can see from the screen shot, some of the artwork (note the Mastery signs) is unfinished, so these items could come later rather than sooner. Regardless, they'll probably sprout up from Mystery Seedlings before you even have to pay for them.
White Shire Horse
Finally, we come to the White Shire Horse. A majestic, snowy equine beauty. OK, let's not get too dramatic, but she is quite a pretty piece of art. According to FarmVille Feed, this horse will be released through the next upcoming Mystery Game. Good luck scoring this one once it releases.
[Image Credit: FarmVille Feed]
Which of these items are you most excited to see in the game? Would you consider buying any of them for your farm?
Pink and Purple Crystal Trees
These Crystal Trees, available in Pink and Purple, are likely coming to FarmVille in an update this week or next, according to FarmVille Feed. The fan website also estimates that they'll cost between 5 and 10 Farm Cash. As you can see from the screen shot, some of the artwork (note the Mastery signs) is unfinished, so these items could come later rather than sooner. Regardless, they'll probably sprout up from Mystery Seedlings before you even have to pay for them.
White Shire Horse
Finally, we come to the White Shire Horse. A majestic, snowy equine beauty. OK, let's not get too dramatic, but she is quite a pretty piece of art. According to FarmVille Feed, this horse will be released through the next upcoming Mystery Game. Good luck scoring this one once it releases.
[Image Credit: FarmVille Feed]
Which of these items are you most excited to see in the game? Would you consider buying any of them for your farm?
Gameloft rockets N.O.V.A. iOS shooter game onto Facebook
Remember our little chats about 3D gaming on Facebook? Well, this is what we were talking about. Gameloft has launched N.O.V.A., its popular iOS first-person shooter series, on Facebook. Titled N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance Elite, the game throws you into a galactic battle for the livelihood of Earth ... or something like that. The free-to-play social game expectantly runs on the Unity Engine, as do most 3D games on Facebook, and already has a virtual goods shop available. This marks Gameloft's, normally a mobile phone developer, third game on Facebook. And boy, is it a strong (looking) one.
"For over 10 years, Gameloft has established itself as the leading developer on all mass-market platforms for downloadable video games," Gameloft president Michel Guillemot said. "With this in mind, we've expanded our reach to include games for social networks. This also illustrates our resolve to be closer to our fans on all platforms of their choosing."
According to Digital Trends, the game is heavily inspired by Microsoft's Halo series, which is most definitely apparent. However, to say it's a rip-off would probably be selling it short entirely too early. Isn't it difficult enough for a sci-fi-themed shooter game to avoid the all-too-easy Halo comparison? We'll be the judge of whether N.O.V.A. dodges the Halo bullet in our preview, so stay tuned.
[Video Credit: Gameloft]
Are you psyched to try out this game on Facebook? Do you think N.O.V.A. will establish a traditional gameplay type well enough for it to stick (and where others have failed)?
"For over 10 years, Gameloft has established itself as the leading developer on all mass-market platforms for downloadable video games," Gameloft president Michel Guillemot said. "With this in mind, we've expanded our reach to include games for social networks. This also illustrates our resolve to be closer to our fans on all platforms of their choosing."
According to Digital Trends, the game is heavily inspired by Microsoft's Halo series, which is most definitely apparent. However, to say it's a rip-off would probably be selling it short entirely too early. Isn't it difficult enough for a sci-fi-themed shooter game to avoid the all-too-easy Halo comparison? We'll be the judge of whether N.O.V.A. dodges the Halo bullet in our preview, so stay tuned.
[Video Credit: Gameloft]
Are you psyched to try out this game on Facebook? Do you think N.O.V.A. will establish a traditional gameplay type well enough for it to stick (and where others have failed)?
FarmVille Scam Alert: Obvious Giant Cream Egg Tree scam is obvious
Giant Cream Egg Scam
They're everywhere! Phony Giant Cream Egg Trees are running rampant through FarmVille. Well, at least scammers offering free ones are. FarmVille Freak has found the next big FarmVille scam, offering free Giant Cream Egg Trees. Wait, isn't the item offered through the Market called a Giant Spring Egg Tree? Exactly. These scammers don't seem to do their homework, but does it really matter? Aren't people going to click on it anyway simply because it reads "Free" somewhere on it? Not if you can help. Spread the word to your friends and those affected that this is a scam and they should get their computers checked out immediately. Problem solved ... for now.
[Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
Check out the rest of our Easter 2011 coverage right here.
Have you seen this scam circulating through your News Feed? How do you think Zynga should handle what's arguably become a serious issue?
They're everywhere! Phony Giant Cream Egg Trees are running rampant through FarmVille. Well, at least scammers offering free ones are. FarmVille Freak has found the next big FarmVille scam, offering free Giant Cream Egg Trees. Wait, isn't the item offered through the Market called a Giant Spring Egg Tree? Exactly. These scammers don't seem to do their homework, but does it really matter? Aren't people going to click on it anyway simply because it reads "Free" somewhere on it? Not if you can help. Spread the word to your friends and those affected that this is a scam and they should get their computers checked out immediately. Problem solved ... for now.
[Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]
Check out the rest of our Easter 2011 coverage right here.
Have you seen this scam circulating through your News Feed? How do you think Zynga should handle what's arguably become a serious issue?
Family Village game on Facebook pushes privacy boundaries
Everyone is fascinated by the concept of learning more about their family roots. Case in point: NBC's Friday night reality show 'Who Do You Think You Are,' where celebs such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Cattrall and Steve Buscemi dig deep into their family's past while America watches.
Now, there's a new Facebook game from Funium -- Family Village -- that's designed to do the same for you. There's a catch, though. You're required to give up some serious personal information in order to uncover any new family info. I'm not talking about things like your hometown and birthday, but things like your parents name, place of birth, birthdays, etc. It's necessary info to properly play the game, but it also inadvertently reminds me of the numerous phishing scam emails I get every month.
Family Village works like this: Create an avatar in a virtual village (much like you'd see in FarmVille or any other Facebook game) and then move your parents and other relatives into your town, assign them a place to live and give them jobs so they can earn coins which can, in turn, be used to upgrade your town with new buildings, roads, etc. The game is driven by a series of tasks -- many of which require you to enter people's birthdays and other personal info.
Gallery: Family Village on Facebook
As you enter your relatives' info, the game will pull up old articles, census data or other bits of information that may be relevant to your family. You can check it out and then determine whether the information is relevant or not. If so, you can save the info (or print it out), then continue populating your village with the rest of your family tree, and, ideally, uncovering more information as time moves on.
Admittedly, the concept of a game that helps you discover your roots is a fascinating one, but with the recent reports that Facebook plans to cash in on users' personal information more than ever, the Family Village's release couldn't really come at a worse time.
And, even though the Funium gives the generic promise to take 'great care to protect your family information inside Family Village' and says its 'servers are located behind firewalls' -- that's not really saying much, especially in the digital age wracked with headlines about supposedly secure Android apps exposing personal information and recent Capital One, JP Morgan Chase and Best Buy hacks doing the same.
Family Village: Are you OK with handing out that much personal info?
Yes -- I trust that it's safe.On the fence.No -- better safe than sorry.
VoteView ResultsShare ThisPolldaddy.com
UPDATE 4/22: Funium's general council gave us this official statement on the game's privacy:
"Privacy is of key importance to Funium as well as its players. Please understand that Funium does not share anyone's information with Facebook. Rather it is Facebook that shares the user's information with us. The relationship is one-way. And, unless the user specifically allows it, no one visiting your village can see anything but first names and last initials for villagers. We allow users to share their family tree with other family members but it is the player who determines who their family tree is shared with, not Funium."
Now, there's a new Facebook game from Funium -- Family Village -- that's designed to do the same for you. There's a catch, though. You're required to give up some serious personal information in order to uncover any new family info. I'm not talking about things like your hometown and birthday, but things like your parents name, place of birth, birthdays, etc. It's necessary info to properly play the game, but it also inadvertently reminds me of the numerous phishing scam emails I get every month.
Family Village works like this: Create an avatar in a virtual village (much like you'd see in FarmVille or any other Facebook game) and then move your parents and other relatives into your town, assign them a place to live and give them jobs so they can earn coins which can, in turn, be used to upgrade your town with new buildings, roads, etc. The game is driven by a series of tasks -- many of which require you to enter people's birthdays and other personal info.
Gallery: Family Village on Facebook
As you enter your relatives' info, the game will pull up old articles, census data or other bits of information that may be relevant to your family. You can check it out and then determine whether the information is relevant or not. If so, you can save the info (or print it out), then continue populating your village with the rest of your family tree, and, ideally, uncovering more information as time moves on.
Admittedly, the concept of a game that helps you discover your roots is a fascinating one, but with the recent reports that Facebook plans to cash in on users' personal information more than ever, the Family Village's release couldn't really come at a worse time.
And, even though the Funium gives the generic promise to take 'great care to protect your family information inside Family Village' and says its 'servers are located behind firewalls' -- that's not really saying much, especially in the digital age wracked with headlines about supposedly secure Android apps exposing personal information and recent Capital One, JP Morgan Chase and Best Buy hacks doing the same.
Family Village: Are you OK with handing out that much personal info?
Yes -- I trust that it's safe.On the fence.No -- better safe than sorry.
VoteView ResultsShare ThisPolldaddy.com
UPDATE 4/22: Funium's general council gave us this official statement on the game's privacy:
"Privacy is of key importance to Funium as well as its players. Please understand that Funium does not share anyone's information with Facebook. Rather it is Facebook that shares the user's information with us. The relationship is one-way. And, unless the user specifically allows it, no one visiting your village can see anything but first names and last initials for villagers. We allow users to share their family tree with other family members but it is the player who determines who their family tree is shared with, not Funium."
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Zynga IPO leads social games investment spree; will the bubble burst?
Zynga is poised to present its multi-billion dollar IPO in a matter of days, PopCap is looking to do the same (much later), and countless developers are being bought, sold and invested in daily. Frankly, it's crazy town in the social games business these days.
For instance, as Zynga prepares to become at least the second most valuable game company globally compared to EA and Activision Blizzard (if not the most valuable), Google leads an $85 million investment in Kabam, creator of 'hardcore' social games like most recently Global Warfare, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
All the while, Finnish developer Supercell has raised $12 million using a similar strategy, VentureBeat reports. If that wasn't enough, Turkish developer Peak Games just raised a cool $5 million to make more games for the Turkish, Middle Eastern and North African market, according to the Wall Street Journal. Crazy town, we say, but will things ever calm down?
With estimates that social gaming will soar to become a $5 billion industry by 2015, probably not anytime soon. Though, as history has told us, it has to happen at some point. Social games have become a major component to what I call the "Internet Bubble 2.0" with the likes of Facebook, Google and Twitter gobbling up companies and raking in the dough. You'd think with this many investments and buyouts flying around, the social games industry would have to reach a breaking point soon, but nay.
Zynga IPO
These companies are just getting started. Most social game developers haven't even used Facebook to its full potential, as we've heard many designers cry out. Not to mention even Zynga hasn't achieved its long-term goals like mobile dominance, and Google's rumored social games service isn't here yet. Until another company can effectively compete on Zynga's level--and truly over-saturate the space--expect your favorite social games companies to be around for a long time. Well, at least until 2015, if we all make it that far.
[Image Credits: All Things D, Richard Heeks]
When do you think the social games money madness will cease? Will it take a company to compete with Zynga head on for that to happen, or will something else like, say, public disinterest bring Zynga and the like down from Cloud 9?
For instance, as Zynga prepares to become at least the second most valuable game company globally compared to EA and Activision Blizzard (if not the most valuable), Google leads an $85 million investment in Kabam, creator of 'hardcore' social games like most recently Global Warfare, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
All the while, Finnish developer Supercell has raised $12 million using a similar strategy, VentureBeat reports. If that wasn't enough, Turkish developer Peak Games just raised a cool $5 million to make more games for the Turkish, Middle Eastern and North African market, according to the Wall Street Journal. Crazy town, we say, but will things ever calm down?
With estimates that social gaming will soar to become a $5 billion industry by 2015, probably not anytime soon. Though, as history has told us, it has to happen at some point. Social games have become a major component to what I call the "Internet Bubble 2.0" with the likes of Facebook, Google and Twitter gobbling up companies and raking in the dough. You'd think with this many investments and buyouts flying around, the social games industry would have to reach a breaking point soon, but nay.
Zynga IPO
These companies are just getting started. Most social game developers haven't even used Facebook to its full potential, as we've heard many designers cry out. Not to mention even Zynga hasn't achieved its long-term goals like mobile dominance, and Google's rumored social games service isn't here yet. Until another company can effectively compete on Zynga's level--and truly over-saturate the space--expect your favorite social games companies to be around for a long time. Well, at least until 2015, if we all make it that far.
[Image Credits: All Things D, Richard Heeks]
When do you think the social games money madness will cease? Will it take a company to compete with Zynga head on for that to happen, or will something else like, say, public disinterest bring Zynga and the like down from Cloud 9?
Resident Evil producer to board social game bandwagon in Japan
"Next stop, money!" said the questionable man in a gold-threaded suit as he yanked the social games bandwagon away from Street Fighter-creator Capcom's offices in Osaka, Japan. Keiji Inafune, one of the many ingenious minds behind iconic franchises like Resident Evil and Mega Man, revealed to Bloomberg that he has a social game set to release in Japan this summer.
Inafune joins Tecmo Koei, Square Enix and Sega as Japanese game developers that decided to board the social games train in hopes of making some serious cash. Not to mention executives from companies like Tecmo Koei getting up and running to money makers such as Zynga for the same reason.
The dejected developer claims that the shortsightedness of traditional publishers and developers (ahem, Capcom?) to not include developers in big decisions will cause them to fall behind social game giants like Zynga, Bloomberg reports. If you hadn't guessed already, Inafune left Capcom in Oct. 2010 due to managerial disputes, and has since founded two game companies: Comcept and Intercept.
One of which, we imagine, is working on this social game. And if we had to guess, it will release either on Gree or DeNA's MobageTown mobile network. And according to Bloomberg, the developer could release the game as early as this, so consider us here in the states "jelly," Japan.
[Via/Image Credit: Siliconera]
How do you think Inafune will fare on his own not only with his two companies, but in social games? Do you this trend of traditional developers fleeing to Facebook continuing much longer?
Inafune joins Tecmo Koei, Square Enix and Sega as Japanese game developers that decided to board the social games train in hopes of making some serious cash. Not to mention executives from companies like Tecmo Koei getting up and running to money makers such as Zynga for the same reason.
The dejected developer claims that the shortsightedness of traditional publishers and developers (ahem, Capcom?) to not include developers in big decisions will cause them to fall behind social game giants like Zynga, Bloomberg reports. If you hadn't guessed already, Inafune left Capcom in Oct. 2010 due to managerial disputes, and has since founded two game companies: Comcept and Intercept.
One of which, we imagine, is working on this social game. And if we had to guess, it will release either on Gree or DeNA's MobageTown mobile network. And according to Bloomberg, the developer could release the game as early as this, so consider us here in the states "jelly," Japan.
[Via/Image Credit: Siliconera]
How do you think Inafune will fare on his own not only with his two companies, but in social games? Do you this trend of traditional developers fleeing to Facebook continuing much longer?
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