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Thứ Sáu, 9 tháng 12, 2011
UK Facebook users could soon gamble their earnings away (for real)
As in, gamble their real cash away with the chance of actually winning money in return. According to eGaming Review (eGR) [paywall link], Facebook is talking with a number of UK operators to possibly open up its platform to real-money gambling. And the change could happen as soon as the first quarter in 2012. We can almost hear the sobs of British men in the gutter already from bad Zynga Poker matches.
eGR reports, citing anonymous sources (of course), that Facebook is considering providing eight licenses to UK operators looking to get into a market that developers are already trying to crack. According to the website, Facebook is already staffing up in preparation for the initiative. This type of thing is likely years away from happening in the US, where online gambling is, for all intents and purposes, illegal.
The UK-based online gambling companies in question reportedly include Gamesys and 888 Holdings. However, more details on how age gates, payment solutions or revenue splits between Facebook and the companies would work aren't available. The website speculates that Facebook could be using the UK as a testbed for similar efforts in other countries.
The news comes as particularly striking considering the number of mock-casino and betting games that have hit Facebook in recent months from DoubleDown Casino to Yazino's games and Bet Tycoon, to name a few. In fact, Yazino CEO Hussein Chahine thinks that the social gaming market would be vastly different today if not for how the US handled online gambling prior to the rise of the genre. Well, it looks like those floodgates are about to open--at least elsewhere in the world.
eGR reports, citing anonymous sources (of course), that Facebook is considering providing eight licenses to UK operators looking to get into a market that developers are already trying to crack. According to the website, Facebook is already staffing up in preparation for the initiative. This type of thing is likely years away from happening in the US, where online gambling is, for all intents and purposes, illegal.
The UK-based online gambling companies in question reportedly include Gamesys and 888 Holdings. However, more details on how age gates, payment solutions or revenue splits between Facebook and the companies would work aren't available. The website speculates that Facebook could be using the UK as a testbed for similar efforts in other countries.
The news comes as particularly striking considering the number of mock-casino and betting games that have hit Facebook in recent months from DoubleDown Casino to Yazino's games and Bet Tycoon, to name a few. In fact, Yazino CEO Hussein Chahine thinks that the social gaming market would be vastly different today if not for how the US handled online gambling prior to the rise of the genre. Well, it looks like those floodgates are about to open--at least elsewhere in the world.
Everybody, start your engines: Zynga will go public on Dec. 16 [Report]
Did you remember your enormous salt shaker? Good, because Reuters reports that Zynga, everybody's favorite social game maker, will make its stock market debut on Dec. 16. According to Reuters, the CityVille creator will look to raise $900 million, a hair down from the almost unanimously-reported $1 billion that will bring its valuation to $14 billion.
But hey, that's still right on par with the most valuable games company in the West, Activision Blizzard. (Of course, Reuters cites "a source involved in the process.") Zynga will reportedly ask between $8 and $10 a share on the Nasdaq under the ticker ZNGA--a fairly noticeable one, no? However, Reuters does confirm that Zynga will start its roadshow next week to spur investor interest.
That is, if investors can look past the recent torrent of reports and quips that don't paint the prettiest picture of the company behind FarmVille. The New York Times allegedly revealed that Angry Birds maker Rovio turned down a $2.25 billion offer from the company, while a recent Wall Street Journal report seems to have exposed quite the stock scandal within Zynga. Worse yet, players are apparently leaving in droves. It's time for Zynga to shift into third gear: That $900 million is atop one giant hill.
Would you ever invest in Zynga at such a price? Do you think the company could at least become the second most valuable games company in the US?
But hey, that's still right on par with the most valuable games company in the West, Activision Blizzard. (Of course, Reuters cites "a source involved in the process.") Zynga will reportedly ask between $8 and $10 a share on the Nasdaq under the ticker ZNGA--a fairly noticeable one, no? However, Reuters does confirm that Zynga will start its roadshow next week to spur investor interest.
That is, if investors can look past the recent torrent of reports and quips that don't paint the prettiest picture of the company behind FarmVille. The New York Times allegedly revealed that Angry Birds maker Rovio turned down a $2.25 billion offer from the company, while a recent Wall Street Journal report seems to have exposed quite the stock scandal within Zynga. Worse yet, players are apparently leaving in droves. It's time for Zynga to shift into third gear: That $900 million is atop one giant hill.
Would you ever invest in Zynga at such a price? Do you think the company could at least become the second most valuable games company in the US?
Food Force on Facebook: It's FarmVille for do-gooders
Two of the biggest reasons people play social games are distraction and relaxation, but a new Facebook game hopes to add another reason -- to do good in real life.
Food Force, a game created by Konami and the World Food Programme, puts players at the head of a virtual humanitarian aid agency with the goal of getting rid of hunger in different parts of the world. To complete this monumental task, players will need to grow crops a la FarmVille, turn them into expendable goods and ship them off to countries in need. As per most social games, friends are required to get the job done, and you'll be able to visit neighbors' agencies for bonuses.
The game itself isn't exactly groundbreaking (and a tad confusing), but the main selling point is that you can use Facebook Credits to buy power-ups in the in-game store and the proceeds go to the World Food Programme school meal initiative (which helps feed 20 million children every year). So, basically, if you use Facebook Credits to buy a tractor or some kind of fertilizer, you'll help feed a certain number of children. A 'real-life impact" tracker in the game lets you know how many kids you've helped.
food force real world impact
It's worth noting that this is the second debut for Food Force. The first was back in 2005 when Konami released another game with the same name, in which players executed emergency operations on a fictional island. The new Food Force on Facebook game is a little broader in scope than the original and takes advantage of Facebook's social features.
"Through this title, we hope that people in Japan and across the globe not only strengthen their understanding of WFP's work but also support their worldwide efforts against hunger while enjoying an accessible social game," says Konami Senior Vice President Kazuhiko Uehara.
We've seen this trend of doing good in other social games, like the popular FarmVille's Sweet Seeds for Haiti promotions, but this is one of the few games entirely devoted to building awareness and raising money for a cause. While the idea behind the game is, well, admirable, one can't help but wonder -- is the game going to get enough people to play to really make a difference? An existing game like FarmVille, with 20-some-odd millions of engaged players, might be a better vehicle for organizations that want to make a difference.
Food Force, a game created by Konami and the World Food Programme, puts players at the head of a virtual humanitarian aid agency with the goal of getting rid of hunger in different parts of the world. To complete this monumental task, players will need to grow crops a la FarmVille, turn them into expendable goods and ship them off to countries in need. As per most social games, friends are required to get the job done, and you'll be able to visit neighbors' agencies for bonuses.
The game itself isn't exactly groundbreaking (and a tad confusing), but the main selling point is that you can use Facebook Credits to buy power-ups in the in-game store and the proceeds go to the World Food Programme school meal initiative (which helps feed 20 million children every year). So, basically, if you use Facebook Credits to buy a tractor or some kind of fertilizer, you'll help feed a certain number of children. A 'real-life impact" tracker in the game lets you know how many kids you've helped.
food force real world impact
It's worth noting that this is the second debut for Food Force. The first was back in 2005 when Konami released another game with the same name, in which players executed emergency operations on a fictional island. The new Food Force on Facebook game is a little broader in scope than the original and takes advantage of Facebook's social features.
"Through this title, we hope that people in Japan and across the globe not only strengthen their understanding of WFP's work but also support their worldwide efforts against hunger while enjoying an accessible social game," says Konami Senior Vice President Kazuhiko Uehara.
We've seen this trend of doing good in other social games, like the popular FarmVille's Sweet Seeds for Haiti promotions, but this is one of the few games entirely devoted to building awareness and raising money for a cause. While the idea behind the game is, well, admirable, one can't help but wonder -- is the game going to get enough people to play to really make a difference? An existing game like FarmVille, with 20-some-odd millions of engaged players, might be a better vehicle for organizations that want to make a difference.
The Top 10 Free iOS and Android Games -- November 2011
As Sean Bean-err--Ned Stark would say: Winter is coming. And it's time to kick back on the couch and play some more games to make sure the 10 pounds you took on over Thanksgiving break stays there for the chilly months. The amount of gaming goodness to be enjoyed out there on the cheap is enormous and growing, and we're not just talking Facebook. Free-to-play games (as in, more than mere demos) are becoming more and more attractive to game creators.
Of course, they all have payment structures similar to Facebook and social games, but frequent readers should be used to that by now. With that, we've decided to highlight the best of the best, the cream of the crop each month as it stands on the final day of said month. Here are the top 10 free iOS and Android games (as of this writing) for November 2011:
Top 10 Free iOS Games
1. Amazing Breaker Free
Dekovir Inc. brings an interesting puzzler to the table with a simple goal: Using a few bombs as possible, destroy at least 90 percent of the ice in each sculpture. It sounds easy, but what until those sculptures break off in tiny shards. The game, complete with Retina Display graphics, features several unique bomb types including Ghost Bombs and Helicopter Bombs.
Pictorial2. Angry Chickens
Seriously? Games like this don't even deserve more than this sentence, but we're game: The only thing more uninspired in this game than swapping the word "Birds" for "Chickens" is that there isn't even a type of four-legged farm animal in it.
3. Office Jerk
Fluik's iconic game returns to the top of the charts after an update this month. Now, you can throw Thanksgiving turkeys at the jerk for a limited time, as well as a host of other food items.
4. Monster Magic
Come on, people: Doodle Jump has been there and done that. At any rate, players can send 12 different monsters leaping up endless flights of floating platforms (sound familiar?) with the help of numerous power-ups.
5. Original Gangstaz Rock
If Mafia Wars isn't ... gangsta' enough for you, then Addmired's take might scratch that itch for you. Hey, here's something this game has and Mafia Wars doesn't: Your Momma' jokes--an interesting proposition, we guess.
6. Pictorial
Sergey Vasiliev has created (pictured upper right) what looks to be one of the more interesting takes on connect the dots this writer has seen. Players must guess the shapes presented in clusters of stars in the night sky as a means of training players' spatial awareness.
7. Dream Zoo
Zynga's first zoo-themed game released this month clocks in on the charts at a lower place than we'd expect. That's especially considering, based on an early look at the game, how darn cute it is. Check out our full preview right here.
8. Doodle Devil F2P
JoyBits has released the spiritual successor to its hit Doodle God. As you might have guessed from the title, the game has players do the exact opposite as before: destroy the universe using just basic elements ... like an apple and a human.
NFL Pro 2012
9. NFL Pro 2012
This answer to Madden by Gameloft takes the NFL license and runs with it. In fact, this looks like it plays a whole lot like Madden does on the iPhone. Though, Gameloft does claim to have used motion capture to get those players moves just right.
10. MyTown 2
Booyah's sequel to its location-based city builder was just updated with a slew of social features. Given that our in-depth preview of the game rested on the lack of said social features, this could make MyTown 2 worth a try.
Top 10 Free Android Games
1. Angry Birds
Again, because everything to say about Rovio's money printer has been said ad infinitum, let's highlight some Angry Birds news, shall we? Did you hear that Rovio allegedly turned down an offer from Zynga worth $2.25 billion? Crazy town!
2. Words With Friends
Let's try that same approach with this Zynga Mobile game, because let's face it: The game beat Scrabble to the punch on mobile. Did you hear that Words with Friends launched with the Amazon Kindle Fire?
3. Angry Birds Rio
Hey, the Smuggler's Plane content update just released to this version of the game. So we'd say it's worth checking out. Though, you'll likely have to pay up to access it--but why haven't you done that already?
Turkey Blast: Reloaded
4. Turkey Blast: Reloaded
Ezone.com brings a Thanksgiving-themed game to the table for those that are still munching on leftovers. And who could resist that theme song? Just ... check out the game's page on the Android Market.
5. Angry Birds Seasons
Ooh, here's a juicy one: It looks like the next Christmas-themed Angry Birds update will be called "Wreck The Halls." You can probably expect it some time in December.
6. Fruit Ninja Free
Fruit appears, you slice it and squishy/slice noises ensue. Rinse, repeat and your three-hour flight to Seattle just turned into an hour-long joyride. Halfbrick, how will you ever strike gold like this again?
7. Drag Racing
Pretty much a staple to the top 10 list for Android at this point, Creative Mobile's car racer and customizer simply seems to deliver. Android-owning gear heads: This is the mobile game for you.
8. Shoot Bubble Deluxe
A newcomer to the top 10 list, but not a newcomer to games across the board, City Games's latest is a futuristic take on the bubble-bursting sub genre. At least there are a few gameplay modes and a global leaderboard, right?
Defender
9. Defender
This may be just another tower defense game, but boy does it look good. Droidhen's take on the "defend your castle from monsters" sub genre is a refreshingly handsome one at the very least, with numerous flashy power ups.
10. 3D Bowling
Italy Games's approach to everyone's least favorite sport returns to the top 10 list. And for good reason: The game looks stunning (for a bowling game), has detailed stat tracking and packs online leaderboards for the competitive types.
[Sources and Image Credits: Apple, Google]
Which of these games do you plan on downloading to ring in the winter with some fun? What games do you hope make it on the list next month?
Of course, they all have payment structures similar to Facebook and social games, but frequent readers should be used to that by now. With that, we've decided to highlight the best of the best, the cream of the crop each month as it stands on the final day of said month. Here are the top 10 free iOS and Android games (as of this writing) for November 2011:
Top 10 Free iOS Games
1. Amazing Breaker Free
Dekovir Inc. brings an interesting puzzler to the table with a simple goal: Using a few bombs as possible, destroy at least 90 percent of the ice in each sculpture. It sounds easy, but what until those sculptures break off in tiny shards. The game, complete with Retina Display graphics, features several unique bomb types including Ghost Bombs and Helicopter Bombs.
Pictorial2. Angry Chickens
Seriously? Games like this don't even deserve more than this sentence, but we're game: The only thing more uninspired in this game than swapping the word "Birds" for "Chickens" is that there isn't even a type of four-legged farm animal in it.
3. Office Jerk
Fluik's iconic game returns to the top of the charts after an update this month. Now, you can throw Thanksgiving turkeys at the jerk for a limited time, as well as a host of other food items.
4. Monster Magic
Come on, people: Doodle Jump has been there and done that. At any rate, players can send 12 different monsters leaping up endless flights of floating platforms (sound familiar?) with the help of numerous power-ups.
5. Original Gangstaz Rock
If Mafia Wars isn't ... gangsta' enough for you, then Addmired's take might scratch that itch for you. Hey, here's something this game has and Mafia Wars doesn't: Your Momma' jokes--an interesting proposition, we guess.
6. Pictorial
Sergey Vasiliev has created (pictured upper right) what looks to be one of the more interesting takes on connect the dots this writer has seen. Players must guess the shapes presented in clusters of stars in the night sky as a means of training players' spatial awareness.
7. Dream Zoo
Zynga's first zoo-themed game released this month clocks in on the charts at a lower place than we'd expect. That's especially considering, based on an early look at the game, how darn cute it is. Check out our full preview right here.
8. Doodle Devil F2P
JoyBits has released the spiritual successor to its hit Doodle God. As you might have guessed from the title, the game has players do the exact opposite as before: destroy the universe using just basic elements ... like an apple and a human.
NFL Pro 2012
9. NFL Pro 2012
This answer to Madden by Gameloft takes the NFL license and runs with it. In fact, this looks like it plays a whole lot like Madden does on the iPhone. Though, Gameloft does claim to have used motion capture to get those players moves just right.
10. MyTown 2
Booyah's sequel to its location-based city builder was just updated with a slew of social features. Given that our in-depth preview of the game rested on the lack of said social features, this could make MyTown 2 worth a try.
Top 10 Free Android Games
1. Angry Birds
Again, because everything to say about Rovio's money printer has been said ad infinitum, let's highlight some Angry Birds news, shall we? Did you hear that Rovio allegedly turned down an offer from Zynga worth $2.25 billion? Crazy town!
2. Words With Friends
Let's try that same approach with this Zynga Mobile game, because let's face it: The game beat Scrabble to the punch on mobile. Did you hear that Words with Friends launched with the Amazon Kindle Fire?
3. Angry Birds Rio
Hey, the Smuggler's Plane content update just released to this version of the game. So we'd say it's worth checking out. Though, you'll likely have to pay up to access it--but why haven't you done that already?
Turkey Blast: Reloaded
4. Turkey Blast: Reloaded
Ezone.com brings a Thanksgiving-themed game to the table for those that are still munching on leftovers. And who could resist that theme song? Just ... check out the game's page on the Android Market.
5. Angry Birds Seasons
Ooh, here's a juicy one: It looks like the next Christmas-themed Angry Birds update will be called "Wreck The Halls." You can probably expect it some time in December.
6. Fruit Ninja Free
Fruit appears, you slice it and squishy/slice noises ensue. Rinse, repeat and your three-hour flight to Seattle just turned into an hour-long joyride. Halfbrick, how will you ever strike gold like this again?
7. Drag Racing
Pretty much a staple to the top 10 list for Android at this point, Creative Mobile's car racer and customizer simply seems to deliver. Android-owning gear heads: This is the mobile game for you.
8. Shoot Bubble Deluxe
A newcomer to the top 10 list, but not a newcomer to games across the board, City Games's latest is a futuristic take on the bubble-bursting sub genre. At least there are a few gameplay modes and a global leaderboard, right?
Defender
9. Defender
This may be just another tower defense game, but boy does it look good. Droidhen's take on the "defend your castle from monsters" sub genre is a refreshingly handsome one at the very least, with numerous flashy power ups.
10. 3D Bowling
Italy Games's approach to everyone's least favorite sport returns to the top 10 list. And for good reason: The game looks stunning (for a bowling game), has detailed stat tracking and packs online leaderboards for the competitive types.
[Sources and Image Credits: Apple, Google]
Which of these games do you plan on downloading to ring in the winter with some fun? What games do you hope make it on the list next month?
'Tis the season to play The Sims Social's Cozy Winter Retreat update
With December quickly approaching--like, in less than six hours--it's time to whip out the Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa decorations. Of course, it's no different for the Sims of Little Haven, as EA and Playfish have pushed a new theme to The Sims Social: Cozy Winter Retreat. Your Sims are headed to a comfy-looking ski resort complete with a steamy sauna and jacuzzi.
But that's not the only thing steamy about this content update--more on that later. Starting today, players will have access to a slew of brand new Christmas decorations through the in-game shop including a number of interactive decorations. How does a buildable Christmas Trees sound? You'll get to decorate their very own holiday firs with "tinsel, baubles and other stuff to make your tree look cooler and cooler," according to EA. Better yet, Christmas Trees double as interactive and skill items, and will be able to be used for other items in the future.
The Sims Social Winter Outfits
Players can also pick up, like we said, yet another new jacuzzi, the Winter Chalet Hot Tub. Unfortunately, we're told that there's no WooHoo to be had in this hot tub, but players can take a deeper dip than usual. Finally players will likely get to make their own Christmas cookies with the Holiday Toasting Set. Of course, a brand new quest awaits players, making a nod to a Christmas classic.
The Simch has descended upon Little Haven with a hatred for all things jolly, and it's up to you to bring the holiday cheer to this grumpy character. As with all The Sims Social quests, there's something in it for you: an Okea Gingerbread Pal. Now, back to the steamy stuff. This weekend, players can pick up a Mistletoe Hat for 25 SimCash that will 100 percent guarantee success with kisses until Jan. 31. And on Monday, a Fire Oven will go on sale that will increase Sims' Cooking skill.
The Sims Social Winter Chalet Hot Tub
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2011 coverage right here.
Have you started enjoying this wintry updates to The Sims Social yet? What do you think of the weekly updates to the game so far
But that's not the only thing steamy about this content update--more on that later. Starting today, players will have access to a slew of brand new Christmas decorations through the in-game shop including a number of interactive decorations. How does a buildable Christmas Trees sound? You'll get to decorate their very own holiday firs with "tinsel, baubles and other stuff to make your tree look cooler and cooler," according to EA. Better yet, Christmas Trees double as interactive and skill items, and will be able to be used for other items in the future.
The Sims Social Winter Outfits
Players can also pick up, like we said, yet another new jacuzzi, the Winter Chalet Hot Tub. Unfortunately, we're told that there's no WooHoo to be had in this hot tub, but players can take a deeper dip than usual. Finally players will likely get to make their own Christmas cookies with the Holiday Toasting Set. Of course, a brand new quest awaits players, making a nod to a Christmas classic.
The Simch has descended upon Little Haven with a hatred for all things jolly, and it's up to you to bring the holiday cheer to this grumpy character. As with all The Sims Social quests, there's something in it for you: an Okea Gingerbread Pal. Now, back to the steamy stuff. This weekend, players can pick up a Mistletoe Hat for 25 SimCash that will 100 percent guarantee success with kisses until Jan. 31. And on Monday, a Fire Oven will go on sale that will increase Sims' Cooking skill.
The Sims Social Winter Chalet Hot Tub
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2011 coverage right here.
Have you started enjoying this wintry updates to The Sims Social yet? What do you think of the weekly updates to the game so far
Pioneer Trail Australian Animal Collection: Get them while they last!
The past few limited edition collections must have gone over very well in Pioneer Trail, as now we've seen one released with an original theme (that is, one not associated with a holiday). This newest collection features limited edition Australian animals, that can only be purchased and well... collected for a limited time. There are five animals for sale, along with a bonus prize if you purchase all five. Here's the rundown:
Wallaby - 20 Horseshoes
Brolga Crane - 25 Horseshoes
Cassowary - 30 Horseshoes
Emu - 35 Horseshoes
Kangaroo - 40 Horseshoes
Altogether, if you purchase just one of each animal, you're looking at a cost of 150 Horseshoes. You'll need to purchase at least one of each animal to receive the free bonus prize: a Koala Bear. While this collection is still rolling out to users, once it does reach your Homestead, you'll have around 11 days to make up your mind as to which of the five to purchase. With Horseshoes constantly on sale, you'll at least be able to stock up on premium currency for cheaper than the "normal" price (then again, if it's always on sale, isn't the sale price now the "normal" price?). Just make sure to shop sooner, rather than later, so that you don't miss out.
[Via and Image Credit: Zynga]
Will you purchase any of the five animals in this Australian animal collection? Which ones? Will you go for all five so you can earn the Koala Bear
Wallaby - 20 Horseshoes
Brolga Crane - 25 Horseshoes
Cassowary - 30 Horseshoes
Emu - 35 Horseshoes
Kangaroo - 40 Horseshoes
Altogether, if you purchase just one of each animal, you're looking at a cost of 150 Horseshoes. You'll need to purchase at least one of each animal to receive the free bonus prize: a Koala Bear. While this collection is still rolling out to users, once it does reach your Homestead, you'll have around 11 days to make up your mind as to which of the five to purchase. With Horseshoes constantly on sale, you'll at least be able to stock up on premium currency for cheaper than the "normal" price (then again, if it's always on sale, isn't the sale price now the "normal" price?). Just make sure to shop sooner, rather than later, so that you don't miss out.
[Via and Image Credit: Zynga]
Will you purchase any of the five animals in this Australian animal collection? Which ones? Will you go for all five so you can earn the Koala Bear
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