If you've ever wondered just how much people are spending in FarmVille and other social games, a new report from Social Gold and Inside Social Games have found some (disturbing) answers. About 90% of social gamers don't drop a dime on these free-to-play games, but those who do, average about $60 a person.
That's not the unsettling part of the story. There's a tiny percentage of that spendy population, called "Super Whales,' who have dropped over $10K on FarmVille and its ilk. Social Gold, a company that provides microtransaction software to game developers, reports that one lavish spender in Saudi Arabia has dropped $25,000 (yes, you read that right -- 25 THOUSAND) dollars on social games and another in the US has invested nearly $20,000 in games as well. Can you say goodbye college fund?
One game maker says he ran across several hedge-funders who tried to out-spend each other in one of his games, dropping over a grand each on virtual armor and weapons. We predict it's only a matter of time until we see a bankrupt virtual farmer sobbing on Dr. Phil. Oh, the horror.
Hiển thị các bài đăng có nhãn facebook games. Hiển thị tất cả bài đăng
Hiển thị các bài đăng có nhãn facebook games. Hiển thị tất cả bài đăng
Thứ Tư, 15 tháng 2, 2012
Thứ Sáu, 3 tháng 2, 2012
Social games to see increase in virtual purchases (again), analysts say
It looks like we're going to be buying many more digital doodads in the future, according to a study conducted by Lazard Capital Markets. Lazard's survey also suggests that time spent in social games will steadily increase if not maintain.
"Specifically, 86 percent of online gamers plan to spend at least as much or more time playing games online this year," Lazard said. "Similarly, 88 percent of social gamers plan to spend as much or more time playing Facebook games this year."
Well, that is a lot of loyal Facebook gamers, but just because social games like FarmVille are immensely popular in the U.S. doesn't necessarily mean players are going to be suddenly inspired to throw their dough at a social game. According Lazard's study, 21 percent of Facebook users--both console and social gamers exclusively--are paying for digital goods somewhere. While this doesn't directly correlate to just digital purchases on Facebook, Lazard claimed, "Nonetheless, from a trend perspective we note that virtual goods consumption is increasing."
The prime question here is, regardless of what the numbers imply, what is it exactly that will improve attitudes towards digital goods enough to change how game content is accessed? It's entirely possible that by as early as the next generation of traditional video games that digital distribution will become the primary method of buying games, which social gaming has surely had an impact on. However, it's uncertain what would make us gamers more comfortable with spending money on intangible items. The regulation of social games' item prices through Facebook Credits might do the trick.
"Specifically, 86 percent of online gamers plan to spend at least as much or more time playing games online this year," Lazard said. "Similarly, 88 percent of social gamers plan to spend as much or more time playing Facebook games this year."
Well, that is a lot of loyal Facebook gamers, but just because social games like FarmVille are immensely popular in the U.S. doesn't necessarily mean players are going to be suddenly inspired to throw their dough at a social game. According Lazard's study, 21 percent of Facebook users--both console and social gamers exclusively--are paying for digital goods somewhere. While this doesn't directly correlate to just digital purchases on Facebook, Lazard claimed, "Nonetheless, from a trend perspective we note that virtual goods consumption is increasing."
The prime question here is, regardless of what the numbers imply, what is it exactly that will improve attitudes towards digital goods enough to change how game content is accessed? It's entirely possible that by as early as the next generation of traditional video games that digital distribution will become the primary method of buying games, which social gaming has surely had an impact on. However, it's uncertain what would make us gamers more comfortable with spending money on intangible items. The regulation of social games' item prices through Facebook Credits might do the trick.
Thứ Năm, 2 tháng 2, 2012
Lunchtime poll: Facebook punishes Ravenwood Fair maker for privacy gaffe - did they go too far?
Just as we were really starting to fall for the Facebook game Ravenwood Fair from LOLApps, we got a rude awakening when we learned we could no longer share items from the game on our Facebook Wall or send gifts to friends. Turns out, Facebook is punishing the social game developer for leaking user information to ad network and other data mining companies.
For six months, you will not be able to post anything from any LOL Apps game on Facebook, essentially turning off all of the things that make these games 'social,' and in some cases, fun to play.
While privacy on the Internet is no joking matter, do you think that Facebook's punishment is too harsh? Or should they have taken the punishment a step further? Sound off in today's lunchtime poll.
Facebook punishes LOLApps for privacy gaffe. Is it fair?
Yes, it's a fair punishmentNot sureNo, they should ban LOL Apps from Facebook foreverNo, it's really affecting my game experience!
VoteView ResultsShare ThisPolldaddy.com
For six months, you will not be able to post anything from any LOL Apps game on Facebook, essentially turning off all of the things that make these games 'social,' and in some cases, fun to play.
While privacy on the Internet is no joking matter, do you think that Facebook's punishment is too harsh? Or should they have taken the punishment a step further? Sound off in today's lunchtime poll.
Facebook punishes LOLApps for privacy gaffe. Is it fair?
Yes, it's a fair punishmentNot sureNo, they should ban LOL Apps from Facebook foreverNo, it's really affecting my game experience!
VoteView ResultsShare ThisPolldaddy.com
Thứ Hai, 9 tháng 1, 2012
Milmo on Facebook: Opening a whole new world of social gaming
Flying in Milmo
Let's forget the fancy introductions and just come out and say it: Milmo for Facebook is a sprawling, vibrant world that exists in your browser. A full 3D MMO developed by Swedish studio Junebud, Milmo is exactly what we were referring to when we predicted the trend of genre blending for 2011. And this game released in 2010!
Making use of the Unity Engine (another prediction for 2011), this game transports players into a living, breathing world even more so than existing Facebook MMOs like Godswar Online. Obviously, the game is designed to have more widespread appeal through somewhat childish graphics, a frame of a plot and simplistic combat (click to swing weapon, click again... and again). But where Milmo shines is in the sense of awe it draws from you--you'll find yourself saying yourself after a few minutes of play, "Whoa, this is on my Facebook?"
Find more of our impressions after the break.
The world of Milmo
This game is more about the experience of exploration than any of its other features. Everything from the combat to the quests are tools to drive players to see every nook and cranny of over 12 islands. In fact, there are even reward for collecting all eight Exploration Tokens in each level, which are normally found hiding in areas you wouldn't normally journey to. This encourages you to simply run around and take everything in, but with a purpose.
Of course, the common MMO tropes are all in place. However, there seem to be no levels in Milmo like most MMOs, which could serve to encourage play with other users of all experience levels, regardless of where they've been. But players do gain Gems from defeating enemies ranging from crabs to snails and strange bouncing heads of snowmen. (Hey, this is a fantasy.) These gems are used to buy items like health potions and new weapons. There are quests in the game, but they're rather simplistic in that they've yet to go beyond the range of "Hey you, kill these critters for me."
Sunlight
While flaws like this are noticeable to the jaded average gamer, Junebud's target demographic will think nothing of it, soaking in every quest and piece of uncharted land. In fact, even I found myself ignoring the quests for a time and simply running and jumping around, testing the limits of where I could reach. But these limits are easily broken by cannons strewn across islands that players can jump into for easy transport. Ever wanted to fly in a Facebook game? Now is your chance. As you progress, you'll be given the choice to tackle an overarching quest through divergent paths, giving you options on where to travel next. Again, this reinforces open discovery.
You'd think that a Facebook MMO would forget about using the network's normal channels of communication, choosing to use solely an in-game chat room or something (which it does include), but nearly everything can be shared on Facebook. Receive a new Title to show off that you collected over one thousand gems? You'll be automatically given the option to post that to your News Feed. You can also invite your Facebook friends to play directly, but what you will not find any of here is gifting or requests for help from friends.
Floating Islands
Alas, Milmo never forgets that it is, in fact, on Facebook. The game is littered with tutorials that update as you progress, revealing new features to you. This is mainly for players who have yet to try an MMO and can become tiresome for seasoned gamers. Also, there is a premium shop in Milmo for virtual goods purchases using cold hard cash, another Facebook staple. All in all, Milmo signifies a major leap forward for Facebook games in that it advances what's possible on the platform while retaining its roots.
Let's forget the fancy introductions and just come out and say it: Milmo for Facebook is a sprawling, vibrant world that exists in your browser. A full 3D MMO developed by Swedish studio Junebud, Milmo is exactly what we were referring to when we predicted the trend of genre blending for 2011. And this game released in 2010!
Making use of the Unity Engine (another prediction for 2011), this game transports players into a living, breathing world even more so than existing Facebook MMOs like Godswar Online. Obviously, the game is designed to have more widespread appeal through somewhat childish graphics, a frame of a plot and simplistic combat (click to swing weapon, click again... and again). But where Milmo shines is in the sense of awe it draws from you--you'll find yourself saying yourself after a few minutes of play, "Whoa, this is on my Facebook?"
Find more of our impressions after the break.
The world of Milmo
This game is more about the experience of exploration than any of its other features. Everything from the combat to the quests are tools to drive players to see every nook and cranny of over 12 islands. In fact, there are even reward for collecting all eight Exploration Tokens in each level, which are normally found hiding in areas you wouldn't normally journey to. This encourages you to simply run around and take everything in, but with a purpose.
Of course, the common MMO tropes are all in place. However, there seem to be no levels in Milmo like most MMOs, which could serve to encourage play with other users of all experience levels, regardless of where they've been. But players do gain Gems from defeating enemies ranging from crabs to snails and strange bouncing heads of snowmen. (Hey, this is a fantasy.) These gems are used to buy items like health potions and new weapons. There are quests in the game, but they're rather simplistic in that they've yet to go beyond the range of "Hey you, kill these critters for me."
Sunlight
While flaws like this are noticeable to the jaded average gamer, Junebud's target demographic will think nothing of it, soaking in every quest and piece of uncharted land. In fact, even I found myself ignoring the quests for a time and simply running and jumping around, testing the limits of where I could reach. But these limits are easily broken by cannons strewn across islands that players can jump into for easy transport. Ever wanted to fly in a Facebook game? Now is your chance. As you progress, you'll be given the choice to tackle an overarching quest through divergent paths, giving you options on where to travel next. Again, this reinforces open discovery.
You'd think that a Facebook MMO would forget about using the network's normal channels of communication, choosing to use solely an in-game chat room or something (which it does include), but nearly everything can be shared on Facebook. Receive a new Title to show off that you collected over one thousand gems? You'll be automatically given the option to post that to your News Feed. You can also invite your Facebook friends to play directly, but what you will not find any of here is gifting or requests for help from friends.
Floating Islands
Alas, Milmo never forgets that it is, in fact, on Facebook. The game is littered with tutorials that update as you progress, revealing new features to you. This is mainly for players who have yet to try an MMO and can become tiresome for seasoned gamers. Also, there is a premium shop in Milmo for virtual goods purchases using cold hard cash, another Facebook staple. All in all, Milmo signifies a major leap forward for Facebook games in that it advances what's possible on the platform while retaining its roots.
Go shopping on Facebook with Viva! Mall by Konami on Jan. 14
Slaying demons with a whip and weaving through rush hour traffic? Mere child's play. Esteemed developer Konami has already broken into Facebook with games like Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Challenge, but its newest game, Viva! Mall, marks a milestone for the company. This will be the first original (and complete) social game developed by Konami.
"With the release of Frogger and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Challenge already gaining traction among the Facebook community, we felt like we were ready to make another contribution to the social networking site with the release of Viva! Mall," Konami president Shinji Hirano says. "This title is our first major attempt in bringing a full featured Facebook game to market and consumers can expect to hear more announcements on our next Facebook game soon."
Set to release Jan. 14, Viva! Mall will put players in the role of running their own shopping center. Mall owners will take care of every responsibility from cleaning it to maintaining inventory. In other words, Viva! Mall is expected to play a lot like games such as CityVille and FarmVille. Said by Konami to give players a glimpse of what it's like to run a real mall, players will be able to hire friends to manage stores. The developer also promises weekly content updates as well as gifting and daily lottery bonuses. Expect more details when our checks clear the game is released this Friday.
"With the release of Frogger and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Challenge already gaining traction among the Facebook community, we felt like we were ready to make another contribution to the social networking site with the release of Viva! Mall," Konami president Shinji Hirano says. "This title is our first major attempt in bringing a full featured Facebook game to market and consumers can expect to hear more announcements on our next Facebook game soon."
Set to release Jan. 14, Viva! Mall will put players in the role of running their own shopping center. Mall owners will take care of every responsibility from cleaning it to maintaining inventory. In other words, Viva! Mall is expected to play a lot like games such as CityVille and FarmVille. Said by Konami to give players a glimpse of what it's like to run a real mall, players will be able to hire friends to manage stores. The developer also promises weekly content updates as well as gifting and daily lottery bonuses. Expect more details when our checks clear the game is released this Friday.
Thứ Sáu, 6 tháng 1, 2012
Digital Chocolate officially launches Zombie Lane on Facebook
Digital Chocolate has broken into the world of Zombie-themed games on Facebook with the release of Zombie Lane. We brought you a preview of Zombie Lane earlier this month, but the game is now officially available to play on the platform. The game will have you creating your own avatar that you will represent you as you fight the undead scourge, and help create a safe zone in your own backyard.
Zombie Lane is called a "survival" game in that you must do everything in your power to survive. You'll find new weapons (or will be given them) at various intervals (you start with a shovel, but are quickly upgraded to a shotgun, for instance), and you'll then use these weapons to attack the zombies that are forever rising from the ground around your yard. Your yard is fenced in, but zombies will try to break the fencing and come after your brains, as zombies most often do.
While the game may be fairly original in its design, Zombie Lane does take a few gameplay elements from other established Facebook games (like FrontierVille). You'll have an energy system that will only allow you to kill so many zombies at once, and you'll receive bonus coins, experience points, and energy as drops from completed tasks. Picking up these bonus items in rapid succession goes to build a combo meter (think bonus bar), which, when filled, rewards you with even more coins.
As your starting yard looks as though it has been hit by a tornado, you'll receive a series of missions that take you through a fairly basic story in the game, introducing you to other characters, and seeing you repair your home and fence to actually withstand stronger attacks from the undead. You'll need to clear piles of rubble to gather bricks to rebuild the house, for instance. As you complete tasks, you'll become closer and closer to the state when you can bring your spouse into the game with you, which is as much of a nod to FrontierVille as I've ever seen in a game.
While you're trying to accomplish these construction tasks, it's likely that zombies will be trying to make you their lunch, so you can use your coins to purchase ammo refills for your shotgun, or use items like energy boosts from your inventory (they can also be purchased with Food - yes, there is time to farm while the zombie apocalypse is nigh). The game's premium currency is straight Facebook Credits, and these can be used to purchase permanent boosts to your total energy, decorations (as what's a restored neighborhood without bushes and Adirondack chairs on the porch?) and other items.
There are collection items to earn here (which also drop from defeated enemies), which earn you various amounts of coins and XP, and the game also comes with an achievement set, but you must level up to receive it.
All told, this isn't the first zombie themed Facebook game we've seen released, and we doubt it will be the last, but Digital Chocolate does seem to offer a sense of polish with this game as they do on all of their others. I'll likely be sticking with this one for a while, and you're more than welcome to join me.
Play Zombie Lane on Facebook -->
Have you played Zombie Lane on Facebook? What do you think of this new zombie-themed game? Do you think there are too many games in this genre, or can you never have enough of the theme?
Zombie Lane is called a "survival" game in that you must do everything in your power to survive. You'll find new weapons (or will be given them) at various intervals (you start with a shovel, but are quickly upgraded to a shotgun, for instance), and you'll then use these weapons to attack the zombies that are forever rising from the ground around your yard. Your yard is fenced in, but zombies will try to break the fencing and come after your brains, as zombies most often do.
While the game may be fairly original in its design, Zombie Lane does take a few gameplay elements from other established Facebook games (like FrontierVille). You'll have an energy system that will only allow you to kill so many zombies at once, and you'll receive bonus coins, experience points, and energy as drops from completed tasks. Picking up these bonus items in rapid succession goes to build a combo meter (think bonus bar), which, when filled, rewards you with even more coins.
As your starting yard looks as though it has been hit by a tornado, you'll receive a series of missions that take you through a fairly basic story in the game, introducing you to other characters, and seeing you repair your home and fence to actually withstand stronger attacks from the undead. You'll need to clear piles of rubble to gather bricks to rebuild the house, for instance. As you complete tasks, you'll become closer and closer to the state when you can bring your spouse into the game with you, which is as much of a nod to FrontierVille as I've ever seen in a game.
While you're trying to accomplish these construction tasks, it's likely that zombies will be trying to make you their lunch, so you can use your coins to purchase ammo refills for your shotgun, or use items like energy boosts from your inventory (they can also be purchased with Food - yes, there is time to farm while the zombie apocalypse is nigh). The game's premium currency is straight Facebook Credits, and these can be used to purchase permanent boosts to your total energy, decorations (as what's a restored neighborhood without bushes and Adirondack chairs on the porch?) and other items.
There are collection items to earn here (which also drop from defeated enemies), which earn you various amounts of coins and XP, and the game also comes with an achievement set, but you must level up to receive it.
All told, this isn't the first zombie themed Facebook game we've seen released, and we doubt it will be the last, but Digital Chocolate does seem to offer a sense of polish with this game as they do on all of their others. I'll likely be sticking with this one for a while, and you're more than welcome to join me.
Play Zombie Lane on Facebook -->
Have you played Zombie Lane on Facebook? What do you think of this new zombie-themed game? Do you think there are too many games in this genre, or can you never have enough of the theme?
Thứ Ba, 13 tháng 12, 2011
Baseball Superstars: The League goes for a grand slam on Facebook
Just in time for the playoff season in the states (Philadelphia NL East Champs! ... sorry), Gamevil has released its very own baseball simulator on Facebook, Baseball Superstars: The League. The Korean and Los Angeles-based developer best known for the Zenonia series of RPGs (role-playing games) on the iPhone released this social version of its hit baseball sims on iOS.
Of course, EA Sports and Playfish have already staked their claim to the sub genre on Facebook with World Series Superstars, but already Gamevil has one thing going for it: global multiplayer. That's right, once you choose your team's name, logo and specialty between Power, Accuracy and Speed, you can jump into games immediately with anyone playing the game.
While you will certainly need Facebook friends to play in Exhibition games, those looking for a fast and easy Quick Play game, the world's digital baseball managers await you. There's also a Home Run Derby mode as well as full-blown tournaments, which are coming soon. And the gameplay is surprisingly interactive, having players actually swing at pitches with clicks.
Baseball Superstars Logo
Baseball Superstars features a full-blown pitching system as well, in which players select from a variety of pitches and choose exactly where they land in or around the strike zone. There are also a number of commands you can give to base runners to attempt to steal bases. All in all, this looks like an impressively full-featured baseball game on Facebook at launch.
While much of the game has players tweaking their stadiums like most sports games on Facebook, it's the actually Quick Plays and Exhibition games that are the meat and potatoes of Baseball Superstars, and what could make this game a competitor to existing social sports games. "It builds upon our years of strategic advances in the global games market, and shows that we can adapt and offer a unique yet competitive social games experience," VP and head of Gamevil USA Kyu Lee said in a release.
Baseball Superstars gameplay
Baseball Superstars is just Gamevil's second release on Facebook after Train City, which didn't do so hot, according to AppData. Considering the hype train that is US baseball in September and October, baseball fans (the closet Facebook game-loving ones, at least) are going to be on the hunt for a new experience on Facebook.
And it looks like Gamevil will be there to meet them with a Facebook game that actually focuses on, you know, the baseball? Hey, the second time can still be a charm, too, right?
Click here to play Baseball Superstars: The League on Facebook Now >
Have you tried this new baseball Facebook game yet? What do you think of Gamevil's second entry into the Facebook game space, and what about their existing iOS games?
Of course, EA Sports and Playfish have already staked their claim to the sub genre on Facebook with World Series Superstars, but already Gamevil has one thing going for it: global multiplayer. That's right, once you choose your team's name, logo and specialty between Power, Accuracy and Speed, you can jump into games immediately with anyone playing the game.
While you will certainly need Facebook friends to play in Exhibition games, those looking for a fast and easy Quick Play game, the world's digital baseball managers await you. There's also a Home Run Derby mode as well as full-blown tournaments, which are coming soon. And the gameplay is surprisingly interactive, having players actually swing at pitches with clicks.
Baseball Superstars Logo
Baseball Superstars features a full-blown pitching system as well, in which players select from a variety of pitches and choose exactly where they land in or around the strike zone. There are also a number of commands you can give to base runners to attempt to steal bases. All in all, this looks like an impressively full-featured baseball game on Facebook at launch.
While much of the game has players tweaking their stadiums like most sports games on Facebook, it's the actually Quick Plays and Exhibition games that are the meat and potatoes of Baseball Superstars, and what could make this game a competitor to existing social sports games. "It builds upon our years of strategic advances in the global games market, and shows that we can adapt and offer a unique yet competitive social games experience," VP and head of Gamevil USA Kyu Lee said in a release.
Baseball Superstars gameplay
Baseball Superstars is just Gamevil's second release on Facebook after Train City, which didn't do so hot, according to AppData. Considering the hype train that is US baseball in September and October, baseball fans (the closet Facebook game-loving ones, at least) are going to be on the hunt for a new experience on Facebook.
And it looks like Gamevil will be there to meet them with a Facebook game that actually focuses on, you know, the baseball? Hey, the second time can still be a charm, too, right?
Click here to play Baseball Superstars: The League on Facebook Now >
Have you tried this new baseball Facebook game yet? What do you think of Gamevil's second entry into the Facebook game space, and what about their existing iOS games?
NHL Superstars coming to Facebook in October
Adding to its popular brand of "Superstars" titles on Facebook, Electronic Arts has announced the production of NHL Superstars for Facebook. This new game, as reported by ShackNews, comes on the heels of EA's NHL 12 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 breaking franchise records for the biggest launch week in the franchise's history.
As for the franchise's jump onto the Facebook ice, we're told this: "NHL Superstars will bring an all-new NHL experience to millions of hockey fans by enabling players to build and manage their ultimate team of professional hockey players. With dynamic and accessible gameplay, fans can compete head-to-head in games against their Facebook friends from around the world."
While specific details are still lacking as to what we can exactly expect from NHL Superstars, we can't imagine EA / Playfish breaking the mold. We'll likely be able to collect cards that contain professional hockey players, and then trade those cards out to create the best team possible. Each player will likely have stats, and we'll be able to use those players in virtual hockey games against others for supremacy.
We don't have a specific release date for NHL Superstars, although the game is set to take to the ice sometime in October. We'll make sure to give you a complete look at the game when we know more.
Are you excited to see NHL Superstars come to Facebook? Which players will you look for to create your perfect team?
As for the franchise's jump onto the Facebook ice, we're told this: "NHL Superstars will bring an all-new NHL experience to millions of hockey fans by enabling players to build and manage their ultimate team of professional hockey players. With dynamic and accessible gameplay, fans can compete head-to-head in games against their Facebook friends from around the world."
While specific details are still lacking as to what we can exactly expect from NHL Superstars, we can't imagine EA / Playfish breaking the mold. We'll likely be able to collect cards that contain professional hockey players, and then trade those cards out to create the best team possible. Each player will likely have stats, and we'll be able to use those players in virtual hockey games against others for supremacy.
We don't have a specific release date for NHL Superstars, although the game is set to take to the ice sometime in October. We'll make sure to give you a complete look at the game when we know more.
Are you excited to see NHL Superstars come to Facebook? Which players will you look for to create your perfect team?
Thứ Sáu, 9 tháng 12, 2011
GreenSpace on Facebook wants you to make the (distant) future tidy
With the way waste management around the globe is going, the Earth probably won't look so hot in a few decades. Canadian social game maker RocketOwl Inc. asks gamers to fast forward a couple hundred years in its new Facebook game GreenSpace. In that time--assuming we've yet to destroy ourselves--our planet will likely be inhabitable if we maintain this track, and it's up to you to reclaim a previously colonized and, of course, dirtied up planet one piece of litter at a time.
GreenSpace has officially exited its open beta period today, and is now available for all to play hopefully bug-free. The game tasks players with managing a colony as they transform it from a heap of trash into a lush, green mountain valley. While GreenSpace's presentation doesn't seem terribly different from games like CityVille, RocketOwl touts the game's animations, artwork and addictive cleaning actions. Fast-paced mini games are also said to play a role in GreenSpace.
GreenSpace in action
"We've been working with players over the past few months to fine-tune the game,"RocketOwl CEO Graeme Barlow said in a statement. "Now that GreenSpace is coming out of beta, the entire team is really excited to see the public reception of the launch. We could not be happier with the final product and hope that you enjoy playing it as much as we've enjoyed putting it together."
GreenSpace strikes us as quite similar to a recent green-themed Facebook game, Guerillapps's Trash Tycoon. Both games revolve around reclaiming a territory from the clutches of clutter, though the latter is attached to real-life organizations looking to do the same in the world around us. Based on the looks of GreenSpace, RocketOwl seems to be dedicated to at least raising awareness of the same issues, but make that call for yourself.
Click here to play GreenSpace on Facebook Now >
Do you think Facebook games are a good place to raise awareness of issues of waste and other "green" concerns? Do you think GreenSpace could do or does a good job of this?
GreenSpace has officially exited its open beta period today, and is now available for all to play hopefully bug-free. The game tasks players with managing a colony as they transform it from a heap of trash into a lush, green mountain valley. While GreenSpace's presentation doesn't seem terribly different from games like CityVille, RocketOwl touts the game's animations, artwork and addictive cleaning actions. Fast-paced mini games are also said to play a role in GreenSpace.
GreenSpace in action
"We've been working with players over the past few months to fine-tune the game,"RocketOwl CEO Graeme Barlow said in a statement. "Now that GreenSpace is coming out of beta, the entire team is really excited to see the public reception of the launch. We could not be happier with the final product and hope that you enjoy playing it as much as we've enjoyed putting it together."
GreenSpace strikes us as quite similar to a recent green-themed Facebook game, Guerillapps's Trash Tycoon. Both games revolve around reclaiming a territory from the clutches of clutter, though the latter is attached to real-life organizations looking to do the same in the world around us. Based on the looks of GreenSpace, RocketOwl seems to be dedicated to at least raising awareness of the same issues, but make that call for yourself.
Click here to play GreenSpace on Facebook Now >
Do you think Facebook games are a good place to raise awareness of issues of waste and other "green" concerns? Do you think GreenSpace could do or does a good job of this?
Look, Activision, do you want to make Facebook games or not?
Seriously, it's not a hard question. And yet, the omnipotent games publisher continues to flip-flop on the subject of social games. In October, Activision Blizzard (Call of Duty ring a bell?) CEO Bobby Kotick told Los Angeles Magazine that, while the company is at a point where it's ready to invest in Facebook games, it doesn't expect much to come of it. Here's an excerpt from Kotick's conversation:
As of October Activision chief executive Bobby Kotick still wasn't ready. "If we can't put a creative foot forward, it's not interesting to us," he told me at the company's headquarters, which is tucked in an office complex on Ocean Park Avenue. In assessing Facebook, Kotick says he's been "trying to figure out what we could do that's different from what's being done. So now that they've gotten a large enough audience and we've done enough analysis of the opportunity, we can commit capital." He adds, however, "We don't have huge expectations."
Um, just curious ... what's the point then? Since then, Kotick spoke with Bloomberg, seeming refreshingly bullish on the prospect of Facebook games. Over the summer--before either interview--the Activision chief admitted that the company was into social games. But shortly after, other executives within the company made points to denounce Facebook gaming. What gives?
Here's the thing: If you're not going to go full bore into the social games space, then you're not going to get anywhere. Just look at EA, for instance. It's cost the company upwards of $2 billion in acquisitions to hit second place on the charts with 56.9 million monthly players, and that's not even close to the industry leader Zynga's 218 million. If Activision doesn't have "huge expectations" of its efforts in Facebook games, why even spend the cash? Hell, the publisher's own former game creators may beat it to the punch.
[Via LA Observed]
Is it even worth it for Activision Blizzard to get into Facebook games at this point? If so, what types of games would you like to see from the games publisher?
As of October Activision chief executive Bobby Kotick still wasn't ready. "If we can't put a creative foot forward, it's not interesting to us," he told me at the company's headquarters, which is tucked in an office complex on Ocean Park Avenue. In assessing Facebook, Kotick says he's been "trying to figure out what we could do that's different from what's being done. So now that they've gotten a large enough audience and we've done enough analysis of the opportunity, we can commit capital." He adds, however, "We don't have huge expectations."
Um, just curious ... what's the point then? Since then, Kotick spoke with Bloomberg, seeming refreshingly bullish on the prospect of Facebook games. Over the summer--before either interview--the Activision chief admitted that the company was into social games. But shortly after, other executives within the company made points to denounce Facebook gaming. What gives?
Here's the thing: If you're not going to go full bore into the social games space, then you're not going to get anywhere. Just look at EA, for instance. It's cost the company upwards of $2 billion in acquisitions to hit second place on the charts with 56.9 million monthly players, and that's not even close to the industry leader Zynga's 218 million. If Activision doesn't have "huge expectations" of its efforts in Facebook games, why even spend the cash? Hell, the publisher's own former game creators may beat it to the punch.
[Via LA Observed]
Is it even worth it for Activision Blizzard to get into Facebook games at this point? If so, what types of games would you like to see from the games publisher?
Thứ Ba, 11 tháng 10, 2011
NHL Superstars coming to Facebook in October
Adding to its popular brand of "Superstars" titles on Facebook, Electronic Arts has announced the production of NHL Superstars for Facebook. This new game, as reported by ShackNews, comes on the heels of EA's NHL 12 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 breaking franchise records for the biggest launch week in the franchise's history.
As for the franchise's jump onto the Facebook ice, we're told this: "NHL Superstars will bring an all-new NHL experience to millions of hockey fans by enabling players to build and manage their ultimate team of professional hockey players. With dynamic and accessible gameplay, fans can compete head-to-head in games against their Facebook friends from around the world."
While specific details are still lacking as to what we can exactly expect from NHL Superstars, we can't imagine EA / Playfish breaking the mold. We'll likely be able to collect cards that contain professional hockey players, and then trade those cards out to create the best team possible. Each player will likely have stats, and we'll be able to use those players in virtual hockey games against others for supremacy.
We don't have a specific release date for NHL Superstars, although the game is set to take to the ice sometime in October. We'll make sure to give you a complete look at the game when we know more.
Are you excited to see NHL Superstars come to Facebook? Which players will you look for to create your perfect team? Sound off in the comments.
As for the franchise's jump onto the Facebook ice, we're told this: "NHL Superstars will bring an all-new NHL experience to millions of hockey fans by enabling players to build and manage their ultimate team of professional hockey players. With dynamic and accessible gameplay, fans can compete head-to-head in games against their Facebook friends from around the world."
While specific details are still lacking as to what we can exactly expect from NHL Superstars, we can't imagine EA / Playfish breaking the mold. We'll likely be able to collect cards that contain professional hockey players, and then trade those cards out to create the best team possible. Each player will likely have stats, and we'll be able to use those players in virtual hockey games against others for supremacy.
We don't have a specific release date for NHL Superstars, although the game is set to take to the ice sometime in October. We'll make sure to give you a complete look at the game when we know more.
Are you excited to see NHL Superstars come to Facebook? Which players will you look for to create your perfect team? Sound off in the comments.
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