Thứ Tư, 26 tháng 10, 2011
CheapSkate Gamer
New games are coming at us thick and fast, so why not buy a bunch of cheap games so you don’t have time to play the new releases when they come out?
The Best Blizzard Fan Art Of 2011
The Blizzcon 2011 Fan Art Contest celebrated the stunning illustrations and paintings Blizzard fans drew, inked, and sketched, whether that be with pencils or tablets.
Nintendo’s "Circle Pad" Peripheral Gets A (Slightly) Different Name In The West
In Japan, the new second-thumbstick add-on for the Nintendo 3DS is simply called the “Circle Pad Expansion”. Not very exciting, but it at least gets the point across.
In the West, though, it looks like it’ll have a different name. A trademark filing from Nintendo in Japan has revealed that the peripheral’s name in places like the US and Europe will be likely be the “Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro”.
In the West, though, it looks like it’ll have a different name. A trademark filing from Nintendo in Japan has revealed that the peripheral’s name in places like the US and Europe will be likely be the “Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro”.
Where Tokyo Meets Blade Runner
this video game stuff, especially Battlefield 3 stuff, is wearing me out. Time to take a few minutes to chill, relax, watch a soothing movie where footage of modern-day Tokyo is played to the accompaniment of the Blade Runner soundtrack.
Where Tokyo Meets Blade Runner
The footage, shot by Samuel Cockedey, is mostly of the Shinjuku area in central Tokyo. The music? Vangelis’ haunting sci-fi score, to which most things set in the future made since 1982 owe a great debt.
Arkham City Cosplay Turns Normal Man Into Dark Knight
A team of props builders from forum The FX lab have wanted to build a Batman suit for a long, long time. With the success of first Arkham Asylum and now its sequel, Arkham City, they finally found the inspiration/motivation.
So they built a Batsuit based on that found in the games. And it’s…well, I’m almost speechless. This thing is perfect. It would not look out of place in a live-action commercial or even a live-action movie, such is the attention to detail.
So they built a Batsuit based on that found in the games. And it’s…well, I’m almost speechless. This thing is perfect. It would not look out of place in a live-action commercial or even a live-action movie, such is the attention to detail.
Thứ Ba, 25 tháng 10, 2011
Gran Turismo 5′s DLC Delayed In The US
Asia has Gran Turismo 5′s latest downloadable content already. Europe gets it very soon. But in the US, it’s been delayed until October 25. To make up for the wait, players will receive a “special bonus”.
Don’t Get Mad At Need For Speed: The Run’s Biggest Star
According to PopWatch, the actress will play a character by the name of Sam Harper. “She’s got a relationship with the main driver player,” explained Hendricks, about her role with the game’s protagonist Jack Rourke. “They come from the same hood. She gets him involved in the cross-country race with a lot of money at stake. There’s an element of pushing him but also taking care of him.”
While Hendricks is not a gamer, her husband is. “My husband’s constantly running to GameStop because something’s being released the next day,” she told PopWatch. Maybe he reads Kotaku, too. If so, hello there!
Hendricks doesn’t sound like she’s much of a gearhead, either. “For years, I have been driving a PT Cruiser,” said Hendricks. “I like that I can put tons of stuff in it.” Because apparently she has tons of things to stuff in it?
Need for Speed: The Run will be out next month. Hopefully, Hendricks can get her husband a copy so he doesn’t have to run over to GameStop.
While Hendricks is not a gamer, her husband is. “My husband’s constantly running to GameStop because something’s being released the next day,” she told PopWatch. Maybe he reads Kotaku, too. If so, hello there!
Hendricks doesn’t sound like she’s much of a gearhead, either. “For years, I have been driving a PT Cruiser,” said Hendricks. “I like that I can put tons of stuff in it.” Because apparently she has tons of things to stuff in it?
Need for Speed: The Run will be out next month. Hopefully, Hendricks can get her husband a copy so he doesn’t have to run over to GameStop.
There’s A Mystery DC Superhero Game Coming In 2012
In an interview with the LA Times, Warner Bros’ Martin Tremblay, president of the company’s video games division, gets to talking about their “tent-pole strategy”, based around big, quality games.
Tremblay of course name-drops Batman: Arkham City, and another Warner hit of 2011, Mortal Kombat, but near the end of the interview mentions something interesting. Talking about the publisher’s 2012 lineup, he says that alongside a Hobbit game and LEGO Batman sequel, Warner will also be releasing “a game featuring a superhero from Warner’s DC Comics unit” that the president would not name.
I mean, the obvious guess would be Superman, but then, that’s too obvious. There’s already a Superman movie in production, due out in 2013, so something based around that would hardly need the veil of secrecy. And besides, it’s not like these Batman games have been based (or even timed) around movies.
So I’m going to spend the time between now and the project’s reveal pretending it’s an Aquaman game. It’ll be like BioShock. With beards.
Tremblay of course name-drops Batman: Arkham City, and another Warner hit of 2011, Mortal Kombat, but near the end of the interview mentions something interesting. Talking about the publisher’s 2012 lineup, he says that alongside a Hobbit game and LEGO Batman sequel, Warner will also be releasing “a game featuring a superhero from Warner’s DC Comics unit” that the president would not name.
I mean, the obvious guess would be Superman, but then, that’s too obvious. There’s already a Superman movie in production, due out in 2013, so something based around that would hardly need the veil of secrecy. And besides, it’s not like these Batman games have been based (or even timed) around movies.
So I’m going to spend the time between now and the project’s reveal pretending it’s an Aquaman game. It’ll be like BioShock. With beards.
Thứ Hai, 24 tháng 10, 2011
Call Of Duty: Elite Shutting Down Today. Only For A Bit.
In preparation for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launch, the beta for Call of Duty: Elite, Activision’s new social network and stat-tracking service, is going offline later today.
According to an official release, Activision and Beachhead Studio are shutting down the Elite beta at 3pm EST (5am AEDT). Before MW3 and Elite‘s launch, the following sections have been closed: Connect, Compete and Improve.
The Career page, however, will open shortly as will the Black Ops stats.
Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Elite launch on November 8.
According to an official release, Activision and Beachhead Studio are shutting down the Elite beta at 3pm EST (5am AEDT). Before MW3 and Elite‘s launch, the following sections have been closed: Connect, Compete and Improve.
The Career page, however, will open shortly as will the Black Ops stats.
Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Elite launch on November 8.
Sega Now Location Testing Toilets
Remember Toirettsu? It’s a toilet, outfitted with mini-games. As Sega Toys pointed out, “You’re able to game with pee!” Finally!
The contraption is outfitted with mini-games, and there is a sensor that can apparently measure the speed of one’s urine stream. Some of the mini-games include erasing graffiti with a hose (with your pee), causing wind to blow under a women’s skirt (yes, with pee) and a “bukkake battle” in which on-screen players shoot milk from their nose (pee, pee, pee!).
As of last winter, Toirettsu was still under development. Today, Sega announced that Japanese restaurant chain Yoronotaki will be installing Toirettsu at 40 of its restaurants. The location test will feature two mini-games for men to urinate on.
Sega Toys plans on selling the Toirettsu later this year, but for the time being, Toirettsu will dribble out at select locations in Japan.
The contraption is outfitted with mini-games, and there is a sensor that can apparently measure the speed of one’s urine stream. Some of the mini-games include erasing graffiti with a hose (with your pee), causing wind to blow under a women’s skirt (yes, with pee) and a “bukkake battle” in which on-screen players shoot milk from their nose (pee, pee, pee!).
As of last winter, Toirettsu was still under development. Today, Sega announced that Japanese restaurant chain Yoronotaki will be installing Toirettsu at 40 of its restaurants. The location test will feature two mini-games for men to urinate on.
Sega Toys plans on selling the Toirettsu later this year, but for the time being, Toirettsu will dribble out at select locations in Japan.
From Yale To Persia: Private Diaries Of Gaming’s Renaissance Man
n 1985 Jordon Mechner was a student at Yale riding high on a mix of euphoria over the surprise success of his first video game, Karateka, and trepidation over the idea of turning that success into a career.
Trading the east coast for the west landed him in the thick of a game industry beginning to realise the potential of the medium. Mechner’s journey from college student to Prince of Persia creator captures they birth of not just an influential video game, but of the industry. Fortunately, Mechner kept a diary. Below you will find a chapter from his eight-year chronicle of life as a developer and the birth of Prince of Persia reprinted with Mechner’s permission. Enjoy. – Ed’s Note
September 10, 1986
[San Francisco ] “I thought you were the pizza man,” Tomi said when she opened the door to the Baker Street apartment and saw me there at the top of the steep steps with my two bags.
Now I’m reclining in luxury in one of their new armchairs, listening to Maurizio Pollini play Chopin preludes on their new CD player. There’s a stunning view of San Francisco Bay out the windows that makes my stomach contract every time I look at it.
Did I mention that I’m scared? Getting a ride to work this morning with Tomi, pulling into the Broderbund parking lot — that was scary.
Now that the day’s over and it’s clear that I had nothing to be scared of, I’m not scared any more — I’m terrified. I’m scared shitless.
I have to rent a car. I have to drive it. On these insane twelve-lane racetracks they call freeways. I have to find an apartment and rent it. I have to move in. I have to buy a car. I have to buy insurance. I’ve never done any of this stuff before… and now I have to do it all at once.
And on top of this — or rather, at the bottom of it — I have to make a computer game.
It’s gonna be fun.
September 11, 1986
Visited Danny Gorlin. He’s sunk more money into developing the development system to end all development systems. Saw the final version of Airheart. It’s got some staggering special effects and it’s no fun at all to play.
Danny thinks spending a million bucks on a development system will give him an edge. He might be right. But the best Apple games have been developed on a plain Apple II with two disk drives. Lucasfilm spent a million bucks to make Rescue on Fractalus and Ball Blazer, and those games aren’t significantly better than, or different from, the competition. The real strides forward — Raster Blaster, Choplifter, (what the hell) Karateka — were the work of solo programmers with no special resources.
Maybe Danny is leading game design into the 21st century. Maybe he’s just flushing money down the toilet.
I’ll stick with my Apple II.
“Everyone in the office has been playing a lot of Tetris… It’s a classic, like Breakout. But I don’t think Broderbund is going to publish it. The knaves.”
September 11, 1986
Met with Gene, Lauren, and Ed Badasov and showed them my Baghdad ideas. (Ed B. made up the working title Prince of Persia.) The storyline didn’t impress them much, but I think they saw promise in it.
It doesn’t really matter a whole lot what they think — I’m the one that has to do it — but it sure as hell wouldn’t hurt to have them enthusiastic. In a few months I should have something to thrill them.
I’m starting to get psyched to write this game. Slowly.
September 12, 1986
Apartment hunting with Steve Patrick. We checked out one place with a pink carpet, dusty chandeliers, and an old-lady landlord who said she doesn’t like renting to kids. “They make a lot of noise,” she said. “They invite their friends over.”
“Not me,” I said. “I just got off the plane from New York. I don’t have any friends.”
“Oh, you will,” she said, ominously, sounding like Yoda in Empire. “You will.”
Steve and Tomi told me I can stay with them until they kick me out.
“You should live in the Marina district,” Doug advised. “You’d meet a lot of… (pause)… yuppies.”
September 18, 1986
Looked at a house in Mill Valley, on a shady road winding through the redwoods. When I rang the doorbell the lady peered around me and said, “Is your mother down there?”
She spent fifteen minutes showing me the house, but I don’t think I ever quite convinced her I was serious.
September 23, 1986
Spent much of today working on the logistical problem of how to get the footage from a VHS tape into the computer. I finally (tentatively) settled on photographing the frames one by one with a regular 35mm camera, getting prints made, then (after retouching as needed) digitising the prints with a regular Sony video camera. It sounds like a pain but I think it’s the best way.
September 25, 1986
Another solid workday. Today I stayed till around 7 and got DRAY pretty much finished. I tested it out by digitising a page out of Muybridge. It’ll do what I need it to do. It could use another day of work. Actually, I could keep working on it for a month, if I didn’t have so much else to do.
September 26, 1986
Ed Bernstein called his last P.D. meeting this afternoon. He’s leaving to head up Broderbund’s fledgling board games division. DOUG HIMSELF will be taking over as acting head of P.D. He’ll be taking my desk, the better to stay in touch with the people. So I’ll be moving into Ed’s office.
Life is strange.
P.D. is throwing Ed a goodbye party. “Better the devil we know than the deep blue sea,” Steve said.
At lunch, Doug said: “You seem to have a very strong entrepreneurial bent.” I was surprised, and said something about how I’d probably inherited it from my father.
Coming out here was definitely the right thing to do. In Chappaqua, I was in a rut. Now, I’m in the thick of it. It’s great.
Trading the east coast for the west landed him in the thick of a game industry beginning to realise the potential of the medium. Mechner’s journey from college student to Prince of Persia creator captures they birth of not just an influential video game, but of the industry. Fortunately, Mechner kept a diary. Below you will find a chapter from his eight-year chronicle of life as a developer and the birth of Prince of Persia reprinted with Mechner’s permission. Enjoy. – Ed’s Note
September 10, 1986
[San Francisco ] “I thought you were the pizza man,” Tomi said when she opened the door to the Baker Street apartment and saw me there at the top of the steep steps with my two bags.
Now I’m reclining in luxury in one of their new armchairs, listening to Maurizio Pollini play Chopin preludes on their new CD player. There’s a stunning view of San Francisco Bay out the windows that makes my stomach contract every time I look at it.
Did I mention that I’m scared? Getting a ride to work this morning with Tomi, pulling into the Broderbund parking lot — that was scary.
Now that the day’s over and it’s clear that I had nothing to be scared of, I’m not scared any more — I’m terrified. I’m scared shitless.
I have to rent a car. I have to drive it. On these insane twelve-lane racetracks they call freeways. I have to find an apartment and rent it. I have to move in. I have to buy a car. I have to buy insurance. I’ve never done any of this stuff before… and now I have to do it all at once.
And on top of this — or rather, at the bottom of it — I have to make a computer game.
It’s gonna be fun.
September 11, 1986
Visited Danny Gorlin. He’s sunk more money into developing the development system to end all development systems. Saw the final version of Airheart. It’s got some staggering special effects and it’s no fun at all to play.
Danny thinks spending a million bucks on a development system will give him an edge. He might be right. But the best Apple games have been developed on a plain Apple II with two disk drives. Lucasfilm spent a million bucks to make Rescue on Fractalus and Ball Blazer, and those games aren’t significantly better than, or different from, the competition. The real strides forward — Raster Blaster, Choplifter, (what the hell) Karateka — were the work of solo programmers with no special resources.
Maybe Danny is leading game design into the 21st century. Maybe he’s just flushing money down the toilet.
I’ll stick with my Apple II.
“Everyone in the office has been playing a lot of Tetris… It’s a classic, like Breakout. But I don’t think Broderbund is going to publish it. The knaves.”
September 11, 1986
Met with Gene, Lauren, and Ed Badasov and showed them my Baghdad ideas. (Ed B. made up the working title Prince of Persia.) The storyline didn’t impress them much, but I think they saw promise in it.
It doesn’t really matter a whole lot what they think — I’m the one that has to do it — but it sure as hell wouldn’t hurt to have them enthusiastic. In a few months I should have something to thrill them.
I’m starting to get psyched to write this game. Slowly.
September 12, 1986
Apartment hunting with Steve Patrick. We checked out one place with a pink carpet, dusty chandeliers, and an old-lady landlord who said she doesn’t like renting to kids. “They make a lot of noise,” she said. “They invite their friends over.”
“Not me,” I said. “I just got off the plane from New York. I don’t have any friends.”
“Oh, you will,” she said, ominously, sounding like Yoda in Empire. “You will.”
Steve and Tomi told me I can stay with them until they kick me out.
“You should live in the Marina district,” Doug advised. “You’d meet a lot of… (pause)… yuppies.”
September 18, 1986
Looked at a house in Mill Valley, on a shady road winding through the redwoods. When I rang the doorbell the lady peered around me and said, “Is your mother down there?”
She spent fifteen minutes showing me the house, but I don’t think I ever quite convinced her I was serious.
September 23, 1986
Spent much of today working on the logistical problem of how to get the footage from a VHS tape into the computer. I finally (tentatively) settled on photographing the frames one by one with a regular 35mm camera, getting prints made, then (after retouching as needed) digitising the prints with a regular Sony video camera. It sounds like a pain but I think it’s the best way.
September 25, 1986
Another solid workday. Today I stayed till around 7 and got DRAY pretty much finished. I tested it out by digitising a page out of Muybridge. It’ll do what I need it to do. It could use another day of work. Actually, I could keep working on it for a month, if I didn’t have so much else to do.
September 26, 1986
Ed Bernstein called his last P.D. meeting this afternoon. He’s leaving to head up Broderbund’s fledgling board games division. DOUG HIMSELF will be taking over as acting head of P.D. He’ll be taking my desk, the better to stay in touch with the people. So I’ll be moving into Ed’s office.
Life is strange.
P.D. is throwing Ed a goodbye party. “Better the devil we know than the deep blue sea,” Steve said.
At lunch, Doug said: “You seem to have a very strong entrepreneurial bent.” I was surprised, and said something about how I’d probably inherited it from my father.
Coming out here was definitely the right thing to do. In Chappaqua, I was in a rut. Now, I’m in the thick of it. It’s great.
Thứ Bảy, 22 tháng 10, 2011
Nick Jr., MTVN expand in Asia
Rugrats and music fans in Singapore and Malaysia will be able to tune in to “Dora the Explorer” and 24-hour music videos, docus and concerts with the launch of Viacom’s Nick Jr. and MTVN HD in the territories in coming weeks.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
How I'd Make The Second "Other M" Better Than The First Already Is
Okay, confession time (and there are spoilers here, so those who haven’t played the game that doesn’t want to know what happens, leave now).
I thoroughly enjoyed Metroid: Other M. Even though it’s not going to win Game Of The Year (that could be GT5 when it finally comes out), the most controversial Metroid game in recent memory was one I couldn’t put down in the wee hours of the night. The story was intriguing, the feel was Metroid with a twist, and the controls just felt right. At the end of the game, I felt like the game had a lot going for it, and I was pleasantly surprised since they could’ve screwed that up so badly, yet they didn’t.
That being said, I know the game isn’t perfect. I would highly welcome a sequel to the game, or a similar style of Metroid game, and this is coming from someone who is a longtime Metroid fan who thinks that Super Metroid is one of the best games ever made. I would love to see what the producers do to further deepen Samus’ character.
However, I have some ideas as to how they should make the next Metroid game. This is just suggestions, and not requirements.
First, let’s get this out of the way now: KEEP JESSICA MARTIN AS THE VOICE OF SAMUS! There, I said it. Yes, the Samus lines weren’t up to snuff, but I blame the voice actress being green, and the further into the game I got, the more the voice grew on me. With more time, Jessica could become the only voice we could relate as the voice of Samus. The voice fits her character here, with the emotions seemly natural, and her getting angry when she needs to be. Jessica is new to the scene, as most in the first Metal Gear Solid were at the time, but I believe in giving people a chance, and I believe that Jessica is the right actress for the job. This is also to say to not make Samus silent again. The dialogue was a welcome change from the silent protagonist that Nintendo always does. The monologues could’ve been shorter, but that’s just nitpicking on my end.
In fact, as far as the story goes, a potential chance was lost on the part of the developers. As we now know, we see Samus as we haven’t seen her before: as an emotional wreck. Many could see this as why the game is so controversial. Until now, we’ve seen Samus as a silent, no-nonsense character that didn’t have any emotional issues. Other M changed all that, but it wasn’t a sudden changeover. Fusion gave us some insight into what direction Metroid was taking. It wasn’t like it was sudden, and the past games didn’t have that much storyline development beyond the episodic content we got. Granted, there was a plot line that expanded all games, but there wasn’t much of development into the characters until we saw the two GBA games.
I would love for Nintendo to take advantage of this, and there is one main spot that told me that they didn’t do enough to seal the deal: the Ridley scene. Anyone who has heard about this knows what I’m talking about, and though some believe that it did too much and went on too long, I thought it didn’t do enough and it actually could’ve been longer. This goes into the deep subject matter of post-traumatic stress disorder. If we go into the manga, Ridley murdered her family when she was young, and from the scene in Other M, Nintendo seems to be going towards that storyline, but I don’t think they did enough to tell the player that Samus had such a disorder, or what caused it. It’s obvious that she shows the symptoms, but they didn’t lay it on enough. I would, in the next game, put it so the game focused more on how personal the issue with Samus and Ridley is, and delve more into the PTSD issues that she seemly has. Have it so the player will have to play through her PTSD episodes, and have it so it will affect how you play the game at certain points (like, have her targeting be off, or have her shots have an adverse effect of killing things that you’re not allowed to kill). The PTSD issues make sense with how much she’s had to endure throughout her young life along with what had been going on in the bottle ship up to that point. Thing is, the game doesn’t go into this enough, which is a damn disappointment because that had to be the BEST part of the story of Other M. It was Samus at her weakest, and it was her humanized to show that the character was not just a mindless drone like Master Chief is, and instead someone who knows she’s been through a lot and one we can actually connect to and feel for. That is what’s missing in many games anymore, and doing the tragic heroine act with someone we have come to know and love over the years, I think, is a good idea that needs to be expanded upon more.
Also, there is a very interesting point to bring up: Samus’ friends, family, and things she holds dear keeps either dying or been destroyed. Adam is dead now, her family is dead, most of her Galactic Federation comrades are dead, her home planet has twice been blown up, and the baby Metroid died trying to protect her. A lot of the people she has tried to protect in the story line are also dead, and the Galactic Federation might be that close to backstabbing her. She seems to have bad luck with these kinds of things, and I would have it so she is tired of the things she loves always dying. Have it so it doesn’t take too much more of that sort of thing for her to completely lose it and begin just shooting and blowing up everything. If you thought GF considered her a threat NOW, wait until she loses her composure.
Another thing I would do: profanity. USE IT! Why is Nintendo so afraid of letting any of their characters go that route? Are they so family-friendly now that not even their most hardcore game franchise can't be mature in that sense? Now, I'm not saying that the characters should start dropping f-bombs everywhere, but the story would've been enhanced by, instead of Samus saying "RIDLEY?" in that scene, she added a "Oh, my God!" in there before saying Ridley's name. Maybe Anthony could've dropped some choice words, also. When you see games like inFamous and Uncharted, which are also Teen rated games, get away with their characters saying "balls" and "shit", and then you look at THIS game being void of even "hell" and "damn", and you'll see where I'm coming from there. Not saying that profanity alone adds to the story, either. But it is a plus.
One thing I would’ve done on the Game Over screen, and what I would do in the future in Metroid games, is that when Samus dies, have not just Adam scream for her response (or whoever is helping her), but anyone who is trying to help her out try to contact her. Other M would’ve been good to have Anthony also trying to get her attention, and when he realizes what has happened, become frightened. When she dies, flashes of various cinema scenes that we’ve seen or what we are about to see will flash as if we’re seeing her life flash before her eyes with her as she dies. Sound familiar?
This is because I think the Other M line (if there is a line) of games can take on a “Metroid Gear Solid” feel to it where the dialogue is heavy, the story line is deep, and the fourth wall can be broken. I think the similarities are there, and they could take advantage of that. Hell, have Anthony become her Otacon and help her behind the scenes as they start their own little group if and when the GF decides to betray her as they probably will do.
And to that point, that general at the end of the game. Make him a villain. He seems like the guy you just want to have burn in a fire. He came off as a pompous SOB who didn't give a rat's ass about anyone, and I loved it. Nintendo might not have any idea how much more dimension they gave to the entire Metroid storyline with just that five or so minutes of dialogue with a guy that you wanted to shoot in the face nearly a second into him beginning to talk. Let's make him into one of THE opposing forces if the betrayal story line plays itself out.
However, all of this is just story related, and the game play might also need a bit of ironing out. Bosses were a bit easier than I would’ve liked (though I’m not going to pull a TotalBiscuit here, though I love his Cataclysm videos and agree with him on a lot of things about the beta, and say that a boss fight can only be good if you die countless times). They should be challenging but balanced. Samus also needs a new weapon. The Ninja Gaidenish moves were a great start and they should expand on it, but I think it's time that she added a new trick to her armory that is her suit. Finally, the game was also too short, and could’ve been complimented by some longer game play.
And this comes to the biggest part of all: it seems as though Nintendo and Team Ninja hit a developmental wall that was the Wii’s capabilities. They might not have had enough room on the disc, or had enough horsepower on the Wii, and thus, it seemed as though more was planned for the game that ended up on the cutting room floor. The Ridley scene, though many thought it went on for too long, seemed rushed for some reason. More power was needed, and that is not the fault of anyone but Nintendo for how they made the system. Don’t get me wrong: I love the Wii. However, with that being said, I think Nintendo needs to take a look of if a Wii 1.5 system night be necessary, with a HD component and a better physical media. Imagine if Metroid was on a Blu Ray, 1080p capable Wii HD. Imagine what they could DO with it, and how long the game would be and how good of a story they can do with the capability. It would be epic, and it would turn skeptics of that kind of mechanic in a Metroid game into believers.
I thoroughly enjoyed Metroid: Other M. Even though it’s not going to win Game Of The Year (that could be GT5 when it finally comes out), the most controversial Metroid game in recent memory was one I couldn’t put down in the wee hours of the night. The story was intriguing, the feel was Metroid with a twist, and the controls just felt right. At the end of the game, I felt like the game had a lot going for it, and I was pleasantly surprised since they could’ve screwed that up so badly, yet they didn’t.
That being said, I know the game isn’t perfect. I would highly welcome a sequel to the game, or a similar style of Metroid game, and this is coming from someone who is a longtime Metroid fan who thinks that Super Metroid is one of the best games ever made. I would love to see what the producers do to further deepen Samus’ character.
However, I have some ideas as to how they should make the next Metroid game. This is just suggestions, and not requirements.
First, let’s get this out of the way now: KEEP JESSICA MARTIN AS THE VOICE OF SAMUS! There, I said it. Yes, the Samus lines weren’t up to snuff, but I blame the voice actress being green, and the further into the game I got, the more the voice grew on me. With more time, Jessica could become the only voice we could relate as the voice of Samus. The voice fits her character here, with the emotions seemly natural, and her getting angry when she needs to be. Jessica is new to the scene, as most in the first Metal Gear Solid were at the time, but I believe in giving people a chance, and I believe that Jessica is the right actress for the job. This is also to say to not make Samus silent again. The dialogue was a welcome change from the silent protagonist that Nintendo always does. The monologues could’ve been shorter, but that’s just nitpicking on my end.
In fact, as far as the story goes, a potential chance was lost on the part of the developers. As we now know, we see Samus as we haven’t seen her before: as an emotional wreck. Many could see this as why the game is so controversial. Until now, we’ve seen Samus as a silent, no-nonsense character that didn’t have any emotional issues. Other M changed all that, but it wasn’t a sudden changeover. Fusion gave us some insight into what direction Metroid was taking. It wasn’t like it was sudden, and the past games didn’t have that much storyline development beyond the episodic content we got. Granted, there was a plot line that expanded all games, but there wasn’t much of development into the characters until we saw the two GBA games.
I would love for Nintendo to take advantage of this, and there is one main spot that told me that they didn’t do enough to seal the deal: the Ridley scene. Anyone who has heard about this knows what I’m talking about, and though some believe that it did too much and went on too long, I thought it didn’t do enough and it actually could’ve been longer. This goes into the deep subject matter of post-traumatic stress disorder. If we go into the manga, Ridley murdered her family when she was young, and from the scene in Other M, Nintendo seems to be going towards that storyline, but I don’t think they did enough to tell the player that Samus had such a disorder, or what caused it. It’s obvious that she shows the symptoms, but they didn’t lay it on enough. I would, in the next game, put it so the game focused more on how personal the issue with Samus and Ridley is, and delve more into the PTSD issues that she seemly has. Have it so the player will have to play through her PTSD episodes, and have it so it will affect how you play the game at certain points (like, have her targeting be off, or have her shots have an adverse effect of killing things that you’re not allowed to kill). The PTSD issues make sense with how much she’s had to endure throughout her young life along with what had been going on in the bottle ship up to that point. Thing is, the game doesn’t go into this enough, which is a damn disappointment because that had to be the BEST part of the story of Other M. It was Samus at her weakest, and it was her humanized to show that the character was not just a mindless drone like Master Chief is, and instead someone who knows she’s been through a lot and one we can actually connect to and feel for. That is what’s missing in many games anymore, and doing the tragic heroine act with someone we have come to know and love over the years, I think, is a good idea that needs to be expanded upon more.
Also, there is a very interesting point to bring up: Samus’ friends, family, and things she holds dear keeps either dying or been destroyed. Adam is dead now, her family is dead, most of her Galactic Federation comrades are dead, her home planet has twice been blown up, and the baby Metroid died trying to protect her. A lot of the people she has tried to protect in the story line are also dead, and the Galactic Federation might be that close to backstabbing her. She seems to have bad luck with these kinds of things, and I would have it so she is tired of the things she loves always dying. Have it so it doesn’t take too much more of that sort of thing for her to completely lose it and begin just shooting and blowing up everything. If you thought GF considered her a threat NOW, wait until she loses her composure.
Another thing I would do: profanity. USE IT! Why is Nintendo so afraid of letting any of their characters go that route? Are they so family-friendly now that not even their most hardcore game franchise can't be mature in that sense? Now, I'm not saying that the characters should start dropping f-bombs everywhere, but the story would've been enhanced by, instead of Samus saying "RIDLEY?" in that scene, she added a "Oh, my God!" in there before saying Ridley's name. Maybe Anthony could've dropped some choice words, also. When you see games like inFamous and Uncharted, which are also Teen rated games, get away with their characters saying "balls" and "shit", and then you look at THIS game being void of even "hell" and "damn", and you'll see where I'm coming from there. Not saying that profanity alone adds to the story, either. But it is a plus.
One thing I would’ve done on the Game Over screen, and what I would do in the future in Metroid games, is that when Samus dies, have not just Adam scream for her response (or whoever is helping her), but anyone who is trying to help her out try to contact her. Other M would’ve been good to have Anthony also trying to get her attention, and when he realizes what has happened, become frightened. When she dies, flashes of various cinema scenes that we’ve seen or what we are about to see will flash as if we’re seeing her life flash before her eyes with her as she dies. Sound familiar?
This is because I think the Other M line (if there is a line) of games can take on a “Metroid Gear Solid” feel to it where the dialogue is heavy, the story line is deep, and the fourth wall can be broken. I think the similarities are there, and they could take advantage of that. Hell, have Anthony become her Otacon and help her behind the scenes as they start their own little group if and when the GF decides to betray her as they probably will do.
And to that point, that general at the end of the game. Make him a villain. He seems like the guy you just want to have burn in a fire. He came off as a pompous SOB who didn't give a rat's ass about anyone, and I loved it. Nintendo might not have any idea how much more dimension they gave to the entire Metroid storyline with just that five or so minutes of dialogue with a guy that you wanted to shoot in the face nearly a second into him beginning to talk. Let's make him into one of THE opposing forces if the betrayal story line plays itself out.
However, all of this is just story related, and the game play might also need a bit of ironing out. Bosses were a bit easier than I would’ve liked (though I’m not going to pull a TotalBiscuit here, though I love his Cataclysm videos and agree with him on a lot of things about the beta, and say that a boss fight can only be good if you die countless times). They should be challenging but balanced. Samus also needs a new weapon. The Ninja Gaidenish moves were a great start and they should expand on it, but I think it's time that she added a new trick to her armory that is her suit. Finally, the game was also too short, and could’ve been complimented by some longer game play.
And this comes to the biggest part of all: it seems as though Nintendo and Team Ninja hit a developmental wall that was the Wii’s capabilities. They might not have had enough room on the disc, or had enough horsepower on the Wii, and thus, it seemed as though more was planned for the game that ended up on the cutting room floor. The Ridley scene, though many thought it went on for too long, seemed rushed for some reason. More power was needed, and that is not the fault of anyone but Nintendo for how they made the system. Don’t get me wrong: I love the Wii. However, with that being said, I think Nintendo needs to take a look of if a Wii 1.5 system night be necessary, with a HD component and a better physical media. Imagine if Metroid was on a Blu Ray, 1080p capable Wii HD. Imagine what they could DO with it, and how long the game would be and how good of a story they can do with the capability. It would be epic, and it would turn skeptics of that kind of mechanic in a Metroid game into believers.
Pointless FFXIII Hindsight
Like most FFXIII "Haters" I don't actually hate the game. Was just disappointed and underwhelmed with what was finally delivered after much hype and promise. Sight of the first trailer, the very first trailer, which hinted at steroid infused grown-up Kingdom Hearts styled gameplay as well as a possibly expansive interactive world. Not the largely linear title with a simplistic and unrewarding combat system. It didn't even have towns.
It had online internet shops that could instantly deliver supplies and equipment to a band of fugitives in the middle of nowhere without any worry - BUT IT DIDN'T HAVE TOWNS.
Anyway, after thinking long if not hard about "What I Would Have Done" just thought I'd share the few ideas I came up with.
1) Make it Like GTA+MGS:
First off, I'd make all general areas big expansive, exploratory sandboxes. The train escape would still a point A to B tutorial, but once the basic character introductions and commands were done, encounters would fit into three categories: 1) Random; monsters or people who just happen to populate an area 2) Hunting; monster or soldiers actively looking for the party and 3) Advance/Boss; encounters that advance the story or trigger a boss fight.
Like Grand Theft Auto, the party could wonder anywhere they like, but as they break laws/became noticed the tension in the area would elevate to higher and higher states leading to higher levels of law enforcement to be call in. Or in this case, being defacto fugitives because of their l'Cie brands which would randomly flare alerting normal citizens that "monsters" were among them, the security forces already looking for them would call in more and more reinforcements until finally a "Boss" would be called in to finish things. Likewise the racket of a random monster encounter battle would alert soldiers to tighten their search to around that specific area.
And Like Metal Gear Solid, the party would have the option to sneak around. Run away from a panicked civilian who saw a flaring brand, blending into the crowd or background to escape an investigating patrol to less and less success as said patrols only become more numerous. Using the advantages of concealment to ambush their pursuers once and a while, which would then make the reminder more alert and harder to surprise.
2) Give Characters Centric Skills and Abilities:
Given that they are being hunted and can’t just walk into shops - Imagine a setup where they find an unlimited Gil card, walk into a shop that just happens to be offering all of the best weapons at a discount only to have a brand flare trigger a panic leading to a mini-boss fight - the characters would have to rely on talents they just happen to have. With Lighting, Snow and Sazh able to modify and enhance certain weapon types, while Vanille can make potions and defensive talismans from things they happen to come across from defeated enemies. Other things that happen to be laying around an area they’re being hunted in giving them reason to stay and explore while avoiding patrols and story advancement. Throw in a few weapon texts or cookbooks locked away in some discarded data terminal that Hope has the ability to hack and unlock, builds the other's crafting skills as well as introduces new methods, and gil becomes pointless.
Also, depending on who’s leading the party, their search/hide profiles and priorities would change. With Lighting and Sazh the best choices for avoiding/surprising organized military type enemies in urban areas, where Vanille would be a better avoider, Fang the best hunter of monsters in wilderness locations.
Hope would be the best all around sneaker while Snow – being the type for whom subtlety is something horrible that happens to other people – would actually attract enemies while inherit luck also means he tends to stumble on very rare items.
Probably be a good idea to have a quick/easy character switch option on world maps.
3) Combos:
Not just timed juggling you have to figure out and use against the more difficult enemies, but outright Chrono Trigger type combined attacks. Vanille casting lightning on Lightning’s sword after Snow just tossed her cannonball style at a monster vulnerable to lightning attacks ending with an electrically charged mushroom cloud. Then there’s the near world shattering Eidolon double and triple combos that you really have to earn.
Of course I’m talking about none of this happening within combat engine used in the game. Would likely have to be turned based with an option to either skip the f/x, or be able to sit back and watch them. Not miss them while you planned your next move or set up a paradigm shift.
4) Airship mini-game:
For my last idea I considered the very elaborate cutscenes featuring the airship. How they could have been made into on rail Panzer Dragoon shooter segments with one even featuring a boss fight before the crash on Grand Pulse. How even that part where Fang wrangles and rides a monster could not have only been made into another, but could have become the Chocobo riding of the game.
Like I said before, in part I’m just offering these ideas to offer them, but also as my final argument of the game as multiplatform. That once the decision was made, the very argument begun to make it multi, the leeway to introduce ideas such as these disappeared. Not that Square in its current condition has shown itself to be anywhere near inventive as to even considered the things I've suggested here.
It had online internet shops that could instantly deliver supplies and equipment to a band of fugitives in the middle of nowhere without any worry - BUT IT DIDN'T HAVE TOWNS.
Anyway, after thinking long if not hard about "What I Would Have Done" just thought I'd share the few ideas I came up with.
1) Make it Like GTA+MGS:
First off, I'd make all general areas big expansive, exploratory sandboxes. The train escape would still a point A to B tutorial, but once the basic character introductions and commands were done, encounters would fit into three categories: 1) Random; monsters or people who just happen to populate an area 2) Hunting; monster or soldiers actively looking for the party and 3) Advance/Boss; encounters that advance the story or trigger a boss fight.
Like Grand Theft Auto, the party could wonder anywhere they like, but as they break laws/became noticed the tension in the area would elevate to higher and higher states leading to higher levels of law enforcement to be call in. Or in this case, being defacto fugitives because of their l'Cie brands which would randomly flare alerting normal citizens that "monsters" were among them, the security forces already looking for them would call in more and more reinforcements until finally a "Boss" would be called in to finish things. Likewise the racket of a random monster encounter battle would alert soldiers to tighten their search to around that specific area.
And Like Metal Gear Solid, the party would have the option to sneak around. Run away from a panicked civilian who saw a flaring brand, blending into the crowd or background to escape an investigating patrol to less and less success as said patrols only become more numerous. Using the advantages of concealment to ambush their pursuers once and a while, which would then make the reminder more alert and harder to surprise.
2) Give Characters Centric Skills and Abilities:
Given that they are being hunted and can’t just walk into shops - Imagine a setup where they find an unlimited Gil card, walk into a shop that just happens to be offering all of the best weapons at a discount only to have a brand flare trigger a panic leading to a mini-boss fight - the characters would have to rely on talents they just happen to have. With Lighting, Snow and Sazh able to modify and enhance certain weapon types, while Vanille can make potions and defensive talismans from things they happen to come across from defeated enemies. Other things that happen to be laying around an area they’re being hunted in giving them reason to stay and explore while avoiding patrols and story advancement. Throw in a few weapon texts or cookbooks locked away in some discarded data terminal that Hope has the ability to hack and unlock, builds the other's crafting skills as well as introduces new methods, and gil becomes pointless.
Also, depending on who’s leading the party, their search/hide profiles and priorities would change. With Lighting and Sazh the best choices for avoiding/surprising organized military type enemies in urban areas, where Vanille would be a better avoider, Fang the best hunter of monsters in wilderness locations.
Hope would be the best all around sneaker while Snow – being the type for whom subtlety is something horrible that happens to other people – would actually attract enemies while inherit luck also means he tends to stumble on very rare items.
Probably be a good idea to have a quick/easy character switch option on world maps.
3) Combos:
Not just timed juggling you have to figure out and use against the more difficult enemies, but outright Chrono Trigger type combined attacks. Vanille casting lightning on Lightning’s sword after Snow just tossed her cannonball style at a monster vulnerable to lightning attacks ending with an electrically charged mushroom cloud. Then there’s the near world shattering Eidolon double and triple combos that you really have to earn.
Of course I’m talking about none of this happening within combat engine used in the game. Would likely have to be turned based with an option to either skip the f/x, or be able to sit back and watch them. Not miss them while you planned your next move or set up a paradigm shift.
4) Airship mini-game:
For my last idea I considered the very elaborate cutscenes featuring the airship. How they could have been made into on rail Panzer Dragoon shooter segments with one even featuring a boss fight before the crash on Grand Pulse. How even that part where Fang wrangles and rides a monster could not have only been made into another, but could have become the Chocobo riding of the game.
Like I said before, in part I’m just offering these ideas to offer them, but also as my final argument of the game as multiplatform. That once the decision was made, the very argument begun to make it multi, the leeway to introduce ideas such as these disappeared. Not that Square in its current condition has shown itself to be anywhere near inventive as to even considered the things I've suggested here.
Thứ Sáu, 21 tháng 10, 2011
Stepping into the world of HD-gaming, part 2
A few of you might have seen my first post about this. If not, you can always read it now :)
As I mentioned earlier, I have finally become a part of the world of HD-gaming. I bought a ps3 and it arrived today, got my TV yesterday and I wanted to share my experience so far.
The TV I got is a Sony Bravia KDL-32EX500. Some might say its small, but I have a really small apartment and I am also using it as a computer screen. The first thing I did when I got my TV was hooking it up to my computer (which was turned off) with an HDMI-cable. I thought I was gonna have to go into settings etc to make it work, but when I started my computer it instantly recognized my TV and I could without any problems just unplug my old screen and done! I now have a 32" Full-HD LCD screen as well as a TV. I was really surprised how smooth the installation went. That wasn't the best part though.
A TV has many scene settings, one for games, one for movies etc, and I thought it was gonna be a bitch to change every time I wanted to watch a movie. But the TV does that for me apparently. I was amazed by that too. It automatically switches between "scenes" whenever it detects that I am starting a movie etc. Awesome.
Then today I got my ps3. FINALLY. I've been waiting for so long. I just plugged it in and it worked without any troubles at all. I wanted to buy "Tumble" so I tried to go to the Playstation Store and it told me an update was required. So I said yes to when it asked me if I wanted to install the update. It went really smooth and it was no problem at all :)
Buying things from PS store was very easy and I didn't come across any problems or anything that I didn't understand. I also put the Move demo-disc into the ps3 and tried out some of the games on that disc. I really really liked the precision that move has. I loved table-tennis and Frisbee (The only ones I could try) and the 1:1 motion felt wonderful. It was really easy to calibrate the controller and I didn't feel like it was an annoying thing to do.
Overall, I feel really good because of the quality of what I purchased. To invest about $1500 (electronics are more expensive here in Sweden :P) is a huge step for me so I am really glad it all worked just fine.
Tomorrow I will most likely receive Uncharted 2 in my mail and I am really excited about that. Its gonna be great! Tumble is a challenge, although repetitive. And I gotta get Sports Champions. Then LBP 2. And GT5. And Dragon Age 2. And Sorcery. And Killzone 3. And Uncharted 3. And Elder Scrolls V. And Demon Souls. And ICO Collection. And the Last Guardian. And God of War HD collection. And God of War III. And Mass Effect 2. And Mass Effect 3. And Ratchet and Clank: All for one. *head explodes*
As I mentioned earlier, I have finally become a part of the world of HD-gaming. I bought a ps3 and it arrived today, got my TV yesterday and I wanted to share my experience so far.
The TV I got is a Sony Bravia KDL-32EX500. Some might say its small, but I have a really small apartment and I am also using it as a computer screen. The first thing I did when I got my TV was hooking it up to my computer (which was turned off) with an HDMI-cable. I thought I was gonna have to go into settings etc to make it work, but when I started my computer it instantly recognized my TV and I could without any problems just unplug my old screen and done! I now have a 32" Full-HD LCD screen as well as a TV. I was really surprised how smooth the installation went. That wasn't the best part though.
A TV has many scene settings, one for games, one for movies etc, and I thought it was gonna be a bitch to change every time I wanted to watch a movie. But the TV does that for me apparently. I was amazed by that too. It automatically switches between "scenes" whenever it detects that I am starting a movie etc. Awesome.
Then today I got my ps3. FINALLY. I've been waiting for so long. I just plugged it in and it worked without any troubles at all. I wanted to buy "Tumble" so I tried to go to the Playstation Store and it told me an update was required. So I said yes to when it asked me if I wanted to install the update. It went really smooth and it was no problem at all :)
Buying things from PS store was very easy and I didn't come across any problems or anything that I didn't understand. I also put the Move demo-disc into the ps3 and tried out some of the games on that disc. I really really liked the precision that move has. I loved table-tennis and Frisbee (The only ones I could try) and the 1:1 motion felt wonderful. It was really easy to calibrate the controller and I didn't feel like it was an annoying thing to do.
Overall, I feel really good because of the quality of what I purchased. To invest about $1500 (electronics are more expensive here in Sweden :P) is a huge step for me so I am really glad it all worked just fine.
Tomorrow I will most likely receive Uncharted 2 in my mail and I am really excited about that. Its gonna be great! Tumble is a challenge, although repetitive. And I gotta get Sports Champions. Then LBP 2. And GT5. And Dragon Age 2. And Sorcery. And Killzone 3. And Uncharted 3. And Elder Scrolls V. And Demon Souls. And ICO Collection. And the Last Guardian. And God of War HD collection. And God of War III. And Mass Effect 2. And Mass Effect 3. And Ratchet and Clank: All for one. *head explodes*
Play the Scary Maze Game With Your Friends!
Have you ever played the Scary Maze Game 8 now? If not, brotha you haven’t lived!!! This maze game is the most awesome game on earth! But in order to play it you MUST have a partner in the room with you. So go find a friend, co-hort, or even an enemy – it doesn’t matter! Then match your wits and your mouse skills with the game and see if you’re awesome enough to win the BIG prize at the end!
Chinese Couple Sells All Three Kids to Play Online Games
A young Chinese couple has sold all three of their children in exchange for money to play online Nick jr games at Internet cafes, reports a southern Chinese newspaper.
According to Sanxiang City News, the couple met in an Internet cafe back in 2007 and bonded over their obsession with online video games. A year later, the parents — who are both under 21 — welcomed their first child, a son. Days after his birth, they left him home alone while they went to play online agame at an Internet cafe 30 km away.
In 2009, Li Lin and Li Juan welcomed their second child, a baby girl, and came up with the idea to sell her for money to fund their online game obsession. They did so, receiving RMB 3,000 (less than $500), which they spent entirely shortly after. The couple then proceeded to sell their first child and got 10 times as much for him — RMB 30,000, or about $4600.
Upon having their third child — another boy — the parents followed in their previous footsteps and also got RMB 30,000 for him.
They were finally turned into authorities when Li Lin’s mother found out what her son and his girlfriend had done.
When asked if they missed their children, the parents answered, “We don’t want to raise them, we just want to sell them for some money.”
Sanxiang City Newsreports the couple didn’t know they were breaking the law.
According to Sanxiang City News, the couple met in an Internet cafe back in 2007 and bonded over their obsession with online video games. A year later, the parents — who are both under 21 — welcomed their first child, a son. Days after his birth, they left him home alone while they went to play online agame at an Internet cafe 30 km away.
In 2009, Li Lin and Li Juan welcomed their second child, a baby girl, and came up with the idea to sell her for money to fund their online game obsession. They did so, receiving RMB 3,000 (less than $500), which they spent entirely shortly after. The couple then proceeded to sell their first child and got 10 times as much for him — RMB 30,000, or about $4600.
Upon having their third child — another boy — the parents followed in their previous footsteps and also got RMB 30,000 for him.
They were finally turned into authorities when Li Lin’s mother found out what her son and his girlfriend had done.
When asked if they missed their children, the parents answered, “We don’t want to raise them, we just want to sell them for some money.”
Sanxiang City Newsreports the couple didn’t know they were breaking the law.
Thứ Năm, 20 tháng 10, 2011
Nick Jr., MTVN expand in Asia
Rugrats and music fans in Singapore and Malaysia will be able to tune in to “Dora the Explorer” and 24-hour music videos, docus and concerts with the launch of Viacom’s Nick Jr. and MTVN HD in the territories in coming weeks.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Disney XD Games
Disney Friends for Change Games
To support the “Disney Friends for Change Games” on Disney Channel and Disney XD, Disneychannelgames.biz has launched an online destination at Disneyxd.biz, where kids and families can take part in the Games from home and help the planet — by making personal pledges of their own, playing online versions of the Games, and making art that matters! When kids play online versions of the Games at Disneyxd.biz, they can donate the points they earn to one of the four charities involved. At the end of the Games, the charity with the most points given by the Disney.com online community will receive $100K.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
In addition to playing online games for charity, kids can view exclusive video content and participate in a number of funonline activities. Kids can create online art on the Friends for Change Group Wall at Disneyxd.biz, where they can see the transformative power of friends everywhere pitching in to make a difference. The Disneyxd.biz site will also feature exclusive videos from the “Disney Friends for Change Games,” including a special wrap-up show hosted by Tiffany Thorntonand Jason Earles. Kids can also download the official 2011 Friends for Change anthem “We Can Change the World” featuring Bridgit Mendler on Disneyxd.biz
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
Over 30 Disney Channel Games and Disney XD Games stars from around the globe will compete in “Disney Friends for Change Games.” Four teams will play on behalf of a global charity — Fauna and Flora International, World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Conservancy and UNICEF. For five weeks beginning Friday, June 24, Disney Channelwill present “Disney Friends for Change Games” in interstitials during its Friday, Saturday and Sunday primetime original series programming, and Disney XD will present a special episode from the games Monday nights beginning June 27 (9:30 p.m., ET/PT). The Games will culminate with a special half-hour episode Sunday, July 31 on Disney Channel.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
About Disney’s Friends for Change
Disney’s Friends for Change is a multi-platform initiative that helps inspire kids and families to join together and make a positive impact on their world (and the people and animals that live there). Through PSAs on-air and online tool-kits, the program aims to provide useful information to help kids make small changes that add up to big differences. As part of the program, Disney donates $1 million dollars annually to fund projects all around the globe and has funded over 41 projects that help the planet ranging from educational & community programs to species & habitat protection. Friends for Change currently has over 4 million actions taking place from kids in 33 countries throughoutthe United States, Europe, Latin America, Japan, India and China. For more information, please visit Disneyxd.biz.
- Disney XD gets its game on
Astral-owned Disney XD Canada is delving deeper into the gaming space in a month-long promotion that will see the multi-platform brand take viewers behind the scenes of June’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), offer up two new games on DisneyXD.biz every week and give away five video game consoles to Disney XD viewers.
The Level Up contest runs through the month of September and is set to feature the star of What’s, Up Warthogs!, Eduard Witzke, reporting from this year’s E3 in eight short interstitial reports entitled Ed’s E3. New episodes of Ed’s E3 will premiere every Tuesday and Thursday from September 1 and will air throughout the Disney XD schedule. Additionally, a weekly entry word will appear in each episode, which can be used to enter the Level Up contest online to win one of five game consoles.
On top of entering the Level Up contest on DisneyXD.ca, viewers can explore a dedicated minisite to re-watch episodes of Ed’s E3 as well as test their skills on brand-new Disney XD games. Two new games will be unveiled each week with a bonus game available for those who can work out the special DisneyXD.biz game code.
To support the “Disney Friends for Change Games” on Disney Channel and Disney XD, Disneychannelgames.biz has launched an online destination at Disneyxd.biz, where kids and families can take part in the Games from home and help the planet — by making personal pledges of their own, playing online versions of the Games, and making art that matters! When kids play online versions of the Games at Disneyxd.biz, they can donate the points they earn to one of the four charities involved. At the end of the Games, the charity with the most points given by the Disney.com online community will receive $100K.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
In addition to playing online games for charity, kids can view exclusive video content and participate in a number of funonline activities. Kids can create online art on the Friends for Change Group Wall at Disneyxd.biz, where they can see the transformative power of friends everywhere pitching in to make a difference. The Disneyxd.biz site will also feature exclusive videos from the “Disney Friends for Change Games,” including a special wrap-up show hosted by Tiffany Thorntonand Jason Earles. Kids can also download the official 2011 Friends for Change anthem “We Can Change the World” featuring Bridgit Mendler on Disneyxd.biz
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
Over 30 Disney Channel Games and Disney XD Games stars from around the globe will compete in “Disney Friends for Change Games.” Four teams will play on behalf of a global charity — Fauna and Flora International, World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Conservancy and UNICEF. For five weeks beginning Friday, June 24, Disney Channelwill present “Disney Friends for Change Games” in interstitials during its Friday, Saturday and Sunday primetime original series programming, and Disney XD will present a special episode from the games Monday nights beginning June 27 (9:30 p.m., ET/PT). The Games will culminate with a special half-hour episode Sunday, July 31 on Disney Channel.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
About Disney’s Friends for Change
Disney’s Friends for Change is a multi-platform initiative that helps inspire kids and families to join together and make a positive impact on their world (and the people and animals that live there). Through PSAs on-air and online tool-kits, the program aims to provide useful information to help kids make small changes that add up to big differences. As part of the program, Disney donates $1 million dollars annually to fund projects all around the globe and has funded over 41 projects that help the planet ranging from educational & community programs to species & habitat protection. Friends for Change currently has over 4 million actions taking place from kids in 33 countries throughoutthe United States, Europe, Latin America, Japan, India and China. For more information, please visit Disneyxd.biz.
- Disney XD gets its game on
Astral-owned Disney XD Canada is delving deeper into the gaming space in a month-long promotion that will see the multi-platform brand take viewers behind the scenes of June’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), offer up two new games on DisneyXD.biz every week and give away five video game consoles to Disney XD viewers.
The Level Up contest runs through the month of September and is set to feature the star of What’s, Up Warthogs!, Eduard Witzke, reporting from this year’s E3 in eight short interstitial reports entitled Ed’s E3. New episodes of Ed’s E3 will premiere every Tuesday and Thursday from September 1 and will air throughout the Disney XD schedule. Additionally, a weekly entry word will appear in each episode, which can be used to enter the Level Up contest online to win one of five game consoles.
On top of entering the Level Up contest on DisneyXD.ca, viewers can explore a dedicated minisite to re-watch episodes of Ed’s E3 as well as test their skills on brand-new Disney XD games. Two new games will be unveiled each week with a bonus game available for those who can work out the special DisneyXD.biz game code.
Disney XD News
DISNEY XD TO PREMIERE “FORT BOYARD – ULTIMATE CHALLENGE,” A REALITY ADVENTURE SERIES ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
Geno Segers (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”) and popular British television presenter Laura Hamilton (“Dancing On Ice”) host an exciting competition requiring brainpower, courage and teamwork, “Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge,” a 10-part series premiering MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), with a thrilling finale MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Based on the international game show phenomenon “Fort Boyard,” the series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams — 24 teens from the United States and the United Kingdom — who team up for a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves “the conquerors of Fort Boyard.”
The reality adventure series marks the first kids’ version of the popular game show which premiered more than 20 years ago and has since been produced in over 38 countries worldwide.
In the premiere episode, team members from the Red Vipers and Yellow Scorpions compete in the first round of challenges to find out which team has what it takes to move on to become the conquerors of the fort.
“Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge” is produced by Zodiak Media Group’s production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions, who created the concept for the original “Fort Boyard” and have been producing the series for 22 years.
The executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde for Adventure Line Productions and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay.
The series will be televised on Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and CiTV in the UK.
About “Fort Boyard”
“Fort Boyard” is the most successful adventure game show in the world, having sold to over 30 territories, while dominating France 2′s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. The action takes place in an imposing fortress built in the middle of the ocean. This provides the perfect backdrop for strenuous, against-the-clock physical challenges and mind-boggling riddles, featuring strange characters and fearsome animals. All this and more awaits those attempting to reach the Treasure Room! Only the fittest and most intelligent contestants can hope to conquer Fort Boyard.
About Disney XD:
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 22 other Disney XD Games channels around the world.
There may not be another Zynga game in which Energy is more important than in Adventure World. Every switch thrown, every puzzle solved and beastie whacked costs you the Facebook game juice. Players often find themselves without Energy minutes into an Expedition. But this isn't the time for whining--it's time to show you the value of upgrading your Tools and how to do it.
Tools: The Game Changer
If you noticed, each piece of debris and monster has a life bar, and normally take multiple hits with your Whip or Machete to whittle down. This, of course, quickly becomes a waste in later Expeditions purely due to the amount of obstacles in your path. But increasing the amount of damage your various Tools inflict against said baddies could considerably reduce the Energy spend in-game.
For instance, say a Snake has three hit points and is Level 5. Since monsters can hit back in this game, it could take three to five Energy before an enemy goes down. Now, imagine if you had upgraded your Whip to Level 2. Offing that Snake would take just two to four Energy with a beefier Whip. The same situation applies to Tools like the Machete.
Adventure World Tool Shop inside
And Now For Your How-To
Adventure World Tool Shop outsideUpgrading your Tools in Adventure World is simple. All you need to do is head back to Base Camp from an Expedition, and look for a makeshift hut that should already be in place in your headquarters. When you click on the Tool Shop, a window will appear featuring all the Tools you've found thus far on your journeys. Click on the Tool you wish to upgrade.
Once you click on a Tool to upgrade, you'll notice that each Tool costs Coins to upgrade. That's it--no asking friends to help you out with materials or farming certain crops for special items. Just the goods you find during your travels in search of El Dorado. However, Coins are actually quite rare in this game, so you'll need to save and spend wisely.
When you have enough Coins for an upgrade, just click on the appropriate icon to pay up. Tool upgrades are also level-locked, meaning you must reach a certain level for most Tools before being able to upgrade them using Coins. If you're feeling impatient, you could always unlock access to those higher level Tools early using Adventure Cash.
Just One Small Catch...
However, some Tool upgrades do require an extra boost: your Tool Shop. Yes, the building itself can be upgraded, too. And this time, you will need items from your friends. (Just think of how things work in CityVille.) Luckily, you only have to do this about twice to unlock access to all of the game's Tools. Then, it's back onto leveling up to access new upgrades for Coins.
Adventure World Tool Shop Upgrade
Upgraded Tools are hands-down the way to go, if you want to save precious Energy for the good stuff, that is. You know, exploring ... uncovering the secrets of El Dorado? That kind of stuff. Your wallet might thank us later.
Click here to find all of our Adventure World Tips in one spot >
[Source: Zynga]
Have you upgraded your Tools in Adventure World yet? What other Energy-saving tips might you have for your fellow adventurers? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Geno Segers (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”) and popular British television presenter Laura Hamilton (“Dancing On Ice”) host an exciting competition requiring brainpower, courage and teamwork, “Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge,” a 10-part series premiering MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), with a thrilling finale MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Based on the international game show phenomenon “Fort Boyard,” the series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams — 24 teens from the United States and the United Kingdom — who team up for a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves “the conquerors of Fort Boyard.”
The reality adventure series marks the first kids’ version of the popular game show which premiered more than 20 years ago and has since been produced in over 38 countries worldwide.
In the premiere episode, team members from the Red Vipers and Yellow Scorpions compete in the first round of challenges to find out which team has what it takes to move on to become the conquerors of the fort.
“Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge” is produced by Zodiak Media Group’s production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions, who created the concept for the original “Fort Boyard” and have been producing the series for 22 years.
The executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde for Adventure Line Productions and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay.
The series will be televised on Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and CiTV in the UK.
About “Fort Boyard”
“Fort Boyard” is the most successful adventure game show in the world, having sold to over 30 territories, while dominating France 2′s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. The action takes place in an imposing fortress built in the middle of the ocean. This provides the perfect backdrop for strenuous, against-the-clock physical challenges and mind-boggling riddles, featuring strange characters and fearsome animals. All this and more awaits those attempting to reach the Treasure Room! Only the fittest and most intelligent contestants can hope to conquer Fort Boyard.
About Disney XD:
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 22 other Disney XD Games channels around the world.
There may not be another Zynga game in which Energy is more important than in Adventure World. Every switch thrown, every puzzle solved and beastie whacked costs you the Facebook game juice. Players often find themselves without Energy minutes into an Expedition. But this isn't the time for whining--it's time to show you the value of upgrading your Tools and how to do it.
Tools: The Game Changer
If you noticed, each piece of debris and monster has a life bar, and normally take multiple hits with your Whip or Machete to whittle down. This, of course, quickly becomes a waste in later Expeditions purely due to the amount of obstacles in your path. But increasing the amount of damage your various Tools inflict against said baddies could considerably reduce the Energy spend in-game.
For instance, say a Snake has three hit points and is Level 5. Since monsters can hit back in this game, it could take three to five Energy before an enemy goes down. Now, imagine if you had upgraded your Whip to Level 2. Offing that Snake would take just two to four Energy with a beefier Whip. The same situation applies to Tools like the Machete.
Adventure World Tool Shop inside
And Now For Your How-To
Adventure World Tool Shop outsideUpgrading your Tools in Adventure World is simple. All you need to do is head back to Base Camp from an Expedition, and look for a makeshift hut that should already be in place in your headquarters. When you click on the Tool Shop, a window will appear featuring all the Tools you've found thus far on your journeys. Click on the Tool you wish to upgrade.
Once you click on a Tool to upgrade, you'll notice that each Tool costs Coins to upgrade. That's it--no asking friends to help you out with materials or farming certain crops for special items. Just the goods you find during your travels in search of El Dorado. However, Coins are actually quite rare in this game, so you'll need to save and spend wisely.
When you have enough Coins for an upgrade, just click on the appropriate icon to pay up. Tool upgrades are also level-locked, meaning you must reach a certain level for most Tools before being able to upgrade them using Coins. If you're feeling impatient, you could always unlock access to those higher level Tools early using Adventure Cash.
Just One Small Catch...
However, some Tool upgrades do require an extra boost: your Tool Shop. Yes, the building itself can be upgraded, too. And this time, you will need items from your friends. (Just think of how things work in CityVille.) Luckily, you only have to do this about twice to unlock access to all of the game's Tools. Then, it's back onto leveling up to access new upgrades for Coins.
Adventure World Tool Shop Upgrade
Upgraded Tools are hands-down the way to go, if you want to save precious Energy for the good stuff, that is. You know, exploring ... uncovering the secrets of El Dorado? That kind of stuff. Your wallet might thank us later.
Click here to find all of our Adventure World Tips in one spot >
[Source: Zynga]
Have you upgraded your Tools in Adventure World yet? What other Energy-saving tips might you have for your fellow adventurers? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Chủ Nhật, 16 tháng 10, 2011
PSN Credit Card outrage
I seem to be on this subject like white on rice, but as with an ever evolving issue; ever evolving opinions come with it. This blog focuses on the attitudes people have been having since Sony decided to caution people of the POSSIBILITY that credit card information was stolen.
In case you don't know what I'm talking about, Sony issued an official statement that they will be emailing certain individuals through PSN (and I'd hope standard email) that due to the external intrusion that PSN was subjected to; there is an unconfirmed possibility that some PSN accounts with credit card information were compromised, and that the actual credit card number and expiration date of the card could have been taken by the thief. However they did state that security numbers present on the back of your credit card were NOT taken.
The thing to remember here is that Sony ARE NOT 100% POSITIVE THAT SUCH A THING ACTUALLY HAPPENED, AND ARE SIMPLY BEING CAUTIOUS. They are following the "better to be safe than sorry" motto.
Since this happened, once again you have the ill-informed and the ill-tempered individuals choosing to blow this up to epic proportions and not using basic sense or logic. Here's some examples.
"WHAT?! MY CREDIT CARD INFORMATION WAS TAKEN? F*** YOU SONY, THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED! YOU SHOULD HAVE PROTECTED OUR INFORMATION, THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
-Two things spring to mind when you see a comment like this, or any variant even if it is calmly worded. The first is the possibility that it is a troll just trying to fan the flames. The second is that this person isn't using sense. You don't blame a victim for being victimized in some way, you blame the person causing the harm. PSN was hacked. Plain and simple. Someone gained access to that which they were not allowed access to and tried to do illegal things with that access. You have to understand that in the world of information technology, nothing is 100% secure. Any hacker with enough patience, time, and talent will eventually find a way through any protected server or service if they really want to.
When you give your information that can identify you to any online service, they always inform you that doing so is a risk on your part and that you should be aware of that risk before handing out information such as this. The fact that this happened to Sony is not at all anything special, because people suffer credit and bank fraud daily across the globe. Hell, a few weeks ago I was "Skimmed" (as the bank calls it) for $230 that I didn't spend. Do I blame the bank because it happened? No, because these thieves know what they're doing. Using technology, they can read your bank cards number, and the pin number you push in, and then create a counterfeit bank card for use anywhere they want. It's not the banks fault that the thieves are able to fool interac machines into believing that their counterfeit card is your legitimate bank card. Sony can't be blamed for the actions of an outside intruder looking to steal information anymore than you can be blamed for someone busting your window and breaking into your house to steal your property.
"WHY DIDN'T SONY TELL US SOONER OR RIGHT AWAY?!"
-Another thing I've already spoken about is complete transparency. For starters, no company will ever be completely transparent about even the smallest security breach. It's bad PR and could cause shareholders to sell their stocks. Also, Sony hired a 3rd party security firm to analyze every detail of PSN to find out exactly what happened and what they needed to do to fix the problem. This meant that, until the firm finished analyzing the system, Sony had no information to give until the final and accurate report by the firm was made. How can Sony tell you that which they don't yet know? And even now, they can't confirm that CC information was stolen, they are merely being cautious and telling people to look out for the possibility. It's called being prudent and responsible. Sony doesn't want millions of people to suffer fraud or identity theft. Why do you think they would? You think any of this is fun for Sony? It's a nightmare for them and yet so many of you are acting like they've purposely tried to hurt their consumers.
They wanted to be able to be honest and upfront when they had accurate information to give you. And they were. The fact that they can't confirm CC information theft means they didn't have to say anything about it at all. They could have let it go and let you assume that someone got a hold of your information some other way, and let you deal with the bank and all the headaches without ever even suspecting that it's because PSN was hacked. They could have spared themselves a real PR headache by keeping quiet, but they didn't. They came forward and told everyone of the possibility of CC information theft so that people could take the necessary steps needed to protect themselves. And this is the victimized company you're ready to lynch?
"I'M NEVER BUYING A SONY PRODUCT EVER AGAIN, THEIR SECURITY IS SO LAX IT'S PRACTICALLY NON-EXISTENT."
-See ya then. No one is going to miss you. Those of us with a logical and clear head understand that this kind of thing is a VERY common occurrence and can happen to even the most tightly secured online servers and services. Visa and Mastercard were recently hacked by Anonymous, Paypal has been hacked before, hell the Pentagon faces thousands of hacking attempts every day by hackers more skilled at what they do than you'll ever know exist, and the only reason the Pentagon hasn't been blown wide open is the extraordinary security measures taken and the amount of personnel hired simply to monitor the network. This happens all the time no matter how much security is in place. All it takes is someone with enough time, skill, and patience to do it. So if you're really that closed minded and small to boycott Sony products for something that isn't Sony's fault, then by all means don't let the door hit you on the way out. The rest of us will be over here enjoying our gaming experience.
"SONY SHOULD HAVE NEVER GONE AFTER GEOHOT AND THE OTHER HACKERS, IT'S BECAUSE OF THAT THAT THIS HAPPENED AND THAT'S WHY IT'S SONY'S FAULT."
-Now you're trying to blame Sony for protecting their interests. This situation should show you that hackers are NOT on your side. They are NOT fighting for YOUR rights. They hack so they can do things like this. Granted, not all hackers are hacking for illegal reasons, but this should show you that OtherOS and homebrew and all the other nigh-dogmatic rhetoric that "the scene" was spewing forth in their crusade to allow hacks was all smoke and mirrors to avoid prosecution. The truth is, when you want everything to be open and free, you are allowing people to commit these kinds of crimes. Control has to be maintained, and if you truly want the ability to create your own applications for things like a console, then make a legal, and public request for such a thing, and gain the support of the people using a legal and public venue to do so. Sony at least are a company that listen to what their userbase wants in a large way, which is why OtherOS was originally part of the PS3 and why they went with Android for Xperia Play and NGP.
If Sony was so against open source applications and software, why would they open up their next portable gaming devices? It's all a matter of how you approach the subjects of these kinds of things.
And one thing that I have noticed is that these "pro-hacker" individuals who were trumpeting GeoHot's cause are suddenly very silent. Which is fine and refreshing, but makes you wonder if they NOW see why Sony fought so hard to block the hackers. Some have suggested that Sony should have taken Microsoft's approach and just ban the modders and hackers. Maybe they should have, or maybe they wanted to be proactive and try to protect things like PSN being hacked from happening in the first place. Maybe they were thinking of your ability to enjoy your online gaming experience, free of the worry of cheaters and spammers and CC information thieves.
No fortress is impenetrable. Like water, hackers will always find a crack to flow through. But remember that Sony shut down PSN to prevent anything worse than what has already happened from happening. They've been thinking of protecting your information from the start, and these things take a lot of effort and a lot of time. They couldn't give too much information, or else the guilty parties would further cover their tracks and they could have incited hysteria over what could have been a small issue.
People need to learn patience, and they need to exercise sense. And this issue really needs to stop being blown into ridiculous proportions by random no-name bloggers and media outlets who cease to use professionalism and objectivity.
In case you don't know what I'm talking about, Sony issued an official statement that they will be emailing certain individuals through PSN (and I'd hope standard email) that due to the external intrusion that PSN was subjected to; there is an unconfirmed possibility that some PSN accounts with credit card information were compromised, and that the actual credit card number and expiration date of the card could have been taken by the thief. However they did state that security numbers present on the back of your credit card were NOT taken.
The thing to remember here is that Sony ARE NOT 100% POSITIVE THAT SUCH A THING ACTUALLY HAPPENED, AND ARE SIMPLY BEING CAUTIOUS. They are following the "better to be safe than sorry" motto.
Since this happened, once again you have the ill-informed and the ill-tempered individuals choosing to blow this up to epic proportions and not using basic sense or logic. Here's some examples.
"WHAT?! MY CREDIT CARD INFORMATION WAS TAKEN? F*** YOU SONY, THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED! YOU SHOULD HAVE PROTECTED OUR INFORMATION, THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
-Two things spring to mind when you see a comment like this, or any variant even if it is calmly worded. The first is the possibility that it is a troll just trying to fan the flames. The second is that this person isn't using sense. You don't blame a victim for being victimized in some way, you blame the person causing the harm. PSN was hacked. Plain and simple. Someone gained access to that which they were not allowed access to and tried to do illegal things with that access. You have to understand that in the world of information technology, nothing is 100% secure. Any hacker with enough patience, time, and talent will eventually find a way through any protected server or service if they really want to.
When you give your information that can identify you to any online service, they always inform you that doing so is a risk on your part and that you should be aware of that risk before handing out information such as this. The fact that this happened to Sony is not at all anything special, because people suffer credit and bank fraud daily across the globe. Hell, a few weeks ago I was "Skimmed" (as the bank calls it) for $230 that I didn't spend. Do I blame the bank because it happened? No, because these thieves know what they're doing. Using technology, they can read your bank cards number, and the pin number you push in, and then create a counterfeit bank card for use anywhere they want. It's not the banks fault that the thieves are able to fool interac machines into believing that their counterfeit card is your legitimate bank card. Sony can't be blamed for the actions of an outside intruder looking to steal information anymore than you can be blamed for someone busting your window and breaking into your house to steal your property.
"WHY DIDN'T SONY TELL US SOONER OR RIGHT AWAY?!"
-Another thing I've already spoken about is complete transparency. For starters, no company will ever be completely transparent about even the smallest security breach. It's bad PR and could cause shareholders to sell their stocks. Also, Sony hired a 3rd party security firm to analyze every detail of PSN to find out exactly what happened and what they needed to do to fix the problem. This meant that, until the firm finished analyzing the system, Sony had no information to give until the final and accurate report by the firm was made. How can Sony tell you that which they don't yet know? And even now, they can't confirm that CC information was stolen, they are merely being cautious and telling people to look out for the possibility. It's called being prudent and responsible. Sony doesn't want millions of people to suffer fraud or identity theft. Why do you think they would? You think any of this is fun for Sony? It's a nightmare for them and yet so many of you are acting like they've purposely tried to hurt their consumers.
They wanted to be able to be honest and upfront when they had accurate information to give you. And they were. The fact that they can't confirm CC information theft means they didn't have to say anything about it at all. They could have let it go and let you assume that someone got a hold of your information some other way, and let you deal with the bank and all the headaches without ever even suspecting that it's because PSN was hacked. They could have spared themselves a real PR headache by keeping quiet, but they didn't. They came forward and told everyone of the possibility of CC information theft so that people could take the necessary steps needed to protect themselves. And this is the victimized company you're ready to lynch?
"I'M NEVER BUYING A SONY PRODUCT EVER AGAIN, THEIR SECURITY IS SO LAX IT'S PRACTICALLY NON-EXISTENT."
-See ya then. No one is going to miss you. Those of us with a logical and clear head understand that this kind of thing is a VERY common occurrence and can happen to even the most tightly secured online servers and services. Visa and Mastercard were recently hacked by Anonymous, Paypal has been hacked before, hell the Pentagon faces thousands of hacking attempts every day by hackers more skilled at what they do than you'll ever know exist, and the only reason the Pentagon hasn't been blown wide open is the extraordinary security measures taken and the amount of personnel hired simply to monitor the network. This happens all the time no matter how much security is in place. All it takes is someone with enough time, skill, and patience to do it. So if you're really that closed minded and small to boycott Sony products for something that isn't Sony's fault, then by all means don't let the door hit you on the way out. The rest of us will be over here enjoying our gaming experience.
"SONY SHOULD HAVE NEVER GONE AFTER GEOHOT AND THE OTHER HACKERS, IT'S BECAUSE OF THAT THAT THIS HAPPENED AND THAT'S WHY IT'S SONY'S FAULT."
-Now you're trying to blame Sony for protecting their interests. This situation should show you that hackers are NOT on your side. They are NOT fighting for YOUR rights. They hack so they can do things like this. Granted, not all hackers are hacking for illegal reasons, but this should show you that OtherOS and homebrew and all the other nigh-dogmatic rhetoric that "the scene" was spewing forth in their crusade to allow hacks was all smoke and mirrors to avoid prosecution. The truth is, when you want everything to be open and free, you are allowing people to commit these kinds of crimes. Control has to be maintained, and if you truly want the ability to create your own applications for things like a console, then make a legal, and public request for such a thing, and gain the support of the people using a legal and public venue to do so. Sony at least are a company that listen to what their userbase wants in a large way, which is why OtherOS was originally part of the PS3 and why they went with Android for Xperia Play and NGP.
If Sony was so against open source applications and software, why would they open up their next portable gaming devices? It's all a matter of how you approach the subjects of these kinds of things.
And one thing that I have noticed is that these "pro-hacker" individuals who were trumpeting GeoHot's cause are suddenly very silent. Which is fine and refreshing, but makes you wonder if they NOW see why Sony fought so hard to block the hackers. Some have suggested that Sony should have taken Microsoft's approach and just ban the modders and hackers. Maybe they should have, or maybe they wanted to be proactive and try to protect things like PSN being hacked from happening in the first place. Maybe they were thinking of your ability to enjoy your online gaming experience, free of the worry of cheaters and spammers and CC information thieves.
No fortress is impenetrable. Like water, hackers will always find a crack to flow through. But remember that Sony shut down PSN to prevent anything worse than what has already happened from happening. They've been thinking of protecting your information from the start, and these things take a lot of effort and a lot of time. They couldn't give too much information, or else the guilty parties would further cover their tracks and they could have incited hysteria over what could have been a small issue.
People need to learn patience, and they need to exercise sense. And this issue really needs to stop being blown into ridiculous proportions by random no-name bloggers and media outlets who cease to use professionalism and objectivity.
Angry Birds for PC
Finally, those birds that everybody likes has arrived on PC. After iPhone, iPad, Android and other mobile versions, also iPhone cases and toys, Angry Birds has finally arrived on the PC thanks to the Intel App Up store. It’ll work fine and dandy on laptops and netbooks and will cost you only $4.99 to download. Nice price for this lovely game.
Angry Birds is a global phenomenon in mobile gaming and the top grossing iPhone app of 2010. So if you’re not a smart-phone wielding hipster, you no longer have an excuse not to be part of this franchise.
Overall it’s pretty much an identical game play experience to the iPhone app, with some minor differences. It’s snappy, gorgeous, and it sounds amazing. On the netbook version you use a mouse or trackpad instead of touch. There is an open hand icon when the mouse is in hover state, and a closed hand icon when you are clicking or dragging. This visible clue when pulling the slingshot is a nice aid. It allows you to fine tune shots more than just observing the angle of the slingshot band.
Angry Birds for PC
Larger screen means more visibility in the game. On many levels you can see the target that can’t be seen on the iPhone. The previous shot trail is more easily seen, allowing fine tuning of your next shot. Overall the animations and physics seem to have more fluidity.
In terms of features, options, menu etc it’s pretty close to the original. On the netbook the replay level icon has been added to the game space. So you don’t need to pause first then replay. If you start off with bad shot, just click the replay icon, then you can start over. Saving a click is nice. There is a Menu button in the Pause menu that gets you back to the Start screen. There are some things not in play on the netbook version. The leader board and achievements are not available in the main menu. The Golden Eggs are there.
Angry Birds strikes an interesting balance of repetitive, simple tasks and challenging game play working for the many scenarios. So, if you liked this game on your iPhone or Android phone, you’ll sure like it on your big PC screen. If you are new player, don’t hesitate and join the fun now.
You must know and recognize the game from the Rovio, Angry Birds.
This game consists of seven birds with super abilities are different. By using slingshots, you can control the jump and the height of ill-tempered birds to tear down the building where the collection of green pork fat is shelter.
Where is a funny collection of birds swelled, turned into a grumpy group of birds which destroy the kingdom of lustful pigs these cunning thieves.
Angry Birds now not only for the iPhone, Android OS, PS3 and PSP. even Angry Birds has been available in Ovi Store for Nokia. And now Angry Birds have been available for Windows XP and Windows 7
Free Angry Birds for PC
Plenty of dodgy website owners want to rip off Google and push traffic towards their sites on the bogus promise of the free version of Angry Birds for PC. This is only a scam but in fact there exists a download free Angry Birds for PC nevertheless, you will need to move quickly to take advantage of that offer
Finland games producer Rovio Mobile has produced their very 1st version of Angry Birds Game for the Apple iPhone. This particular game was immediately caught by the iPhonesters, and Rovio understood that they will become successful. That has been fine. However, Rovio needed to get going by recoding Angry Birds Games for several programs, which become easier for small companies to get done.
Several weeks went by and finally, the Nokia and Android users could get themselves the Angry Birds Game. After that, the RovioMobile switched their attentions to the huge users of the PSP or the Play Station Portable and the PS3. That has been an additional huge porting project for Rovio operations.
During that time, the PC users have been reading and hearing rumors regarding Angry Birds for PC. Ultimately, in January, Angry Birds for PC was released, and downloading is not for free. However, not everybody is willing to pay for $5 for just a game, even if they will enjoy playing with it. These days, several users have grown to be familiar of getting some thing for free, so there are many who are on the lookout for a totally free Angry Birds for PC download. It can be downloaded via Windows 7 and Windows XP and Vista, or Mac support. But downloading can only be downloaded if you have an internet connection for the process to activate successfully.
Angry Birds pc is one of the well-known games that have taken the popularity with over 200 million downloads. The availability of this game is taking place in almost all of the popular platforms. In addition to playing the game online in the browser you can now download it on your laptop and take it wherever you may go to enjoy the amazing games, enabling you to play whenever, wherever you go. Take it to your workplace or even in the park, while resting and basting under the sun. Probably launching the Angry Birds for PC the wisest and the best move the game maker ever made. This availability made for the millions of platform owners, even made the popularity of Angry Birds known to more video-gaming enthusiasts more than over.
Incoming search terms:
* angry birds for pc
* activate free angry birds for pc
* angry birds FLASH SCAM
* angry-birds-online scam
* free angry birds games full version for window xp
*
- Angry Birds PC Updated
The PC version was updated last week which we talked about in this post. This update will finally include all episodes of Ham ‘Em High and the two chapters of Mine and Dine. I’m sure this is welcome news for all the PC players who have been feeling left out. It shouldn’t have taken this long to get all the episodes out but that’s in the past now so lets just get to playing. Since all the chapters are available you also have access to all of the golden eggs. You can finally complete your collection!
As a side note because I didn’t want to do an entire post about the subject, have you all seen the Angry Birds bra? It’s available over on etsy you should go check it out. I personally don’t know anyone who would wear it but i’m sure there is someone out there who would. I don’t recommend buying this for you girlfriend or wife unless she really loves angry birds.
Angry Birds is a global phenomenon in mobile gaming and the top grossing iPhone app of 2010. So if you’re not a smart-phone wielding hipster, you no longer have an excuse not to be part of this franchise.
Overall it’s pretty much an identical game play experience to the iPhone app, with some minor differences. It’s snappy, gorgeous, and it sounds amazing. On the netbook version you use a mouse or trackpad instead of touch. There is an open hand icon when the mouse is in hover state, and a closed hand icon when you are clicking or dragging. This visible clue when pulling the slingshot is a nice aid. It allows you to fine tune shots more than just observing the angle of the slingshot band.
Angry Birds for PC
Larger screen means more visibility in the game. On many levels you can see the target that can’t be seen on the iPhone. The previous shot trail is more easily seen, allowing fine tuning of your next shot. Overall the animations and physics seem to have more fluidity.
In terms of features, options, menu etc it’s pretty close to the original. On the netbook the replay level icon has been added to the game space. So you don’t need to pause first then replay. If you start off with bad shot, just click the replay icon, then you can start over. Saving a click is nice. There is a Menu button in the Pause menu that gets you back to the Start screen. There are some things not in play on the netbook version. The leader board and achievements are not available in the main menu. The Golden Eggs are there.
Angry Birds strikes an interesting balance of repetitive, simple tasks and challenging game play working for the many scenarios. So, if you liked this game on your iPhone or Android phone, you’ll sure like it on your big PC screen. If you are new player, don’t hesitate and join the fun now.
You must know and recognize the game from the Rovio, Angry Birds.
This game consists of seven birds with super abilities are different. By using slingshots, you can control the jump and the height of ill-tempered birds to tear down the building where the collection of green pork fat is shelter.
Where is a funny collection of birds swelled, turned into a grumpy group of birds which destroy the kingdom of lustful pigs these cunning thieves.
Angry Birds now not only for the iPhone, Android OS, PS3 and PSP. even Angry Birds has been available in Ovi Store for Nokia. And now Angry Birds have been available for Windows XP and Windows 7
Free Angry Birds for PC
Plenty of dodgy website owners want to rip off Google and push traffic towards their sites on the bogus promise of the free version of Angry Birds for PC. This is only a scam but in fact there exists a download free Angry Birds for PC nevertheless, you will need to move quickly to take advantage of that offer
Finland games producer Rovio Mobile has produced their very 1st version of Angry Birds Game for the Apple iPhone. This particular game was immediately caught by the iPhonesters, and Rovio understood that they will become successful. That has been fine. However, Rovio needed to get going by recoding Angry Birds Games for several programs, which become easier for small companies to get done.
Several weeks went by and finally, the Nokia and Android users could get themselves the Angry Birds Game. After that, the RovioMobile switched their attentions to the huge users of the PSP or the Play Station Portable and the PS3. That has been an additional huge porting project for Rovio operations.
During that time, the PC users have been reading and hearing rumors regarding Angry Birds for PC. Ultimately, in January, Angry Birds for PC was released, and downloading is not for free. However, not everybody is willing to pay for $5 for just a game, even if they will enjoy playing with it. These days, several users have grown to be familiar of getting some thing for free, so there are many who are on the lookout for a totally free Angry Birds for PC download. It can be downloaded via Windows 7 and Windows XP and Vista, or Mac support. But downloading can only be downloaded if you have an internet connection for the process to activate successfully.
Angry Birds pc is one of the well-known games that have taken the popularity with over 200 million downloads. The availability of this game is taking place in almost all of the popular platforms. In addition to playing the game online in the browser you can now download it on your laptop and take it wherever you may go to enjoy the amazing games, enabling you to play whenever, wherever you go. Take it to your workplace or even in the park, while resting and basting under the sun. Probably launching the Angry Birds for PC the wisest and the best move the game maker ever made. This availability made for the millions of platform owners, even made the popularity of Angry Birds known to more video-gaming enthusiasts more than over.
Incoming search terms:
* angry birds for pc
* activate free angry birds for pc
* angry birds FLASH SCAM
* angry-birds-online scam
* free angry birds games full version for window xp
*
- Angry Birds PC Updated
The PC version was updated last week which we talked about in this post. This update will finally include all episodes of Ham ‘Em High and the two chapters of Mine and Dine. I’m sure this is welcome news for all the PC players who have been feeling left out. It shouldn’t have taken this long to get all the episodes out but that’s in the past now so lets just get to playing. Since all the chapters are available you also have access to all of the golden eggs. You can finally complete your collection!
As a side note because I didn’t want to do an entire post about the subject, have you all seen the Angry Birds bra? It’s available over on etsy you should go check it out. I personally don’t know anyone who would wear it but i’m sure there is someone out there who would. I don’t recommend buying this for you girlfriend or wife unless she really loves angry birds.
3 reasons Sony could benefit from Project Cafe'
3 reasons Sony could benefit from Project Cafe'Recently there have been many rumors flying around about a new Nintendo console known now as "Project Cafe'", set to release next year. This new console is supposed to have a controller with a built in screen for streaming purposes, meaning you may be able to turn on your system and move about an area without being tied to a certain room or TV. Also although it hasn't been spoken about as of yet this new console may be fit with a Blu-ray drive seeing how it's said to be more powerful than both the ps3 and xbox360 respectfully and since Blu-ray has become cheaper than when the ps3 released I'd make since to update the format as well. Some rumors also state that the current Wiimotes will be compatible with "Project cafe'". If these features prove to be true it could unintentionally benefit Sony for a few reasons.
1. If it supports Blu-ray drive Sony and the other associates that collectively own Blu-ray properties will most likely see a huge boost in Blu-ray stock and revenue being that more home will be fit with the format, which may rocket it to the lead/dominate format once and for all for gaming, movies etc.
2. Sony's PS3 and Nintendo's wii sport physically similar motion controllers (Wii's motion plus and move), meaning both are likely to get stronger third-party support as it will be less of a risk for developers to make those types of motion controlled games being able to release them on two near the same power platforms.
3. With the rumors about Project Cafe' controller and the recent announcement about Sony's new NGP, set to release later this year and early next year, we could possible see both company's utilizing their new handhelds to allow streaming video and sound from the console to the new handhelds systems. The psp has been able to stream videos, music, and ps1 games for years now via remote play(using wifi) so the possiblity of Sony upgrading this feature to allow sreaming of ps2 and maybe 3 games seems likely. Also with the pspgo which has bluetooth abilities you are able to sync a ps3 controller to the psp which is alot more confortable for long gaming periods. The NGP will have 3g and wifi capabilities meaning you'll be able to connect to your ps3 virtually any where in the world.
1. If it supports Blu-ray drive Sony and the other associates that collectively own Blu-ray properties will most likely see a huge boost in Blu-ray stock and revenue being that more home will be fit with the format, which may rocket it to the lead/dominate format once and for all for gaming, movies etc.
2. Sony's PS3 and Nintendo's wii sport physically similar motion controllers (Wii's motion plus and move), meaning both are likely to get stronger third-party support as it will be less of a risk for developers to make those types of motion controlled games being able to release them on two near the same power platforms.
3. With the rumors about Project Cafe' controller and the recent announcement about Sony's new NGP, set to release later this year and early next year, we could possible see both company's utilizing their new handhelds to allow streaming video and sound from the console to the new handhelds systems. The psp has been able to stream videos, music, and ps1 games for years now via remote play(using wifi) so the possiblity of Sony upgrading this feature to allow sreaming of ps2 and maybe 3 games seems likely. Also with the pspgo which has bluetooth abilities you are able to sync a ps3 controller to the psp which is alot more confortable for long gaming periods. The NGP will have 3g and wifi capabilities meaning you'll be able to connect to your ps3 virtually any where in the world.
Thứ Sáu, 14 tháng 10, 2011
Why is Nintendo so dumb?
People thought that Nintendo had it all together when they first showed off the 3DS. But then it came out. While some still enjoy their 3DS and it is an improvement it has also been a huge dissapointment. Here's why...
Nintendo eShop:
The interface on the eShop is very strange. "Store Shelves" include "Hungry?, Extreme Games (which consists of hangman and Moto eXtreme), and Party to the People. Why? And with a lack of any good original or Virtual Console games it seems more like a glorified DSi Shop then anything else.
How to Fix:
The eShop does have a tile for Search but most people wouldn't think to go to it. If you go to the Search tab then you'll be able to find normal categories. Nintendo needs to make that known to shoppers or fix the tile system so it's seperated like the Search categories. And Nintendo needs to support the eShop if nobody else is. Some original games on it would make it worth checking out. And no more of this one or two eShop games a week. There are so many games for Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Advance, Game Gear, and more that they are sure to be good for a long time. Also use notifications to remind me every week once it's updated. If my system was glowing blue I'm sure it would remind me to check it.
Nintendo Video:
While it's a very good idea since Youtube won't work with the 3DS the Nintendo Video App isn't that great. Mostly because all of your videos go away in three days. Nintendo did this so even if you don't have internet available you could watch anywhere almost like having 3G. But that means you could miss out on older videos.
How to Fix:
Nintendo needs to overhaul Nintendo Video. Make it like Youtube more so that if you do have internet you can watch any video that has been put on it so far. But so that you can still watch videos anywhere let people save four favorites to the SD Card so that when they open up Nintendo Video they'll be able to watch them. Or better yet, let us watch YouTube on our 3DS!!!
Multitask:
Nintendo promised that we would be able to multitask with the 3DS and they didn't lie, we can....... to an extent. But only to an extent. We can check our friends list, browser the web, write notes or check notifications. But that's it. Now I would love to play Zelda and listen to Linkin Park but for some reason Nintendo doesn't feel the same way.
How to Fix:
Update the OS with multitasking. Let me listen to music while I go to my other apps at least. I can do it on my phone so I should do it here too.
Friends List:
For people like me the friends list works great. I only have about ten friends online so srollinng through isn't a hassle. But for people with 60 friends finding a certain person can be hard. With a oldest to newest sorting and no search you have to go one by one scanning. And Nintendo's message system consists of the smallest status' in the world with the hope that your friend is checking ur status as you update.
How to Fix:
Add a search bar so we can search for certain friends. Oh and let us send actual messages. When we hover over a friends icon give us a button to send a message. Doing this would make setting up online games much easier. I shouldn't need to call someone to set up my game in 2011.
Nintendo eShop:
The interface on the eShop is very strange. "Store Shelves" include "Hungry?, Extreme Games (which consists of hangman and Moto eXtreme), and Party to the People. Why? And with a lack of any good original or Virtual Console games it seems more like a glorified DSi Shop then anything else.
How to Fix:
The eShop does have a tile for Search but most people wouldn't think to go to it. If you go to the Search tab then you'll be able to find normal categories. Nintendo needs to make that known to shoppers or fix the tile system so it's seperated like the Search categories. And Nintendo needs to support the eShop if nobody else is. Some original games on it would make it worth checking out. And no more of this one or two eShop games a week. There are so many games for Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Advance, Game Gear, and more that they are sure to be good for a long time. Also use notifications to remind me every week once it's updated. If my system was glowing blue I'm sure it would remind me to check it.
Nintendo Video:
While it's a very good idea since Youtube won't work with the 3DS the Nintendo Video App isn't that great. Mostly because all of your videos go away in three days. Nintendo did this so even if you don't have internet available you could watch anywhere almost like having 3G. But that means you could miss out on older videos.
How to Fix:
Nintendo needs to overhaul Nintendo Video. Make it like Youtube more so that if you do have internet you can watch any video that has been put on it so far. But so that you can still watch videos anywhere let people save four favorites to the SD Card so that when they open up Nintendo Video they'll be able to watch them. Or better yet, let us watch YouTube on our 3DS!!!
Multitask:
Nintendo promised that we would be able to multitask with the 3DS and they didn't lie, we can....... to an extent. But only to an extent. We can check our friends list, browser the web, write notes or check notifications. But that's it. Now I would love to play Zelda and listen to Linkin Park but for some reason Nintendo doesn't feel the same way.
How to Fix:
Update the OS with multitasking. Let me listen to music while I go to my other apps at least. I can do it on my phone so I should do it here too.
Friends List:
For people like me the friends list works great. I only have about ten friends online so srollinng through isn't a hassle. But for people with 60 friends finding a certain person can be hard. With a oldest to newest sorting and no search you have to go one by one scanning. And Nintendo's message system consists of the smallest status' in the world with the hope that your friend is checking ur status as you update.
How to Fix:
Add a search bar so we can search for certain friends. Oh and let us send actual messages. When we hover over a friends icon give us a button to send a message. Doing this would make setting up online games much easier. I shouldn't need to call someone to set up my game in 2011.
Not every video game needs multiplayer
Its a sad fact that so many younger gamers will pass on a great game if it doesnt feature multiplayer.
They miss out on many incredible AAA single player games like Dead Space , Bioshock , Oblivion , Deus Ex and many others.
Its more a generational thing than anything else.
You see us old fart gamers that grew up playing video games in the 80s and 90s were winged on hundreds of excellent single player games from Metroid on the N.E.S. to Metal Gear Solid on Playstation 1.
The majority of the younger gamers that started gaming in the Playstation 2 / Xbox generation with games like Halo simply will not give a good single player game a second look out of unfounded bias and misinformation.
The fact is that a lot of -gamers- that only play multiplayer based games like Halo and Call of Duty never bother to play through the single player campaigns of said games.
The fallout being that there are fewer and fewer quality single player games being released and more and more games that dont need a tacked on multiplayer mode - Bioshock 2 and Dead Space 2 - being forced to add an unnecessary and at times horrible multiplayer modes that detract from what could have otherwise been a solid single player experience.
I WOULD DELETE THIS POST BUT WAITING FOR ALL THE PC AND FUCKING PS3 FANBOYS TO DELETE IT FOR ME..
They miss out on many incredible AAA single player games like Dead Space , Bioshock , Oblivion , Deus Ex and many others.
Its more a generational thing than anything else.
You see us old fart gamers that grew up playing video games in the 80s and 90s were winged on hundreds of excellent single player games from Metroid on the N.E.S. to Metal Gear Solid on Playstation 1.
The majority of the younger gamers that started gaming in the Playstation 2 / Xbox generation with games like Halo simply will not give a good single player game a second look out of unfounded bias and misinformation.
The fact is that a lot of -gamers- that only play multiplayer based games like Halo and Call of Duty never bother to play through the single player campaigns of said games.
The fallout being that there are fewer and fewer quality single player games being released and more and more games that dont need a tacked on multiplayer mode - Bioshock 2 and Dead Space 2 - being forced to add an unnecessary and at times horrible multiplayer modes that detract from what could have otherwise been a solid single player experience.
I WOULD DELETE THIS POST BUT WAITING FOR ALL THE PC AND FUCKING PS3 FANBOYS TO DELETE IT FOR ME..
Official Pokemon Game Coming To Smartphones
The Pokemon Company is set to bring an official Pokemon Online game to smartphone devices, marking the first time that an official Nintendo-copyrighted app will be available on the iOS and Android.
Called Pokemon Iie Tap (rougly Pokemon: Say Tap?), the app appears to be a rhythm game where players “tap on Pokemon indigo trading cards to the beat of a song from the anime,” according to a translation by consumer video game site GamesRadar.
According to the game’s official announcement, it will be available for most iOS devices, as well as Android devices running version 2.1 of the platform.
Though this is the first iOS or Android application to carry an official Nintendo copyright, it is not the first mobile app of any kind: a Pokemon mobile phone game called Pokemate was released in Japan in 2006.
Though it is a rarity, Nintendo does have a history of releasing official games on platforms that are not its own, including a promotional Flash game to promote its Tingle character.
A release outside of Japan has not been announced.
Called Pokemon Iie Tap (rougly Pokemon: Say Tap?), the app appears to be a rhythm game where players “tap on Pokemon indigo trading cards to the beat of a song from the anime,” according to a translation by consumer video game site GamesRadar.
According to the game’s official announcement, it will be available for most iOS devices, as well as Android devices running version 2.1 of the platform.
Though this is the first iOS or Android application to carry an official Nintendo copyright, it is not the first mobile app of any kind: a Pokemon mobile phone game called Pokemate was released in Japan in 2006.
Though it is a rarity, Nintendo does have a history of releasing official games on platforms that are not its own, including a promotional Flash game to promote its Tingle character.
A release outside of Japan has not been announced.
Nick Jr., MTVN expand in Asia
Rugrats and music fans in Singapore and Malaysia will be able to tune in to “Dora the Explorer” and 24-hour music videos, docus and concerts with the launch of Viacom’s Nick Jr. and MTVN HD in the territories in coming weeks.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Thứ Tư, 12 tháng 10, 2011
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader will stump Facebook gamers, too
Finally, a new source of self-embarrassment on Facebook. (Posting incriminating photos of myself got kinda old.) Now, you can show just how unintelligent you are with Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader on Facebook.
The hit game show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, thanks to Ludia--known for Who Wants to be a Millionaire on Facebook--and One Three Television, is now a Facebook game. This multiplayer version of the game that shows contestants just how dumb they really are (all in good fun, of course!), features simultaneous multiplayer gameplay.
Yes, that means you play the game with real people in real time--none of this friend visitation stuff here, folks. Players are sent into lobbies where the first rounds are played. (If you're thinking this looks a lot like its Millionaire game, that's because it is.)
Multiple choice questions are given, which are timed to increase the challenge. And Ludia took advantage of the real-time gameplay, providing bonuses to players who answer the questions the fastest. The developer also took advantage of that whole "social" thing, providing players who make friends with cheats for each round.
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader gameplay
The top three contestants then move on to the Bonus 5th Grade Question. Of course, your play is limited by how many "Episodes" you have to play. These seem to refill over time, and leveling up provides you with bonus episodes. However, you might want to give this game a couple tries: It's one of the most polished and slickest Facebook game shows I've seen, and that alone is enough to bring me back.
Click here to play Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader on Facebook Now >>
Are you a fan of the show on TV? What do you think of game shows turned social games? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
The hit game show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, thanks to Ludia--known for Who Wants to be a Millionaire on Facebook--and One Three Television, is now a Facebook game. This multiplayer version of the game that shows contestants just how dumb they really are (all in good fun, of course!), features simultaneous multiplayer gameplay.
Yes, that means you play the game with real people in real time--none of this friend visitation stuff here, folks. Players are sent into lobbies where the first rounds are played. (If you're thinking this looks a lot like its Millionaire game, that's because it is.)
Multiple choice questions are given, which are timed to increase the challenge. And Ludia took advantage of the real-time gameplay, providing bonuses to players who answer the questions the fastest. The developer also took advantage of that whole "social" thing, providing players who make friends with cheats for each round.
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader gameplay
The top three contestants then move on to the Bonus 5th Grade Question. Of course, your play is limited by how many "Episodes" you have to play. These seem to refill over time, and leveling up provides you with bonus episodes. However, you might want to give this game a couple tries: It's one of the most polished and slickest Facebook game shows I've seen, and that alone is enough to bring me back.
Click here to play Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader on Facebook Now >>
Are you a fan of the show on TV? What do you think of game shows turned social games? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Theme Park coming to iPhone, iPad this year: Get your tickets ready
Here's a piece of news from this year's gamescom convention that I'm genuinely excited about: Theme Park (you know, the classic mid-90's amusement park simulator) is coming to iPhone and iPad later this year! The game is being rebuilt from the ground up and will be released by Electronic Arts as a freemium (free-to-play) title with some premium extras.
Digital Spy has captured some details about the new game, which will allow you to build new rides and attractions with their construction (and profit intake) taking place in real time. You'll have a "Park Rank" that serves as your level, with new rides being unlocked as you level up, or you can use a premium currency (we suspect they'll be called "Tickets") to unlock items and complete other tasks without waiting.
Similar to a city-builder, Theme Park will allow you to expand your amusement park by purchasing additional plots of land, and will then let you style the entire park in a number of themes: pirate, futuristic, and natural/organic being just a few of the announced examples.
While you'll eventually be able to let your park earn money over time without interaction, you can also use your device's touch controls to interact with items like the bouncy castle (by poking it) or the swinging ship by flicking the ship with your finger. To add more flair to the game, EA will use its many franchises such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Dead Space to inspire new rides or perhaps even themed areas in your park that will be available to build or otherwise purchase. We can only imagine that those sorts of items would cost premium currency, but a girl can hope for a free dragon statue, right?
As more news launches about Theme Park (including any details about its assumed social features), we'll make sure to let you know. For now, I'll just keep myself busy with my other versions of Theme Park while dreaming of new park ideas for this one!
[Source and Image Credit: Digital Spy]
Are you excited about Theme Park for iPhone / iPad? What sorts of rides or themes do you hope EA adds to the games? Are there other EA games you'd like to see integrated into an amusement park? Sound off in the comments.
Digital Spy has captured some details about the new game, which will allow you to build new rides and attractions with their construction (and profit intake) taking place in real time. You'll have a "Park Rank" that serves as your level, with new rides being unlocked as you level up, or you can use a premium currency (we suspect they'll be called "Tickets") to unlock items and complete other tasks without waiting.
Similar to a city-builder, Theme Park will allow you to expand your amusement park by purchasing additional plots of land, and will then let you style the entire park in a number of themes: pirate, futuristic, and natural/organic being just a few of the announced examples.
While you'll eventually be able to let your park earn money over time without interaction, you can also use your device's touch controls to interact with items like the bouncy castle (by poking it) or the swinging ship by flicking the ship with your finger. To add more flair to the game, EA will use its many franchises such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Dead Space to inspire new rides or perhaps even themed areas in your park that will be available to build or otherwise purchase. We can only imagine that those sorts of items would cost premium currency, but a girl can hope for a free dragon statue, right?
As more news launches about Theme Park (including any details about its assumed social features), we'll make sure to let you know. For now, I'll just keep myself busy with my other versions of Theme Park while dreaming of new park ideas for this one!
[Source and Image Credit: Digital Spy]
Are you excited about Theme Park for iPhone / iPad? What sorts of rides or themes do you hope EA adds to the games? Are there other EA games you'd like to see integrated into an amusement park? Sound off in the comments.
Thứ Năm, 6 tháng 10, 2011
Zynga Mobile Chief: Mobile is a 'new social gaming frontier'
Everyone else is right there with ya, big red. During an interview with The Guardian, Zynga Mobile SVP David Ko said, "We believe that mobile represents a new social gaming frontier. We've always said we want Zynga to be the best content creators in the world, and we are platform agnostic." More and more Zynga fans expect to play its games on their phones and tablets, which wasn't exactly where CEO Mark Pincus's heart was many moons ago.
Regardless of whether Zynga has been creating mobile games since Zynga Poker hit iOS devices in 2008, it was only the advent of Facebook Connect that motivated the company to dig deeper into the platform. From that we got games like FarmVille and CityVille Hometown, neither of which are feature-complete versions of their Facebook counterparts. (The latter of which is a different game entirely.)
Now, The Guardian reports that Zynga is looking to take advantage of mobile devices' key features like cameras and accelerometers in future games. And tablets appear to be a big deal in Zynga HQ--Ko told The Guardian the company was "very bullish" on the idea. And HTML5, the emergent web coding language that's been touted as the proverbial messiah for cross-platform social gaming, is something Ko admits the company is interested in.
"HTML5 is interesting, although I do feel it is early," Ko told The Guardian. "With those acquisitions, you can see into our thinking in this area a little bit." (Ko there is referring to companies like Newtoy and Dextrose.) Zynga already released one game through HTML5: Mafia Wars Atlantic City.
However, HTML5 games have yet to achieve the complexity of, say, Hanging With Friends, which Zynga just released on Android devices. Regardless, all eyes--including Zynga's--are on those 4-inch screens that rarely leave your side. And with companies as unlikely as Capcom making buku bucks on mobile games, you can bet Zynga is a' hustlin'.
Are you waiting for more mobile games from Zynga? What would you like to see the developer do next on smartphones? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Regardless of whether Zynga has been creating mobile games since Zynga Poker hit iOS devices in 2008, it was only the advent of Facebook Connect that motivated the company to dig deeper into the platform. From that we got games like FarmVille and CityVille Hometown, neither of which are feature-complete versions of their Facebook counterparts. (The latter of which is a different game entirely.)
Now, The Guardian reports that Zynga is looking to take advantage of mobile devices' key features like cameras and accelerometers in future games. And tablets appear to be a big deal in Zynga HQ--Ko told The Guardian the company was "very bullish" on the idea. And HTML5, the emergent web coding language that's been touted as the proverbial messiah for cross-platform social gaming, is something Ko admits the company is interested in.
"HTML5 is interesting, although I do feel it is early," Ko told The Guardian. "With those acquisitions, you can see into our thinking in this area a little bit." (Ko there is referring to companies like Newtoy and Dextrose.) Zynga already released one game through HTML5: Mafia Wars Atlantic City.
However, HTML5 games have yet to achieve the complexity of, say, Hanging With Friends, which Zynga just released on Android devices. Regardless, all eyes--including Zynga's--are on those 4-inch screens that rarely leave your side. And with companies as unlikely as Capcom making buku bucks on mobile games, you can bet Zynga is a' hustlin'.
Are you waiting for more mobile games from Zynga? What would you like to see the developer do next on smartphones? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Half of all U.S. social gamers own a game console, RockYou study says
As if we already didn't know: Some social gamers are more "hardcore" than we thought. But the next study released that attempts to drive this point home is courtesy of Zoo World creator RockYou and conducted by Interpret, a media research firm. Titled the "Social Gamer Thought Leadership Research Study," it finds that 50 percent of U.S. social gamers own a traditional gaming console.
The study, which polled over 2,00 social game fans living in the U.S. aged 18 and older with a 60-40 women to men split, also found that social gamers are more "sophisticated." To back up the claim, the study reports a quarter of social gamers prefer games with quests, and that 22 percent admit that score-sharing drives their urge to play more. Oh, and these players also spend quite a bit of time with the games.
Of the over 2,000 people polled, RockYou and Interpret found that the average social gamer spends an average of 9.5 hours playing out of the 13 average hours they spend on networks like Facebook. The average social game player, according to the study, has just over 16 real-life frieds playing these games with them and has made 20 new friends through social games. Of course, the study doesn't get into how deep said friendships are, but how could you?
The study also reports that 42 percent of social gamers would play a social game more, if offered real world rewards like coupons or gift cards. (But isn't the idea to get them to pay up?) It was just recently that Raptr discovered that a number of Zynga fans may be Halo and Grand Theft Auto fans, too. And before that, Kabam found in its own study that the hardcore crowd on Facebook is growing.
What should you take away from this influx of studies and reports? Regardless of whether you still dig tending to virtual crops or running a shanty town, many developers--even the "casual" ones--seem all but done with your farms and cities of yore.
What do you think of the numerous reports on the growing hardcore crowd in social games? How do you think this will change the industry in the long run? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
The study, which polled over 2,00 social game fans living in the U.S. aged 18 and older with a 60-40 women to men split, also found that social gamers are more "sophisticated." To back up the claim, the study reports a quarter of social gamers prefer games with quests, and that 22 percent admit that score-sharing drives their urge to play more. Oh, and these players also spend quite a bit of time with the games.
Of the over 2,000 people polled, RockYou and Interpret found that the average social gamer spends an average of 9.5 hours playing out of the 13 average hours they spend on networks like Facebook. The average social game player, according to the study, has just over 16 real-life frieds playing these games with them and has made 20 new friends through social games. Of course, the study doesn't get into how deep said friendships are, but how could you?
The study also reports that 42 percent of social gamers would play a social game more, if offered real world rewards like coupons or gift cards. (But isn't the idea to get them to pay up?) It was just recently that Raptr discovered that a number of Zynga fans may be Halo and Grand Theft Auto fans, too. And before that, Kabam found in its own study that the hardcore crowd on Facebook is growing.
What should you take away from this influx of studies and reports? Regardless of whether you still dig tending to virtual crops or running a shanty town, many developers--even the "casual" ones--seem all but done with your farms and cities of yore.
What do you think of the numerous reports on the growing hardcore crowd in social games? How do you think this will change the industry in the long run? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
FarmVille Horse Paddock: Everything you need to know
Back in the middle of August, FarmVille saw the launch of the Wildlife Habitat breeding building, and at the time we were told that six (and then seven) new buildings would be released in all. We didn't know when those buildings would eventually release, but as time passed we've been led to here. The final animal breeding building has launched in FarmVille, the Horse Paddock.
Similar to the Cow Pasture, this Horse Paddock is specifically for Horses, and it gives you an opportunity to store those horses and randomly breed those that are inside. You'll only need to have a single "type" of each Horse for it to be possible to breed a matching Foal when harvesting the building, but as of right now, a few Horses or Unicorns may not be able to be stored. (This is probably because either they're coded differently, or Zynga just forgot.)
Of course, before you can actually use your Horse Paddock, you need to build it. You'll need three building materials, two of which are new: 10 each of Logs, Saddles and Bridles. These Logs are the same logs that are used to repair/upgrade the Lighthouse Cove on your new farm, so it will be up to you to decide when exactly to divert your efforts there into building this Horse Paddock. As for gathering these ingredients, you can do so by asking friends through individual gift requests, or you can purchase them outright for 1 Farm Cash each.
Once its construction is complete, you'll be given a free Cream Draft Horse. You can store up to 20 Horses in total inside your new building, and you can have as many Paddocks as you like, provided you collect the building materials to build each on individually. With this feature also comes the ability to grow individual Foals into adults with Farm Cash. You can keep them as babies forever (as before), but if you've received a free Foal from a friend and can't wait for the Nursery Barn to grow it into an adult, you can now pay to do so outright.
Remember, both Foal and Calf mastery are coming soon to the game, if you need any extra incentive to build one of these buildings--and fast! Also, with the release of the Horse Paddock, the Horse Stable is now unavailable to buy/build from the market. You can keep your existing Horse Stable(s), but you'll also be given the option to trade in all of your Horse Stables to receive exclusive Horses and Animal Feed. Then again, as so many users lost their Cows entirely when doing the same for the new Cow Pasture building, I'd suggest holding off on that for now ... or forever.
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of the Horse Paddock? Do you prefer it over the Horse Stable, even though it has less storage capacity? Sound off in the comments.
Similar to the Cow Pasture, this Horse Paddock is specifically for Horses, and it gives you an opportunity to store those horses and randomly breed those that are inside. You'll only need to have a single "type" of each Horse for it to be possible to breed a matching Foal when harvesting the building, but as of right now, a few Horses or Unicorns may not be able to be stored. (This is probably because either they're coded differently, or Zynga just forgot.)
Of course, before you can actually use your Horse Paddock, you need to build it. You'll need three building materials, two of which are new: 10 each of Logs, Saddles and Bridles. These Logs are the same logs that are used to repair/upgrade the Lighthouse Cove on your new farm, so it will be up to you to decide when exactly to divert your efforts there into building this Horse Paddock. As for gathering these ingredients, you can do so by asking friends through individual gift requests, or you can purchase them outright for 1 Farm Cash each.
Once its construction is complete, you'll be given a free Cream Draft Horse. You can store up to 20 Horses in total inside your new building, and you can have as many Paddocks as you like, provided you collect the building materials to build each on individually. With this feature also comes the ability to grow individual Foals into adults with Farm Cash. You can keep them as babies forever (as before), but if you've received a free Foal from a friend and can't wait for the Nursery Barn to grow it into an adult, you can now pay to do so outright.
Remember, both Foal and Calf mastery are coming soon to the game, if you need any extra incentive to build one of these buildings--and fast! Also, with the release of the Horse Paddock, the Horse Stable is now unavailable to buy/build from the market. You can keep your existing Horse Stable(s), but you'll also be given the option to trade in all of your Horse Stables to receive exclusive Horses and Animal Feed. Then again, as so many users lost their Cows entirely when doing the same for the new Cow Pasture building, I'd suggest holding off on that for now ... or forever.
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of the Horse Paddock? Do you prefer it over the Horse Stable, even though it has less storage capacity? Sound off in the comments.
FarmVille Horse Paddock Goals: Everything you need to know
With the launch of the Horse Paddock in FarmVille, many farmers are probably wondering just when the matching set of goals will arrive. If you're like most, you probably don't have them in your game yet, as they are on a very slow rollout. For those that do have them, however, you'll see that this set of six goals has a 16-day time limit (perhaps less by the time these roll around to everyone), and will reward you some Horses for completing them. Here's a guide for doing just that:
Horsing Around
* Get 6 Horse Combs
* Place 1 Horse Paddock
* Buy 3 Orange Hay Bales
The Horse Combs are earned through a general news feed post. The full six people can click on this post to actually send you rewards, so you shouldn't have to ask for it twice. As for the Horse Paddock, note that this goal doesn't require you to have completed the construction on the building - just place its base. Finally, the Orange Hay Bales are available from the store for 125 coins each. Finishing this first goal, no matter how simple it might seem, actually gives you some great rewards: 50 XP, 2,500 coins and a Pink Saddled Horse. To be specific, the horse's body is white, but the saddle is pink.
There She Is, Miss Equestrian...
* Get 6 Horse Tiaras
* Buy 2 Horse Topiaries
* Harvest 10 Horses
For this one, we're not sure if Horses placed inside your Horse Paddock (or previously owned Horse Stables will count), so if you try it once and they don't, just pull some Horses out of storage and wait for them to become ready to harvest on their own. To collect the Tiaras, you'll post another item to your news feed asking all friends to help at once. You can then finish this goal off by purchasing the Horse Topiaries, which cost just 100 coins each in the store. For completing this second goal, you're given 50 XP, 2,500 coins, a single Animal Feed and a Fancy Hitching Post decoration.
Sugar High
* Get 6 Sugar Cubes
* Complete a Horse Paddock
* Harvest 100 Vegetables
It doesn't matter which vegetable crop you harvest, so long as you harvest 100 individual squares of them. While you wait for those crops to grow, you can collect the Sugar Cubes via a general news feed post, and can complete the Horse Paddock by collecting its 30 required building ingredients. Check out our guide to the Horse Paddock to see exactly what we mean. Finishing this goal gives you 50 XP, 2,500 coins and a Cream Stallion.
Horseplay
* Get 9 Carrots on Sticks
* Harvest a Horse Paddock
* Harvest 75 Wheat
Each Horse Paddock is available to harvest once every 24 hours, so if you happen to collect from one right before you receive this goal, just wait until the next day to finish this one off. In the meantime, you can post a general news post asking for the Carrots on Sticks and can harvest the wheat as well. For finishing this goal, you'll receive 50 XP, 2,500 coins, five units of Animal Feed and a Blingy Water Trough decoration. Apparently, these horses are fairly high maintenance.
Giddy Up!
* Get 9 Stylish Horse Shoes
* Master Cream Stallion to Level 1
* Harvest 50 Mint
The fastest way to master any Horse will be to make sure they're in storage, so that they can be collected from once per day (rather than once every few days when they're outside of buildings). Just place the Cream Stallion into either Horse building on your farm (that is, if you didn't trade in your Horse Stable for feed and prizes) and collect from it routinely to reach Level 1 before this goal series expires. Oh, and you guessed it--the Stylish Horse Shoes come from a general news post on your wall. Finish off this goal and you'll receive 50 XP, 2,500 coins, five units of Animal Feed and something for your avatar: a Jockey Outfit.
Saddle Up!
* Get 9 Horse Saddles
* Place 10 Horses in a Horse Paddock
* Harvest 50 Spinach
If you already have 10 or more Horses in a Horse Paddock and this step doesn't automatically complete for you, just pull them back out and replace them in the building. That should clear up any "bugs." One final news feed post will help you earn the Horse Saddles, which you can collect while waiting for your Spinach to grow, which takes 14 hours. When finishing this goal, you will have completed the Horse Paddock goal series in its entirety, and will receive 50 XP, 2,500 coins and a Chestnut Mini Stallion (a dark brown miniature horse) as your final rewards.
Just remember--these goals are on a time limit, so if you like these prizes more than those, say, for completing the Chapter 2 Goals in the Lighthouse Cove farm, feel free to prioritize any way you'd like to receive the best prizes in your eyes. Happy farming!
[Source and image credit: Zynga]
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of these Horse Paddock goals or the prizes therein? Have you received these goals on your farm(s) yet? Sound off in the comments.
Horsing Around
* Get 6 Horse Combs
* Place 1 Horse Paddock
* Buy 3 Orange Hay Bales
The Horse Combs are earned through a general news feed post. The full six people can click on this post to actually send you rewards, so you shouldn't have to ask for it twice. As for the Horse Paddock, note that this goal doesn't require you to have completed the construction on the building - just place its base. Finally, the Orange Hay Bales are available from the store for 125 coins each. Finishing this first goal, no matter how simple it might seem, actually gives you some great rewards: 50 XP, 2,500 coins and a Pink Saddled Horse. To be specific, the horse's body is white, but the saddle is pink.
There She Is, Miss Equestrian...
* Get 6 Horse Tiaras
* Buy 2 Horse Topiaries
* Harvest 10 Horses
For this one, we're not sure if Horses placed inside your Horse Paddock (or previously owned Horse Stables will count), so if you try it once and they don't, just pull some Horses out of storage and wait for them to become ready to harvest on their own. To collect the Tiaras, you'll post another item to your news feed asking all friends to help at once. You can then finish this goal off by purchasing the Horse Topiaries, which cost just 100 coins each in the store. For completing this second goal, you're given 50 XP, 2,500 coins, a single Animal Feed and a Fancy Hitching Post decoration.
Sugar High
* Get 6 Sugar Cubes
* Complete a Horse Paddock
* Harvest 100 Vegetables
It doesn't matter which vegetable crop you harvest, so long as you harvest 100 individual squares of them. While you wait for those crops to grow, you can collect the Sugar Cubes via a general news feed post, and can complete the Horse Paddock by collecting its 30 required building ingredients. Check out our guide to the Horse Paddock to see exactly what we mean. Finishing this goal gives you 50 XP, 2,500 coins and a Cream Stallion.
Horseplay
* Get 9 Carrots on Sticks
* Harvest a Horse Paddock
* Harvest 75 Wheat
Each Horse Paddock is available to harvest once every 24 hours, so if you happen to collect from one right before you receive this goal, just wait until the next day to finish this one off. In the meantime, you can post a general news post asking for the Carrots on Sticks and can harvest the wheat as well. For finishing this goal, you'll receive 50 XP, 2,500 coins, five units of Animal Feed and a Blingy Water Trough decoration. Apparently, these horses are fairly high maintenance.
Giddy Up!
* Get 9 Stylish Horse Shoes
* Master Cream Stallion to Level 1
* Harvest 50 Mint
The fastest way to master any Horse will be to make sure they're in storage, so that they can be collected from once per day (rather than once every few days when they're outside of buildings). Just place the Cream Stallion into either Horse building on your farm (that is, if you didn't trade in your Horse Stable for feed and prizes) and collect from it routinely to reach Level 1 before this goal series expires. Oh, and you guessed it--the Stylish Horse Shoes come from a general news post on your wall. Finish off this goal and you'll receive 50 XP, 2,500 coins, five units of Animal Feed and something for your avatar: a Jockey Outfit.
Saddle Up!
* Get 9 Horse Saddles
* Place 10 Horses in a Horse Paddock
* Harvest 50 Spinach
If you already have 10 or more Horses in a Horse Paddock and this step doesn't automatically complete for you, just pull them back out and replace them in the building. That should clear up any "bugs." One final news feed post will help you earn the Horse Saddles, which you can collect while waiting for your Spinach to grow, which takes 14 hours. When finishing this goal, you will have completed the Horse Paddock goal series in its entirety, and will receive 50 XP, 2,500 coins and a Chestnut Mini Stallion (a dark brown miniature horse) as your final rewards.
Just remember--these goals are on a time limit, so if you like these prizes more than those, say, for completing the Chapter 2 Goals in the Lighthouse Cove farm, feel free to prioritize any way you'd like to receive the best prizes in your eyes. Happy farming!
[Source and image credit: Zynga]
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of these Horse Paddock goals or the prizes therein? Have you received these goals on your farm(s) yet? Sound off in the comments.
Pimp Mafia Wars 2 for a chance to become an in-game character
Now that the hype for Zynga's upcoming Mafia Wars 2 has officially hit a fever pitch, the developer wants you to promote the upcoming sequel on your Facebook profile. Of course, there's something in it for you: If you choose to do it, you might be immortalized in the game as a permanent character. The contest asks you to change your profile picture to that of one the game's recently-revealed characters.
If you're interested in becoming an shill ambassador of sorts for the game, just head over to its Facebook page right here. Then, choose what character portrait you want to change your profile image to, and finally submit your email address to enter.
Remember to right-click on the image that appears to save it, then upload it to your Facebook profile. Yes, you'll have to give up your precious email, but I'd be more worried about the questions you'll get from your friends regarding your ... animated makeover.
Once you're done entering the contest, look out on the Mafia Wars 2 Facebook page for a post that reads, "Comment now for your chance to become a Mafia Wars 2 character!" Then, the rest is up to chance, it seems. Zynga hasn't given an exact time for when this News Feed post will appear, so "Liking" the fan page might help your chances of successfully entering. It's funny how companies like the big Z get you to do these things, isn't it?
Do you plan on entering this new Mafia Wars 2 contest? If you were to become a permanent character in the game, what role would you like him or her to play? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
If you're interested in becoming an shill ambassador of sorts for the game, just head over to its Facebook page right here. Then, choose what character portrait you want to change your profile image to, and finally submit your email address to enter.
Remember to right-click on the image that appears to save it, then upload it to your Facebook profile. Yes, you'll have to give up your precious email, but I'd be more worried about the questions you'll get from your friends regarding your ... animated makeover.
Once you're done entering the contest, look out on the Mafia Wars 2 Facebook page for a post that reads, "Comment now for your chance to become a Mafia Wars 2 character!" Then, the rest is up to chance, it seems. Zynga hasn't given an exact time for when this News Feed post will appear, so "Liking" the fan page might help your chances of successfully entering. It's funny how companies like the big Z get you to do these things, isn't it?
Do you plan on entering this new Mafia Wars 2 contest? If you were to become a permanent character in the game, what role would you like him or her to play? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Thứ Ba, 4 tháng 10, 2011
Zynga looks to give CityVille a boost, launches on Google+ Games
CityVille might have just scored a much-needed shot in the arm, as Zynga's most popular Facebook game has launched on Google+. Zynga announced the move today, and the game is already playable on the platform. Unfortunately, folks who decide to take the plunge into CityVille on Google+ Games will have to start all over again.
But considering its top game has been in decline in both monthly and daily players for some time, it's clear that Zynga is looking for new users with this move. Before today, CityVille was exclusive to Facebook for Western audiences, though the developer will soon expand the game to Asian audiences on the Tencent social network.
It was previously understood that Zynga had an agreement with Facebook that prevented the company from launching its games on directly-competing platforms. It looks like there is some fine print in that exclusivity deal that allows Zynga to do just that. This is especially evident considering Zynga has already released Zynga Poker to Google+ Games. With the largest Facebook game now on Google+ Games, Facebook's competitor just received reinforcements in its battle for social gaming dominance. (Now, Google+ has a whopping 18 social games!)
However, this move also speaks to Zynga's growing understanding that it needs to expand to grow its thriving business. With games like EA's The Sims Social gaining fast on the red dog's top spot with now over 60 million monthly players, competition is growing for the developer on Facebook.
Zynga is also hopeful that diversification will help the company grow and increase revenues ahead of its planned $1 billion IPO (initial public offering), the prospects of which have become shaky lately. Hopefully for Google, the presence of a huge name like CityVille will instill confidence in developers to bring new game ideas to Google+.
[Via VentureBeat]
Do you plan to try out CityVille on Google+ Games? Do you think CityVille has seen its best days, or will this expansion help the game find its second wind? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
But considering its top game has been in decline in both monthly and daily players for some time, it's clear that Zynga is looking for new users with this move. Before today, CityVille was exclusive to Facebook for Western audiences, though the developer will soon expand the game to Asian audiences on the Tencent social network.
It was previously understood that Zynga had an agreement with Facebook that prevented the company from launching its games on directly-competing platforms. It looks like there is some fine print in that exclusivity deal that allows Zynga to do just that. This is especially evident considering Zynga has already released Zynga Poker to Google+ Games. With the largest Facebook game now on Google+ Games, Facebook's competitor just received reinforcements in its battle for social gaming dominance. (Now, Google+ has a whopping 18 social games!)
However, this move also speaks to Zynga's growing understanding that it needs to expand to grow its thriving business. With games like EA's The Sims Social gaining fast on the red dog's top spot with now over 60 million monthly players, competition is growing for the developer on Facebook.
Zynga is also hopeful that diversification will help the company grow and increase revenues ahead of its planned $1 billion IPO (initial public offering), the prospects of which have become shaky lately. Hopefully for Google, the presence of a huge name like CityVille will instill confidence in developers to bring new game ideas to Google+.
[Via VentureBeat]
Do you plan to try out CityVille on Google+ Games? Do you think CityVille has seen its best days, or will this expansion help the game find its second wind? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
CityVille Baseball and Soccer Stadiums: Everything you need to know
Just in time for the upcoming MLB playoff season, Zynga has released Baseball Stadiums to CityVille to honor America's favorite pastime. Oh, and the developer added Soccer Stadiums, too. (Though, Zynga might have been better off naming them "Football" Stadiums, if it was going for the international nod.)
At any rate, these two new community buildings will give a huge boost to your allowed population and earn you some major coin. When you reach Level 11, the new stadiums will become available to you. So, here's everything you need to know about the Baseball ... and Soccer Stadium Goals:
Alive and Kicking
* Place the Soccer Stadium
* Compete the Soccer Stadium
Both Goals for these new buildings are painfully simple. Once you reach Level 11 (or log into the game at a level above that), a Goal icon will appear. Click on it to open a window that will allow you to place the foundation for the Soccer Stadium. Once that's done, whack the building eight times, costing you an equal amount of Energy. Click on the unfinished Soccer Stadium to reveal what's needed to complete the building.
Finish your Soccer Stadium
Unfortunately, that amounts to asking your friends for a lot of items. You must ask your friends for nine of each of the above items. That amounts to a total of 45 items you will have to collect. Luckily, it seems as if you can add those items to your Wish List once you acquire one of each. Your reward for completing the Soccer Stadium is a massive 20,000 Coins. The Soccer Stadium will boost your allowed Population by 5,000.
Root for the Home Team
* Place the Baseball Stadium
* Complete the Baseball Stadium
Again, these are some pretty simple Goals, but the challenge comes in actually completing the buildings. Just like before, a Goal icon will appear if you're above Level 11. Click on the icon to open a Goal window that will allow you to place the foundation for your Baseball Stadium. After placing the foundation and clicking it eight times at the cost of 8 Energy, click it once more to reveal what you'll need to complete the Baseball Stadium.
Staff your Baseball Stadium
This time, things are slightly different from the Soccer Stadium. Rather than requesting items, you will need to ask friends to staff your new community building. You will have to get a whopping 12 friends to fill positions in your Baseball Stadium. Sure, that's far less than the Soccer Stadium requires in items, but these positions need to be filled by 12 individual friends. Once that's through, you will be rewarded with another heaping 20,000 Coins for your effort. The Baseball Stadium boosts your allowed Population by 3,000.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Have you started on your new sports stadiums yet? What tips or tricks do you have to complete these new buildings? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
At any rate, these two new community buildings will give a huge boost to your allowed population and earn you some major coin. When you reach Level 11, the new stadiums will become available to you. So, here's everything you need to know about the Baseball ... and Soccer Stadium Goals:
Alive and Kicking
* Place the Soccer Stadium
* Compete the Soccer Stadium
Both Goals for these new buildings are painfully simple. Once you reach Level 11 (or log into the game at a level above that), a Goal icon will appear. Click on it to open a window that will allow you to place the foundation for the Soccer Stadium. Once that's done, whack the building eight times, costing you an equal amount of Energy. Click on the unfinished Soccer Stadium to reveal what's needed to complete the building.
Finish your Soccer Stadium
Unfortunately, that amounts to asking your friends for a lot of items. You must ask your friends for nine of each of the above items. That amounts to a total of 45 items you will have to collect. Luckily, it seems as if you can add those items to your Wish List once you acquire one of each. Your reward for completing the Soccer Stadium is a massive 20,000 Coins. The Soccer Stadium will boost your allowed Population by 5,000.
Root for the Home Team
* Place the Baseball Stadium
* Complete the Baseball Stadium
Again, these are some pretty simple Goals, but the challenge comes in actually completing the buildings. Just like before, a Goal icon will appear if you're above Level 11. Click on the icon to open a Goal window that will allow you to place the foundation for your Baseball Stadium. After placing the foundation and clicking it eight times at the cost of 8 Energy, click it once more to reveal what you'll need to complete the Baseball Stadium.
Staff your Baseball Stadium
This time, things are slightly different from the Soccer Stadium. Rather than requesting items, you will need to ask friends to staff your new community building. You will have to get a whopping 12 friends to fill positions in your Baseball Stadium. Sure, that's far less than the Soccer Stadium requires in items, but these positions need to be filled by 12 individual friends. Once that's through, you will be rewarded with another heaping 20,000 Coins for your effort. The Baseball Stadium boosts your allowed Population by 3,000.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Have you started on your new sports stadiums yet? What tips or tricks do you have to complete these new buildings? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Is EA's PopCap working on casino-style Facebook games? [Rumor]
Is PopCap looking to go toe to toe with Zynga and DoubleDown Interactive's casino Facebook games? According to GeekWire, a bunch of rather specific domain purchases by the recently-acquired company certainly suggest that's the case. Well, that and a recent trademark application ... and a Facebook page created with that very same trademark. Alright, PopCap has been terrible at keeping this whole thing a secret.
Lucky Gem CasinoThe game in question might be titled "Lucky Gem Casino," as Fusible points out that the Bejeweled creator recently changed a Facebook page it owns to reflect the new title. The Info tab on the page reads, "Thanks for visiting! PopCap Casino is the future home of some amazing, casino-style social games from PopCap, the worldwide leader in casual gaming."
With wording like that, it sounds as if Lucky Gem Casino will be a suite of casino games from the developer, much like DoubleDown Casino. And if you take a peak at the page's Wall, a message can be found there, presumably from the company, that reads, "Keep an eye out to experience casino-style gaming from PopCap Games!" A week later, a poll was posted asking fans about their favorite type of casino games--unsurprisingly, the "Slot Machines" category won by a landslide.
GeekWire points out that this might be because PopCap is now owned by EA, which likely has a vested interested in directly competing with Facebook game champ Zynga at every turn. However, it's also important to keep in mind that a majority of PopCap's games (not including Plants vs Zombies) are visibly influenced by a casino approach to gameplay albeit with a far heavier focus on skill rather than luck.
[Via Financial Times]
[Image Credit: Destructoid]
What do you think PopCap might be up to with this trademark, Facebook page and domain registries? Would you play a stable of casino games from the creator of Bejeweled and Zuma Blitz? Sound off in the comments. 2 Comments.
Lucky Gem CasinoThe game in question might be titled "Lucky Gem Casino," as Fusible points out that the Bejeweled creator recently changed a Facebook page it owns to reflect the new title. The Info tab on the page reads, "Thanks for visiting! PopCap Casino is the future home of some amazing, casino-style social games from PopCap, the worldwide leader in casual gaming."
With wording like that, it sounds as if Lucky Gem Casino will be a suite of casino games from the developer, much like DoubleDown Casino. And if you take a peak at the page's Wall, a message can be found there, presumably from the company, that reads, "Keep an eye out to experience casino-style gaming from PopCap Games!" A week later, a poll was posted asking fans about their favorite type of casino games--unsurprisingly, the "Slot Machines" category won by a landslide.
GeekWire points out that this might be because PopCap is now owned by EA, which likely has a vested interested in directly competing with Facebook game champ Zynga at every turn. However, it's also important to keep in mind that a majority of PopCap's games (not including Plants vs Zombies) are visibly influenced by a casino approach to gameplay albeit with a far heavier focus on skill rather than luck.
[Via Financial Times]
[Image Credit: Destructoid]
What do you think PopCap might be up to with this trademark, Facebook page and domain registries? Would you play a stable of casino games from the creator of Bejeweled and Zuma Blitz? Sound off in the comments. 2 Comments.
FarmVille Pic of the Day: Hop on a train to Onisuka057's fall oasis
Click the image to make it larger.
Even though we're in the end of September, the leaves are still green in New York City. But Onisuka057's FarmVille farm is clearly headed for autumn with the yellows and reds of what appears to be the Autumn Ginkgo Tree, Maple Tree, Red Maple Tree, Sugar Maple Tree, and Rowan Tree. On top of that, there's also a Maple orchard below, though that seems to have been thrown in at the last minute. Maybe he can build up the bottom of his farm once Halloween comes around. But he has already dipped into the recently released Lighthouse Cove decor with several Tree Arches, Autumn Creeks, and Outdoor Picnics. So yeah, there's a lot of premium Farm Cash goods going on in this one.
Beyond the colors, the next most striking aspect of Onisuka057's farm are the train tracks bordering it, which are actually two-dimensional, but some massive fence-stacking and blue hay bales have fooled your eyes into seeing an elevated "bridge" hanging over "water." That's the sort of low-cost ingenuity farm designers love to see. But while building a bridge out of fences was a bit of improvisation on the creator's part, limited edition railroad decor did come out in FarmVille last fall as part of the Wild West package, so those are real tracks you're looking at there.
Onisuka057 FarmVille farm closeup
Finally, hidden in the top corner is a plume of smoke that's actually another limited edition special--an Old Faithful geyser eruption from the Yellowstone collection.
Have the trees changed colors in your town yet? Does the use of lots of Farm Cash items in a farm bug you? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
Even though we're in the end of September, the leaves are still green in New York City. But Onisuka057's FarmVille farm is clearly headed for autumn with the yellows and reds of what appears to be the Autumn Ginkgo Tree, Maple Tree, Red Maple Tree, Sugar Maple Tree, and Rowan Tree. On top of that, there's also a Maple orchard below, though that seems to have been thrown in at the last minute. Maybe he can build up the bottom of his farm once Halloween comes around. But he has already dipped into the recently released Lighthouse Cove decor with several Tree Arches, Autumn Creeks, and Outdoor Picnics. So yeah, there's a lot of premium Farm Cash goods going on in this one.
Beyond the colors, the next most striking aspect of Onisuka057's farm are the train tracks bordering it, which are actually two-dimensional, but some massive fence-stacking and blue hay bales have fooled your eyes into seeing an elevated "bridge" hanging over "water." That's the sort of low-cost ingenuity farm designers love to see. But while building a bridge out of fences was a bit of improvisation on the creator's part, limited edition railroad decor did come out in FarmVille last fall as part of the Wild West package, so those are real tracks you're looking at there.
Onisuka057 FarmVille farm closeup
Finally, hidden in the top corner is a plume of smoke that's actually another limited edition special--an Old Faithful geyser eruption from the Yellowstone collection.
Have the trees changed colors in your town yet? Does the use of lots of Farm Cash items in a farm bug you? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
Microsoft Research releases Facebook game for 'research'
Sure you are, guys--we're onto you. The Research division at Microsoft has released its first Facebook games, Project Waterloo, in order to find out how people interact and negotiate with one another across social networks. The game is a turn-based combat simulator in which players allocate 100 generic troops across five locations. In a way, Project Waterloo works a lot like Zynga's Words With Friends.
Of course, we're referring to the one-on-one, turn-based gameplay, not the words. Players challenge friends with allocations of 100 troops either using a slider or directly entering a number in each location on the battlefield. Said friends can then respond with their own strategic positioning using 100 troops, and if they don't currently play the game, they will be invited prior to responding.
So, it might help to think of Project Waterloo as a cross between games like Words With Friends and the classic board game Battleship. Players can also start games with random players, regardless of whether they're Facebook friends. Project Waterloo, according to a post on the Microsoft Research website, is the start of the "Facebook Game Theory Lab." This will serve as a platform through which Microsoft Research explores concepts of strategic human interaction within "resource allocation and negotiation games." The team of four researchers wrote:
The goal of the project is to test the behaviour of real people in game theoretic interactions, and especially those that take place in social networks. Some example questions are: how do people negotiate with one another? How does such negotiation take place in social networks? How can we aggregate opinions of individuals to arrive at high quality decisions? In what ways do people reciprocate other people's actions?
Project Waterloo in action
While it doesn't appear that Project Waterloo will be a source of revenue for Microsoft Research's parent company, the team does use words like "viral marketing" to explain how it will reach new players. Ultimately, we don't see a game like this taking off commercially, but it is another step in that direction, as Microsoft has already expressed interest in entering the space. Just recently, the company began to offer support to developers through its Windows Azure service. Perhaps Project Waterloo and the Facebook Game Theory Lab represent Microsoft further testing the waters.
Click here to play Project Waterloo on Facebook Now >
[Via ZDNet]
What do you think of Microsoft's very scientific foray into Facebook games? Do you think the company would ever dive into the industry like Google or Facebook has? Sound off in the comments. 2 Comments
Of course, we're referring to the one-on-one, turn-based gameplay, not the words. Players challenge friends with allocations of 100 troops either using a slider or directly entering a number in each location on the battlefield. Said friends can then respond with their own strategic positioning using 100 troops, and if they don't currently play the game, they will be invited prior to responding.
So, it might help to think of Project Waterloo as a cross between games like Words With Friends and the classic board game Battleship. Players can also start games with random players, regardless of whether they're Facebook friends. Project Waterloo, according to a post on the Microsoft Research website, is the start of the "Facebook Game Theory Lab." This will serve as a platform through which Microsoft Research explores concepts of strategic human interaction within "resource allocation and negotiation games." The team of four researchers wrote:
The goal of the project is to test the behaviour of real people in game theoretic interactions, and especially those that take place in social networks. Some example questions are: how do people negotiate with one another? How does such negotiation take place in social networks? How can we aggregate opinions of individuals to arrive at high quality decisions? In what ways do people reciprocate other people's actions?
Project Waterloo in action
While it doesn't appear that Project Waterloo will be a source of revenue for Microsoft Research's parent company, the team does use words like "viral marketing" to explain how it will reach new players. Ultimately, we don't see a game like this taking off commercially, but it is another step in that direction, as Microsoft has already expressed interest in entering the space. Just recently, the company began to offer support to developers through its Windows Azure service. Perhaps Project Waterloo and the Facebook Game Theory Lab represent Microsoft further testing the waters.
Click here to play Project Waterloo on Facebook Now >
[Via ZDNet]
What do you think of Microsoft's very scientific foray into Facebook games? Do you think the company would ever dive into the industry like Google or Facebook has? Sound off in the comments. 2 Comments
Chủ Nhật, 2 tháng 10, 2011
FarmVille farmers might endorse presidential candidates in-game
Soon, you might be able to show your red (or blue) colors on your digital lawn. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that social media consulting firm Campaign Solutions is working to bring political campaigns into Facebook games, namely Zynga's FarmVille. Michael Hendrix, a consultant for the firm working on Rep. Michele Bachmann's, R-Minn., presidential ad campaign, is at the helm.
"We'll throw out four or five different messages targeting different demographics," Hendrix told the San Francisco Chronicle. "You're trying to figure out which message will drive a higher response." After working with advertising tools created by Facebook to directly target Bachmann's (a Tea Party supporter) demographic, his next message is said to hit FarmVille later this year.
The consultant has "written software" that will allow players to campaign for their candidate of choice by visiting their friends' farms spreading the message. FarmVille players will also be able to place yard signs on their farms, showing support for their favorite candidate. "The majority of social gamers are stay-at-home moms over 38," said Hendrix to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The consultant hopes to use FarmVille "to target soccer moms again." According to the report, Hendrix is looking squarely at Republican supporters in his campaign. However, nothing is said of whether Campaign Solutions's efforts will include support for Democratic candidates.
We'd imagine that, if this campaign were to actually happen in FarmVille, it would have to appeal to both sides of the political spectrum. Otherwise, players might get the impression that Zynga itself is expressing its support one way or the other. Zynga has yet to mention any collaboration with this firm, so we've contacted the company for comment.
[Image Credit: Kevin Bondelli]
Would you campaign for your favorite presidential candidate in FarmVille? How do you feel about Zynga potentially allowing players to express their political opinions in-game? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
"We'll throw out four or five different messages targeting different demographics," Hendrix told the San Francisco Chronicle. "You're trying to figure out which message will drive a higher response." After working with advertising tools created by Facebook to directly target Bachmann's (a Tea Party supporter) demographic, his next message is said to hit FarmVille later this year.
The consultant has "written software" that will allow players to campaign for their candidate of choice by visiting their friends' farms spreading the message. FarmVille players will also be able to place yard signs on their farms, showing support for their favorite candidate. "The majority of social gamers are stay-at-home moms over 38," said Hendrix to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The consultant hopes to use FarmVille "to target soccer moms again." According to the report, Hendrix is looking squarely at Republican supporters in his campaign. However, nothing is said of whether Campaign Solutions's efforts will include support for Democratic candidates.
We'd imagine that, if this campaign were to actually happen in FarmVille, it would have to appeal to both sides of the political spectrum. Otherwise, players might get the impression that Zynga itself is expressing its support one way or the other. Zynga has yet to mention any collaboration with this firm, so we've contacted the company for comment.
[Image Credit: Kevin Bondelli]
Would you campaign for your favorite presidential candidate in FarmVille? How do you feel about Zynga potentially allowing players to express their political opinions in-game? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
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