Who knows, maybe there are as many hardcore gamers on Yahoo! Games are there apparently are on Facebook. Viximo, a company that works with social game developers to get them onto new platforms, announced that Kixeye's Backyard Monsters is now available on Yahoo! Games. Backyard Monsters pits players against one another in all-out warfare with various monsters.
The game was Kixeye's first "hardcore" strategy game on Facebook, and has since become its most popular with 3 million monthly players and 760,000 daily players, according to AppData. Backyard Monsters allows players to create their own home base to defend from other players using numerous turrets and laser weapons against encroaching monsters. Of course, players can then retaliate with baddies of their own for resources and general bragging rights.
Backyard Monsters is far from the first Facebook game to make the leap to Yahoo! Games. A number of Zynga games, including Mafia Wars and FishVille, have taken the plunge along with EA's social version of Scrabble. While it makes sense for developers to expand beyond Facebook, we can't help but wonder how Yahoo! Games stacks up against Facebook games in terms of players.
Since its flagship game, Kixeye has focused entirely on strategy games for Facebook and other networks. Most recently, the company released War Commander, a strategy game with strong similarities to the Command & Conquer PC game series. And, considering Kixeye CEO Will Harbin thinks most social games suck, we're sure more "hardcore" games are in the oven.
Are you a fan of Backyard Monsters? How about games on Yahoo! Games? What do you think of the growing amount of strategy games on Facebook?
Chủ Nhật, 19 tháng 2, 2012
With new 'Social' update, Xbox.com wants you to play more with friends
Say what you will about Facebook games, but you have them to thank for nifty stuff like this. Microsoft has announced incoming changes to Xbox.com that will reflect the upcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard update. Namely, Microsoft touts "Social", the new version of "My Xbox" that places a major focus on what's new with your friends, rather than what's new with your Xbox.
The new Social section of the website should launch within a few days, and will be the first place players can find the previously-teased Beacons feature. This allows players to place "Beacons" on the games that they wish to play with others. Basically, Beacons are a way of saying, "Hey, I really want to play this game with you," but to all of your Xbox Live friends at once. Players can have up to three Beacons active at a time, and can attach custom messages to them.
The new Social page will serve as the new homepage of Xbox.com for those already logged-in to the service. Taking on the Microsoft-coined "Metro" design found on the new Windows Phone (and soon the new Xbox Dashboard), the Social page features all the most important updates to the Xbox universe up top in compact boxes. Down below, however, is where Xbox.com begins to look a lot like the games you play on Facebook.
Xbox.com Social
The rest of the Social page is dedicated to what your friends are up to on their Xbox 360 consoles from what games they've played recently to what games they're playing right now. (It appears to be broken down by the games you own.) Players will be able to send messages to one another, as well as check out what Beacons they've posted. Xbox.com is beginning to look a lot like Facebook, no?
[Via VentureBeat]
Have you been looking for easier ways to play games with your friends on Xbox Live? What else do you think traditional game consoles and platform can learn from social gaming?
The new Social section of the website should launch within a few days, and will be the first place players can find the previously-teased Beacons feature. This allows players to place "Beacons" on the games that they wish to play with others. Basically, Beacons are a way of saying, "Hey, I really want to play this game with you," but to all of your Xbox Live friends at once. Players can have up to three Beacons active at a time, and can attach custom messages to them.
The new Social page will serve as the new homepage of Xbox.com for those already logged-in to the service. Taking on the Microsoft-coined "Metro" design found on the new Windows Phone (and soon the new Xbox Dashboard), the Social page features all the most important updates to the Xbox universe up top in compact boxes. Down below, however, is where Xbox.com begins to look a lot like the games you play on Facebook.
Xbox.com Social
The rest of the Social page is dedicated to what your friends are up to on their Xbox 360 consoles from what games they've played recently to what games they're playing right now. (It appears to be broken down by the games you own.) Players will be able to send messages to one another, as well as check out what Beacons they've posted. Xbox.com is beginning to look a lot like Facebook, no?
[Via VentureBeat]
Have you been looking for easier ways to play games with your friends on Xbox Live? What else do you think traditional game consoles and platform can learn from social gaming?
Zynga launches new fan appreciation program, are you a Z.I.P.?
Zynga either really loves its players or really, really doesn't want them to leave. (We'd go with a bit of both.) According to Mafia Wars Loot Lady, the creator of FarmVille has started yet another fan appreciation program: the Z.I.P., or Zynga Important Player, Program. (Remember the Platinum Purchasers Program?) If you were one of the lucky few selected to be a Z.I.P., then you've already received an email inviting you to the club.
The program grants only the most dedicated of Zynga fans with "exclusive Zynga goodies, limited edition items for your favorite games, and best of all, the chance to play new games early. Before your friends. Before your family. Before anyone," the introductory email reads. According to Mafia Wars Loot Lady, the first game players will score early access to is CastleVille.
Z.I.P. members will receive a special code in the email that they must use to gain access to the program, which is attached to the email address the invitation was sent to. Our guess is that this program is to reward players who have stuck with Zynga for a long while now, and more importantly, to keep them coming back (and, we imagine, putting up the cash).
Don't feel too bummed about not being included, because we don't even have this early of access. Besides, we have a full preview of CastleVille that you can check out right here. And try to remind yourself that you probably weren't chosen because you have better things to do than play Zynga's games incessantly. Sorry, that was kind of mean--we're just bitter.
Did you get invited by Zynga to be a Z.I.P.? What do you think of programs like this?
The program grants only the most dedicated of Zynga fans with "exclusive Zynga goodies, limited edition items for your favorite games, and best of all, the chance to play new games early. Before your friends. Before your family. Before anyone," the introductory email reads. According to Mafia Wars Loot Lady, the first game players will score early access to is CastleVille.
Z.I.P. members will receive a special code in the email that they must use to gain access to the program, which is attached to the email address the invitation was sent to. Our guess is that this program is to reward players who have stuck with Zynga for a long while now, and more importantly, to keep them coming back (and, we imagine, putting up the cash).
Don't feel too bummed about not being included, because we don't even have this early of access. Besides, we have a full preview of CastleVille that you can check out right here. And try to remind yourself that you probably weren't chosen because you have better things to do than play Zynga's games incessantly. Sorry, that was kind of mean--we're just bitter.
Did you get invited by Zynga to be a Z.I.P.? What do you think of programs like this?
iPhone, Android games make more cash than PSP, DS combined
But iPhone games aren't real games, right? Real or not, games on iOS and Android devices could generate more revenue than games on both the Sony and Nintendo's portable games combined in 2011. Flurry, a mobile analytics firm, found that handheld consoles like the PSP and DS collectively generated $2.2 and $1.6 billion in game revenue in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
That was far more than what iOS and Android games made, but Flurry projects that's all about to change in 2011. The firm expects Sony and Nintendo to generate just $1.4 billion in handheld game revenue in 2011. iOS and Android games, however, are expected to reel in a whopping $1.9 billion in game revenue. This could be the first time mobile games make more cash than their more traditional counterparts.
Keep in mind, however, Flurry is making projections--a buzz term for educated guesses--based on the previous 10 months. Regardless, the fact that iOS and Android gaming may have gobbled up nearly 60 percent of the mobile/portable gaming market in just two years is mind-blowing. We all knew that mobile, especially freemium or free-to-play, games were going to be huge, but growth like this is unprecedented.
Flurry study
This news comes as Nintendo repeatedly refuses to enter the mobile gaming space in fear of jeopardizing its hardware sales. Not to mention the Mario maker looks to report its first loss in 30 years. With numbers like these, we can't wait to see what 2012 looks like not just for mobile gaming, but for the PS Vita and 3DS.
[Via TechCrunch]
What do these numbers say to you about social gaming as well as Nintendo and Sony? How long before Android and iOS completely overtake their more traditional competitors?
That was far more than what iOS and Android games made, but Flurry projects that's all about to change in 2011. The firm expects Sony and Nintendo to generate just $1.4 billion in handheld game revenue in 2011. iOS and Android games, however, are expected to reel in a whopping $1.9 billion in game revenue. This could be the first time mobile games make more cash than their more traditional counterparts.
Keep in mind, however, Flurry is making projections--a buzz term for educated guesses--based on the previous 10 months. Regardless, the fact that iOS and Android gaming may have gobbled up nearly 60 percent of the mobile/portable gaming market in just two years is mind-blowing. We all knew that mobile, especially freemium or free-to-play, games were going to be huge, but growth like this is unprecedented.
Flurry study
This news comes as Nintendo repeatedly refuses to enter the mobile gaming space in fear of jeopardizing its hardware sales. Not to mention the Mario maker looks to report its first loss in 30 years. With numbers like these, we can't wait to see what 2012 looks like not just for mobile gaming, but for the PS Vita and 3DS.
[Via TechCrunch]
What do these numbers say to you about social gaming as well as Nintendo and Sony? How long before Android and iOS completely overtake their more traditional competitors?
Winter is coming, and so is another Game of Thrones Facebook game
Since HBO's second season of Game of Thrones won't hit until April 2012, our guess is that it'll hit long after that nasty winter. USA Today reports that another social game based on the acclaimed novel series turned hit TV series is in the works already. Of course, that's along with two more games under development, enjoying close involvement with the property.
If you remember, a Facebook advergame surrounding George R. R. Martin's work launched earlier this year, Game of Thrones: Battle for the Iron Throne. (And just in time for the HBO show's debut ... how convenient.) While we dug it--for an advergame--the game has since been shut down.
The game was pretty impressive considering its sole purpose was to generate hype for the then-upcoming fantasy drama. However, we can see why the game was canned: Chatter about Game of Thrones has been at a minimum since for awhile. Hopefully whatever developer is currently working with HBO and Martin gets the chance to create a Facebook game that's longer lasting than its predecessor. USA Today briefly described the game as "think FarmVille comes to Westeros." If that's the case, then we'll pass on the social Iron Throne, thanks.
If you remember, a Facebook advergame surrounding George R. R. Martin's work launched earlier this year, Game of Thrones: Battle for the Iron Throne. (And just in time for the HBO show's debut ... how convenient.) While we dug it--for an advergame--the game has since been shut down.
The game was pretty impressive considering its sole purpose was to generate hype for the then-upcoming fantasy drama. However, we can see why the game was canned: Chatter about Game of Thrones has been at a minimum since for awhile. Hopefully whatever developer is currently working with HBO and Martin gets the chance to create a Facebook game that's longer lasting than its predecessor. USA Today briefly described the game as "think FarmVille comes to Westeros." If that's the case, then we'll pass on the social Iron Throne, thanks.
Jimmy Buffett will melt away winter 2012 with Margaritaville Online
What better time to munch on a virtual cheeseburger in paradise than in the dead of winter? THQ announced that Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Online will launch this coming January for Facebook, iPhone and iPad. The game has also entered a closed beta on Facebook, cutely named the Buffett Beta Club. Players can sign up for a chance to enter Buffett's world before the rest of us and sip on digital margaritas.
Membership of the Buffett Beta Club is limited, but if you "Like" the game's Facebook fan page, you can keep an ear to the sand for when THQ opens the game up to more players. (Actually, don't do that--sand is icky, and it gets everywhere.) This is chance for the real Buffett fans to give their feedback on the game, but more importantly, score "premium rewards, achievements and badges, along with a special treasure chest at the game's official launch," according to a release.
Gallery: MargaritaVille Online on Facebook
The Parrothead-in-charge recently revealed details regarding his personal involvement in the Exploding Barrel Games-developed Facebook game. "I'll sneak in," Buffett told CNN. "I already have my pseudonyms picked out, because I know they'll track me quick." The songwriter is also looking to tie Margaritaville Online to his existing chain of restaurants and hotels. That sounds exciting and all, but really guys, how could you pass up "MargaritaVille"? It was right there, ripe for the taking.
Are you excited for Margaritaville Online? Excited enough to sign up for the Buffett Beta Club?
Membership of the Buffett Beta Club is limited, but if you "Like" the game's Facebook fan page, you can keep an ear to the sand for when THQ opens the game up to more players. (Actually, don't do that--sand is icky, and it gets everywhere.) This is chance for the real Buffett fans to give their feedback on the game, but more importantly, score "premium rewards, achievements and badges, along with a special treasure chest at the game's official launch," according to a release.
Gallery: MargaritaVille Online on Facebook
The Parrothead-in-charge recently revealed details regarding his personal involvement in the Exploding Barrel Games-developed Facebook game. "I'll sneak in," Buffett told CNN. "I already have my pseudonyms picked out, because I know they'll track me quick." The songwriter is also looking to tie Margaritaville Online to his existing chain of restaurants and hotels. That sounds exciting and all, but really guys, how could you pass up "MargaritaVille"? It was right there, ripe for the taking.
Are you excited for Margaritaville Online? Excited enough to sign up for the Buffett Beta Club?
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