From the category archives:

Facebook Games

AMC’s “The Walking Dead” Game Hitting Facebook in April

March 16, 2012

AMC and RockYou have teamed up to bring an interactive Facebook game based on the popular TV series “The Walking Dead”, which you can lay your hands on earlier than Telltale’s The Walking Dead adaptation hitting Xbox Live Arcade and PSN in a few months time.

AMC’s “The Walking Dead” Facebook game developed with Eyes Wide Games, will not be following the show’s plot, but it does have similar setting depicted in bright, cartoon-like graphics.

Players won’t have the chance to follow the adventures of Rick Grimes and his fellow survivors or fight side-by-side with the shows characters, but they will have the chance to interact with them when they pop up from time to time.

The concept of the game is, well you already know that… didn’t ya?, surviving the post-apocalyptic world by fighting hordes and hordes of zombies. After setting up and improving base camps to operate, the two main tasks as far as gameplay goes will be maintaining base camps and scavenging for supplies.

This turn-based strategy game will give players to choose how they navigate the world and engage in fights (melee or range). But, be warned that it’s not a one man show, and things can get messy. So, team up with friends to have better odds for survival, as well as for defending your post-apocalyptic camp.

The game hits Facebook in April. So, if you are ready to whack some walkers don’t forget to leave your “Like” on the official AMC The Walking Dead Social Game Facebook Page, to get started as soon as the game arrives.

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Win A Vacation To Your Favorite Destination With Orbitz 50 Faves

March 4, 2012

Online travel company Orbitz.com has relaunched a Facebook game that can really take players off to vacations.

Orbitz 50 Faves gives Facebook users the opportunity to win a chance to one of 50 once-in-a-lifetime vacations.

You will have to “like” before you start playing.

Upon signing up, you receives five bids that you can use to bid on your favorite destinations. Each bid will qualify you for one entry.

You will also be able to earn additional bids in the following ways.

Earn one bid for every friend that participate through your invite.
Earn one bid daily by sending a tweet about Obitz 5 Faves.
Earn one additional bid by downloading the mobile app.

Apart from that, you will also receive one bonus bid everyday, which you will have to claim everyday.

Some vacation spots will locked, which will be unlock once you get 10 of your friends to participate through your invite. When five of your friends bid on a vacation, then every bid you place on it will be worth two entries.

Winners will be selected through random drawing. Additionally, a random winner is also chosen each day for two airline vouchers.

Destinations include: Bermuda, Las Vegas, London, Mauritius, Maui, Morroco, and Tokyo.

The game ends on March 25. So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Orbitz 50 Faves and see if you get lucky. And if you do, don’t forget to share your experience with us. Good Luck!

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Zynga Unveils It’s Own Gaming Site

March 2, 2012

Leading social game company Zynga unveiled its own platform where gamers can play its games and other titles from third-party developers, without having to visit Facebook.

Zynga.com will launch this month with CastleVille, Words With Friends, CityVille, Hidden Chronicles and Zynga Poker, and lots of other social games from the company as well as outside developers.

Of course, Zynga.com is the website of the game company. But one cannot play games there. When you click on one of their games, you are taken to a page that contains information about the game and a “Play on Facebook” option.

“We built Zynga.com to give our players more ways to connect with each other and play great social games whether built by Zynga or other talented developers,” said Zynga founder and chief executive Mark Pincus.

Zynga has already partnered with three game developers to create and promote their titles which will be available on the new platform.

The company noted that the move was an expansion of its partnership with Facebook rather than a quest for more independence.

The gaming platform will be officially launched later this month. Players will be able to create their own profiles and connect with other players outside of Facebook via the “zFriends” network.

Bypassing Facebook completely could have a noticeable negative effect on Facebook traffic and revenues, and with Zynga settling into a new home, we might see a new major player on Facebook gaming scene.

Can’t really predict Facebook’s reaction or Zynga’s success at the moment, but it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Do you see yourself heading over to Zynga.com to play your favorite game?

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Solitaire Blitz Facebook Game Walkthrough and Review

February 19, 2012

Popcap is notorious for bringing popular casual games to Facebook. This game developer doesn’t surprise us much when it brought a rave up version of another popular game titled “Solitaire Blitz.”

The most important difference between a standard “Solitaire” game and PopCap’s Solitaire Blitz is the pace of game, just like standard Bejewel games and Bejewel Blitz. Do read on … there are more surprises.

Basic Gameplay

The game has the standard set up of seven rows of cards, each with one face-up card. Surprise ahead … In Solitaire Blitz, you only have one foundation pile in the beginning, with a random card. The numerical sequences can go either way. So here, you will be able to put either 8 or 10 on top of 9.

It is also possible to start a game with the feeder piles already populated with cards.

Type of Cards

In the game, you will also come across certain cards marked with keys, which unlock new foundation piles. Jokers work like wild cards. Try to hold off using face-up jokers until you don’t have any moves left.

Timer

You get 60 seconds for a round, and the game ends when you run out of moves, clear all the cards, or run out of time.

Beating the clock will be your biggest challenge. Apart from playing fast or using boosts, you should not forget to make use of “Time Lines.” There are four time lines in each round and you get 20 seconds each for uncovering them by clearing up the cards to display the time line completely.

You can use up to three different boost in each round, either to add extra time or increase your score, it’s up to you.

Each round/hand consumes one energy. You get a maximum of 5 energy which refills over time.

Scoring

Other than the regular score for clearing cards from the seven rows to the foundation piles, there are several ways to score in Solitaire Blitz, some of which includes -

The quicker you complete a round, the higher is your score.
Scores can be increased by creating chains to earn score multipliers (every card you use from the seven card rows without drawing cards from the deck or making an illegal move adds to your chain. A new chain will start when you draw new cards from the deck).
If you manage to create a sequence of similar cards across the foundation slots, you get a score boost.

You will also earn cute little items at the bottom of all the seven rows of card. They are yours if you clear the cards to the bottom of the row. These items are converted into silver which can then be used to buy new boosts or other items.

Note: Making long runs is the best way for scoring big numbers. Because there are so many ways to increase your score like winning streaks, multiplier, finding fishes (finding fishes will also increase your level) etc and the timer ticking by, you won’t be caring much about the other ways of scoring.

Social Element

The game includes speed-based challenges, leaderboard, bonuses and gifts, premium items, and a lot of colourful aquatic art style.

Note: You can send one energy per friend per hour.

Final Word

As a long-time Solitaire-based game lover, Popcap’s Solitaire Blitz comes with many surprises and is challenging and addictive, and brings about a refreshing change to the Solitaire game. The only love-hate relation I have with this Facebook game is the energy factor, which forces you to take breaks .

Solitaire Blitz is currently in closed beta on Facebook and will be publicly released in March 2012.

Play Now

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New In Town: Starters Guide And Game Review

February 8, 2012

New In Town, is the latest Facebook game from social game developer Digital Chocolate. It is a life simulation game that challenges players to take another shot at their life – at least virtually.

Here is a short tutorial-cum-review, which hopefully will be of some help to you. Well, the tutorial is bit lengthy. So, only thumbnails are provided for the screenshots. Click on them to enlarge the thumbnails.

Fresh out of college, it’s time to get into real life virtually … oh i liked the sound of that. Finding jobs, acquiring new skills, keeping your stomach stuff and making sure you have good rest, soicalizing, working hard and making sure you chill out a times, and paying rent are some of the things you will be doing often in the game.

Game Basics: Time
Everything you do in the game require a specific amount of time, which is of course limited. You are free to do anything you want as long as you have the time. Once your time runs out, you have to call quits for the day and get a good night rest.

Here are few factors that affect the amount of time you have per game day, called as time units.
- At the beginning of the game, the highest number of time you have per day is 1,000 units.
- Ending the day with an empty stomach or with an unhappy life will result in deduction of time units the next day. Going hungry will deduct 100 time units, while having your happiness meter rating below 750 point threshold will also deduct time according to the number of happiness units below the threshold level.
- If you go to bed with some time to spare, you get an “early bed bonus” and receive 50 extra time units the next day.
- Any action you perform, apart from buying things, cost you 100 time units. Working, taking class, and watching movie are some examples.
- Travelling also needs time, and the amount of time deducted will depend on the distance you travel.
- Visiting friends and performing actions at your friend’s house will not eat up you time. Performing tasks at your friends place with earn you happiness points instead.

Quick Tip: You can still perform one action even if you have less than 100 time units, but more than 0. It is always good to go to bed with few time units remaining for the “early bed bonus”. Once you start progressing and the gym is unlocked, enroll for classes as soon as you can. This is where you can increase the maximum time units.

Types of Days
The game has two types of days – working days and leisure days.
Normally, you can have a maximum of four working days. One working day will be deducted when you start a new day, a working day is recharged over a period of 30 minutes, real time. When you level up, your maximum working day will increase by 1.

When you run out of working days, your time unit’s bar will change from green to purple, indicating that it’s leisure day. As the name suggest, during leisure days, you can check out the city but will not be able to perform jobs like working, taking classes, or go looking for jobs.

Commuting
Commuting can be real pain and time consuming. So, be sure to get a cheap roller or skateboard early in the game. It will help you decrease your travel time, giving you more time to perform other actions. Hover over a location and the amount of time units required to reach that location from your present location will be displayed.

Work and Skills
If you are to succeed in the game and reach your dreams, you will need a job to support yourself. Head over to the city hall, where you will find different types of jobs. Hovering over a job will provide you further information on the job. You can apply and accept jobs at the city hall. Once you have accepted a job, go to your town view and look for a dollar sign on a building. Go there, and click on the character with a dollar sign above them. Click on the work button to perform a job.

Working on a job will increase your proficiency at that job. Your skill proficiency at that is shown at the bottom left corner of your work window. When you become an expert at that job, you will receive $1 expert bonus plus your standard wage. Becoming an expert at a job will help you in getting the higher level jobs.

There are three main character skills that will affect the your eligibility for applying to various jobs. You can improve your character skills by completing various course at the college. Remember that you can improve your charisma by your outfit also. Charisma will also determine the number of friends you have.

Challenges/Missions
How you play the game and at what pace you progress depends on you. But, you will receive healthy challenges from NPCs making you rush at times But, the many rewards that include cash, happiness points, and even extra working day awaits you if you win the challenges. These challenges/missions will also serve as a tutorial for you. So, don’t ignore them.

Happiness
Happiness will influence a lot on your game progress. So, balancing your work and leisure time will be difficult at times but necessary.
Working costs you 60 happiness points for every work action you perform, which you can balance out through several ways that include eating, buying items, taking care of your pets and plants, helping friends, and hanging out with friends.

Watching movies or going for a pizza with your friends (NPCs and neighbors) are, as I found out, the quickest way to increase your happiness at the beginning of the game. Remember, that if you retire for the day with your happiness level below the threshold (750 points), time units will be deducted the next day.

Social factor/Friends
What is a social game without friends? Socializing with friends is a great way to become a happier person in New In Town. The game offers several ways to socialize like hanging out with friends, throwing parties, and dating and all the things that follows.

You also have the usual gifting, bonus sharing, visiting and helping elements in the game to help you progress faster.

New In Town, as a life simulation game, comes with a different spin compared to most social games. The game is easy to learn but hard to master. Game graphics are nice and easy on the eyes. Game menus and icons are pretty self-explanatory and easy to access.

Game challenges can really challenge a player and hook them to the game. The game is addictive. One of the best things about life simulation game is the many, many options/ways available for gameplay, progress and ending … if it ever ends. Just taking another shot at life, even if it is virtually, lure me into playing it and so far I love this game.

I hope you have found this guide and review useful. Do share your thoughts or any tips you have with our other readers. Game on!

(Play New In Town Facebook game)

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“New In Town” Game Gives Players A Second Shot At Life

February 7, 2012

Digital Chocolate has unveiled its newest Facebook game, New In Town, giving players the opportunity to pursue their dreams and aspirations virtually.

New In Town is a life simulation game that allows players to take another shot at life after high school, choosing a career, falling in love, building a home, and establishing themselves in a fictional city.

“New In Town gives users the opportunity to pursue their virtual dreams and aspirations … We’re bringing a different spin on life simulation games, and the possibilities are endless,” said Marc Metis, President of Digital Chocolate.

In the game, players begin their journey fresh out of high school and new in town.

Like in most life simulation games, you will have to improve your skills by taking classes and using that towards getting a better career and making your dreams come true. But, as the old saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” there are many fun and social activities that can be perform in your virtual life – having espressos at cafes, shopping at boutiques, apparel and home customization – are some of the other elements that will influence your success in the game. You will also be challenged to complete missions (quests) faster than other NPCs in friendly competition.

New In Town has good graphics and the in-game tutorial is enough to get you started. What’s interesting about life simulation games is, there are so many ways to progress through the game and so many different ending depending on how you play the game.

The game is in beta now and available to play for free on Facebook. Digital Chocolate will be updating the game in the coming weeks that will include more neighborhoods and content including ways to interact with friends.

You can head over to New In Town game to start over your life, virtually. Don’t forget to check back later for a game review.

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Game Walkthrough: King.com’s Fifth Facebook Title – “Hoop De Loop Saga”

February 3, 2012

London-based casual social games company King.com announced on Wednesday the launch of its popular ball-shooter game Hoop De Loop Saga for Facebook. This is the fifth game from its website to make the jump to the largest network.

The game comes with added social features and leaderboards.

“You have in Hoop De Loop, which you don’t have in the original version: You have time challenges, you have task time challenges, score challenges, you have survival mode,” King.com CMO Alex Dale spouts off to us. “Probably most important, however, is the social layer. You play alongside your friends, you track their progress, you get updates when you overtake them, etc, etc.”

If you like games like Zumba Blitz, then you will like this game too. Hoop De Loop Saga falls under the “ball-shooter” genre, where you shoot balls at an advancing chain of balls to create three or more matching balls. This game comes with a little twist.

In the game, players have to help Moxie Foxey, a young Cloud Fox, stop a runaway ball train by shooting balls to create three or more matching balls. The main objective of the game is to create as many jewels as possible and move them to the front of the chain. Jewels are created through combos or when you successfully eliminate multiple groups of balls with a single shot. You will come across several types of balls with different abilities as well as different types of jewels base on the number of combos you make.

Apart from trying to create jewels and collecting them, you will also have to meet certain scores and complete tasks to clear a level. You lose a life if you fail to reach the required level targets before the chain reach the hole. Lives are like energy on other Facebook games, and are incremented by one every half an hour. You can also request your friends to send one.

Upon clearing the level 12, your first craftable item, boosters, will be unlocked. You will be able to craft items called boosters using jewels. Boosters – a single use items with special abilities that you can use to help you in the game – are created with jewels that you create and collect. If you don’t have enough jewels, then you can always get them with Facebook credits.