Report: FarmVille and Frito-Lay are it again in another potato-y promotion

If you remember way back to nearly a year ago, Zynga let potato chip (and various other unhealthy snack) manufacturer Frito-Lay bring its likeness to FarmVille through a series of quests and bonuses. Now, it looks like Frito-Lay has agreed to return the favor with a promotion that will advertise Zynga's most iconic game on every bag of Classic Lays chips.

Well, at least that's what FarmVille Freak has discovered. The fan website received the image to the right from a tipster, which depicts a tiny FarmVille logo on the bottom right hand side of the bag. According to the icon, every bag of Classic Lays potato chips will contain a free in-game item. We imagine the bags will contain a code for players to redeem in-game for their special item.

The last time FarmVille was brought into the real world through a tasty snack was when Zynga got hitched with Edy's Fruit Bars. That promotion also involved an in-game event that allowed players to plant the fruit bars on their digital farms, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the same happen here.

[Image Credit: FarmVille Freak]

Are you excited to learn that another real-world FarmVille promotion could be in the works? Which of FarmVille's invasions of the real world has been your favorite?

The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav: A preview

Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav
The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav might just be the prettiest adventure game this year

While Dungeons & Dragons might be the preeminent name in pen-and-paper role-playing in North America, it's not quite the same everywhere in the world. In Germany, The Dark Eye rivals D&D in popularity – even outselling the popular genre progenitor (or so claims Wikipedia). Now the series is making a jump into the world of point-and-click adventures, and judging by the screenshots already released, it might just be one of the prettiest adventure games to hit PC's this year.

Gallery: The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav

The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav will tell the tale of a young trapper who gets caught up in a conspiracy that starts with a mysterious plague of crows, and a summons from the king to use his burgeoning trapping skills to put an end to the aggressive winged beasts.

Rumor: The World of Warcraft maker's next game will be free-to-play

Blizzard made its millions if not billions through charging Azerothian adventurers $15 a month to play World of Warcraft (WoW). Now, it's rumored that the monolithic developer might buck the dying trend in favor of the new de rigeur: free to play (F2P). A nameless source told Develop that Blizzard plans to release a new game under the free-to-play model popularized by Asian MMOs (massively multiplayer online games) and social games in the U.S.

According to the website, this F2P game will exist alongside other subscription-based games, but its source gave no other details regarding the mystery game. The developer is known to be working on a new MMO dubbed "Project Titan" as well as readying online action role-playing game Diablo 3 for release. Of course, Blizzard declined to comment.

The Irvine, Calif.-based developer has already experimented with the free-to-play model within WoW, offering the first 20 levels of play for free as a trial of sorts. But an entire game dedicated to the business model would invariably change the mode of play. Honestly, given the way the industry is headed--even in "hardcore" games--a move like this would make sense. Besides, by the time Blizzard would release such a game, F2P would almost definitely be the norm.

[Via IndustryGamers]

Would you play a fully F2P online game released by Blizzard? Do you see F2P becoming the norm in online gaming overall?

Murder, She Wrote 2: A preview

Murder, She Wrote 2 offers three new cases to solve

A sequel is in the works for Murder, She Wrote, Legacy Interactive's hidden object game based on one of television's most beloved murder mystery shows. Murder, She Wrote 2 will be available online and in retail stores early next year, at which time you'll once again follow the footsteps of famous crime fiction writer Jessica Fletcher as she investigates three new cases of murder and misadventure in the sleepy but deadly New England town of Cabot Cove.

Gallery: Murder She Wrote 2

From theft and embezzlement, to forgery and murder, players will be kept guessing as they try to outwit each clever culprit. With gameplay that blends light adventure elements with hidden object searches, Murder, She Wrote 2 will also give you a chance to explore larger environments in Cabot Cove and use the map to travel between locations. Along the way you'll master more than 80 puzzles while interacting with familiar characters from the TV show, including Jessica Fletcher, Seth Hazlitt and Sheriff Mort Metzger.

FarmVille Enchanted Thaw Goals: Everything you need to know

Winter has started to give way to Spring in FarmVille via the launch of nine goals in the game. You'll receive some boosts, animals and more for completing these goals, which are available now through the next two weeks. Here's a complete guide to finishing the Enchanted Thaw goals.

Hop, Skip and Jump to Spring

    Get 4 Apple Wood Sticks
    Harvest 50 Peppermint
    Harvest Wildlife Habitat 2 Times


For this Apple Wood Sticks task, and all other "Get X Item" tasks, you'll need to ask your friends to send you these items. For finishing this first goal, you'll receive 125 XP, a Jackalope and 2,500 coins.

Looming Blooming

    Get 6 Cedar Mulch Bags
    Harvest 75 Lilacs
    Harvest White Jackalope 1 Time


Rewards: 150 XP, 2 Unwithers and 3,000 coins

Prepping the Pond

    Get 8 Pond Pebbles
    Harvest 100 Spinach
    Harvest Aviary Twice


Rewards: 175 XP, Enchanted Pond, 3,500 coins

Treeing Up

    Get 8 Fertilizer Spikes
    Harvest 125 Cotton
    Master White Jackalope to 1 Star


Rewards: 200 XP, Green Silkie Chicken and 4,000 coins

A Feast for the Feathered

    Get 8 Alfalfa Bundles
    Harvest 150 Rhubarb
    Harvest Baby Bunny Hutch Twice


Rewards: 225 XP, Gold Sitka Spruce Tree, 4,500 coins

Steep the Sheep

    Get 8 Bottles of Sheep Shampoo
    Harvest 150 Soybeans
    Harvest Gold Sitka Spruce Tree Once


Rewards: 250 XP, Green Sheep Dog, 5,000 coins

It's for the Birds!

    Get 9 Birdhouses
    Harvest 150 Morning Glory
    Master Green Silkie Chicken to 1 Star


Rewards: 275 XP, Turbo Charger, 5,500 coins

Hoofwarming Experience

    Get 10 Horse Blankets
    Harvest 150 Aloe Vera
    Harvest Livestock Pen Twice


Rewards: 300 XP, Mystery Game Dart, 6,000 coins

Under the Tree

    Get 12 Apple Cores
    Harvest 200 Wheat
    Master Green Sheep Dog to 1 Star


Rewards: 325 XP, Green Mini Horse, 6,500 coins

Again, these goals will be available for the next two weeks, so start working on them soon to have the best chance of completing them all on time. Good luck completing them all!

What do you think of these first Spring goals in FarmVille? Are you ready to leave Winter Wonderland behind (for now) in favor of Spring-time fun?

Pioneer Trail Get Ready to Get Rich: Everything you need to know

The Pioneer Trail Gold Rush feature has grown again this week, with the "Get Ready to Get Rich" event now being available to complete (so long as you're at least level 15). This event has three basic goals, along with repeatable goals that can be completed for Hank, Granny and Thunder Moon. There are also new items available in the game's store that go along with this event.

The Three One-Time-Only Goals

Prepare for the Gold Rush

    Complete any Preparation Meter Goals Two Times
    Watch the New Expedition Trailer
    Craft 2 Moving Equipment


Rewards: 500 XP, Prep Mystery Box, 3 Baskets of Gold

The Tip-Off

    Complete any Preparation Meter Goals 4 Times
    Collect 2 Abandoned Tracks
    Tend 25 Baskets of Gold on your Homestead


Baskets of Gold and Abandoned Tracks come from Prep Mystery Boxes, or as goal rewards. Your rewards for this goal are 700 XP, three Prep Mystery Boxes and 700 coins.

Ready to Rush

    Complete any Preparation Meter Goals 8 Times
    Tend 100 Gold Roses
    Clobber 10 Bears


The Gold Roses will unlock to plant after you've earned 175 Prep Points. These points are, as you might have guessed, earned by completing the repeatable goals below multiple times.

The Repeatable Goals

Preparing Snacks with Granny

    Craft 4 Peppered Mashed Potatoes
    Craft 6 Granny's Gut Punch
    Harvest 40 Peas on your Homestead


Rewards: Prep Mystery Box, 25 Prep Points, 1 Gold Rush Voucher

Mining Ain't Easy

    Craft 4 Sieves
    Clear 10 Rocks on your Homestead
    Clear 25 Cacti or Thorns on your Neighbors' Homesteads


Rewards: Prep Mystery Box, 50 Prep Points, 2 Gold Rush Vouchers

Scout the Railroad Tracks

    Find and Heal and injured Wild Pup
    Tend 30 Adult Badgers on your Homestead
    Tend 35 Adult Goats on your Neighbors' Homesteads


Rewards: 2 Prep Mystery Boxes, 75 Prep Points, 3 Gold Rush Vouchers

As we said before, there are three items available to purchase in the market with this event: Goldfish Pond, Golden Roses (a new crop that takes two days to harvest) and Baskets of Gold. Only the Golden Roses are available to purchase with coins. You'll also be able to complete a new in-game collection - the Preparation Collection - by completing these various tasks. You'll receive five Gold Rose seeds and 400 XP for competing that collection. Good luck!

[Via and Image Credit: Zynga]

Are you excited about this new feature and the possibility to earn five free rewards for your Homestead?

facebook games, popcap, zuma, zuma blitz, zuma blitz facebook

With the Hawaiian Paradise farm in FarmVille seemingly just days away from release, we've seen some early preparation from Zynga go live in the game, namely, the launch of six new crafting recipes being available across the Bakery, Winery and Spa.

FVNation spotted these new recipes, and we can confirm that they are indeed available, with two being available in each of the individual crafting buildings. For instance, Spas can now craft Seaweed Soap and Flower Leis, while Bakeries can prepare Shrimp Toast and Egg Bread. Finally, Wineries can now create Oyster Shots and Island Ginger Beer.

With the release of these recipes, it's clear that Zynga is looking to put FarmVille players in the mood for Spring and Summer, but it's almost guaranteed that Hawaiian Paradise itself will also have its own specific crafting building. We'll make sure to stay on top of things, and will let you know just as soon as we know what that building ends up being.

Check out the rest of our Hawaiian Paradise coverage right here.

Have you started crafting any of these six new recipes on your farms? Are you excited for Hawaiian Paradise in FarmVille?

Zuma Blitz's Monumental Decision: Your opinion can change the game!

While fan feedback is (usually) appreciated by Facebook game developers, most will ultimately go un-acted upon, as fans may have to wait weeks or months for features they want to appear in their favorite Facebook games. PopCap is set to change that, at least a bit, this week, as it's throwing a "Monumental Decision" event in Zuma Blitz, in which players will have the chance to directly impact the future of the "Spirit animal Monument" feature within the game.

From now until Monday at 9AM Pacific, players can login to Zuma Blitz and click on a banner at the top or bottom of the game to vote for their favorite animal. Your options are Rabbit, Eagle or Snake, and the winner of this poll will end up becoming the next Spirit Animal Monument in the game.

If you have a particular love for one of these three animals, you can vote more than once to try and move your choice into the top spot. Just remember to do so quickly, as the voting process will end next Monday. Who knows? If fans respond positively to this personal impact on the game, maybe PopCap will allow us the chance to change more in Zuma Blitz in the future! The possibilities are endless!

Do you appreciate when developers listen to fan feedback about their games, or do you trust developers to do what's best for fans regardless? Which of the three animals will you vote for in this Monumental Decision event?

Have Facebook's platform policy changes killed free cash promotions?

At the end of July, Facebook changed their platform policies (rules that regulate the actions developers can take in their Facebook applications / games), and mostly for the worse. TechCrunch caught onto the changes today, and let me tell you: they reek of fear. One particular change seems to completely eliminate the ability for developers to cross-promote their applications across a wide variety of social networks, as developers are now told:

"Apps on Facebook may not integrate, link to, promote, distribute, or redirect to any app on any other competing social platform."

Let's put this more simply. Let's say a game that's available on Facebook also happens to be available to play on Google+ Games. If that developer mentions Google+ Games at all within the Facebook proper app, Facebook will now apparently block or remove the app from the site altogether. Our first reaction (that which makes perfect sense) is that this is Facebook corporate's attempt to stop all references of Google+ Games specifically from infiltrating the minds of players, to keep users right where they are (and keep the money flowing into its pockets). It looks like Facebook isn't entirely confident in its own abilities to combat the new social gaming platform after all.

The more interesting change, though, comes elsewhere, as the rules surrounding rewards of free virtual currency and items have changed. Here's the updated listing:

    Applications may reward users with virtual currency or virtual goods in exchange for user actions that do not involve third parties, but rewards for user actions that involve third parties must be powered by Facebook Credits by integrating Facebook Credits offers.

    For example, you may not reward users with virtual currency or virtual goods in exchange for any action in which personally identifiable information is shared with a third party, you may not reward users with virtual currency or virtual goods in exchange for third party downloads, such as toolbars or ringtones, and you may not reward users with virtual currency for engaging in passive actions offered by third parties, such as watching a video, playing a mini-game, or taking an anonymous poll.


See that last sentence? If you're like me, the first thing that comes to mind might be something along the lines of FarmVille's many, many free Farm Cash promotions. The question then becomes whether or not these have now been blocked. Technically, users do watch videos and answer poll questions anonymously, and are rewarded with virtual currency for doing so, but since Zynga now deals in Facebook Credits, does that really violate the terms of this new Platform Policy? In typical legal speak, it's hard to really decipher exactly what's being said here, but it's definitely something to think about.

If Facebook continues to limit the possible actions of game developers, aren't they effectively pushing them into the arms of another host (I hear Google+ Games looks nice this time of year)? Sure, Zynga's locked in for a bit of the long haul, but what of other huge developers like EA/Playfish or Disney/Playdom? I'm reminded of the phrase "don't bite the hand that feeds," but we'll just have to wait and see if developers decide to actually bite back.

Would you be willing to purchase premium currency in any Facebook games if your free options suddenly stopped being available? Do you like interacting with Facebook game developers via links you find in-game to Twitter, Flickr and the like?

Camelot: The Game leaves Facebook just as quickly as it arrived

Earlier this year (mid-May to be exact), we brought you a detailed look at Starz' new Facebook game based on the Camelot television show. This Facebook game tie-in was appropriately called Camelot: the Game, but just as quickly as it was launched on the service (earlier this summer), it has already been given a stop-date.

Gamezebo reports that Camelot: the Game's 266,000 monthly players are now receiving emails notifying them of the game's closure, which will take place on September 16. While no reason is apparently given in the emails, one can only assume it is due to the fact that the television show was also canceled. As it stands, the game hasn't been officially commented on, on its Facebook page, since late July, and players have now simply been told that they will receive reduced prices on in-game items, should they wish to continue playing the game until its actual closing date, further proving that it is no longer being supported. If players are willing to jump into a new game, they'll also be given a free in-game item in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.

While this isn't the first time we've seen a Facebook game come and go, Camelot: the Game has definitely jumped into the pile of shortest lived games. Should any other developments surrounding the game's closure arise, we'll make sure to let you know.

[Final Image Credit: Gamezebo]

Did you actively play Camelot: the Game on Facebook? If not, will you play the game long enough to qualify for your free Spartacus item?

Wooga's newest Facebook game whisks players away to a Magic Land

How ... original, guys. Wooga, the Berlin, Germany-based creator of Diamond Dash and Monster World, has announced Magic Land, its brand new Facebook role-playing game (RPG). The game offers a mix of RPG-style adventuring and city (or kingdom) building a' la CityVille. Players will build their kingdom with various houses, farm land and decorations, and much like traditional city-builders the former must be supplied with food harvested from farm plots while decorations increase payouts for houses.

The real adventures come with the fact that King Artie's (your guide and lord of the realm, so to speak) children have been kidnapped by a giant green dragon. Eventually, it will be your mission to rescue them, though you must build your kingdom first and protect it from the slew of trolls and other beasts that threaten its people. Players can choose from a male or female adventurer, each equipped with a wooden sword, though the customization appears to stop there.

Of course, players can visit their friends' kingdoms and provide bonuses, though Wooga teases that some "never-before-seen social interaction" to the game in later updates. The game is available now in seven languages, and an HTML5 extension of the game--known as Magic Land - Island--will be released to smartphones. So far, Wooga certainly lives up to the "Magic Land" name, because as of right now the game loads and runs, well, magically.

Magic Land in action

Click here to play Magic Land on Facebook Now >

Have you tried this new game from Wooga yet? What do you think of the company's response to games like CityVille and Deep Realms?

Divide and conquer (literally) in Carcasonne for Android, BlackBerry

Board games are so last decade. And yet, they live on in every touch device we own. Finally, the epic tile-based board game surrounding the medieval French city, Carcassonne, has come to a smartphone near you. Berlin, Germany-based developer exozet games and London-based sister company of Ubisoft and Gameloft, Advanced Mobile Applications, have released the internationally-known board game to Android, BlackBerry and Java-based mobile devices.

Of course, the game has sold millions of passé decorated cardboard planks worldwide, but this is the digital age, people. And surely, the duo expects to sells millions more of the game to Android and BlackBerry users across the globe. Not much has changed from the original game: Five players spread their influence from the city of Carassonne to the surrounding roads, fields, cities and cloisters. Whomever develops the surrounding land best is, of course, the victor.

This mobile version of the game includes all of the content that came with "The River II" expansion for the physical board game (what's that?). Exozet and AMA were also so thorough as to include clever AI opponents for when your friends aren't around, and they'll need to be close by if you want to embark on a five-player journey out from Carcassonne--multiplayer is local only. For the uninitiated, the game also features a tutorial and 12 new challenges to keep your mobile, fickle minds intrigued. Look, board gamers just aren't how they used to be, hence Scrabble Words with Friends for mobile and Facebook, Risk for Facebook and now, Carcassonne for smartphones.

Carcassonne for mobile games

Click here to download Carcassonne for Android devices Now >

Are you one the millions of Carcassonne fans out here (of course you are)? What other board games would you like to see on your smartphone?

Diamond Dash creator: 'Asynchronous play is not going to go away'

Well, there goes my dream of a real-time Diamond Dash battle with hundreds of crashing fireballs. Wooga CEO Jens Begemann (pictured) laid it out for everyone who had questions about social gaming at his GDC Europe keynote recently. Begemann said, "Social games are not here to take today's gamers and make them Farmville farmers," Gamasutra reports. The CEO of currently the second most popular Facebook games creator (according to AppData) also pointed out that, "Asynchronous play is not going to go away."

What he seems to imply here is that hardcore social games aren't going to overtake Facebook and other platforms. Social games weren't designed for your friends that play Call of Duty for 30 hours a week, but for those who pop into FarmVille for a few minutes to check on their crops every day. This is exactly why Begemann thinks that asynchronous gameplay (think of how friend interaction is handled in Empires & Allies as opposed to CivWorld): It caters so much better to casual spurts of play.

Begemann is of the belief that the majority of the 270 million plus Facebook gamers play for just minutes a day, and judging from a recent study regarding FarmVille players he's probably right. So, there are a great amount of Facebook gamers that play hardcore games like the recently-released Edgeworld by Kabam or Kixeye's Backyard Monsters. But, in Begemann's eyes, they pale in comparison to the growing casual Facebook player base that just doesn't have the time or care to check in on whether their base was invaded in the middle of the night.

"Social games are parallel play," Begemann said during his keynote address. "People want to play for themselves. Sometimes, they may walk up to the other and either help or destroy what the other has been doing." Considering wooga--which just launched Magic Land--is the second largest social games developer right now, it's hard to argue with that ideology. However, the hardcore approach is doing just fine for a select few companies. If anything, Facebook is proving to be quite the microcosm of the games industry at large.

[Image Credit: Jens Begemann]

Which way do you think the social games industry is going to end up leaning more toward? Do you agree that both casual and hardcore games have a place on platforms like Facebook and Google+?

LEGO Universe goes free-to-play; remember to give the kids a try, too

We know your inner child can't resist, but try to remember your outer children, kay? The LEGO Group has finally made a nice chunk of LEGO Universe, the MMO (massively multiplayer online game) created by NetDevil, free to play. The game is going the way of Facebook games and the legion of MMOs before it to make bank a few extra bucks. However, fans who want to get in on the action for free will be relegated to the new Free to Play Zone, an area blocked off from the rest of the game.

But don't think this form of digital plastic segregation means you'll be lesser than those willing to put up 10 bucks a month (which The LEGO Group points out you can upgrade to at any time). Free players will be granted access to two adventure zones to romp through, a player property area to build new LEGO creations in and the chance to participate in mini games and face the ominous-sounding Spider Queen. Well, as ominous as plastic toys can get.

Just like in your favorite Facebook games, free players can visit their friends' property areas and see what they've created. The LEGO Group says in a statement, "If you haven't played LEGO Universe yet, now is the time!" Obvious marketing speak or not, it's pretty tough to disagree with free. LEGO Universe is available for free digital download only right here. If you can't sate your inner 12-year-old long enough for your real 12-year-old to play, you might want to install this baby on two machines.

LEGO Universe gameplay

Click here to download LEGO Universe for free Now >

Have you tried LEGO Universe already? If so, what did you think? If not, is free enough to reel you in?

Syfy Games set to launch on Facebook with new partner KlickNation

KlickNation games
We first caught wind of Syfy getting into the social games biz back in March, and it has moved quickly, all things considered. A glance at KlickNation's top games is enough to tell you why Syfy chose this fledgling, Sacramento, CA-based game developer to make their Facebook games. KlickNation currently has about 1.2 million players spread out across four major games (in order of most popular to least) -- Six Gun Galaxy, Age of Champions, Superhero City, and Starship Command: Battle for Earth. These four fall right in line with the kinds of genres the Syfy Channel purports to service.

Under its undisclosed, multi-year, multi-million dollar contract with Syfy, KlickNation will be unleashing a combat game about the Olympian gods, called Age of Immortals, later this year. Syfy President David Howe also reports that "around six Facebook games" are in the works. KlickNation must be ecstatic, because partnering with Syfy (in conjunction with NBC Universal) means access to a newer, wider audience and bigger budgets. And, who knows, maybe one of these games will be turned into a new Syfy film or TV series.
Syfy Games logo
Truth be told, the Syfy Channel leaves many science fiction fans feeling lukewarm. Every now and then, the network champions a gem, such as Battlestar Galactica, but lately have taken to indulging in corny, B-movie fare, such as Megashark vs Giant Octopus. Or even worse, the network airs shows that have nothing to do with science fiction, such as WWE SmackDown. Then again, shows like Megashark vs Giant Octopus could be translated into one helluva Facebook game.

Angry Birds creator might be worth a happy $1.2 billion [Rumor]

The perma-frown on the Angry Birds' faces might finally turn upside down. Bloomberg reports, citing "two people with knowledge of the discussions," that Finnish creator Rovio could be valued at $1.2 billion if talks to receive extra funding go through. The creator of arguably the most popular mobile game, um, ever is in investment talks with a company in the entertainment business. That most vague of statements leaves the possibilities up to ... a couple hundred companies, but industry analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities has narrowed it down to a select few.

Of course, Zynga could be the big spender, especially considering recent rumors. But Pachter goes on to make educated guesses including EA, News Corp. and Disney. "I can see how Disney would take 'Angry Birds' and turn them into a theme-park ride and a movie," Pachter told Bloomberg. "Zynga could take 'Angry Birds' and make it into 'FarmVille.'"

We're going to just ignore that blanket statement regarding FarmVille. As for EA, though, we doubt it's in any position to invest right now considering it just spent an effective $1.3 billion alone on Bejeweled creator PopCap. But Pachter makes a whole lot of sense with his Disney guess, especially since Rovio has made its goals for the Angry Birds franchise crystal clear. And don't forget, Disney has been in the games biz for quite some time before even Facebook games with Playdom.

(A sidenote: Can I just say how surprised I am that Rovio is being valued at just $1.2 billion? When's the last time you mentioned the damned game and someone hadn't heard of it? Sure, Zynga is worth at least $11.5 billion thanks to virtual goods, but I've yet to hear of a FarmVille movie.)

On top of being found on every device out there (even Facebook someday), Rovio works diligently on turning Angry Birds into an internationally-recognized icon much like--dare I say--Mickey Mouse. And Old Big Ears has grown a bit ragged over the years, no? As with all rumors, this is all wild, but educated, speculation. Now all we can do is wait for Rovio to announce a "Steamboat Angry Birds" update somewhere down the line.