Zynga has launched a new cross-promotional event in FarmVille this evening, teaming the game up with video game retailer GameStop to offer "exclusive mystery goods" to users that purchase and redeem Zynga Game Cards from GameStop. That is, in addition to simply earning the appropriate amount of Farm Cash based on the card value you redeemed (whether that be $10, $25 or $50), you'll also receive a free gift.
So far, it looks like you'll receive one of four items all wrapped up in a red and white box. All of these items are themed for Halloween, with three being re-releases. Specifically, there's a Wizard Gnome and Spooky Bush from last year's Halloween theme, while a Plant Monster from both Halloween 2009 and 2010 is also available. In terms of new goodies, you have a chance to earn the Candy Corn Chicken, although the loading screen above doesn't detail whether or not we'll be able to choose our prize, or if we'll just need to get lucky. For someone that already has the three previously released items, that's definitely something to keep in mind. On the other hand, there's also the slight possibility that a single card will guarantee you all four items, but again, that wasn't detailed either.
We'll be able to learn more about this promotion by visiting GameStop's website, but as of this writing, the promotion link doesn't work (it instead redirects to GameStop's downloads page). We'll make sure to keep checking on things and will let you know when the link goes live, along with exactly what you'll find there (hopefully answers to our questions). Either way, we do know one thing: this promotion will end November 6.
Update: We now know the specific details of this feature, as Gamestop's page is now live. Depending on the dollar amount you spend on a Zynga Game Card, you'll be eligible for different amounts of items. For $10, you'll receive one mystery item. For $25 you'll receive three and for $50 you'll receive six. However, as there are only four listed items, it looks like if you purchase a $50 card for FarmVille, you'll receive two mystery boxes (containing truly mystery items) along with the four listed above.
Will you purchase a Zynga Game Card for a chance at these Halloween-themed items in FarmVille? Sound off in the comments.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Is there more to PS Vita's 'Near' social feature than we thought?
Catchphrases like "Social Gaming Revolution," have clouded what the device actually accomplishes with its social features somewhat. But now Sony has unveiled more than just cursory glances, and has detailed the PS Vita's Near feature in full.
Sure, we already knew that Near would allow players to gift one another based on location, but, according to the PlayStation Blog, it goes deeper than that. When PS Vita players press the "Update" button, it will send a ping in an outward radius to other potential Vita players with current, location-based information about you. From there, players can challenge those around them to competitive games or join forces in a co-op romp.
Of course, this is all assuming the games support said features, which we're sure at least some will. But how Sony is going to get you hooked on playing in public more often is the fact that players may have to share through Near in order unlock new content. Want that new multiplayer map for your Vita shooter of choice? Better head to the nearest library or airport to get it. You'll also be able to compare player stats like trophies through Near.
Wait a tick--that sounds a lot like how FarmVille players compare farms or Mastery achievements. Regardless of whether you're on board with Sony's PlayStation Vita handheld gaming console, it's undeniable that the device is a response to the social and mobile gaming scenes. We'll whether that response is strong enough in 2012.
[Via Kotaku]
What do you think of the PS Vita's social features? Do you think they're robust or slick enough to compete with what Facebook or mobile games are capable of already? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Sure, we already knew that Near would allow players to gift one another based on location, but, according to the PlayStation Blog, it goes deeper than that. When PS Vita players press the "Update" button, it will send a ping in an outward radius to other potential Vita players with current, location-based information about you. From there, players can challenge those around them to competitive games or join forces in a co-op romp.
Of course, this is all assuming the games support said features, which we're sure at least some will. But how Sony is going to get you hooked on playing in public more often is the fact that players may have to share through Near in order unlock new content. Want that new multiplayer map for your Vita shooter of choice? Better head to the nearest library or airport to get it. You'll also be able to compare player stats like trophies through Near.
Wait a tick--that sounds a lot like how FarmVille players compare farms or Mastery achievements. Regardless of whether you're on board with Sony's PlayStation Vita handheld gaming console, it's undeniable that the device is a response to the social and mobile gaming scenes. We'll whether that response is strong enough in 2012.
[Via Kotaku]
What do you think of the PS Vita's social features? Do you think they're robust or slick enough to compete with what Facebook or mobile games are capable of already? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Cafe World Amelia's Admirer Goals: Everything you need to know
A new goal series has launched in Cafe World this week, which sees Chef Amelia having a bit of a secret admirer. Don't worry though - this doesn't come with a lengthy romance that you'll need to help evolve, as it turns out to be far more innocent than that. We'll get to the specifics of the story here later, but for now, let's get started on the guide for this eight part goal series.
Note: Zynga didn't confirm whether or not these goals will be different for each user (we expect that they will be) so if you are required to cook other dishes, that's completely normal.
Amelia's Admirer 1
* Serve 30 Vegetarian Chili
* Serve 10 Kung Pao Stir Fry
* Complete 5 Eat Missions
Eat Missions are those that see you trying the "daily special" in your friends' cafes. As for the Kung Pao Stir Fry, it takes four hours to prepare and the Vegetarian Chili takes two hours.
Amelia's Admirer 2
* Ask for 8 Chocolate Chips
* Serve 20 Belgian Waffles
* Ask for 8 Frosting Squeezers
Belgian Waffles take two hours to cook. By this point, Amelia will have been given a love letter in the shape of a heart, which explains this goal's prize: the Heart-Shaped Cookie Cake recipe.
Amelia's Admirer 3
* Ask for 10 Clue Notebooks
* Serve 25 Fish n Chips
* Serve Gem Cake 12 Times
Fish n Chips takes two hours to prepare, while Gem Cake takes 12 hours. There's still no official word as to who the secret admirer is by this point, so let's keep going.
Amelia's Admirer 4
* Ask for 8 Macaroni Noodles
* Serve Macaroni and Cheese 20 Times
* Ask for 6 Chipotles in Adobo
Macaroni and Cheese takes two hours to prepare. At this point, you'll get another clue: a heart made of macaroni on a note. It looks like the new recipe for this goal is 4-Alarm Chili Mac.
Amelia's Admirer 5
* Serve Angel Fruit Cake 16 Times
* Serve Jammin' Jelly Donuts 40 Times
* Master Heart-Shaped Cookie to Level 1
Jammin' Jelly Donuts take 20 minutes to prepare, while Angel Fruit Cake takes eight hours. As for the Heart-Shaped Cookie Cake, this new recipe takes just 30 minutes.
Amelia's Admirer 6
* Ask for 8 Multicolored Sprinkles
* Serve Triple Berry Cheesecake 20 Times
* Ask for 10 Vanilla Extract
Another note arrives at this goal, this time with an animal drawn on it. Hmm, macaroni pictures and drawings of animals - are you starting to put two and two together about who this secret crush could be? While you're trying to piece together the puzzle, you'll need to serve Triple Berry Cheesecake, which is ready in 12 hours. For finishing this goal, you're given the Ice Animal Cookies recipe.
Amelia's Admirer 7
* Serve Iced Animal Cookies 20 Times
* Serve Triple Berry Cheesecake 20 Times
* Spice 5 Neighbors' Stoves
We'll tell you outright - something seems a bit off about this goal. The in-game window says that you need to serve 40 Cheesecakes, while the text says 20, but the accompanying picture is of a chair, not the cheesecake itself. Whatever the official requirement may be, the story here becomes completely clear as we learn that Amelia's secret admirer is actually a young boy - a child by the name of Oscar in the local kindergarten class who has found his first crush! How cute! There's just one more thing left to do before finishing this goal series off completly.
Amelia's Admirer 8
* Serve Heart-Shaped Cookie Cake 1 Time
* Master Iced Animal Cookies to Level 1
* Ask for 10 Balloons
To make Oscar's day, you'll be able to bake him a few goodies, and in doing so, you'll also finish this goal series off for good. You won't receive any additional recipes for finishing the goal series entirely, but you will have made a (virtual) little boy's day. Isn't that reward enough?
What do you think of the Amelia's Admirer goals in Cafe World? Were you able to figure out who the admirer was early on in the series? Sound off in the comments.
Note: Zynga didn't confirm whether or not these goals will be different for each user (we expect that they will be) so if you are required to cook other dishes, that's completely normal.
Amelia's Admirer 1
* Serve 30 Vegetarian Chili
* Serve 10 Kung Pao Stir Fry
* Complete 5 Eat Missions
Eat Missions are those that see you trying the "daily special" in your friends' cafes. As for the Kung Pao Stir Fry, it takes four hours to prepare and the Vegetarian Chili takes two hours.
Amelia's Admirer 2
* Ask for 8 Chocolate Chips
* Serve 20 Belgian Waffles
* Ask for 8 Frosting Squeezers
Belgian Waffles take two hours to cook. By this point, Amelia will have been given a love letter in the shape of a heart, which explains this goal's prize: the Heart-Shaped Cookie Cake recipe.
Amelia's Admirer 3
* Ask for 10 Clue Notebooks
* Serve 25 Fish n Chips
* Serve Gem Cake 12 Times
Fish n Chips takes two hours to prepare, while Gem Cake takes 12 hours. There's still no official word as to who the secret admirer is by this point, so let's keep going.
Amelia's Admirer 4
* Ask for 8 Macaroni Noodles
* Serve Macaroni and Cheese 20 Times
* Ask for 6 Chipotles in Adobo
Macaroni and Cheese takes two hours to prepare. At this point, you'll get another clue: a heart made of macaroni on a note. It looks like the new recipe for this goal is 4-Alarm Chili Mac.
Amelia's Admirer 5
* Serve Angel Fruit Cake 16 Times
* Serve Jammin' Jelly Donuts 40 Times
* Master Heart-Shaped Cookie to Level 1
Jammin' Jelly Donuts take 20 minutes to prepare, while Angel Fruit Cake takes eight hours. As for the Heart-Shaped Cookie Cake, this new recipe takes just 30 minutes.
Amelia's Admirer 6
* Ask for 8 Multicolored Sprinkles
* Serve Triple Berry Cheesecake 20 Times
* Ask for 10 Vanilla Extract
Another note arrives at this goal, this time with an animal drawn on it. Hmm, macaroni pictures and drawings of animals - are you starting to put two and two together about who this secret crush could be? While you're trying to piece together the puzzle, you'll need to serve Triple Berry Cheesecake, which is ready in 12 hours. For finishing this goal, you're given the Ice Animal Cookies recipe.
Amelia's Admirer 7
* Serve Iced Animal Cookies 20 Times
* Serve Triple Berry Cheesecake 20 Times
* Spice 5 Neighbors' Stoves
We'll tell you outright - something seems a bit off about this goal. The in-game window says that you need to serve 40 Cheesecakes, while the text says 20, but the accompanying picture is of a chair, not the cheesecake itself. Whatever the official requirement may be, the story here becomes completely clear as we learn that Amelia's secret admirer is actually a young boy - a child by the name of Oscar in the local kindergarten class who has found his first crush! How cute! There's just one more thing left to do before finishing this goal series off completly.
Amelia's Admirer 8
* Serve Heart-Shaped Cookie Cake 1 Time
* Master Iced Animal Cookies to Level 1
* Ask for 10 Balloons
To make Oscar's day, you'll be able to bake him a few goodies, and in doing so, you'll also finish this goal series off for good. You won't receive any additional recipes for finishing the goal series entirely, but you will have made a (virtual) little boy's day. Isn't that reward enough?
What do you think of the Amelia's Admirer goals in Cafe World? Were you able to figure out who the admirer was early on in the series? Sound off in the comments.
Cafe World Soap Box Supper Catering Order: Everything you need to know
Here's an interesting one: a new Catering Order has launched in Cafe World asking you to help feed a group of racers after their Soap Box Derby race. You'll be there at the finish line waiting, and if you can help these racers out in time, you'll walk away with a free recipe for your efforts.
This particular catering order requires you to serve Tony's Classic Pizza (a five-hour dish) 100 Times, Basil Finger Sandwiches (a six-hour dish) 35 Times, Clubhouse Sandwiches (an 18 hour dish) 20 times and Bacon Cheeseburgers (a five-minute dish) 300 times. Luckily, the Bacon Cheeseburger happens to be the shortest cooking dish and is the one required in the highest quantity. This means that you'll be able to push out dozens of servings in a single sitting in the game, and when you bring up to 14 of your friends in on this order with you, the progress becomes even quicker.
In addition to these cooking tasks, you'll also need to collect 12 Axles and 12 Racing Flags to go along with the Soap Box Derby theme. Both of these sets of items are earned through individual gift requests sent to your friends.
If you can finish all six tasks within the first three days of starting, you'll earn the three-star rating, 15 Catering Points, 7,500 Cafe Points, 200,000 coins and a Fried Chicken Sandwich recipe. Unfortunately, you must complete this order with the three star rating in order to earn the recipe, so feel free to cancel the order and start over if you haven't finished it by that time. If you do decide to push on, however, and can finish before five full days have passed, you'll receive two stars, 10 Catering Points, 5,000 Cafe Points and 125,000 coins. Finally, finishing at any point after those first five days gives you a single star, 5 Catering Points, 3,000 Cafe Points and 75,000 coins.
All in all, this Catering Order doesn't have a time limit in terms of when it must be started, so if you have more time-sensitive tasks to complete in your cafe first, feel free to complete those entirely before coming back and helping these racers.
What do you think of the Soap Box Supper Catering Order? Do you appreciate "easier" orders like these, or do you prefer a true challenge? Sound off in the comments.
This particular catering order requires you to serve Tony's Classic Pizza (a five-hour dish) 100 Times, Basil Finger Sandwiches (a six-hour dish) 35 Times, Clubhouse Sandwiches (an 18 hour dish) 20 times and Bacon Cheeseburgers (a five-minute dish) 300 times. Luckily, the Bacon Cheeseburger happens to be the shortest cooking dish and is the one required in the highest quantity. This means that you'll be able to push out dozens of servings in a single sitting in the game, and when you bring up to 14 of your friends in on this order with you, the progress becomes even quicker.
In addition to these cooking tasks, you'll also need to collect 12 Axles and 12 Racing Flags to go along with the Soap Box Derby theme. Both of these sets of items are earned through individual gift requests sent to your friends.
If you can finish all six tasks within the first three days of starting, you'll earn the three-star rating, 15 Catering Points, 7,500 Cafe Points, 200,000 coins and a Fried Chicken Sandwich recipe. Unfortunately, you must complete this order with the three star rating in order to earn the recipe, so feel free to cancel the order and start over if you haven't finished it by that time. If you do decide to push on, however, and can finish before five full days have passed, you'll receive two stars, 10 Catering Points, 5,000 Cafe Points and 125,000 coins. Finally, finishing at any point after those first five days gives you a single star, 5 Catering Points, 3,000 Cafe Points and 75,000 coins.
All in all, this Catering Order doesn't have a time limit in terms of when it must be started, so if you have more time-sensitive tasks to complete in your cafe first, feel free to complete those entirely before coming back and helping these racers.
What do you think of the Soap Box Supper Catering Order? Do you appreciate "easier" orders like these, or do you prefer a true challenge? Sound off in the comments.
CityVille Governor's Run Act 2 Nature Goals: Everything you need to know
If you've been keeping up with the governor's election in CityVille, you'll now be ready for Act 2 to begin. After helping "the people" in Act 1, Act 2 sees you helping out special interest groups, starting with a nature-loving group led by Zookeeper Karen. If you don't want Captain Krunsch to earn Karen's vote (and those of her friends), you'll need to finish the following three goals.
When Nature Calls
* Place Conservatory
* Collect from Conservatory four times
The Conservatory is a new Community Building that requires 12 staff members to operate. Once you build the base, you'll need to ask 12 friends to come staff the building, at which point you'll gain a bonus of 3,750 citizens to your maximum population cap. Just collect its profits four times after it's built to finish this first goal. You'll receive eight energy when doing so.
Food For Thought
* Ask friends for 6 Gardening Gloves
* Water Rose Garden 5 Times
* Harvest 80 Cranberries
You can have more than one Rose Garden in your city, so feel free to place multiples just so you don't have to wait for the same Garden to be ready five times in a row (a time-consuming process, to say the least). As for the Cranberries, these take 12 hours to grow. Finish this goal and you'll earn 840 Goods.
More Power To You
* Ask friends for 12 Recyclable Bags
* Collect from Produce Paradise 30 Times
* Collect from City Works 6 Times
The City Works is another Community Building that you might already have in your town. If not, here's a guide to building one. As for the Produce Paradise, this is a Business that's available from the store. It requires 253 Goods to operate and gives you 1,413 coins in profit by default. To more quickly finish this particular step (since 30 times is a long time to wait), make sure that the Produce Paradise is the only business operating in your town so that all customers will come to it, allowing it to sell out much more quickly than normal. Finishing this third goal gives you the EV Charging Station, a business that requires 475 Goods to operate and produces 2,393 coins.
Since this is just the first part of the second act of the Governor's Run event in CityVille, once you finish two more sets you'll receive an additional item: the Capital Rotunda building. What's more, you don't have to complete the entirety of Act 1 in order to access these Act 2 goals either, and can have them all running simultaneously in your town - talk about multi-tasking! We'll make sure to let you know when additional political goals launch in the game, so keep checking back with us!
What do you think of these Nature goals? Are you enjoying the Governor's Run event so far? Sound off in the comments.
When Nature Calls
* Place Conservatory
* Collect from Conservatory four times
The Conservatory is a new Community Building that requires 12 staff members to operate. Once you build the base, you'll need to ask 12 friends to come staff the building, at which point you'll gain a bonus of 3,750 citizens to your maximum population cap. Just collect its profits four times after it's built to finish this first goal. You'll receive eight energy when doing so.
Food For Thought
* Ask friends for 6 Gardening Gloves
* Water Rose Garden 5 Times
* Harvest 80 Cranberries
You can have more than one Rose Garden in your city, so feel free to place multiples just so you don't have to wait for the same Garden to be ready five times in a row (a time-consuming process, to say the least). As for the Cranberries, these take 12 hours to grow. Finish this goal and you'll earn 840 Goods.
More Power To You
* Ask friends for 12 Recyclable Bags
* Collect from Produce Paradise 30 Times
* Collect from City Works 6 Times
The City Works is another Community Building that you might already have in your town. If not, here's a guide to building one. As for the Produce Paradise, this is a Business that's available from the store. It requires 253 Goods to operate and gives you 1,413 coins in profit by default. To more quickly finish this particular step (since 30 times is a long time to wait), make sure that the Produce Paradise is the only business operating in your town so that all customers will come to it, allowing it to sell out much more quickly than normal. Finishing this third goal gives you the EV Charging Station, a business that requires 475 Goods to operate and produces 2,393 coins.
Since this is just the first part of the second act of the Governor's Run event in CityVille, once you finish two more sets you'll receive an additional item: the Capital Rotunda building. What's more, you don't have to complete the entirety of Act 1 in order to access these Act 2 goals either, and can have them all running simultaneously in your town - talk about multi-tasking! We'll make sure to let you know when additional political goals launch in the game, so keep checking back with us!
What do you think of these Nature goals? Are you enjoying the Governor's Run event so far? Sound off in the comments.
FarmVille German items start an Oktoberfest celebration
Here's one update I honestly didn't think we'd see come to FarmVille so soon. With the Halloween theme officially launching in the game earlier this week, we've seen yet another theme - German, or Oktoberfest - launch tonight as well. This theme is relatively small (so far), consisting of nothing but buildings and decorations that are re-releases of those items seen in a previous German theme. Whether or not we'll see any trees or specific animals launch as well is anyone's guess. For now, let's take a look at what's available so far.
Buildings
Festival Wheel - 38 Farm Cash
Festival Tent - 34 Farm Cash
I have to admit, even for its high price, the Festival Wheel (Ferris Wheel) is still one of the neatest looking items I can remember seeing launched in the game (it was originally available in last year's German event). This thing has it all - animation in the wheel itself and lights throughout as though it were at a real carnival. I'll tell you one thing: it will be hard for me not to personally splurge on one of these items for my own farm this year.
Decorations
German Gnome - 18 Farm Cash
Festival Carriage - 22 Farm Cash
Festival Gnome - 18 Farm Cash
Cider Stand - 120,000 coins
Festival Pavilion - 240,000 coins
Barrel Tub - 120,000 coins
Again, all of these items are re-releases of those seen in the game previously, so you'll want to take a few moments to search your storage for any of them so that you don't needlessly purchase duplicates (especially if the item costs Farm Cash).
It will be interesting to see if any other items release that are actually new to the German theme this year, but for now, you've got seven days to purchase any of these items that have come back around.
Are you happy to see these items re-released in the game's store, or did you purchase all of the items you wanted last year? Sound off in the comments.
Buildings
Festival Wheel - 38 Farm Cash
Festival Tent - 34 Farm Cash
I have to admit, even for its high price, the Festival Wheel (Ferris Wheel) is still one of the neatest looking items I can remember seeing launched in the game (it was originally available in last year's German event). This thing has it all - animation in the wheel itself and lights throughout as though it were at a real carnival. I'll tell you one thing: it will be hard for me not to personally splurge on one of these items for my own farm this year.
Decorations
German Gnome - 18 Farm Cash
Festival Carriage - 22 Farm Cash
Festival Gnome - 18 Farm Cash
Cider Stand - 120,000 coins
Festival Pavilion - 240,000 coins
Barrel Tub - 120,000 coins
Again, all of these items are re-releases of those seen in the game previously, so you'll want to take a few moments to search your storage for any of them so that you don't needlessly purchase duplicates (especially if the item costs Farm Cash).
It will be interesting to see if any other items release that are actually new to the German theme this year, but for now, you've got seven days to purchase any of these items that have come back around.
Are you happy to see these items re-released in the game's store, or did you purchase all of the items you wanted last year? Sound off in the comments.
Empires & Allies: Embark on the Lucky Mermaid Mini-Campaign
If there is one thing social gamers like--other than free stuff, of course--it's choices. It looks like Zynga has realized this in its recent games, and now Empires & Allies is taking on that mantra with the new Little Mermaid Mini-Campaign. While on paper, this is nothing more than a series of Goals, players are given a few choices on their path to the final reward: The Golden Mermaid.
Starting from the very beginning, you're given to choice to approach this new timed mini-campaign (about two weeks) in either combat-oriented or social or construction-centric missions. Frankly, the latter already sounds kind of boring, so I'd personally recommend taking the former path.
Each path consists of five Goals with one choice along the way. But Zynga reminds players to choose carefully, as there is no turning back after you make your first and second decisions along the way.
This mini-campaign appears in your game just as The Little Mermaid anchors on the coast of your empire, and clicking on it reveals a new campaign map with several Goals. According to the developer, these Goals have more lucrative rewards than standard ones, and the final prize--should you complete all five Goals on time--is The Golden Mermaid. This is certainly not a combat unit, but is a decoration said to grant players with booming profits.
Empires Allies Little Mermaid Campaign Screen
This is a brand new approach to releasing content for the E&A team, and plans are to release more mini-campaigns like this one. So, of course, the team is looking for feedback on the forums. Here's a personal suggestion: Lose the social-centric missions and focus on the combat--perhaps even player vs player in Battle Blitz.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Have you started the Little Mermaid mini-campaign yet? What do you think of this approach to new content in E&A? Sound off in the comments. 8 Comments
Starting from the very beginning, you're given to choice to approach this new timed mini-campaign (about two weeks) in either combat-oriented or social or construction-centric missions. Frankly, the latter already sounds kind of boring, so I'd personally recommend taking the former path.
Each path consists of five Goals with one choice along the way. But Zynga reminds players to choose carefully, as there is no turning back after you make your first and second decisions along the way.
This mini-campaign appears in your game just as The Little Mermaid anchors on the coast of your empire, and clicking on it reveals a new campaign map with several Goals. According to the developer, these Goals have more lucrative rewards than standard ones, and the final prize--should you complete all five Goals on time--is The Golden Mermaid. This is certainly not a combat unit, but is a decoration said to grant players with booming profits.
Empires Allies Little Mermaid Campaign Screen
This is a brand new approach to releasing content for the E&A team, and plans are to release more mini-campaigns like this one. So, of course, the team is looking for feedback on the forums. Here's a personal suggestion: Lose the social-centric missions and focus on the combat--perhaps even player vs player in Battle Blitz.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]
Have you started the Little Mermaid mini-campaign yet? What do you think of this approach to new content in E&A? Sound off in the comments. 8 Comments
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