Look, for an amphibian that insists on leaping into oncoming traffic, Frogger is damn old. But Frogger turns 30 this year, and he's determined to ring in the milestone with a bang. Konami has released Frogger Free for iOS on the App Store, a Facebook-connected version of the classic (with three new modes, mind you) for the ultimate price of zero dollars and zero cents.
For ultimate nostalgia trip, players can enjoy Frogger in all its retro glory with multiple control styles including swipe, touch and tilt. Those control options extend into the game's three new gameplay modes: Turbo, Nighttime and Inferno. Turbo we imagine simply sends those cars and trucks into overdrive, while Nighttime seems to simply change the color scheme. Inferno, however, leaves a trail of flames in Frogger's wake that limits players' moves as they lead more frogs across the highway.
This version of Frogger features and Facebook Connect, meaning players can share their accomplishments with their friends across local, friendly and global leaderboards. The game also features 10 achievements for players to collect, but we all know none will be as prestigious as surpassing the ultimate high score: 896,980 points. This game follows Frogger's first original game on Facebook, Frogger Pinball. With two new, free ways to celebrate how Frogger's miraculous survival of 30 years of jay-hopping, you pretty much have no excuse.
Click here to download Frogger Free for iPhone and iPad on the App Store Now >
Are you still a Frogger fanatic after all these years? Where can the frog go from here?
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Thursday, December 15, 2011
Will the Ultima maker's new social game appeal to all forms of gamer?
That's sounds pretty ... ambitious (to say the least), but that seems to be what game designer Richard Garriott is going for. During a recent interview with IndustryGamers, Ultima creator Garriott somehow revealed his master plan for how he's going to change social gaming without revealing anything specific, really. While it's too early to make serious judgment calls, his idea sounds downright awesome.
At least on paper, it sounds as if players will be able to carve out their own role in a fantasy world that rewards several different types of play. Basically, members of a group of friends can each take on different roles--be it farmer, shop owner or even adventurer--and somehow contribute to the overall world both in real time and asynchronously.
"And allowing it to be asynchronous interaction as well as synchronous interaction," Garriott told IndustryGamers. "So if you're the farmer, and you're playing your FarmVille style of gameplay, and that's what you like, that's fine, and you can either sell it on your produce stand or come over to my cafe and sell it to me directly, but either way, if you're offline, me or my chef can come over to your farm stand or to you personally if you're online, and buy the produce we need, and in either case we're gonna sell meals to the adventurer that just came through and might be bringing back the special dragon egg to make the greatest omelet that's ever been made in the history of the world! I can now make it in my cafe based on the stuff the adventurer brought back."
In essence, Garriott's Lord British's New Britannia (working title) will somehow allow the FarmVille player, the Cafe World fan and the Skyrim fanatic to all play the same game in their own way and help one another. If developer Portalarium can live up to these ambitions, then count us in.
[Image Credit: CollectSpace]
Does this make you excited for the designer's first full social game? More importantly, can a game like this be what it takes to usurp the Zynga throne?
At least on paper, it sounds as if players will be able to carve out their own role in a fantasy world that rewards several different types of play. Basically, members of a group of friends can each take on different roles--be it farmer, shop owner or even adventurer--and somehow contribute to the overall world both in real time and asynchronously.
"And allowing it to be asynchronous interaction as well as synchronous interaction," Garriott told IndustryGamers. "So if you're the farmer, and you're playing your FarmVille style of gameplay, and that's what you like, that's fine, and you can either sell it on your produce stand or come over to my cafe and sell it to me directly, but either way, if you're offline, me or my chef can come over to your farm stand or to you personally if you're online, and buy the produce we need, and in either case we're gonna sell meals to the adventurer that just came through and might be bringing back the special dragon egg to make the greatest omelet that's ever been made in the history of the world! I can now make it in my cafe based on the stuff the adventurer brought back."
In essence, Garriott's Lord British's New Britannia (working title) will somehow allow the FarmVille player, the Cafe World fan and the Skyrim fanatic to all play the same game in their own way and help one another. If developer Portalarium can live up to these ambitions, then count us in.
[Image Credit: CollectSpace]
Does this make you excited for the designer's first full social game? More importantly, can a game like this be what it takes to usurp the Zynga throne?
Play the other football on Thanksgiving with Top Eleven on iOS
Sorry, friends around the world, but we only say that because Thanksgiving is originally an American holiday, after all. Nordeus has finally released its hit football/soccer game Top Eleven on iPhone and iPad for the fine price of free. Based on a brief description of the game provided by Nordeus, this looks to be simply a port of the Android version released in October.
A port this game may be, but one that will likely expand the game's player base. Just like before, players can create their own football clubs and take on nearly every aspect of the process as manager. And when we say "every aspect," we mean everything from training players to getting sponsorship for the team. More importantly, however, is that Top Eleven veterans can access their existing football clubs from Facebook, iPhone or Android and interact with their friends on any said platform.
"We aim to provide a seamless gaming experience for our Top Eleven fans no matter what device you're using." Nordeus CEO Branko Milutinović said in a release. "You can kick off a Top Eleven game on a desktop, and if you have to pop out at half-time you can now continue to follow your game on your iPhone."
Top Eleven iPhone in action
According to the developer, the Top Eleven is enjoyed by 3.5 million monthly players since its Android release last month, and Nordeus clearly looks to see that number grow through the App Store. So, now you can play football while watching football tomorrow ... just don't tell the rabid NFL fans in your life when they come to visit.
Click here to download Top Eleven for iPhone and iPad on the App Store Now >
Are you a Top Eleven fan? What games are you going to spend Thanksgiving playing tomorrow?
A port this game may be, but one that will likely expand the game's player base. Just like before, players can create their own football clubs and take on nearly every aspect of the process as manager. And when we say "every aspect," we mean everything from training players to getting sponsorship for the team. More importantly, however, is that Top Eleven veterans can access their existing football clubs from Facebook, iPhone or Android and interact with their friends on any said platform.
"We aim to provide a seamless gaming experience for our Top Eleven fans no matter what device you're using." Nordeus CEO Branko Milutinović said in a release. "You can kick off a Top Eleven game on a desktop, and if you have to pop out at half-time you can now continue to follow your game on your iPhone."
Top Eleven iPhone in action
According to the developer, the Top Eleven is enjoyed by 3.5 million monthly players since its Android release last month, and Nordeus clearly looks to see that number grow through the App Store. So, now you can play football while watching football tomorrow ... just don't tell the rabid NFL fans in your life when they come to visit.
Click here to download Top Eleven for iPhone and iPad on the App Store Now >
Are you a Top Eleven fan? What games are you going to spend Thanksgiving playing tomorrow?
Nexon's next social game, Zombie Misfits, looks for brains on Facebook
Alright, we thought it too: "Another zombie game?" But hold on just a second there, naysayers. Nexon's new Facebook game, Zombie Misfits, takes the whole zombie craze in a decidedly different direction. Co-developed by Canadian studio Antic Entertainment, this social take on what's quickly becoming a tired trend turns is a side-scrolling tower defense game.
Wait, according to a release, it's a "cartoon-style apocalyptic tower defense game with an RPG flare." Does that sound different enough for you? And if you ask us, the game's art style looks like something you'd easily find on Cartoon Network.
Ever since Nexon struck gold with MapleStory Adventures, the company has been bullish on Facebook games, but has taken its sweet time. (The publisher likely could have thrown its name on a number of Facebook games this year, but didn't.)
But back to the brain bustin'. Zombie Misfits has players defend survivors of the zombie apocalypse in two-dimensional zones against wave after wave of walking cadavers. To do so, you must place Defenders in key, predefined points in each level to kill off the walkers (thanks, The Walking Dead) before they reach the hovel of "breathers", as tutorial character Slim calls them.
The game features a number of different defenders like the Biker, a club-wielding badass type, and the pistol-toting Trooper--all of which can be modified and upgraded. Of course, you'll need to strategize which Defenders to place as you unlock them to fight the numerous types of zombies. And players can enlist the help of their friends, as per usual. But really, nothing beats the feeling of taking a giant chain saw to a morose mob of undead mouth-breathers.
Click here to play Zombie Misfits on Facebook Now >
Check out the rest of our Halloween coverage right here.
Do you think there's room for another zombie game on Facebook? What do you think of the zombie craze overall--is it just a fad?
Wait, according to a release, it's a "cartoon-style apocalyptic tower defense game with an RPG flare." Does that sound different enough for you? And if you ask us, the game's art style looks like something you'd easily find on Cartoon Network.
Ever since Nexon struck gold with MapleStory Adventures, the company has been bullish on Facebook games, but has taken its sweet time. (The publisher likely could have thrown its name on a number of Facebook games this year, but didn't.)
But back to the brain bustin'. Zombie Misfits has players defend survivors of the zombie apocalypse in two-dimensional zones against wave after wave of walking cadavers. To do so, you must place Defenders in key, predefined points in each level to kill off the walkers (thanks, The Walking Dead) before they reach the hovel of "breathers", as tutorial character Slim calls them.
The game features a number of different defenders like the Biker, a club-wielding badass type, and the pistol-toting Trooper--all of which can be modified and upgraded. Of course, you'll need to strategize which Defenders to place as you unlock them to fight the numerous types of zombies. And players can enlist the help of their friends, as per usual. But really, nothing beats the feeling of taking a giant chain saw to a morose mob of undead mouth-breathers.
Click here to play Zombie Misfits on Facebook Now >
Check out the rest of our Halloween coverage right here.
Do you think there's room for another zombie game on Facebook? What do you think of the zombie craze overall--is it just a fad?
Play the other football on Thanksgiving with Top Eleven on iOS
Sorry, friends around the world, but we only say that because Thanksgiving is originally an American holiday, after all. Nordeus has finally released its hit football/soccer game Top Eleven on iPhone and iPad for the fine price of free. Based on a brief description of the game provided by Nordeus, this looks to be simply a port of the Android version released in October.
A port this game may be, but one that will likely expand the game's player base. Just like before, players can create their own football clubs and take on nearly every aspect of the process as manager. And when we say "every aspect," we mean everything from training players to getting sponsorship for the team. More importantly, however, is that Top Eleven veterans can access their existing football clubs from Facebook, iPhone or Android and interact with their friends on any said platform.
"We aim to provide a seamless gaming experience for our Top Eleven fans no matter what device you're using." Nordeus CEO Branko Milutinović said in a release. "You can kick off a Top Eleven game on a desktop, and if you have to pop out at half-time you can now continue to follow your game on your iPhone."
Top Eleven iPhone in action
According to the developer, the Top Eleven is enjoyed by 3.5 million monthly players since its Android release last month, and Nordeus clearly looks to see that number grow through the App Store. So, now you can play football while watching football tomorrow ... just don't tell the rabid NFL fans in your life when they come to visit.
Click here to download Top Eleven for iPhone and iPad on the App Store Now >
Are you a Top Eleven fan? What games are you going to spend Thanksgiving playing tomorrow?
A port this game may be, but one that will likely expand the game's player base. Just like before, players can create their own football clubs and take on nearly every aspect of the process as manager. And when we say "every aspect," we mean everything from training players to getting sponsorship for the team. More importantly, however, is that Top Eleven veterans can access their existing football clubs from Facebook, iPhone or Android and interact with their friends on any said platform.
"We aim to provide a seamless gaming experience for our Top Eleven fans no matter what device you're using." Nordeus CEO Branko Milutinović said in a release. "You can kick off a Top Eleven game on a desktop, and if you have to pop out at half-time you can now continue to follow your game on your iPhone."
Top Eleven iPhone in action
According to the developer, the Top Eleven is enjoyed by 3.5 million monthly players since its Android release last month, and Nordeus clearly looks to see that number grow through the App Store. So, now you can play football while watching football tomorrow ... just don't tell the rabid NFL fans in your life when they come to visit.
Click here to download Top Eleven for iPhone and iPad on the App Store Now >
Are you a Top Eleven fan? What games are you going to spend Thanksgiving playing tomorrow?
Monday, December 12, 2011
Infographic: 35 percent of social gamers never played video games
STFU NOOB
First, it's understood that social games are dominated by soap-loving casual gamers. Then, we find that the amount of hardcore gamers on Facebook are growing. After that, it's found that a large amount of social game fans actually own game consoles. Now, an infographic by Mashable reports that a whopping "35 percent of social gamers have no previous gaming experience."
If anything, we now know that social game fans are the most diverse group of gamers the industry has ever seen. Well, it's either that or at least one of the upteen studies, infographics or surveys on the topic is completely wrong. Mashable's Zachary Sniderman also found in his research, titled "The Economics of Social Gaming," that one in every five Americans over the age of six has played a social game. That figure amounts to nearly 60 million Americans.
Of course, the infographic finds that Facebook is the dominant social game platform, with 83 percent of social gamers using the social network to get their daily farming fix. What's most interesting is the finding that 28 percent of U.S. and UK-based social game fans have paid real money for virtual currency. This is leaps and bounds beyond usual the 3 to 5 percent figure thrown around to estimate the amount of paying social gamers
Keep in mind while reading this fancy-looking infographic that the term "social gamer" could mean anything from fans of free-to-play games like MapleStory to Facebook games and perhaps even mobile social games. At this point, what's important to take away is that social game fans could very well be the most diverse type of gamer from demographics to play habits.
What do you think of these new numbers compared to studies released in the past? Are you part of the 35 percent that has never played a traditional game before social games?
First, it's understood that social games are dominated by soap-loving casual gamers. Then, we find that the amount of hardcore gamers on Facebook are growing. After that, it's found that a large amount of social game fans actually own game consoles. Now, an infographic by Mashable reports that a whopping "35 percent of social gamers have no previous gaming experience."
If anything, we now know that social game fans are the most diverse group of gamers the industry has ever seen. Well, it's either that or at least one of the upteen studies, infographics or surveys on the topic is completely wrong. Mashable's Zachary Sniderman also found in his research, titled "The Economics of Social Gaming," that one in every five Americans over the age of six has played a social game. That figure amounts to nearly 60 million Americans.
Of course, the infographic finds that Facebook is the dominant social game platform, with 83 percent of social gamers using the social network to get their daily farming fix. What's most interesting is the finding that 28 percent of U.S. and UK-based social game fans have paid real money for virtual currency. This is leaps and bounds beyond usual the 3 to 5 percent figure thrown around to estimate the amount of paying social gamers
Keep in mind while reading this fancy-looking infographic that the term "social gamer" could mean anything from fans of free-to-play games like MapleStory to Facebook games and perhaps even mobile social games. At this point, what's important to take away is that social game fans could very well be the most diverse type of gamer from demographics to play habits.
What do you think of these new numbers compared to studies released in the past? Are you part of the 35 percent that has never played a traditional game before social games?
FarmVille Pic of the Day: Autumn arrives on Martrano's farm
Today's featured farm is a prime example of why I love the fall. After the hot summer, the cooler temperatures, the peaceful mood, and of course the colorful leaves are all a refreshing change. With its fall colors, its simple layout, and its Halloween-themed goodies, I think Martrano's farm perfectly embraces the changing of the seasons.
Best of all, Martrano provided a few extra images so we can all get a better look at the splendor of this FarmVille design. Obviously Martrano's most impressive feat is the staggering amount of trees on the farm. It must have taken months to collect the amount of trees for this design to be possible. But I think we can agree it was definitely worth it. But make sure you don't overlook the equally impressive gnome collection and the assortment of Halloween goodies to the south and north respectively.
Though Martrano wasn't available for comment, I'm sure this design took a huge amount of time. So do the farm artist a favor and take a closer look at this handsome FarmVille design below.
Click the images to make them larger!
farmville martrano featured farm halloween farmville martrano featured farm halloween
farmville martrano featured farm halloween farmville martrano featured farm halloween
Check out the rest of our Halloween coverage right here.
What do you think of Martrano's autumn farm?
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
Best of all, Martrano provided a few extra images so we can all get a better look at the splendor of this FarmVille design. Obviously Martrano's most impressive feat is the staggering amount of trees on the farm. It must have taken months to collect the amount of trees for this design to be possible. But I think we can agree it was definitely worth it. But make sure you don't overlook the equally impressive gnome collection and the assortment of Halloween goodies to the south and north respectively.
Though Martrano wasn't available for comment, I'm sure this design took a huge amount of time. So do the farm artist a favor and take a closer look at this handsome FarmVille design below.
Click the images to make them larger!
farmville martrano featured farm halloween farmville martrano featured farm halloween
farmville martrano featured farm halloween farmville martrano featured farm halloween
Check out the rest of our Halloween coverage right here.
What do you think of Martrano's autumn farm?
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
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