Tattoo City closed
Today, Tattoo City announced to its players that it will be closing down for good on December 1, 2010. The game was developed by Wonderhill, which were recently acquired by Kabam (formerly Watercooler Inc.) this month. We did a mini-review of the game in September, and found it to be a decent game with some chances for encouraging user creativity.
This shutdown is most likely in direct response to Kabam announcing a new focus on developing strategy games similar to their game Kingdoms of Camelot. Recently, Watercooler had released their first strategy game in Dragons of Atlantis, and both companies had enough similarities that it made sense for them to work together. Tattoo City, being a more whimsical shop-owning game, did not fit the company's new direction towards hardcore games for new social game audiences.
Tattoo City peaked at an all-time high of 2.8 million MAU, and currently has 1.8 million. This is a respectable number that many games strive to achieve, but the game only has a daily active playerbase of around 40,000 which puts their DAU/MAU around 3. Good games are generally around 30. Clearly Tattoo City wasn't retaining players, which means it is unlikely that the game was bringing in enough revenue to justify having it around.
Want to check out Tattoo City before it closes? Play it on Facebook before it closes on December 1st.
Thứ Năm, 2 tháng 2, 2012
LOLapps begs fans to help save Critter Island
As reported earlier, Facebook has given LOLapps more than just a slap on the wrist, and have closed down access to viral channels for all of their applications except Ravenwood Fair. This is a significant blow, because it means that the game is not allowed to have neighbor invites, gifts, requests, and wall posts. If you've played any Facebook game, you know that these games literally revolve around these features. It's how they grow, it's how you interact with your friends in a social experience, it's how the game ends up making money. Instead of just sitting back and taking it, LOLapps are now encouraging their fans to help save Critter Island by "liking" a fan page called Restore Critter Island. This page tells visitors the following:
Critter Island's gift & neighbor requests and wall posts are currently unavailable. We're working with Facebook to restore them, and we could use your support. Please suggest this page to all of your Critter Island friends (and others).
After you've got everyone on board, head over and check out our new game, Ravenwood Fair - http://apps.facebook.com/ravenwoodfair - and keep your fingers crossed for the expedient return of Critter Island (well, maybe not crossed, that might make it hard to play, but you know what we mean).
Critter Island was just launched in August, and was the first full game that LOLapps released. LOLapps are clearly fighting back against Facebook, and are hoping that showing huge support for the game will cause Facebook to restore access to viral channels. Essentially, Critter Island is all but doomed if Facebook doesn't change their minds on this game. Do LOLapps believe they're not in the wrong? Or are they simply doing battle to help save their business?
Critter Island's gift & neighbor requests and wall posts are currently unavailable. We're working with Facebook to restore them, and we could use your support. Please suggest this page to all of your Critter Island friends (and others).
After you've got everyone on board, head over and check out our new game, Ravenwood Fair - http://apps.facebook.com/ravenwoodfair - and keep your fingers crossed for the expedient return of Critter Island (well, maybe not crossed, that might make it hard to play, but you know what we mean).
Critter Island was just launched in August, and was the first full game that LOLapps released. LOLapps are clearly fighting back against Facebook, and are hoping that showing huge support for the game will cause Facebook to restore access to viral channels. Essentially, Critter Island is all but doomed if Facebook doesn't change their minds on this game. Do LOLapps believe they're not in the wrong? Or are they simply doing battle to help save their business?
Thứ Tư, 1 tháng 2, 2012
Godfinger developer Ngmoco to create mobile gaming social network
Mobage Mobile
So, that's what they've been up to. San Francisco-based mobile games developer Ngmoco revealed today its first major project since being bought out by Japanese social gaming company DeNA for $403 million: Mobage, CNN reports. Pronounced "Moe-ba-gay,"Mobage will be the smartphone extension of DeNA's already successful Mobage Town mobile network in Japan, which is home to 20 million plus users.
We imagine Mobage will take advantage of the more powerful smartphones and according to Ngmoco CEO Neil Young (just a coincidence, folks), Mobage may allow for anonymity through user names. "Sometimes you don't want your friends and family knowing that you're playing these games every day," Young said to CNN.
And if you thought social gaming was huge in the U.S., take a trip to the Far East and see how it's fairing over there. DeNA claims that it might clear $1 billion in revenue this year alone, which would launch the company much farther than any American social games company in 2010. "It's hard for people in the West to get their heads around how big it is in Japan," Young said. "What's happening in Japan is really a blueprint for what's going to happen here."
Since Zynga recently hired a new mobile maestro, it's safe to assume that at least one U.S. company knows exactly what they're up against. I don't know about you, but I smell a Facebook wall fight of epic proportions in 2011.
So, that's what they've been up to. San Francisco-based mobile games developer Ngmoco revealed today its first major project since being bought out by Japanese social gaming company DeNA for $403 million: Mobage, CNN reports. Pronounced "Moe-ba-gay,"Mobage will be the smartphone extension of DeNA's already successful Mobage Town mobile network in Japan, which is home to 20 million plus users.
We imagine Mobage will take advantage of the more powerful smartphones and according to Ngmoco CEO Neil Young (just a coincidence, folks), Mobage may allow for anonymity through user names. "Sometimes you don't want your friends and family knowing that you're playing these games every day," Young said to CNN.
And if you thought social gaming was huge in the U.S., take a trip to the Far East and see how it's fairing over there. DeNA claims that it might clear $1 billion in revenue this year alone, which would launch the company much farther than any American social games company in 2010. "It's hard for people in the West to get their heads around how big it is in Japan," Young said. "What's happening in Japan is really a blueprint for what's going to happen here."
Since Zynga recently hired a new mobile maestro, it's safe to assume that at least one U.S. company knows exactly what they're up against. I don't know about you, but I smell a Facebook wall fight of epic proportions in 2011.
Zynga, Playdom settle trade-secret theft legal battle, nobody fights fair
Playdom
Zynga settled a lawsuit and--surprise--they weren't the victims of it. Venture Beat reports that FarmVille creator Zynga and Playdom brought their year-long legal battle to an end today over some trade secrets that were allegedly stolen by former Zynga employees and used by Playdom to develop new games. According to Zynga, when four former employees went to join the enemy (well, one of the enemies), they took some of the company's secrets to success with them.
Zynga general counsel Reggie Davis said to Venture Beat, "The settlement reflects the very serious nature of the conduct involved, as reflected by the preliminary injunction, restraining orders, and contempt order issued by the Santa Clara Superior Court. We have great respect for Disney and are thankful that following its acquisition of Playdom, Disney resolved the matter to our satisfaction."
Raymond Holmes, David Rohrl, Martha Sapeta, and Scott Siegel, the former Zynga employees, allegedly took several secrets of their former boss's including "The Zynga Playbook," which contained the company's "secret sauce" for nearly dominating the social games arena for the past three years.
Playdom admitted that Zynga files, including an entire game idea, had been transferred to Playdom computers and used to compete with the company, Venture Beat reports. But it gets worse, Zynga alleges that Playdom actually hacked Zynga servers, stole data on 1.6 million Zynga Poker players and used that information to solicit its then-new Poker Palace game.
This legal struggle plainly displays the fact that in this nascent industry, companies are willing to do anything to make as much dough as possible. Though, Zynga doesn't fight as clean as this situation makes them appear to. Recently, it was reported by the San Francisco Chronicle that the company's founder and CEO "doesn't f**king want innovation" and that one of their many methods of success stems from copying common social gaming tropes and perfecting them. The question is, how long can this type of behavior sustain before it negatively affects the entire industry?
Zynga settled a lawsuit and--surprise--they weren't the victims of it. Venture Beat reports that FarmVille creator Zynga and Playdom brought their year-long legal battle to an end today over some trade secrets that were allegedly stolen by former Zynga employees and used by Playdom to develop new games. According to Zynga, when four former employees went to join the enemy (well, one of the enemies), they took some of the company's secrets to success with them.
Zynga general counsel Reggie Davis said to Venture Beat, "The settlement reflects the very serious nature of the conduct involved, as reflected by the preliminary injunction, restraining orders, and contempt order issued by the Santa Clara Superior Court. We have great respect for Disney and are thankful that following its acquisition of Playdom, Disney resolved the matter to our satisfaction."
Raymond Holmes, David Rohrl, Martha Sapeta, and Scott Siegel, the former Zynga employees, allegedly took several secrets of their former boss's including "The Zynga Playbook," which contained the company's "secret sauce" for nearly dominating the social games arena for the past three years.
Playdom admitted that Zynga files, including an entire game idea, had been transferred to Playdom computers and used to compete with the company, Venture Beat reports. But it gets worse, Zynga alleges that Playdom actually hacked Zynga servers, stole data on 1.6 million Zynga Poker players and used that information to solicit its then-new Poker Palace game.
This legal struggle plainly displays the fact that in this nascent industry, companies are willing to do anything to make as much dough as possible. Though, Zynga doesn't fight as clean as this situation makes them appear to. Recently, it was reported by the San Francisco Chronicle that the company's founder and CEO "doesn't f**king want innovation" and that one of their many methods of success stems from copying common social gaming tropes and perfecting them. The question is, how long can this type of behavior sustain before it negatively affects the entire industry?
Restaurant City: Master the 'Turducken' dish for a free 'Santa Marzipan'
If most of the words in the headline don't make sense, have no fear! Apparently, a 'turducken' is a dish where a chicken is stuffed inside a duck, which is then stuffed inside a turkey! And a 'marzipan' is a treat made of sugar and almond meal, which are often molded into fun, edible objects. Now Playfish has decided that it's going to honor Christopher Columbus by setting loose the 'Santa Marzipan' in honor of Columbus' real ship, the Santa Maria. And players can get the Santa Marzipan for free by cranking their Turducken to Level 10.
Check out the official word on the item: Christopher Cucumber's famous ship that traversed the seas can now be yours. Just look at her! Magnificent! Watch customers go inside and the animations begin! Effect: Earns 1600 Coins every 4 hours.
The Turducken requires 4 ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Duck, and Salt. We haven't seen the need for Duck since July's Duck Confit dish, when it was first introduced. No one's used Turkey in a long while either. But Chicken and Salt have been around since the PFC Bowling Alley.
Now that stuff was easily explained away, but the idea of Restaurant City celebrating Columbus Day during the Thanksgiving week is downright odd, because Columbus Day in America was held on October 12th. The only thread that ties the two holidays together is that Canada's Thanksgiving Day was also held on October 12th. But guys, it's nearly the end of November now!
Check out the official word on the item: Christopher Cucumber's famous ship that traversed the seas can now be yours. Just look at her! Magnificent! Watch customers go inside and the animations begin! Effect: Earns 1600 Coins every 4 hours.
The Turducken requires 4 ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Duck, and Salt. We haven't seen the need for Duck since July's Duck Confit dish, when it was first introduced. No one's used Turkey in a long while either. But Chicken and Salt have been around since the PFC Bowling Alley.
Now that stuff was easily explained away, but the idea of Restaurant City celebrating Columbus Day during the Thanksgiving week is downright odd, because Columbus Day in America was held on October 12th. The only thread that ties the two holidays together is that Canada's Thanksgiving Day was also held on October 12th. But guys, it's nearly the end of November now!
Game of the Day: Sushi Cat
The game of the day is here and it's fat and cute. Sushi Cat is a fun, silly, pachinko-esque fat cat flinging romp. Sushi Cat is lonely. Lonely and very hungry. Help Sushi Cat out by guiding him to as much sushi as possible. Watch him grow fat as he eats more and more sushi along his way. Fill up his belly to win.
Click here to play Sushi Cat -->
Click here to play Sushi Cat -->
PetVille: New collect 'em all turkeys for Thanksgiving
It's just about Turkey TIme, and PetVille is showing support for the American national holiday by offering a few more last minute Thanksgiving decorations. The biggest new addition is the seemingly endless set of turkeys - each with their own unique personalities and looks to them. There are also a few more exciting new items, so we'll take a peek at what is new.
The Happy Thanksgiving Sign costs 25 Pet Cash, and is a light-up sign with a speeding turkey on it. For the furry critter aficionados in all of us, the Raccoon in Tree costs 25 Pet Cash and is a cute decoration with a fall atmosphere to it. There is a Tree Swing for 14 Pet Cash, Plump Pumpkin Patch for 7,999 coins, Tree with Pond for 17 Pet Cash, Mr. Cob for 13 Pet Cash, and an Owl in Tree for 24 Pet Cash.
The turkeys are a riot, because there is a turkey for just about every mood. The Turkeys in Tree costs 39 Pet Cash, and comes with three turkeys sitting up in a tree. The other turkeys are:
Claire the Mad Turkey - 27 Pet Cash
Haley the Bathing Turkey - 34 Pet Cash
Wild Turkey Luke - 25 Pet Cash
Jay the Lounging Turkey - 44 Pet Cash
Gloria the Sunbathing Turkey - 39 Pet Cash
Mitchel the Relaxed Turkey - 46 Pet Cash
Manny the Dramatic Turkey - 28 Pet Cash
Phil the Pigskin Turkey - 25 Pet Cash
Mitchell the Worried Turkey - 28 Pet Cash
That just about does it for the PetVille fall and Thanksgiving decorations. Check out the Outdoor/Patio store to get your hands on these limited time items before they're gone.
The Happy Thanksgiving Sign costs 25 Pet Cash, and is a light-up sign with a speeding turkey on it. For the furry critter aficionados in all of us, the Raccoon in Tree costs 25 Pet Cash and is a cute decoration with a fall atmosphere to it. There is a Tree Swing for 14 Pet Cash, Plump Pumpkin Patch for 7,999 coins, Tree with Pond for 17 Pet Cash, Mr. Cob for 13 Pet Cash, and an Owl in Tree for 24 Pet Cash.
The turkeys are a riot, because there is a turkey for just about every mood. The Turkeys in Tree costs 39 Pet Cash, and comes with three turkeys sitting up in a tree. The other turkeys are:
Claire the Mad Turkey - 27 Pet Cash
Haley the Bathing Turkey - 34 Pet Cash
Wild Turkey Luke - 25 Pet Cash
Jay the Lounging Turkey - 44 Pet Cash
Gloria the Sunbathing Turkey - 39 Pet Cash
Mitchel the Relaxed Turkey - 46 Pet Cash
Manny the Dramatic Turkey - 28 Pet Cash
Phil the Pigskin Turkey - 25 Pet Cash
Mitchell the Worried Turkey - 28 Pet Cash
That just about does it for the PetVille fall and Thanksgiving decorations. Check out the Outdoor/Patio store to get your hands on these limited time items before they're gone.
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