Facebook strategy games match PC quality ... from back in the day

"We see the emergence now of companies on Facebook who are building what they'd call a core game," Facebook games platform head Gareth Davis said to GamesIndustry.biz in an interview. "Games targeted at people who played PC games back in the day, strategy games. They're at the quality level now of those PC games."

Considering these games are being created in 2011, we're not sure whether that's a compliment or a complaint. This isn't to say that games like Kixeye's War Commander or Edgeworld by Kabam aren't impressive in their own right. However, if Davis is referring to classic real-time strategy games for the PC like StarCraft and Command & Conquer--you know, games that allowed for real-time multiplayer matchmaking and control of individual units on the battlefield--then we'd have to disagree.

Davis's ultimate point is that new genres are blooming in the Facebook games space for growing niche audiences, like hardcore strategy gamers (from the late '90s?). Jokes aside, new niches in Facebook games are certainly cropping up, and that can only mean more diversity from the tired FarmVille formula. For instance, Entertainment Games is aiming directly at our parents with its first Facebook game, Retro World.

"So we're seeing this broadening now of the kinds of games and audiences and you can be very successful, creating different types of games and you can make a lot of money doing it," Davis told GI.biz. "We're seeing a real maturing of the eco-system as people figure out the right opportunities and go after them." If this means an end to the rampant propagation of the 'Ville species, then count us in.

[Via IndustryGamers]

Do you think strategy games on Facebook come close to the classics? What other niches do you think Facebook games could cater to?

Bejeweled 2 to bedazzle Kindle Fire along with Scrabble, Monopoly et al

The Kindle Fire could approach "Blazing Speed" before it's even released. (Get it? No? Ah, never mind.) EA Mobile has announced that a number of its mobile social game properties (and one rather "hardcore" game) have been pushed to the Amazon Appstore for Android and optimized for the upcoming Kindle Fire tablet.

Namely Bejeweled 2, Monopoly, The Game of Life and Scrabble will be available when the Kindle Fire launches. But those three games are also joined by Tetris (which is damn near everywhere) and survival horror hit Dead Space. When Zynga announced that Words With Friends would hit the Kindle Fire, we wondered whether that was a sign that the device might be hot on social gaming.

Now that versions of two of the most addictive Facebook games to date will be featured on Kindle Fire, we're certainly getting warmer. No, wait, that's just our credit cards burning holes in our wallets.

"EA is proud to be part of Kindle Fire," EA's Bernard Kim said, according to Social Times. "On Kindle Fire, we're offering some of the world's most popular titles with incredible gameplay and breathtaking graphics that anyone can play and enjoy anytime, anywhere." Does "incredible graphics" mean we'll finally get to see those wooden word tiles in HD, grains and all?

Do you plan on picking up a Kindle Fire when it releases? Could the device prove to be a hotbed for mobile social gaming like the iOS lineup has?

The Sims Social: Bathe, drink and hit the head with new Dr Pepper decor

Now your Sim can take a refreshing dump using an official Dr Pepper toilet in The Sims Social (pictured right). We're not sure what poor soul was asked to write the copy for this item, but here's what he or she came up with: "Dr Pepper Toilet -- Proof that Dr Pepper really does make absolutely anything better." Maybe afterwards, you can flush that Dr Pepper toilet with some Coca-Cola for a quick clean-up.

Part of a 7-piece furniture set, the toilet and the other DLC goodies can be gotten by nabbing codes from specially marked Dr Pepper products and registering them on the promotions page of the Dr Pepper website. (Note: You don't need to register with the same email address as the one for your Facebook account for this to work.) The other six pieces are: Dr Pepper Bath, Dr Pepper Fridge, Dr Pepper Wheel Bench, Dr Pepper Clock, Dr Pepper Mirror, and Dr Pepper Sink.

Keep in mind, one code only gets you one item. Codes need to be gathered by the end of this year and redeemed by the end of next January. Each code should be twelve letters total and make sure there's no spaces between the letters when you submit or it might not enter. Once that goes through, head to My Account and click on the "Get Prize" link. If you don't like the Toilet, you can set it up to grab your 475 House Value Points, and then sell it for 62 Simoleons.
The Sims Social Dr Pepper items
This also isn't the first time Playfish and EA has partnered with the soda giant. Dr Pepper took center stage in Restaurant City last year for a 1950s nostalgia celebration, which is probably why they've been left out this time, even though Pet Society is in on it too. Also, whereas that promotion had items open to everyone, this one requires a bit more work and is only available to US players. Not that this has stopped overseas fans from paying US players for the codes. While that level of dedication is remarkable, caveat emptor!

Are these free items enough to make you buy Dr Pepper? Which Dr Pepper item in The Sims Social would you most like to own?

Thanksgiving Guide: FarmVille, Pioneer Trail, The Sims Social & More

Next up in the holiday 2011 lineup is Thanksgiving! Hot on Halloween's heels, this festive feast holiday brings on the brisk weather and kicks off that cozy winter feeling. But family bonding and delicious food aren't all Thanksgiving 2011 has to offer. As usual, Thanksgiving items are appearing in all your favorite Facebook games such as FarmVille, Pioneer Trail, The Sims Social, and more! So to see all the latest Thanksgiving updates, features, and goodies; check out our complete Thanksgiving Guide for FarmVille, Pioneer Trail, The Sims Social, and more below!

Make sure to check out the Ultimate Black Friday Deal Guide for social & casual gamers.

Jump to:
FarmVille Thanksgiving | Pioneer Trail Thanksgiving
Cafe World Thanksgiving | CityVille Thanksgiving
Other Thanksgiving Updates

FarmVille Thanksgiving

    FarmVille: Double Mastery on now for Thanksgiving celebration
    FarmVille Mystery Game (11/20/11): Thanksgiving animals and decorations celebrate Turkey Day
    FarmVille Thanksgiving Items: Sheep Balloon, Pilgrim Chicken and more
    FarmVille Harvest Bonfire Goals: Everything you need to now
    FarmVille Harvest Bonfire Thanksgiving Basket: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Lighthouse Cove Thanksgiving Goals: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille: Purchase a Zynga Game Card from 7-Eleven, receive Cornucopia Home
    FarmVille Harvest Hoedown Goals: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Harvest Hoedown: Everything you need to know



FrontierVille Pioneer Trail Thanksgiving

    Pioneer Trail Thanksgiving Animal Collection: Collect feathers for six new animals
    Pioneer Trail Gravy Train Meals: Everything you need to know
    Pioneer Trail Thanksgiving Feast: Everything you need to know



cafe world thanksgiving
Cafe World

    Cafe World Fall Feast Event: Everything you need to know



cityville thanksgiving
CityVille

    CityVille Harvest Festival Timed Goal: Everything you need to know



The Sims Social Thanksgiving

    Coming Soon



facebook games thanksgiving
Other Thanksgiving Updates

    Turkeys go on Thanksgiving vacay in Island Paradise, or do they?
    Black Friday doorbusters: Coming to an online game near you?
    Empires & Allies Turkey Turmoil Mini Series: Everything you need to know
    Gardens of Time celebrates Thanksgiving with three premium scenes
    Forget the Black Friday rush, give the gift of Zynga stock [Report]



Which is your favorite Thanksgiving update?

FarmVille's creator: Making a great game is 'like making a cake'

Wait, so this is the analogy behind making a multi-billion dollar game franchise? When asked what makes a great game by The Times of India during his first visit to the country, FarmVille maker Mark Skaggs said, "Think of it like making a cake. You have to get the right ingredients - in this case the art, the technology, the music and the game play. And like a chef, put it all together in the right way."

Skaggs, who serves as Zynga's head of product, is also credited as the mind behind CityVille. That said, the EA veteran is arguably the driving force behind the two best performing social games of all time. So, the guy has to be onto something, right?

"You need art that makes people feel it's inviting and attractive," Skaggs told Times of India. "Music and audio gives you the sense of space and reality. The game play (the rules of play, why something moves in a particular way, how interactions happen etc) determines whether you have fun playing it or whether you get bored." (So says the man behind the main source of inspiration for designer Ian Bogost's Cow Clicker.)

Skaggs went on to praise India for its talent, revealing that a whopping 200 of Zynga's employees are based in the country. Better yet, the man who birthed the 'Ville franchise said that original, global Zynga games developed in India are coming soon. Let's just hope those developers aren't taking Skaggs's analogy to heart--we already have enough of those games.

What do you think of Skaggs's approach to explaining how great games are made? Do you think Skaggs's two primary contributions to Zynga are "great games?"

FarmVille: Zynga confirms Winter Wonderland farm with new sreenshot

While many farmers didn't believe it, or perhaps just didn't want to think of all of the work it would bring, Zynga has officially confirmed that a new, fourth farm will be released in FarmVille. This "Winter Wonderland" farm hasn't been given an official release date, but we do know more about it, thanks to a screenshot posted by the big Z on the FarmVille fan page.

We've learned that this fourth farm will be incredibly similar to Lighthouse Cove, in that it will have a Train Station that needs to be "rebuilt," after what looks to be some kind of avalanche. While I wouldn't be surprised if you'll be limited to the amount of crops you can plant here as well, that also hasn't been confirmed / denied. Here's the full word from Zynga:

"Oh no! Winter Wonderland is covered in Snow! Help restore this icy magical escape: Rebuild the train station, master new animals and crops, and complete the ultimate snowy farming experience in FarmVille's Winter Wonderland! Coming soon!"

As for some of those new crops? Check out our sneak peek at a few we expect to launch alongside with this new farm - yay for Peppermint Candies and Frozen Strawberries! Personally, I think I'm going to have a pretty hard time containing myself once this farm launches. A Winter / Christmas themed farm? Where's my wallet!? Actually, a better question: Will transferable storage come to this farm, so that we can bring our Christmas / winter items over? Please, Zynga, let it be so!

Are you excited to see Winter Wonderland launch in FarmVille? If we're allowed, will you bring over your existing Winter / Christmas themed items to this new farm, or will you continue to decorate your Home Farm for Christmas instead?

Pioneer Trail Stolen Flames Timed Goal: Everything you need to know

If you're running out of things to do in Pioneer Trail (sometimes I wish I were that lucky), and you have a few days to dedicate to a new Timed Goal, you'll be happy to know that you can now do just that, as a cute golden roadrunner has come to the game, and will work with you to bring fire and warmth back to your Homestead's animals, so that they can survive the cold winter nights ahead.

You'll have seven days to complete this goal once you manually start it on your Homestead, and you must start it before December 10, when the goal expires. You'll need to be at least level 8 to access this goal, but since you're probably long past that point, let's go ahead and take a look at what this goal requires:

Clear 10 Rocks
Chop Trees 40 Times
Ask for 15 Flaming Branches

Ok, pioneers, before you panic, let's clear up this tree issue. You won't need to chop down 40 full trees; rather, you'll just need to chop into trees 40 different times. If you don't have very many trees currently growing on your Homestead, you can purchase saplings for a few hundred coins each from the store and then immediately clear them for one chop each. Time consuming and a bit pricey, yes - difficult, no. As for the Flaming Branches, you'll need to ask your friends to send them to you.

Once you finish this goal (again, you'll have seven days to get that done), you'll receive a Roadrunner animal, 1,000 coins and 1,000 XP. Hopefully then your animals will have plenty of warmth, even if it's just body heat, to be able to survive the cold days ahead!

What do you think of this newest timed goal in Pioneer Trail? Do you wish you could access unlimited Roadrunners, or is just one enough for you?