Now, why wasn't Gerard Butler hired to make this announcement? It seems as if the first phase of Facebook's Project Spartan is underway, as several HTML5--a relatively new coding language for the web--games and apps were announced on the Facebook Developer's Blog today. Zynga will launch FarmVille Express, Texas HoldEm Poker and Words with Friends to Facebook for mobile browsers tomorrow, but is joined by a number of games by big time developers.
Joining Zynga are Wooga with Magic Land: Island (a mobile extension of its most recent Facebook game), Moblyng with Social Poker Live and Word Racer Live and Storm8 with three releases: World War, iMobsters and Vampires Live. While the three Zynga games will be playable tomorrow, these six games are playable through Facebook on mobile browsers like Safari for iPhone or iPad right now.
We imagine Zynga will formally announce these three HTML5-powered games tomorrow at its Zynga Unleashed news event. Facebook just let one big cat out of the bag, revealing that EA too plans on releasing mobile browser games through the social network. (According to All Things Digital, that will start with an HTML5 version of The Sims Social.) All of these games support Facebook Credits, confirming earlier rumors, as well as all app-related Facebook Social Channels like Bookmarks, Requests and interactive News Feed posts.
Magic Land: Island
This means that users can answer both direct and News Feed requests for their favorite Facebook games through either the mobile web version of Facebook or the native Facebook app for iPhone and iPad (which launched today). Clicking on a Game Request or Bookmark through either form of Facebook will launch the relevant app should it exist and you have it installed.
This is a huge step forward for HTML5-based social games, especially considering Zynga's mobile head recently seemed not-so-bullish on the HTML5 movement in social games. And based on some brief time with Magic Land: Island, I can say that mobile browser-based gaming seems to have come a long way in the blink of an eye. Stay tuned tomorrow for more news from Zynga that will likely revolve around this huge if inadvertent announcement.
Are you excited at the chance to play lighter versions or companions to your favorite Facebook games through your phone's browser? What do you think of the HTML5 game movement generally?
Thứ Tư, 22 tháng 2, 2012
Top 25 Facebook Games - October 2011: FarmVille falls even further
Things are just not looking up in the world of digital agriculture. This month, FarmVille gets knocked down yet another spot to fourth place with nearly 35.4 million monthly players, ousted by Zynga's brand new Adventure World. Admittedly, we were afraid of what would happen to the Zynga Boston debut given its terribly slow start, but it has amassed 35.7 million monthly players. (Keep in mind that FarmVille still has more daily players than Adventure World.)
The massive developer's two most popular Facebook games are now CityVille--still at number one with 74.6 million monthly players--and Adventure World in third place. That leaves The Sims Social, arguably the biggest upset in Facebook gaming since, well, Zynga first beat itself at its own game, trailing close behind at number two with 66.5 million monthly players. Many wonder whether EA's wildly successful Facebook game can completely beat Zynga, and at the moment it seems to have peaked, according to AppData.
Top 25 Facebook Games October
Aside from FarmVille seemingly nearing the end of its life on top despite even a new expansion, Lighthouse Cove, it looks like Zynga's most threatening competitors are solidifying their positions. As games like Gaia Online's Monster Galaxy drop over 10 places from the list completely and Cie Games's Car Town are knocked from the list one a few of the little guys remain. Ninja Saga hangs tight on the list, dropping one spot to 23rd place with 5.9 million players, while Social Point makes a major dent in the charts with Social Empires gaining over 2 million players to hit the 18 spot.
Other than Playtika's Slotomania at number 19 and King.com even bumping one spot up to 20th place with Bubble Saga, it's important to notice what's happening here. Aside from a few strong and likely savvy smaller developers, the Top 25 is slowly becoming dominated by the biggest names in social gaming. The giants of Facebook gaming are asserting their supremacy just as they did in the traditional games space, and it's likely only going to get harder for indie creators to find this level of success on Facebook. Hey, there's always Google+ Games, right?
[Source and Image Credit: Inside Social Games]
Do you think FarmVille has seen it's best days already? Do you think new independent developers still have a chance at hitting the Top 25?
The massive developer's two most popular Facebook games are now CityVille--still at number one with 74.6 million monthly players--and Adventure World in third place. That leaves The Sims Social, arguably the biggest upset in Facebook gaming since, well, Zynga first beat itself at its own game, trailing close behind at number two with 66.5 million monthly players. Many wonder whether EA's wildly successful Facebook game can completely beat Zynga, and at the moment it seems to have peaked, according to AppData.
Top 25 Facebook Games October
Aside from FarmVille seemingly nearing the end of its life on top despite even a new expansion, Lighthouse Cove, it looks like Zynga's most threatening competitors are solidifying their positions. As games like Gaia Online's Monster Galaxy drop over 10 places from the list completely and Cie Games's Car Town are knocked from the list one a few of the little guys remain. Ninja Saga hangs tight on the list, dropping one spot to 23rd place with 5.9 million players, while Social Point makes a major dent in the charts with Social Empires gaining over 2 million players to hit the 18 spot.
Other than Playtika's Slotomania at number 19 and King.com even bumping one spot up to 20th place with Bubble Saga, it's important to notice what's happening here. Aside from a few strong and likely savvy smaller developers, the Top 25 is slowly becoming dominated by the biggest names in social gaming. The giants of Facebook gaming are asserting their supremacy just as they did in the traditional games space, and it's likely only going to get harder for indie creators to find this level of success on Facebook. Hey, there's always Google+ Games, right?
[Source and Image Credit: Inside Social Games]
Do you think FarmVille has seen it's best days already? Do you think new independent developers still have a chance at hitting the Top 25?
Zynga Unleashed: CEO Mark Pincus reveals Zynga Direct platform
Zynga broke big news about where the developer is headed today in San Francisco at its Unleashed news event. First, Zynga CEO Mark Pincus approached the stage and almost immediately said that 10 products will be announced today. The most notable of which is Zynga Direct, "a platform for a direct relationship with consumers," according to Pincus. This is likely what Pincus was referring to when he first uttered the words "dog-connected world."
Zynga later elaborated on what the company CEO called "Zynga Direct" with the announcement of Project Z, an "instant social" platform that is said to be the company's attempt at independence from Facebook. The codenamed project looks to connect players immediately through zTags, usernames for Zynga game players made possible through Facebook Connect.
Starting today, players can connect to Project Z through Facebook and reserve their zTags for when the service goes live officially. After claiming your zTag, you're rewarded with zCoins, implying that this service will integrate with Zynga's RewardVille program somehow.
Project Z
Nothing more was revealed about the service, but we're going to bet Zynga made this move in response to investors' fears that the company might be too reliant on Facebook. The service is still tethered to Facebook, but at least this is a step in that direction, especially ahead of Zynga's imminent initial public offering. In fact, Pincus even said, "We're committed to one vision, one mission that hasn't changed, it won't change. We want to be the biggest macro bet on social gaming."
[Source: Zynga (Twitter); Zynga (Blog)]
[Image Credit: Harry McCracken]
Have you signed up for your zTag yet through Project Z? What do you think this service will eventually do for independence from Facebook when it comes to Zynga games?
Zynga later elaborated on what the company CEO called "Zynga Direct" with the announcement of Project Z, an "instant social" platform that is said to be the company's attempt at independence from Facebook. The codenamed project looks to connect players immediately through zTags, usernames for Zynga game players made possible through Facebook Connect.
Starting today, players can connect to Project Z through Facebook and reserve their zTags for when the service goes live officially. After claiming your zTag, you're rewarded with zCoins, implying that this service will integrate with Zynga's RewardVille program somehow.
Project Z
Nothing more was revealed about the service, but we're going to bet Zynga made this move in response to investors' fears that the company might be too reliant on Facebook. The service is still tethered to Facebook, but at least this is a step in that direction, especially ahead of Zynga's imminent initial public offering. In fact, Pincus even said, "We're committed to one vision, one mission that hasn't changed, it won't change. We want to be the biggest macro bet on social gaming."
[Source: Zynga (Twitter); Zynga (Blog)]
[Image Credit: Harry McCracken]
Have you signed up for your zTag yet through Project Z? What do you think this service will eventually do for independence from Facebook when it comes to Zynga games?
Zynga Unleashed: CastleVille, Hidden Chronicles, Zynga Casino shown
Wow, Zynga's not messing around anymore, huh? The company's Unleashed event is going down as of this writing, and Zynga has announced a number of new games already including CastleVille, Hidden Chronicles and Zynga Casino among others. The first of which carries the torch for the 'Ville' franchise, according to Zynga Dallas creative director Bill Jackson.
Zynga later elaborated on the news of the three games on the company blog. CastleVille will feature a character known as Antonio, and is the first Zynga and first social game with a score recorded by a 75-piece orchestra, according to Jackson. The game, which doesn't yet have a release date, will take place in a medieval world that is, according to the developer, "the most beautiful game we've ever made."
CastleVille is said to adapt to the decisions you make and the characters you meet throughout the game. According to the announcement, players will uncover different items than their friends by simply making different decisions in the game. We've contacted Zynga to confirm whether this is the realization of the recently-revealed Kingdoms & Quests, or a new game entirely.
Hidden Chronicles
Hidden Chronicles, on the other hand, is Zynga's take on the growing hidden-object genre on Facebook that will "leverage social connections, and combine that with memory and skill," Zynga GM Roy Sehgal said. Players will uncover the mysteries of Ramsey Manor in this hidden-object game, and as they discover thousands of items they will be able to decorate and customize the manor. As for the game's social features, Zynga says players will be able to send each other challenge levels, gifts within levels and compare scores.
Zynga Bingo revealed
Zynga revealed Zynga Casino, which will be a collection of casino-style games within a single app, starting with Zynga Bingo, which Zynga Poker GM Lo Toney (pictured) displayed during the event. Eventually, players will find Zynga Poker within the overarching Zynga Casino Facebook app, and players will able to use chips earned in both games across either (sound familiar?). In addition to exchangeable currency between games, players will sit in themed rooms, and the company promises that it will be easier to find friends while they're playing.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga (Twitter); Zynga (Blog)]
Which of these three games are you most excited about playing? What type of news were you hoping to hear from Zynga today?
Zynga later elaborated on the news of the three games on the company blog. CastleVille will feature a character known as Antonio, and is the first Zynga and first social game with a score recorded by a 75-piece orchestra, according to Jackson. The game, which doesn't yet have a release date, will take place in a medieval world that is, according to the developer, "the most beautiful game we've ever made."
CastleVille is said to adapt to the decisions you make and the characters you meet throughout the game. According to the announcement, players will uncover different items than their friends by simply making different decisions in the game. We've contacted Zynga to confirm whether this is the realization of the recently-revealed Kingdoms & Quests, or a new game entirely.
Hidden Chronicles
Hidden Chronicles, on the other hand, is Zynga's take on the growing hidden-object genre on Facebook that will "leverage social connections, and combine that with memory and skill," Zynga GM Roy Sehgal said. Players will uncover the mysteries of Ramsey Manor in this hidden-object game, and as they discover thousands of items they will be able to decorate and customize the manor. As for the game's social features, Zynga says players will be able to send each other challenge levels, gifts within levels and compare scores.
Zynga Bingo revealed
Zynga revealed Zynga Casino, which will be a collection of casino-style games within a single app, starting with Zynga Bingo, which Zynga Poker GM Lo Toney (pictured) displayed during the event. Eventually, players will find Zynga Poker within the overarching Zynga Casino Facebook app, and players will able to use chips earned in both games across either (sound familiar?). In addition to exchangeable currency between games, players will sit in themed rooms, and the company promises that it will be easier to find friends while they're playing.
[Source and Image Credit: Zynga (Twitter); Zynga (Blog)]
Which of these three games are you most excited about playing? What type of news were you hoping to hear from Zynga today?
Zynga Unleashed: Dream Zoo for iOS, three HTML5 games confirmed
Seriously, who doesn't a cherry giraffe with lemon swirls? During its Unleashed news event today, Zynga's mobile head David Ko announced Dream Zoo for iOS devices, a brand new mobile game that's surprisingly not part of the rampant 'Ville' franchise. Dream Zoo is the company's first zoo-themed game in which players to maintain their own zoo and head out on safaris to find new species of weird critters.
According to the game's release trailer on Facebook, there will be over 1,000 animals to collect in Dream Zoo at launch, and players will be able to breed "champion" animals ... whatever that means. It appears that the game will at least allow players to feed and clean their friends' animals, but nothing more of the social features within Dream Zoo have been revealed. Of course, no pricing or release date has been announced yet. (Not even the studio working on the game has been mentioned.)
Zynga also confirmed that FarmVille Express, Words With Friends and Zynga Poker are available on Facebook through the mobile browser. Powered by HTML5, a relatively new web-development tool, the three games can be accessed through either of Facebook's mobile apps or through the mobile web version of the social network. Just in case there was any doubt, Zynga wrote in the announcement on the company blog, "To be clear, we're serious about mobile, and zoos."
[Source Zynga (Twitter); Zynga (Blog)]
Are you excited by Dream Zoo or the new HTML5 Zynga games at all? Which direction do you think Zynga should focus more on, or do you agree with its seemingly balanced approach?
According to the game's release trailer on Facebook, there will be over 1,000 animals to collect in Dream Zoo at launch, and players will be able to breed "champion" animals ... whatever that means. It appears that the game will at least allow players to feed and clean their friends' animals, but nothing more of the social features within Dream Zoo have been revealed. Of course, no pricing or release date has been announced yet. (Not even the studio working on the game has been mentioned.)
Zynga also confirmed that FarmVille Express, Words With Friends and Zynga Poker are available on Facebook through the mobile browser. Powered by HTML5, a relatively new web-development tool, the three games can be accessed through either of Facebook's mobile apps or through the mobile web version of the social network. Just in case there was any doubt, Zynga wrote in the announcement on the company blog, "To be clear, we're serious about mobile, and zoos."
[Source Zynga (Twitter); Zynga (Blog)]
Are you excited by Dream Zoo or the new HTML5 Zynga games at all? Which direction do you think Zynga should focus more on, or do you agree with its seemingly balanced approach?
Zynga Unleashed: Mafia Wars 2 busts a cap in Google+ Games
Given the intimate relationship between Zynga and Facebook, could this be considered cheating? During the company's Unleashed news event today in San Francisco, Mafia Wars 2 GM Erik Bethke announced that the game has launched on Google+ Games just a day after hitting Facebook. In addition to already being the first direct sequel to a Zynga game, this is the third Zynga game to be released on Facebook's new nemesis.
The game plays exactly as it does on Facebook ... only without your stable of Facebook friends to back up your turf. A move like this certainly attests to the legitimacy of Google+ as a social game platform, but it still lacks the scale that social gamers enjoy on Facebook. It seems that this dual-release approach could become a trend for Zynga, if only to shut up wary investors that question whether the company can grow beyond Facebook ahead of its initial public offering.
Gallery: Mafia Wars 2 on Facebook
Just weeks before this, Zynga released its most popular social game, CityVille, to Google+ Games. Now with three games on the competing platform, we can assume Zynga has found a loophole of sorts in its seemingly-exclusive deal with Facebook. Despite even the support of the largest social game creator in the world, we wonder whether Google+ Games can hang. It all boils down to one question: What does Google+ Games have that Facebook doesn't? Alright, aside from a lack of banner ads?
[Source: Zynga (Twitter); Zynga (Blog)]
Would you rather play Mafia Wars 2 on Facebook or on Google+ Games? Do you think the support of major developers like Zynga will help Google's gaming platform take off?
The game plays exactly as it does on Facebook ... only without your stable of Facebook friends to back up your turf. A move like this certainly attests to the legitimacy of Google+ as a social game platform, but it still lacks the scale that social gamers enjoy on Facebook. It seems that this dual-release approach could become a trend for Zynga, if only to shut up wary investors that question whether the company can grow beyond Facebook ahead of its initial public offering.
Gallery: Mafia Wars 2 on Facebook
Just weeks before this, Zynga released its most popular social game, CityVille, to Google+ Games. Now with three games on the competing platform, we can assume Zynga has found a loophole of sorts in its seemingly-exclusive deal with Facebook. Despite even the support of the largest social game creator in the world, we wonder whether Google+ Games can hang. It all boils down to one question: What does Google+ Games have that Facebook doesn't? Alright, aside from a lack of banner ads?
[Source: Zynga (Twitter); Zynga (Blog)]
Would you rather play Mafia Wars 2 on Facebook or on Google+ Games? Do you think the support of major developers like Zynga will help Google's gaming platform take off?
Thứ Bảy, 18 tháng 2, 2012
Bug Village is the third game on Google+ that isn't on Facebook
And if you even try to say Sudoku Puzzles counts, we're no longer friends. Glu Mobile has announced that its iOS and Android village-builder Bug Village has hit Google+, and it's the first of many to hit Google's social games platform in the coming months. Bug Village is essentially CityVille, but with insects rather than humans: Players decorate and manage a colony of bugs.
And that's about all you need to know, as upon first attempt at loading Bug Village, this writer's entire computer choked up. It looks like Glu Mobile and developer Mandreel have some ... bugs to work out. (Hey, you lob 'em, and we'll go for the fences.) Regardless, the publisher appears bullish on Google+ as a viable social games platform.
"Glu is committed to Google and connecting with gamers around the world in new ways. Google+ has already demonstrated momentum as an intuitive social platform," Glu Mobile CEO Niccolo de Masi said in a release. "We are excited to offer Bug Village on Google+ and look forward to introducing additional titles."
When the game finally does load, you'll likely be impressed by its 3D graphics and fun animations. (Though, we're not sure system-locking load sessions are worth that.) And the above screen is what you'll be looking at for the next hour, if you don't want to pay up. A gut reaction, sure, but having to wait an hour before for something to finish immediately upon starting the game is not the best first-time player experience.
Bug Village in action
Google+ seems to have had trouble gaining steam with its games platform, but has recently garnered support from successful social game developers including Digital Chocolate, Vostu and Spry Fox. However, it's going to take a lot more than simply more games, if Google wants to compete on Facebook's level in the games space.
Click here to play Bug Village on Google+ Now (if you want) >
Have you tried Bug Village on your mobile devices before? What do you think Google+ needs to really compete with Facebook in games?
And that's about all you need to know, as upon first attempt at loading Bug Village, this writer's entire computer choked up. It looks like Glu Mobile and developer Mandreel have some ... bugs to work out. (Hey, you lob 'em, and we'll go for the fences.) Regardless, the publisher appears bullish on Google+ as a viable social games platform.
"Glu is committed to Google and connecting with gamers around the world in new ways. Google+ has already demonstrated momentum as an intuitive social platform," Glu Mobile CEO Niccolo de Masi said in a release. "We are excited to offer Bug Village on Google+ and look forward to introducing additional titles."
When the game finally does load, you'll likely be impressed by its 3D graphics and fun animations. (Though, we're not sure system-locking load sessions are worth that.) And the above screen is what you'll be looking at for the next hour, if you don't want to pay up. A gut reaction, sure, but having to wait an hour before for something to finish immediately upon starting the game is not the best first-time player experience.
Bug Village in action
Google+ seems to have had trouble gaining steam with its games platform, but has recently garnered support from successful social game developers including Digital Chocolate, Vostu and Spry Fox. However, it's going to take a lot more than simply more games, if Google wants to compete on Facebook's level in the games space.
Click here to play Bug Village on Google+ Now (if you want) >
Have you tried Bug Village on your mobile devices before? What do you think Google+ needs to really compete with Facebook in games?
Zynga has more people working on new games than existing ones
So, that's what happened to Mafia Wars 2, eh? Let's not jump ahead of ourselves, but that's what Zynga COO John Schappert is telling potential investors as the company begins its IPO (initial public offering) road show. The company posted a video of the same presentation it is putting on for investors across the country--all 30 minutes of 51 mind-numbingly boring slides.
But there are some juicy bits to the talk provided by Zynga CEO Mark Pincus, Schappert and CFO David Wehner. (The video, which you can find here, is worth watching to see Mark Pincus talking to a teleprompter alone.) For one, five of the FarmVille maker's top executives come from second place competitor EA. And that doesn't even include former EA CCO Bing Gordon, who now serves on the social game giant's board.
After Pincus talked up his company's top games, Schappert took the stage and revealed that Zynga's games are only about one-quarter finished before they launch. This may be common knowledge to some players (ahem, FarmVille's beta period), but to hear that releasing technically unfinished games is part of the developer's core strategy is nevertheless surprising.
Later, Schappert dropped this bomb: The company has more people working on new games than existing ones. In other words, the developer has more staff focusing on games like CastleVille and upcoming games like Zynga Casino and Hidden Chronicles than, say, FarmVille and Mafia Wars and Zynga Poker.
Zynga execs
Granted, the company has nearly 3,000 employees, but it's odd to hear that the company is more worried about its new games than it is the games that have historically made it the most money--$1.5 billion in revenue in the past four years, to be exact. With games like Pioneer Trail and Mafia Wars 2 in decline, it makes one wonder exactly where the line between "new game" and "existing game" is drawn within Zynga.
Do you think this is where Zynga should be focusing the majority of its attention? Could this be the reason why games like Pioneer Trail are suffering
But there are some juicy bits to the talk provided by Zynga CEO Mark Pincus, Schappert and CFO David Wehner. (The video, which you can find here, is worth watching to see Mark Pincus talking to a teleprompter alone.) For one, five of the FarmVille maker's top executives come from second place competitor EA. And that doesn't even include former EA CCO Bing Gordon, who now serves on the social game giant's board.
After Pincus talked up his company's top games, Schappert took the stage and revealed that Zynga's games are only about one-quarter finished before they launch. This may be common knowledge to some players (ahem, FarmVille's beta period), but to hear that releasing technically unfinished games is part of the developer's core strategy is nevertheless surprising.
Later, Schappert dropped this bomb: The company has more people working on new games than existing ones. In other words, the developer has more staff focusing on games like CastleVille and upcoming games like Zynga Casino and Hidden Chronicles than, say, FarmVille and Mafia Wars and Zynga Poker.
Zynga execs
Granted, the company has nearly 3,000 employees, but it's odd to hear that the company is more worried about its new games than it is the games that have historically made it the most money--$1.5 billion in revenue in the past four years, to be exact. With games like Pioneer Trail and Mafia Wars 2 in decline, it makes one wonder exactly where the line between "new game" and "existing game" is drawn within Zynga.
Do you think this is where Zynga should be focusing the majority of its attention? Could this be the reason why games like Pioneer Trail are suffering
Sims Medieval for iPhone: Now available for the low price of free
It's time get Medieval, Sims-style, and, today, you can do it for free. The Sims Medieval for iPhone lets you create a virtual hero and then take on a series of medieval era quests, like dueling or... wizardry! The game normally costs $4.99 and until midnight (EST) tonight, you can snag it for free. As in nada, zilch, zip.
This deal is the first of many EA Mobile's new Daily Deals program, which kicks off today through January 2, and iOS and Android games will be offered for free or at a steep discount. Deals change daily and run from 9 a.m. PST 12 p.m. EST, and you can check EA's Daily Deals site, well, daily to see what other deep discounts await.
In addition to this Sims game aimed at renaissance fair regulars, the driving game Shift 2 Unleashed for iPhone and iPad are also free today. Battlefield Bad Company 2 for iPad is 50% off and NBA Jam for iPad is 60% off. It's not a bad way to build your mobile phone gaming library without breaking the bank.
Watch your back, Nintendo: GREE doesn't want just a http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1349210798348408197#editor/target=post;postID=5268929416412465297piece of your pie
The Japan-based mobile social games company wants all of it. That's essentially what the company's founder and CEO, Yoshikazu Tanaka, told TechCrunch during its Disrupt event in Tokyo recently. The GREE chief told TechCrunch that most of the company's revenue comes from its Japanese audience, but that it hopes to follow Nintendo's example in creating a massive global audience.
But Tanaka isn't happy with just following Nintendo, he looks to displace the veteran games maker. He told the news outlet that he wouldn't surprised to see GREE's revenue in the West jump to four to five times of what it is in Asian within the next five years. "We definitely feel positive, and our goal is to make sure our brand is just as successful, if not better than Nintendo."
Nintendo is infamous for its unwillingness to enter the mobile games market through iOS or Android. While the company does plan to release an iOS version of its eShop (the downloadable games store on the 3DS), it simply refuses to create games for mobile phones. This is despite numerous studies suggesting otherwise and even investors clamoring for Nintendo games on iPhone.
Nintendo did, however, manage to sell more 3DS consoles in its first eight months on the market than the original DS system sold in one year. Perhaps there's still interest in a handheld device dedicated to gaming, but you could also chalk these immense sales up to the devices' price cut over the summer and a terribly strong Black Friday. Regardless, the mobile gaming world is after Nintendo, which leaves us wondering whether its stern strategy can withstand the onslaught.
Could GREE eventually overtake Nintendo through its mobile social games network? Can Nintendo continue to dominate the mobile gaming space with its current strategy?
But Tanaka isn't happy with just following Nintendo, he looks to displace the veteran games maker. He told the news outlet that he wouldn't surprised to see GREE's revenue in the West jump to four to five times of what it is in Asian within the next five years. "We definitely feel positive, and our goal is to make sure our brand is just as successful, if not better than Nintendo."
Nintendo is infamous for its unwillingness to enter the mobile games market through iOS or Android. While the company does plan to release an iOS version of its eShop (the downloadable games store on the 3DS), it simply refuses to create games for mobile phones. This is despite numerous studies suggesting otherwise and even investors clamoring for Nintendo games on iPhone.
Nintendo did, however, manage to sell more 3DS consoles in its first eight months on the market than the original DS system sold in one year. Perhaps there's still interest in a handheld device dedicated to gaming, but you could also chalk these immense sales up to the devices' price cut over the summer and a terribly strong Black Friday. Regardless, the mobile gaming world is after Nintendo, which leaves us wondering whether its stern strategy can withstand the onslaught.
Could GREE eventually overtake Nintendo through its mobile social games network? Can Nintendo continue to dominate the mobile gaming space with its current strategy?
Facebook gaming's fat cats will only get fatter, unfortunately
Companies like Zynga and EA (with the help of Playfish and PopCap) have long dominated the Facebook game scene. Sadly, it looks like that's not going to change anytime soon, according to a report released by Lazard Capital Markets. Basically, the report comes to the conclusion that, because they've already achieved critical mass, Zynga and EA will continue to rule Facebook games.
The report is based on meetings with six privately-held social game makers, including CrowdStar, Digital Chocolate, Funzio, HeyZap, IGG, and Tapjoy, according to All Facebook. "We acknowledge that toughening competition on Facebook could constrain margins and is generally negative for the space; however," the report reads, "we believe that rising user acquisition costs could be relatively positive for companies like Zynga and Electronic Arts that have already built large user bases on Facebook and disproportionately benefit from network effect and, therefore, may have an advantage over the newer companies in the space."
In other words, Zynga and EA will always competitive advantage over even relatively large companies like CrowdStar simply due to the fact that these companies already have created massive internal networks of players. This is exactly why no other company could release a game that amasses 5 million players in six days like CastleVille. The smaller developers' response?
Look elsewhere, basically. But when the majority of social gamers hang out on Facebook, where else is there to look? It's quite the predicament that the industry faces, especially considering the implications it could have as far as creativity is concerned on the platform. Developers will continue to create games that attempt to emulate Zynga and EA's wild success, and the copycat syndrome will persist. If the indie's time on Facebook is over, then all the hope we have for successful games that test the limits of the genre is for the players to grow tired of 'Ville after 'Ville.
Are you sick of the current stable of popular Facebook games? What new approaches or genres would you like to see on Facebook?
The report is based on meetings with six privately-held social game makers, including CrowdStar, Digital Chocolate, Funzio, HeyZap, IGG, and Tapjoy, according to All Facebook. "We acknowledge that toughening competition on Facebook could constrain margins and is generally negative for the space; however," the report reads, "we believe that rising user acquisition costs could be relatively positive for companies like Zynga and Electronic Arts that have already built large user bases on Facebook and disproportionately benefit from network effect and, therefore, may have an advantage over the newer companies in the space."
In other words, Zynga and EA will always competitive advantage over even relatively large companies like CrowdStar simply due to the fact that these companies already have created massive internal networks of players. This is exactly why no other company could release a game that amasses 5 million players in six days like CastleVille. The smaller developers' response?
Look elsewhere, basically. But when the majority of social gamers hang out on Facebook, where else is there to look? It's quite the predicament that the industry faces, especially considering the implications it could have as far as creativity is concerned on the platform. Developers will continue to create games that attempt to emulate Zynga and EA's wild success, and the copycat syndrome will persist. If the indie's time on Facebook is over, then all the hope we have for successful games that test the limits of the genre is for the players to grow tired of 'Ville after 'Ville.
Are you sick of the current stable of popular Facebook games? What new approaches or genres would you like to see on Facebook?
Microsoft wants the Xbox 360 to be the only box underneath your TV
If you have an Xbox 360 in the house--and based on Black Friday, chances are you do--Microsoft wants that light shining a green glow for a long as possible. The imminent update to the Xbox 360 Dashboard (coming Dec. 6) will add more social and more entertainment options than you can shake a stick at, and no, we're not just talking faster ways to get to the shooting or stabbing.
We're talking more reasons to keep the system on even when the Call of Duty fan in the house needs a break. Sometime in December, the Xbox 360 will get a YouTube app that allows users to view all the cat videos they can take in one sitting. The console will also, soon after the update, gain access to content available on Comcast's Xfinity On Demand and 26 live cable channels through Verizon FiOS TV, though we imagine they're for subscribers only. (Prove us wrong, folks?)
Xbox 360 Verizon FiOS TV
"We think you're going to use one device for movies, music and games in the future," GM of Xbox Live entertainment and advertising Ross Honey told VentureBeat. "We want to make the content accessible and enhance the actual experience. We think you will will want to watch it on Xbox as it is more social and more personal."
According to Microsoft, Xbox 360 users are watching two hours worth of video content daily on the console, and the company wants that figure to increase. In addition to an updated Hulu Plus, the Xbox 360 will allows users to watch ESPN and Epix on their consoles starting tomorrow. Later on in December, users will score access to Crackle, Dailymotion, iHeartRadio, MSNBC.com, UFC , TMZ and more. And that's on top of social features like Beacons. Better put that family Xbox somewhere with lots--and we mean lots--of air flow.
Will you end up using your family's Xbox 360 more when these entertainment features hit? Could you ever unplug from cable providers and rely on something like the Xbox for all entertainment?
We're talking more reasons to keep the system on even when the Call of Duty fan in the house needs a break. Sometime in December, the Xbox 360 will get a YouTube app that allows users to view all the cat videos they can take in one sitting. The console will also, soon after the update, gain access to content available on Comcast's Xfinity On Demand and 26 live cable channels through Verizon FiOS TV, though we imagine they're for subscribers only. (Prove us wrong, folks?)
Xbox 360 Verizon FiOS TV
"We think you're going to use one device for movies, music and games in the future," GM of Xbox Live entertainment and advertising Ross Honey told VentureBeat. "We want to make the content accessible and enhance the actual experience. We think you will will want to watch it on Xbox as it is more social and more personal."
According to Microsoft, Xbox 360 users are watching two hours worth of video content daily on the console, and the company wants that figure to increase. In addition to an updated Hulu Plus, the Xbox 360 will allows users to watch ESPN and Epix on their consoles starting tomorrow. Later on in December, users will score access to Crackle, Dailymotion, iHeartRadio, MSNBC.com, UFC , TMZ and more. And that's on top of social features like Beacons. Better put that family Xbox somewhere with lots--and we mean lots--of air flow.
Will you end up using your family's Xbox 360 more when these entertainment features hit? Could you ever unplug from cable providers and rely on something like the Xbox for all entertainment?
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