This week in social games we kicked off with the announcement of a novel 3D Chicken racing game for Facebook called RocketBird 3D. We discussed how 1 in 5 social network users play social games, posted an interview with Errol Pinto about IGN’s new social content platform for gamers called ‘My IGN’, saw the release of a cubicle-like Farmville for the iPhone entitled ‘Office Heroes’, saw Digital Chocolate’s lawsuit against Zynga, revealed Crowdstar’s partnership with Drecom to release games in Japan, posted a video interview with Owais Farooqui of King.com, observed the launch of Southern Comfort’s ‘Beat the Bartender’ game on Facebook, analyzed a location based social network to find gamers around you and announced a popular board game called Rummikub on Facebook. More after the jump.
Strap A Chicken To A Rocket And Race Through Barns In RocketBird 3D for Facebook
We get several game pitches every day, and sometimes it gets hard to distinguish between the text-based RPGs, farming simulators, activity-similar-to-farming simulators and glorified poke games. That’s why it’s a pleasure when somebody brings us something new, and just today we caught wind of RocketBird, a new, ultra simple game where you guide a chicken with a rocket on his back through consecutive barns, attempting to get as far as possible without hitting something and exploding. It’s simple, it’s quick, it’s got a solid graphics engine and funny music, and it’s just the kind of quick arcade game that I enjoy for a week or two on Facebook.
One in Five Social Network Users Play Social Games
Farmville might be even more appealing to gamers than previously thought according to new insights from consumer and retail market research firm NPD. In their latest Social Network Gaming, the firm digs deep into what propels gamers towards social games, and what appeal games like Farmville hold for those who were not gamers before signing up for Facebook or another social network. And while some of the findings confirm the general assumptions of those in the know, there are many new stats that will help social gaming companies position their products to appeal to this new breed of gamer.
Interview: IGN’s Errol Pinto Discusses New “My IGN” Gamer Social Network
IGN, one of the first serious gaming news networks on the web, recently took an initiative to release My IGN, a social network designed for gamers, game news editors and games. The service focuses on bringing social interactions to the IGN experience, and is “a suite of tools that forms the foundation of a content-based social platform” for gamers. We had a chance to sit down with Errol Pinto, Senior Project Manager, My IGN/IGN Entertainment, and he discussed the importance of social to IGN.
Who Needs Tractors? Try “Cubicle Farmville” For iPhone
It’s always joyous to hear of independent game developers seeing success. Office Heroes, a FarmVille-esque game focused management game, is a free-to-play iPhone game developed by Astro Ape Studios. The dreamchild of Chris Cheung and William Fong currently boasts 300,000+ users which it acquired within the first few weeks. The game offers plenty of customization, achievements and social features to keep players eagerly climbing the corporate ladder.
Social Game Maker Digital Chocolate Files Lawsuit Against Zynga [Updated]
TechCrunch is reporting that social games makers Digital Chocolate are filing a lawsuit against Zynga for unspecified reasons. There aren’t any details about the particulars but it is likely related to a patent or a intellectual property matter. We’ve covered Digital Chocolate in depth over the years, and in fact had an in depth interview with founder Trip Hawkins (who was also the founder of Electronic Arts… yes, THAT Electronic Arts). Read on for more details. [Update: Zynga's quote is below]
Crowdstar and Drecom Take on Zynga in Japan
There’s sure to be social clashing in Japan as social game makers battle for users. Joining Zynga, Rock You and others is Crowdstar, a company most notable for its flagship title Happy Aquarium. Japanese game studio Drecom will publish Crowdstar’s games in Japan. Not too long ago we covered Zynga’s alliance with SoftBank to publish mobile games in the $2 billion Japanese market. This news follows their recent news regarding their newly formed 5 year relationship with Facebook.
Video: King.com Managing Director Owais Farooqui Discusses Partnerships with MTV, MSN and Yahoo
At this year’s Casual Connect King.com was making a splash. In addition to a huge marketing campaign and a red carpet promotion featuring Marilyn Monroe, the company was busy promoting their skill-based games and massive 25 million user audience. I had a chance to catch up with King.com Managing Director of North America, Owais Farooqui, and we discussed King.com’s role with several companies including MSN, MTV, Yahoo and Real Networks.
Southern Comfort Invites You To “Beat The Bartender” in New Facebook Game
Brands are increasingly taking clever risks as they enter the novel world of social gaming with creative concepts to engage their audience. The alcohol industry specifically, is looking for action in the social gaming space. To celebrate the launch of their new drink called Southern Comfort Lime, Southern Comfort is launching a new Facebook game called “Beat the Bartender” that invites players to channel their inner bartender. There are other drinking related games on Facebook, such as Bar Society that is a bar simulation game and Nightclub City even offers a taste of serving drinks. Facebook’s popularity with teens makes it the perfect place to engage a group early on to eventually turn them into consumers for these alcoholic beverages
Find Gamers In Your Neighborhood With Gamersband: A Location-Based Social Network
If you’ve ever been tired of playing FIFA Soccer against the computer or wanted a comrade to help you rip through Gears of War, you know that it’s not always easy to find a friend to play with. With that problem in mind, two Parisians invented Gamersband, a location-based social network that allows players to cooperate, compete and play with people in their area. The question is whether they can will gain enough adoption and develop enough filters so that the network isn’t filled with creepy old dudes who like Japanese dating simulators and fake female profiles asking you to “visit my website as9dfj.oi.ru”
Rummikub Board Game Is Ready To Do Battle As A Facebook Game [Interview]
Who really has time to go out and purchase board games or round up friends to play when you instantly have Facebook games at your fingertips? Now Rummikub, one of the world’s most classic board games dating back to the 1930s, has entered the next generation of social games with a new Facebook application launched last week. Most people over the age of 30 have probably played this game or at least heard of it as it was the #1 board game in the USA and many other countries in the 70′s and 80′s. I played the game for the first time on Facebook and sensed it has already gained popularity given that it only takes about 10 seconds to start a game with numerous online players and that the other players were clearly experts evident in my amazing initial score of minus 100!
