Games News

CastleVille: Help Save the Children by purchasing items for charity

Written By: Editor - May• 19•12

While CastleVille has partnered with Save the Children before, we’re just now seeing a major promotion being launched in the game, with four items being available to purchase in association with Save the Children. Depending on how much you’d like to spend, you can buy one of four items for your Kingdom, ranging in price from $1 to $20. Unfortunately, the game’s store does a poor job of showing you what items cost, so you’ll need to act as though you are going to purchase each item to actually see what they cost. On the other hand, you can also check out our complete list below before you head into the game.

  • Stuffed Dragon – $1
  • Windup Yeti – $5
  • Sandbox – $10
  • Teeter Totter – $20

Each of these prices will be a bit higher, depending on your state’s local sales tax rate, but you can still rest happy knowing that 100% of your purchase price will go to Save the Children. Plus, most of these items are animated, so you’ll definitely have something worth showing off to your friends and neighbors that visit your Kingdom in the future.

Will you purchase any of these Save the Children charity items in CastleVille? Which one(s)? Let us know in the comments.

Article source: http://blog.games.com/2012/05/18/castleville-save-the-children/

FarmVille Prodigious Prairie Land Expansion available now for Farm Cash

Written By: Editor - May• 19•12

Is your Home Farm, in all of its 36×36 glory still not big enough? If your answer is a resounding NO (and you happen to have a lot of Farm Cash to spend), you can now expand to the 38×38 land expansion, which has just been released in the store this week.

The “Prodigious Prairie” land expansion will add that extra virtual square footage to your farm at a price of 205 Farm Cash. Before you gasp with sticker shock, that’s the current Farm Cash price of the 36×36 land expansion (the Amazing Acreage expansion) as well, so it’s not like we’re seeing an increase in the price. Still, 205 Farm Cash equates to almost $40 US, if you purchase Farm Cash at its full price (that is, when it’s not on sale). Is that price worth a few extra squares on your Home Farm? We’ll leave that up to you to decide.

Whatever the case, we’ll make sure to keep an eye on this expansion (and all others in the game) and will let you know when you can get your hands on it (them) for coins. Stay tuned!

Will you throw down over 200 Farm Cash for a single land expansion in FarmVille? What’s the most Farm Cash that you would be willing to spend? Sound off in the comments.

Article source: http://blog.games.com/2012/05/18/farmville-prodigious-prairie-land-expansion/

FarmVille Regain Truffles’ Fame Goals: Everything you need to know

Written By: Editor - May• 19•12

Back during the “Very FarmVille Christmas” event, we were introduced to a pig named Truffles that wanted nothing more than to feel “thin.” Ever since then, we haven’t heard much from Truffles, until now. She’s back in the game, asking for our help in restoring her fame via a new goal series (wait… shouldn’t it be the pony that’s obsessed with fame?). There are nine goals to complete as of this writing, and you’ll earn plenty of animals and boosts along the way. Here are the details to completing these nine goals, according to FarmVilleFreak.

Sign Away!

  • Get 4 Truffles Autographs
  • Harvest 50 Tomatoes
  • Harvest Horse Paddock Twice

Rewards: 125 XP, Swooning Pig, 2,500 coins

Rolling in Style

  • Get 6 Limo Vouchers
  • Harvest 75 Mint
  • Harvest Swooning Pig Once

Rewards: 150 XP, Truffles Limo, 3,000 coins

Pig-a, Pig-arazzi

  • Get 8 Pigarazzi Photos
  • Harvest 100 Eggplant
  • Harvest Aviary Twice

Rewards: 175 XP, Turbo Charger 3-Pack, 3,500 coins

The Bodyguards

  • Get 9 Elephant Bodyguards
  • Harvest 125 Peanuts
  • Master Swooning Pig to Level 1

Rewards: 200 XP, Bodyguard Elephant, 4,000 coins

Entourage

  • Get 9 Entourage Members
  • Harvest 150 Peppers
  • Craft an Arborist

The Arborist can be crafted using three Peanut, four Morning Glory and two Orange Bushels. It’s crafted inside the Craftshop. When you complete this goal, you’ll receive 225 XP, Entourage Turtle, 4,500 coins

On the Cover

  • Get 9 Magazine Interviews
  • Harvest 150 Sunflowers
  • Harvest Entourage Turtle

Rewards: 250 XP, Book of XP, 5,000 coins

When Pigs… Sing?

  • Get 10 Truffle CDs
  • Harvest 150 Red Tulips
  • Harvest Pet Run Twice

Rewards: 275 XP, DJ Orangutan, 5,500 cons

A Life of Swine

Xbox 360 Comes Free With Windows PC Purchase

Written By: Editor - May• 19•12

Xbox 360 Comes Free With Windows PC Purchase

I went to the University of Kentucky for five years. During that time, I learned that everybody had a MacBook. They seemed to have bought the computer for one reason – it’s totally the coolest, duh!. Jokes about stereotypical MacBook users aside, it’s a good computer for college. Microsoft has a problem with that and has regularly offered a free Xbox 360 with the purchase of a Windows PC for college students. That offer is back.

Microsoft announced today the return of the promotion that has all new Windows PC purchases receiving a complimentary 4G Xbox 360 Netflix streaming device gaming console. The offer is available to college students in the U.S. and Canada, but the terms are a little different for both countries.

Students in the U.S. can claim their Xbox 360 by buying a Windows PC worth $699 or more at the following retailers: Best Buy, Dell.com, Fry’s Electronics, HPDirect.com, Microsoft Stores and NewEgg.com.

Students in Canada can claim their Xbox 360 by buying a similar Windows PC, but the value has been reduced to $599 for them. Participating retailers for our neighbors up north include Best Buy, Dell.ca, Future Shop, Staples and The Source.

The guy at Microsoft recommends a Dell XPS 13 as his computer of choice. While I don’t advise the purchase of laptops, mostly because I favor desktops, I know that college students need laptops

Article source: http://www.webpronews.com/xbox-360-comes-free-with-windows-pc-purchase-2012-05

Wii U Name Isn’t Going To Change And Other Rumours

Written By: Editor - May• 18•12

GoNintendo has collected together a fine batch of rumours and facts that have been posted online recently regarding Wii U. Some of the information gathered is legitimate, while other bits could be seen as pure speculation. Hopefully the majority of our questions relating to the system will be answered by Nintendo during E3, or shortly after.

  • (RUMOUR) Insider claims that Wii U name is unlikely to change
  • (RUMOUR) Insider has seen something “green and white” relating to Wii U
  • (FACT) Peter Moore quote: “Its online capabilities are really extensive, too, so we’ll be able to differentiate ourselves from the competition more easily with our sports lineup.”
  • (FACT) Sega Australia employee’s linkedin profile: “Developing downloadable licensed original IP for… Wii U”
  • (FACT) “GameStop is already prepared to help launch the first of these new consoles – Nintendo’s Wii U. As it’s poised to be the first new machine of the gate, the Wii U will mark the beginning of the new hardware cycle, and GameStop has already devised its launch strategy to take advantage of the eventual spike in hardware sales.”
  • (RUMOUR) Nintendo’s Wii U trademark issue in England most likely cleared up
  • (RUMOUR) “Seems indy studio Empty Clip Studios (Groovin’ Blocks) and their RapidFire Engine (multiport) are on Wii U.”
  • (FACT) “From the profile of a TT Fusion (LEGO City) Art progammer: ‘This is going to be the exclusive launch title for the brand new Wii-U and Wii-2!’ … Also, 34 [artists] working on LEGO City”

Article source: http://mynintendonews.com/2012/05/18/wii-u-name-isnt-going-to-change-and-other-rumours/

News: Scour the UK for Mario Tennis Open Yoshi QR Codes

Written By: Editor - May• 18•12

YOSHI CHASE RAMPS UP MARIO TENNIS OPEN LAUNCH

Track down the playable Yoshis by finding the Mario Tennis Open QR codes

18th May – In an exciting Nintendo 3DS exclusive, a massive Yoshi hunt will soon become available ahead of the upcoming Mario Tennis Open launch on 25th May. The hunt, entitled The Yoshi Chase, will involve tracking down a series of different-coloured Yoshis, playable in Mario Tennis Open, through corresponding QR codes released over the coming weeks through various channels. The Black Yoshi will be the first to be released but there are many more in the pipeline so keep your eyes peeled.

Each Yoshi QR code will be released in a variety of different ways and at different times, so you will have to stay alert to find them – the Black Yoshi will be distributed first exclusively through 30 Asda stores on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th May, between the hours of 9.30AM and 5.30PM. White, Blue and Red Yoshi will follow at a later date. These characters can only be activated with the QR code held by in-store sampling teams, so be sure to come down with your Nintendo 3DS so you don’t miss out.

Mario Tennis Open is packed full of Mario-themed arcade tennis action. Choose from singles or doubles matches, single player and multiplayer modes and a variety of special games such as Super Mario Tennis, Ring Shot and Galaxy Rally. With easy to pick up and play gameplay and a range of modes to suite your mood,

Article source: http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/05/scour_the_uk_for_mario_tennis_open_yoshi_qr_codes

Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Written By: Editor - May• 18•12

Last one before E3

It’s that time again, the weekend is upon us. It’s been a busy week here at Nintendo Life, so naturally we’re planning to unwind for a couple of days with some quality gaming. This will be the last of these features for a few weeks, however, as we’ll be busy bringing you all of the content you could ever want for that gaming bonanza in LA: E3. Fear not, after E3 we’ll go back to sharing our gaming lives with you every two weeks, and of course we look forward to reading about your gaming plans as well.

Onto this week, some more members of the team share all, including two that are enjoying a perk of the job — though it’s not all glamour, we hasten to remind you — and others that will sacrilegiously be playing on other gaming platforms as well as Nintendo. Disciplinary proceedings are underway.

James Newton

Mario Tennis Open — I’m hoping to face off against Mr Mason in some courtly shenanigans.

StreetPass Quest — I’m watching the Bupa Great Manchester Run this weekend, so I’m looking forward to lots of StreetPass action.

Mike Mason

Mario Tennis Open — Being a games journo I’ll have the privilege of dusting off my racket and slipping on Donkey Kong sweatbands to test out Mario’s latest sporting event.

VVVVVV — The

Article source: http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/05/talking_point_what_are_you_playing_this_weekend

News: Retailers Call for Summer Blockbusters

Written By: Editor - May• 18•12

Too many games in Q4

Last December we complained about the overcrowded Holiday release schedule, making the simple point that being bombarded with too many games in the approach to Christmas was bad for gamers and publishers alike. The final three months of the year may be wonderfully exciting if you have deep pockets and a lot of spare time, but game companies often allow summer months to drift by with little excitement for gamers, before giving us more than we can handle in the winter.

It seems like retailers are starting to question the publisher’s logic too, with HMV CEO Simon Fox telling MCV that the current scheduling is tough on game retailers and their customers.

We would love to see some blockbusters earlier in the year, there is no question about that whatsoever. It would be fantastic to have some summer releases when there is a real appetite from the customer to buy games. Huge blockbuster games so close together becomes unaffordable.

Blockbuster commercial director Gerry Butler has also makes a good point about the tactics employed in the movie industry.

The movie industry would never bring the Top 20 franchises together in Q4 and have nothing else for the entire year. There’s not a lot of triple-A games coming out in June. The movie industry just doesn’t do that. I’d like to see the publishers spread

Article source: http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/05/retailers_call_for_summer_blockbusters

Game of the Day: Fishing Girl

Written By: Editor - May• 18•12

fishing girl game of the day
Today’s Game of the Day is none other than Fishing Girl. Few things are cuter than a cat couple on a fishing trip, and that’s exactly the premise of Fishing Girl. You’ll have to cast out and catch fish for points. Then use your points to upgrade your rod and lures. Soon you’ll be catching monstrous creatures from the deep. Of course, every fish you catch wins you more love from your happy (and hungry) partner.

Fishing Girl is great because its super casual, yet there’s still a goal. Even from the beginning you see the monster fish lurking in the depths of the ocean, and if you’re as curious as I am, you’ll really want to catch them. If you start this game up, be prepared to finish it. There are two endings so try to find them both! Check out Fishing Girl below.

Play Fishing Girl!

fishing girl game of the day
fishing girl game of the day
Were you able to catch the big fish in Fishing Girl?

Article source: http://blog.games.com/2012/05/18/fishing-girl-game-of-the-day/

Battleship Jackpot Command lands a hit on Lucky Gem Casino

Written By: Editor - May• 18•12

Battleship Jackpot CommanderMonopoly plus slot machines was one thing, but naval warfare plus slots? You have our attention, PopCap. The developer’s newest Facebook game, Lucky Gem Casino, has taken on Hasbro’s hit game franchise, Battleship, for its newest digital slots. To coincide with the debut of the upcoming film of the same name, Battleship Jackpot Command has arrived.

Players Level 11 and higher can access the brand new slots game, which at first glance is nothing more than a Battleship-themed digital slot machine. However, when players spin the reels, they’ll have a chance at destroying their friends’ ships and creating new ones by matching like symbols of aircraft carriers, battleships, submarines and destroyers.

And if players are so unlucky as to come across mines and depth charges in their reels, they’ll stand to lose some coins. The game also has an interesting social component in Gunners. Players can enlist their favorite Facebook friends as Gunners, which allow you to take extra shots at enemy ships during the bonus game and reward them with bonus coins.

Finally, when players manage to sink a ship, they’ll score a huge jackpot and get to brag to their friends. Now at least Liam Neeson can take some of the weight off his shoulders from carrying this movie–zing.

Click here to play Battleship Jackpot Commander on Facebook Now

Are you excited for the Battleship movie? What do you think of this kind of

Article source: http://blog.games.com/2012/05/18/battleship-jackpot-command-lucky-gem-casino/