Toy Soldiers on Facebook
Some folks have been curious what we’re doing around cross-platform games. One recent effort out of MGS is Toy Soldiers, with both an Xbox Arcade and Facebook version. Team Xbox had a quick interview with Ken Lobb at X10, and I thought you’d find a couple of quotes interesting:
Lobb said that the Facebook and XBLA versions of Toy Soldiers will be standalone games, which will both center on the “meta war” at the center of the Toy Soldiers story. There are a number of connection points in the XBLA version, such as the appearance of a pointer to the Facebook game from the XBLA game’s title screen. Additionally, Lobb said that you’ll be able to “monitor the war”—and how the Facebook game influences it—from the XBLA game, while being able to see XBLA scores from the Facebook app.
Even more exciting, though, is Lobb’s statement that you’ll be able to “earn a buff” in Toy Soldiers if you’re active in both games. Much like how owning the Wolfenstein XBLA added gold to your coffers in the Wolfenstein boxed release, it’s interesting that you’ll be able to receive a benefit in the XBLA title for playing on Facebook.
I’m also at an offsite today, and happen to be sitting next to Chris Novak, a design architect in MGS. I asked him to describe Match Defense: Toy Soldiers (the Facebook version) in his own words:
Really, we just wanted to keep you in touch with the game, from wherever you are. Win the war from home or from work (or school!) Even if you only have a few minutes to spare, your efforts always count. The “war contribution” you earn on either platform all goes into the same push to win. We also wanted an experience that fit Facebook well – something you could jump in and out of.
You can check out the game on Facebook here. Let us know what you think!
Toy Soldiers on Facebook
Some folks have been curious what we’re doing around cross-platform games. One recent effort out of MGS is Toy Soldiers, with both an Xbox Arcade and Facebook version. Team Xbox had a quick interview with Ken Lobb at X10, and I thought you’d find a couple of quotes interesting:
Lobb said that the Facebook and XBLA versions of Toy Soldiers will be standalone games, which will both center on the “meta war” at the center of the Toy Soldiers story. There are a number of connection points in the XBLA version, such as the appearance of a pointer to the Facebook game from the XBLA game’s title screen. Additionally, Lobb said that you’ll be able to “monitor the war”—and how the Facebook game influences it—from the XBLA game, while being able to see XBLA scores from the Facebook app.
Even more exciting, though, is Lobb’s statement that you’ll be able to “earn a buff” in Toy Soldiers if you’re active in both games. Much like how owning the Wolfenstein XBLA added gold to your coffers in the Wolfenstein boxed release, it’s interesting that you’ll be able to receive a benefit in the XBLA title for playing on Facebook.
I’m also at an offsite today, and happen to be sitting next to Chris Novak, a design architect in MGS. I asked him to describe Match Defense: Toy Soldiers (the Facebook version) in his own words:
Really, we just wanted to keep you in touch with the game, from wherever you are. Win the war from home or from work (or school!) Even if you only have a few minutes to spare, your efforts always count. The “war contribution” you earn on either platform all goes into the same push to win. We also wanted an experience that fit Facebook well – something you could jump in and out of.
You can check out the game on Facebook here. Let us know what you think!
Playstation Network Will Be Screwing You in 2010
Remember when the Playstation 3 launched and Sony execs tripped all over themselves to say things like consumers were confused over all the SKUs of Xbox 360s, only to introduce a fleet of new PS3 SKUs? Remember when Sony execs criticized Microsoft for having two different models for Xbox Live in Silver and Gold? Funny how things change.
Kaz Hirai of Sony has officially confirmed that 2010 will bring a paid subscription to the Playstation 3.
During the presentation, which emphasized Sony’s plans to make its game business profitable in the next fiscal year, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai confirmed the plans. “We will be building upon our current free [PSN] service offering with premium content and services to start the subscription model,” he told attendees.
Perhaps to assuage PS3 owners’ fears that they would soon have to pay to play online, Hirai issued a subsequent statement indicating the present level of service would remain gratis.
“SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral, and PlayStation Network,” Hirai said in a statement given to British outlets, such as CVG. “Especially in the online area, we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services.” (Emphasis added.)
As of press time, US Sony reps had not offered Hirai’s statement or further clarification about its subscription plans for the PlayStation Network. Luckily, though, the “current free services” currently offered on PSN include online play, Facebook integration, and Netflix video streaming. On Xbox Live, both of those features are only accessible at the Gold membership level, which costs at least $50 per year.
Playstation Network Will Be Screwing You in 2010
Remember when the Playstation 3 launched and Sony execs tripped all over themselves to say things like consumers were confused over all the SKUs of Xbox 360s, only to introduce a fleet of new PS3 SKUs? Remember when Sony execs criticized Microsoft for having two different models for Xbox Live in Silver and Gold? Funny how things change.
Kaz Hirai of Sony has officially confirmed that 2010 will bring a paid subscription to the Playstation 3.
During the presentation, which emphasized Sony’s plans to make its game business profitable in the next fiscal year, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai confirmed the plans. “We will be building upon our current free [PSN] service offering with premium content and services to start the subscription model,” he told attendees.
Perhaps to assuage PS3 owners’ fears that they would soon have to pay to play online, Hirai issued a subsequent statement indicating the present level of service would remain gratis.
“SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral, and PlayStation Network,” Hirai said in a statement given to British outlets, such as CVG. “Especially in the online area, we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services.” (Emphasis added.)
As of press time, US Sony reps had not offered Hirai’s statement or further clarification about its subscription plans for the PlayStation Network. Luckily, though, the “current free services” currently offered on PSN include online play, Facebook integration, and Netflix video streaming. On Xbox Live, both of those features are only accessible at the Gold membership level, which costs at least $50 per year.
Farmville, Mafia Wars Developer Admits to Scamming as Part of Business Model, Promises to Change
Facebook games like Farmville and Mafia Wars carry a rep for being diabolically addictive, but who knew they were just downright diabolical? Apparently, the productivity-whacking timewasters were birthed in a hive of scam and villainy. Straight from the horse’s mouth:
“I knew that I wanted to control my destiny, so I knew I needed revenues, right, f***ing, now. Like I needed revenues now. I funded the company myself but I did every horrible thing in the book to, just to get revenues right away," said Zynga CEO Mark Pincus. "I mean we gave our users poker chips if they downloaded this zwinky toolbar which was like, I don’t know, I downloaded it once and couldn’t get rid of it.”
Fortunately, Pincus recently vowed to turn his games into sleaze-free zones, which will involve removing offers that ask for players’ addresses, phone numbers, and things of the like.
“We have worked hard to police and remove bad offers. Nevertheless, we need to be more aggressive and have revised our service level agreements with these providers requiring them to filter and police offers prior to posting on their networks. We have also removed all mobile ads until we see any that offer clear user value,” Pincus said.
As a result, other Facebook/MySpace gaming companies — like Offerpal — have begun cleaning up their acts as well. This is especially surprising for Offerpal, who – before a recent CEO switcheroo – was vehemently denying its involvement in any backdoor dealings.
Honestly though, people, if you willingly gave your address and phone number away to a game called “Mafia Wars,” you only got what was coming to you. Just sayin’.
Farmville, Mafia Wars Developer Admits to Scamming as Part of Business Model, Promises to Change
Facebook games like Farmville and Mafia Wars carry a rep for being diabolically addictive, but who knew they were just downright diabolical? Apparently, the productivity-whacking timewasters were birthed in a hive of scam and villainy. Straight from the horse’s mouth:
“I knew that I wanted to control my destiny, so I knew I needed revenues, right, f***ing, now. Like I needed revenues now. I funded the company myself but I did every horrible thing in the book to, just to get revenues right away," said Zynga CEO Mark Pincus. "I mean we gave our users poker chips if they downloaded this zwinky toolbar which was like, I don’t know, I downloaded it once and couldn’t get rid of it.”
Fortunately, Pincus recently vowed to turn his games into sleaze-free zones, which will involve removing offers that ask for players’ addresses, phone numbers, and things of the like.
“We have worked hard to police and remove bad offers. Nevertheless, we need to be more aggressive and have revised our service level agreements with these providers requiring them to filter and police offers prior to posting on their networks. We have also removed all mobile ads until we see any that offer clear user value,” Pincus said.
As a result, other Facebook/MySpace gaming companies — like Offerpal — have begun cleaning up their acts as well. This is especially surprising for Offerpal, who – before a recent CEO switcheroo – was vehemently denying its involvement in any backdoor dealings.
Honestly though, people, if you willingly gave your address and phone number away to a game called “Mafia Wars,” you only got what was coming to you. Just sayin’.
