Facebook, Zynga( Farmville,Mafia Wars,Cafe World ) commit for 5 years

NEW YORK Quelling rumors of a breakup, Facebook and the company behind many of the most popular games on the social network say they’ve signed a five-year partnership that will keep “Farmville,” “Mafia Wars” and “Cafe World” on the site.

Zynga’s games are popular distractions on Facebook. The games have more than 230 million active users monthly. Of these, 65 million play every day, tending to virtual farms and aquariums, playing poker or taking out rival mob bosses. Zynga makes money by selling advertising and virtual goods for the games.

Facebook’s user base, meanwhile is approaching 500 million. The companies aren’t giving details on the partnership. But its existence should put to rest recent worries that Zynga was planning to leave Facebook for greener pastures, such as its own gaming site. (AP)

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa for Xbox 360/PS3 versions

2010 FIFA World Cup marking an improvement over FIFA 10, the Wii version doesn’t fare so well. In fact, this title is so similar to the year’s main game that it’s going to take the most dedicated of football fans to pick it up on Nintendo’s console. Against EA’s best efforts, what we have here is largely a rehash of FIFA 10, sprinkled under a World Cup skin.

Regrettably, this Wii title suffers from the limitations of the hardware. The other consoles provide a visual upgrade that’s hugely welcomed for the series, and a number of on-pitch tweaks that make it a worthwhile release. This kind of experimentation and step forward is lacking here, as there are very few improvements to get excited about.

Aside from the normal World Cup modes, the most interesting addition to the series is ‘Zakumi’s Dream Team.’ Here, players will start with a team comprised of unknown international players coming from the world’s least renowned football nations. Whether it’s a right back from Rwanda, or a goal-scoring hero from the Cape Verde Islands, the premise is to complete challenges and to earn players for your squad. You’re pitted against international teams every match, and come with three objectives that determine the quality of the player you can choose as your prize. Only complete the bronze challenge and you’ll only be able to pick a bronze rated player. Complete two challenges and silver also become available. If, however, you have the skill to overcome all three tasks, you’ll be able to pick any player from the opposing side to join your up-and-coming team.

While this section forces players to adapt their style of play, it’s the only new addition that we would like to have seen in the HD console versions. Working hard to unlock a big-name player for your team certainly pays off, as their quality and added ability helps take control against the tougher nations. Other than this, there aren’t enough modes to keep players coming back, especially if they’re invested into a league season on FIFA 10.

Rather predictably, 2010 FIFA World Cup is aimed towards the ridiculous on the Wii. Each game features a number of wonder goals, be it 30-yard strikes, amazing bicycle kicks or cheeky chips from just outside the area. Personal battles are still fought all over the pitch as you’re forced to time your headers correctly, shaking your arm when the ball glows. Similarly, set-pieces also require expert timing in order for you to be successful, both offensively and on the defensive side. The best feature is still the slow-motion when a battle could go either way. Witnessing the opponent just managing to slide long enough to block your shot adds tension to the game, as the ball bounces clear or bobbles away ready for the next match-up. Once in the box, you’ll also be treated to a close-up of your striker unleashing a thunderbolt towards goal, as the camera darts behind him in order to make you feel part of the action. These features are no doubt what outlines the Wii version from the rest, although they’re not going to add much to the life of someone who’s already picked up EA’s main offering this year.

Another section this version of 2010 FIFA World Cup also lacks in is it’s online play. Although players can compete against three friends in a ‘last man standing’ competition, it’s not a patch on what’s available on the other consoles. Admittedly, this is aimed towards the younger generation, but when you can compete in a number of modes with up to 31 other teams on the PS3 and 360, it’s difficult not to feel short changed here. It seems the only longevity this version has is with it’s Dream Team mode, as the rest of the package screams of EA cashing in on the license; something that isn’t true for alternative versions.

On a console that managed to get FIFA 10 so right for it’s audience, there’s a huge sense of disappointment here. Even the most avid of footballing youngsters will be sure the changes are minimal, and will be let down by the lack of new ideas. If you have to pick up one World Cup game this year, we recommend you look elsewhere.

Sony Corp is bringing baseball to America's living rooms on its PlayStation 3 video game console

Sony Corp is bringing baseball to America’s living rooms on its PlayStation 3 video game console, ratcheting up the competition in the race to become the digital hub of the home.Sony not only ups the ante in its rivalry with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console, but also positions itself as something of a challenger to cable companies and satellite television providers that have long been broadcasting sports to viewers in the United States.”This is one of the biggest deals we’re bringing to the PS3, and it won’t be the last one, there’s lots of conversations going on,” said Peter Dille, senior vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment America.

Sony, which has an installed base of 12 million PS3 consoles in the United States, will offer games in high-definition through Major League Baseball’s MLB.TV, an Internet subscription service that is already available on computers and smartphones.MLB charges $25 a month, or $120 a year, for a premium subscription.Sony designed a custom interface for the offering, and users can scroll through live-streaming or archived games. The PS3 provides the functionality of a digital video recorder, allowing viewers to pause, fast-forward and rewind, and to jump to a particular inning in any game on the schedule.

However, users will not be able to watch live games of teams in their local market, which are subject to local blackout rules.PS3 users will need to be subscribers to the free PlayStation Network (PSN) to access MLB.TV. PSN has 20 million members in North America.

Sony and Microsoft have been duking it out to control entertainment in the living room beyond games, offering movies, shows and videos through their subscriber networks, PSN and Xbox Live.Both offer streaming movies through Netflix, and have been hunting for deals that can help transform their gaming consoles into one-stop-shops for content.”We’re excited about bringing MLB onto the console this is something you can’t find on any other console,” Dille said.

In Europe, Microsoft has struck deals with Vivendi unit Canal Plus and British pay-TV broadcaster BSkyB to provide content through the console, including soccer matches.Sony’s PS3 has trailed Nintendo’s Wii, the market leader, and the Xbox in the U.S. market, although the PS3 has generated momentum since a price cut to $299 last year.MLB.TV is also available on the Roku set-top box and through media provider Boxee.(Reuters)

Two studio executives recently fired by Activision

NEW YORK  Two studio executives recently fired by Activision and accused of inappropriately meeting with a rival company said Monday that they will create games to be distributed exclusively by one such competitor, Electronic Arts Inc.Jason West and Vince Zampella have formed a development studio, Respawn Entertainment, and its games will be published and distributed by EA. As the heads of Respawn Entertainment, West and Zampella will own the intellectual property they create. “Respawn” is a video game term used to describe a dead character coming back to life.

The two had sued Activision Blizzard Inc. for more than $36 million in March, claiming that Activision fired them to avoid paying hefty royalties for their work on the popular “Call of Duty” franchise.The latest game, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” has reaped more than $1 billion in sales after breaking entertainment industry records at its launch last fall.Last week, Activision filed a countersuit against West and Zampella, saying they were fired for good cause for insubordination and for attempts to poach key employees from the company. In its lawsuit, Activision claims the two had met with a key gaming rival, in violation of their employment contract.Although the lawsuit does not name the rival, it states that were flown by the rival to Northern California. Electronic Arts, which is Activision’s main rival and produces a competitor franchise “Medal of Honor,” is based in Northern California’s Redwood City.

West and Zampella’s attorney, Robert M. Schwartz, called the countersuit’s claims “false and outrageous” on Friday.Financial terms were of the deal with EA were not disclosed.Shares of Activision, which is based in Santa Monica, Calif., fell 5 cents to $12.43 in midday trading Monday, while shares of EA rose 13 cents to $19.49.(AP)

Splinter Cell: Conviction for ps2 ,ps3 ,xbox 360 is set to release in under a month on April 15

Splinter Cell: Conviction is set to release in under a month on April 15. Many longtime fans are wondering how the multiplayer has turned out with the exclusion of Spies vs. Mercs mode. Well, we have good news – it’s much better than we originally thought it would be.The four multiplayer modes in Splinter Cell: Conviction that we were able to play included: Co-op story, Hunter , Last Stand and Face-off. Each has their unique spin on multiplayer, though the Co-op story is bound to be the most popular.Co-op story is the much hyped addition to the series that gave Spies vs. Mercs the boot – it permits playing as either the Third Echelon’s Archer group or Voron’s Kestrel faction. Allowing two players to complete objectives and missions in tandem, the Co-op story provided thrills around every corner due to the high amount of enemies (even if they aren’t that intelligent) on one level to dispose of.Divided into five levels at this point (St. Petersburg Banya, Russian Embassy, Yastreb Complex, Mozdok Grounds, and Antonov), along with each level having 3-4 chapters, the co-op story is a meaty multiplayer mode. The first chapter, titled “Canal Entrance” was more than 40 minutes long, although it wasn’t a speed run by any means.

Within Hunter mode, players are tasked to eliminate all enemies on the level, no holds barred! This multiplayer mode, along with Last Stand – where players are asked to defend an EMP generator from waves of enemies – are also available through Deniable Ops, an offline and single-player version of the modes. The last multiplayer mode is Face-off, a variation of the Last Stand but with a twist – Splinter Cell: Conviction throws in a live adversary who is out to take down the player, along with the countless waves of computer AI-controlled enemies.Each multiplayer mode allows for players to switch up the difficultly level (Rookie, Normal, Realistic), the pistol, alternate weapons, primary gadgets, secondary gadgets and uniforms. On top of that, players are able to change up the time limit (Unlimited or any variation of 2-5 minutes) along with making it a “pistols only” match or turning off gadgets.

For the weapons, players can access new weapons via finding them through the co-op story or single-player campaign. Once they pick them up in either/or, the weapons will be added to the weapon stash and are allowed to be upgraded. For an example for an upgrade, here is a look at the AK5-74U.

400 Pts for a Reflex Sight (increases zoom)
250 Pts for Hollow Point Ammo
250 Pts for a Laser Sight (increases accuracy)

Each weapon, gadget and uniform can be upgraded, with the uniform allowed for a maximum of three times. For the weapons and gadgets, each time they are upgraded, the following upgrade increases in cost. If players are curious about the outfits, here’s a quick look at what is offered:

Voron’s Spetsnaz Tactical Assault Suit (elite soldier)
Voron’s SV8 Tactical Concealment Suit (government employee)
Voron’s SV1 Special Ops Suit (covert ops)
Third Echelon’s T1C9 Tactical Concealment Suit (mercenary)
Third Echelon’s C1C9 Casual Concealment Suit (urban setting)
Third Echelon’s “Special Agent” (aka Sam Fisher suit)
Third Echelon’s Mark 7 Special Ops Suit (special ops)

All in all, our sessions managed to raise the hairs off the back of our neck as the tension was always at a high as we avoided conflict and took down the opposition with a stealth attack from behind. Every once in awhile we would run in, guns a blazing, and take down the unnamed mercenaries who stood no chance against two special ops agents that hurdled rails, climbed up drainage pipes, and shot out every light in the room to avoid detection.

Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (RPG)game for ps 2

Love is important. If you ever think it’s not, just watch some TV – in between the 60-minute dramas and soap operas that tell us to follow our heart, there are 30-second commercials promoting online dating services, expensive hotlines, and Valtrex (for relationships that give you more than ever-lasting affection). Not unexpectedly, love found its way into video games a long time ago. For Navy Lt. Shinjiro Taiga, the leading star of Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love, obtaining it might be the most important thing he does – next to saving the world, of course.Sakura Wars tells the story of a man, several women, and an ongoing crime spree. No, this doesn’t sound like the premise of a new Law & Order spin-off, and that’s precisely the point. Rather than depressing the player down with an endless line of murders, Sakura Wars sprinkles the crime scenarios on top of what could be described as a basic dating simulator. Thus, any one of the attractive women Shinjiro meets could turn out to be the love of his life. But he’ll never know it if he can’t think of the right thing to say.

Using two separate phases, the gameplay is a bit more simplified than an RPG. The first phase scraps all but the slightest hint of gameplay in favor of developing the story. As Shinjiro, your job is to listen carefully to your boss, comrades and other key characters and respond appropriately by selecting one of the available responses. The best one is typically sandwiched in between two other weaker comments, but you only have a few seconds to decide. Plus, words that may impress one character could tick off another. Simple mini-games are thrown into the story phase, requiring the player to use his or her thumbs to spin the analog sticks and execute other motions. It’s not rocket science, but it was clearly designed to give your hands something to do while your brain gets lost in the story and your eyes get lost in the pretty anime ladies.

The second, battle-intensive phase drops Shinjiro and his allies into a familiar world of destruction caused by mobile suits. Sakura Wars’ combat is purely real-time, allowing players to run around the environment and bash opponents – via button-mashing – as they would in an action/RPG (or more appropriately in this case, a hack-n-slash action game).Though you do not have direct control over your allies’ mechs in the first chapter (but will be able to control them in the following chapters), you can still utilize their strength by executing a joint attack. To pull one off, maneuver around an enemy until he is standing between the attack path of Shinjiro and one ally.”Coming to PS2 and Wii in the new year, Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love will give fans of dating sims and simplistic RPGs something to look forward to.

Grand Theft Auto 5 release date expected in fall 2010

Multi-annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) to be a platform for industry players to show off games their products, both of which would come and that was published. Well, at E3, the upcoming new series of Grand Theft Auto is estimated to be

GTA v

exhibited.Next E3, which will be held in June 2010, believed to be showing some new games. One of the great game that arises is believed to be Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V). If true, GTA V will be one major newspaper in the carpet.Jesse Divnich, director of analyst services from Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR) said that, the presence of the latest GTA series can be seen in the upcoming E3 show.”I think we’ll be hearing about the other GTA series on the upcoming E3. But it is not in the form of a playable demo, but sebuat teaser that will display the latest GTA series,” Divnich said, as quoted from Gameinformer, Monday, (28/12 / 2009).GTA IV was released in December 2008. Game with a fictional character named Niko Bellic fly proved increasingly Rockstar name in the gaming industry arena. So what is ‘GTA V’ would be present at E3? Wait for it later.

NCAA BASKETBALL 10 From EA SPORTS brand In Stores

NCAA BASKETBALL 10

Play to your Team’s Strengths with Eight Authentic Motion Offenses and Experience Best-in-Class Presentation with CBS Sports and ESPN Broadcast Integration.EA announced today that NCAA® Basketball 10, developed under the EA SPORTS brand, is now available in stores for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. NCAA Basketball 10

unearths the core of college basketball with an all-new strategic motion offensive system, innovative broadcast presentation, and the excitement, emotion, and pageantry that makes the college game unique.NCAA Basketball 10 introduces full integration of CBS Sports and ESPN broadcast elements, allowing gamers to choose their broadcast presentation for every game. Users can mimic real-life broadcasts of NCAA basketball by choosing ESPN presentation for regular season games, and CBS Sports presentation for its exclusive broadcast of ‘March Madness’. Everything that fans see and hear on TV when watching college basketball will be mirrored in NCAA Basketball 10, including graphic packages, highlight reels, and authentic college basketball announcers. Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery, two CBS Sports announcers that are synonymous with college basketball, have joined ESPN’s Dick Vitale, Brad Nessler, and Erin Andrews on the EA SPORTS team of broadcasters, bringing an added element of excitement to the game.

NCAA Basketball 10, licensed by The Collegiate Licensing Company, increases the strategy behind team styles of play by introducing eight authentic motion offenses. The addition of a new offensive system allows users to play true to the college game by maximizing ball movement, utilizing every player on the court, and executing team-specific plays, designed to exploit an opponent’s weaknesses. With the touch of a button users will be able to run plays fluidly and successfully.

priest wins $100,000 for church in poker game

poker tournament

COLUMBIA, S.C.  A South Carolina priest missed the $1 million top prize in a poker tournament to be televised this weekend but he won $100,000 for his church and he hopes his participation gives viewers a “fun twist” on their perceptions of the priesthood.The Rev. Andrew Trapp said he entered the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge in hopes of putting St. Michael Catholic Church “super close” to its $5.5 million fundraising goal to build a new facility. He also wanted to strike a public relations blow for priests.”At the very least, even if I didn’t win any prize money, I was hoping it would help people to see that priests can have fun and be normal people and hopefully get a little bit of a fun twist on the image of the priesthood,” the assistant pastor said Tuesday.

The top prize went to retired New York Police detective Mike Kosowski. But Trapp won $100,000, untaxed, in a semifinal round in October for the coastal church’s building fund, which has amassed $4 million after four years of fundraising.

For the final episode, a camera crew filmed a Sunday Mass at the church, about 10 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach, and taped Trapp talking about the need for a new building.

“It’s really old. It’s too small for our needs, and it’s really vulnerable if a hurricane comes,” he says in a segment on PokerStars.net.He adds, “God gave me a gift of playing cards – that interest, that hobby – and I could put it to use to help build our church. That just was really exciting for me.”Congregants will gather Sunday afternoon at the church to watch the final televised round.

The 28-year-old Aiken native said he started playing poker in middle school at family gatherings. But it was in seminary in Columbus, Ohio, that he learned Texas Hold ‘Em.

“We just played for fun,” he said. “It was just a way to hang out with each other and to enjoy each other’s company.”Ordained in July 2007, Trapp is the youngest Catholic priest in the statewide diocese.”A lot of young people out there, young Catholics, have never seen a young priest,” he said, adding that maybe the show will lead others to consider the profession.

Before playing, Trapp got permission from his pastor, who told him to “go for it.” The Charleston bishop later gave him permission to be on TV, he said.Joseph Ohens, executive assistant to the bishop, confirmed Trapp had the bishop’s permission. “He wanted to show the world that priests are human beings like every one of us. … He wanted to demystify priesthood.”

To earn a spot on the poker finals, Trapp had to place among the top 10 in a free Internet tournament involving 10,000 contestants, then submit a two-minute audition video.Trapp said he knew he would be chosen if he could just earn the right to audition: A poker-playing priest would attract attention and viewers. He played in his priestly attire. Since that’s what he’s used to wearing, it would’ve felt weird not to, he said.

PokerStars.net notes Trapp’s profession in promoting the show, calling it “a story of biblical proportions.” Officials from PokerStars.net did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Trapp calls it a game show where, instead of answering trivia questions, he plays cards. “This isn’t even gambling, so to speak,” he said, since everything, including the trips to Los Angeles, was cost-free to him and the church.

Trapp said the Catholic church doesn’t see a moral problem with playing cards or games of chance, within reason.”It’s a question of moderation – just like anything else,” he said. “We believe it’s fine to enjoy a beer or glass of wine, but not to abuse it to get drunk.”

frustrated Boston woman called 911 just becouse she cant stop her son playing games Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto

BOSTON  Police say a frustrated Boston woman called 911 to say she couldn’t get her 14-year-old son to stop playing video games and go to sleep.Police spokesman Officer Joe Zanoli said Monday the mother called for help around 2:30 a.m. Saturday to say that the teenager also walked around the house and turned on all the lights.Two officers who responded to the house persuaded the child to obey his mother.
Zanoli says the mother’s 911 call over video game obsession “was a little unusual, but by no means is it surprising – especially in today’s day and age when these kids play video games and computer games.”The Boston Herald first reported the 911 call, saying the boy was playing the popular(GTA) “Grand Theft Auto” game.