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Steam Summer Sale, Day 8: Alan Wake, Witcher 2, Fallout: New Vegas
Valve's onslaught on your wallet continues with yet another day in the Steam Summer Sale. Today's deals include horrifically slashed prices on Amnesia: The Dark Descent and the Alan Wake franchise. RPGs have taken a critical price hit as well, including the Witcher franchise, Fallout: New Vegas and Krater.Still not satisfied? Dip into even more savings on Plants vs. Zombies, Sniper Elite V2, Gratuitous Tank Battles or yet another Indie Bundle.Update: If you're looking for Sniper Elite V2, Amazon actually has a better deal and is currently offering a PC download for $15.
Breakfast Topic: What game mechanic will WoW borrow next?
One of the most fascinating things about World of Warcraft is its wide variety of minigames and nods to classic games incorporated into the traditional narrative. The original game had an entire quest line dedicated to The Legend of Zelda. The Burning Crusade gave us chess and a flight simulator. Wrath of the Lich King added mounted combat in a big way, from drake fighting in the Oculus (boo), to storming the gates of Ulduar in steam tanks (yay), and finally medieval-style jousting (double boo). Cataclysm, of course, brought the absolutely sublime Plants vs. Zombies homage, and Mists of Pandaria will bring us the don't-call-them-Pokemon Pet Battles and FarmVille. So, dear readers, come 2014 (or so) and the next WoW expansion, what new minigame will we all be discussing? I'm leaning toward a miniature fictional world, where we hop from place to place persuading the inhabitants to unite against a greater force. That could be cool -- or maybe not, as it likely wouldn't end well. What would you like to see?
Plants vs. Zombies iOS receives hefty update
PopCap has released updates to the iPad and iPhone versions of Plants vs. Zombies, bringing it more in line with its non-mobile counterparts. The iPad version sees the bulk of the updates, adding several new game modes, mini-games, achievements and leaderboards. Specifically, it adds the Zen Garden, Vasebreaker Endless and I, Zombie modes, along with the Slot Machine mini-game. An optional mini-game pack including Zombiquarium, Portal Combat and Beghouled Twist can also be unlocked with in-game currency (earned either through gameplay or, you guessed it, in-app purchase).The iPhone and iPod Touch version, meanwhile, receives only the Vasebreaker mode, additional achievements and leaderboards. The update is available now. Whether or not you have any free time available, well, that's something else entirely.
Plants vs. Zombies updated with new mode
We haven't heard very much from PopCap on iOS lately. There was the Zuma's Revenge launch a little while ago, and before that was just the Bejeweled shakeup last year. So it's good to see the company is still working on the platform. The latest evidence of this is a surprise update for Plants vs. Zombies, out now, which brings a few shiny new features. The biggest new feature is an endless version of the Vasebreaker minigame, where you attack vases around the lawn, hoping that there are plants in them rather than the walking undead. There are nine levels of the new mode, and the highest levels must be unlocked with coins, either by earning them or in-app purchase. There are also new achievements, and the iPad version has finally gotten the Zen Garden update, as well as four new PopCap-themed minigames: Slot Machine, Zombiquarium, Portal Combat, and Beghouled Twist. I believe these originally debuted on the Steam version of the game, but they're now on iPad as well. These updates, for the iPhone and the HD version, are free to download, and available right away. PopCap's an excellent developer, and it's good to see it's still behind their past iOS releases.
Does WoW need more minigames?
When I started playing WoW in 2006, I knew next to nothing about it. I had bought a copy to play with my boyfriend but did so while he was out of the country; it was my intent to surprise him with it when he got back. The unfortunate result of this was that I didn't really know what to do on my own and spent most of the time being eaten by murlocs. Back then, the multiplayer aspect of WoW wasn't apparent to me. I had only ever joined groups to complete a few quests and didn't know what dungeons, raids, or Battlegrounds were. Because of this, I often remember thinking WoW wasn't a very good game because it was missing all sorts of basic elements that other games had. For example, I remember jumping in a river and thinking "Awesome, this will be a quick way to get to the southern side of the zone," only to realize a moment later there was no water current in WoW like there is in Legend of Zelda. "This is so lame," I thought.
PSN releases: Touch My Katamari, Plants vs. Zombies
Another big Vita week for the PSN update. Last week's "early" launch saw the additions of Escape Plan, Hustle Kings, and Super Stardust Delta -- that last one being the free 3G game. This week we see the addition of Touch My Katamari, perennial favorite Plants vs. Zombies and several augmented reality. Of course, for further pertinent PS Vita information, head on over to our Joystiq Vita launch guide.PSN Plus subscribers can pick up six classic Sega titles for free this week, which includes the first two Sonic the Hedgehog titles, Golden Axe (call dibs on dwarf!) and Altered Beast. Also, don't forget to check out the demos for SSX and Shank 2. Check out the full list of this week's content over on the PlayStation Blog.
Plants vs. Zombies looks just as fun on the Vita
Different menus? Nope, same options as always, same touchscreen choices as iOS. Wall-nuts and peashooters? Still there. Zombie handwriting and spelling? Still really, really poor. %Gallery-145036%
Crazy Dave's Wabby Wabbo being sold on iTunes for charity
Crazy Dave, whom you might remember as Plants vs. Zombies' power-up purveyor, can't speak English. But that hasn't stopped him from producing a rap song, apparently, which PopCap is now selling for 99 cents on iTunes in order to raise some money for charity this holiday season. The single, which features "Cray-Z" murmuring over a bombastic beat, has already picked up over 600,000 views on YouTube, and PopCap says all profits on the song's sale are going to Concern Worldwide. What's Concern do with its nonprofit funds? It helps grow plants, of course. How else are we going to take on the coming zombie bobsled threat?
Plants vs. Zombies iPhone receives holiday update, 'I, Zombie' mode
Plants vs. Zombies for iPhone has received an update for the holidays, featuring festive cheer, minor user improvements and the "I, Zombie" mode. The new mode allows you to take on the role of the invading zombies -- a feature previously implemented in the PC, Mac, XBLA and DS versions of the game. The update also includes GameCenter leaderboard support for the first time, and adds four new achievements and "Bronze, Silver and Gold Mystery Sprouts." Now, go and clear the zombies so Santa can have a clear LZ!
iOS games get so, so real in this bizarre music video
Aussie indie pop group Hey Geronimo were interested in promoting their latest single, "Why Don't We Do Something?," so they made this terrifying montage of iOS games acted out in real life, you see. We're not exactly sure how this happened, but we can't say we're sorry it did.
Music video: iPhone games get real
This video by Australian band Hey Geronimo is the cutest thing. The group painstakingly recreated scenes and characters from popular iPhone games for their song, "Why Don't We Do Something?". I love the Angry Birds in the car, the flying Fruit Ninja fruit and the cat battling Flight Control airplanes (plus that flight attendant -- meow!). My favorite, however, is definitely the little Cut the Rope doggie. The video looks great as they nailed the look of each game. It's pretty much the perfect thing to watch on a busy Friday afternoon. Enjoy, and have a great weekend!
Plants vs. Zombies, err, rap video
You loco? Don't get up in Crazy "Cray-Z" Dave's face unless you ready to have your brains fed to some zombies. Dave explains how street he is in this Plants vs. Zombies music video that proves how gangsta PopCap Games has become.
Plants vs Zombies iPhone update adds nine new mini-games
If you need to take a breather from the exhausting business of arboreal zombie warfare, you'll be able to participate in nine new mini-games on the iPhone version of Plants vs. Zombies today. An update for the title just launched, which adds three packs of three diversions to Crazy Dave's store, such as ZomBotany 2, Invisi-Ghoul and Beghouled Twist. Really, the puns are worth the price of admission. Each pack can be bought with in-game coins, or if you prefer, with $0.99 of your real-world cash. We'd suggest spending the former, because the latter can be spent on other real-world goods and services. Like, you could play the mini games, and also eat the three Twix bars you just bought. Or, wait -- six Twix bars! Because there's two of them.
Plants vs. Zombies updated, and a few other app deals
PopCap has updated the Plants vs. Zombies iOS app with a few new game mode options, purchaseable with the in-game currency at Dave's crazy store. The modes are all different and available in purchases of three each, featuring everything from a mode where you fight invisible zombies to a special bowling mode, and even a variant of PopCap's own Bejeweled called "Beghouled Twist." If you don't want to earn the in-game currency yourself, PopCap's also offering in-app purchases for in-game coins that will unlock each of the modes, so that's another way to go. Elsewhere on the App Store, EA has released Snood Free, a free version of the popular Bubble Bobble-style game (along with Snood Free HD for iPad). This version leaves multiplayer out and contains ads, while the original paid versions of the game are still online. Disney has also launched a lite version of the popular JellyCar 3, so you can now try that one out without any additional cost. And finally, Illusion Labs' Touchgrind BMX app has gone universal, so anyone who owned the iPhone version can now download the iPad version for free.
Sorry, did you want game news? We're too busy playing Symphonic Tower Defense
If the posts seem disconnected, rushed or crappier in general today, don't blame us -- it's all because of the STD. Matt Ackerman and Jon Sandness' flash game, Symphonic Tower Defense (What did you think we were talking about?) is so wonderfully addictive we can't stop putting our fermatas in formation today. Symphonic Tower Defense is the number one game on Newgrounds right now, and even though we already told you what we'd be playing this weekend, we lied. Thanks to Ackerman and His Sandliness, we'll be playing a DDR-Plants vs. Zombies-inspired flash game instead of writing your articles. Deal with it.
PopCap games to be bundled with Sony Ericsson phones in Europe
PopCap and Sony Ericsson today announced an agreement that will finally bring the casual developer's titles to Android devices in Europe. The agreement will bring them to exactly two of Sony's platforms, the Xperia Mini and the Xperia Mini Pro, as they roll out this summer. Three of PopCap's titles will be pre-loaded onto the devices, specifically the full version of Chuzzle and trial versions of Plants vs. Zombies and Peggle. In the press release detailing the agreement, PopCap's Giordano Bruno Contestabile stated, "We are delighted to partner with Sony Ericsson to fulfill our promise to Android users and bring PopCap's hit mobile games to an ever-widening base of smartphone users." Presumably, PopCap's titles will spread to more than two of Sony's phones in the future.
EA to acquire PopCap Games for $750 million
Rumors first began circulating nearly three weeks ago when TechCrunch reported that casual gaming pusher PopCap was going to be acquired for over $1 billion dollars. Now, Electronic Arts has announced its intention to purchase the Seattle-based developer for $750 million, including $100 million in stock. The acquisition is expected to close in August of this year, pending the usual regulatory approvals. "EA and PopCap are a compelling combination," boasted CEO John Riccitiello, clearly envisioning a newly expanded EA digital empire. "PopCap's great studio talent and powerful IP add to EA's momentum and accelerate our drive towards a $1 billion digital business." "We picked EA because they have recast their culture around making great digital games," said David Roberts, CEO of PopCap. "By working with EA, we'll scale our games and services to deliver more social, mobile, casual fun to an even bigger, global audience." In case it's not obvious, we'll spell it out for you: O-R-I-G-I-N.
Plants vs. Zombies vs. Windows Phone 7
PopCap's Plants vs. Zombies continues to spread its roots throughout the games industry (or, from the other perspective, it continues its slow, mindless march across the industry). Today, PopCap's outrageously popular casual strategy game has launched on the Windows Phone 7 platform for $4.99/€4.99. It's part of Microsoft's "Must Have Games" promotion, preceded by Sonic 4 and followed next week by Angry Birds. The WinPhone version includes Xbox Live integration, including leaderboards and achievements. It also includes the first mobile versions of the "Vasebreaker" and "I, Zombie" puzzle modes. [Thanks, Jared]
Report: PopCap being acquired for over $1 billion
TechCrunch reports, by way of "multiple sources," that casual gaming powerhouse PopCap – the group behind Plants vs. Zombies, Peggle, and every other game your mom loves and you won't admit to loving – is in the process of being acquired. ... for over $1 billion. While you consider all the wrong decisions you've made with your life, we'll finish writing this post so we can join you. The buyer remains unknown and, while growth-happy dev Zynga seems like an obvious pick, TC is hearing that PopCap's asking price (over $1 billion, remember?) was too rich for its blood. TC speculates that either EA, Japanese mobile group DeNA, or Chinese outfit Tencent might be behind the purchase. You may recognize DeNA following its acquisition of ngmoco last year, and Tencent following its majority buyout of free-to-play hit League of Legends. We've asked PopCap for comment which, if the report is true, we expect right after the PopCap team finishes screaming about how rich they are. [Update 6:09pm ET – As is to be expected, PopCap issued us the following comment: "Per company policy, we do not comment on rumors and speculation of this nature." 6:45pm ET – PopCap's soon-to-be "Customer Engagement Lead" Jennifer Kye took to Twitter to say, "Not true. Rumor debunked." She later clarified that she would be "working there next week" and that her soon-to-be "boss confirmed it" for her. We've again reached out to PopCap for another statement. 7:02pm ET – And PopCap got back to us again – they're really good about that – with the same no comment: "we do not comment on rumors and speculation of this nature."]
