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FlapMMO brings non-combat gameplay to new heights
For years, players have sought MMOs that truly offered a combat-free experience. FlapMMO, a massively multiplayer version of the sadly defunct Flappy Bird (not officially sanctioned), is that rare gem that delivers precisely that. In fact, it delivers everything you could ask for in the genre -- no combat, no levels, and a wide-open world to simply explore. It even offers exclusively horizontal progression (since that's the way the screen scrolls, you can't go backward). If all this sounds too good to be true, you should consider also the fact that the game is entirely free-to-play without so much as a cash shop. Chat functions are currently limited, as is character customization, but there's no word from the developer on whether or not this is part of the design or something that will be addressed in the first expansion. You might want to consider giving this wide-open combat-free exploration simulator a try if you've got some free time on your hands.
Unity 4.0 game engine adds Linux support, Mecanim animation, Flash and DirectX 11 (video)
Unity is about to give a jolt to the Linux gaming community with version 4.0 of its engine. The Penguin has been "underserved," according to the game engine company, so it'll now join the list of supported operating systems alongside Windows, OS X, iOS, Android, Xbox, PS3 and Wii. Developers will also get the new Mecanim system for making character animation easier, on top of DirectX 11 for Windows and Flash publishing options. Details are in the video after the break, but it's good news considering how Linux's namesake just decried the lack of love for the platform.
Faunasphere shutting down on March 15th
It's a sad day when a game shuts down, especially one that caters to an unusual audience. Faunasphere, a game about cleaning up a pollution-riddled world while developing your personal animals, has announced its shutdown on March 15th. All subscription options have been removed, all subscriptions or microtransaction currency purchases after January 14th are being refunded, and the developers at Big Fish Games are working to make sure that the month until the closing is memorable and enjoyable for players. In a brief FAQ regarding the closure, the development team addresses several potential player questions, including the game's integration with Facebook (which kept the servers running for longer than would have otherwise been possible) and the issue of any outstanding funds sunk into the game. There's also a thread set up for players to exchange contact information, in the hopes that some of the community might retain its cohesion. Our condolences go out to the Faunasphere players and development team affected by the shutdown.
Casual games competition site to offer college scholarships
Unlike other competitions that might, say, award efforts to design games for the greater good, ScholarGamers.com hopes to attract teens who simply excel at beating their peers in video games. It's a simple but effective pitch: "The concept of winning student scholarships for being an ultimate gamer should come as no surprise. After all, young athletes -- even bowlers -- can win scholarships for college based on their ability to play, score and outperform others. It's no different at ScholarGamers.com." Beginning November 1, when the site launches its first 2011 scholarship contest, Scholar Gamers promises to award "big cash for college" (first place nabs 10Gs) to several contestants who must work their way up from at-home Flash game phenoms to The Wizard-like big stage at Disney's BoardWalk Resort. But, you know, if you're that good at clicking smiley faces, why even bother with college? Just go pro.
Gamestop acquiring Flash game portal Kongregate
GameStop just took a huge step into the casual online gaming market, by agreeing to purchase the Flash game portal Kongregate. According to the announcement, the site will remain under the management of founders Jim and Emily Greer following the purchase, which should finalize on August 1. CEO J. Paul Raines explained the move, saying, "Dolphin Olympics 2 is really, really wonderful." Okay, we made that up (though Dolphin Olympics 2 is really, really wonderful). Raines actually said, "Kongregate advances GameStop's digital strategy by providing a gaming platform for casual, mobile and browser games that can be promoted and played by our existing gamers. We welcome the Kongregate team to the GameStop family." GameStop has previously experimented with free-to-play online gaming with initiatives including the Legends of Zork browser game and a small "Free2Play" portal on its retail site.
Introducing 5-Minute MMORPG
Are you looking for some MMO fun in your brief downtime through the day, but don't have the time to sink into a dungeon run in your game of choice? MMO Crunch has discovered the perfect solution: 5-Minute MMORPG. It's a simple, cute flash game that promises level 80 in five minutes, offers exploding opponents, turns lag into a feature, and is easy enough to allow you to pick up the basics on the first try. At ten players per map, it's a bit on the skimpy side for an MMO, but it fits with the general theme of quick and streamlined. The ironic humor certainly helps the fun, as well. The game is free, requires no download, and is a surprisingly fun MMO-lite for those who want to play but are short on time.
Marvel planning Flash game adaptations for download platforms
Marvel executive vice president Ira Rubenstein says that the comics company has been experimenting in-depth with Flash games (not to be confused with games about DC's The Flash), and that it's looking to bring some of its most popular online minigames to console download services. The comic book company's strategy in terms of gaming was "like a TV pilot system," he told an audience at today's LA Games Conference. The plan was to come up with lots of Flash games and deploy them on Marvel's websites very quickly. Now, some hits are emerging (he gave the example of the Super Hero Squad Stark Tower Defense game), and the next step for the company is to focus on improving and supporting those hits on platforms like XBLA, iPhone, and iPad. Rubenstein says "the combination of classic gameplay with a brand twist" like that found in Stark Tower Defense is what's selling with audiences. And he says that big sales like those of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 prove that there's a space for Marvel games on the downloadable game platforms, so it makes sense to invest in Flash "hits" by taking them there. Which is fine by us -- let us know when we can pay our $10 for our Deadpool Match-3 on PSN.
Flash Games Summit looks at social gaming
The arena of social gaming is a hotly contested one, with two equally enthusiastic schools of thought on whether or not they even count as MMOs. Regardless of your opinion, social gaming is here to stay, and more and more developers are turning their attention to the games (and the profits they potentially represent.) The very nature of social gaming allows development teams to take it in either direction: a distinctly non-MMO direction such as Bejeweled, or the ever-growing MMO format. It's a relatively new and growing market, and several developers sat down earlier today to take a look at it during the Flash Games Summit. Moderator Sana Choudray of Traffichoney led a discussion of what is needed for a successful social game, as well as where they stand now and where they will go in the future. While the developers acknowledged that social gaming is lacking at the moment, they all agreed that it's only going to grow over the next year or two. The full discussion is well worth a read.
GameFly launches Flash game site Ponged.com
With the launch of Ponged.com, GameFly continues its slow, but steady, transition from video game rental service to internet publishing operation. The latest website started by the rental service is a collection of 500 free-to-play Flash games. The titles are "hand-picked" by "hardcore gamers" to keep the riffraff out.If playing Flash games on your computer doesn't seem hip, Ponged.com is also designed to work with the web browsers on the Wii and PS3. For those playing games at the office, the site has a "boss button" that'll conceal the game. Ponged.com: Helping people waste time at work and not get fired since 2009.
BioWare CEO is confident in the state of PC gaming
BioWare CEO Ray Muzyka is standing behind PC games, directly opposing all of the naysayers that shout the doom of PC gaming from on high.A recent article over at Computer And Video Games.com pointed to Muzyka's confident stance as well as his expression of changing the definition of PC gaming, such as counting in the large growth of MMOs, flash games, and other casual experiences that any PC user can easily access. "MMOs are one way that's occurring... And there are more people playing flash-based games and casual games, even core games that are played in a casual way, so maybe [they have] a more core experience and you only play them for short bursts or for half an hour or something," Muzyka was quoted as saying.One only needs to look at the success of games such as World of Warcraft or any other MMO, as well as the very healthy Steam distribution service to note that PC gaming is far from dead.
OurWorld wants casual gamers to pay and play
The new kids on the scene, FlowPlay, have recently come out with their first creation - OurWorld. Combining the elements of your standard virtual space with the addictive qualities of casual flash based games, OurWorld hopes to keep you playing the night away.The game is built from the ground up for the average gamer by combining addictive flash games, like Raft Wars and Storm The House, with a virtual space very similar to Habbo Hotel or Club Penguin. You walk around and talk with other people, but the main pull is to play these flash games to receive "flow", the in-game currency. You use the flow to spin the prize wheel, which gives you experience to level your avatar and wear new clothing as well as coins to buy more clothing.
Flash game most likely to become internet meme phenomenon: YHTBTR
We know it's a little early to be throwing phrases like "Game of the Year 2008" around, but when we discover flash games of this caliber, we can't help but voice our heartfelt infatuation. With its stunning character design, addictive gameplay, and breathtaking soundtrack, You Have To Burn The Rope is a smorgasbord of top-notch writing, programming, and design.We must insist you try it out, and let us know your opinions, strategies and fastest speed run times for the game in the comments section. Though it may detract from the game's titular twist, we feel we must warn you -- you will come across a rope during your journey through YHTBTR's lovingly-crafted world, and it absolutely must be burned. Anyone who tells you differently does not have your best interest at heart.[Via Kotaku]Play: You Have To Burn The RopeWatch: The pulse-pounding teaser trailerRead: The comprehensive walkthrough
Mytopia reinvents Yahoo! Games for the MySpace generation
Are casual, social games the wave of the future? In years to come, will we lovers of the swinging sword, the flashing fireball and the gigantic gun be left reminiscing about the "good old days" as we sign on for another evening of massively multiplayer bingo? The makers of Mytopia took a look into their crystal ball, saw the success of MySpace and Facebook and casual-game havens like Popcap, Yahoo! and Neopets and said, "These great tastes... would taste great together!"Thus was born Mytopia, a Flash-based virtual world where you can create your own super-deformed avatar (like Wii's Miis) and play popular board and card games with people from around the world, build friends lists, send email, and gamble away virtual money challenging other players to backgammon, chess, Sudoku and several other similar games. It works not only as a standalone web site, but also as an application you can install in Facebook, MySpace or Bebo. No matter how you arrive in Mytopia, though, you'll be able to play with everyone else -- there's only one game world shared by all.Mytopia has a cheerful art style, bouncy music, and well-rendered board games. What it does not have, though, is bloody avatar fights in the Battledome. Come on. Even Neopets has that.[Via Techcrunch]
The future of Disney Online: An interview with SVP Steve Parkis
Last week, Disney Online merged multiple online divisions into a single entity now called Disney Online Studios. I had a chance to talk to the Senior Vice President in charge of it all, Steve Parkis, about the vision for one of the world's most recognizable brands as it tackles the fast-rising casual online gameplay market.Before now, Disney's online efforts spanned over many different areas: developing Flash based casual games; acquiring the online community, Club Penguin; and building the successful family-oriented MMORPGs ToonTown Online and Pirates of the Caribbean Online. Steve's mission is to bring all of those together to make Disney.com a dedicated casual games destination.He believes that casual players are more than just Women 35+ and that there is a large, untapped market of players that Disney's brand can draw in. But how does he plan to do that?
Cartoon Network develops web-based games for consoles
Cartoon Network recently announced plans to begin developing flash-based games specifically for the web browsers included with the PS3 and Nintendo Wii. The MEGA series games will be more than just simple puzzle games, inviting the player to "stream movie clips to mesh together the most realistic cartoon experience ever." We're intrigued. After all, the MEGA series will be free, flash-based games and utilize the often-overlooked simple capabilities of the PS3. We're actually surprised no one has yet catered to our whims through this method before. However, as is typical with free content, pay-to-play content will likely follow if Cartoon Network's test run with the MEGA series games proves potentially lucrative. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to get a taste of what Cartoon Network has to offer once the MEGA series games begin finding their way to a PS3 web browser near you.
Fly into landmarks with Google Maps flight sim
Since Google released its Google Maps API to the public, budding game designers have used it to place everything from golf to Carmen Sandiego style terrorist foiling over satellite images of the world. Now we can add a Flash-based flight simulator to that list. Goggles lets you fly a crude, 3D plane over a selection of major cities from around the world (and the solar system -- you can also fly over sections of the moon and Mars).There's no explicit goal, but you can fire cartoony circular bullets at the ground to leave temporary black pockmarks on the landscape. You can also crash your plane into famous landmarks, a feature sure to draw the ire of conservatives who will say the game is training a new generation of terrorists to destroy our very way of life. Our only real complaint is that the plane can't go very fast or zoom out very high, which limits how quickly you can find your favorite landmark to destroy. Here's hoping for a version 2.[Via Jay is Games]
