Sure, branded games are huge on Facebook, but Toyota is just plain showing off. The global car manufacturer announced its first branded Facebook game, Social Network Racer. (Wow, original, huh?) The game, which launches Oct. 19 at 11 p.m. PST right here, is designed to promote the company's brand new product model car that will be officially unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show this December.
Social Network Racer is said to run from Oct. 19 right up until Dec. 31, or the very day the Tokyo Motor Show opens to the public. If you hadn't guessed already from the game's brilliant title, players will race the concept car around a predetermined track in full 3D, thanks to Flash Player 11. Come to think of it, Toyota may be one of the first to use the new Flash Player's 3D capabilities commercially.
The track is only predetermined to a point: The track's surroundings will incorporate information from your Facebook profile like photos and News Feed updates as if they were billboards and video advertisements. According to a release, players will get to create and host their own races with their friends, and compete in events hosted by Toyota.
A special event known as the Toyota Championship will pit racers against each other for the ultimate prize: a trip to Tokyo, Japan to see Toyota's mysterious concept car in the flesh--err, metal, rubber and chrome. Oh, and if you win, you'll also receive "a secret prize," a Toyota representative tells us.
Gearheads, it's OK to nerd squeal now. Based on the preview trailer below, the concept car looks to be a variation of the FT-86 II unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Also, we doubt that the driving displayed in this preview is indicative of what Toyota's concept car is capable of. Well, we sure hope not.
(Editor's Note: This post was edited for clarity regarding the prize in store for players and the car to be featured at this year's Tokyo Motor Show.)
Click here to play Social Network Racer starting Oct. 19, 11 p.m. PST >
Are you psyched to get behind the virtual wheel of Toyota's next major sports car? Do you think a full-blown 3D racing game could work on Facebook?
Thứ Ba, 21 tháng 2, 2012
Atari's Heroes of Neverwinter gets ghoulish and ghastly for Halloween
For a game that's all about slaying the undead and green-skinned beasts in dank dungeons, Halloween comes pretty easy. Atari has updated its flagship Facebook RPG (role-playing game), 1 Comment, with a bevy of Halloween content in celebration of being the third-fastest growing social game on AppData last week.
Namely, the update brings three brand new encounters for players of multiple levels. But Atari threw in a list of new items and bonuses. Oh, and the developer did some redecorating around town to get the feeling right. Here's a look at all the new Halloween content in Heroes of Neverwinter:
Gobble up a free Underdark Cookie, added to each player's Chest of Wonders, which permanently increases one character's maximum hit points!
Find and acquire other potently powerful potables and treats, including Zombie Juice, Potions of Black Cat's Grace, Glyphs of Terror, and more!
Delve into new dungeons to claim rare and wondrous items, including wearable masks (who doesn't want to be a kobold or an ogre for Halloween?), a Skeletal Crossbow, and high level rings!
Thwart a sinister Thayan plot in a new three-part adventure series!
Level 1: Bones, Thugs and Sorcery can be found in Neverwinter
Level 5: Trick or Trap can be found in the Ruins of Illefarn
Level 10: Monster Mash can be found in the Neverwinter Woods
Enjoy the sights and sounds of a seasonally revamped town hub, along with a variety of other game updates and improvements!
Atari fixed a litany of bugs found in Heroes of Neverwinter since its launch and released some new features, including clearer visuals while in fullscreen and improvements to the game's interface. Heroes of Neverwinter currently hosts 320,000 monthly players, but is on the up and up with 10,000 players added today, according to AppData. And we bet at least a few hundred of them are dressing up as elves for Halloween. What? Look, this is D&D--it's just deductive reasoning at that point.
Have you tried Heroes of Neverwinter on Facebook yet? What do you think of RPGs on Facebook so far?
Namely, the update brings three brand new encounters for players of multiple levels. But Atari threw in a list of new items and bonuses. Oh, and the developer did some redecorating around town to get the feeling right. Here's a look at all the new Halloween content in Heroes of Neverwinter:
Gobble up a free Underdark Cookie, added to each player's Chest of Wonders, which permanently increases one character's maximum hit points!
Find and acquire other potently powerful potables and treats, including Zombie Juice, Potions of Black Cat's Grace, Glyphs of Terror, and more!
Delve into new dungeons to claim rare and wondrous items, including wearable masks (who doesn't want to be a kobold or an ogre for Halloween?), a Skeletal Crossbow, and high level rings!
Thwart a sinister Thayan plot in a new three-part adventure series!
Level 1: Bones, Thugs and Sorcery can be found in Neverwinter
Level 5: Trick or Trap can be found in the Ruins of Illefarn
Level 10: Monster Mash can be found in the Neverwinter Woods
Enjoy the sights and sounds of a seasonally revamped town hub, along with a variety of other game updates and improvements!
Atari fixed a litany of bugs found in Heroes of Neverwinter since its launch and released some new features, including clearer visuals while in fullscreen and improvements to the game's interface. Heroes of Neverwinter currently hosts 320,000 monthly players, but is on the up and up with 10,000 players added today, according to AppData. And we bet at least a few hundred of them are dressing up as elves for Halloween. What? Look, this is D&D--it's just deductive reasoning at that point.
Have you tried Heroes of Neverwinter on Facebook yet? What do you think of RPGs on Facebook so far?
PopCap chills out, brings the zen to Xbox Live Arcade in Bejeweled 3
Say it with me, people: "Om". PopCap has announced that Bejeweled 3 is now available for Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) , Zen Mode and all. The Seattle, Wash.-based developer's hit puzzler is ready for download now for 1,200 Microsoft Points, or $15. Sure, that might sound a little steep compared to how much it costs on iPhone, not to mention that it's (kind of) playable for free online.
But hey, it's definitely cheaper than when the game first released to PC and Mac last year, and consider what you're getting in that (digital) package. Bejeweled 3 sports twice the game modes as Bejeweled 2, and comes packed with "leaderboards for Classic, Lightning, Poker, Butterflies, Ice Storm and Diamond Mine, plus four special gems, five elite badges, and 15 achievements," according to PopCap.
The third numbered release of Bejeweled will hit retail shelves for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo DS on Nov. 15, but this is far from the first time a console has seen the exploding gems, lightning bolts and trippy level transitions. PopCap released an Xbox Live-optimized version of Bejeweled Blitz, called Bejeweled Blitz LIVE, to XBLA earlier this year.
According to the company, about 9 billion hours have been spent collectively playing Bejeweled. Aside from the numbers, PopCap has been on a roll lately. The casual game creator just announced Popcorn Dragon for iPhone, its first mobile game surrounding a new property since the company was acquired by EA earlier this year. Soon, we expect to see PopCap's take on the growing casino genre on Facebook, but not before Zynga tries to beat it to the punch. Until then, let's wait and see if the studio can finally chill out the trigger-happy Call of Duty fans.
Do you plan on picking up Bejeweled 3 on your Xbox 360? What do you hope or expect PopCap to do next with the Bejeweled franchise?
But hey, it's definitely cheaper than when the game first released to PC and Mac last year, and consider what you're getting in that (digital) package. Bejeweled 3 sports twice the game modes as Bejeweled 2, and comes packed with "leaderboards for Classic, Lightning, Poker, Butterflies, Ice Storm and Diamond Mine, plus four special gems, five elite badges, and 15 achievements," according to PopCap.
The third numbered release of Bejeweled will hit retail shelves for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo DS on Nov. 15, but this is far from the first time a console has seen the exploding gems, lightning bolts and trippy level transitions. PopCap released an Xbox Live-optimized version of Bejeweled Blitz, called Bejeweled Blitz LIVE, to XBLA earlier this year.
According to the company, about 9 billion hours have been spent collectively playing Bejeweled. Aside from the numbers, PopCap has been on a roll lately. The casual game creator just announced Popcorn Dragon for iPhone, its first mobile game surrounding a new property since the company was acquired by EA earlier this year. Soon, we expect to see PopCap's take on the growing casino genre on Facebook, but not before Zynga tries to beat it to the punch. Until then, let's wait and see if the studio can finally chill out the trigger-happy Call of Duty fans.
Do you plan on picking up Bejeweled 3 on your Xbox 360? What do you hope or expect PopCap to do next with the Bejeweled franchise?
PopCap chills out, brings the zen to Xbox Live Arcade in Bejeweled 3
Say it with me, people: "Om". PopCap has announced that Bejeweled 3 is now available for Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) , Zen Mode and all. The Seattle, Wash.-based developer's hit puzzler is ready for download now for 1,200 Microsoft Points, or $15. Sure, that might sound a little steep compared to how much it costs on iPhone, not to mention that it's (kind of) playable for free online.
But hey, it's definitely cheaper than when the game first released to PC and Mac last year, and consider what you're getting in that (digital) package. Bejeweled 3 sports twice the game modes as Bejeweled 2, and comes packed with "leaderboards for Classic, Lightning, Poker, Butterflies, Ice Storm and Diamond Mine, plus four special gems, five elite badges, and 15 achievements," according to PopCap.
The third numbered release of Bejeweled will hit retail shelves for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo DS on Nov. 15, but this is far from the first time a console has seen the exploding gems, lightning bolts and trippy level transitions. PopCap released an Xbox Live-optimized version of Bejeweled Blitz, called Bejeweled Blitz LIVE, to XBLA earlier this year.
According to the company, about 9 billion hours have been spent collectively playing Bejeweled. Aside from the numbers, PopCap has been on a roll lately. The casual game creator just announced Popcorn Dragon for iPhone, its first mobile game surrounding a new property since the company was acquired by EA earlier this year. Soon, we expect to see PopCap's take on the growing casino genre on Facebook, but not before Zynga tries to beat it to the punch. Until then, let's wait and see if the studio can finally chill out the trigger-happy Call of Duty fans.
Do you plan on picking up Bejeweled 3 on your Xbox 360? What do you hope or expect PopCap to do next with the Bejeweled franchise?
But hey, it's definitely cheaper than when the game first released to PC and Mac last year, and consider what you're getting in that (digital) package. Bejeweled 3 sports twice the game modes as Bejeweled 2, and comes packed with "leaderboards for Classic, Lightning, Poker, Butterflies, Ice Storm and Diamond Mine, plus four special gems, five elite badges, and 15 achievements," according to PopCap.
The third numbered release of Bejeweled will hit retail shelves for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo DS on Nov. 15, but this is far from the first time a console has seen the exploding gems, lightning bolts and trippy level transitions. PopCap released an Xbox Live-optimized version of Bejeweled Blitz, called Bejeweled Blitz LIVE, to XBLA earlier this year.
According to the company, about 9 billion hours have been spent collectively playing Bejeweled. Aside from the numbers, PopCap has been on a roll lately. The casual game creator just announced Popcorn Dragon for iPhone, its first mobile game surrounding a new property since the company was acquired by EA earlier this year. Soon, we expect to see PopCap's take on the growing casino genre on Facebook, but not before Zynga tries to beat it to the punch. Until then, let's wait and see if the studio can finally chill out the trigger-happy Call of Duty fans.
Do you plan on picking up Bejeweled 3 on your Xbox 360? What do you hope or expect PopCap to do next with the Bejeweled franchise?
Thứ Hai, 20 tháng 2, 2012
Beat down wizards for sweet deals with Wizardia on Facebook and mobile
Wizardia, an upcoming sword-and-sorcery Facebook game by Lithuanian developer Yummi Apps, seems to promise everything cool these days. Wizardia is both an Android and iOS game with Google Maps integration for location-based gameplay and sponsored real world prizes.
Taken separately, none of these features are particularly novel, since Parallel Kingdom is another fantasy mobile title that's already well-known for its use of Google Maps. Games And Prizes is entirely devoted to the namesake. But Yummi Apps, which just recently remodeled itself from a commercial apps producer into a social games developer, plans to bring all these elements into one package. And they plan to pull it off sometime this fall, too.
As far as what playing Wizardia would be like, Yummi Apps hopes to combine city building with turn-based strategy. According to a release, Yummi Apps specifically cites CityVille as an inspiration, and gives a nod to the PC stalwart, Heroes of Might and Magic.
Though billing itself as "the first social game in the world to integrate real life into online gaming" would be a lie, Wizardia does enough to take the concept farther than most. Not to jinx Wizardia, which looks more polished than anything we've seen before (just watch the above trailer), but we've also known of similarly ambitious projects that never took off. Yet if everything works out, one day this brand-integrated Facebook game will have you battling in a Barnes & Noble for a book discount. Or perhaps, like Rovio's caffeinated plans for Angry Birds, you could get your game on in Starbucks for free cups of coffee.
Do you play games on Facebook as well as through a smartphone? Does Wizardia sound exciting enough for you?
Taken separately, none of these features are particularly novel, since Parallel Kingdom is another fantasy mobile title that's already well-known for its use of Google Maps. Games And Prizes is entirely devoted to the namesake. But Yummi Apps, which just recently remodeled itself from a commercial apps producer into a social games developer, plans to bring all these elements into one package. And they plan to pull it off sometime this fall, too.
As far as what playing Wizardia would be like, Yummi Apps hopes to combine city building with turn-based strategy. According to a release, Yummi Apps specifically cites CityVille as an inspiration, and gives a nod to the PC stalwart, Heroes of Might and Magic.
Though billing itself as "the first social game in the world to integrate real life into online gaming" would be a lie, Wizardia does enough to take the concept farther than most. Not to jinx Wizardia, which looks more polished than anything we've seen before (just watch the above trailer), but we've also known of similarly ambitious projects that never took off. Yet if everything works out, one day this brand-integrated Facebook game will have you battling in a Barnes & Noble for a book discount. Or perhaps, like Rovio's caffeinated plans for Angry Birds, you could get your game on in Starbucks for free cups of coffee.
Do you play games on Facebook as well as through a smartphone? Does Wizardia sound exciting enough for you?
G5 builds a free download of Virtual City Playground on iPhone, Android
CityVille Hometown is the only definitive CityVille experience on iPhone, but some mobile gamers might dream bigger. That's where Swedish developer G5 hopes to come in with Virtual City Playground for iPhone and Android. The game was just released to both devices for absolutely free, which allows players to enjoy its Sandbox Mode, building and maintain their own city.
Recently released to the iPad in August, the game appears to take numerous factors into consideration as players develop their cities like mass transit, recycling and general eco-friendliness. Players get to launch community events in their cities to keep citizens happy, which contribute to the balance players must keep between Time, Income, Environment, Population, and Happiness for a successful city.
G5 will provide free updates to the game regularly, but Virtual City Playground contains 87 quests that you must pay up to access through in-app purchases. And just like its city-builder competition, the game sports Game Center and Facebook integration as well as 95 achievements to earn.
And when you keep Virtual City Playground in the background, it's said that your citizens will continue to work for you by transporting goods. Not much seems to have changed since the game hit iPad, but that doesn't seem to be the point. If you've yet to get a look at what Virtual City Playground is all about, check out this trailer. (Hint: It looks a lot ... like, way similar to most city-builders.)
Click here to download Virtual City Playground on iPhone and here to download on Android Now >
Are you interested in taking on another city-builder on your mobile phone? What do you think of G5's approach to the crowded city-builder genre on both Facebook and mobile?
Recently released to the iPad in August, the game appears to take numerous factors into consideration as players develop their cities like mass transit, recycling and general eco-friendliness. Players get to launch community events in their cities to keep citizens happy, which contribute to the balance players must keep between Time, Income, Environment, Population, and Happiness for a successful city.
G5 will provide free updates to the game regularly, but Virtual City Playground contains 87 quests that you must pay up to access through in-app purchases. And just like its city-builder competition, the game sports Game Center and Facebook integration as well as 95 achievements to earn.
And when you keep Virtual City Playground in the background, it's said that your citizens will continue to work for you by transporting goods. Not much seems to have changed since the game hit iPad, but that doesn't seem to be the point. If you've yet to get a look at what Virtual City Playground is all about, check out this trailer. (Hint: It looks a lot ... like, way similar to most city-builders.)
Click here to download Virtual City Playground on iPhone and here to download on Android Now >
Are you interested in taking on another city-builder on your mobile phone? What do you think of G5's approach to the crowded city-builder genre on both Facebook and mobile?
Since Lady Gaga v. Lady Goo Goo, Mind Candy CEO remains defiant
Alright, so the case wasn't really "Lady Gaga v. Lady Goo Goo," but that sounds way cooler than "Lady Gaga v. Mind Candy." Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Mind Candy CEO Michael Acton Smith said, "I'm always up for a good battle if anyone else wants to do this." He was referring to Lady Gaga's lawyers' recent injunction against the Moshi Monsters creator for "The Moshi Dance," a YouTube music video starring Lady Goo Goo, one of its many annoying if adorable parody characters.
"I think a lot of people have been surprised by the judgment," Acton Smith said. "I personally think the law in this area is too strict and there are people looking at it for review at the moment. I think it would have been fine in the US where parody is much more acceptable. And it's not detracting from her sales or damaging her in my opinion, and so I think it was a bit frustrating."
The decision was reached last week in a London courthouse, but oddly enough the ruling only prevents Mind Candy from creating musical material with Lady Goo Goo--she can still exist within the game. Just as the developer readied to release the video as a single on iTunes, the lawyers swooped in. But Acton Smith told GamesIndustry.biz that he plans to press onward with an album of Moshi Monsters music and a live tour featuring the critters.
"We're having discussions around that at the moment," Acton Smith told GamesIndustry.biz. "But obviously we do need to be a little bit careful, because the high court must be respected when they injunct something." The Mind Candy CEO said this in response to questions about Dustbin Beaver, the plain-as-day parody of Justin Bieber in Moshi Monsters, which boasts 50 million players these days. We hear Bieber's lawyers' have equally helmet-like hair that's impervious to defense arguments. God speed, Moshlings.
Do you think Lady Gaga and her lawyers were right in getting an injunction against the use of Lady Goo Goo? How do you think Bieber and his lawyers might respond to Dustbin Beaver?
"I think a lot of people have been surprised by the judgment," Acton Smith said. "I personally think the law in this area is too strict and there are people looking at it for review at the moment. I think it would have been fine in the US where parody is much more acceptable. And it's not detracting from her sales or damaging her in my opinion, and so I think it was a bit frustrating."
The decision was reached last week in a London courthouse, but oddly enough the ruling only prevents Mind Candy from creating musical material with Lady Goo Goo--she can still exist within the game. Just as the developer readied to release the video as a single on iTunes, the lawyers swooped in. But Acton Smith told GamesIndustry.biz that he plans to press onward with an album of Moshi Monsters music and a live tour featuring the critters.
"We're having discussions around that at the moment," Acton Smith told GamesIndustry.biz. "But obviously we do need to be a little bit careful, because the high court must be respected when they injunct something." The Mind Candy CEO said this in response to questions about Dustbin Beaver, the plain-as-day parody of Justin Bieber in Moshi Monsters, which boasts 50 million players these days. We hear Bieber's lawyers' have equally helmet-like hair that's impervious to defense arguments. God speed, Moshlings.
Do you think Lady Gaga and her lawyers were right in getting an injunction against the use of Lady Goo Goo? How do you think Bieber and his lawyers might respond to Dustbin Beaver?
Angry Birds Seasons Halloween update means a new bird is in town
Oh, and let's not forget about the 30 "bone-chilling" new levels and the bunch of new Game Center achievements to earn. Rovio unleashed a new update to Angry Birds Seasons today, and confirmed our suspicions that a new bird was in the works.
We're not sure of the new avian's name, but at least we know what it does. This orange little bugger isn't much of anything when first launched, but tap the screen while it's in midair and the bird will balloon several times its size.
Of course, this means it'll gain an enormous amount of weight, so the bird might be ideally used once inside a pig structure. The list of Game Center achivements to earn includes defeating 300 skeletons, finishing all 30 new stages, earning three stars on every level and more. And, like all Angry Birds updates, this one is absolutely free.
Angry Birds Seasons update
Well, given that you've already purchased Angry Birds Seasons for the buck. Look, we may be sick of Angry Birds around here, but not even we can help getting just a little giddy over a newly announced bird. This must be the power Rovio has over everyone else--must ... fight it ... but, I need that bird. And I just bought it. Now we have a better idea as to how Angry Birds might be worth more than $1 billion.
[Via Pocket Gamer]
Check out the rest of our Halloween coverage right here.
You've already downloaded the update, too, haven't you? For how much longer do you think Rovio can keep up the Angry Birds planet-like gravitational pull?
We're not sure of the new avian's name, but at least we know what it does. This orange little bugger isn't much of anything when first launched, but tap the screen while it's in midair and the bird will balloon several times its size.
Of course, this means it'll gain an enormous amount of weight, so the bird might be ideally used once inside a pig structure. The list of Game Center achivements to earn includes defeating 300 skeletons, finishing all 30 new stages, earning three stars on every level and more. And, like all Angry Birds updates, this one is absolutely free.
Angry Birds Seasons update
Well, given that you've already purchased Angry Birds Seasons for the buck. Look, we may be sick of Angry Birds around here, but not even we can help getting just a little giddy over a newly announced bird. This must be the power Rovio has over everyone else--must ... fight it ... but, I need that bird. And I just bought it. Now we have a better idea as to how Angry Birds might be worth more than $1 billion.
[Via Pocket Gamer]
Check out the rest of our Halloween coverage right here.
You've already downloaded the update, too, haven't you? For how much longer do you think Rovio can keep up the Angry Birds planet-like gravitational pull?
Capcom veteran Inafune doesn't rely on social game metrics 'slavishly'
Since his 23-year stint with Capcom abruptly ended nearly a year ago, Japanese game designer Keiji Inafune (pictured) is already at work making new games, namely social games. With two games in the works for both DeNA and Gree--J.J. Rockets and Island of Dr. Momo, respectively--Inafune looks to do things a little differently in the mobile social games space, according to a talk with Gamasutra.
"So I don't rely on metrics slavishly; I give them quick looks, absorbing them and reflecting them against my own thoughts to analyze what they mean," Inafune told Gamasutra." Game creators have to be really good at that internal sort of analysis; otherwise you're just looking toward marketing data for your game ideas, and a computer can do that."
Inafune went on to say, "If you rely on those, then basically what you've got is a set of numbers that don't necessarily tell you anything. Just because you know what someone's favorite food doesn't mean you really know the person." Compelling, huh? The creator of storied franchises like Mega Man thinks social games might herald of the future of video games. Period.
"I think that eventually, we're see a new kind of game which is neither console nor social, one that overcomes the obstacles that both current game styles have to deal with," Inafune said to Gamasutra. "I don't know what that's going to be yet, though, so that's why I'm trying to learn more about this market."
The designer went on to say that the persistent "me-too" trend in social game creation needs to stop if we're to see this happen. And Keiji, we couldn't agree more. In pursuit of this fresh new form of social game, Inafune recently opened his own studio, Comcept. Now, how do we make such games profitable enough for more designers to bite?
What do you think of Inafune's approach and expectations from social games? Are you waiting for something totally new in the social games space, too?
"So I don't rely on metrics slavishly; I give them quick looks, absorbing them and reflecting them against my own thoughts to analyze what they mean," Inafune told Gamasutra." Game creators have to be really good at that internal sort of analysis; otherwise you're just looking toward marketing data for your game ideas, and a computer can do that."
Inafune went on to say, "If you rely on those, then basically what you've got is a set of numbers that don't necessarily tell you anything. Just because you know what someone's favorite food doesn't mean you really know the person." Compelling, huh? The creator of storied franchises like Mega Man thinks social games might herald of the future of video games. Period.
"I think that eventually, we're see a new kind of game which is neither console nor social, one that overcomes the obstacles that both current game styles have to deal with," Inafune said to Gamasutra. "I don't know what that's going to be yet, though, so that's why I'm trying to learn more about this market."
The designer went on to say that the persistent "me-too" trend in social game creation needs to stop if we're to see this happen. And Keiji, we couldn't agree more. In pursuit of this fresh new form of social game, Inafune recently opened his own studio, Comcept. Now, how do we make such games profitable enough for more designers to bite?
What do you think of Inafune's approach and expectations from social games? Are you waiting for something totally new in the social games space, too?
Google: Games platform 'is not ready to handle' opening up to creators
There's a reason that Google+ Games has been a slow burn since its launch this summer: It can't handle much more. Speaking exclusively with Gamasutra, Google+ game developer advocate Todd Kerpelman said, "And that is our larger goal, to bring in more developers, and eventually open it up to anybody that wants to develop on Google+. Just right now the system is not ready to handle that."
Google has been quite exclusive with which developers it allows to bring their games onto Google+ Games, working with only the biggest names in casual and social games like Rovio, Zynga, PopCap and Kabam to name a few. (Well, there aren't many more than that, really.) While this is partially due to the fact that Google+ would likely be crushed if the gates were opened to everyone at once, the company is still working out how exactly it wants to handle developers.
"I'm not sure what our plans are - to be completely open versus something like an Apple-style, curated business - that's still to be determined, and we're still working it out," Kerpelman said to Gamasutra. "...The platform has only been out a couple of months, so we've got a way to go."
Gamasutra notes that, if Google opted to open up Google+ Games like it has the Android Market--which is essentially a wild west of games and apps--it would almost certainly have to handle counterfeit games. And that's something, according to Kerpelman, Google simply doesn't want in its online marketplaces anymore. (Who else just screamed hallelujah?)
This news comes just as a Google engineer name-dropped the Google+ Games platform specifically in a rant, implying that the initiative was an afterthought for Google. We're impressed by the platform's pristine presentation (and we're sure game makers love that tiny 5 percent price tag), but Kerpelman's right: Google's got a way to go, and updates like this are certainly steps.
Have you tried playing social games on Google+ yet? What do you think of the experience compared to Facebook and other networks, and what do you think it needs?
Google has been quite exclusive with which developers it allows to bring their games onto Google+ Games, working with only the biggest names in casual and social games like Rovio, Zynga, PopCap and Kabam to name a few. (Well, there aren't many more than that, really.) While this is partially due to the fact that Google+ would likely be crushed if the gates were opened to everyone at once, the company is still working out how exactly it wants to handle developers.
"I'm not sure what our plans are - to be completely open versus something like an Apple-style, curated business - that's still to be determined, and we're still working it out," Kerpelman said to Gamasutra. "...The platform has only been out a couple of months, so we've got a way to go."
Gamasutra notes that, if Google opted to open up Google+ Games like it has the Android Market--which is essentially a wild west of games and apps--it would almost certainly have to handle counterfeit games. And that's something, according to Kerpelman, Google simply doesn't want in its online marketplaces anymore. (Who else just screamed hallelujah?)
This news comes just as a Google engineer name-dropped the Google+ Games platform specifically in a rant, implying that the initiative was an afterthought for Google. We're impressed by the platform's pristine presentation (and we're sure game makers love that tiny 5 percent price tag), but Kerpelman's right: Google's got a way to go, and updates like this are certainly steps.
Have you tried playing social games on Google+ yet? What do you think of the experience compared to Facebook and other networks, and what do you think it needs?
Google: Games platform 'is not ready to handle' opening up to creators
There's a reason that Google+ Games has been a slow burn since its launch this summer: It can't handle much more. Speaking exclusively with Gamasutra, Google+ game developer advocate Todd Kerpelman said, "And that is our larger goal, to bring in more developers, and eventually open it up to anybody that wants to develop on Google+. Just right now the system is not ready to handle that."
Google has been quite exclusive with which developers it allows to bring their games onto Google+ Games, working with only the biggest names in casual and social games like Rovio, Zynga, PopCap and Kabam to name a few. (Well, there aren't many more than that, really.) While this is partially due to the fact that Google+ would likely be crushed if the gates were opened to everyone at once, the company is still working out how exactly it wants to handle developers.
"I'm not sure what our plans are - to be completely open versus something like an Apple-style, curated business - that's still to be determined, and we're still working it out," Kerpelman said to Gamasutra. "...The platform has only been out a couple of months, so we've got a way to go."
Gamasutra notes that, if Google opted to open up Google+ Games like it has the Android Market--which is essentially a wild west of games and apps--it would almost certainly have to handle counterfeit games. And that's something, according to Kerpelman, Google simply doesn't want in its online marketplaces anymore. (Who else just screamed hallelujah?)
This news comes just as a Google engineer name-dropped the Google+ Games platform specifically in a rant, implying that the initiative was an afterthought for Google. We're impressed by the platform's pristine presentation (and we're sure game makers love that tiny 5 percent price tag), but Kerpelman's right: Google's got a way to go, and updates like this are certainly steps.
Have you tried playing social games on Google+ yet? What do you think of the experience compared to Facebook and other networks, and what do you think it needs?
Google has been quite exclusive with which developers it allows to bring their games onto Google+ Games, working with only the biggest names in casual and social games like Rovio, Zynga, PopCap and Kabam to name a few. (Well, there aren't many more than that, really.) While this is partially due to the fact that Google+ would likely be crushed if the gates were opened to everyone at once, the company is still working out how exactly it wants to handle developers.
"I'm not sure what our plans are - to be completely open versus something like an Apple-style, curated business - that's still to be determined, and we're still working it out," Kerpelman said to Gamasutra. "...The platform has only been out a couple of months, so we've got a way to go."
Gamasutra notes that, if Google opted to open up Google+ Games like it has the Android Market--which is essentially a wild west of games and apps--it would almost certainly have to handle counterfeit games. And that's something, according to Kerpelman, Google simply doesn't want in its online marketplaces anymore. (Who else just screamed hallelujah?)
This news comes just as a Google engineer name-dropped the Google+ Games platform specifically in a rant, implying that the initiative was an afterthought for Google. We're impressed by the platform's pristine presentation (and we're sure game makers love that tiny 5 percent price tag), but Kerpelman's right: Google's got a way to go, and updates like this are certainly steps.
Have you tried playing social games on Google+ yet? What do you think of the experience compared to Facebook and other networks, and what do you think it needs?
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