Facebook: Getting Inspiration from Console Games

Social network giant, Facebook, wants to offer a wider range of games and taking cue from console games like sports title and first-person shooters. The network’s Global Head for Game Partnership, Sean Ryan, stated that featuring a broader selection of games will attract more users to the platform.

He noted that Xbox, PlayStation and Wii have hundreds of games — making it an issue that Facebook doesn’t. Another concern that Sean Ryan addressed is that the social network does not make games of their own or invest in them.

However, he argued that Facebook casual games does not threat console games.

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Who will be PopCap Games’ Buyer?

Plants vs. Zombies’ producer, PopCap Games, is now slated to be acquired for a price of $1 Billion+ by an undisclosed buyer.

The first possible buyer is Zynga, which is known for making game-related acquisitions last year. However, some sources said they’ve backed out since PopCap Games is demanding a price that is too high. PopCap is earning $100-150 million, offering themselves to be bought for over $1 billion. By hearing Zynga out, Electronic Arts enters the scene. But PopCap acquisition was still too large for a type of company that has a market capital of $7.49 billion. Actually, this was not EA’s first big bet, since they had bought Playfish last 2009 for $400 million.

Sources also stated that there are two more candidates on the line. The first one is an Asian company that is looking forward to taking a good standing in the gaming market. And Tencent, a Chinese company that has a very huge market capital and some labeled games as well.

Earning over $22.5 million in 2009, PopCap Games seems to be one of the richest videogame productions in the industry. As of now, there are still no new updates regarding who will be PopCap Games’ buyer.

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E3 2011: Electronic Art’s from Orpheum

Electronic Art’s E3 an event from EA at the Orpheum Theater to release their newest games that will be out in the shelves.

The conference was started by a video clip from the game Mass Effect 3 showing massive comets streaming toward the earth. Casey Hudson, the executive producer of ME3 step up on the stage. Then they demonstrate the games using video clips video clips of its gameplay.

After the demonstration of ME3, John Riccitiello,the CEO of Electronic Arts (EA)jumps on the stage and said “At EA we do it a little different. we don’t invite random celebrities to our press events for guest appearance. We demo our games.”

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EA Bans Gamer from Playing Dragon Age 2

One of BioWare Forum’s member, VWARE, was banned for 72 hours after accusing the game as “selling their souls to the EA devil”. And though VWARE is okay with EA’s action of restricting him from the forum, he was shocked to know that he can’t access his BioWare social account too. Worst of all, he can activate his recently purchased Dragon Age 2.

That said, VWARE can’t help but post his complaints at BioWare’s forum site. Is this an unfair practice on EA’s side? Let your thoughts be heard by leaving a comment.

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New Alice: Madness Returns Screenshots, Revealed

EA released a couple of new screenshots for their upcoming video game — Alice: Madness Returns. The fresh images show different levels, monsters and new outfits that Alice will be wearing in her travel through Wonderland.

Alice: Madness Returns is set for a June 14 release, and will available for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. See the new screenshots in the gallery after the break.

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Gallery

EA Games Unleashed for Windows Phone 7

EA is a titan when it comes to video games. And now they make a bigger step towards game supremecy with a support on Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 platform. The big plus? Let’s say an Xbox Live-enabled game starting 2010.

The first few titles of EA Mobile are The Sims 3, Tetris, Monopoly and Need for Speed Undercover.

All of these are franchises on existing mobile phones so it is not exclusive to Windows phone 7. But the Xbox Live online gaming network stays as an advantage. Even if Apple quite made it at Game Center, still WP7 is more tasty to game developers and gamers themselves. All EA games will support the Xbox Achievements. This includes badges and goals awarded for a job well done. These will add to your game score shared in between Windows Phone 7, Games for Windows and Xbox 360 games.

But surely WP7 should atleast have a third party apps in order to level with Android and iPhone.

Are you excited for the Windows Phone 7?

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Dragon Age II: Facts and Figures

It was in 2009 when BioWare and EA introduced gamers with its Dragon Age: Origins (DAO). Now, the renowned RPG developer officially confirmed that the development for its full-fledged sequel is on its way. Dragon Age II (DA2) features a new hero, a different part of the world, and tons of improvements.

Dr. Ray Muzyka, senior VP of EA and co-founder of BioWare said that “Dragon Age 2 will simultaneously deliver an epic story and will set a new bar of intense action in the genre”. Executive producer, Mark Darrah, affirms that BioWare is doing its best to make sure that the fans of DAO will retain a sense of satisfaction and familiarity in the world. Simply put, Darrah is talking about referencing events on the first game or a Mass Effect 2-style save transfer is being planned.

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