Farmville is making quite the profit these days and is starting to engage in some philanthropic efforts to help those in the rest of the world that are not as fortunate as their counterparts in the United States.
Most recently, the folks over at Zynga have integrated a function into the browser-based game Farmville (as well as Mafia Wars and Zynga Poker) that allows its players to donate to the Haiti Relief Fund, whose main purpose is to help those who have experienced suffering from the earthquake that recently occurred in the area.
Farmville players can help in Zynga’s donation efforts by buying some White Corn in the game. This item (seeds) costs 25 Farm Cash, but literally 100% of the funds collected will go to the Haiti Relief Fund to help earthquake victims. What a great initiative that Zynga has put out there… I wouldn’t be surprised if this started a new trend for charitable donations by other online gaming companies.
Tags: Facebook Farmville, Farmville Haiti Donation, Farmville Philanthropic Initiative, Farmville White Corn, Haiti Earthquake, Haiti Relief Fund, Mafia Wars, White Corn Farm Cash, Zynga Poker
Facebook, Farmville, Free Browser-Based Games | JJ | 
January 17, 2010 11:11 am | 
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There have been many startups lately breaking into the online gaming industry, especially with browser-based games that they have created themselves. Keep reading for an example of one such instance.
This gamer, who is an RPG and fantasy game fan (and has been a programmer for the past 10 years), has developed their own browser-based game after playing lots of RPGs and tiring of their “level grind and lack of quests/game content.”
In the free-to-play persistent browser-based game (PBBG), players are able to contribute by adding their own quests (including the items involved in the quest) and their own chatrooms. The developer claims that the graphics “are nothing to boast about” but the comments that testers have made about the game speak of them in positive terms.
If you’re interested in testing out the game for yourself, visit www.createorconquer.com. Otherwise, if you’re interested in checking out what else some of the testers have said about this new browser-based game, click here.
Browser-based games aren’t just fun. They can also be educational. In this case, Handicap International, a charity organization, has teamed up with Ubisoft, a computer and video game developer and publisher, to create Handigo The Game.
This new free-to-play browser-based game is part of the AbilityTogether Campaign and is primarily aimed at 10 to 14 year-olds to increase awareness of the everyday challenges that those that are disabled face.
The game is composed of three mini games, each putting the player in the role of an individual with a unique disability. Impairments that players experience while playing the game are supposed to represent physical, sensory, and learning disabilities that the disabled face.
An educational DVD related to the game is available to teachers, free of charge. The DVD includes a printable booklet, interactive classroom quizzes, downloadable tools, and more. If you’re a teacher and are interested, you can request a copy of the DVD by sending an e-mail to abilitytogether@hi-uk.org.
Via GameFwd.
Since it’s public release nearly two months ago, Quick Hit Football has been played one million times. The American football browser-based game is free to play and as a result of so many players, is planning on releasing an update on December 22nd, this upcoming Tuesday. The update is claimed to enhance gameplay and playcalling during the game.
Quick Hit Football, unlike various other sports video games, relies on creating playcalling strategies instead of actual in-game action. This setup allows the game to be appealing to both fantasy football and role-playing game motifs, ultimately giving players have much more freedom in creating and developing their own teams which are representative of their own unique playing styles.
The game’s first major update will include additional player skills and 50 new plays to the game’s playbook. In the game, players will be able to acquire more unique skills as they progress through more difficult levels. If you’re interested in the game or the update, check out the official website at www.quickhit.com.
Via Kotaku.
As browser-based games are becoming popular, here are three worth trying out. In fact, they’re three of the top English-Chinese browser based games on the market right now. And to top it all off, they’re all free — woo!
1. WWII Warfare: This browser-based strategy game is set to the tone of World War II. It’s the Axis against the Allies in this all-out battle of good versus evil. In the game, you can build your own base and develop your own infrastructure. You’ll also be able to make your own (streamlined) weaponry and equipment. When you’re strong enough, you’ll be able to wage war against your opponents. Ready to play? Click here.
2. Warrior Legends: This real-time strategy game is set in the Middle Ages where you’ll play in real-time with thousands of other places. You’ll take on a role as the lord of a city in one of three countries: Gallia, Lllyrium, and Germania. In the game, the goal is to gather as much crops, lumber, and iron as possible to construct infrastructure, explore technology, and recruit troops to ultimately develop and expand your nation and be able to rejuvenate the civilization of the Middle Ages. Ready to play? Click here.
3. Evony: Another MMORTS (real-time strategy) game, in this game you’ll build up and expand your territory. You start off in an empty town and your goal is to build it up to a magnificent city so that you can eventually build an army and go on a quest to conquer additional lands. Fair warning — successive tasks get harder and harder, but don’t get discouraged. Ready to play? Click here.
Via PlayBBG.
Tags: English-Chinese Games, Evony, Middle Ages, MMO, MMORTS, Real-Time Strategy, RTSs, Warrior Legends, World War II, WWII, WWII Warfare
Browser-Based Games, Free Browser-Based Games, MMOs, RTSs, Strategy Games | JJ | 7:48 pm | Comments (1)
This past year, gamers have enjoyed Aurora Blade, a free-to-play browser-based MMORPG video game. The game is IGG’s first browser-based 2D RPG (role playing game) and as a Christmas present to all its devoted players out there, IGG will be offering new content for the game on Christmas Day.
Gamers will be able to download the update for Aurora Blade, which will include new PvP (player versus player) features that allow players who have been killed to get revenge on their killers without adding points to their violence level — pretty slick addition, huh? Also, new instanced dungeons and bosses have been added to various levels within the game.
IGG has also made a few in-game modifications to the browser-based game, including the addition of new character info and an option to block certain players from within the friends menu. If you’re interested in creating an account in the game or learning more about the Christmas Day update for Aurora Blade, you can visit IGG’s official website at ab.igg.com. Good luck and happy gaming!
Via CinemaBlend.
Tags: 2D MMORPG, 2D RPG, Aurora Blade, Christmas, IGG, MMO, MMORPG, Player Versus Player, PvP, RPG
Browser-Based Games, Browser-Based Games News, Free Browser-Based Games, MMOs, RPGs | JJ | December 18, 2009 11:26 am | Comments (2)
Here’s another EA game that’s gaining more players as we speak. Battlefield Heroes is a browser-based game that was launched last summer as part of EA Games’ Play 4 Free model, where players can download the game for free and spent small amounts of money on weapon and outfit upgrades.
Battlefield Heroes is a military shooter game that has already reached over three million online players. The game is a simpler version of EA’s multiplayer component and features cartoonish graphics and a handful of maps and weapons.
Via USAToday.
News about Tiger Woods’ latest escapades have been blasted all over the news these days and EA Sports is concerned about how this gossip will affect the sales of their PGA Tour video game and more importantly, of their golf franchise. Having been the lead endorser of the EA Sports PGA Tour series since 1998, if Woods were to be given the axe, there would be no suitable substitute to replace the golfing star.
All this is speculation, but it’s definitely something that EA has to keep an eye on. The video game manufacturer’s free of charge browser-based game Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online is already in closed beta testing. All we have to do is wait and see how the public responds. We’ll keep you posted on any developments.
Via Kotaku.
Snail Games USA, creator of the new browser-based game Heroes of Gaia, has recently reached 600,000 users worldwide. (600,000 represents the number of individuals who have logged into their accounts within the past 30 days.)
This new real-time strategy online game is based on classic strategy game concepts. Players can choose one of four roles (Humans, Elves, Orcs, or the Undead) before continuing on their quest to build castles, recruit heroes, find magical items, summon armies, and battle against other players and NPCs (non-player characters) to take control of the kingdom of Gaia.
Heroes of Gaia is free to play and since it’s a browser-based game, doesn’t require any downloads or installs. If you’re interested in learning more about the MMO (massively multiplayer online) game or registering for a free account, check out www.heroesofgaia.com.
Via CrispyGamer.
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