It's been a few weeks since we've seen a rush of free FarmVille farm cash promotions being launched by Zynga, but it has finally come through for us this morning with an activity with Intuit. This Intuit Business promotion can be found under the bottom right of your gameplay area, but it may just be labeled as "complete this brand activity," rather than anything specific to Intuit. Trust me, this sponsored link window works the same as all of the others, it just comes labeled differently.
Once you start the promotion, you'll be asked to share your love for a small, local business in your community. This requires some thought on your part, as I found it to be incredibly difficult to enter something that the fields could actually recognize. That is, you're asked for the name of the business, along with your city and state location, and it will then search for any addresses matching that business description. Once you find one (perhaps you'll just be luckier than me and score a hit on your first try), you'll have to fill in a form asking for your name, email address and why you like this business the most. If I were you, or are just in this for the free Farm Cash, feel free to give them an out-of-use email address as, let's face it, that's an instant sign-up for Intuit's newsletter right there.
Either way, once you jump through these hoops, you'll finally be given your two free Farm Cash. Remember, these Farm Cash should automatically update into your account, but if they don't, refresh the page and see if that sets things right. As always, we'll make sure to bring you more news about free Farm Cash offers in the future, just as soon as they pop into the game. Keep checking back for more!
What will you do with your two free Farm Cash? Do you participate in activities such as this, that require some real information about yourself, rather than just answering surveys? Sound off in the comments.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
CityVille Governor's Run Toy Maker Goals: Everything you need to know
So, you've already helped the farmers in your quest to be governor in CityVille, and now it's time to help another group of citizens in your town: the toy makers. This newest trio of Toy Maker goals can be found after you've helped the farmers, and they'll also introduce a new Community Building to your town. Here's a complete rundown of what to expect, and how to earn the vote from these toy makers. Note: you must be at least level 50 to access these goals.
The Misfit Toy Maker
* Place and Build a Toy Factory
* Collect from the Toy Factory 10 Times
Unfortunately, this goal requires you to build a new community building in your town, so I hope you have enough room to do so. The Toy Factory sits on a 4x4 square plot of land, and would normally cost 1.25 million coins to buy in the market, although there are rumblings that you'll receive one for free in your inventory once you start these goals (I personally didn't receive one, but whether that's a glitch, or by design I can't say). The building adds a whopping 3,750 citizens to your maximum population cap, and requires 12 staff members to complete. That is, you'll need to ask 12 friends to help you complete the construction of this one, so I hope they're helpful! For finishing this first goal, you'll receive 2,800 coins as a reward.
Toy Soldier
* Ask friends for 12 Toy Blocks
* Upgrade Toy Store to Level 2
* Place 20 Hearts in your city
As we've told you before, the Hearts are markers you can place in your town to let your friends know exactly which items to interact with whenever they visit. You can add them to your town by accessing the "Get Help" button in the cursor menu in the bottom right corner of the screen. As for upgrading the Toy Store, you can find a complete guide to doing so right here. Finish this goal and you'll receive 1,400 Goods.
Playtime is Over
* Ask friends for 15 Wooden Duckies
* Build Toy Tower
* Collect from Toy Tower 15 Times
The Toy Tower is a new business that costs 1.75 million coins to purchase from the store. Hopefully we'll receive a free one of these as well, but if not - we've been warned! Once built, it requires a whopping 475 Goods to operate, and will supply you with 2,393 coins by default when collecting its profits, if you don't surround the building with payout bonus decorations. As for the Wooden Duckies, just ask your friends to send them to you, and you'll eventually finish this one off (not that it'll be easy, but it's not impossible either). Finish this final Toy Maker goal and you'll receive 100 XP. Whether or not that's worth all of the Goods you've spent on your Toy Tower or not will be up to you.
At this point, you will have finished helping the Toy Makers in your run for Governor, but still have one more group to help before Act 2 of this new political feature will start. We'll make sure to let you know what that final part entails as soon as we know more, so keep checking back.
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of these Toy Maker goals? Are they too complicated to be in the middle of a larger feature, possible causing some users to get stuck, or do you appreciate such a challenge? Sound off in the comments.
The Misfit Toy Maker
* Place and Build a Toy Factory
* Collect from the Toy Factory 10 Times
Unfortunately, this goal requires you to build a new community building in your town, so I hope you have enough room to do so. The Toy Factory sits on a 4x4 square plot of land, and would normally cost 1.25 million coins to buy in the market, although there are rumblings that you'll receive one for free in your inventory once you start these goals (I personally didn't receive one, but whether that's a glitch, or by design I can't say). The building adds a whopping 3,750 citizens to your maximum population cap, and requires 12 staff members to complete. That is, you'll need to ask 12 friends to help you complete the construction of this one, so I hope they're helpful! For finishing this first goal, you'll receive 2,800 coins as a reward.
Toy Soldier
* Ask friends for 12 Toy Blocks
* Upgrade Toy Store to Level 2
* Place 20 Hearts in your city
As we've told you before, the Hearts are markers you can place in your town to let your friends know exactly which items to interact with whenever they visit. You can add them to your town by accessing the "Get Help" button in the cursor menu in the bottom right corner of the screen. As for upgrading the Toy Store, you can find a complete guide to doing so right here. Finish this goal and you'll receive 1,400 Goods.
Playtime is Over
* Ask friends for 15 Wooden Duckies
* Build Toy Tower
* Collect from Toy Tower 15 Times
The Toy Tower is a new business that costs 1.75 million coins to purchase from the store. Hopefully we'll receive a free one of these as well, but if not - we've been warned! Once built, it requires a whopping 475 Goods to operate, and will supply you with 2,393 coins by default when collecting its profits, if you don't surround the building with payout bonus decorations. As for the Wooden Duckies, just ask your friends to send them to you, and you'll eventually finish this one off (not that it'll be easy, but it's not impossible either). Finish this final Toy Maker goal and you'll receive 100 XP. Whether or not that's worth all of the Goods you've spent on your Toy Tower or not will be up to you.
At this point, you will have finished helping the Toy Makers in your run for Governor, but still have one more group to help before Act 2 of this new political feature will start. We'll make sure to let you know what that final part entails as soon as we know more, so keep checking back.
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of these Toy Maker goals? Are they too complicated to be in the middle of a larger feature, possible causing some users to get stuck, or do you appreciate such a challenge? Sound off in the comments.
CityVille: Post your in-game achievements to the Facebook ticker
Here we are again, mayors. Another Zynga game is asking for additional permission to share your gameplay information with friends via the new Facebook ticker that appears along the right side of the screen when playing games on the site. First it was FarmVille, and now comes CityVille.
This "new permissions" set is at least far more detailed than the FarmVille request, which left many users wondering exactly what they were giving Zynga access to. Here, we're told straight up that by giving Zynga these additional permissions, you're simply allowing it to share your gameplay activity in the ticker (including achievements you've earned or goals you may have completed while playing) with your friends. Facebook apparently requires it to do so, so here we are.
You'll be able to give Zynga permission (or deny it) when you see a window like the one at right appear in your screen. From there, you can either hit "Allow" to let yourself appear in the ticker, or "Don't Allow" to keep yourself hidden. Your own gameplay experience won't change, and nothing in the game itself will change either. This all goes back to how much information you want to share with friends about your gameplay activity, all in the Facebook ticker. That being the case, feel free to choose whichever option you wish without the fear of penalty.
Will you allow Zynga to share your gameplay activity with your CityVille friends? What do you think of the Facebook ticker as a whole? Sound off in the comments.
This "new permissions" set is at least far more detailed than the FarmVille request, which left many users wondering exactly what they were giving Zynga access to. Here, we're told straight up that by giving Zynga these additional permissions, you're simply allowing it to share your gameplay activity in the ticker (including achievements you've earned or goals you may have completed while playing) with your friends. Facebook apparently requires it to do so, so here we are.
You'll be able to give Zynga permission (or deny it) when you see a window like the one at right appear in your screen. From there, you can either hit "Allow" to let yourself appear in the ticker, or "Don't Allow" to keep yourself hidden. Your own gameplay experience won't change, and nothing in the game itself will change either. This all goes back to how much information you want to share with friends about your gameplay activity, all in the Facebook ticker. That being the case, feel free to choose whichever option you wish without the fear of penalty.
Will you allow Zynga to share your gameplay activity with your CityVille friends? What do you think of the Facebook ticker as a whole? Sound off in the comments.
CityVille Mexican theme expands with Statue of Independence, Cantina and more
As promised, here we are again with news of more Mexican Independence items that have been added to CityVille's store. You know, I honestly thought that this would be a one-time release, but leave it to Zynga to release more items even after the holiday in question has passed (this holiday being the Mexican Independence celebration). There aren't as many items here as in the original release we told you about earlier this week, but there is a new crop here, if you happen to be into that sort of thing.
Statue of Independence (Decoration)
* Costs: 36,000 coins
* Payout Bonus: 12% to surrounding businesses and residences; bonus 12% to Mexican themed items
Cantina (Business)
* Costs: 3,800 coins
* Requires: 95 Goods
* Supplies: 640 coins
Quince Anos Party (Decoration)
* Costs: 12 City Cash
* Payout Bonus: 12%; bonus 12% to Mexican themed items
Fine Arts Theater (Community Building)
* Costs: 80 City Cash
* Allows: 7500 citizens added to maximum population cap
Agave Crop
* Costs: 5 City Cash per square
* Harvest Time: Instant
* Supplies: 450 Goods per square planted
* First Star of Mastery: 3 Harvests
See? There aren't as many items in this release, but luckily, we're given plenty of time to purchase them either way. You'll have 12 days to do your shopping for these new items (the original section of this theme is down to a 10-day time limit), so just make sure to go shopping eventually before these items do actually expire.
What do you think of these newest CityVille Mexican-themed items? What sort of cultural or geographical theme would you like to see released next? Sound off in the comments.
Statue of Independence (Decoration)
* Costs: 36,000 coins
* Payout Bonus: 12% to surrounding businesses and residences; bonus 12% to Mexican themed items
Cantina (Business)
* Costs: 3,800 coins
* Requires: 95 Goods
* Supplies: 640 coins
Quince Anos Party (Decoration)
* Costs: 12 City Cash
* Payout Bonus: 12%; bonus 12% to Mexican themed items
Fine Arts Theater (Community Building)
* Costs: 80 City Cash
* Allows: 7500 citizens added to maximum population cap
Agave Crop
* Costs: 5 City Cash per square
* Harvest Time: Instant
* Supplies: 450 Goods per square planted
* First Star of Mastery: 3 Harvests
See? There aren't as many items in this release, but luckily, we're given plenty of time to purchase them either way. You'll have 12 days to do your shopping for these new items (the original section of this theme is down to a 10-day time limit), so just make sure to go shopping eventually before these items do actually expire.
What do you think of these newest CityVille Mexican-themed items? What sort of cultural or geographical theme would you like to see released next? Sound off in the comments.
The Sims Social: Country meets chic with Country Kitchen items
Is it just me, or is decorating our houses one of the best things to do in the Sims Social? I know I could personally spend plenty of time rearranging furniture in each room, only to ripe it all out and start over again, and to help us do that with even more themes is a new Country Kitchen theme that has launched in the game this week. These country kitchen items bring in all sorts of shades of brown and ivory, and it's one of the most complete themes we've seen released in the game yet. Here's a rundown of what to look out for in the store to make this theme complete in your own home.
Plate Collection
* Costs: 4 SimCash
* Value: $600
Perfecto Fruitbowl
* Costs: 4 SimCash
* Value $600
Vintage Wines
* Costs: 6 SimCash
* Value: $900
RuralU Deluxe C (Kitchen Counter Piece)
* Costs: 10 SimCash
* Value: $1500
RuralU Deluxe (Kitchen Counter Piece)
* Costs: 12 SimCash
* Value: $1750
Antiquitate Deco (Wall Sconce)
* Costs: 3 SimCash
* Value: $450
19th Century Lamp
* Costs: 10 SimCash
* Value: $1500
19th Century Pot (Flowers)
* Costs: 19 SimCash
* Value: $2800
Antiquitate Oil
* Costs: 325 Social Points
* Value: $700
Basinuate Marble (Sink)
* Costs: 12 SimCash
* Value: 1750
* Clean Stat: 5
FrancoFaux Chaise (Buildable item)
* Costs: 225 Social Points
* Value: $500
Cereal Shelf
* Costs: 250 Social Points
* Value: $550
19th Century Mat
* Costs: 19 SimCash
* Value: $2800
Clox Fruitful
* Costs: 350 Social Points
* Value: $800
RuralU Trove (Wall Cabinet Piece)
* Costs: 600 Social Points
* Value: $1450
RuralU Charm (Wall Cabinet Piece)
* Costs: 800 Social Points
* Value: $2050
FrancoFaux Tableau (Buildable item)
* Costs: 800 Social Points
* Value: $2050
RuralU Latch (Hutch - Buildable item)
* Costs: 1100 Social Points
* Value: $3100
G King Counter (Center Island - Buildable item)
* Costs: 15,000 Social Points
* Value: $21,250
* Happiness Stat: 3
Normanity Chair (Living Room Furniture - Buildable item)
* Costs: 450 Social Points
* Value: $1050
FrancoFaux Cafe (Living Room Furniture - Buildable item)
* Costs: 650 Social Points
* Value: $1600
Normanity Sofa (Living Room Furniture - Buildable item)
* Costs: 700 Social Points
* Value: $1750
* Sleep Stat: 3
In addition to all of these items, there's also a Cooking Skill vent hood called the SuxDelux that's available to users that have reached a Cooking Skill of 40 or higher. This item has a value of $3650.
In the Build Menu, you can also find a selection of new windows in the same matching dark wood color, ranging in price from 750 coins for the RealOak 2 Pane to 6,000 coins for the RealOak 5 Pane. If you want the window in the picture above, with the quaint ivory curtains, that will set you back a whopping 39 SimCash. Along with this, there are five new wallpapers and three new floor tiles to round out the theme.
There's no listed time limit on any of these items, so if you don't have enough Social Points or SimCash available to buy them now, you should be able to save up and purchase them well into the future. Still, if you want to get your hands on these items while they're fresh, I really couldn't blame you. I just hope your kitchen is big enough to hold them all!
[Final Image Credit: Playfish/EA]
What do you think of these Country Kitchen items? Are you more of a modern fan, or do you like country / southwestern items? Sound off in the comments.
Plate Collection
* Costs: 4 SimCash
* Value: $600
Perfecto Fruitbowl
* Costs: 4 SimCash
* Value $600
Vintage Wines
* Costs: 6 SimCash
* Value: $900
RuralU Deluxe C (Kitchen Counter Piece)
* Costs: 10 SimCash
* Value: $1500
RuralU Deluxe (Kitchen Counter Piece)
* Costs: 12 SimCash
* Value: $1750
Antiquitate Deco (Wall Sconce)
* Costs: 3 SimCash
* Value: $450
19th Century Lamp
* Costs: 10 SimCash
* Value: $1500
19th Century Pot (Flowers)
* Costs: 19 SimCash
* Value: $2800
Antiquitate Oil
* Costs: 325 Social Points
* Value: $700
Basinuate Marble (Sink)
* Costs: 12 SimCash
* Value: 1750
* Clean Stat: 5
FrancoFaux Chaise (Buildable item)
* Costs: 225 Social Points
* Value: $500
Cereal Shelf
* Costs: 250 Social Points
* Value: $550
19th Century Mat
* Costs: 19 SimCash
* Value: $2800
Clox Fruitful
* Costs: 350 Social Points
* Value: $800
RuralU Trove (Wall Cabinet Piece)
* Costs: 600 Social Points
* Value: $1450
RuralU Charm (Wall Cabinet Piece)
* Costs: 800 Social Points
* Value: $2050
FrancoFaux Tableau (Buildable item)
* Costs: 800 Social Points
* Value: $2050
RuralU Latch (Hutch - Buildable item)
* Costs: 1100 Social Points
* Value: $3100
G King Counter (Center Island - Buildable item)
* Costs: 15,000 Social Points
* Value: $21,250
* Happiness Stat: 3
Normanity Chair (Living Room Furniture - Buildable item)
* Costs: 450 Social Points
* Value: $1050
FrancoFaux Cafe (Living Room Furniture - Buildable item)
* Costs: 650 Social Points
* Value: $1600
Normanity Sofa (Living Room Furniture - Buildable item)
* Costs: 700 Social Points
* Value: $1750
* Sleep Stat: 3
In addition to all of these items, there's also a Cooking Skill vent hood called the SuxDelux that's available to users that have reached a Cooking Skill of 40 or higher. This item has a value of $3650.
In the Build Menu, you can also find a selection of new windows in the same matching dark wood color, ranging in price from 750 coins for the RealOak 2 Pane to 6,000 coins for the RealOak 5 Pane. If you want the window in the picture above, with the quaint ivory curtains, that will set you back a whopping 39 SimCash. Along with this, there are five new wallpapers and three new floor tiles to round out the theme.
There's no listed time limit on any of these items, so if you don't have enough Social Points or SimCash available to buy them now, you should be able to save up and purchase them well into the future. Still, if you want to get your hands on these items while they're fresh, I really couldn't blame you. I just hope your kitchen is big enough to hold them all!
[Final Image Credit: Playfish/EA]
What do you think of these Country Kitchen items? Are you more of a modern fan, or do you like country / southwestern items? Sound off in the comments.
FarmVille meets Indiana Jones for real in Adventure World soon
Adventure World: An Indiana Jones Game
Since Adventure World's release last week, many media outlets dubbed it "FarmVille meets Indiana Jones." It seems that Zynga took those allusions to heart, as the company has teamed up with Lucasfilm to make good on those hit-generating remarks. Zynga just announced that Indiana Jones will soon make his way into Adventure World this October.
In fact, it appears that the game will be completely rebranded with the Indiana Jones name, according to the above image. The teaser depicts the familiar Adventure World logo, but now reads, "Adventure World: An Indiana Jones Game." To us at least, this implies that Zynga Boston's debut game will incorporate the Indiana Jones brand throughout (and perhaps permanently). The wording of Zynga's announcement certainly steers us toward this conclusion:
Zynga is proud to announce that we're teaming up with Lucasfilm to bring Indiana Jones - the KING of lost idol hunting, bull whipping, holy grail-ing and flying (but not landing) - to your favorite adventure game. Adventure World: An Indiana Jones Game will be coming soon to a browser near you.
If this is, in fact, the case, Adventure World would be the first Zynga game built entirely around a single brand, rather than the one-off promotions we see from brands like McDonald's in FarmVille and recently Best Buy in CityVille. Considering the massively ambitious game hasn't been doing so hot its first week out of the gate, this could be second wind it needs.
Is the Indy Jones fan in you excited by this announcement? What do you think of Adventure World so far? Sound off in the comments. 6 Comments
Since Adventure World's release last week, many media outlets dubbed it "FarmVille meets Indiana Jones." It seems that Zynga took those allusions to heart, as the company has teamed up with Lucasfilm to make good on those hit-generating remarks. Zynga just announced that Indiana Jones will soon make his way into Adventure World this October.
In fact, it appears that the game will be completely rebranded with the Indiana Jones name, according to the above image. The teaser depicts the familiar Adventure World logo, but now reads, "Adventure World: An Indiana Jones Game." To us at least, this implies that Zynga Boston's debut game will incorporate the Indiana Jones brand throughout (and perhaps permanently). The wording of Zynga's announcement certainly steers us toward this conclusion:
Zynga is proud to announce that we're teaming up with Lucasfilm to bring Indiana Jones - the KING of lost idol hunting, bull whipping, holy grail-ing and flying (but not landing) - to your favorite adventure game. Adventure World: An Indiana Jones Game will be coming soon to a browser near you.
If this is, in fact, the case, Adventure World would be the first Zynga game built entirely around a single brand, rather than the one-off promotions we see from brands like McDonald's in FarmVille and recently Best Buy in CityVille. Considering the massively ambitious game hasn't been doing so hot its first week out of the gate, this could be second wind it needs.
Is the Indy Jones fan in you excited by this announcement? What do you think of Adventure World so far? Sound off in the comments. 6 Comments
Game of the Day: Pop & Drop
pop and drop game of the dayA herd of colored balls is headed your way, and unless you act quickly, they'll drop right on top of you! Pop all the colored balls before they reach you by creating sets of three or more.
Pop & Drop features two awesome game modes: action mode and the strategy-based perpetual mode. I promise you though, you'll be kept on your toes regardless of what mode you play. Make sure to use the special power pieces to help you rack up the big points.
Click here to play Pop & Drop!
pop and drop game of the day pop and drop game of the day
Pro Tips:
* Pop & Drop shows you where your next shot is going to land. This is an invaluable tool! With it you can line up insanely tight shots through gaps, enabling you to hit those huge combos.
* Bank balls off the walls. As I said before, Pop & Drop shows you where your next ball will land, even for banked shots. Use it to access those hard to reach places.
* Be precise! When the balls are closing in, don't fire wildly. Calm down and make sure you hit an intelligent shot. For example, don't just shoot the ball onto the first level, or you'll need two more balls of the same color to knock it off. Instead, stack it onto another color so when you knock that set off, both colors will pop.
* When all hope is lost, and the colored ball armada is knocking on your door, don't forget to use your arsenal of destructive grenades.
Click here to play Pop & Drop!
What level were you able to get to in Pop & Drop?
Pop & Drop features two awesome game modes: action mode and the strategy-based perpetual mode. I promise you though, you'll be kept on your toes regardless of what mode you play. Make sure to use the special power pieces to help you rack up the big points.
Click here to play Pop & Drop!
pop and drop game of the day pop and drop game of the day
Pro Tips:
* Pop & Drop shows you where your next shot is going to land. This is an invaluable tool! With it you can line up insanely tight shots through gaps, enabling you to hit those huge combos.
* Bank balls off the walls. As I said before, Pop & Drop shows you where your next ball will land, even for banked shots. Use it to access those hard to reach places.
* Be precise! When the balls are closing in, don't fire wildly. Calm down and make sure you hit an intelligent shot. For example, don't just shoot the ball onto the first level, or you'll need two more balls of the same color to knock it off. Instead, stack it onto another color so when you knock that set off, both colors will pop.
* When all hope is lost, and the colored ball armada is knocking on your door, don't forget to use your arsenal of destructive grenades.
Click here to play Pop & Drop!
What level were you able to get to in Pop & Drop?
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