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Big Head Games has announced the release of Doodle Pool for the iPhon/iPod Touch. Doodle Pool allows players to take on some of the greats, such as Hugh Balls, Jonathon Rotten, Pretty Vacant and Bruce ‘The Boss’. Players can play different billiards games against some of the big names. The doodle part is the graphics of the game. The pool table and balls look like doodles. They have a nice polished look to them, but they are a doodle instead of a graphic that looks like a pool table.

Players can play US 8 Ball, US 9 Ball or UK 8 Ball in one or two players modes. There are timed modes too to make things a bit more challenging and exciting. Each time a player sinks a ball they get a point. Players also get points for winning the match. The one with the most points at the end wins and the score gets posted to a global leader board.

The controls are easier to use. Players can touch anywhere on the screen and pull back to make a shot. If you have ever played the game Angry Birds, the touch controls are similar to that game.

If you like billiards games or are looking for a billiards game that is a bit different, check out Doodle Pool in the Apple App Store.

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The Walt Disney Company has acquired Playdom, an online social gaming company. Disney has seen how popular Farmville and other social games have become and they want a piece of that action. It is probably not economical for Disney to buy Zynga, the makers of Farmville so they go for the next best thing.

Playdom is responsible for games such as Social City, Sorority Life and Market Street. The games attract an estimated 42 million players every month, which is not too shabby. Of course, the social games can all be played on Facebook and this purchase gives Disney a foot hold into the Facebook social gaming market.

“We are at the start of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way people of all ages play games with their friends across devices, platforms and geographical boundaries,” said Playdom Chief Executive Officer John Pleasants. “Disney is an incredibly forward-thinking company that shares our vision and is the ideal partner to further our mission to bring great entertainment to people around the world.”

The acquisition has not been approved, yet, but is expected to be approved by the end of Disney’s 2010 fiscal year. Once the deal is approved, it will come as no surprise to see Disney making more social games.

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Alawar Entertainment has announced the upcoming release of Snark Busters, a hidden object game for the PC. Snarks are very elusive. People have seen a snark, but have never caught one. Players have the task of trying to catch a snark and it won’t be easy.

Players help Kira Robertson hunt down the Snark. There are clues to be unraveled, puzzles to be solved and objects to be pieced together all in an attempt to find the Snark and capture it. Players tackle seven different chapters with thirty different locations. The main goal is to find the objects required of you, as with any hidden object game, but there are puzzles and mini-games thrown in as well.

Snark Busters is set to launch this week. If you are into hidden object games and want to try out a humorous hidden object game with a twist, check out Snark Busters.

Last September, Alawar Entertainment released the creepy Gothic hidden object game Vampire Saga: Pandora’s Box. They have just announced that it has hit the iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad. The game features animated cutscenes, loads of objects hidden among detailed Victorian-era scenes, and a Lovecraftian vampire storyline.

As expected, the interface has been optimized for the iPhone and iPad’s touch features, and will cost $2.99 on iPhone / iPod Touch and $6.99 on iPad. “Light” trial versions will be available to give players a taste of game.

Vampire Saga is a creepy hidden object game set at the turn of the century. Join Matthew Ward as he steals aboard a cargo ship to escape the violence of the Spanish-American War, passes out for no apparent reason (never a good sign!), and wakes up to find himself alone with several sinister-looking coffins. Where did the crew go? Why is Matthew having strange visions? And why does he feel like he’s being watched?

Above is the video released to promote the game. Click here for the original PC game description.

MumboJumbo has announced it would be releasing its most popular casual titles in retail stores such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Target, with prices ranging from $4.99 to $19.99.

The titles will include:

• * MumboJumbo 6 Pack ($19.99) (which is bundled with The Secret of Margrave Manor, Samantha Swift and the Hidden Roses of Athena, Nancy Drew and the Secret of the Scarlet Hand, Slingo Quest Hawaii, LUXOR MahJong and 7 Wonders II.)
• * Poker Superstars Texas Hold-em: All In! ($9.99)
• * 7 Wonders Trilogy ($9.99)
• * Midnight Mysteries: The Salem Witch Trials Collector’s Edition ($19.99)
• * Samantha Swift and the Hidden Roses of Athena (Nintendo DS, $19.99)

MumboJumbo also announced that a number of Nintendo DS titles will launch during the third quarter, including Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy and 7 Wonders II. Let us know if you’ll be picking any of these titles up.

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