City Story allows you can create a virtual city with all types of businesses, residences, and decor you can purchase and place anywhere you choose. You earn money from factory contracts, cleaning buildings and gifts from your neighbors – who are either AI or real-life Facebook friends. Fashion Story has the player running a clothing boutique, where they choose and stock the very latest fashions and designs, then layout the store and changing rooms before preparing for the shopping rush. Players can visit friends’ boutiques, and “like” items and give gifts. Finally, Zoo Story has players raising animals like snow leopards, tigers, koalas, zebras, crocodiles, ostriches and pandas, breeding and raising baby animals, and building crops to feed said animals.

All of the games are free MMOs, but supported by microtransaction content purchases. Previous “Story” games include Bakery Story and Restaurant Story.

You can download each game free from Android:

* City Story
* Fashion Story
* Zoo Story

(Thanks, Venture Beat.)

Children get to tour the world as a superhero. The game takes them to real locations around the world from the Eiffel Tower to Rockefeller Plaza. The children get to have fun and play games, but they may learn something about iconic destinations along the way.

Mark Gerhard, CEO at Jagex, commented: “Herotopia offers a fantastically rich and fun experience which we know will appeal to the superhero in everyone. Herotopia is our first under 12 title and, with today’s substantial update making Herotopia even more compelling, we are certain that the game has what it takes to be a huge hit with kids all over the world.”

If your child likes super heroes, check out Herotopia.

Press Release Follows:

CAMBRIDGE, UK – May 25, 2011 – Calling all Superkids!  Jagex Games Studio, the UK’s largest independent games publisher, in partnership with New York based developer Herotainment, today launched Herotopia, the free-to-play online game for children, with new content, activities and features. Herotopia offers a fun, vibrant, and safe environment for kids to play, socialize and live out their superhero dreams.

With today’s launch, Herotopia unveils a new Mission System, giving players more than 75 challenging quests to complete and five new mini-games, including daily Power Puzzles that test their creativeness, skill and knowledge of the world around them.

Recipient of the NAPPA Gold Award from the National Parenting Publications Awards, Herotopia offers kids a rich and engaging world for them to become their ultimate Superheroes. Traveling to real-world locations such as New York, the North Pole, Beijing and Paris, kids visit iconic destinations from the Eiffel Tower to Rockefeller Plaza, completing quests, games and adventures along the way.  In addition to global travels and the action-packed mini-games, every new Superhero also has their own Secret Hideout, a fully customizable hero base where they can meet with their in-game friends.

Mark Gerhard, CEO at Jagex, commented: “Herotopia offers a fantastically rich and fun experience which we know will appeal to the superhero in everyone. Herotopia is our first under 12 title and, with today’s substantial update making Herotopia even more compelling, we are certain that the game has what it takes to be a huge hit with kids all over the world.”

Caryn and Wade Teman, joint CEO’s of Herotainment said:  “When creating Herotopia, we as parents ourselves wanted to empower kids to be their own heroes and to get something more out of playing an online game than just a high score. The content update launched today is our largest to date and we are very excited to be teaming up with Jagex to make Herotopia the leading virtual world for children everywhere.”

Herotopia is accessible to play for free on almost any internet enabled computer. An All-Access Superhero membership option is available for a small monthly fee, offering special features and privileges on top of the free game. These include the opportunity to buy accessories for the player’s Secret Hideout, adopt an Orangutan Sidekick, acquire multiple Superpowers and Super Vehicles to travel around this exciting world as well as the ability to unlock and visit to the special imaginary location, Herotopia Island. An All-Access membership costs from $5.95 a month, a portion of which will be donated to children’s charities, voted on by the Herotopia community.

To play Herotopia and find out more about the game, visit www.herotopia.com.

BHO is set in the future in the 25th century. Man has encountered Extraterrestrial Intelligence, but it has lead to a galactic war. The Federal Government was formed and put a cease to the war and reduced the military. The peace time is just a facade and the government has hired private military groups to wage the war. These mercenaries, also known as Bounty Hounds, have gone out of control. Players are part of the private military. They need to fight for mankind.

If you would like to check out Bounty Hounds, head over to their webpage.

Press Release Follows:

Hamburg, May 25. Today InnoGames has launched the Closed Beta for its new Sci-Fi MMO Bounty Hounds Online (BHO). 1,000 players have the chance to conquer the alien world of Clear Sky Planet and provide the BHO team with essential feedback for the game’s final release. Amongst other places, keys can be won by signing up for a Bounty Hounds Online account on the homepage. This account can also be used once the game enters open beta or launches fully!

Simultaneously, some great looking wallpapers were released on www.bountyhounds.com, one of them depicting the recently introduced Shock Trooper. The heavily armed melee fighter is one of five unique playable character classes in BHO.

BHO is set in the 25th century, when man´s first encounter with Extraterrestrial Intelligence led to a huge galactic war. With the birth of the Federal Government, war has officially ended and military forces have been reduced. The peace that followed, however, is merely a façade and the government now relies on Private Military Companies (PMCs) for their protection. These mercenaries, also known as Bounty Hounds, are uncontrollable and their numbers are growing. As one of the mercenaries who survived the galactic war the player will be part of the Private Military, fight for mankind and become a true hero.

The mercenaries on Clear Sky Planet protect the fickle peace. In order to enter the battlefield, players choose one of five unique mercenary classes for their male or female character. Each class is playable by members of all four factions. Bounty Hounds has already been a great success on the PlayStation Portable.

InnoGames has developed major browser game titles like Tribal Wars, The West and Grepolis. With more than 60 million registered users, the German company ranks amongst the biggest developers and publishers of online games.

Robo Smash

The game challenges players to smash their opponents. Players control a robot and use the robot’s abilities to smash their opponents. There is a punch cannon option or a smash option. The smash option is a powerful move that requires players to build blocks around their opponents. There are many moves to choose from and the players have to decide which is the best way to knock out their opponent. Players play in teams of six.

If you are into action/strategy games, check out Robo Smasher.

Press Release Follows:

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 17 /PRNewswire/ — Kru Interactive announces the release of Robo Smasher (http://www.robosmasher.com), an online multiplayer game, now available for free download. Robo Smasher combines third-person shooter action with block-moving strategy. The game features a super-deformed cartoon theme suitable for players of all ages.

In Robo Smasher, players battle in matches of up to six people by controlling an avatar-piloted robot. The goal of each match is to knock out or smash the opponent. Players can knock out an opponent using their punch cannons or instantly smash them by strategically moving surrounding blocks. There are many more ways to knockout and smash; it is up to the player to decide the best strategy.

As players advance in level and earn game money, they can fully customize their avatars to their own style. They also can upgrade their mechros, making them more powerful in battle.

The story behind the game is set in a distant galaxy, where two planets battle against each other in search for the precious eggro bean. These beans possess mystical powers that provide a reliable source of energy. The Auros, a peaceful race, have depleted their natural resources and must collect the beans to power their planet. The Nemos, an imperial war-like race, are collecting the beans to build a vast army of mechros in order to conquer the galaxy one planet at a time. The mechros are robotic machines that require eggro beans for power and upgrades. Forces from both sides have been sent to collect the beans from specific planets like the Jungle Planet, Treasure Planet, Ice Planet and the Ghost Planet.

Thirteen characters are available in Robo Smasher, including:

Cooki – leader of the Auro forces
Dan – best mechanical knowledge of mechros
Prince Angle – prince of planet Nemo and leader of its mechro forces
Sir Edge – best mechro pilot on Nemo

The full download is available at http://www.robosmasher.com/download.html. System requirements are:

Windows XP / Vista / 7
Pentium 4 1.5Ghz or Higher
512MB RAM
3D video card (DirectX 9.0c compatible)
300 MB hard disk space

There are two stories going on at the same time and this is the first time this is taking place. The new server runs the second story and the first server runs the original story. The other feature that sets this game apart from other MMO games is there is no combat and death occurs very rarely.  The game is based on trade skills and players will find it easier to work with other players, but it is not required.  If players choose, they can go against the crowd.

If you like MMO games that don’t require you to run around and fight things, but concentrate more on the social aspect, check out A Tale in the Desert.

Runescape is an MMO where players are battling in a savage land. There are two races at war and players have to complete the missions in this hostile land. The game has been well received and has even won awards. Runescape is free to play and many people enjoy the game. If you are looking for a good free MMO, check out Runescape.

Press Release Follows:

Jagex Games Studio is happy to announce the 2009 Thanks Giving update for RuneScape, the World’s most popular free MMO: Turkey Basting.

They may not be able to fly well, run particularly fast or look inconspicuous, but the turkeys always seem to ruin Thanksgiving plans. This time round, the brother of the Lumbridge Castle cook has been plumping the Thanksgiving turkeys up on a special food mix, designed to make them extra lean and tasty. Instead, the turkeys have turned out to be super-sized and extra strong, and they are less than enamoured with the idea of being in Lumbridge stomachs!

About RuneScape
RuneScape is a massively-multiplayer online game developed and published by Jagex, the 2009 Golden Joystick Awards “UK Developer of the Year”. The game is set in a fantasy world of warring races, ravaged landscapes and sinister powers. RuneScape is free-to-play and can be accessed on almost any PC with access to the internet.

RuneScape currently hold the world record as the most popular free online game and has been played by over 150 million people worldwide since it was first launched in 2001, making RuneScape the most successful browser based game in history.

The game can be played by going to RuneScape.Com, trailers can be found at youtube.com/thejagexchannel, and regular news on what’s happening with the game can be found at Twitter.Com/OfficialJagex.

The game will be an online based game and will have players managing their clients. Players have to accessorize in the latest fashion, work on getting the best car and the best places to live. There will be time to chat in the best VIP bars around. Players make sure their client is living the high life and in return they get to keep their job.

“The online casual player is evolving and demanding an experience that remains intuitive and accessible but that is a bit more comprehensive and definitely more social. Star Fever Agency.com delivers that experience.”  As the marketing director of Sarbakan, Sara Garneau, puts it, “For a 16 year-old it’s Stardoll goes to college and for the 33 year-old it’s Flo leaves the diner and takes her management skills to Hollywood!”

Star Fever Agency sounds like a unique experience with familiar game play elements. The game seems to have game play elements of other casual games, but sets those elements in an online world with a unique mission.

If this game sounds like something you are interested in, they are looking for women gaming enthusiasts to partake in the closed beta. There are not a lot of spots left, but if you use the letters CGC in front or behind your name when you sign up, you will be given a closed beta spot.

Press Release Follows:

Quebec City, QC – July 2009    New company, The Rabbit Hole Limited and veteran game studio Sarbakan Inc are excited to announce their strategic partnership in the development and management of the much anticipated Star Fever Agency due for launch in the fall of 2009.

An opportunity, born through Sarbakan’s original concept, allowed the strengths of The Rabbit Hole team, as experts in successful creative ventures in the entertainment and internet-based industries, to be perfectly matched with Sarbakan’s wealth of experience in quality game production.

Creative Director of The Rabbit Hole, Paul Rowland, sees close relationships with partners like Sarbakan as a key ingredient of its future success and a popular move with its angel investors.  “It’s important to recognise specialised skill sets and with the Sarbakan studio we had a partner with a proven track record in creating top-end cross-platform games and IP expertise to help make a partly sculpted idea into a highly marketable reality.  Once a common vision for a game is cultivated in the right cultural environment then the merging of focused talent to deliver a product like Star Fever Agency becomes a real pleasure.”

About Star Fever Agency

Being billed as one of the hottest titles this year Star Fever Agency creates a virtual celebrity world allowing a player to rise through the ranks and become a top agent by managing their star’s health, ego, talent, style and celebrity media status through the good times and the bad.  By accessorizing in the latest clothing designs, cars and ‘cribs’, chatting in the VIP bars and bistros and steering their clients from speech classes to auditions to TV & movie roles this innovative game blurs the genres of casual gaming and MMO to serve a large audience of players craving for new experiences.

“The online casual player is evolving and demanding an experience that remains intuitive and accessible but that is a bit more comprehensive and definitely more social. Star Fever Agency.com delivers that experience.”  As the marketing director of Sarbakan, Sara Garneau, puts it, “For a 16 year-old it’s Stardoll goes to college and for the 33 year-old it’s Flo leaves the diner and takes her management skills to Hollywood!”

By joining forces, there is no doubt that The Rabbit Hole and Sarbakan will deliver a game that will generate word-of-mouth far beyond Tinseltown.

The goal of the game is to adopt and care for quirky little creatures known as Fauna. Players can collaborate with other players to build virtual worlds. Players can explore virtual worlds, as well. The Fauna lay eggs as they level up and the eggs hatch into new Fauna. There are twelve different breeds of Fauna and players can even try and breed Fauna for specific traits. The game is aimed at casual gamers and focuses on non-violent game play, rich social networking elements, and contains an immersive storyline.

When Faunasphere is released, the game will be free to play. They will make their money off of microtransactions and premium memberships. Premium memberships will buy you an enhanced gaming experience.

Sounds like an intersting game. I like the idea of a free MMO game funded by microtransactions. Microtransactions can suck you in if it is a good game. It will be exciting to see how the game play is.

Press Release Follows:

SEATTLE – June 16, 2009 – Big Fish Games™, the world’s leading online destination for games and interactive entertainment, announces Faunasphere (www.faunasphere.com), currently in closed beta. In this browser-based casual MMO, players adopt and care for cute and quirky creatures known as Fauna and collaborate to build and explore beautiful virtual worlds. From the creator and lead designer of Asheron’s Call, Faunasphere engages a broad casual gamer audience through non-violent game play, rich social networking elements, and an immersive storyline. The game is free to play, and will feature micro-transactions and premium membership to enhance the game play experience.

Players Reactions
    “I’m sooo addicted!!! I gotta say….it’s taken such a hold of me!!!! It is totally addictive once you get in there and start finding out all the things you can do!!!! People helping other people on here just lights up my world!!! I want to do the same thing for the newer people coming in!!! AND….I’ll be telling everyone I know about this new virtual world!!!!”

    “Well done on a super game, and keep up the good work!  Absolutely love the game – already addicted.”

    “I’m having the best time with this game!  I decided to play for an hour and the next thing I know several hours have passed!”

    “I’m always saying, ‘Just one more set of arms and then I’ll stop…ok just one more complete set of artifacts and then I’ll stop…ok I can’t keep my eyes open so I’ll stop, ok I can’t stop.’”

About Faunasphere
    Fauna lay eggs as they level up. Eggs can be hatched to create new Fauna or traded between players.

    12 Fauna breeds to adopt and care for, with an endless array of visual variations to explore. Players can try to breed Fauna for specific traits, or can purchase special items to transform them.

    Players can customize their own corner of the world by designing a Faunasphere to shelter their Fauna. Items to decorate and improve a player’s Faunasphere can be collected via game play, traded between players, or purchased.

    Players advance through the world via unique, non-violent game play. Fauna clean up pollution and complete tasks to earn game currency and level up.

    The game can be played as a no-commitment diversion, but offers deeper involvement for committed players.

“Jin is a fantastic addition to the Knights of Grand Chase,” said Chris Lee, CEO at Ntreev USA.  “Next week the North American Grand Chase gamers will experience the speed, strength and force of this melee madman and his ability to really burn things up.”

Jin comes with all new character abilities and can add to the parties abilities. Jin’s special ability is “burn” mode making several new attacks available and boosting his skills and attack power.

Press Release Follows:

rvine, Calif., June 05, 2009 – Ntreev USA, a leading online game
developer and publisher, announced today that it will unveil an
all-new character for its action-adventure MMO brawler, Grand Chase
next week.   As the 8th member of the Grand Chase, Jin joins the chase
to search for Luther, the leader of the Silver Knights, and finds
himself infatuated with Amy.

“Jin is a fantastic addition to the Knights of Grand Chase,” said Chris
Lee, CEO at Ntreev USA.  “Next week the North American Grand Chase
gamers will experience the speed, strength and force of this melee
madman and his ability to really burn things up.”

About Jin
Jin is a melee-specialist from the Silver Land and a member of the
Silver Knights who is a fast, heavy attacker with very short range.
Jin has three classes, the first job being Fighter where he uses his
fists and feet to attack.  He also possesses the unique ability to
“burn,” a special ability that makes him stronger and changes his
skills.  Jin can charge the gauge and use the charge to perform
special attacks or improved skills.  If the bar is fully charged, Jin
will go into “burn” mode making several new attacks available and
boosting his skills and attack power; however the charge bar will
quickly drain in burn mode.  In addition, Jin also has the ability to
dash through opponents during their mid-combo attacks.

About Grand Chase
Grand Chase is an online action brawler set in a medieval fantasy
world.  It follows the story of a few brave young knights who join a
group of nobles known as the “Grand Chase” to defeat an evil usurper
to the throne, a villainess known as Kaze’aze.  Grand Chase combines
traditional side-scrolling dungeon crawling with intense, skill-based
player vs. player (PvP) matches.

CrimeCraft is a Persistent World, Next-gen Shooter (PWNS). In common terms it means it is a Massive Multi-Player Online (MMO) game, which just happens to be a shooter style game. The game brings together a shooter style game and a role playing style game. Players will have shoot outs and the action is fast paced, but players will be able to increase the stats of their character too. Players earn reputation in the game, which allows them to move up in their gang or create a gang of their own. Players have to be careful who they align themselves with.

“Anticipation and acclaim continue to grow for CrimeCraft and we are excited to offer fans an exclusive chance to play the game before its release, providing feedback that will help fine-tune development,” said Matt McEnerney, Executive Producer of CrimeCraft. “Our game promises a refreshing, gritty and fast-paced alternative to the current online gaming realm. Our goal is to launch the best hybrid of twitch shooter action and RPG gaming depth, set in a persistent world environment. This closed beta is a pivotal milestone to ensure that we deliver on the high expectations that we and our fans have for CrimeCraft.”

Normally, shooter style games are not casual games, but this is an online game and it sounds like it can be played for small amounts of time, if desired. Being able to play the game in small amounts of time makes it fit into a casual game setting. The game play may not be your typical casual style, but there have been other casual shooter games. It doesn’t hurt to try it out and see what you think.

Press Release Follows:

NEW YORK, NY, May 20, 2009 –Vogster Entertainment, LLC, an international innovator in video game design and content, today announced that fans interested in participating in its CrimeCraft closed beta program can begin signing up now at www.crimecraft.com.  The first public hands-on test drive of CrimeCraft, the acclaimed Persistent World, Next-gen Shooter (PWNS), officially kicked off this week for all registered users. Additional beta slots will be released on an ongoing basis throughout the summer to registered and qualified participants. The highly anticipated CrimeCraft is slated to ship for PC on August 25, 2009.

“Anticipation and acclaim continue to grow for CrimeCraft and we are excited to offer fans an exclusive chance to play the game before its release, providing feedback that will help fine-tune development,” said Matt McEnerney, Executive Producer of CrimeCraft. “Our game promises a refreshing, gritty and fast-paced alternative to the current online gaming realm. Our goal is to launch the best hybrid of twitch shooter action and RPG gaming depth, set in a persistent world environment. This closed beta is a pivotal milestone to ensure that we deliver on the high expectations that we and our fans have for CrimeCraft.”

CrimeCraft is a Persistent World Next-gen Shooter (PWNS) that blends a gripping, action-packed shooter experience with the best community and role-playing elements found in massively multi-player games. CrimeCraft is set in a gritty fictional city of the near future, following an ecological disaster of unprecedented scale, where the price of life is far less valuable than one’s reputation. Join thousands of players online as you learn the rules of the street, build your own gang, and do whatever it takes to survive amidst the chaos. Earn a reputation. Build a gang. Kill the competition. For additional information about CrimeCraft and the closed beta program, please visit www.crimecraft.com.