Kill Zombies by Typing

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There are many games that are released on the Facebook platform, but not very many that allow you to kill zombies by typing words like Zombie Typomaniac. Players type the words above the zombies heads to shoot a gun at that zombie. There are different types of zombies to make the game a bit harder. Some zombies take one hit to kill and other zombies take more. If a zombie takes more than one hit to kill, the player has to type two different words to kill the zombie.

The words are displayed above the zombies heads. The letters are highlighted above the zombies head as they are typed on the keyboard. It is easy to keep track of which zombie you are killing. If the player can not kill the zombies fast enough, they are over run by the zombies. It takes a few zombie hits before the player dies.

At the end of each level, there is a screen that gives you all of the information about your typing skills. The screen tells you how many words per minute you were able to type and how accurate you were. The very first level sets the skill level. Players type and the game figures out the difficulty automatically.

If you like typing games and are on Facebook, check out Zombie Typomaniac.

The Sims Social Overtakes FarmVille

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Proof that The Sims is the major dominant force in PC gaming has been reinforced as Gamasutra is reporting that The Sims Social has overtaken megalithic social networking game Farmville as the most active Facebook game app, at least in daily active users (DAUs).

According to current statistics from tracking site AppData, The Sims Social now claims 9.3M DAUs, replacing FarmVille in the number two slot. However, CityVille still reigns supreme at 14M DAUs.

According to Electronic Arts chief financial officer Eric Brown,

“What has made (The Sims Social) a success so far is the Playfish expertise… combined with the creative excellence of the core Sims team. Those teams work together exceptionally well.”

He went on to say users play The Sims Social in 20 minute sessions.

The Sims Social currently claims just over 34M monthly active users, just shy of FarmVille‘s 35.6M.

Rumor: Zynga Nearly Bought Popcap

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Forbes Magazine is reporting that an inside source told them Zynga offered $1 billion in cash to acquire PopCap Games, who turned the deal down to accept a more complex but potentially more lucrative deal from Electronic Arts, which included $650M in cash and $100 in Electronic Arts stock, as well as another $550M contingent on company performance over the next two years.

The EA deal could potentially pay out $1.3B.

Zynga’s potential offer would have been financed in part by a line of credit supplied by Goldman Sachs. Forbes also notes that their information on Zynga had them just shy of $1 billion in cash on its balance sheet.

Zynga has issued a no comment on its involvement with Popcap.

Civilization World Now In Open Beta on Facebook

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The Facebook version of Sid Meier’s famous strategy game, Civilization World, is now in open beta for all who want to check it out. Meier himself worked on the social network-powered Civ title.

Civilization World features you starting your own region, and getting friends to collaborate with you to form a civilization to conquer others. Players co-ordinate in churning out production or culture, while researching technologies and sharing advances. The game stresses co-operation and competition on a few levels.

“Civ World games will have a well-defined beginning and end, each ending with a triumphant civilization and one person recognised as that game’s most prestigious player,” Meier posted on the Facebook page. ”Along the way, as you progress through the different eras of time, you’ll have the chance to win era victories as well. We want players to have both a final goal to work towards, as well as short-term objectives to achieve as they play.”

“The trophies you unlock with your triumphs will carry over from game to game, and you can show them off in your throne room.”

The game is free to play, with some microtransaction monetization, but players can’t buy their way to victory. Check it out here.

Disney Gets Into Social Gaming

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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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