Kotaku: Facebook

Irritating Mass Effect 3 Facebook App Could Use Some Calibrations

Kate Cox — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST

Mass Effect 3 Facebook App Could Use Some Calibrations" alt="Click here to read Irritating Mass Effect 3 Facebook App Could Use Some Calibrations" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/02/small_a19aa42a98f2125467b17cd672dc4882.jpg"/>

The massive marketing juggernaut is in full effect (sorry) for Mass Effect 3. The long-anticipated conclusion to the epic space marines vs. eldritch horror aliens trilogy becomes available on March 6, a few short weeks from now. Fans of the franchise (a category that decidedly includes yours truly) have a new wealth of trailers, screenshots, and tie-ins to whet their appetites and tide them over. More »

Facebook Emerges as Victor in The Hunger Games

Kate Cox — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:40:00 EST

The Hunger Games" alt="Click here to read Facebook Emerges as Victor in The Hunger Games" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/02/small_de478970462c166329ac4175a2b31b18.jpg"/>

Games and movies have long had a somewhat tempestuous relationship. Film adaptations of popular video game franchises can be entertaining when done well, but they also have seemingly infinite potential to go bad. Likewise, video game adaptations of popular, blockbuster films often lack the magic of the movie they're meant to market, and end up languishing without fanfare in half-price bins. More »

Zynga Raked In More Than A Billion Dollars Last Year

Kirk Hamilton — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:15:00 EST

Social-game megapublisher Zynga has released their financial results for the 2011 fiscal year, reporting a revenue of $1.14 billion. That's revenue, not profit, but still. Dang. More »

European Gamers Get a Shot at Early Mass Effect 3 Demo Starting Today

Owen Good — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:34:00 EST

Mass Effect 3 Demo Starting Today" alt="Click here to read European Gamers Get a Shot at Early Mass Effect 3 Demo Starting Today" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/02/small_bbeddc3b0b8b4cfd591398ccb6bf25a9.png"/>

North American gamers have been trying since about Friday to win their way into early access to the Mass Effect 3 demo, which begins on Tuesday. European gamers also get a chance with their own Facebook game. More »

This Mass Effect 3 Misspelled "Renagade" Console is Up for Grabs [UPDATE]

Owen Good — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST

Mass Effect 3 Misspelled "Renagade" Console is Up for Grabs [UPDATE]" alt="Click here to read This Mass Effect 3 Misspelled "Renagade" Console is Up for Grabs [UPDATE]" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/02/small_e8021885a6161af75c6af1af75f5b289.jpg"/>

EA has put a "Mass Effect 3 Mission Command" app on Facebook, through which fans can unlock some Avatar items and possibly get chosen for early access to the game's upcoming beta. There's also a big sweepstakes opportunity to win one of two custom Xbox 360s, painted in the game's Paragon and Renegade themes. EA sent us these pictures earlier today. More »

How Facebook Powers Up Angry Birds, or Enter the Birdquake

Mike Fahey — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST

Angry Birds, or Enter the Birdquake" alt="Click here to read How Facebook Powers Up Angry Birds, or Enter the Birdquake" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/02/small_df77ba5ee47f8ad55eec4c7f4810938f.jpg"/>

Rovio's smash hit Angry Birds is coming to Facebook on Tuesday, but it's not making it to the world's largest social network without getting some community-aided enhancements. Play well with others and you could earn one of the four brand new power-ups that make the Mighty Eagle look like ... just the Eagle. More »

Game Characters Embarrassing Themselves on Facebook

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:30:00 EST

Mario is a boozehound. Luigi loves photo bombs. Peach is vain. Some of gaming's greatest characters get classic (and clever) Facebook pic parodies. More »

On Anti-Socially Loving Social Games

Kate Cox — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST

I think I am a social game developer's worst nightmare. More »

Report: Zynga Insider Spills his Guts, Talks Spying and Bad Math

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:30:00 EST

A user over on Reddit, claiming to be a former Software Engineer at social games giant Zynga, has not only gone and posted the rather dense separation letter he received upon quitting the company (above), but done a little extra guts spilling at the same time. More »

Facebook Cares about Your Stupid Farm

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:30:00 EST

While you might hate browser game FarmVille, Facebook revealed that it needs the game's developer, Zynga. More »

Triple Town Developers Sue Rivals Over Facebook, iOS Game-Cloning

Kirk Hamilton — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST

Triple Town Developers Sue Rivals Over Facebook, iOS Game-Cloning" alt="Click here to read Triple Town Developers Sue Rivals Over Facebook, iOS Game-Cloning" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/01/small_9bf3eb1d7cfbfa00911d4b85967ff91d.jpg"/>

Spry Fox, the game studio behind the Facebook game Triple Town, has filed suit against 6Waves LOLAPPS for their iOS game Yeti Town, describing it as a "blatant copy" of Triple Town. More »

Angry Birds Launches a Valentine's Day Assault on Facebook

Mike Fahey — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST

Angry Birds Launches a Valentine's Day Assault on Facebook" alt="Click here to read Angry Birds Launches a Valentine's Day Assault on Facebook" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/01/small_7a5d71787dae79942771a66d5993c08f.jpg"/>

Filed under news I was too busy playing Final Fantasy XIII-2 to notice last week, Rovio's pig-popping physics-powered sensation Angry Birds makes its Facebook debut on February 14, just in time to give the loveless something to do on Valentine's Day evening. More »

Why Farmville Turns Humans Into Lab Rats

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:00:00 EST

Farmville Turns Humans Into Lab Rats" alt="Click here to read Why Farmville Turns Humans Into Lab Rats" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/01/small_e6d7e4f58600ccb33b5b7e954f8407a6.jpg"/>

Do you like playing Zynga's Facebook games? There's something wrong with you. Not because you enjoy them, what you do in your spare time is your business. Your problem comes in thinking they're games. More »

The 5 Best Games on Facebook

Evan Narcisse — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:10:00 EST

You joined Facebook, which just proves Zuckerberg's plan is working. Whatever it is. More »

Get Ready for Zynga Sports, Apparently

Owen Good — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST

The Facebook games giant Zynga seems to have its eyes on a suite of sports titles now, registering several web sites that point to both a football game in the works and an umbrella brand called "Zynga Sports," reports domain registry watchdog Fusible. More »

Assemble Your Very Own Avengers Team on Facebook

Mike Fahey — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

Step into the steel-toed boots of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Nick Fury and recruit a team of super-powered friends to save the world from Marvel's most wanted in Marvel: Avengers Alliance, coming soon to Facebook. More »

You'll Find Hidden Chronicles To Be a Decidedly Different Sort of Zynga Game

Mike Fahey — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST

Hidden Chronicles To Be a Decidedly Different Sort of Zynga Game" alt="Click here to read You'll Find Hidden Chronicles To Be a Decidedly Different Sort of Zynga Game" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/01/small_9ac4fd598684e123feaf1d7d2f0c65c7.jpg"/>

Launching today on Facebook, Zynga's Hidden Chronicles ditches farming and building in favor of unlocking the mystery of your uncle's death via hidden object games. Okay, there's a little building too. More »

This Year's Most Popular Facebook Game Wasn't Made By Zynga

Brian Crecente — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST

Despite its tremendous impact on Facebook gaming, the most popular Facebook game of 2011 wasn't made by Zynga. They didn't make the second most popular either, according to Facebook. More »

Would You Dress Like Mario For a Month For a Free 3DS? He Would

Brian Crecente — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:40:00 EST

Nintendo asked their Facebook fans what they'd do for a 3DS console and then picked a winner from those that responded. More »

Mafia Wars Helps Drive 54 Year-Old Woman to Embezzle $166,000

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 03:20:00 EST

Mafia Wars Helps Drive 54 Year-Old Woman to Embezzle $166,000" alt="Click here to read Mafia Wars Helps Drive 54 Year-Old Woman to Embezzle $166,000" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/12/small_6ef63d4cf1e707fa3c09205612183709.jpg"/>

Bettysue Higgins, who until recently worked as an admin assistant for a law firm, has pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges after her fraudulent spending on casual video games was caught out. More »

Why Zynga's First Day on Wall Street Went to Shittyville

Owen Good — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST

Hey, did you hear the one about Zynga's IPO? Initial investors had to invite 10 friends or wait 10 minutes to buy additional shares. More »

Farmville's Maker Looks to Harvest a Cool Billion from the Stock Market

Owen Good — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:13:33 EST

Farmville's Maker Looks to Harvest a Cool Billion from the Stock Market" alt="Click here to read Farmville's Maker Looks to Harvest a Cool Billion from the Stock Market" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/12/small_903e72d4889ade0e2ddd143a53629001.jpg"/>

As rumored two days ago, it is now confirmed that Zynga will hold an initial public offering of its stock on the NASDAQ tomorrow. More »

Lollipop Chainsaw’s Box Art Smells Like Ghoul School Spirit

Evan Narcisse — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:20:00 EST

Lollipop Chainsaw’s Box Art Smells Like Ghoul School Spirit" alt="Click here to read Lollipop Chainsaw’s Box Art Smells Like Ghoul School Spirit" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/12/small_2c6d0ce9a860242d7f312015b1820ec1.jpg"/>

Suda51's upcoming mash-up of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (movie version, mind you) and grindhouse horror flicks just scored some scary-sweet box art that Warner Bros. Games is sharing with the world. More »

129,770,223 Virtual Pygmies Have Been Sacrificed in the Facebook Version of Pocket God

Stephen Totilo — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST

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When a game does well, the people behind it make an infographic. More »

Your First Look At Indiana Jones the Facebook Game

Brian Crecente — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:20:00 EST

We walked you through how the next Indiana Jones experience won't be a movie, but rather a Facebook game, earlier today. Here's a glimpse of what Zynga's re-tooled Adventure World looks like. More »

The New, Official Indiana Jones Prequel isn't a Movie. It's a Zynga Facebook Game.

Stephen Totilo — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST

Indiana Jones Prequel isn't a Movie. It's a Zynga Facebook Game." alt="Click here to read The New, Official Indiana Jones Prequel isn't a Movie. It's a Zynga Facebook Game." src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/11/small_5f6afd7a8487995e5d1557b3b8daf39d.jpg"/>

One of the most popular video games on Facebook will be re-named this week. The game formerly known as Adventure World will be re-named for George Lucas and Steven Spielberg's renowned hero Indiana Jones as game company Zynga adds the most extraordinary character to one of its games since FarmVille got a visit from Lady Gaga. More »

Your Friend Who Is Playing Facebook Games All the Time at Work

Owen Good — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST

For the hopelessly devoted Facebook gamer on your list, sure, you could just load up a gift card and give them $100 to burn through in MafiaCitySimSocialCastleFarmWars. You could also stage an intervention. Neither option is going to make both giver and recipient happy. More »

Is This Gaming's Own Gordon Gekko?

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

When a flash engineer at game developer Kixeye posted an image of Occupy Wall Street on his Facebook wall, Kixeye CEO Will Harbin apparently went into a greed is good speech for all the internet to see. More »

Gamer Thwarts Teen Gunman's Attempt to Steal His Copy of Call of Duty

Brian Crecente — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:20:00 EST

Call of Duty" alt="Click here to read Gamer Thwarts Teen Gunman's Attempt to Steal His Copy of Call of Duty" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/11/small_0b7b3ce44200616fb05d54cd12bc8608.jpg"/>

A 27-year-old man fought off an armed teenager in a dark parking lot when the would-be robber demanded his copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 at gunpoint, Kansas City police say. More »

Frogger Pinball is a Surprisingly Entertaining Way to Waste Time on Facebook

Mike Fahey — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:20:00 EST

Frogger Pinball is a Surprisingly Entertaining Way to Waste Time on Facebook" alt="Click here to read Frogger Pinball is a Surprisingly Entertaining Way to Waste Time on Facebook" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/11/small_d4873c087bb14f6b97790310ebfb4908.jpg"/>

While it might not be the first-person road crossing epic I crave, Konami's Facebook version of Frogger Pinball is an entertaining way to break up the hours spent sending funny pictures to your friends on Facebook, plus you get to play with frog balls, always a plus. More »

This is the Pretty Facebook Game from People Who Made Age of Empires and Halo Wars

Stephen Totilo — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EDT

Age of Empires and Halo Wars" alt="Click here to read This is the Pretty Facebook Game from People Who Made Age of Empires and Halo Wars" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/11/small_a9ff1678e22efd3af73ce440f483de26.jpg"/>

Once. Twice. Three times. The folks at Zynga kept telling me the same thing, because they want me to know it. And they want you to know it: More »

This is How Modern Warfare 3 Will Bring Everyone Together

Mike Fahey — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:20:00 EDT

Modern Warfare 3 Will Bring Everyone Together" alt="Click here to read This is How Modern Warfare 3 Will Bring Everyone Together" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/11/small_812a4ef0806f4a40a547e9178049fd3d.jpg"/>

The Call of Duty series has traditionally been about shooting your enemies apart online, but with the strong social features of Call of Duty Elite and Facebook integrated with Modern Warfare 3 the latest game in the series is more about bringing gamers together. And then killing them. More »

“To (Insert Your Name Here)!”: Facebook App Puts You in the Best PlayStation Commercial Ever

Evan Narcisse — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:40:00 EDT

You remember that franchise character-filled "To Michael" short film that Sony premiered a few weeks back? Still get tingles thinking about it, right? Well, now you can be the player that Kratos, Cole McGrath and Ezio all praise for making them alive and awesome. More »

No, You Can't Play Mario Kart On Facebook, Despite Scammers' Claims

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:00:00 EDT

Mario Kart On Facebook, Despite Scammers' Claims" alt="Click here to read No, You Can't Play Mario Kart On Facebook, Despite Scammers' Claims" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/10/small_mkbook.jpg"/>

There's currently a rather clever scam fishing its way through Facebook at the moment, looking to cash in on one of the most popular video game series of all time: the humble Mario Kart. More »

Madden Veterans Trade Hard-Hitting Action for Facebook Strategy

Owen Good — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EDT

Madden Veterans Trade Hard-Hitting Action for Facebook Strategy" alt="Click here to read Madden Veterans Trade Hard-Hitting Action for Facebook Strategy" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/10/small_sticksplash1015.jpg"/>

As a 10-year veteran of the Madden NFL series, Ian Cummings has plenty of experience building video games with bears in them. More »

Zynga Responds to Mafia Wars Drone Scare

Brian Crecente — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:30:00 EDT

Mafia Wars Drone Scare" alt="Click here to read Zynga Responds to Mafia Wars Drone Scare" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/10/small_mafia.png.jpg"/>

The keystroke-capturing computer virus that infected the networks used to pilot U.S. Air Force drones had nothing to do with Mafia Wars despite early reports to the contrary, Zynga tells Kotaku. More »

Zynga Flips the Bird at Facebook, Launching own Games "Platform"

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:45:00 EDT

Farmville andCityville developers Zynga made their name on Facebook. But Facebook makes the rules on Facebook, and Facebook takes a cut of a company's profits on Facebook, so Zynga is now looking to sell more of its stuff to you directly. More »

Zynga Claims Its Next 'Ville Game is a 'Massively Multiplayer Role-Playing Game'

Evan Narcisse — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:40:00 EDT

Ready for an MMORPG from the people who made CityVille and Empire & Allies? To put it another way, are you read for Zynga's answer to World of Warcraft? More »

Mafia Wars 2 Hits that Annoying Wall in 39 Minutes, 30 Seconds

Stephen Totilo — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EDT

Mafia Wars 2 Hits that Annoying Wall in 39 Minutes, 30 Seconds" alt="Click here to read Mafia Wars 2 Hits that Annoying Wall in 39 Minutes, 30 Seconds" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/10/small_mafiasplash.jpg"/>

There comes a time while playing any Zynga game on Facebook for the first time, when the playing must stop... unless you want to ask friends for more "energy" so you can play, or unless you want to pay to keep things going. More »

Mafia Wars 2 is Live

Stephen Totilo — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EDT

Stop farming. Stop building cities. Stop expanding your empire with your allies. Cease adventuring. You can now play Mafia Wars 2, which just went live on Facebook. Play it at this link. More »