Madden NFL Superstars Daily Bonuses coming soon, log in daily for coins and cards

But wait, there's more. That's right, Madden NFL Superstars might be the current football hotshot on Facebook, but that doesn't mean it isn't missing a few nuts and bolts. Playfish will soon be plugging one of the game's holes with Daily Bonuses. Something that's become somewhat of a staple in the social gaming world, players will be rewarded with increasingly better gifts for more consecutive log-ins.

Despite whether when compared to something as massive as Collections and Elite Cards that Daily Bonuses seem minuscule, the feature is not live yet. Though, we imagine that it will play out a lot like the Daily Take in Mafia Wars, which rewards players for consecutive log-ins with better rewards. However, collecting your reward early will reduce its strength or value, thereby giving players incentive not to collect immediately. With items like free matches and Ultimate Cards (both pictured) on the line, we can only imagine a system at least close to this. Stay tuned for when you'll be handsomely rewarded for your endless devotion to football of the pixelated variety.

EA won't poo-poo on PopCap, CEO Riccitiello promises

Phew--EA had us worried for a second. (But keep on your toes.) After announcing that it bought casual and social games icon PopCap for a cool $650 million and some change, gamers and the press alike worried how this would affect the Seattle-based independent developer. But according to EA CEO John Riccitiello, there's no need to worry--PopCap will be treated as a "if it's not broke" situation, according to Shacknews.

For anyone who is concerned that EA will suck the creative energy out of PopCap like one of its plant-eating zombies, don't worry, but some changes will be made. "Some of their most important designers and creators and producers are stuck to perpetually working on language localization, individual handset adaptations, individual carrier adaptations," Riccitiello said during an investors call. "It's a lot of work... It's very unproductive work for great designers." This looks to be one of wrongs EA looks to right with the acquisition.

Regardless of whether you believe Riccitiello, one thing is for sure: EA means serious business when it comes to mobile and social gaming. However, whether PopCap will be enough for the company to compete with the likes of Zynga is, of course, up in the air. And considering the companies' collective players on Facebook combined just surpasses a single Zynga game, Empires & Allies, the duo certainly has lots of work to do.

Rumor: Zynga offered PopCap $1 billion in cold, hard cash

Smart move, guys. PopCap apparently turned down $1 billion in straight cash from Zynga before agreeing to EA's offer of $650 million in cash, Forbes reports. (Keep in mind that another $100 million in EA stock and a $550 million bonus based on performance over two years were also part of the deal, totaling a potential of $1.3 billion.)

Forbes cites an unnamed source, who claims that Zynga would have financed the deal in part thanks to Goldman Sachs, which is one of the underwriters leading the company's $1.5 billion IPO. And, according to Forbes, Zynga had just under $1 billion in cash as of March 31, implying that the company was willing to put up almost all of its clams for the Bejeweled creator.

If anything, it makes you wonder what Zynga would have done with PopCap. Take over the world ... for real? (Nah, it would probably just make more games ... world dominating games!)

Mass Effect for Facebook looks even more likely, job posting suggests

And honestly, with how well Dragon Age Legends (DAL) did (and how impressive of a game it is) when its companion Dragon Age 2 launched this year, why wouldn't it be? Mass Effect is even bigger than Dragon Age--that's enough to convince me, but alas, we have another piece of hard evidence. Inside Social Games reports that Bioware is looking for "a well-rounded Artist to work on an exciting, new, social game for gamers," a job posting reads.

More specifically, the job is based in Bioware San Francisco. You know, the studio that was born of EA2D, the social game arm of Bioware's parent company? The studio that was also wholly responsible for Dragon Age Legends? (Hopefully, this is all coming together now.) While the text does well to avoid pointing out any Bioware franchise in particular, the timing is simply too close to the release of Mass Effect 3.

The console game releases on March 6, 2012, and most social game development cycles range between six and nine months. The job posting calls specifically for an experienced concept and UI artist, meaning this game could be past early planning stages already.

While DAL never cleared the 1 million monthly players most Facebook games strive for, again, Mass Effect has much more mainstream appeal than Dragon Age and could easily blow past 1 million monthly players. We have only one request, Bioware: Please, somehow, make it involve a Reaper?

Zynga dominates social games market with 38 percent share

Surprised? If Zynga were a person, he'd probably be Daddy Warbucks, or maybe even Uncle Pennybags. IHS Screen Digest reports that Zynga, who brought in $554 million in revenue in 2010, now holds 38.1 percent of the overall social games market share. That's almost a 5 percent increase from the previous year's 33.9 percent. This means that not only is the creator of FarmVille and CityVille filthy rich (it's estimated to be worth $9 to $10 billion), it's also very, very powerful. At least when it comes to social games, anyway.

According to PCMag, the report goes on to reveal that EA, the second place social game publisher and owner of Playfish, recorded a mere estimated $90 million in revenue, or 6.5 percent of the market. And the third place publisher and developer team, Disney and Playdom, hold just 5.5 percent of the market with an estimated $77 million in revenue.

But Zynga's power isn't just it's money, but what that money allows it to do. When it wants to enter a new market, create a game with a new feature or on a new platform, it just buys companies with an existing presence or expertise there. Regardless of whether its methods are 'borrowed' from weaker companies, when Zynga introduces a relatively new feature to its games, the entire industry takes notes.

Just look at the questing system first released by Zynga through FrontierVille. Sure, it could have been picked up from another company, but look at every single social game you play now. (Does it have quests? We thought so.) While we're all looking for innovation from these smaller, more fearless social game companies, it's Zynga that will bring that innovation to the forefront regardless of where it comes from, legitimate or not.

Rumor: EA to buy PopCap for over $1 billion

Now, this is a last ditch effort if we've ever seen one. TechCrunch reports that, following up with yesterday's news that PopCap may sell for over $1 billion, EA may very well be the company at the checkout counter. The website cites two anonymous sources that point to the nearly 30-year-old games company as the buyer. And no, the asking price has not changed--it's still insane.

But EA, which has enjoyed a distant second to Zynga in the social space, just might be crazy enough to bid what TechCrunch reports is 13 percent of their $7 billion plus market cap. This could truly be the company's Hail Mary Pass to win the social and mobile race once and for all, especially considering how long it could take EA to make all that money back.

We thought it was crazy when EA bought Playfish in 2009 for a whopping $400 million, but this clearly blows that out of the water. Unfortunately, neither company has enjoyed the runaway success both likely had hoped for. (You don't spend $400 million, much less $1 billion for second place.) So we can only hope that, if this buyout goes down, EA doesn't repeat history with PopCap.

If this purchase happens, the Bejeweled creator will obviously put its imminent IPO (initial public offering) on hold. As of this writing, a source close to the matter tells us there's currently no internal information on the sale. We've contacted both for comment.

[Image Credit: Gamespy]

Do you really think PopCap will sell to EA? What could this mean for both company's futures?

Is EA's PopCap working on casino-style Facebook games? [Rumor]

Is PopCap looking to go toe to toe with Zynga and DoubleDown Interactive's casino Facebook games? According to GeekWire, a bunch of rather specific domain purchases by the recently-acquired company certainly suggest that's the case. Well, that and a recent trademark application ... and a Facebook page created with that very same trademark. Alright, PopCap has been terrible at keeping this whole thing a secret.

Lucky Gem CasinoThe game in question might be titled "Lucky Gem Casino," as Fusible points out that the Bejeweled creator recently changed a Facebook page it owns to reflect the new title. The Info tab on the page reads, "Thanks for visiting! PopCap Casino is the future home of some amazing, casino-style social games from PopCap, the worldwide leader in casual gaming."

With wording like that, it sounds as if Lucky Gem Casino will be a suite of casino games from the developer, much like DoubleDown Casino. And if you take a peak at the page's Wall, a message can be found there, presumably from the company, that reads, "Keep an eye out to experience casino-style gaming from PopCap Games!" A week later, a poll was posted asking fans about their favorite type of casino games--unsurprisingly, the "Slot Machines" category won by a landslide.

GeekWire points out that this might be because PopCap is now owned by EA, which likely has a vested interested in directly competing with Facebook game champ Zynga at every turn. However, it's also important to keep in mind that a majority of PopCap's games (not including Plants vs Zombies) are visibly influenced by a casino approach to gameplay albeit with a far heavier focus on skill rather than luck.

[Via Financial Times]

[Image Credit: Destructoid]

What do you think PopCap might be up to with this trademark, Facebook page and domain registries? Would you play a stable of casino games from the creator of Bejeweled and Zuma Blitz?

Where did your share of SimCash every five days go? Playfish explains

So, you heard that Playfish is making it rain on The Sims Social players every five days, and you want a piece of that pie. We get it. But the Daily Bonus timer in the game mysteriously resets itself every once in awhile--a total bummer. Well, according to Playfish, there's nothing terribly mysterious about the The Sims Social Daily Bonus. Simply put, it's all about timing.

In order to qualify for the Daily Bonus consecutively each day, you must log into The Sims Social at least once within each 24 hour period. For instance, if you logged into the game today at 3:30 p.m., you would need to log into the game at or after 3:30 p.m. on Friday to qualify for the second Daily Bonus.

However, you can log in before 48 hours have hit since your last log-in to receive credit for a consecutive Daily Bonus. For example, say that you logged in today at 3:30 p.m., starting the Daily Bonus timer. If you log in anytime after 3:30 p.m. on Friday, but before 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, you'll qualify for the next Daily Bonus.

That said, keep in mind that to qualify for what would be the third Daily Bonus, you must log in between 24 and 47 hours and 59 minutes from when you logged in previously. Confused yet? Here's a detailed description from Playfish, inspired by commenter Aude06:

PERSON A:

    Weds log-in at 5 p.m. (timer starts from zero)
    Thurs log-in at 5:15 p.m. (counts as day 1)
    Friday log-in at 5:30 p.m. (counts as day 2)
    Saturday log-in at 5:45 p.m. (counts as day 3)
    Sunday log-in at 6 p.m. (counts as day 4)
    Monday log-in at 6:15 p.m. (counts as day 5)


Person A will get their 5 day log-in SimCash bonus.

PERSON B:

    Weds log-in at 6 p.m. (timer starts from zero)
    Thurs log-in at 7 p.m. (counts as day 1)
    Fri log-in at 2 p.m. (doesn't count)
    Sat log-in at 8 p.m. (it's been over 48 hours, so the timer resets to zero)
    Sun log-in at 5 p.m. (doesn't count)
    Mon log-in at 6 p.m. (counts as day 1)


Person B will NOT get their 5 day log-in SimCash bonus.

In other words, just make sure you log into the game daily--at around the same time or later--and you'll always get your 10 free SimCash on Day 5. Well, that is if you don't encounter any bugs, as players on the forums seem so wont to do.

Does this answer the question of why you're not getting your SimCash every five days in The Sims Social? Are you still having issues getting the good stuff?

Sims Social Revenge of the Simch walkthrough: How to finish it fast

The Simch is back and grouchier than ever. That's why, in the new Sims Social holiday-themed quest -- The Revenge of the Simch -- has you doing off the wall things like blowing on icy furniture and checking in fellow Sims' fridges for the cranky blue creature.

This quest is comprised of five parts and is one of the easier holiday-themed quests that have appeared in the game so far. The good news: You aren't required to spend oodles of Simoleons buying a bunch of holiday-themed items to complete this quest, but you will have to visit and perform action at quite a few friends' houses. (My advice? Visit your lower level friends who don't have big houses -- they tend to load much faster than those with sprawling estates).

Here's an overview of what you'll need to get the Revenge of the Simch Quest done quickly (and ride your way to fun and relaxation on a brand new Rockadeer).

2 Fury
8 Goodwill
Six Holly Wreaths
At least 5 Sims Social neighbors

Revenge of the Simch: Quest 1

sim social simch goal 1

- Check 3 frozen furniture for anything unusual

-Waft warm air on 3 ice furniture to melt it back

Head straight to Bella's house, which is decked out with all of the new ice furniture. Click on frozen funiture and select 'Waft Warm Air' action three times and the 'Check Anything Unusual' action three times. This takes six energy, but you'll only really use one energy unit from your own bar.

- Have 2 Fury

If you don't have Fury, you can get them by performing mean actions to other Sims. They don't appear every time you perform a mean action, so you might have to be a bigger meanie than you want to be to get them (Note: Your Sim can always apologize and make up for it later).


Revenge of the Simch: Quest 2

sims social simch 2

Ask 3 different Sims where the Simch is
Research Simch homes on computer 5 times
Check 3 different fridges for Simches

Pro tip: When you visit friends to ask them where the Simch is, also be sure to check their fridges for Simches as well. It'll save you some time.


Revenge of the Simch: Quest 3
sims social revenge of the simch

- Be inspired
Fulfill all of your Sim's needs to be inspired (I like to do that in the following order: feed, relieve, shower, sleep + fun, if sleep doesn't also fill your fun meter).

- Thank about nice holiday gifts on 3 different sofas or armchairs
Thinking about nice holiday gifts can be done at home or at friends' homes. Click on sofas or chairs with arms (hence, armchairs) and select the "Think about... " option. Chairs without arms will not give you the option to sit and think, so consider yourself warned.

- Deliver gifts to 5 different fridges
Gifts must be delivered to five different friends' fridges. Visit friends' homes, click on their refrigerator and select the 'Deliver Gifts' action.

Revenge of the Simch: Quest 4

sims social revenge of the simch 4

- Deliver a nice letter to Simch from 5 mailboxes
Visit 5 different friends' mailboxes, click on them and select the 'Delivery Letter to Simch' action.

- Phone the Simch to make him feel wanted
This can be done on your home phone or on friends' phones.

- Have 8 Goodwill
If you don't have enough goodwill, you can earn some by performing 'nice' actions to friends. You won't score Goodwill every time you perform a nice action, so prepare to do lots of nice things to get the job done.

Revenge of the Simch: Quest 5

sims social revenge of the simch 5

Give gifts to 4 different sims
Visit four different friends, click on them and select the 'A gift from the Simch!" action

Spread the Simch's season's greetings to 1 friend
Select the 'Ask Friends' button, which will post a request in your Facebook news feed. Only one person needs click the feed post to help.

Have 6 Holly Wreaths
Holly wreaths can be found by taking pictures of snow rabbits, cardinals and clearing pine cones in your own yard. You can also request them from others via the friend selector.

Revenge of the Simch: Final

sims social revenge of the simch final

Once you're done with the quest, you will be rewarded with a shiny, new Rockadeer -- a reindeer rocking horse
that's worth 3,500 Simoleons and will increase the value of your Sims' home by 2,700 Simoleons.


sims social revenge of the simch rockadeer

Once you place the Rockadeer on your property, you can perform two actions by clicking on it: Reindeer rock, which will increase your Sims' fun meter and Gentle Rock, which will increase your Sims' sleep meter.

sims social revenge of the simch rockadeer in action


Got any other tips on how to finish the Revenge of the Simch quest in record time?