What do social games, mandalas and neural plasticity have in common? Well, you're about to find out. Mega popular author and mind/body wellness specialist Deepak Chopra has released Leela, his new game for Xbox 360 Kinect and Nintendo Wii. The game is said to serve as a meditation tool, feature 43 mini games designed to engage the human body's chakras.
Each mini game is a practice in exercising one of the seven chakras, or spiritual centers in the human body. Players partake in activities such as soaring though tunnels of light and launching fireballs at rocks to do just that. The game also contains a social feature in which players create mandalas--geometric figures with meditative effects--and share them on Facebook.
We recently say down with Deepak to find out more about his involvement in the creation of Leela, published by THQ and developed by N-Fusion Interactive and Curious Pictures. We also asked him what he thought about Facebook games. His response is ... interesting. Check it out below.
Do you happen to practice meditation? How effective do you think a video game could be in that process?
Great Site to Earn Money Online
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Poll: Give us your CastleVille impressions; how's the latest 'Ville?
The next game in the famous 'Ville franchise on Facebook is officially live. CastleVille is open for all the play, and in just one day the game has amassed 140,000 players, according to AppData. We know that developer Zynga Dallas is already quite proud of the game. And aside from a few game-freezing bugs, we're enjoying the game as well (at least this writer is).
Most notable are the game's soundtrack and artwork, which are probably the most robust seen in this type of Facebook game to date. And we're especially digging the game's focus on choice and clever, strategic kingdom design to get ahead. The game rewards players for being smart about the way in which they position things and how they choose to explore the world.
While CastleVille features many of the same trappings as its predecessors, little touches like these are certainly welcome. But we want to know what your gut reactions to CastleVille are:
What do you think of CastleVille so far?
Love it! This is the best 'Ville yet.Hate it! Thumbs down for CastleVille.I haven't had a chance to play it yet.I'm indifferent at the moment.
VoteView ResultsShare ThisPolldaddy.com
Have anything unique to say about CastleVille?
Most notable are the game's soundtrack and artwork, which are probably the most robust seen in this type of Facebook game to date. And we're especially digging the game's focus on choice and clever, strategic kingdom design to get ahead. The game rewards players for being smart about the way in which they position things and how they choose to explore the world.
While CastleVille features many of the same trappings as its predecessors, little touches like these are certainly welcome. But we want to know what your gut reactions to CastleVille are:
What do you think of CastleVille so far?
Love it! This is the best 'Ville yet.Hate it! Thumbs down for CastleVille.I haven't had a chance to play it yet.I'm indifferent at the moment.
VoteView ResultsShare ThisPolldaddy.com
Have anything unique to say about CastleVille?
FarmVille Pic of the Day: Christmas arrives a month early on Tamilyn3's farm
We haven't even been through Thanksgiving yet, but that hasn't stopped Tamilyn3 from embracing the Christmas spirit early this year in FarmVille. This spectacular farm sports incredible optical illusions and a plethora of carefully placed festive FarmVille winter items.
Though the farm is rather crowded compared to some other farms we've seen, the precise symmetry and patterns definitely make up for it. The optical illusions on Tamilyn3's farm are so good I almost forgot there isn't a "build wall" or "raise ground" tool in FarmVille. All you farm artists stand to learn something from Tamilyn3's design. By placing trees on top of her optical illusion walls, it appears as though the mountain actually rises up in front and above the boundary of the farm, creating a more believable effect. Usually, one of the shortcomings of such an illusion is that the raised ground is bound by the farm's walls, making it pretty clear that there is some hay bale and item trickery going on.
The only potential complaint I have about Tamilyn3's farm is that there is no snow on the ground! Perhaps this was a deliberate decision on behalf of the farm artist, but I personally would have opted for the white winter wonderland skin to go along with those great holiday items. That's quite a collection Tamilyn3. Thanks for getting us all in the holiday spirit a little early. Keep up the good work!
What do you think of Tamilyn3's winter farm?
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist.
Though the farm is rather crowded compared to some other farms we've seen, the precise symmetry and patterns definitely make up for it. The optical illusions on Tamilyn3's farm are so good I almost forgot there isn't a "build wall" or "raise ground" tool in FarmVille. All you farm artists stand to learn something from Tamilyn3's design. By placing trees on top of her optical illusion walls, it appears as though the mountain actually rises up in front and above the boundary of the farm, creating a more believable effect. Usually, one of the shortcomings of such an illusion is that the raised ground is bound by the farm's walls, making it pretty clear that there is some hay bale and item trickery going on.
The only potential complaint I have about Tamilyn3's farm is that there is no snow on the ground! Perhaps this was a deliberate decision on behalf of the farm artist, but I personally would have opted for the white winter wonderland skin to go along with those great holiday items. That's quite a collection Tamilyn3. Thanks for getting us all in the holiday spirit a little early. Keep up the good work!
What do you think of Tamilyn3's winter farm?
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist.
Sony shows off social savvy with Japanese PlayStation social network
But we doubt it's as fly as our mad alliteration skillz. Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has revealed a web-based social network for its players. Andriasang reports that the new section of the Japanese PlayStation website is called "Play Community," and it serves as a social network for fans. Players can make friends, form groups and send messages to others through the new PlayStation-centric social network.
Most importantly, however, is that users can seek out other players for game sessions and create a "My Page" with a list of the games they play. This all sounds vaguely familiar--wait, didn't Microsoft just update its Xbox website with a social network of sorts? Why yes, yes it did. Just as Google+ and Facebook have started a duel when it comes to games, could it be that Sony and Microsoft have walked their paces?
It certainly seems that way. (Gentlemen, prepare your slapping gloves!) To jump start use of the new website, Sony has offered PlayStation Vita systems to three people--Japanese, we assume--who register with the network, make three friends and submit a comment to this blog post. Unfortunately, there's no word of Play Community hitting Western shores. But considering Sony looks to take the "social gaming revolution" worldwide with the Vita, we can't imagine this portion not following suit.
[Via IndustryGamers]
Could Play Community be a response to the recent changes to Xbox.com? Do you hope this network comes to Western PlayStation players? What's up with all the console-based social networks.
Most importantly, however, is that users can seek out other players for game sessions and create a "My Page" with a list of the games they play. This all sounds vaguely familiar--wait, didn't Microsoft just update its Xbox website with a social network of sorts? Why yes, yes it did. Just as Google+ and Facebook have started a duel when it comes to games, could it be that Sony and Microsoft have walked their paces?
It certainly seems that way. (Gentlemen, prepare your slapping gloves!) To jump start use of the new website, Sony has offered PlayStation Vita systems to three people--Japanese, we assume--who register with the network, make three friends and submit a comment to this blog post. Unfortunately, there's no word of Play Community hitting Western shores. But considering Sony looks to take the "social gaming revolution" worldwide with the Vita, we can't imagine this portion not following suit.
[Via IndustryGamers]
Could Play Community be a response to the recent changes to Xbox.com? Do you hope this network comes to Western PlayStation players? What's up with all the console-based social networks.
You named your Sim that, really?
In this new video, Sims Social creators talk about the names they gave their virtual counterparts. I was fully expecting to hear punny names like Richard Simmons or Captain Sim T. Kirk, but instead get a round of less-than-inspired noms de plume.
There's Hannah who named her sim Hannah M ("What the M stands for is a secret," she says) and another guy who hops into the wayback machine to revive Seymour Butts from an old Simpsons episode. Blah.
Well, on second viewing I guess they're not all that bad. I like Chorna the Trekkie's "Jim Bones," and how can you not love Lauren's ode to Brad Pitt (her Sim's is named "Lauren Pitt'). As for that "Awesome" guy -- not sure how much a name like that helps you flirt with the ladies, but I guess anything's possible in the simulated town of Littlehaven.
What do you think of these Sim names?
There's Hannah who named her sim Hannah M ("What the M stands for is a secret," she says) and another guy who hops into the wayback machine to revive Seymour Butts from an old Simpsons episode. Blah.
Well, on second viewing I guess they're not all that bad. I like Chorna the Trekkie's "Jim Bones," and how can you not love Lauren's ode to Brad Pitt (her Sim's is named "Lauren Pitt'). As for that "Awesome" guy -- not sure how much a name like that helps you flirt with the ladies, but I guess anything's possible in the simulated town of Littlehaven.
What do you think of these Sim names?
Pioneer Trail Wikiwah Tribe Goals: Everything you need to know
After the launch of the Little Crow event in Pioneer Trail, Bess has tried to form a friendship with Little Crow, and now wants to show her what it's like to be a cowgirl. You'll achieve this through a new event called "Thunder Moon and the Wikiwah Tribe." Apparently, Thunder Moon doesn't respect Bess quite enough to allow for such "tutoring," so you'll need to help Bess earn that respect through a series of goals, with some being one-time-only and some being repeatable.
First, the main goals.
Running to Dad
Have a Shaman Lodge
Harvest 30 Flax on your Homestead
Collect 10 Kippy's Belts
First and foremost, if you haven't completed the construction your Shaman Lodge yet, this guide will apparently automatically complete it for you. Too bad we all hadn't known that weeks ago, when we took the time to complete it ourselves, but that's another argument altogether. For the Kippy Belts, you'll need to ask your friends through a general gift request to send it to you. Flax, meanwhile, takes eight hours to grow. For finishing this goal, you'll receive 300 XP, 500 coins and a Holstein Cow.
Earn Your Feathers
View Respect Meter
Complete 4 Wikiwah Respect Goals
Tend a Spirit Eagle on your Homestead
A Spirit Eagle is earned by having 500 Wikiwah Respect. The only way you'll earn that much Respect is by going through a series of three goals over and over again until you've accumulated that much. Since there are only three goals, you'll need to complete at least one a second time for the second task above anyway, so I hope you're prepared for a long, drawn-out process to earn the Respect you require.
As you complete these three goals, you'll have a chance to earn five items, including the Spirit Eagle:
Medical Stick - 50 Respect
Ritual Drums - 100 Respect
Elderberry Tree - 175 Respect
White Sage - 300 Respect
Spirit Eagle - 500 Respect
Now, what are the goals exactly that will help you earn this Respect? Why, I thought you'd never ask!
Tend the Wild Frontier
Find and Heal and Injured Otter
Tend 20 Adult Moose on your Homestead
Tend 20 Adult Sheep on Neighbors' Homsteads
To find an Otter, you'll need to either tend debris, or hit the "Find Otter" button within this goal's window to automatically generate one. You'll need to gather Otter Milk to nurse it back to full health. Finishing this goal gives you 25 Wikiwah Respect points, along with 300 XP and 600 coins.
Respect the Tribe
Make an Offering in the Shaman Lodge
Harvest 40 Peas on your Homestead
Harvest 30 Apricot Trees on your Homestead
And now it makes so much sense why the Shaman Lodge was required here. Instead of having a new building to complete, you'll instead need to collect materials for an offering at the lodge. You need eight each of Smudge Fans, Prayer Feathers and Long-burning Logs (each of which are earned by sending out individual requests to friends), along with six each of Spiritual Visions, Ceremonial Fires and Cedar Incenses, which are all earned through general news items posted on your wall. Finishing this second repeatable goal gives you 600 XP, 75 Respect and a Spirit Vision Mystery Box.
Living Off the Land
Craft 2 Native Moccasins
Clear 10 Rocks on your Homestead
Clear 15 Stumps on your Homestead
The Native Moccasins are crafted inside the Shaman Lodge, using two Moccasins and three Colored Beads each. However, the Moccasins themselves are also a craft project, requiring 10 Leather Hides and eight Moccasin Soles each. You can earn these items by asking your friends to send them to you. When you finish this third goal, you'll receive 125 Respect, 900 XP and two Spirit Vision Mystery Boxes.
At this point, you'll need to go back and complete as many of these goals as is required to hit the 500 Respect total, that is, if you care about completing the main goal above. There doesn't look to be a time limit on finishing these goals, so go ahead and finish off some other things - perhaps the Stolen Flames timed goal - before making your way into this lengthy process.
[Image Credit: Zynga]
What do you think of this Wikiwah Tribe set of goals? Are you a fan of repeatable goals in Pioneer Trail, or would you prefer to get something over and done with just once?
First, the main goals.
Running to Dad
Have a Shaman Lodge
Harvest 30 Flax on your Homestead
Collect 10 Kippy's Belts
First and foremost, if you haven't completed the construction your Shaman Lodge yet, this guide will apparently automatically complete it for you. Too bad we all hadn't known that weeks ago, when we took the time to complete it ourselves, but that's another argument altogether. For the Kippy Belts, you'll need to ask your friends through a general gift request to send it to you. Flax, meanwhile, takes eight hours to grow. For finishing this goal, you'll receive 300 XP, 500 coins and a Holstein Cow.
Earn Your Feathers
View Respect Meter
Complete 4 Wikiwah Respect Goals
Tend a Spirit Eagle on your Homestead
A Spirit Eagle is earned by having 500 Wikiwah Respect. The only way you'll earn that much Respect is by going through a series of three goals over and over again until you've accumulated that much. Since there are only three goals, you'll need to complete at least one a second time for the second task above anyway, so I hope you're prepared for a long, drawn-out process to earn the Respect you require.
As you complete these three goals, you'll have a chance to earn five items, including the Spirit Eagle:
Medical Stick - 50 Respect
Ritual Drums - 100 Respect
Elderberry Tree - 175 Respect
White Sage - 300 Respect
Spirit Eagle - 500 Respect
Now, what are the goals exactly that will help you earn this Respect? Why, I thought you'd never ask!
Tend the Wild Frontier
Find and Heal and Injured Otter
Tend 20 Adult Moose on your Homestead
Tend 20 Adult Sheep on Neighbors' Homsteads
To find an Otter, you'll need to either tend debris, or hit the "Find Otter" button within this goal's window to automatically generate one. You'll need to gather Otter Milk to nurse it back to full health. Finishing this goal gives you 25 Wikiwah Respect points, along with 300 XP and 600 coins.
Respect the Tribe
Make an Offering in the Shaman Lodge
Harvest 40 Peas on your Homestead
Harvest 30 Apricot Trees on your Homestead
And now it makes so much sense why the Shaman Lodge was required here. Instead of having a new building to complete, you'll instead need to collect materials for an offering at the lodge. You need eight each of Smudge Fans, Prayer Feathers and Long-burning Logs (each of which are earned by sending out individual requests to friends), along with six each of Spiritual Visions, Ceremonial Fires and Cedar Incenses, which are all earned through general news items posted on your wall. Finishing this second repeatable goal gives you 600 XP, 75 Respect and a Spirit Vision Mystery Box.
Living Off the Land
Craft 2 Native Moccasins
Clear 10 Rocks on your Homestead
Clear 15 Stumps on your Homestead
The Native Moccasins are crafted inside the Shaman Lodge, using two Moccasins and three Colored Beads each. However, the Moccasins themselves are also a craft project, requiring 10 Leather Hides and eight Moccasin Soles each. You can earn these items by asking your friends to send them to you. When you finish this third goal, you'll receive 125 Respect, 900 XP and two Spirit Vision Mystery Boxes.
At this point, you'll need to go back and complete as many of these goals as is required to hit the 500 Respect total, that is, if you care about completing the main goal above. There doesn't look to be a time limit on finishing these goals, so go ahead and finish off some other things - perhaps the Stolen Flames timed goal - before making your way into this lengthy process.
[Image Credit: Zynga]
What do you think of this Wikiwah Tribe set of goals? Are you a fan of repeatable goals in Pioneer Trail, or would you prefer to get something over and done with just once?
Cafe World Fall Feast Event: Everything you need to know
I have some bad news chefs. Whether you're into multitasking in Cafe World or not, there's no denying that the Cook-A-Thon event of 100 goals is something to behold. Sure, some power users may have already completed that entire event, but I'd take a pretty confident guess that most of you aren't even close (which is fine, by the way, as I'm not either). Adding another meal, if you will, to our already full plates, Zynga has launched the Fall / Thanksgiving themed event in the game, surrounding a Festive Table and a collectible item called Fall Invites.
So far, only a set of five goals - given by Amelia - is available to complete in the game (complete guide coming soon), and in the first goal, you'll be asked to build this Festive Table in your Cafe. The Festive Table's base is free, and it requires the following:
8 Gravy Boats
7 Linen Napkins
8 Serving Platters
9 Fall Centerpieces
The Gravy Boats and Serving Platters are earned through general news items posted on your wall, while the Linen Napkins and Fall Centerpieces are earned through individual requests sent out to friends.
Throughout this entire event, you'll have a chance to complete two goal series along with two Catering Orders. You'll be able to unlock eight dishes and two stoves along the way, and collect invites for finishing these activities that will give you chances to win Cafe Cash. In addition, you'll collect Traditional Recipe Cards throughout this event, with each friend that responds being given a spot at your Festive Table in your own game. It's like you're asking your friends over for Thanksgiving dinner, but with just as much work as in the real world!
For the Traditional Recipe Cards, you can only ask the same friend to send another once every 48 hours, but once they respond to a single request (regardless of how long it takes, or how many individual requests you've sent them), they will not be able to send you anymore cards. One friend equals one card, I'm sad to say.
We'll make sure to bring you detailed looks at the event's goals and catering orders just as soon as things start to launch in full in the game. In the meantime, this event has already been given a 19 day time limit, so don't delay!
Check out the rest of our Thanksgiving content right here.
What do you think of this Fall Feast Event in Cafe World? Are you going to abandon your progress in the Cook-A-Thon event to start these Thanksgiving-themed activities, or will you try to complete everything at once?
So far, only a set of five goals - given by Amelia - is available to complete in the game (complete guide coming soon), and in the first goal, you'll be asked to build this Festive Table in your Cafe. The Festive Table's base is free, and it requires the following:
8 Gravy Boats
7 Linen Napkins
8 Serving Platters
9 Fall Centerpieces
The Gravy Boats and Serving Platters are earned through general news items posted on your wall, while the Linen Napkins and Fall Centerpieces are earned through individual requests sent out to friends.
Throughout this entire event, you'll have a chance to complete two goal series along with two Catering Orders. You'll be able to unlock eight dishes and two stoves along the way, and collect invites for finishing these activities that will give you chances to win Cafe Cash. In addition, you'll collect Traditional Recipe Cards throughout this event, with each friend that responds being given a spot at your Festive Table in your own game. It's like you're asking your friends over for Thanksgiving dinner, but with just as much work as in the real world!
For the Traditional Recipe Cards, you can only ask the same friend to send another once every 48 hours, but once they respond to a single request (regardless of how long it takes, or how many individual requests you've sent them), they will not be able to send you anymore cards. One friend equals one card, I'm sad to say.
We'll make sure to bring you detailed looks at the event's goals and catering orders just as soon as things start to launch in full in the game. In the meantime, this event has already been given a 19 day time limit, so don't delay!
Check out the rest of our Thanksgiving content right here.
What do you think of this Fall Feast Event in Cafe World? Are you going to abandon your progress in the Cook-A-Thon event to start these Thanksgiving-themed activities, or will you try to complete everything at once?
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