If you were unsatisfied with the amount of Premium Goods you could both produce and store in CityVille's relatively new Factory feature, you'll be happy to know that Zynga has changed both of these elements for the better, allowing you to earn more Premium Goods when you gather your friends' help on each job.
Now, Factories now pay out double the amount of Premium Goods per worker (that is, friend) that you have helping on your job. That is, if a job used to pay out a bonus of 55 Premium Goods for each worker you had helping, you'd now receive 110 Premium Goods on that same job, by collecting just a single friend.
To account for the excess Premium Goods you'll now have on hand, Zynga has also doubled the amount of storage you'll have by default for Premium Goods to a total of 2,000 Premium Goods. This is on top of your normal Goods storage, and is not affected by how large that storage bar happens to be - it is an entirely separate meter.
It seems as though Zynga is started to move in the right direction, adding things that help the game rather than hurt it (at least in the eyes of the majority of players). We'll make sure to let you know if this trend continues in the future.
What do you think of these alterations to the Factory system? Have you even built the Factory in your town, or did you think it was too large to care about?
Earn Money from Home
Thursday, January 5, 2012
CityVille: New decorations accompany Dance Studio Goals
Yesterday, we brought you a complete guide to CityVille's new quest line surrounding the introduction of a Russian Dance Studio to your city. If you are interested in adding more items to your town in the same Russian theme, you'll be happy to know that a duo of new decorative items are now available in the game's store.
These items are inspired by Russian Stacking Dolls, and in fact, one of these items is one such doll. The Stacking Doll is a decorative item that can be placed near a business to add a 1% boost to its payout. You can purchase a single Stacking Doll from the store for 300 coins.
The other item is the Pigeon Popper, which looks incredibly similar to the Stacking Doll (in terms of the item's shape), but is of course themed after a Pigeon, rather than a Russian woman. It is also much more expensive, being a premium item costing 8 City Cash. The Pigeon Popper adds a 2% bonus to all surrounding buildings.
For a complete look at the other items released in this theme, which include the Dance Studio itself and the Fine Arts Theatre, make sure to check out our guide.
What do you think of these new decorations? Do you like cultural decorations in your game, or would you be happy with a never-ending supply of new flowers, trees, and the like?
These items are inspired by Russian Stacking Dolls, and in fact, one of these items is one such doll. The Stacking Doll is a decorative item that can be placed near a business to add a 1% boost to its payout. You can purchase a single Stacking Doll from the store for 300 coins.
The other item is the Pigeon Popper, which looks incredibly similar to the Stacking Doll (in terms of the item's shape), but is of course themed after a Pigeon, rather than a Russian woman. It is also much more expensive, being a premium item costing 8 City Cash. The Pigeon Popper adds a 2% bonus to all surrounding buildings.
For a complete look at the other items released in this theme, which include the Dance Studio itself and the Fine Arts Theatre, make sure to check out our guide.
What do you think of these new decorations? Do you like cultural decorations in your game, or would you be happy with a never-ending supply of new flowers, trees, and the like?
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Squirtle, Sonic and The Sims Social: Tile Art makes great alliteration
And you know how we writers just love our awesomely addictive alliteration ... we'll stop now. The Sims Social Fansite has found two new pieces of Tile Art in The Sims Social crafted by Pokaymon and TeodorusFN. As with most Tile Art in Playfish's hit Facebook game, these two pieces are loving tributes to two retro gaming characters. The fact that we just called Squirtle "retro" really ages us, doesn't it?
That said, let's start with the little blue turtle from the land of Pokémon. Pokaymon--how fitting--has created a spitting image of Squirtle as he appears in the ubiquitous Game Boy game. However, the artist's only downfall may have been his excessive use of black tiles to outline the turtle's body. But from a distance, we're right back in 1998, throwing Poké Balls to catch 'em all.
Sonic the Hedgehog Tile Art
TeodorusFN has hit our nostalgia bone so hard, that we went and booted up any Sonic game we could get our hands on. (Seriously, Sonic CD is out on the iPhone today, and it looks all sorts of rosy.) Again, these pieces work best with pixelated characters and even better from a distance. Regardless, it looks as if we never left Green Hill Zone.
We have just one, small complaint: Sonic the Hedgehog is a bit of a deeper blue, no? At any rate, both of these pieces of Tile Art hit the inner child hard. Like, run to the nearest game store and pick up a copy--any copy--of Pokémon hard.
What do you think of these two pieces of Tile Art? What's the most impressive creation you've seen in The Sims Social thus far?
That said, let's start with the little blue turtle from the land of Pokémon. Pokaymon--how fitting--has created a spitting image of Squirtle as he appears in the ubiquitous Game Boy game. However, the artist's only downfall may have been his excessive use of black tiles to outline the turtle's body. But from a distance, we're right back in 1998, throwing Poké Balls to catch 'em all.
Sonic the Hedgehog Tile Art
TeodorusFN has hit our nostalgia bone so hard, that we went and booted up any Sonic game we could get our hands on. (Seriously, Sonic CD is out on the iPhone today, and it looks all sorts of rosy.) Again, these pieces work best with pixelated characters and even better from a distance. Regardless, it looks as if we never left Green Hill Zone.
We have just one, small complaint: Sonic the Hedgehog is a bit of a deeper blue, no? At any rate, both of these pieces of Tile Art hit the inner child hard. Like, run to the nearest game store and pick up a copy--any copy--of Pokémon hard.
What do you think of these two pieces of Tile Art? What's the most impressive creation you've seen in The Sims Social thus far?
The Sims Social gets fancy, classes it up in Victorian Elegance Week
Mmm, yes. I do believe that The Sims Sooocial has finally become ... acceptable enough to be associated with "Victorian Elegance." Playfish's hit social game just got a wee bit pretentious, but don't worry: It'll only last a week, and at least you can get some sweet items out of it. It's Victorian Elegance Week in the game, and that means a slew of fancy decorations and attire have arrived.
Players can deck their Sims' houses out to look like something from the 1800s, complete with fine hardwood floors, canopy beds and phonograph record players. Based on the two screen shots provided by Playfish, players will get to transform their bathrooms into far classier restrooms, complete with gold-legged bathtubs surrounded by curtains and ornate tile. In short, you'll be the classiest dude or dudette in Little Haven with these items. We're getting the sense this was all to channel Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol."
The Sims Social Victorian Elegance 2
Playfish is also giving Hanukkah some love this week with four brand new decorations. Soon, players will be able to honor the eight day-long Festival of Lights with a golden menorah, blue and white ornaments, dreidels and a blue and green Hanukkah wreath. We're not really sure how Hanukkah fits in with Victorian design and architecture, but we'll take what we can get. Look out for these items (and likely a brand new quest) sometime this week.
Are you digging where The Sims Social is going with this theme? What other themes would you like to see the game take on?
Players can deck their Sims' houses out to look like something from the 1800s, complete with fine hardwood floors, canopy beds and phonograph record players. Based on the two screen shots provided by Playfish, players will get to transform their bathrooms into far classier restrooms, complete with gold-legged bathtubs surrounded by curtains and ornate tile. In short, you'll be the classiest dude or dudette in Little Haven with these items. We're getting the sense this was all to channel Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol."
The Sims Social Victorian Elegance 2
Playfish is also giving Hanukkah some love this week with four brand new decorations. Soon, players will be able to honor the eight day-long Festival of Lights with a golden menorah, blue and white ornaments, dreidels and a blue and green Hanukkah wreath. We're not really sure how Hanukkah fits in with Victorian design and architecture, but we'll take what we can get. Look out for these items (and likely a brand new quest) sometime this week.
Are you digging where The Sims Social is going with this theme? What other themes would you like to see the game take on?
The Sims Social Ebenezer Smooge Walkthrough: How to finish it fast
This week in The Sims Social, we celebrate how the holidays used to be in the good old days. Playfish has pushed the Victorian Elegance update to its hit Facebook game, and along with a number of of new decorations and outfits, a new quest has arrived. In "Ebenezer Smooge," you must help your Sim help a ghost warm the heart of Ebenezer Smooge, one curmudgeon of a Sim.
To succeed in this quest of six steps, you'll need at least six neighbors, 850 Simoleons, five Fury and eight Goodwill. Not too shabby for a six-part quest. However, you only have one week to complete it, so let's get right into how you can complete "Ebenezer Smooge" as quickly as possible:
Ebenezer Smooge 1
Ebenezer Smooge 1
Have an item from the Victorian Elegance Theme
Yell 'Bah Humbug at 2 Sims
Have 5 Fury
To pick up an item from the Victorian Elegance theme, hit the Shop button and buy anything with the "New" label. Visit two of your friends' houses, click on them and select the "Bah Humbug" option. Fury is most easily found by being mean to friends or playing guitar.
Ebenezer Smooge 2
Ebenezer Smooge 2
Write 3 Love Letters
Try to kiss 3 Sims
Read 3 Rejection Letters
To write three love letters, just choose the option on your Sim's home computer. Then, try and kiss three of your neighbors by visiting them, clicking on their Sims and choosing the option "Try to Kiss." (Protip: The attempts don't have to be successful.) Once you're done trying to kiss friends, check your mailbox for those rejection letters.
Ebenezer Smooge 3
Ebenezer Smooge 3
Ask friends if they're going to be holding any parties over the holiday period
Check Email for new invitations
Go to bed alone
Asking friends if they're going to parties is as simple is clicking the option in the quest window. However, you will have to wait for responses from your friends through the Facebook Wall. To check for new email invitations, just choose the option on your Sim's computer. Going to be alone should be simple enough: Click the bed and choose "Sleep".
Bernard the DogEbenezer Smooge 4
Check Voice Mail and find if you had no calls
Repair or Clean 3 items in your home
Read the Obituaries
To check voice mail, just choose the option on your Sim's phone three times. If you have no broken or dirty appliances in your house, you'll have to keep using them in order to fix them. Finally, to read the obituaries, you must use your Sim's computer and the special option.
Ebenezer Smooge 5
Become Inspired
Have one clothe from this week new rang
Give 5 Sims a festive hug
To become Inspired, your Sim must have the max level in all of its basic needs, including Social. The cheapest clothing item from the new Victorian Elegance theme is the Jinx Turkey Hat for 300 Social Points. In order to give your friends a Festive Hug, you must be wearing the special new piece of clothing.
Ebenezer Smooge 6
Have 6 Goodwill
Give 6 Sims a Holiday Gift
Play holiday songs on instruments 5 times
Goodwill is most easily found by doing helpful or nice things for friends while visiting or by making beds, both yours and friends. The gift giving will become a new option when interacting with friends. To play holiday songs, you must do it on your own instruments at home. With that, you've successfully discovered why Smooge is so grouchy, and turned him around. Your reward for all of this is Bernard the Dog, a toy.
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2011 coverage right here.
[Source: Aude06]
Have you started the Ebenezer Smooge quest yet? What tips do you have for completing it any faster?
To succeed in this quest of six steps, you'll need at least six neighbors, 850 Simoleons, five Fury and eight Goodwill. Not too shabby for a six-part quest. However, you only have one week to complete it, so let's get right into how you can complete "Ebenezer Smooge" as quickly as possible:
Ebenezer Smooge 1
Ebenezer Smooge 1
Have an item from the Victorian Elegance Theme
Yell 'Bah Humbug at 2 Sims
Have 5 Fury
To pick up an item from the Victorian Elegance theme, hit the Shop button and buy anything with the "New" label. Visit two of your friends' houses, click on them and select the "Bah Humbug" option. Fury is most easily found by being mean to friends or playing guitar.
Ebenezer Smooge 2
Ebenezer Smooge 2
Write 3 Love Letters
Try to kiss 3 Sims
Read 3 Rejection Letters
To write three love letters, just choose the option on your Sim's home computer. Then, try and kiss three of your neighbors by visiting them, clicking on their Sims and choosing the option "Try to Kiss." (Protip: The attempts don't have to be successful.) Once you're done trying to kiss friends, check your mailbox for those rejection letters.
Ebenezer Smooge 3
Ebenezer Smooge 3
Ask friends if they're going to be holding any parties over the holiday period
Check Email for new invitations
Go to bed alone
Asking friends if they're going to parties is as simple is clicking the option in the quest window. However, you will have to wait for responses from your friends through the Facebook Wall. To check for new email invitations, just choose the option on your Sim's computer. Going to be alone should be simple enough: Click the bed and choose "Sleep".
Bernard the DogEbenezer Smooge 4
Check Voice Mail and find if you had no calls
Repair or Clean 3 items in your home
Read the Obituaries
To check voice mail, just choose the option on your Sim's phone three times. If you have no broken or dirty appliances in your house, you'll have to keep using them in order to fix them. Finally, to read the obituaries, you must use your Sim's computer and the special option.
Ebenezer Smooge 5
Become Inspired
Have one clothe from this week new rang
Give 5 Sims a festive hug
To become Inspired, your Sim must have the max level in all of its basic needs, including Social. The cheapest clothing item from the new Victorian Elegance theme is the Jinx Turkey Hat for 300 Social Points. In order to give your friends a Festive Hug, you must be wearing the special new piece of clothing.
Ebenezer Smooge 6
Have 6 Goodwill
Give 6 Sims a Holiday Gift
Play holiday songs on instruments 5 times
Goodwill is most easily found by doing helpful or nice things for friends while visiting or by making beds, both yours and friends. The gift giving will become a new option when interacting with friends. To play holiday songs, you must do it on your own instruments at home. With that, you've successfully discovered why Smooge is so grouchy, and turned him around. Your reward for all of this is Bernard the Dog, a toy.
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2011 coverage right here.
[Source: Aude06]
Have you started the Ebenezer Smooge quest yet? What tips do you have for completing it any faster?
The Sims Social Tile Art: Just in case you didn't know that was R2D2
We'd say that looks like the beepin' boopin' droid if it were ever in an 8-bit game, wouldn't you? Well, it's not: It's in The Sims Social, and player SamRi has created R2D2 from the classic film we shouldn't even have to name Star Wars. In case you haven't been following, it's called Tile Art, and all the rage in EA and Playfish's hit Facebook game. Rather than craft a retro video game character from the social simulator's myriad tiles, as so many are wont to do, SamRi opted to pay homage to a retro film character.
In fact, perhaps one of the most cherished retro movie characters of all time. And just in case you might not recognize it, the creator went ahead and labeled his or her creation for you. (Do people that haven't seen Star Wars exist?) What's most amazing about SamRi's creation is that it's both terribly accurate and interpretive at the same time.
Sims Social Tile Art Link
Next up is Link from the Legend of Zelda series, and tile for tile (or pixel for pixel), player Yngven93's rendition is picture perfect. This version of Link looks like it comes from one of the Zelda games released on the original Game Boy, but with some holiday chic. While this piece is brilliantly accurate to the original, it could probably do without the outline of black tiles. Regardless, we're suddenly wishing we had never traded in that old Game Boy to Funcoland. There we go aging ourselves again.
[Via The Sims Social Fansite]
[Image Credits: SamRi, Yngven93]
Are you impressed by these pieces of The Sims Social Tile Art? What's the most incredible piece of player-made artwork you've seen in a Facebook game?
In fact, perhaps one of the most cherished retro movie characters of all time. And just in case you might not recognize it, the creator went ahead and labeled his or her creation for you. (Do people that haven't seen Star Wars exist?) What's most amazing about SamRi's creation is that it's both terribly accurate and interpretive at the same time.
Sims Social Tile Art Link
Next up is Link from the Legend of Zelda series, and tile for tile (or pixel for pixel), player Yngven93's rendition is picture perfect. This version of Link looks like it comes from one of the Zelda games released on the original Game Boy, but with some holiday chic. While this piece is brilliantly accurate to the original, it could probably do without the outline of black tiles. Regardless, we're suddenly wishing we had never traded in that old Game Boy to Funcoland. There we go aging ourselves again.
[Via The Sims Social Fansite]
[Image Credits: SamRi, Yngven93]
Are you impressed by these pieces of The Sims Social Tile Art? What's the most incredible piece of player-made artwork you've seen in a Facebook game?
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
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2011 coverage right here.
Got any other tips on how to finish the Revenge of the Simch quest in record time?
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
Check out the rest of our Holiday 2011 coverage right here.
Got any other tips on how to finish the Revenge of the Simch quest in record time?
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