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It’s that time of year again- FarmVille’s birthday! This year, FarmVille is celebrating it’s fourth birthday with a special 30 Days of prizes which will reward players with a free prize every day.  The 30 Day of prizes will begin on May 20th, 2013 and will run until June 19th, 2013. Today is officially day five of the 30 days of prizes. Simply login to your FarmVille farm and click on the birthday icon (right side, see below) to claim your free prize. The FarmVille Birthday 30 Days of Prizes, has its own quick button with a “4″ birthday candle icon that can be found on the right side of your in-game play area. FarmVille Birthday Day 5: Fertilize All Package FarmVille 30 Days of Prizes Day 5 Daily Prize: Fertilize All Package FarmVille Daily Fun Fact: In 2012, 160,000 tractors sold in the US compared to 330,000 purchased by FV farmers! Sneak Peek of all the Birthday Prizes after the jump! FarmVille 4th Birthday Prizes: FarmVille Birthday Day 1: 4th Birthday Cupcake Cow FarmVille Birthday Day 2: 4th Birthday Candle Tree FarmVille Birthday Day 3: 10 Fuel Refills FarmVille Birthday Day 4: Atlantis Buildable Part Package FarmVille Birthday Day 5: Fertilize All Package FarmVille Birthday Day 6: 4th Birthday Bush FarmVille Birthday Day 7: 2 Mystery Game Darts FarmVille Birthday Day 8: 4th Birthday Party Tree FarmVille Birthday Day 9: 20 Watering Cans FarmVille Birthday Day 10: 3 Unwithers FarmVille Birthday Day 11: 4th Birthday Chicken FarmVille Birthday Day 12: 3 Pack of Turbo Chargers FarmVille Birthday Day 13: Sunlight & Mushroom Package FarmVille Birthday Day 14: 10 Farmhands FarmVille Birthday Day 15: 4th Birthday Mare FarmVille Birthday Day 16: 4th Birthday Sheep FarmVille Birthday Day 17: 4th Birthday Bouncy House FarmVille Birthday Day 18: 3-Pack of Instagrows FarmVille Birthday Day 19: 4th Birthday Bedazzled Horse FarmVille Birthday Day 20: 10 Arborists FarmVille Birthday Day 21: Atlantis Treasure Parts Package FarmVille Birthday Day 22: Book of XP FarmVille Birthday Day 23: 4th Birthday Cake Pop Tree FarmVille Birthday Day 24: 20 Fuel Refills FarmVille Birthday Day 25: 4th Birthday Gnome FarmVille Birthday Day 26: 4th Birthday Party Horse FarmVille Birthday Day 27: Australian Vineyard Package FarmVille Birthday Day 28: 4th Birthday Cotton Candy Tree FarmVille Birthday Day 29: 4th Birthday Unicorn FarmVille Birthday Day 25: 4th Birthday Pegacorn

Stage 4 of the FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular escapade is now available! The previous stages have expired. The Scrapbooking Spectacular escapades will start on May 21st, 2013 and finish on June 11th, 2013! This multi-stage escapade can be found on the outskirt of your FarmVille farm. Simply click on the feature to get started. Each stage has a specific time frame and the requirements will have to be met within that time frame to receive the reward for each stage. FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 4 Requirements: Collect 6 Buttons Time: May 25th, 2013 – May 26th, 2013 Reward: Stencil Pig Sneak peek of all the upcoming escapade stages and their rewards after the jump! FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 1 (Expired) Requirements: Get 6 Scissors, Get 6 Blank Pages & Get 6 Book Jackets Time: May 21st, 2013 – May 23rd, 2013 Reward: Buttons n Beads Tree FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 2 (Expired) Requirements: Collect 6 Colorful Ribbons Time: May 23rd, 2013 – May 24th, 2013 Reward: Ribbon Goat FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 3 (Expired) Requirements: Collect 6 Glues Time: May 24th, 2013 – May 25th, 2013 Reward: Stamp Sheep FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 4 Requirements: Collect 6 Buttons Time: May 25th, 2013 – May 26th, 2013 Reward: Stencil Pig FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 5 Requirements: Collect 3 Photos Time: May 26th, 2013 – May 27th, 2013 Reward: Glitter Fountain FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 6 Requirements: Collect 7 Stamps Time: May 27th, 2013 – May 28th, 2013 Reward: Scrapbooking Gnome FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 7 Requirements: Collect 7 Glitter Time: May 28th, 2013 – May 29th, 2013 Reward: Sticker Cow FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 8 Requirements: Collect 7 Construction Paper Time: May 29th, 2013 – May 30th, 2013 Reward: Book Pedestal FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 9 Requirements: Get 8 friends to help Time: May 30th, 2013 – June 1st, 2013 Reward: Buttons n Beads Horse FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Stage 10 Requirements: Get 5 Stickers, Get 6 Stencils & Get 8 Paper Flowers Time: June 1st, 2013 – June 5th, 2013 Reward: Paper Mache Tree FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 11 Requirements: Collect 6 Gel Pens Time: June 5th, 2013 – June 7th, 2013 Reward: Glitter Peacock FarmVille Scrapbooking Spectacular Escapade Stage 12 Requirements: Get 5 Brads, Get 6 Sequins & Get 8 Bows Time: June 7th, 2013 – June 11th, 2013 Reward: Scrapbooking Unicorn What do you think of this escapade and its rewards? Will you be working on it?

Have you ever wondered about the economics of the video game industry? Games sometimes get a bad rap because spending time playing them is not considered to be “constructive.” As you can see in the graphic below, making video games is certainly a worthwhile endeavor and can be as lucrative as it is intellectually rewarding! So next time someone in your life tells you to “stop wasting your time” with video games, you can show them this… Source: Big Fish Games

TOP ELEVEN SCORES WITH 11 MILLION MONTHLY ACTIVE USERS AS IT CELEBRATES THIRD ANNIVERSARY Award-Winning European Game Studio Nordeus Sees Constant Growth Across Multiple Platforms Belgrade, Serbia — May 23, 2013 — Online sports game Top Eleven – Be A Football Manager, developed by social game studio Nordeus, celebrates its third anniversary with 11 million monthly active users, making it the most played online sports game in the world. In the last three years, Nordeus has accomplished three major milestones with Top Eleven: · Constant Growth – Since launch, Top Eleven has reached more than 40 million registered users, and currently has more than 11 million monthly active users, maintaining a 25% retention rate in just three years. The DAU/MAU ratio is 40%, one of the top engagements in the world. · Recognized on Top Grossing App Charts Worldwide – Top Eleven is among the top grossing apps on iOS and Android, and is in the top five in more than 53 countries. · Authentic Gameplay Experience – Nordeus’ partnerships with football clubs Real Madrid, Liverpool, Arsenal, Milan and more bring fans closer to the sport with official team jerseys and logos in Top Eleven. Real Madrid’s head coach José Mourinho is the face of the popular app, and serves as an in-game coach for new players in tutorial mode. Top Eleven was developed by award-winning European game studio, Nordeus. Founded in March 2010 in Belgrade, Serbia, Top Eleven was created to fuel football fans’ passion for the world¹s most popular sport and allow them to build, improve and manage their own teams. Nordeus’ growing success has already been widely recognized in Europe: the company was named “Best Gaming Startup” at the Europas 2011 Awards, one of ETTA’s “Top 25 Hottest Tech Companies in Europe” in 2011 and as “People¹s Choice – Best Startup” at the London Web Summit 2012. “Nordeus is at the forefront of the sports game industry, and our success with Top Eleven has been tantamount to our growth and expansion,” said Branko Milutinovic, CEO, Nordeus. “Next, we will be expanding operations to Dublin, Ireland and Skopje, Macedonia, and are actively seeking new talent.” Top Eleven allows players to create and manage their own customized football teams. Professional Top Eleven managers can build up stadiums for their teams where they can compete against other players. Along with its complexity and advanced football manager features, Top Eleven offers cross-platform compatibility and a seamless gaming experience across web, Android and iOS devices. Top Eleven gives the most hardcore football fans an authentic gameplay experience. In March, the company chose Real Madrid¹s head coach, José Mourinho, to be the face of Top Eleven. Nordeus has also partnered with football clubs – Real Madrid, Liverpool, Arsenal, AC Milan, Benfica, Roma, Boca Juniors, Porto and more – also bring official in-game items to Top Eleven. Top Eleven is currently available on Facebook and for Android and iOS devices as a free download. For more information about Top Eleven visit www.topeleven.com. For more information about Nordeus visit www.nordeus.eu. About Nordeus: Nordeus is a leading and award-winning European game developer, and officially the best European gaming start up of 2011. At Nordeus, our goal is to provide a seamless gaming experience to millions of people, regardless of the devices they are using. That is why we make online games that are free and accessible to a wide range of people. Every day, our team of more than 100 people in Belgrade and San Francisco put all of their talent into making five-star games. Every day, millions of people enjoy what we have created. About Top Eleven – Be A Football Manager: Top Eleven is the most played online sports game in the world, with 1

FarmVille Not A Pegacorn FarmVille Mosaic Horse FarmVille Splatter Paint Horse FarmVille Pop Sheep FarmVille Surreal Doggie FarmVille Limited Edition Modern Art Animals: FarmVille Not A Pegacorn – 30 Farm Cash FarmVille Mosaic Horse – 26 Farm Cash FarmVille Splatter Paint Horse – 26 Farm Cash FarmVille Pop Sheep – 16 Farm Cash FarmVille Surreal Doggie – 12 Farm Cash FarmVille Melting Tree FarmVille Surrealist Tree FarmVille Palette Tree FarmVille Mosaic Tree FarmVille Still Life Tree FarmVille Three Tree FarmVille Limited Edition Modern Art Trees: FarmVille Melting Tree – 8 Farm Cash FarmVille Surrealist Tree – 14 Farm Cash FarmVille Palette Tree – 6 Farm Cash FarmVille Mosaic Tree – 12 Farm Cash FarmVille Still Life Tree – 6 Farm Cash FarmVille Three Tree – 12 Farm Cash FarmVille Modernist Barn FarmVille Limited Edition Modern Art Building: FarmVille Modernist Barn – 15 Farm Cash FarmVille Artist's Picnic FarmVille Cherry Spoon Bridge FarmVille Limited Edition Modern Art Decorations: FarmVille Artist’s Picnic – 14 Farm Cash FarmVille Cherry Spoon Bridge – 40,000 Farm Coins

A rumor is swirling today that Microsoft will allow retailers like GameStop to sell used games, but the manufacturer will take a cut of each second-hand sale. An alleged retail source told U.K. industry site MCV that when a gamer brings in a pre-owned disc, the retailer must check that disc in with Microsoft’s Azure cloud system. That check would wipe it from the previous gamer’s account. Then once the retailer sells the game to a new customer, Microsoft takes an automatic cut of the sale. Another rumor, this time from Eurogamer, suggests Microsoft will institute a flat fee that the retailer will have to pay. This will allow Microsoft to control the price of used games, since it’ll have to be higher than the fee. We’ve reached out to Microsoft, which pointed us to this post from its spokesperson Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb: The ability to trade in and resell games is important to gamers and to Xbox. Xbox One is designed to support the trade in and resale of games. Reports about our policies for trade in and resale are inaccurate and incomplete. We will disclose more information in the near future. Which rumors are inaccurate and which are incomplete? Microsoft still won’t say. That left us to contact GameStop, which refused to comment. At this point, nothing is confirmed, but we wanted to reach out to some independent gaming stores to see how something like this might affect them. It turns out that at least a few are ready to drop second-hand Xbox One games from their shelves if the Microsoft fee is too steep. “We would still carry new Xbox One games but probably not used because the demand for them would probably drop significantly,” David Lyon told GamesBeat. Lyon manages Ultimate Video Game Connection in Columbus, Ohio. “If they were going to charge a [large fee] it would eliminate [the margin] on used sales.” Again, Microsoft won’t say if any fee exists. Other stores will try to play ball with the company first to see if they can make it work. “If it’s still profitable for us, then we’ll still try to carry used games,” Toun Keovichitch, manager at GameTrader in Portland, Oregon, told GamesBeat. “If it’s not worth it, then we might discontinue it. “ If it does work, Ultimate Video Game Connection expects a move like this would demolish trade prices. “Take a game like Injustice, which just came out a few weeks ago, we generally give people $30 in trade for that,” said Lyon. “If the fee was anywhere near that price, we’d only be able to give $5 or maybe $10 in trade.” Likewise, GameTrader is frightened that it could go from making $10 to $15 for a used-game sale to making $2 to $3. This is assuming that either of these small businesses could implement Microsoft’s Azure cloud-verification tool into their computer systems. If that requires a software or hardware overhaul, both of GameTrader and UVGC might bow out before they even have to start dealing with the fee. “It would be very difficult to implement into our business,” said Lyon. “We’re a family owned store. It would be difficult to build something new into our current system.” That left both Lyon and Keovichitch thinking that they would suggest Sony’s new hardware to their customers. “I would definitely push them toward the PlayStation 4,” said Keovichitch. “Working at a used-games store, it’s really hard to feel positive about the Xbox One with these rumors about this used-game policy. People want to own stuff.” Lyon echoed that sentiment, saying: “If Microsoft does confirm the fee, I would suggest PlayStation 4.” For now, Microsoft still isn’t giving details of its policies. Meanwhile, gamers are growing anxious and small retailers like the GameTrader and UVGC are starting to recommend PS4 over Xbox One. Maybe Microsoft is confident this won

A new report, stemming from a "high-ranking UK industry source, has explained that the consumer won't actually be the one paying the £35 activation fee for a used Xbox One game. Instead, the retailer will be paying the fee, so you will only be forced to pay whatever the retailer is selling it for. Although you can bet that a £35 fee -- which Microsoft is said to still be deciding on -- can result in some pretty pricey used games. In essence, Microsoft will control the cost of used games because of this fee. If the activation fee -- which will go to both the publisher and Microsoft -- is too high, the retailer won't be able to offer the game for much cheaper. It's unclear if the fee will increase or decrease depending on time, but you can bet that pre-owned games will be a tad bit more expensive then they are now. Sony's plans for pre-owned games have not fully been explained either, but the source doubts we'll see something similar on the PS4. Read more about the Xbox One at GameZone > Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Larry Hryb, aka Microsoft's "Major Nelson," has revealed what game cases will look like for the new Xbox One. The picture shown here is the box design for Forza Motorsport 5, which Microsoft Game Studios announced at the Xbox Reveal show on Tuesday. Turn 10 Studios is developing the racing game, which is the latest entry in the long-running Xbox series. What do you think of the new style? It's amazingly elegant and sleek, especially compared to the old model. Below is a look at the Forza 4 case. Read more at GameZone > Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

The very first thing I noticed when playing Legacy Tales: Mercy of the Gallows was the soothing, realistic sound of waves gently lapping, as if I were standing on a windy dock. That and the background music do a great job of setting the perfect tone for this pirate adventure. While the sound effects throughout the game are really great, I found myself wishing the narrator would speak a little faster. I found myself cutting him off and hitting "next" because I had already read the page and the narrator was only halfway through... come on already... I don't have all day! The graphics in Legacy Tales: Mercy of the Gallows are strikingly detailed and beautiful. Unlike other games of the genre, however, the screens took awhile to load. I thought maybe it was my computer but changing the settings or restarting didn't seem to resolve these issues, so the slowness appears to be game-based. The main characters, William van der Decken and his wife Isabele, lived long ago and are the subject of local folklore. The sea captain and his wife lived in a fairy-tale-like castle located, of course, on a dock. Read the full review at CasualGameGuides > Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

With Madden 25 right around the corner, we decided to compile a list of some of our favorite tips and strategies that hold true in every Madden game regardless of the year, console, or skill level of the person playing. Use A Custom Playbook in Madden 25 With the ability to finally use a custom playbook in connected franchise mode in Madden 25, you no longer have an excuse not to use one (other than you are just lazy). Ask any pro Madden gamer how hard it is to stop over 300 of the best plays in the game consistently. It is a living nightmare that your opponent will have to try to defend. Unless you are in a Madden 25 league, tournament, or game that doesn't allow custom playbooks, create one and get comfortable with it. Pay Attention to What Your Opponent is Doing Does your opponent like to call a certain play when he comes out in a specific formation? Does your opponent only run to the side of the field with the most room? Is your opponent only calling pass plays? All 3 of these questions can often be answered by a resounding, "Yes!" You should be able to pick up on your opponents tendencies by the 2nd half. Once you pick up what your opponent is doing, you can dominate any Madden game, especially Madden 25, without using any specific tips or money plays. Focus on Defense While paying attention can help you win games, their will be times when you are completely outmatched and you really have no shot of winning. No matter what schemes or strategies you are using, nothing seems to work. 99% of Madden NFL players in this situation get frustrated and just give up by either quitting or mentally checking out. But it is at this point that the elite Madden 25 gamer would take out a pen and paper (or a tablet for those of you technologically advanced) and start taking notes on what your opponent is doing. If you can't stop it, chances are a large majority of other people you play won't be able too either. Mark down things like what formation it is, who the open receiver(s) is, when they come open, what routes every other receiver runs, and the timing of the play. Then after the game go find the play and head into practice mode to perfect it for yourself. At this point you have just turned one of the most frustrating moments of a Madden 25 game into an entire year of dominance. Every heard the saying, "Defense wins championships?" The same holds true in any Madden video game. The best professional Madden gamers win the big tournaments because of their defense. At the highest levels, everyone knows the same sort of tips, money plays, and schemes on offense. Those Madden 25 tips will be shared on Madden-School.com, Youtube, and other websites. Defense is generally harder to master and therefore harder to share. Offense will come to you if you follow the tip above this and just observe what works for your opponent and simply incorporate bits and pieces of other people's offenses into your own. Read more Madden tips at Madden School > Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments