Rovio to get Angry Birds Space for Windows Phone: CEO

HELSINKI — Rovio is working on getting its new Angry Birds Space game to Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 platform (WP7), its chief executive said on Friday, putting Nokia and other Windows phones more on a par with the iPhone.

“We are working towards getting Angry Birds Space to WP7,” Rovio Chief Executive Mikael Hed told Reuters, dismissing earlier media reports that the top gaming firm was dumping the platform.
Hed, however, said the launch date was not set.

Rovio’s games are topping sales charts on all key platforms and reports that the gaming company was shying away from the Windows Phone was seen as a major blow to Nokia’s strategy to shift to use it in all its smartphones.

After Hed’s comments to Reuters, Nokia shares were 0.6 percent higher at 3.97 euros by 1516 GMT.
“We are working closely together with Nokia to bring our games to their platforms,” Hed said. “Our mutual goal is to bring the best possible experience to our fans, including all fans using Windows Phone devices.”

The Finnish start-up behind the world’s most downloaded mobile game has been valued at up to $9 billion little more than two years after it first launched Angry Birds for Apple’s iPhone.
The game has been downloaded more than 700 million times, and is the fastest-growing game on Facebook.

source: interaksyon.com

Michael Buble brings 'Christmas' to 'CityVille'

LOS ANGELES - Singer Michael Buble is taking his "Christmas" spirit into the virtual realm, collaborating with popular Facebook game "CityVille" and giving an interactive gift to his fans over the holidays.

"CityVille" players will be able to socialize with Buble's personal avatar, which will talk and sing in different settings including a holiday bonfire, as well as hunt for presents that Buble himself would like under his own Christmas tree.

"Social gaming has opened up a new door for artists to connect with their fans," Buble told Reuters, adding that "CityVille" players will "see a different side of me in the game and also connect with me in a really personal way."

"CityVille," developed by social network game company Zynga, allows players to create and grow their own towns, and according to Appdata.com, is the No. 1 game on Facebook. It can also be played through Google Plus and smartphones.

The collaboration with Buble follows Zynga's partnership with Lady Gaga earlier this year, who had her own town called GagaVille on Zynga game "FarmVille." It featured unicorns, crystals and unreleased songs, coinciding with the release of her album "Born This Way."

Grammy-winning Buble, 36, is currently enjoying a fourth week at the top of the Billboard 200 album chart with his holiday record "Christmas," which features a selection of festive classics.

"I set out to record a classic Christmas album in the old style recorded off the floor in the studio. I wanted it to sound and feel authentic," said Buble of his holiday album.

"I think no matter what a person's musical taste is, there is always room to enjoy a great holiday record," he said.

After releasing "Christmas" in October, sales of the album were boosted in the run-up to the holidays, with Buble fending off competition from Rihanna, The Black Keys and Amy Winehouse to keep the top spot on the album chart.

"I don't really look at is as a contest against other artists or releases," said the Canadian singer, adding that he was "thrilled" with the public's enthusiastic response to it. - Reuters

source:gmanetwork.com