AOL and Pogo games.

  DOES NOT EQUAL
We're buddies but not the same.

With the re-launch behind us and the most annoying bugs repaired, I would take an opportunity to address something that the AOL games team learned about you, our members.

We found out that you are very passionate about your games!  We always knew you loved playing by the numbers of people who play, but never heard your voices.  Now we have and it is great to talk with many of you.  Your passionate pleas for changes and repairs to the site alerted us to what was needed and we were able to make changes on the fly through your feedback.  As I have said a couple of times before.  We are listening.

The other thing that we learned is that you folks believe that AOL and Pogo are one and the same.  It makes sense that you folks would think that as Pogo and AOL have been LONG standing game partners.  For a very long time, Pogo was the only game provider for AOL games.  So I don't fault anyone for thinking we are one and the same.  However, over the years AOL games has  added more game providers.  We now have a strong offering of both Pogo and non-Pogo offerings.  It's important that you folks know the difference so you can get the help you need.

Pogo is a WHOLLY OWNED and operated division of Electronic Arts.  Electronic Arts (EA for short) is the probably the largest publisher of games in the United States.  There are a couple of games you may have heard of that they put out; Madden Football, The Sims etc.  This is important to know as so that you can get the help you need.  When you go to Pogo game and it is not working, contacting AOL help may not be the answer.  Our member service team may not have the expertise to help you with a Pogo game.  It’s very likely contacting AOL help will end in frustration (Many of you have let me know that!)

So, what should you do?  When you go to Pogo game and it doesn’t work you should go directly to Pogo.  You can contact them at http://help.pogo.com  Well, what about all the other games? In that case go to our on site help section at http://games.aol.com/help

If you have any question or just want to leave a comment feel free.  I’d love to hear from you all.

AOL news on Club Pogo

Good morning everyone,

I want to thank everyone for their continued feedback and help on our redesign.  You have all made this site better.  First time in a long time, the AOL games team is listening. This is a credit to the people on this board. We're making changes to the site as quickly as we can. It's not the fastest but it is change and change for the good.

Pogo, our long standing game partner, as was posted in the five free Club Pogo games, has decided that they will no longer be offering their five free Club Pogo game previews.
We regret no longer being able to offer the games you know and love for free.

Pogo is offering free access to Club Pogo for those who love the games.
Free Two-Week Trial of Club Pogo
http://www.pogo.com/marketing/oct-guestpass/index.jsp?site=aolf

This offer will be available until November 11th.

I know AOL and Pogo have made a lot of changes lately and not everyone has agreed with them.  Understand that these were changes made independently by two companies who are trying to position themselves for the future. We are all upset with the timing of the change and hope that this will be the last major change to the site for a while.

I will be here to answer any questions you all may have.
Again, thank you for your time and I appreciate everyone's passion for their games.

EDIT January 11th:  I just want to clarify something.  AOL and Pogo.com are partners and AOL does share revenue with them via terms of our contracts. We are not the same company however.  Pogo.com is wholly owned by Electronic Arts,  the largest game publisher in the United States.

The Fix is in!

AOL games and games.com repairs.

It took a while but some important things have now been repaired.
1.  You will no longer be sent to Games.com if you play on AOL games. 
Tremendous as you can now find all the games you normally play all the time.

2. Game pages can have unique promotion.  This is important because we can put our leaderboards back up!

3.  We've added sort links to the all games page and genre pages.  You can now get a list of all the games you play by genre like it used to be available on the old site.

Please let me know if these changes are helpful!

Give me a title damnit!

Games issues that are being repaired.
Well folks it took a week longer than I wanted it to but here are the things that will be repaired next week:

1.  You will no longer be directed to Games.com.
If you go to AOL games, you’ll stay on AOL games.  This is going to remove the confusion of Pogo Games disappearing.

2.  We're bringing back leader boards.  The game pages will now be able to their own game specific information on them.  This is important so that we can bring you information particular to each game.

3.  The voting system for games (the stars on the game launch pages) are now working properly.  You could just vote over and over.

4.  Drop down menus at the TOP of the search section to help you to select the number of results that appear.   Why is that important? So you can see ALL THE GAMES rather just some of them.  You will be saved the trouble of clicking through pages.

Game Chart: Top 25

Top 25 Games
Every Thursday I compile a list of sales from the week before.  Why is this important? Well,  you can find out what your game playing friends are buying!
Top Sales October 15-21
1. Hidden Expedition - Everest
2. JewelQuest II
3. The Rise of Atlantis
4. Cake Mania 2
5. Monopoly Here & Now Edition
6. Gold Miner Vegas
7. Monopoly by Parker Brothers
8. Bejeweled 2 Deluxe
9. Clayside
10. Jewel Quest Solitaire
11. SCRABBLE Blast
12. Dream Day Honeymoon
13. Mahjong Garden Deluxe
14. Lottso! Deluxe
15. Mystery Case Files - Ravenhearst
Build-a-lot
16. Big City Adventure: San Francisco
17. Fairy Godmother Tycoon
18. Mystery P.I.™ - The Lottery Ticket
19. Burger Island
20. Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
22. Death on the Nile
23. Dream Chronicles™
24. Family Feud

Enjoy!

Games News. The latest.

We're quiet on the news front but that is good.  The development team at AOL games is working hard to repair the issues with our site and the hope is that we'll have some repairs up this week.

It is taking along time but there is a reason for that.  We're trying to rectify issues that would have delayed the launch of the site several weeks.  Many of the issues people are having;
1.  Being redirected to Games.com
2. Having to log into Pogo games.

will be rectified with the latest update.   For me this is great news.  I have heard a many of our members display a passion and caring for the AOL games site.  You all deserve a site that works, is easy to find things on and is fun. We're crossing our fingers that we'll be adding to the fun and working part of things.

Again, I want to thank all the members of the AOL games community for making sure that the issues on our site are brought to the forefront.  There will be no more running and hiding as long as I work here and these boards are up.  You will be heard I can assure you of that.

ALERTS! Why you need them.

Click here to sign up for this Alert
Many of you have signed up for this in the past but we've been lacking in getting any alerts out. 

Alerts let you know when new games come out and if there is important information that the AOL games team needs to get out to the community.
 There are about 300,000 people signed up for these.   We're looking to expand the Alerts program and expect to let people know about big online game events to come.  Sign up,  get involved, its fun!
Click here to sign up for this Alert

Most Popular Games Listed

 
Just added this sub-genre to the all games genre.  Should be very helpful for those who don't know which games are the best.  I made this list by combining the games with the most plays and the games with the most sales.  
Its no coincidence that there is some over lap.  Anyway,  enjoy.

Solitaire Race in Beta

Solitaire Race in beta.
We have a new game that we hope to release in the next week or so.
Please help us check it out.
Solitaire Race

Beta Testing coming to AOL games?

Game beta testing to leverage the wisdom of our users may be coming to AOL games.
With the AOL layoffs AOL games may have take the testing of its games into its own hands.  We're thinking of letting the community do the test. 
Let us know what you think!

Goodbye GameTap on AOL

GameTap games are bidding AOL Adieu.

Today, we have some sad news.  The Time Warner owned classic game website GameTap is leaving AOL games.  GameTap suffered some budget cuts as I understand it and could no longer afford to promote their games on our site. 
We wish GameTap games well.
If you still would like to play GameTap games you can access them at GameTaps website:
GameTap Games

New Games on Games.com

NEW Games:

1.  Delicious 2 - (downloadable, web, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/delicious-2-deluxe/
Emily's back for more delicious fun in this fast-paced sequel.

2.  Burger Island - (downloadable, web, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/burger-island/
Help our heroine Patty turn around a run-down burger stand located on deserted Mount Tikikola Beach in 'Burger Island'.

3.  Zenerchi - (downloadable, web, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/zenerchi/
Find your zen as you match the vibrantly colored rings, filling your color containers with energy and eventually encountering your inner chi.

4.  Rainforest Adventure - (web, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/rainforest-adventure/
Follow a path of puzzling fun through a vibrant rainforest in this colorful new challenge.

5.  Dream Day Honeymoon - (downloadable, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/dream-day-honeymoon/
'Dream Day Honeymoon' is second in a series of romantic and unique seek-and-find adventures.

Things That Everyone Should Know.

The Top 11 box on AOL games is just that.  The top 11.  I am sure you're wondering how it programmed.  Well,  I'm here to tell you.

The top 11 online games are the top 11 games by usage (total game plays) for the week.
They haven't been updated in a while (about ten days) I am waiting for the latest reports.
We get them weekly and I update them as I get them

The top 11 downloads can be accessed by clicking on the tab labeled "downloads" This tab is populated by taking the top selling games for the week by total sales (total sales - refunds) 

Just thought you all would want to know.

Email Subscriptions to the Games Blog

The AOL games blog has been revived. 
In continuing to try and get the word out that I have added the opportunity to subscribe to the posts in this blog.
It should help people hear the latest news.
The subscription link is available on:
AOL Games Help
and
Games.com Help

Subscribe to Games Community Blog by Email

Stay in touch.

I've set up a Games.com Group on Facebook. Join here
Games.com Facebook Group

The plan is to get the word out that we've got good games,  and there are lots of them.  This is just the beginning of getting the word out and making it happen.   I want to be sure everyone knows what we're up to,  when new games come out and just news in general.

Things to help people play

There seems to be a lot of confusion as to the how to get to Pogo games on the AOL games site:
I posted this before but I am going to post it again.

Pogo Links that used to be on the AOL Pogo page:
AOL Pogo
Pogo Prizes
Pogo Profiles
Pogo Messages
Pogo Account

ALL POGO GAMES ON AOL

Update to the Community Blog Navigation

As many of you can see,  on the left side of the blog entires,  I have no replicated the navigation of the AOL Games help section.
This should help people get back to the games and make sure they can get to AOL Games when they get directed to Games.com.

Let me know if there is anything else that can be placed in the Blog that you think will help.
I am all ears!

AOL Games Blog from email.

AOL Games Blog from email.

If I am going to make this blog happen,  I need to be able to update it from anywhere.  I am in the process of finding as many ways to aggregate all this information as possible.  It's really making a difference to everyone as we move towards full integration on blogging and presence.

I want AOL games and games.com to be out there on the web.  I want people to be aware of what we are up to,  and what is going out.

If we can do that,  the we'll be in business.

What I owe you; Info AOL games is to Provide

I have been posting a lot across the message boards and and I just want to consolidate some of the things I've already been talking about.
1.  A Slingo time line.  There has been some confusion as to what has gone on and some he said, he said.  AOL is going to outline our view of the Slingo launch and get that out on the web.  It is important that we disclose the information we have so that you all are aware.  It may be too little too late,  but we own that to you all.
2. What is going to be repaired on AOL Games, Games.com.  I asked our product manager and project manager here to give me a detailed list of what issues will be repaired and when.  While dates are never set in stone I would like to make sure everyone knows what is being fixed and when. 

3.  Issues concerning Java. Java is the software that runs many of the games on our site and runs ALL of the Pogo games.  Sometimes two-weeks ago an automatic update of Java came out and updated people AOL Client software.  While that is well and good,  it also created havoc with our games.  We've found that people using the latest Java (1.6 version 3) are getting errors  or denials of service in the client.
This is ruining many people game play.
I know most of you are not willing to get in there and go changing your whole computers,  so the best fix in the short term is to use ANY BROWSER ASIDE FROM AOL.  I know that sounds terrible but right now,  we're having trouble getting the latest Java to work.

Layoffs and what it means to AOL games players

As many of you know there was a layoff of 20% of the AOL staff world wide.  The games group was not unscathed.  We lost two very, very cool people who did a great job over the years.  Our thoughts go out to those who have to find work.

What is means to you all?  Well it means that we have some things that need to shake out.  Some of the people who we relied on with regards to support are gone.

 Many of us will have to re-establish contacts for services across the AOL network.  Its going to take some time.  Unfortunately,  that may mean some slow down on changes and my availability on the message boards.

I'll be sure to keep you all informed as to the goings on here.

Updating the AOL games Blog

Afternoon everyone.  Its been a good weekend and people are still having problems with their games.

I thought,  what a good time to get my blog back into the fray. 
I have recently linked the blog to the help section (which has not been linked YET)

Anyway,  here is where I am.
1.  The site still has issues.  This is what they are;

2. People still can't find games.  I don't know why because we have the search box,  but people like lists.  I hope that we'll all learn to use the search box. It's really easy.  Give it a try at least.

3.  Our site is sending people to Games.com.  Wouldn't be a big deal if everyone didn't love Pogo games so much.  But,  alas,  people love Pogo.  If you see you are on games and you see the top left logo says "Games.com" and not "AOL games"  You need to go back to http://games.aol.com
I know,  its confusion and stupid,  but we're working at getting it sorted out.

4.  Some games just aren't working (Bingo,  Solitaire etc)  Recently Java updated and the AOL Client didn't.  So what happened?  Well,  one of our partners games got labeled as dangerous software.  Now,  people can't play those games inside the AOL client.  It sucks.  We're TRYING DISPARATELY to get this fixed. But its taking WAAAAY to long.  Lets hope its fixed sooner rather than later.  The good thing is there is an EASY workaround.  All you need to do is not use the AOL client!  How simple is that!  Log onto AOL,  minimize the Window and open Explorer.  You should have no trouble with the game after that.

5.  Slingo
Slingo is what it is at this time.  We're waiting for an update in November and we'll see where we are then.  I recently posted an excellent help file provided by Dan who leads the http://www.bringbackslingo.org campaign.  It should be the post after this one.


(note:  edited as I had Dan's name wrong!  Sorry Dan)

AOL Games Help For Slingo

This was posted on Dan's fine message board.  I had the information but unfortunately, did not have the time to get it on the site.

1) Make SURE you have the latest version of Java by clicking here (www.java.com) and installing Java (the games need Java to run properly)

2) You will see more of the screen if you use Internet Explorer or Firefox instead of the AOL browser. Just sign onto AOL, minimize the AOL running but leave it running in the background and then open Internet Explorer and go to (www.games.com) You will find Slingo in the Casino section of the AOL games site.

it is important to open those games in a browser OUTSIDE of the AOL environment. IT WILL CRASH AOL if they are opened in AOL.

3) If you cannot see the entire game screen, adjust your screen size (the resolution) to 1024x768. Then you should see the game AND the chat.

4) You can play in ANY of the game rooms regardless of what state you are from by clicking on the “Play” button in the lobby

All the AOL Pogo Games links

Pogo Links that used to be on the AOL Pogo page:
AOL Pogo
Pogo Prizes
Pogo Profiles
Pogo Messages
Pogo Account

ALL POGO GAMES ON AOL

Game Launch and Helpful Links

Well, the new AOL games site has launched.  It has been a long road and we're finally here.  I started working on this project back in April and it is now live.

Unfortunately,  it has not gone as smoothly as we all would have liked. 
Here are the outstanding issues as I see it:
1.  People can't find the games THE WAY THEY USED TO.
That is to be expected with a change.  My advice is,  use the search box!
The search box will narrow the list of games AS YOU TYPE. 
OR you can go to this URL.  This is a list of game on our site
All games on AOL Games
All online games on AOL Games
All Pogo games on AOL Games

2.  There are serious log in issues. 
       This one is a bigger problem as it is completely annoying to have to log in and logout of a site as you move across games.  The issues occurs between AOL Games and Pogo games.  When you go to Pogo you get logged out and have to log back in.  It stinks. 
3.  All our game launch pages are hosted on Games.com
    Yeah,  this one is weird.  See,  we have two sites,  one that is AOL games and has Pogo games on it, and that doesn't.  Games.com has no Pogo games on it.  See the issue comes when you play a game and get kicked over to Games.com then try and navigate and can't find any Pogo games!  How crazy is that!  You probably think you've lost your mind.  You haven't  That was something that we tried to see if it would work and didn't.  We're working on this issue and hope have it resolved next week.

4.  Slingo
The Slingo issues on our site pre-date the relaunch by two-weeks,  but I wanted to make sure these were not forgotten.  We're working with Slingo to rectify things.

AOL Games Relaunch.

What's New On AOL Games

AOL Games Has a New Look!

We’ve completely updated our site to make your game experience more enjoyable than ever. New features include:

Enhanced Game Search
Comments and Ratings
Sharing Your Favorites
Recently Played

Contact Us

Enhanced Game Search

Improved Navigation
Click on a game genre in the navigation on the left side of the page (i.e. Puzzles) and the page will immediately refresh and display all the games from that genre.

Smart Search
The new site makes it easy to find the games you want. Use the search box and start typing the name of the game you're looking for. As you type each letter the game list will shorten until your game appears.

Detailed Game Listings
Every game genre is now broken down into descriptive sub-genres. For example, if you're looking for popular Match-3 games like Bejeweled 2 and Jewel Quest, under Puzzles you can now select Match-3 to display all of the games that fall into that category..

New Viewing Options
Use the tabs above the game list to customize your display: Detail, Grid, and List.

Comments and Ratings

How do I comment?
To add a comment you must be signed in with your AOL or AIM screen name. Enter your comment as plain text. Line breaks are accepted but html formatting will be removed.

What should I do if I come across inappropriate content in a comment?
If you come across inappropriate or offensive content use the "Report This!" link to notify us. Play nice and be respectful of other people's comments. There are many different types of people and opinions in our community! But vulgarity and insults will not be tolerated.

How do I rate content?
To rate content you must be signed in with your AOL or AIM screen name. Click on the appropriate star to submit your rating.

What happens if I submit the wrong rating?
Stay tuned! Soon you will be able to clear your ratings and re-submit.

Sharing Your Favorites

Share Your Favorite Games

Now you can easily share your favorite games using email or AIM with the Share feature. Simply click the "Share" tab, enter your friend's email address (include a personal message if you wish), then click "Send." Or, if faster delivery is desired, click the "IM This Game" link in the lower left corner to send an instant message.

Recently Played

Recently Played

Now you can get fast access to your favorite games with the Recently Played module displayed on the right side of many pages. This new functionality remembers the games you've most recently played and displays them. No need to search or bookmark. You're one click away from the fun!

You Might Also Like

You Might Also Like is a section within Recently Played. This is opportunity for us to recommend games to you based on selections you've made in the past. Now discovering new games to play will be easier than ever.

Contact Us

Need More Help? If after browsing our help area you still have questions or would like to send a comment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Your feedback is very important. You can contact us on our monitored Community Forum or by sending email using the Submit Your Feedback link.

• Community Games Forum
• Submit Your Feedback