It Has Been Real Nice Here.

Folks,  this is the last entry on this blog.  It is not a sad day but a happy one.  Let me tell you why.  Well the main reason is that we have a newer, brighter and shinier blog!
You can get to it here http://blog.games.com!
Isn't that easy.  Well enjoy.  And thanks for the memories AOL Journals! SEE YA!

This being sent to show Dan that you can update your blog via AIM.  So nuts!

Most Played This Week Ending May 9th

Bit of a delay in getting this out.  Slots Lounge took back the top slot from Video Poker last week.  Not much change at the top.  The best online games are played over and over again because they have great replay value on the web.  People seem to like talking and playing. 

Click on the name of the game you want to play below:

#1    Slots Lounge
#2    Video Poker
#3    Jewel Quest II
#4    Solitaire: Classic
#5    Bingo
#6    Bejeweled 2
#7    Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
#8    Burger Shop
#9    Zuma
#10    SCRABBLE Blast
#11    Finders Keepers
#12    Family Feud
#13    The Rise of Atlantis
#14    Around the World in 80 Days
#15    Hearts
#16    Bookworm
#17    TextTwist
#18    Cradle of Rome
#19    Solitaire: TriPeaks
#20    Jewel Quest Solitaire
#21    Sparkle
#22    Gold Miner Vegas
#23    Boggle
#24    Dream Chronicles(TM) 2: The Eternal Maze
#25    Flip Words

Games.com Chart Top 25 Weekending May 4th

One of our older games climbs back into the top spot.  Cradle of Rome is a match three game that people love and continue to buy.
#1    Cradle of Rome
#2    Burger Shop
#3    JewelQuest II
#4    Around the World in 80 Days
#5    Bejeweled 2 Deluxe
#6    Escape the Museum
#7    Monopoly Here & Now Edition
#8    Monopoly by Parker Brothers
#9    Finders Keepers
#10    SCRABBLE Blast
#11    SCRABBLE
#12    Dream Chronicles 2: The Eternal Maze
#13    Family Feud
#14    Big City Adventure: Sydney
#15    Posh Boutique
#16    Tri-Peaks 2 Quest for the Ruby Ring
#17    Zuma Deluxe
#18    Risk
#19    The Rise of Atlantis
#20    Hidden Expedition - Everest
#21    Fish Tycoon
#22    Mythic Mahjong
#23    Fashion Solitaire
#24    Can You See What I See?
#25    THE GAME OF LIFE - Path to Success

New Games For the Week of May 8th

NEW Games:

Risk - (web, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/risk/
Invade against neighboring armies and defend your lands against enemy attack.


Battleship: Fleet Command - (web, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/battleship-fleet-command/
It's the classic game of naval strategy!


Tradewinds Legends - (web, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/tradewinds-legends/
Sail, trade, and battle with legendary heroes such as Sinbad in the mythical Far East.


Sparkle - (web, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/sparkle/
Use your puzzle skills to free the Crowberry Woods from the shadow of Darkness.


The Nightshift Code - (web, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/the-nightshift-code/
Embark on a mysterious and sometimes dangerous journey in search of a lost treasure.


Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery 3 - (downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/super-collapse-puzzle-gallery-3/
Matching colored blocks and fast clicks is now the ultimate break for your brain.


Fairway Solitaire - (downloadable, card & board)
http://www.games.com/game/fairway-solitaire/
Pull out your clubs (and your diamonds, hearts and spades) and enjoy a round of 'Fairway Solitaire'!

Stamps and Dares - The Rise Of Atlantis

A couple of weeks ago I let everyone know that we released The Rise Of Atlantis with Stars.  Well,  when we did that we also added stamps!   Now,  without further ado, the Stamps of 'The Rise Of Atlantis"

Click here to play 'The Rise Of Atlantis' now
Can you win them all?

The Chain King Stamp
Complete a 12+ chain reaction and you get this Stamp.

The Titan Tiler Stamp
Clear 125,000 tiles in a lifetime and you get this Stamp.

The Poseidon Power Stamp
Clear 250,000 tiles in a lifetime and you get this Stamp.

The Plato-phile Stamp
Make 25,000 matches in a lifetime and you get this Stamp.

The Triton's Treasure Stamp
Make 50,000 matches in a lifetime and you get this Stamp.

What's Going On? - Things we're working on.

Bringing back Marvin to let people know "What's Going on?" The week has not started off great but is still pretty good,   The games gang is hammering away at adding new games and repairing on-going issues.   I'll bullet out what's cooking for us so you folks know where we are.

1.  WSOP 2008 Tournaments Start - and have problems.
Tournaments started on Sunday May 4th and they looked to be going off without a hitch,  unfortunately,  technology reared it ugly head.  We had a huge hardware failure and all tournaments up until Monday at 3PM T were effected.  The Masque crew did their best and got things sorted out as soon as they could.  Tournaments should now be working as they should. 

2. Club Pogo issues. 
Not everyone who reads this blog is a AOL member and comes to us from Games.com but I have to cover ALL our members.  There was an annoying issue with Club Pogo games on our site.  We're happy to know what the issue is and have finally repaired it.  The hope is that Club Pogo issues are going to be greatly reduced.

3. New Games COMING
We're continuing to crank out the games that have been in Beta out to the general public.  This week we are expecting to launch,  Gin Rummy,  Oklahoma Gin and Whist.  There is also a possibility that we'll get Spades out.  In the long term I just got a sneak peak at Checkers (Amazing!)

Please let me know if you have any questions about the new games, what is coming down the pipe, or how we can improve our site.

Issues with World Series of Poker Tournament Qualifiers.

Folks,  it's come to my attention that there was an issue with the opening rounds of the WSOP 2008 qualifier tournaments.  Unfortunately,  I was not made aware earlier and I was unable to let the right people know so the issues could be repaired.
On behalf of the games team we apologize for the inconvenience and we are working towards a solution.  We expect to have everything up and running for the 3PM Eastern qualifiers.

If you have any issues at all please do not hesitate to email me at laurent.courtines@corp.aol.com

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1

Most Played This Week Ending May 2nd

Our big hit Video Poker made the list. It's a wonderful game and everyone is playing like mad!  The charts are nearly always made up of the usual suspects. But you can see the best games stay on the list.
#1  Video Poker
#2  Slots Lounge
#3  Jewel Quest II
#4  Bingo
#5  Bejeweled 2
#6  Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
#7  Family Feud
#8  Finders Keepers
#9  Solitaire: Classic
#10  Burger Shop
#11  Around the World in 80 Days
#12  Hearts
#13  Cradle of Rome
#14  SCRABBLE Blast
#15  Bookworm
#16  Hidden Secrets: The Nightmare
#17  Boggle
#18  TextTwist
#19  Solitaire: TriPeaks
#20  Dream Chronicles(TM) 2: The Eternal Maze
#21  Jewel Quest Solitaire
#22  Flip Words
#23  Zuma
#24  Gold Miner Vegas
#25  Atlantis Quest

Games.com Chart Top 25 Weekending April 27th

Around the World in 80 Days is now going on it's third week at the number one sales spot.  People love the online game and are buying it so they can finish the game.  Enjoy. 

Folks,  if you like these charts let me know.  If you want a longer chart I can probably go out to 50?  Let me know if this is helpful?


#1    Around the World in 80 Days
#2    Burger Shop
#3    JewelQuest II
#4    Escape the Museum
#5    Monopoly by Parker Brothers
#6    Bejeweled 2 Deluxe
#7    Can You See What I See?
#8    Monopoly Here & Now Edition
#9    SCRABBLE Blast
#10    Finders Keepers
#11    Big City Adventure: Sydney
#12    Cradle of Rome
#13    SCRABBLE
#14    The Rise of Atlantis
#15    Family Feud
#16    Agatha Christie: Peril at End House
#17    Dream Chronicles 2: The Eternal Maze
#18    Gold Miner Vegas
#19    Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
#20    Chocolatier 2: Secret Ingredients
#21    Fish Tycoon
#22    Big City Adventure: San Francisco
#23    Death on the Nile
#24    Mystery Case Files - Madame Fate
#25    Tri-Peaks 2 Quest for the Ruby Ring

New Games For the Week of May1st

NEW Games:


Fashion Solitaire - (downloadable, card & board)
http://www.games.com/game/fashion-solitaire/
A unique fusion of solitaire and fashion design.


Mythic Mahjong - (downloadable, card & board)
http://www.games.com/game/mythic-mahjong/
Embark on an epic quest to save the Faerie Realm from an endless night.


THE GAME OF LIFE - Path to Success - (downloadable, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/the-game-of-life-path-to-success/
Follow the path to success by playing this contemporary spin on the classic family favorite.


Posh Boutique - (downloadable, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/posh-boutique/
For fast fashion fun, there's no place like Posh Boutique!


TiQal - (downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/tiqal/
Drop blocks to create squares of color and destroy the evil wall of blocks.


Golf Solitaire - (pogo, web, card & board)
http://aol.pogo.com/games/golf-solitaire
Golf Solitaire is a multi-player solitaire game where the object of the game is to remove as many cards as you can from the playing field.

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What to Watch For This Week.

Like Ferris and Cameron in the Museum on their famous day off,  we have a lots of things on our plate this week on Games.com.  While clearly not as cool as ditching work,  going to a ball game,  singing in a Parade and saving your friends life we do have some important stuff cooking.
Couple of things brewing in the land-o-Games.com.

1. Club Pogo Problems
 We have to figure out what the heck is going with people trying to access Club Pogo.  We know there is a problem and we're trying to sort it out.  If you have issues with having to log in to Pogo,  please review the following:
Club Pogo Issues

2. Video Poker is an ANIMAL
Have I talked about this game enough?  I don't think so.  Our latest casino slots machine game Video Poker is out and amazing.  20 Games.com Members agree,  it's the best game we've released.  We've spent the week promoting it so it's not entirely clear how it will settle in but whatever happens,  it's been a huge success so far.  It feels really, really good to get out a good game that so many people are enjoying.
Video Poker

3. World Series of Poker 2008 Tournaments
I believe we're in our third year of sending our members to the WSOP.  This year we'll be sending six lucky tournament winners to Las Vegas to participate.  Qualifier tournaments begin this Sunday, May 4th. and we hope all the poker playing junkies get involved.  Last year one member of team AOL,  Troy O'Brien, a firemen from New Jersey won over $50,000 dollars!
Hopefully lady luck will shine again on one of our players and they will make it to the televised rounds.  Be sure to sign up for the qualifier tournaments later this week.
World Series Of Poker 2008 Entry Tournaments

I'll be sure to keep updating everyone on the goings on here at Games.com.  If you have any questions,  comments or just want drop me a line,  let me know.  I'm here for you!

Most Played This Week Ending April 25th

The Slots Lounge continues being our most popular online game.  We do have two new entries in the most played online top eleven.  You'll notice that Hearts and  Video Poker have made the list.  These are our two newest games and truth be told are on the list with lots of promotion.  We'll see how they shake out at the end of the month.

#1    Slots Lounge
#2    Jewel Quest II
#3    Bingo
#4    Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
#5    Around the World in 80 Days
#6    Bejeweled 2
#7    Finders Keepers
#8    Solitaire: Classic
#9    Video Poker
#10    Burger Shop
#11    Hearts
#12    Bookworm
#13    SCRABBLE Blast
#14    Family Feud
#15    TextTwist
#16    Solitaire: TriPeaks
#17    Jewel Quest Solitaire
#18    Flip Words
#19    Zuma
#20    The Rise of Atlantis
#21    Atlantis Quest
#22    Burger Island
#23    Gold Miner Vegas
#24    Chuzzle
#25    Cradle of Rome

New Games For the Week of April 24th

NEW Games:

Video Poker Beta - (web, free casino)
http://www.games.com/game/video-poker-beta/
Build your best poker hand in this addictive casino game.

Boggle - (web, word)
http://www.games.com/game/boggle/
It's Boggle, the fast-paced word game!

Hidden Secrets: The Nightmare - (web, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/hidden-secrets-the-nightmare/
Help solve a mystery by gathering clues and completing puzzles.

Dream Chronicles 2: The Eternal Maze - (web, downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/dream-chronicles-2-the-eternal-maze/
Faye is back and puzzling her way through even more enchanted realms in this mesmerizing sequel to Dream Chronicles!

Penguins' Journey - (downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/penguins-journey/
Lead the band of penguins home from Penguin Farm to their arctic oasis!

Escape the Museum - (downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/escape-the-museum/
Can you help Susan get back to Caitlin and escape the museum together?

Sprill: The Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle - (downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/sprill-the-mystery-of-the-bermuda-triangle/
Help Sprill discover the secret of the Bermuda Triangle!

Fashion Rush - (downloadable, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/fashion-rush/
Help Satine become successful in the fashion world.

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Games.com Chart Top 25 Weekending April 20th

More of the same at the top.  The top selling games are also the two best web playable demos.  I hope game developers are sensing the trends here.  Make good free games and people will buy the upsell!

PS. To the developer who contacted me,  'Can You See What I See?'  made the top 3!  You're in business!

#1    Around the World in 80 Days
#2    Burger Shop
#3    Can You See What I See?
#4    JewelQuest II
#5    Big City Adventure: Sydney
#6    Chocolatier 2: Secret Ingredients
#7    SCRABBLE Blast
#8    Monopoly Here & Now Edition
#9    Bejeweled 2 Deluxe
#10    Monopoly by Parker Brothers
#11    The Scruffs
#12    Finders Keepers
#13    The Rise of Atlantis
#14    Cradle of Rome
#15    Mystery Case Files - Madame Fate
#16    SCRABBLE
#17    Westward II: Heroes of the Frontier
#18    Family Feud
#19    Hidden Expedition - Everest
#20    Cate West: The Vanishing Files
#21    Gold Miner Vegas
#22    Miss Teri Tale
#23    Fashion Boutique
#24    Big City Adventure: San Francisco
#25    Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery

Issues With Club Pogo.

It looks like there are lots of people having issues with Pogo.  I just sent someone the following so I thought I would share:

The best thing to do is

A.  Try using internet explorer instead of the AOL browser.

1. Connect to the internet through AOL.
2. Minimize (The small - in the upper right corner) your AOL application.
3. Load Internet Explorer or another supported browser in your programs folder (Start> All Programs> Internet Explorer).

B.  Once you've launched Explorer enter http://games.aol.com into your browser address bar.

C.  You will now be at AOL Games main page.  From here,  be sure you log in using the 'Sign In' button at the top right corner.

D.  Once you're signed in click on or enter the following link into your browser:

http://aolcom.pogo.com/home/home.do
or
http://www.pogo.com/home/home-cpdc.jsp?site=aolc

Hooray! Happy day and thanks - Video Poker & Hearts Wrap Up

(cite saynotocrack.com)
Today at Games.com is a happy day.  We've worked long and hard to get games out and it seemed like we were running on empty for a while.  But this week we've launch two hugely important game.

1.  Earlier this week Hearts went out the door.  It's a really, really good version of the game and I have been enjoying it THOROUGHLY.   The game had been in Beta for what seemed like forever and we finally pulled it all together and released it.  From what I have seen people have been enjoying the game and Shooting the Moon! 
For me,  I had never been that much of a Hearts player (maybe played a few times in High School) This game has made me a Hearts player. I know the rules,  I'm learning how to set up runs to shoot the moon and I'm just loving the fast pace of the game.

2.  Today, we launched Video Poker Beta. This one,  THIS ONE IS BIG!  Why you ask?  It's just Poker?  Well,  because our executives here at AOL/Games.com are watching.  When the boss man is watching,  you want to deliver.  Unfortunately,  the game was delayed a couple of months and the boss man was on our back.  Business wise,  we needed this game to come out so we could meet one of our goals.  Well,  it's out and people are loving it.
The game is based on those old 5-card video poker machines you always find in convenience stores, except this one,  you don't have to play alone!  You can chat and make friends while you play away the day with fake money!  How great is that!  I've been really enjoying the game and hope everyone will give it a whirl.  (I know it seems like I say that about everything but I REALLY DON'T!)

It is so energizing to release good products and get good feedback from the community on the game. We make these games after all with you in mind.  We try and solicit feedback and bring you into the development process as much as we can.  We're so happy here to get these things out the door.

Please please, let us know what you think of the games and what I can do on this blog to help you enjoy the games!

Video Poker Beta Test

CLICK HERE TO PLAY VIDEO POKER BETA NOW
I said this was in the looking glass and here it is! We're launching two video poker machines that are integrated with Slots Lounge.  They are both 5-card poker games and should be fairly easy to play.
Some of you may be asking what is a beta test?  Well here is the OFFICIAL definition:

A beta version is the first version released outside the organization or community that develops the software, for the purpose of evaluation or real-world. The process of delivering a beta version to the users is called beta release. Beta level software generally includes all features, but may also include known issues and bugs of a less serious variety.

What does that mean to you folks?  Well it means that the games are not in their final version and may have bugs.  We'll be sure to let everyone know what the bugs are. 

What we need from you fine folks:
You need to let us know what you think of the game?
What you think can be done to make the game better?
Let us know what issues you have with the game?
Anything you can think of that we should know!

When you post an issue,  please be sure to include:
- Which game you are playing.
- Approximately the time your are playing
- What browser you are using (AOL or Internet Explorer)
- What operating system you have (Windows XP, Vista)

     CLICK HERE TO PLAY VIDEO POKER BETA NOW

KNOW ISSUES 4/18
You may run into issues where an ad will stay over the game.  If you run into this,  please let us know exactly which ad it is and close the game. 

Most Played This Week Ending April 18th

Most Played This Week Ending April 18th
The Slots Lounge continues to be the most popular game on the planet.  I think it's just people loving the idea of talking and doing.  So great. Also,  Around the World In 80 Days makes and appearance.  That's mostly due to a of promotion.  Enjoy the list!


#1    Slots Lounge
#2    Around the World in 80 Days
#3    Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
#4    Bingo
#5    Jewel Quest II
#6    Bejeweled 2
#7    Family Feud
#8    Solitaire: TriPeaks
#9    Solitaire: Classic
#10    Finders Keepers
#11    Burger Shop
#12    SCRABBLE Blast
#13    Chocolatier 2: Secret Ingredients
#14    Bookworm
#15    TextTwist
#16    Flip Words
#17    Jewel Quest Solitaire
#18    Zuma
#19    Gold Miner Vegas
#20    Atlantis Quest
#21    Burger Island
#22    Chuzzle
#23    Cradle of Rome
#24    The Rise of Atlantis
#25    Yahtzee

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1

Games.com Chart Top 25 Weekending April 13th

Can't say it enough,  make a good free game and people will buy the full download.  Around the World In 80 Days is another great web playable online game that people love and buy.

#1    Around the World in 80 Days
#2    Burger Shop
#3    Big City Adventure: Sydney
#4    Chocolatier 2: Secret Ingredients
#5    JewelQuest II
#6    Bejeweled 2 Deluxe
#7    Cate West: The Vanishing Files
#8    SCRABBLE Blast
#9    Cradle of Rome
#10    Monopoly Here & Now Edition
#11    Monopoly by Parker Brothers
#12    Can You See What I See?
#13    SCRABBLE
#14    Finders Keepers
#15    Tumblebugs 2
#16    Slingo Quest Hawaii
#17    The Rise of Atlantis
#18    Fashion Boutique
#19    Mystery Case Files - Madame Fate
#20    Hidden Expedition - Everest
#21    Family Feud
#22    Big City Adventure: San Francisco
#23    Slingo Quest
#24    Hidden Expedition Titanic
#25    Risk

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1

New Games For the Week of April 17th

NEW Games:

Hearts (web, card & board)
http://www.games.com/game/hearts/
Enjoy a classic game of Hearts but watch out for the Queen of Spades!


The Rise of Atlantis*  (web, downloadable, puzzle) http://www.games.com/game/rise-of-atlantis/
Travel around the ancient Mediterranean and collect all 7 powers of Poseidon to raise Atlantis from the depths of the sea!
*Now with STARS enabled!


Westward II: Heroes of the Frontier (downloadable, arcade) http://www.games.com/game/westward-ii-heroes-of-the-frontier/
Work to bring the elusive Copperhead Gang to justice.

Can You See What I See (downloadable, puzzle) http://www.games.com/game/can-you-see-what-i-see/
Find the rare items and solve the secret code to unravel the mystery.


Miss Teri Tale (downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/miss-teri-tale/
Someone has kidnapped poor little Jason - can you, Miss Teri Tale, get to the bottom of this tragedy?


Magical Forest (downloadable, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/magical-forest/
Discover and raise strange magical creatures and become the best durn monster rancher in the kindgom!


The Scruffs (downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/the-scruffs/
Join the Scruffs on a fun journey of love and self-discovery as they work together to save their beloved home.

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Play Free Online Hearts.

Play free online Hearts!  The Games.com team is happy and proud to announce that Hearts is now LIVE!   This is our first multi-player card game with Stars in it. 
Invite your friends to play and enjoy hours of Free uninterrupted Hearts!   I've been playing the game for the last few hours and can see in total  confidence that it is great game!  The graphics are fantastic and we've put a lot of our collective hearts and souls into the game.
Please let us know what you think of the game!  Thanks all you beta testers.

          Click Here to Play Free Online Hearts on Games.com

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Hooray! Rise of Atlantis Now Has Stars

Everyone likes rewards!  You loved when your grandma gave you cookies or candy didn't you?  Well,  now we reward you for playing a game. 
The Rise Of Atlantis now has stars and stamps in the game.  We're all very excited about it as it it's the first game that Games.com did not have a hand in designing that has stars and stamps.
 Sign in and play The Rise of Atlantis NOW!

This week- What to look for.

Well sirs and ladies,  the week has begun and it's an exciting one.  Couple of things going on.

1.  AOL has moved headquarters!  We're now in 770 Broadway.  (If you know New York City at all,  its the Kmart building on Astor Place) It's pretty cool and a very different space.  Feels good and the team can really come together.

2. We're planning one releasing our Hearts game. If you haven't tried it out yet,  you should give it a whirl.  It will be our first Stars based multiplayer game.  We're very excited about it!

3.  We're hoping to release our Video Poker offering.  It's not quite ready yet,  and we're going to launch it in a beta format first.  We think its going to be a good game and bring more people to our site to hang with your fine people.

4.  Lastly,  I've updated the blog with a number to contact me.  Unfortunately,  I will not be able to call everyone back,  but I will respond via email if you leave me a detailed message.  Give me a shout and say hi! 347-222-6540

Most Played This Week Ending April 11th

Most Played Week of April 11th
The Slots Lounge continues to be your favorite game on our site.  Now,  I can't read peoples minds,  but people love it because it allows you to be with friends and enjoy playing.  A new game on the list is Around the World In 80 Days.  It's a great match 3 game brought to you from the makers of The Rise Of Atlantis.  Great game to play free online and a great game to buy!


#1    Slots Lounge
#2    Around the World in 80 Days
#3    Bingo
#4    Solitaire: Classic
#5    Jewel Quest II
#6    Bejeweled 2
#7    Family Feud
#8    Burger Shop
#9    Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
#10    Flip Words
#11    Finders Keepers
#12    SCRABBLE Blast
#13    Bookworm
#14    TextTwist
#15    Solitaire: TriPeaks
#16    Jewel Quest Solitaire
#17    Zuma
#18    Burger Island
#19    Gold Miner Vegas
#20    Atlantis Quest
#21    The Rise of Atlantis
#22    Cradle of Rome
#23    Yahtzee
#24    Chuzzle
#25    Big Island Blends