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

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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

Games.com Chart Top 25 Weekending April 6th

Burger Shop continues it's dominance in sales.  If you are listening game developers.  Make a good web demo,  and your game will sell. It's no surprise kids.  Good free web game = good downloadable sales.  The people have spoken!

#1    Burger Shop
#2    Cate West: The Vanishing Files
#3    Around the World in 80 Days
#4    Monopoly Here & Now Edition
#5    JewelQuest II
#6    Finders Keepers
#7    Monopoly by Parker Brothers
#8    Bejeweled 2 Deluxe
#9    Cradle of Rome
#10    SCRABBLE Blast
#11    Tumblebugs 2
#12    Slingo Quest Hawaii
#13    The Rise of Atlantis
#14    SCRABBLE
#15    Family Feud
#16    Mystery Case Files - Madame Fate
#17    Gold Miner Vegas
#18    Hidden Expedition - Everest
#19    Big City Adventure: San Francisco
#20    Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
#21    Tri-Peaks 2 Quest for the Ruby Ring
#22    Bookworm Deluxe
#23    Dress Shop Hop
#24    Mahjong Garden Deluxe
#25    Yahtzee

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New Games For the Week of April 10th

NEW Games:

Chocolatier 2: Secret Ingredients - (web, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/chocolatier-2-secret-ingredients/
Create and sell new chocolate confections to build your own chocolate empire.


Big City Adventure: Sydney - (downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/big-city-adventure-sydney/
Head down under to join the next Big City Adventure in Sydney, Australia.


Family Feud Dream Home - (downloadable, word)
http://www.games.com/game/family-feud-dream-home/
Guess what the survey says, and earn points to customize your dream home!


Fashion Boutique - (downloadable, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/fashion-boutique/
Help an up-and-coming designer turn around a failing business in this fantastic frenzy of fun.


Pogo Addiction Solitaire - (web, Club Pogo, card & board)
http://aol.pogo.com/games/addiction
An easy-to-play variation of solitaire without any concealed cards.

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I left my heart.... oh whatever - Hearts Updated.

Lots and lots of updates to Hearts beta.  Please log in and give it a play.  Please check out the sounds added and let us know what you think.  If this game gets a pass by you the,  the community,  it will be out to the public by the end of the week.

Post your Hearts Beta Comments HERE

Games.com Chart Top 25 for the month of March

THE MONTH OF MARCH

For the month of March Cradle of Rome was our top seller.  I wouldn't say it's our best game, but the people buy it!  My personal favorite is Burger Shop and my guess is that it will top April!

#1    Cradle of Rome
#2    Mystery Case Files - Madame Fate
#3    Burger Shop
#4    JewelQuest II
#5    Monopoly by Parker Brothers
#6    Bejeweled 2 Deluxe
#7    Monopoly Here & Now Edition
#8    Finders Keepers
#9    SCRABBLE Blast
#10    The Rise of Atlantis
#11    Tri-Peaks 2 Quest for the Ruby Ring
#12    SCRABBLE
#13    Gold Miner Vegas
#14    Doggie Dash
#15    Hidden Expedition - Everest
#16    Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
#17    Dream Day First Home
#18    Family Feud
#19    Big City Adventure: San Francisco
#20    Bookworm Deluxe
#21    Slingo Quest
#22    Diner Dash: Hometown Hero
#23    Mystery P.I.™ - The Lottery Ticket
#24    Wedding Dash
#25    Agatha Christie: Peril at End House

Most Played This Week Ending April 4th

For the Week of April 4th

With tons of promotion and our stamps for Solitaire,  Slots has been bumped from the top spot for the first time in a several weeks.  We still love all the games.

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

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Games.com Chart Top 25 Weekending March 30th

Burger Shop is tops in sales again.  I just can't see this game losing steam.  It is SOO GOOD! Just play the web version by clicking the link.  You won't regret it.

#1    Burger Shop
#2    Cradle of Rome
#3    JewelQuest II
#4    Monopoly by Parker Brothers
#5    SCRABBLE Blast
#6    Mystery Case Files - Madame Fate
#7    Monopoly Here & Now Edition
#8    Bejeweled 2 Deluxe
#9    The Rise of Atlantis
#10    SCRABBLE
#11    Finders Keepers
#12    Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
#13    Tri-Peaks 2 Quest for the Ruby Ring
#14    Gold Miner Vegas
#15    Family Feud
#16    Hidden Expedition - Everest
#17    Dress Shop Hop
#18    GameHouse Word Collection
#19    Hawaiian Explorer Pearl Harbor
#20    Bookworm Deluxe
#21    Mystery P.I.™ - The Lottery Ticket
#22    Risk
#23    Death on the Nile
#24    Zuma Deluxe
#25    Charm Tale 2: Mermaid Lagoon

New Games For the Week of April 3rd

NEW Games:

Around the World in 80 Days - (web, downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/around-the-world-in-80-days/
Travel back to Victorian times and get ready for spectacular adventures!

Cate West: The Vanishing Files - (downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/cate-west-the-vanishing-files/
Help Cate West solve a series of mysterious cases.

Tumblebugs 2 - (downloadable, puzzle)
http://www.games.com/game/tumblebugs-2/
Continue the quest to save your beetle buddies.


Slingo Quest Hawaii - (downloadable, casino)
http://www.games.com/game/slingo-quest-hawaii/
You've completed the Quest, now it is time for a Slingo Vacation!

YAHTZEE Texas Hold 'em (downloadable, card & board)
http://www.games.com/game/yahtzee-texas-holdem/
You just can't beat the winning combination of YAHTZEE and Texas Hold 'em!

Bloom Busters - (downloadable, arcade)
http://www.games.com/game/bloom-busters/
Help Jimmy and Jessie protect the farm from invading monsters.

Most Played Games for March.

FOR THE MONTH!

Now,  I am getting very serious!  These are the most played games of the month based on individual players rather than time spent.  As you would have guessed from the numbers on the Top 11's on the site and the general usage,  the Slots Lounge is number one.
Play it!  If you haven't you're out!  It's fun and there are a great bunch of people to speak to in the rooms.


#1    Slots Lounge
#2    Solitaire: Classic
#3    Bingo
#4    Super Collapse! Puzzle Gallery
#5    Jewel Quest II
#6    Bejeweled 2
#7    Finders Keepers
#8    SCRABBLE Blast
#9    Bookworm
#10    Burger Shop
#11    Solitaire: TriPeaks
#12    Cradle of Rome
#13    Family Feud
#14    TextTwist
#15    Cafe Mahjongg
#16    Gold Miner Vegas
#17    The Rise of Atlantis
#18    Burger Island
#19    SpongeBob Collapse
#20    Jewel Quest Solitaire
#21    Big Island Blends
#22    Zuma
#23    Wedding Dash
#24    Chuzzle
#25    Belle's Beauty Boutique

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What's Been Going On.. at games.com

While this post is nothing near as important as the greatest Motown record every made,  I thought I would honor the record my making it my what's going on icon.  Pretty cool I think!

Aside from my usual lists (Top Sales, Top Played, New Games) I haven't been putting up too much stuff with regards to what has been going on here at Games.com.  We've had a great month with regards to what we've been graded on here at AOL.  But that does not mean it's been great for our members.

We have been tackling lots of little hurdles to make the games better.  If you noticed the rooms now are created dynamically when lots of people play.  That
 is a huge thing because now the chat won't break.  It has had some ramifications.  People now want to play in the most popular rooms and now they are closed! YIPES!  Minor oversight on our part.  We're working on it and hope to have the rooms back open soon. 

Lastly,  we've still got a few games in beta that have not been released.  Those games will be getting the live treatment (Promotions,  Stamps and Stars)  very soon.  The first one out the door will be Hearts followed by Spades plus one special game that we think everyone is going to love (Rhymes with Al Roker and Treo)