Zynga, North or South?

Zynga, has been getting the PR spotlight in tech, gaming, Internet or social media industry for the last couple of weeks. Biggest headline or pressure to launch USD $1 billion IPO offering, largest since 2004 of Google.

First, Zynga has discovered a niche market of 'freemium' business model, it can strike a balance between getting cash from its players (although the margin is low) or it can get it from its advertisers that are interested in a certain set of demographics. There are potential in this market, it hasn't been fully discovered yet and has a lot of growth opportunities. The way I've seen multiple research of eMarketer, a lot of companies will be sure to find alternatives way to invest more into the cyberspace as it has proven return whether it is short or long as the online space has matured a long way since the golden days of its launching.

Second, as a social game company, it can compete with bigger companies such as Electronic Arts and alike. Which is pretty outstanding.

Zynga is not only focusing on its current games as their major assets, it is planning to release new stream of gaming again (possibly pending due to IPO to lift up after its first trading this Friday). As well as an approach to the mobile gaming as this is the second largest stream of revenue with 1 billion mobile on the planet and the growing platform of smartphones. It is a market with a lot of potential even if Zynga decided to just tap into 3 providers, aka iPhone/Apple, Android and Windows Phone. Again they can approach this market with either selling the app itself as a game, the virtual goods or tap into the mobile advertising opportunities.

It's special relations with Facebook, as well as revenue shares will have Facebook ensure it is in their best interest to allow their partner to be successful in their domain. Its presence in several countries such as China and the youth easily addicted to online gaming is another edge. Finally Zynga has over 13 studios under its flag, including the bid for PopCap Games one of the largest successful online game company acquisition will probably catapult them.

Last, who is in the seat of the driver, is he determined? Is he a great leader? Mark Pincus was on the other side of Internet business investment, he was behind several big things from Friendster, Facebook, Yahoo and so on. So he knows the game on two side of the fence and he runs a very tight ship.

I think there is a lot to expect from Zynga if they continue to make great products and the way the social network grows. I guess we'll see their debut on 16 December 2011.

You can read the details of their IPO offering here.

iPad Games Infinity Blade

I just tried the Infinity Blade game for iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone and I have to say it is really good.

The game was announced on the last Apple's Keynote by Epic. The graphic and performance on this game is just amazing, I never imagine my iPad could do that actually.

The Story

It's something that your father started about 20 years earlier, where he ventured to killed to God King and tries to free all of us from his reign, but failed. You as his son went in to avenge and continues his legacy, of course if you failed too, your son will take your place again. Overall it's pretty simple and there is two ending to it if you beat the God King........

*SPOILER below*

The Game Play

It's fun and you just have to be fast in swiping your fingers across to fend that sword or whatever weapons you choose. You got to be fast to read those sword movements, you can either, dodge, use your shield or just swipe in the same direction to parry the attacks.

You can also use magic depending on what ring you equipped with to either cast fire, ice, poison, restore your shields or heal yourself (I do recommend at least using a ring with healing properties), do use magic just draw the symbols (this does reminds me of the Harry Potter game for iPhone).

You get money along the way, pay attention closely to the screen, even during cut scenes as you will notice bags of gold and if you tap them the money is yours and in some cut scenes you cant go back to get it. There are also potions of healing lying around, but you cant use them during the fight, thus why I recommend equipping a healing ring.

I wouldn't disclose too much anymore of the game, you just have to try it yourself its really good. I do recommend you collect up to half a million gold to get the Infinty blade, trust me it slashes enemy instantly, it is also the same sword the God King uses.

The game cost $5.99, but you get it for all three platforms on one price, though I rather play on the big screen iPad, I found playing on iPhone is just too small. You can download the game here.

*SPOILER*

In the middle of the game when fighting the God King you will be presented with two options:

- Kill the God King and discover a device that will show you the planet and the God King did mention "they will now come for you".

- Or... be the God King allies and not sure what's next as the story ends there... (but then I found out that the stories is not over yet, I haven't downloaded Epic latest version update).