Zynga brings edgy crime play to "Mafia Wars 2" game

Social game star Zynga, known for friendly titles such as "FarmVille," is letting people unleash crime lord fantasies in "Mafia Wars 2" tailored for play at Facebook.

Zynga announced its first major game sequel on Monday, promising that "Mafia Wars 2" will roll out globally in coming weeks.

"It is a fantasy to take on a criminal persona, smuggle things and take part in gang versus gang warfare -- which you can't do at home," said Zynga lead product manager Ian Wang.

While popular Zynga games "CityVille" and "FarmVille" are based on collaboration, "my win is your loss" in the free "Mafia Wars" sequel, Wang promised while providing AFP a glimpse at the coming game.

Players start out as a character returning to Las Vegas after release from jail. It is intentionally unclear whether the time behind bars was deserved.

Players have a bleak home turf that they must revitalize with casinos, distilleries, gun shops, banks and other Sin City essentials.

"We took a graphic novel art approach and wanted to create an edgier world," Wang said.

Zynga imbued the game with console title action traits including tough "boss battles" to cap off levels, and letting players battle and rob one another.

"Immediately you see this game is quite different; you have people attacking you," Wang said. "If you have something valuable there is going to be somebody trying to take it."

Players can undertake side missions to get in-game loot or earn useful items like virtual body armor. There are hundreds of different animated weapons in the game including flame throwers.

A desert spot reminiscent of an army supply depot serves as a venue for picking fights.

There is a central story that unfolds as players progress.

In classic Zynga style, a player can enlist friends to watch his or her back and take on tough enemies.

Victories can be posted in Facebook news feeds, and bounty shared with social network friends that help out.

The game will launch in 16 languages including French, Chinese, Spanish and English. It is free to play.

The game trailer and other information are available online at mafiawars2.com.

Summary Box: Microsoft brings TV content to Xbox

COMING TO THE XBOX: People will soon be able to watch TV shows and other content through their Xbox 360 gaming consoles.

THE CATCH: Most of that won't be free. People may be able to access TV content in different rooms of the house without needing a second set-top box, but they'll still need a subscription to Comcast or other pay-TV services.

THE STRATEGY: The deal helps Microsoft Corp. position the Xbox 360 as more than a gaming console. The Xbox, along with Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii, already stream Netflix.

Microsoft brings TV content to the Xbox

NEW YORK (AP) — Owners of the Xbox 360 will soon be able to watch a broad breadth of TV shows and other content through their gaming consoles — though most of that won't be free.

Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday that it's partnering with Comcast Corp., HBO, Bravo, Verizon's FiOS service and others to bring on-demand and live television content to the Xbox.

This doesn't exactly replace the set-top boxes currently used to access TV programming. But M2 Research analyst Billy Pidgeon says it's likely a good option for families who want to able to access TV content in different rooms of the house. With the Xbox, they won't need a second set-top box.

What they will still need is a subscription to Comcast or other pay-TV services. The Xbox may make it easier to access those HBO shows, but you'll still have to pay for them. In some cases, you'll also need a subscription to the Xbox Live Gold online service, which costs $60 a year.

Besides on-demand shows and movies, some live TV channels will be available. For example, Verizon said it will bring a selection of popular live TV channels to the Xbox. The key word here, Pidgeon points out, is "some." Verizon subscribers will still need a set-top box to access all channels and digital video recording services, he said.

The deal helps Microsoft position the Xbox 360 as more than a gaming console. The Xbox, along with Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii, already stream Netflix. Sony has also worked to position the PlayStation 3 as an entertainment hub for games, music and movies.

"We continue to invest and focus on games. It's a key pillar of our offering," said Ross Honey, general manager of content acquisition at Microsoft. The latest TV offerings, he added, "bring another pillar" to the Xbox experience.

Microsoft has sold 55 million Xbox 360 consoles worldwide since they were introduced in 2005. There are 35 million Xbox Live members. The company said the new entertainment content will be available this holiday season in more than 20 countries, but did not give an exact timing.

Microsoft brings on-demand TV to Xbox

NEW YORK (AP) — Microsoft says owners of the Xbox 360 will soon be able to watch TV shows and other content through their gaming consoles.

Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday that it's partnering with Comcast Corp., HBO, Bravo, Verizon and others to bring on-demand television to the Xbox.

This doesn't exactly replace the set-top boxes currently used to access TV programming.

But M2 Research analyst Billy Pidgeon says it's likely a good option for families who want to able to access TV content in different rooms of the house, for example. With the Xbox, they won't need a second set-top box.

What they will still need is a subscription to Comcast or other pay-TV services. The Xbox may make it easier to access those HBO shows, but you'll still have to pay for them.