megwoman25 wrote:

I got a notice about ebay being compromised and that I needed to change my password but I didn't have a credit card on file so I don't think it really affected me.

Meg, it was all over the news here.  What was stolen were names and addresses along with their passwords.  You have to change all your passwords wherever you use that same password as they just do a computer search for the passwords and then they have your email address (I think), your name, address and password so they can get into other things.  That's the danger.

Anyways....Hellllooo alll. The fiance is here, on the bed 

YAY!  Say hi from us all!    Especially from me, a fellow Aussie!    I'm glad he's a fellow gamer and that he watches boring TV shows so that you get more time to game! 

I will be going out of town on a coastal trip down highway 1 starting sunday for a pre marriage honeymoon since we have the time now. The ceremony is set for June 28th. Just a little thing in the backyard with my parents, brother & his fiance.

Meg, you're supposed to have the honeymoon AFTER the wedding, not before!!!!    You little hussie, you!    Have a wonderful time! 

I hope everyone is doing well...  Hope everyone is happy & well xx

Meg 

Well, it sure sounds like you're doing well and are happy! 
 

sunshinej wrote:

stusue...Have read your reviews for Elephant. I don't know what has happened with them. Maybe they used up all their good stuff for the Christmas games that they do and the MCF that they did. I haven't bought much of their games lately. Some people complain about ERS being same old stuff, but I think Elephant is worse.

Sunshine, I agree 100%.  Maybe their top team spends all their time on the FTP games, which are supposed to be the money makers, and either not much time or not their top people work on the download games.  It's like they just use the same template, like I do for my reviews, and just change the story.  I used to love them but not anymore.  Same old same old - especially the graphics - and boring HOSs and super easy puzzles.  And their extras are nothing like they've had in the past.  Maybe they spend less money making them - especially adding extras - and still sell them and make more money that way.  But I think people are waking up to that.  I imagine also it's hard to come up with interesting, new, difficult puzzles and maybe that's also where they've cut down on costs. 
 

I tried GameHouse's new game today - Jewel Match IV - and what a fun game that is!  I haven't played the first 3 but this one's a winner and I'll be getting it with a GCC.  BFG has the first 3 so I imagine it'll be getting this one soon.

It's an M3/builder/HOS/sudoku/other stuff game.  You never stay doing any one thing for long as you switch around and buy things and it's fun.  You stop in the middle of an M3 board to go and dig up some treasure or do a HOS to get something to do something else.  And you go from one board to another and you have to get keys to unlock other boards or part of boards, etc.  It's extremely varied and fun.  Not very challenging yet but I've only played for about an hour.  But this game I definitely recommend! 
 

lilyr wrote:

stusue -- You had me laughing about what you said about meg's pre-wedding trip!  JEWEL MATCH !V sounds intriguing.  I'll have to try it.

Lily, this is the blurb for Jewel Match IV:

Travel to Varanah in search of Ludovic the missing wizard through a magical world of colorful gems in Jewel Match 4, a truly unique match-3 adventure. With the help of sorceresses, leprechauns, and other enchanted characters, your challenges will feel like play.

The moving game board and 5 distinctive game modes will entertain you for hours. Earn gold and purchase dozens of potent and peculiar power-ups from the shop. 50 sprawling levels of game play will keep you moving and matching as your adventure unfolds. 30 hidden object and jigsaw scenes, as well as mahjong and Sudoku minigames maintain the air of magic.

If you're looking for a little variety in your match-3 experience you'll be delighted when you play the free trial version or download the full version of Jewel Match 4 today!

Even if you're not a member at GameHouse you can still demo games there, just like at BFG.

http://www.gamehouse.com/download-games/jewel-match-4
 

stusue -  some of the people playing Elephant Games free to play games have been very vocal about things being too difficult and I think the devs have decided that everybody wants things easy peasy whether they're buying a game or playing a social game.

In the past, people have asked to be able to skip dialogue, have the hint button fill instantly,  be able to skip the cut scenes, be able to skip the mini games, be able to skip the HO scenes.  However, the game better not be too short.

They want achievements but complain if the achievements are for doing something you have to do to progress in the story OR if the achievements are based on performance (so many objects in so many seconds).

People want a jump map because they don't want to walk back and forth but will complain it they get something for their inventory that gets used in the next scene.

If I were a game developer, I think I'd  be considering a career change.