Perhaps one of the main reasons Pogo and MSN players use Play Buddy Buddies for their games is because of badges. Interestingly enough, Yahoo players and players of other game sites are undoubtedly unfamiliar with this term (but not for long), so this blog will shed some light on the mystery of badge challenges.
While both MSN and Pogo offer opportunities for players to win badges via badge challenges, the sport is most common on Pogo. In fact, one could argue that the sole reason why players play on the Pogo gamesite is for these virtual trinkets that become available on a weekly basis (every 2 weeks to a month on MSN). So, exactly what is a badge and how does one acquire one? Excellent questions both.
A badge is a virtual token that has no monetary value. It is collected by completing a specified challenge, and it is added to a virtual album. For example, Pogo or MSN declares that there is a Hearts Badge Challenge; you must win 10 hearts games to achieve the challenge and once you do, you earn that badge of accomplishment in your online badge album. The album can then be viewed and for every badge that has been collected, a small picture – representing the badge – appears; for every badge that was missed or not collected, a grayed-out vacant slot appears.
And who wants grayed-out vacant slots?!
Of course, there aren’t hundreds of thousands of players playing solely to collect badges, are there? Well actually, yes. Log onto Pogo games every Wednesday (the start of the new badge week) and 10,000+ people will be logged into the corresponding badge challenge games. Considering that this is only 1 day of the week and that most badges take under 30 minutes to complete – with the help of Play Buddy autos – and one can deduce that this badge collecting is a serious business!
The natural question you’re likely asking yourself now is WHY would anyone play to collect a virtual badge? On MSN the badges are a testimony to how often and how well you play the game. In other words: competition and pride! (You only have a level 2 flowerly flower badge? That’s nothing compared to my level 13 flowerly flower power badge!) On Pogo the badge collecting deal is sweetened with thousands of bonus tokens which are used to purchase items on the gamesite, and completing a badge with thousands of other players offers a sense of camaraderie. It is also fulfilling to see a full badge album.
Now that the activity known as badge collecting has been described, one must wonder if any Yahoo or other gamesite players reading this blog, are intrigued. This leads me to the concluding questions…
If you collect badges, what is the appeal it has for you?
If you don’t collect badges, are you now considering trying it out?
What other thoughts or opinions would you like to share about badge collecting?
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Buddies: Cheats or not cheats?
If you play games on popular sites like Yahoo, Pogo, or MSN, you've surely heard of “cheats”. The word “cheat” implies a person is playing the game in a way to ensure a win. This is commonly achieved by using a programmed application known as a “bot” or “auto” to play the game on your behalf.
Play Buddy bots have an unfair advantage since they’re programmed with an ability to play most games with an intelligence superior to that of most human opponents. Speed is also an advantage in badge situations on Pogo or MSN, since a bot can complete game rounds tons faster than human players.
Yes, Play Buddy bots can be used as autos – thereby allowing users to have the bot complete the game in their stead – and as such could be deemed as Pogo cheats or Yahoo cheats or MSN cheats. However, what if the aid of the application is sought, and it is not used to automatically play the game? What if, instead, it was used as a helping tool or teaching aid? Is it still considered a game cheat?
You see, what makes Play Buddy Buddies absolutely unique is their “show hint” and “play hint” features. This enables users to play their game and to access the Buddy only when they get stuck, or aren’t sure which move to make. Furthermore, a diligent user could utilize the Buddy as a tutor or instructor of the game. In other words – theoretically speaking – you could learn to play a game with the use of a Play Buddy auto’s hint features.
Another option that encourages learning is the “always hint” option in the Buddy’s settings. This means that the Buddy’s GUI always displays the next suggested move. Users learning how to play and who want to practice their skills can turn this feature off. Then he or she can press “play hint” or “show hint” when they’ve made their own guess as to which move should be made. If their guess matches the Buddy’s move, they know they’re catching on! And of course some Buddy engines (i.e. Chess, Tumblee, Sudoku to name a few) are near brilliant so users who learn how to play from the Buddy will be more impressive / intelligent players than those who’re learning on their own and have to guess which move to make.
So, always wanted to learn how to play backgammon? Wish you could be taught how to make great chess moves? Perhaps now is the time to consider some new Buddies in a new light!
Questions for Readers:
What do you think of the use of autos or “cheats” in the online gaming world?
Have you or would you use a Buddy to learn a new game?
Do you agree or disagree that a Buddy is a cheat?
Play Buddy bots have an unfair advantage since they’re programmed with an ability to play most games with an intelligence superior to that of most human opponents. Speed is also an advantage in badge situations on Pogo or MSN, since a bot can complete game rounds tons faster than human players.
Yes, Play Buddy bots can be used as autos – thereby allowing users to have the bot complete the game in their stead – and as such could be deemed as Pogo cheats or Yahoo cheats or MSN cheats. However, what if the aid of the application is sought, and it is not used to automatically play the game? What if, instead, it was used as a helping tool or teaching aid? Is it still considered a game cheat?
You see, what makes Play Buddy Buddies absolutely unique is their “show hint” and “play hint” features. This enables users to play their game and to access the Buddy only when they get stuck, or aren’t sure which move to make. Furthermore, a diligent user could utilize the Buddy as a tutor or instructor of the game. In other words – theoretically speaking – you could learn to play a game with the use of a Play Buddy auto’s hint features.
Another option that encourages learning is the “always hint” option in the Buddy’s settings. This means that the Buddy’s GUI always displays the next suggested move. Users learning how to play and who want to practice their skills can turn this feature off. Then he or she can press “play hint” or “show hint” when they’ve made their own guess as to which move should be made. If their guess matches the Buddy’s move, they know they’re catching on! And of course some Buddy engines (i.e. Chess, Tumblee, Sudoku to name a few) are near brilliant so users who learn how to play from the Buddy will be more impressive / intelligent players than those who’re learning on their own and have to guess which move to make.
So, always wanted to learn how to play backgammon? Wish you could be taught how to make great chess moves? Perhaps now is the time to consider some new Buddies in a new light!
Questions for Readers:
What do you think of the use of autos or “cheats” in the online gaming world?
Have you or would you use a Buddy to learn a new game?
Do you agree or disagree that a Buddy is a cheat?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Interview with a Programmer
Forget about Interview with a Vampire… you’re undoubtedly more interested in an interview with the elusive Play Buddy programmers! These mysterious team members not only work diligently to provide new game autos for Pogo, Yahoo, and MSN, but they are also responsible for programming improved updates to existing bots, and programming bug fixes associated with customer submitted bug reports. With all that work to be done, it’s no wonder we’re left wondering if they even exist!
Thanks to the willingness of one programmer to ditch his anonymity and answer my questions, Play Buddy fans now receive a behind-the-scenes look of Play Buddy’s goings-on through the eyes of a programmer (and receive confirmation of existence!). Here is my brief interview with one of Play Buddy’s programmers, Alex.
Me: How long have you been programming Buddies (bots) for Play Buddy?
Alex: I have been programming Buddies more than two years [almost three].
Me: Do you remember the first Buddy you programmed?
Alex: Yes, the Stackem Buddy was the first Buddy that I programmed. I remember it well since it was my first project of this kind, and the game was funny.
Me: Do you have a favorite Buddy that you programmed?
Alex: No, I like them all even if they are very simple. Sometimes the logic of the game is simple, but the recognition of the game board is a real challenge. Sometime it is hard to implement a perfect strategy. But the more complex the program, the more satisfied I am with the final result.
Me: Typically how long does it take you to complete a Buddy, from start to release?
Alex: It depends on the difficulty of the Buddy of course. Let's say it takes one month typically.
Me: Is there a step-by-step process you follow?
Alex: First I read the game's How to Play. I play a bit to learn the game rules. Then I program the game recognition and think about the best strategy in the meantime. And finally I start to implement the Buddy’s strategy. During the testing phase I usually need to correct recognition and even sometimes change strategy to find better results.
Me: What do you like the most about programming Buddies?
Alex: I like to see how the Buddy is working when it’s finished :) Finding the solution/strategy is the most interesting part.
Me: What do you like the least?
Alex: Game recognition is a boring part. Humans [recognize the game] automatically. But bots need a [programmer to tell them how]to do it.
Me: Is there anything you would like to say to the Play Buddy readers?
Alex: Have fun playing games with the help of Play Buddy!
Thank you Alex for your insightful answers! I for one am appreciative for the continued hard work that you and all of the Play Buddy programmers do – Play Buddy certainly would not be what it is today without you all. And I’m confident that I can speak on behalf of all Play Buddy customers when I say we look forward to your upcoming releases.
Questions for Readers: How does it feel to download a new bot for a game that you’ve been waiting for? If you could ask a PB programmer a question, what would it be? What bot do you hope the programmers release next?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Where have all the Yahoo games players gone?
The place to play online games in the early years of the 21st century was undoubtedly Yahoo Games. The most popular games of pool and chess boasted 40,000+ players at any given time, and favorite classics such as Hearts and Spades drew crowds you couldn’t shake a stick at. Now those numbers have drastically dwindled to a mere fraction of what they used to be (eg. I counted only 4,615 total pool players this past Wednesday noon EST… I sure miss the “players online” tally they removed a couple of years ago!). Is this proof that Yahoo players are abandoning ship? And if so why? I have a couple of theories…
Loss of Simplicity
The Yahoo game site has transitioned from simple to… not so simple. They’ve transformed from a user-friendly, easily navigated game site to one filled with a plethora of advertisements in every nook and cranny (even in the game applets themselves!), tons of downloadable games, and many questionable games that seem to appear out of the woodwork weekly. My mind goes on sensory overload every time I have to visit the game site home page… thank God for bookmarks and backlinks!
Spam Block
The once easy-to-access game rooms now greet users with an often difficult-to-distinguish confirmation code request. The confirmation code is meant to keep out spammers but I’ve yet to enter a game room that did not have a spammer in it. This issue has been around since the dawning of Yahoo games and has become such a norm that it seems to be accepted (and ignored) by players. Ironically it seems that this code is more efficient at deterring players from entering the game, especially when 3 or 4 attempts at the blurry confirmation code can drive any sane person to insanity (I’m speaking from personal experience here!).
So, where are the Yahoo players going?
It used to be that Yahoo games was the “king of the hill” in the online game site world but the past couple of years have suggested that Pogo games has taken claim of this title; in fact, today Pogo is not only advertised on the Yahoo games site, but has its own link which connects users to Pogo games within the Yahoo browser! Pogo shows an impressive 200,000+ players online at any given time (add another 100,000+ during badge Wednesdays!). MSN Zone and King range from 100,000-200,000. And even IWON might be comparable to Yahoo with around 50,000 players.
Ah well, I guess I have to accept that things are always changing. My nostalgia won’t bring back the glory days of Yahoo and who’s to say a new up and coming game site won’t blow Pogo out of the water in a couple of years? Ya just never know!
Questions for readers: What are your thoughts on the apparent decline of Yahoo games?Did you used to play on Yahoo but have switched to another gamesite? Why? Feel free to leave a comment!
Loss of Simplicity
The Yahoo game site has transitioned from simple to… not so simple. They’ve transformed from a user-friendly, easily navigated game site to one filled with a plethora of advertisements in every nook and cranny (even in the game applets themselves!), tons of downloadable games, and many questionable games that seem to appear out of the woodwork weekly. My mind goes on sensory overload every time I have to visit the game site home page… thank God for bookmarks and backlinks!
Spam Block
The once easy-to-access game rooms now greet users with an often difficult-to-distinguish confirmation code request. The confirmation code is meant to keep out spammers but I’ve yet to enter a game room that did not have a spammer in it. This issue has been around since the dawning of Yahoo games and has become such a norm that it seems to be accepted (and ignored) by players. Ironically it seems that this code is more efficient at deterring players from entering the game, especially when 3 or 4 attempts at the blurry confirmation code can drive any sane person to insanity (I’m speaking from personal experience here!).
So, where are the Yahoo players going?
It used to be that Yahoo games was the “king of the hill” in the online game site world but the past couple of years have suggested that Pogo games has taken claim of this title; in fact, today Pogo is not only advertised on the Yahoo games site, but has its own link which connects users to Pogo games within the Yahoo browser! Pogo shows an impressive 200,000+ players online at any given time (add another 100,000+ during badge Wednesdays!). MSN Zone and King range from 100,000-200,000. And even IWON might be comparable to Yahoo with around 50,000 players.
Ah well, I guess I have to accept that things are always changing. My nostalgia won’t bring back the glory days of Yahoo and who’s to say a new up and coming game site won’t blow Pogo out of the water in a couple of years? Ya just never know!
Questions for readers: What are your thoughts on the apparent decline of Yahoo games?Did you used to play on Yahoo but have switched to another gamesite? Why? Feel free to leave a comment!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Let's get this show on the road!
Hi! My name is Shannon and I’m a Play Buddy employee who has been designated your official Play Buddy Blogger! For those who have just happened by and
a) don’t know what a blog is
b) don’t know who Play Buddy is
c) don’t know who or what a Play Buddy blog is
you’re in luck because I - your new Blog Buddy - can “edjumacate” you on a,b,c, and more.
A blog is short for a web log which can range from an online personal diary, to an informative knowledgebase of a company. Play Buddy is an online-based business that provides software applications to online gamers, and this is our blog.
The Play Buddy blog will provide informative info on a wide range of topics pertaining to Play Buddy, game autos (or cheats), game sites (ex. Pogo games, Yahoo games, MSN games, etc), and similarly related issues.
The topic of this particular blog is just an extension of the afore-posted intro blog… an introduction of me and to let you know that you can expect regular blogs on a consistent basis (monthly). I hope to offer insight, keep you informed, and maybe even give you something somewhat entertaining to read.
Play Buddy and myself would like to encourage all readers to leave comments to any and all blogs if you so choose… I (we) look forward to reading about your thoughts and/or experiences. And of course if there is a blog topic you’d like me to write about, shout it out for consideration.
Until next blog,
Blog Buddy Shannon
a) don’t know what a blog is
b) don’t know who Play Buddy is
c) don’t know who or what a Play Buddy blog is
you’re in luck because I - your new Blog Buddy - can “edjumacate” you on a,b,c, and more.
A blog is short for a web log which can range from an online personal diary, to an informative knowledgebase of a company. Play Buddy is an online-based business that provides software applications to online gamers, and this is our blog.
The Play Buddy blog will provide informative info on a wide range of topics pertaining to Play Buddy, game autos (or cheats), game sites (ex. Pogo games, Yahoo games, MSN games, etc), and similarly related issues.
The topic of this particular blog is just an extension of the afore-posted intro blog… an introduction of me and to let you know that you can expect regular blogs on a consistent basis (monthly). I hope to offer insight, keep you informed, and maybe even give you something somewhat entertaining to read.
Play Buddy and myself would like to encourage all readers to leave comments to any and all blogs if you so choose… I (we) look forward to reading about your thoughts and/or experiences. And of course if there is a blog topic you’d like me to write about, shout it out for consideration.
Until next blog,
Blog Buddy Shannon
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Welcome!
Play Buddy has decided that it's time to finally take a turn at blogging! How many of you reading this already partake in the popular online activity?
This brief excerpt is but just a prelude to Play Buddy's upcoming blogging goodies.
This brief excerpt is but just a prelude to Play Buddy's upcoming blogging goodies.
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