After a lengthy delay, social gamers Zynga have officially released their revamped version of Zynga Poker for mobile devices. The completely redesigned app, available for both iOS and Android devices, features a faux 3D perspective, new animations and an audio track meant to reinforce the illusion that you’re playing in a live casino rather than sitting on the bog unwittingly transferring microscopic amounts of fecal material onto your phone.
In a bid to provide the social game with a “more personalized social experience,” the new Zynga Poker alerts you to when your friends are also playing so that you can join their table/toilet. The game also analyzes a player’s performance to seat them at tables featuring players of similar skill levels. Zynga Poker contributed 24% of the company’s overall revenue in the second quarter of 2014, so there’s high hopes the new app receives a warm welcome.
Following test launches in select markets, Zynga also announced the official launch of its new NFL Showdown sports-themed mobile product, just in time for Thursday’s commencement of a new National Football League season. The football app – also available on iOS and Android – is the first product to emerge from the new Zynga Sports 365 multi-game franchise and marks Zynga’s bid to capture some of the increasingly popular fantasy sports market.
In other free-play news, the developers of casino operator MGM Resorts’ popular myVEGAS app has inked an online rewards deal with another Nevada-based casino operator. Playstudios has announced a deal to allow myVEGAS players to collect points that can be redeemed at three of Station Casinos’ Vegas-area properties: Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch Resort and Palace Station.
While myVEGAS has extended its reach into MGM’s Mississippi casinos, Playstudios CEO Andrew Pascal said the “exciting new partnership” with Station reaffirmed Playstudios’ commitment to the Las Vegas locals market. Station senior VP Staci Alonso expressed confidence that Station’s Las Vegas players would take full advantage of the opportunity to earn reward points via myVEGAS and then redeem them for room stays, dining and entertainment options at the three Station gaming joints.
