RockYou to cast Hooked into Facebook's waters next week [Exclusive]

Between Zoo World and Gourmet Ranch (among other titles), Facebook developer RockYou lays claim to over five million monthly active players. Hoping to add to that player base, we've received exclusive info from developers on the company's newest title--Hooked--set to launch in beta sometime next week.

Hooked is the first title from RockYou's new studio in Redwood City, California, and it offers casino-style video poker and slots in the popular 60-second "blitz" gameplay format. The game's theme is an "undersea fantasy world" (just check out those adorable card fish in the logo), and it will offer various gameplay modes depending on each user's desired play style.

You'll be able to play in synchronous multiplayer, along with a solo mode. Both modes offer a variety of weekly leaderboards that will compare your stats to your friends. When the game launches in beta next week, early adopters will be given extra incentive to come back through "Tickets," which seem to be a type of currency that we'll be able to use on a variety of different features that won't yet be available at launch, but will come soon after release.

One feature we do know of however will be cross-platform capabilities, as a mobile version of Hooked will launch shortly after the launch of Hooked on Facebook. The specific mobile platforms weren't made clear to us, but we'll make sure to follow up with that as we know more. Looking forward to playing Hooked when it launches on Facebook? Check back with us next week as we'll hopefully be able to take a look at RockYou's new title in all of its underwater, animated glory.

Do you like 60-second, fast-paced gameplay setups, or do you enjoy games that aren't rushed, allowing you to really take your time?

RockYou to cast Hooked into Facebook's waters next week [Exclusive]

You'll be able to play in synchronous multiplayer, along with a solo mode. Both modes offer a variety of weekly leaderboards that will compare your stats to your friends. When the game launches in beta next week, early adopters will be given extra incentive to come back through "Tickets," which seem to be a type of currency that we'll be able to use on a variety of different features that won't yet be available at launch, but will come soon after release.

Zoo World 2 grazes into Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa

Well, zoos are an international pastime. RockYou, creator of hit zookeeping Facebook game Zoo World (and its sequel) has announced that it will provide Turkish, Middle Eastern and North African fans localized version of Zoo World 2. With the help of Peak Games, the leading social gaming company in the MENA region, these newly localized versions of the game will enjoy local marketing, user acquisition, customer support, and community management.

"We realize that the best global approach is made up of a series of local approaches," RockYou SVP and GM of Studio Partners Josh Grant said in a statement. "So we've chosen the strongest partner for these regions in Peak Games: experts who can ensure that our games cater to their culture and audience through proper localization."

The Middle Eastern developer based in Istanbul will translate the game into both Modern Arabic and Turkish, as well as incorporate culturally appropriate enhancements to the games. The move marks RockYou's goal to become one of the top social games publishers around, and expanding to one of the most active Facebook communities today is a brilliant start.

Gallery: Zoo World 2 on Facebook

Just as the company expands into new territory, it also looks to new sources of hit games. Recently, the company opened an indie games partnerships firm called Studio Partners to provide indie social games with publishing support. Perhaps we'll see more RockYou games come from this region than not, thanks to Studio Partners. Now that would be an interesting way to expand.

Do you think RockYou might be looking to beat other countries like Zynga and EA to the punch by localizing in these territories? Could RockYou soon compete directly with Facebook, using this strategy? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment