Casual News – July 16, 2009

Comcast’s game portal rolls out new features; Sony’s free online role-playing game Free Realms hits 3 million users in 7 weeks; and according to a study, playing games at work might actually make you a better worker. These headlines and more below.

News

• Comcast.net Games portal rolls out new features
• OMGPOP introduces Hover Kart, new multiplayer racing game
• Report: Virtual worlds growth to skyrocket
• MMORPG Golemizer now available on Facebook
• LG prepping its own app store in Korea
• GameJacket closes
• GamesCampus.com’s ASDA Story kicks off summer with a $5,000 cash giveaway

Features

• Can gaming make you a better worker?
• Can SNODS turn Twitter into a viable games platform?
• Virtual goods might not be real, but their purpose needs to be
• Social game company Zynga says it’s not planning for an IPO
• Free pricing triumphs as Free Realms online game hits 3 million in seven weeks
• Interview: Ngmoco adds publishing arm, Sega’s Jeffrey to lead
• ESRB on iPhone games: We can handle this
• Heyzap faces a couple challenges
• Study: Not all game ads work alike
• Recession? Not for video games

Erin Bell