Zynga raises $2.2 million for Japan relief effort (with a li'l help from Ashton and Britney)

Zynga Japan Relief
Twitter and social gaming yet again prove their worth (so, you can stop defending them now) as Zynga told the Hollywood Reporter that it has $2.2 million for the Japan earthquake relief effort. Within just over 24 hours of the disaster, the company launched a donation campaign with Save the Children that spanned several of its games including FarmVille, FroniterVille and more. With that alone the company raised over $1 million in matched donations through purchased in-game items, but it wasn't until Zynga enlisted the massive Twitter followings of stars like Ashton Kutcher and Britney Spears that donations soared. Many of the in-game promotions have ended, but if you've yet to donate the link tweeted by Nicki Minaj and other miscellaneous superstars still seems to be in working condition. So, what are you waiting for?

[Image Credit: CityVille Games]

Have you donated to the Japan relief effort yet through Zynga? What do you think of Zynga's approach to helping Japan?

CityVille: Earn a free Tunnel decoration for playing Adventure World

While Adventure World has finally started seeing a push in its user base (to a current total of around 26 million players), that doesn't mean Zynga wants the growth to slow down. To help users discover its newest game, the developer has launched a cross-promotion between Adventure World and its largest game: CityVille. This promotion, like the FarmVille promotion that came before it, will give users some incentive to play AW by rewarding them with a prize back in CityVille at the end.

To be specific, a free Tunnel decoration (pictured at right) is up for grabs for all CityVille players that take the time to reach at least Level 7 in Adventure World. This is unfortunately two levels more than that required for the FarmVille cross-promotion, so you will need to keep chugging along until you level up two more times. To help you do that, we have guides on the game's starting Expeditions, along with the game's main story quests, so make sure to check out our guides to those events to help yourself level up as quickly as possible.

While you shouldn't have to, you should also remember to click on the "Play Now" button in the pop-up that appears in CityVille to activate this cross-promotion in your game. It's possible that Zynga will automatically track the players that have met both requirements (that is, those that play CityVille and are at least Level 7 in Adventure World), but clicking on this link should eliminate all doubt. Oh yeah, you'll need to do all of the above fairly quickly - your time limit for receiving your free Tunnel Decoration is October 6. On that date, all qualifying users will receive their prize, so don't worry if you don't receive it beforehand. Just make sure you meet the deadline if you want this free Tunnel in your town.

Will you play Adventure World to at least Level 7 to qualify for a free CityVille Tunnel? Sound off in the comments.

CityVille Metropolis items take the fun to the big city

If all of the small-scale businesses and homes in CityVille just aren't doing it for you, and you want some larger skyscrapers to sit beside your (probably) large franchises, you're in luck with the release of new Metropolis items in the game today. These items will be available for 15 days, and you'll be able to purchase either a Mystery Crate to try your luck at receiving a random item, or purchase some of these items outright. Fair warning: these items cost City Cash, so I hope you're ready to bust out your wallet.

Infinite Towers II (Home)

    * Costs: 110 City Cash
    * Population: 4000 - 7000 citizens
    * Rent: 532 coins every day


Destiny's Calling (Home)

    * Costs: 55 City Cash
    * Population: 1350 - 2650 population
    * Rent: 150 coins every two hours


Oasis Apartments II (Home)

    * Costs: 65 City Cash
    * Population: 1850 - 3650 citizens
    * Rent: 200 coins every four hours


Visual Art Academy (Community Building)

    * Costs: 70 City Cash
    * Raises maximum population cap by 5,000 citizens


In addition to these four items, the Metropolis Mystery Crate will give you a chance at one additional item - the Oasis Apartments I - along with three other items above (the Infinite Towers II, Destiny's Calling and Visual Art Academy). A single crate costs 55 City Cash, so unless you only win the Destiny's Calling, you'll really come out ahead over purchasing items individually. Keep in mind though, you might win duplicates in your quest to get all three at a "discount." As for the Oasis Apartments I, the exclusive item to this crate, it comes with a population of 2,000 - 4,000 citizens and provides 251 coins every eight hours in rent.

Again, these items, including the Mystery Crate are only available in the game for a limited time of around 15 days. We'll make sure to let you know if any themed decorations or businesses launch in this theme in the future, so keep checking back with us!

Will you purchase any of these Skyscrapers for use in your town, or will you try your hand with the Mystery Crate to see if you can walk away with an expensive item for "cheap?" Sound off in the comments.