Zynga has announced the launch of its popular social game FarmVille for iPhone and iPod touch. More than 75 million users across the world play FarmVille and this week marks the one year anniversary of the game. The combination of FarmVille and iPhone gives millions of mobile users the ability to play, engage and connect with their friends and family through social games.
Today’s announcement builds on Zynga’s strategy to bring social games to a broad audience across multiple platforms. The FarmVille App is designed to offer users a new social gaming experience that leverages the power of the touch screen. By swiping a finger or double tapping to zoom in and out, players can view their farms, harvest crops or drive tractors. iPhone users will get alerted to the status of their crops and farm through push notifications. In addition, current FarmVille players can tend to their farms and continue to play at any time or place during their day.
“Mobile devices are an extension of people’s daily social lives everywhere in the world and the Apple iPhone is the most innovative breakthrough in this area,” said Mark Pincus, founder and chief executive officer of Zynga. “We are excited to bring FarmVille to the Apple iPhone and introduce our social games to a new audience of mobile users around the world.”
To commemorate the launch, Zynga is offering several exclusive market items and gifts available only to iPhone and iPod touch users. These items include a baby snow leopard and white apple trees. FarmVille App is free from the App Store or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
In the near future Zynga will be rolling out additional in-game features for the iPhone 4 and iOS 4 including the multi-tasking functionality and enhanced graphics to showcase the retina display. Zynga’s catalog of iPhone and iPod touch games also include Live Poker, Mafia Wars, Vampires: Bloodlust, Scramble 2 and Street Racing.
