Happy Birthday PetVille: Zynga's pet game turns one

PetVille is showing its longevity, being one of the first pet-themed games to hit the Facebook scene in 2009. On Friday, December 3rd, it's PetVille's first birthday and Zynga has invited players to come celebrate on that day.

We have absolutely no idea what to expect for the cute game's first anniversary. Could it be free Pet Cash simply for logging in? Maybe there will be balloons and new birthday items available to buy in the store? A new minigame, or a new theme? We really have no idea and PetVille sure haven't divulged much in the way of dirty details. All we know is that you can celebrate by logging into PetVille this Friday, and that you "won't want to miss out". This could mean a lot.

PetVille Pet Wing Mystery Crates: Hot or not?

What's one thing every virtual pet needs? Animated wings, of course. Now that's a possibility in PetVille, which has added a limited edition series pet wing mystery crates to the premium in-game store.

Each mystery crate costs 25 PetVille cash, and the first purchase comes with a special closet where you can hang your wings. There are six sets of wings in all and they're animated, so even if your pet can't fly, they'll have a new accessory flapping gently behind them.

So far, we know that the collection includes a pair of white angel wings and grey bat-like wings (see pic to the right), if you know what the other wings are like, please leave us a comment below.

Animated wings have proven popular in other virtual pet games, namely Pet Society, but it seems like players would just rather spend the 25 PV cash to just buy wings, without having to deal with the whole 'mystery' of which random pair will be inside these boxes. We can already anticipate the uproar if owners spends the money to buy more than one of these boxes and get multiple sets of the same wings.

Petville Adds Three New Rooms

Petville developer Zynga added a tremendous amount of virtual real estate to their ever-growing pet game late yesterday, by adding three more room expansions. For those keeping track, this brings the total number of available rooms to 9.

Although a final figure hasn’t been confirmed, the pricetag for the three rooms is undoubtedly quite high – purchasing room six (which must be done before gaining access to these three) runs a hefty 50,000 coins. Zynga seems to view these new rooms as Petville’s primary money sink, which I think is OK. Every game needs to have one, and it’s good to have a larger goal to work towards.

For those of you Petville players who like your rooms to follow a theme, these new rooms are added to the top of your house, meaning they would be more appropriate as a master bedroom or attic than a teenager’s basement lair.

PetVille adds 50 new levels

If you were somehow starting to feel bored with PetVille, starting today you'll have a lot of extra things to do since the game now has 50 extra levels! Of course, we're not talking about new game content (as there is no notion of levels in PetVille) but a level cap greater than the previous one. Therefore, starting today, hardcore PetVille players who will still get love after level 50 will be able to level up to the level 100.

Zynga held a naming contest for the 50 new levels and some lucky fans certainly saw their suggestions on the new list. So if you know the names of all the new 50 PetVille levels, please share them with Social Games Help so we can create a full list for the curious fellows!

PetVille limited edition Valentine's gifts -- Day 1: Pet Lisa painting

For those who want to say "I care" to fellow players, PetVille's unleashing a new series of limited edition giftables in honor of Valentine's Day.

For one day only, the Pet Lisa Painting can be sent to friends who would surely be honored to hang such a masterpiece in their pet's pads. Also, if you give, you're more likely to receive, and if you collect them all -- you'll "win special prizes" for your pet.

There's no other hints to what those prizes will be, but even so, how can we possibly resist the Pokemon-like command to "catch 'em all?"

PetVille expands with 50 new levels (plus, free PetVille cash)

PetVille, Zynga's pet simulation game on Facebook, will soon be raising its level cap from 50 to 100, according to a new post on the game's fan page. That means that somebody has to brainstorm 50 cutesy names, along the lines of "Pet About Town" and "High Priest of Pants," for each of the new levels.

That somebody -- is you! Post up to three name ideas (more will not be accepted) to this forum thread page. Entries should be 30 words or less (including spaces) and should not include "foul language," "innuendos" or copyrighted/trademarked slogans.

All entries must be submitted by Friday, Feburary 5 by 3 p.m. EST. Winners will earn 2 free PetVille cash.

Some of the more inspired entries so far include Petinator, Lord of the Fleas, Governor of Pets and Phat Cat.

Head to the official PetVille forums and enter your name suggestions now.

PetVille new giftable limited edition 'So Icey' sofa

Nothing can put the chill in your hide like a chair carved out of a block of ice, and the "So Icey" sofa -- the new limited edition giftable in PetVille -- looks to fit the bill as it sends a chill down pets' backs as long as its available.

This new ice sofa will also make a nice accompaniment to the BRRRRR Table that was part of the PetVille mystery gifts over the holidays.