The majority of games currently available on Facebook are simple. In fact, some of them lack any depth of any kind and aren’t fun to play for more than few minutes — if that. Now a group of developers who worked on games like EverQuest, Planetside, and Free Realms is planning to deliver what may seem impossible – a true MMORPG on Facebook that will appear to both the hardcore and casual audience, and that game is called City of Eternals.

What Is It?
An MMORPG set in a world of vampires, where the undead can battle zombies, customize their homes, and form their own covens.

Why It Matters
It will be the first game to bring a real MMORPG experience into the Facebook platform, which is challenging, not only from a technical standpoint, but also from a user standpoint. With the majority of Facebook game players being non-gamers, there may be obstacles in getting them to venture into a more complex game than they’re used to.

How to Play
The game is still in Alpha, so we didn’t get to see all that it has to offer, but it appears City of Eternals plays similarly to most other MMORPGs. You take control of a character who has just recently become a member of the undead. But the other vampires don’t quite trust you yet, so you’re sent on a series of quests to prove your worth. Once you’re done with those quests you get your own home, which can be customized to your liking, and the ability to run around the world at will.

Certain characters will have errands for you to do, including delivering messages or fetching objects, but there is real-time combat in the game as well.

Will Anyone Play?
Remains to be seen. While the idea of more advanced games on Facebook is a tantalizing one, but I’m not sure most of those who love Farmville or Café World are ready to take the next step.

Interested in Trying Out The Game?
The developer has given us 100 free invites for our readers to get a sneak peek at the game. These are first come, first served and you go here to get them. If you play the game, let us know what you think, but keep in mind, it’s still in Alpha so there are kinks that still need working out.

It seems like EA has really taken to releasing games on Facebook. Besides purchasing Playfish, they’ve released Spore Islands, Pogo Puppies, Scrabble and just yesterday Need for Speed Nitro. Now EA-owned Bioware has launched its own Facebook game, entitled Gift of the Yeti.

This holiday-themed game is all about giving. Besides being absolutely free to play, gamers who give it a shot can get a $10 discount toward the purchase of Dragon Age, and Bioware will be donating a penny to the Child’s Play charity for every person who plays, up to $10,000.
What Is It?
A game where you play as a Yeti filling in for Santa Claus, running around town and delivering gifts.

Why It Matters?
It’s developed by Bioware, one of the most respected developers in the industry, and it’s raising money for a good cause.

How to Play
The game itself is fairly simple. At the beginning, we’re told that Santa Claus is sick, so he can’t deliver presents. That’s where his friend the Yeti comes in. You play as the Yeti, taking over for Santa Claus by clicking on arrows to navigate around a town. Your goal is any house that’s lit up. Once you reach one of those houses, the Yeti will smash some presents into it.

You can build up a score multiplier by hitting lit houses in subsequent moves, and you get extra points for visiting friends’ houses, which have a star on top. You start with a limited number of gifts and you’ll need to return to a Yeti cave to restock when you run out. There are also power-ups that can be picked up, including a larger sack to hold more presents and another Yeti, who will give you an instant refill on your gifts.

You’ve got 90 seconds to deliver as many gifts as possible, but there’s another obstacle – the police. Obviously giant monsters running around town smashing presents into houses was bound to gain their attention. If a police car catches up to you, you’ll be stunned for a second and any chain you had going will be broken.

After the 90 seconds is up, you get a score tally, which includes bonuses for your longest combo, how many friends’ houses you visited and the total number of combos you achieved.

In addition to the game, there is a calendar where you can read the “secrets of the Yeti.” A new secret is available every day leading up to Christmas. So far the secrets are amusing little poems about a man named Harris and monster called the Manta Claws. We’ll have to wait and see if the story gets all tied together in the end.

Forecast: Will Anyone Play?
You bet. With a developer like Bioware behind the game and the added bonus of helping out a charity, the game is a win-win for everyone.