This is an official post by Zynga’s Platinum Ninja.

That’s right guys! We’re getting ready to release the next Help the Gulf Pet in YoVille very soon. The next charity pet is going to be a cute little Otter This Otter will be replacing the Pelican so make sure to get your hands on the Pelican before he is gone!
When the Otter becomes available purchasing this pet will work the exact same way as the Pelican! You’ll click on the “Help the Gulf Icon” and then “Buy Pet”, it’s that easy! Remember by purchasing these animals that we will be giving away 50% of the proceeds to help the gulf! So make sure to buy all of the pets and spread the word! Not only do you get a little something for yourself in YoVille but get to make a huge difference in Helping the Gulf’s wildlife and habitat.

Expect to see this furry Otter friend hopefully this week Thanks for stopping by!

This is an official post by Zynga’s Platinum Ninja.

We’ll be adding Mystery Deals to YoVille starting very soon! These Mystery Deals will be found on the Free Gift Page for you and your friends to share with one another. These will be very similar to coupons that you can use to buy certain items. Whether you are sending it to a friend or accepting one of these Mystery Deals let’s walk through how these are going to work:)

How to Send A Mystery Deal

Visit the Free Gift Page. Choose the Mystery Deal Free Gift and choose the friend(s) that you would like to send it to. Make sure to send lots of these to your friends to give them the opportunity to cash in on some great deals!

How to Open and Use a Mystery Deal

Check to see if one of your friends has sent you a Mystery Deal by visiting your Facebook Requests. If you have been sent a Mystery Deal by one of your friends click “Accept Mystery Deal”. You will then be taken to the Accept page for the Mystery Deal and given the option to Open the deal or Not.

To open simply click Open Deal and you will then find out what the deal is. It could be a % off of an item or Buy one get one free for a specific item, you’ll have to open to find out! We’ll have tons of items to offer you at great deals and will be refreshing these items.

If it catches your eye and you want to buy that item at that awesome price click Buy, otherwise if you are not interested you can decline.

Make sure to take advantage of these great prices and Mystery Deal coupons from your friends! *Please note that you must open the Mystery Deal to see what it is. The Mystery Deal Coupon itself will not be placeable or in your inventory. Only the specific item in the deal if you purchase it will appear in your inventory”.

Well that’s about all folks! This should be an awesome chance to get some great deals so make sure to open any deals you get and make sure to share with your friends!

- Platinum Ninja

YoVille is offering YoVille players who spread the word about the new ” Help The Gulf” campaign a blue balloon. You will have to post a message on your Facebook Feed and 10 of your friends must click on it. After that, you will be able to find the balloon under accessories when you customize your avatar.

A new pet is also available for 30 YoCash and 50% of the proceeds go to Audubon. Read more about it here.

Hand held items in YoVille are usually sold in YoCash. Rally your friends now and help the Gulf!

You can now craft a new a free collectible in the Widget Factory. Build a cool tray by collecting widgets from your friends.

Check pictures of this new item after the link.

Platinum Ninja has posted on YoVille.com explaining the new Room Contest Game Feature. With this new feature you will be able to show your room designs, compete, and win prizes! Read her Official Blog after the jump.

Hey Guys,

Wanted to prepare you all for Room Contests that will be coming soon to YoVille! Let’s go over how to be a part of this awesome feature before it goes live in game so you can get started on your rooms entries today! Just a heads up the theme of the next Room Contest is going to be “Best Pool Party”. With this new feature you will be able to show off your coolest rooms, compete and win prizes, browse and vote for the Best Rooms in YoVille!

New Icon Changes

Before we dive into how to enter and browse other entries let’s first go over the adjustments that have been made to our in game icons.

You’ll notice a brand new Room Contests Icon, that will replace the Events Icon, which will take you to the main Room Contest Page. Also, now that the Events Icon has been replaced we have moved the Events Icon to the right side of the page in between the Buddy List Icon and the Chat Icon.

To access the YoVille Contests Page click on theRibbon Room Contest Icon and the following YoVille Contests Page will appear. From here you will be able to see past winners, check out the current and upcoming contests, enter and browse entries. This icon will be your lifeline to YoVille Contests!! So make sure to check it out and investigate it when it is in game

*Please note these dates are subject to change and are for screenshot purposes only. We will usually give around a week per contest to collect entries*

How to Submit an Entry

Ready to be YoFamous and show off your rooms or win some prizes?? Of course!! That’s what I thought!! Get working on your “Best Pool Party Room” today to get prepared for our first in game YoVille Room Contest.

Now that we have covered how to navigate let’s check out how to submit an entry. Once you have designed your room to perfection go to the room that you want to enter then click on the Room Contests Ribbon Icon *You must be in the room that you want to enter while submitting* You will then be prompted with the main YoVille Contests page. Click “Enter” and you will be taken to the Rules and Prizes Page Please review the rules to make sure that your entry does not break any of the rules listed below. Once you have reviewed the rules and are ready to enter click “Submit Room”

You’ll then be shown a preview of your room to have you verify and confirm this is the correct room you want to enter. If so, go ahead and click “Yes”

Yay!! Your submission was successful!! Make sure to check back daily to check out the success of your entry.

How to Check on Your Entry

After you have entered your room when you click on the Room Contest Ribbon Icon you will be presented with the main YoVille Contests Page.

Click on the “Check Votes Button” and the following will appear and show you all of your comments, # of votes on your entry, and your next goal!

How to Vote and Browse Entries

Want to get inspired or rate the best of YoVille? To browse entries click on the Room Contests Icon and you will be taken to the YoVille Contests Page and then click Browse Entries. From here you will be able to scroll through as many entries as you like and even vote for your favorites! Check out what is possible and you be the judge! While browsing you will also be able to vote for your favorites, comment on other entries,and report abuse.

To vote for an entry simply click “Cast Vote” button on the entry. You will also be able to vote for your friends by keeping an eye out of ”Vote for Me” Feeds. After you see a friend asking for more votes you can click “Check it Out” and you will be taken you to your friend’s room. Remember that you only have 20 Votes per Day so make sure to make them count!! So use them sparingly and vote for the ones that best match the theme and catch your eye! *Please note that there be an option to gain some bonus votes the longer you play in game. We’ll be rewarding you more votes the more time you stick around in YoVille*

Also, to check out the rooms that you have voted for click “Review Your Favorites” Tab while browsing other entries.

How to Share Entry with Friends

After you submit an entry you can click “Check Your Room”. From here you will receive the option and button to “Ask for Votes” which will allow you to post a Feed to your Friends that will direct them to vote for your specific room. Make sure to share to get your friends to come and vote for you!! Posting these feeds will be very helpful in getting more votes and showing off your room!

Prizes

Now the part everyone has been waiting for! Here is a breakdown of the prizes the top winners will receive: 1st Place will receive 50 YoCash, 2nd Place will receive 40 YoCash and 3rd Place will receive 25 YoCash. Those top 3 players will also receive trophies for being a winner! We will be implementing Ribbons for players that reach certain Vote Goal as well in the near future. For instance if a player reaches X # Of Votes they will receive a X Ribbon. *However the first contest will not include these ribbons as we want to gauge the average votes for contests before releasing this part of the feature in game:)*

Well that’s about all folks, make sure to get your rooms ready for entry as this feature will be kicking off very soon! Show off how cool your pool is and get your room in tip top shape.

Good Luck!

- Platinum Ninja

Remember all the angry and upset pet faces that haunted you while playing? Well, you don’t have to worry about them anymore. The ” Feed” option has been removed from the pet interaction menu. You will still be able to play with your pets, but you don’t have to feed them anymore.

No need to spend more coins on pet food. What do you think?

The new jobs feature in YoVille will earn you more coins, YoPoints and rare items. We’ve been getting many tips about the special items and we  managed to make a list having most of these rares. The list is not complete yet. If you got an item that is not found below, please report to manager@yvlounge.com.

Find more info about the jobs feature here.

This is an official post by Zynga’s Platinum Ninja.

We’ve got a brand new summer inspired Puzzle Collection Item coming very soon! Check out a sneak peek of this Llama Floaty Collection item! Let’s run through how to get your hands on these Llama Floaty Puzzle Pieces and how to share puzzle pieces with your friends!

How Do I collect a Llama Floaty Puzzle Piece?

To receive a Llama Floaty Collection Puzzle piece you will need to open up Collection Mystery Boxes(Free Gift) or Click in on Mystery Box Collection Puzzle Feeds.

If you receive a Collection Mystery Box you will get the chance to receive a puzzle piece when you open these. To open these items place them in your room and click open or go to your inventory, click on the item and then click open.

Keep your eyes out for the following feeds. Once you find one make sure to click on “Get a Random Piece” and if you are one of the first to click in you will receive a puzzle piece.

* Please note that this Collections Mystery Box and Mystery Collections Feeds will be giving out Enchanted Puzzle Pieces, Luxury Puzzle Pieces, as well as Llama Floaty Puzzle Pieces. So there is the chance you can receive all of these different puzzle pieces when you click through these feeds or open this Collections Mystery Box*

How to Share a Llama Puzzle Pieces with my Friends?

You can share these Puzzle Pieces with your friends by sending them Collection Mystery Boxes or posting a Mystery Collection Puzzle Feed.

After you receive a Llama Floaty Puzzle Piece you will be prompted to “Share” this opportunity with your friends, make sure to click share and this will be posted on your friend’s walls to click in on.This will give them the chance to click in and get a puzzle piece to add to their collection

Make sure to share these with your friends as well as send them some Collections Mystery Boxes as well! And don’t be shy and ask for some in return

Just like all the other collection puzzles you will have to collect each puzzle piece to complete the puzzle. Once you do you can redeem this item and it will appear in your inventory! Hope you enjoy and we’ll let you know when this new collection puzzle item is live in game!

- Platinum Ninja