Vampire Wars

How about that Pop Culture aspect I promise.  Well, for the last two weeks I have been playing Zynga's Vampire Wars through Facebook.  I am pretty sure I am missing something. To start one takes on a name and avatar that you embellish with hair and clothes.  My character is "Simpatica."

There are several rating and points systems at work and some freakish group called the "Elders" who dole out favor points with which one can get more energy to play or cooler embellishments for the avatar.  Of course they are stingy with those because the better stuff depends on them and, you can buy the points.  I did this once, in the name of research and it was about as fluid as a pocket full of one dollar bills.

So after 2 weeks, I have four favor points having just bought a refill of energy for ten.  We have energy, rage, blood and health levels.  We have experience points and skill points.  We also win and collect skills and inventory. You lose energy but gain skill when you go on missions which increase your experience points and propel you to the next level. You gain skill but lose rage and health from combat with other vampires or with "the boss" Baba Yaga.

I have never played this type of game before. I am not sure what the point is.  You control very little, especially at the start. You pick who you attack, but not which skills you use. And, spending money to buy fake clothes for my avatar is a bit like playing paper dolls.I also lost about 5 days of boosting myself through the initiation when they upgraded the software.  Recently I lost 10 favor point but they were refunded when I complained.

Perhaps other games involve more thought and strategy. Some of the more experienced players have been helpful. My advice, play if you wish but don't spend more than $10 on favor points. For that your odds of winning something are better in Vegas.