Reported by Tod Shapiro and Edited by the Flatiron Hot! News Editorial Staff
On my way to work on a splendid Wednesday morning, as I was enjoying the usual delights of Madison Square Park’s trees and flowers, I saw in the distance at the park’s south end near Shake Shack what appeared to be a giant green sphere split in two. From a distance, it looked like an invasion of the park by an unearthly green flying saucer! As I drew closer, it became apparent – the Madison Square Park Conservancy was running one of its special promotional events to support the park, and had given over the area for the roll-out of a new video game from King, the makers of Candy Crush, called “Farm Heroes Super Saga.” As this is the Flatiron District, the so-called “Silicon Alley” fulcrum, I guess it makes sense for video game companies to roll out their wares in our beloved park, as incongruous as it might seem. So, Farm Heroes Super Saga takes its place with several other over-the-top promotions that have focused on Flatiron and Chelsea as a staging ground to pitch the latest and greatest. Read all about it via King’s press release by clicking here.
Farm Heroes in the Park!
The half-sphere was in fact a giant green apple, complete with leaves and stem, with the software development team encouraging passersby to come on in and “squeeze a cropsie!” – the round, colorful characters in the game – I think! The apple pavilion tent was decked out with giant renderings of the Farm Heroes amid signs and placards, including bales of hay and other farm-related visuals as part of what they refer to as an “Urban Orchard.” Intrigued, I lined up with my fellow park-goers and entered the apple, and was confronted with a real-life mock-up of what I presume to the the game’s make-believe farm world, with trees, “cropsies” and a light show and streaming video of the game on the wall and ceiling of the pavilion. The Farm Heroes staff was exhorting all visitors to “squeeze” giant Cropsies hanging from the faux trees, which somehow interacted with the video show in the tent, with Cropsies popping up on the screens with squeals of delight. Yes, it looks like great fun for kids or fans of Candy Crush, but left me somewhat bewildered! I exited the tent back into the park, to consider how far video games have come from the Asteroids and Space Invaders of my generation. To me, these Cropsies looked like descendants of Pac-Man’s roving munchers, although much cuter and in 3D. Definitely worth a visit for young gamers and, I suppose, lovers of Candy Crush. Nature lovers, you can skip this one!
The apple will be in the park on Wednesday and Thursday of this week and is open to the public ages 16+ from 12:30 PM until 8 PM on Wednesday and 11 AM to 8 PM Thursday; so if you’re inclined, stop by and experience the full power of Farm Heroes Super Saga. Use hashtag #HugACropsie and post your pix and videos, and become eligible for prizes and discounts. Or, as always, if you can’t make it, check out our Flatiron Hot! News quick video clip for a little bit of the “Farm Heroes” experience!
NYC Theater News
Farm Heroes Super Saga Takes Over Madison Square Park – Hug Your Cropsies!
Reported by Tod Shapiro and Edited by the Flatiron Hot! News Editorial Staff
On my way to work on a splendid Wednesday morning, as I was enjoying the usual delights of Madison Square Park’s trees and flowers, I saw in the distance at the park’s south end near Shake Shack what appeared to be a giant green sphere split in two. From a distance, it looked like an invasion of the park by an unearthly green flying saucer! As I drew closer, it became apparent – the Madison Square Park Conservancy was running one of its special promotional events to support the park, and had given over the area for the roll-out of a new video game from King, the makers of Candy Crush, called “Farm Heroes Super Saga.” As this is the Flatiron District, the so-called “Silicon Alley” fulcrum, I guess it makes sense for video game companies to roll out their wares in our beloved park, as incongruous as it might seem. So, Farm Heroes Super Saga takes its place with several other over-the-top promotions that have focused on Flatiron and Chelsea as a staging ground to pitch the latest and greatest. Read all about it via King’s press release by clicking here.
Farm Heroes in the Park!
The half-sphere was in fact a giant green apple, complete with leaves and stem, with the software development team encouraging passersby to come on in and “squeeze a cropsie!” – the round, colorful characters in the game – I think! The apple pavilion tent was decked out with giant renderings of the Farm Heroes amid signs and placards, including bales of hay and other farm-related visuals as part of what they refer to as an “Urban Orchard.” Intrigued, I lined up with my fellow park-goers and entered the apple, and was confronted with a real-life mock-up of what I presume to the the game’s make-believe farm world, with trees, “cropsies” and a light show and streaming video of the game on the wall and ceiling of the pavilion. The Farm Heroes staff was exhorting all visitors to “squeeze” giant Cropsies hanging from the faux trees, which somehow interacted with the video show in the tent, with Cropsies popping up on the screens with squeals of delight. Yes, it looks like great fun for kids or fans of Candy Crush, but left me somewhat bewildered! I exited the tent back into the park, to consider how far video games have come from the Asteroids and Space Invaders of my generation. To me, these Cropsies looked like descendants of Pac-Man’s roving munchers, although much cuter and in 3D. Definitely worth a visit for young gamers and, I suppose, lovers of Candy Crush. Nature lovers, you can skip this one!
The apple will be in the park on Wednesday and Thursday of this week and is open to the public ages 16+ from 12:30 PM until 8 PM on Wednesday and 11 AM to 8 PM Thursday; so if you’re inclined, stop by and experience the full power of Farm Heroes Super Saga. Use hashtag #HugACropsie and post your pix and videos, and become eligible for prizes and discounts. Or, as always, if you can’t make it, check out our Flatiron Hot! News quick video clip for a little bit of the “Farm Heroes” experience!