Yesterday Angry Birds landed on Google+, Google’s new social network and answer to Facebook. Angry Birds on Google+ is an HTML5 based version that in many ways is very similar to Angry Birds Chrome, with some notable exceptions that we’ll go into in a sec. The current version number is v1.0.2 and includes all three chapters of Poached Eggs, the Chrome Dimension episode (link to walkthroughs) and an exclusive episode called “Teamwork”. The latter may sound strange, but it’s actually pretty cool. This is one of the many areas where Angry Birds taps into the social aspect of Google+.
Updates:
- 3 star walkthrough videos for the Teamwork episode are now available!
- If you want to join the ABN cirlce on Google+ just click this link (opens in a new window) then +1 my comment titled, “Angry Birds on Google+ here we come!”. Once you do that I can add you to the circle.
- Can’t zoom out? Confused by the controls? Check out our control guide.
- Google+ is not available to everyone just yet. If you don’t have a Google Account I believe you still need an invite to gain access. If you have a friend who has access ask them to send you an invite.
The lowdown on the Teamwork Episode
Basically, the purpose of the Teamwork episode is to work together with your friends to unlock special levels. There are two groups of the levels in this episode:
- “Friends Playing”: These levels are unlocked by inviting friends to play Angry Birds on Google+. Once a friend accepts your invitation your counter is incremented by one. To unlock the first level you need one friend, the second five, the third twenty and the fourth you need forty friends.
- “Friends’ Stars”: These levels are unlocked by you and your friends earning the required amount of stars. For example, say you have five friends, plus you, who play Angry Birds on Google+. If you each have twenty stars your total star count is 120. That is enough to unlock the first level in the “Friends’ Stars” group. To unlock level two you need 400 stars, level three 1,000 and on level four you need 2,000 stars. Wow!
If you’re stuck or just curious about the Teamwork levels check out the 3 star walkthrough videos!
Gameplay Social Features
As we mentioned above, the actual game play is very similar to Angry Birds Chrome, so we won’t go into that too much. That said, the window size is smaller on Google+ and there is no HD option. It plays fine for me, but your experience may vary based on your computer and browser.
Let’s move on to the social features. Beyond the Teamwork episode there are a few other social features available.
When you open up an actual level you notice right away in the top right hand corner that there two avatars and scores. This is your score and one of your friends, presumably the one with the highest score on that level. Having this right in the game play area allows you to compete against your friends and have a score to aim for.
Yet another social feature allows you to announce/post scores your scores to your stream by clicking the bullhorn icon. There are two ways to do this:
- First, you can access the post button (bullhorn icon) at anytime by tapping the pause button then hitting the leaderboard icon (note, you won’t see the bullhorn until you pass the level).
- The second way is available after you pass a level. We’re all familiar with the menu that pops up when we pass a level in Angry Birds. On Google+ this menu includes a min-leaderboard that shows your position and gives you the ability to post your score to your stream.
You can see the bullhorn icon in the screenshots under the “Leaderboards” section below.
Leaderboards
Google+ is currently the only place outside of the iOS ecosystem that has fully-integrated leaderboards. We obviously have leaderboards here, but they are not fully-integrated (I wish!). So far as I can tell the leaderboard functionality is currently handled on a level-by-level basis. In other words, you will find a leaderboard for Poached Eggs Level 1-1, but you won’t find one for your total score across all levels. I’m sure that is something they’re working on though.
Privacy & Permissions
In order to play Angry Birds on Google+ you have to grant them permission to access certain information. Each game is a bit different. Angry Birds currently needs access to:
- “View basic information about your account”
- “View a list of people from your circles, ordered based on your interactions with them across Google”
Your Progress is in the Cloud
Currently, when you play Angry Birds Chrome your progress is stored in something called local storage. The issue here is that if you delete your browser cache it may delete your local storage cache as well (I say “may” because most browser have this as a separate option). When this happens your will lose all your progress in Angry Birds Chrome. Because it uses local storage it means that your progress is also only available in a single browser. Fortunately, this is NOTE THE CASE in Angry Birds on Google+. Your progress IS SAVED on the server in the cloud, which I have verified by deleting my local storage cache and logging in and playing from multiple browsers. So you can rest easy that your progress is stored safely on the cloud. Let’s just hope that cloud doesn’t get vaporized by a sunspot.
Getting Started
To get set up an running is pretty simple, but we’ll break down the steps just in case your not used to Google+’s interface yet.
- You need to click the game icon at the top of the page. It’s literally right next to the “Find People” search bar at the top.
- Once you’re in the games section you need to cycle through the list of games until you get to Angry Birds. Once you find it click the “Play” button to launch the game.
- Since this is the first time you’re playing you will now be prompted with a couple notifications about privacy and permissions. If you’re comfortable with this click, “Got it, let’s play”. Now you’ll have to agree to the permissions, which I outlined above. If you agree click, “Allow Access” and get started.
- You’re now ready to play Angry Birds on Google+!
We’ll be keeping this article up to date as we know more. If you have thoughts or questions please free free to leave a comment below. Thanks for reading.
Google plus isnt available for everyone yet!
True, I believe you still need an invite from a friend who has access. I’ve noted that at the top.
It looks like they have hit max capacity, and can’t have more people invited.
THIS IS AWESOME I REALLY WANT TO BE INVITED PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE INVITE ME!
I have 8 invites, only I don’t know who to send the invite to to invite you.
How do I invite people to my Google+ .
on the right side, a little bit downwards on the home page, there are invites.
Are you going to have a Google+ account that people can become friends with so we can all play the levels?
I have a Google+
Yes that’s the plan. Bird Leader is in that process.
Angry Birds on Google+ also includes the Chrome Dimension (just the same 7 levels).
I didn’t see them anywhere. Where are they?
They are found in the levels just like in Chrome. They’re pretty easy to spot, I’ve found them all. Just zoom out. (I can’t remember which levels I found them in).
Hm I didn’t see any. I will take a look later tonight. Where is the “Chrome Dimension” levels located (not the Chrome Balls, but the bonus levels)?
Keep clicking right on the Poached eggs, teamwork, and then dimension page. If I remember right, it’s pretty much like Chrome.
Sorry kathi17, but I don’t see it at all, nor do I see any Chrome Logos in Poached Eggs.
Left to Right, I see Poached Eggs, Teamwork, Merchandise, and Coming Soon.
In a few levels you will find the well-known chrome-balls, after catching one, the Chrome Dimension appears.
Yep I eventually found them. They are in the same levels as the original Chrome Beta.
in level 3-7 is a chrome logo :DD
Full list is the same as for Chrome Beta.
I finished my pc angry birds, rio…now what to do?
Get 3 stars on all levels, or try to beat the average on our leaderboards
I got 3 stars on both of them. Does leaderboard open for pc users?
Yes, absolutely.
Just wondering, how did people originally get invited to Google+? For example, BirdLeader; did Google themselves personally invite you, and if they did, why?
I have a GMail account (have for a long time) and was able to sign up for G+ using that information.
I was originally invited by a friend, but I believe it’s now open to anyone who has a Google Account, not just Gmail.
For the teamwork levels, please add me! https://plus.google.com/100158530063727932946/posts
I have over 170 stars in Poached Eggs.
** I’ll add people for Angry Birds and G+ games. I DO NOT INVITE PEOPLE FOR GOOGLE+
Hey Oscar, you’re the first person to be added to our new ABN cirlce! Now that I added you we have 180 stars in the teamwork level (I haven’t had a chance to play much yet). Very nice. To everyone else, if you want to join the ABN circle do this:
Once you hit +1 I can add you to the ABN cirlce!!! Let’s get this party started.
I hit +1, I only had 2 other people in my Angry Birds Circle, so I needed more!
Hi Oscar, I added you to my ABN circle, I’m not sure how it works. Maybe I should have waited until I got into the ABN circle. I haven’t used Google+ much because I already had more things to keep track of than I could manage.
Awesome! I’ve added a few people, but I still need more than 30 people to unlock all Teamwork levels.
invite me to Google+ please!
i want to join the ABN Circle.. T.T
I’ll invite you if you tell me who to send the invite to.
Follow the directions at the top of the post and I will add you.
I added you to my circle and then invited you to play but it still says I need to invite more friends? Is there a lag time or does the other person have to confirm the invite?
Thanks!
MaryKate
I believe you must be mutually friends / circled and then it will count.
Yeah, as slim said, I have to confirm it. A better way is to follow the instructions at the top of the post. I can then add you to the ABN circle.
I added you to my circle and then invited you to play and it still says I need to invite more people to get the levels? Is there a lag time or does the person have to accept the invite?
THanks!!
MaryKate
add me! https://profiles.google.com/u/0/100499841958493305254
I’ve got the first level on each row. I’m not sure how it works to get more levels though, not all of my friends who are playing are showing up on the teamwork thing.
I’m experiencing the same behavior. I think there is some kind of a delay…..
There is no delay, but everything must be mutual.
For example, BirdLeader added me to the circle, but until I add him to my circle as well, it will not appear on his Angry Birds game as teammates. Also, I believe both parties must also play at least one level to begin to count.
Exactly. Follow the directions I posted here.
Bird Leader thank you much for the information, it is so very much appreciated. I shared your +1 link as well as clicked it so you may get me added.
Click this link so you get invited!
https://plus.google.com/_/notifications/ngemlink?path=%2F%3Fgpinv%3DQhCs7kx5juY%3AnaquMHs7PEc
Those teamwork levels are really fun. I love the chain reaction type things in them!
Birdleader, I have followed the instructions. But I cannot see my name added to the invited list. I did this last night, and many names have been added but not mine. Any ideas? Thank you.
It’s possible I missed you, but I think I got everyone so far. Are you sure you +1’ed it? Is your +1 icon blue (that means you did)?
I really feel stupid, on this. When you say +1 my comment, there is no + sign to hit.
I did go to Birdleader, (on Google+) and hit the plus that was beside your name.
On the G+ page it says in the upper left hand corner, +you in white, and upper right side has my name.
Last night there were only 12 names when I first tried, and I see 70, now.
I am getting a bit perplexed. Maybe I`ll connect with my host provider in Vancouver and see if he can figure it out.
Unless you have some more ideas.
I would hate to be left out of this angrybirdsnest group.
btw, thanks for any help you can give me.
.
If all else fails, please send me an invite. Thank you.
Wait, are you on Google+ yet or are you in need of an invite to sign up?
yes please send an invite
I signed up for google +, but cannot find my way from there, my name does not appear with the rest of the nest, yotally lost and really do not know where to go. sorta like looking from the outside looking in and can`t find the way in.
Really want to get with the rest of the nest.
And you don’t see an this Google +1 icon when you go to this page? It’s in my post at the top.
That is right Bird Leader there is no blue +1. I think I got there because I checked the 1 beside Birgleader on the search. I have no opptions to go to. It is a dead end. Except I can see the names being added and the discussions below.
We should take this discussion offline. If you want to try and get to the bottom of this why don’t you contact me via the form and we can go from there. I think a screenshot of what you see will be very helpful. BTW, the +1 button only turns blue after you have +1’ed something. It is light gray when you have no +1’ed something yet.
Can i have an invite to G+? Do i have to post my email address or how does it actually work?
I sent you an invite. I have a few more if others are interested. Sorry, first come first serve. Remember, you need to be over 18 for most features on G+ to work.
Damn! I think they will be lowering the age restriction to 13+. The annoying thing is, I don’t want to use most of the “social networking” part of G+, all I want is Angry Birds! I managed to get an invite, and it didn’t let me accept it, because it said I wasn’t old enough.
Will you please send me an invitation? Thanks!
Done. Sent to the email you used when you registered here.
Received it. Thank you.
Can you invite me too?
Umm, how was I invite to G+? Because I didn’t get an email, do I have to log on to G+ or how do I activate the invite?
I sent you the invite through the G+ interface. It went to the email address you registered with here (I’m not going to reference that publicly). If you don’t get it that address could be wrong, it could take a bit, or maybe the system isn’t working. Give it some time.
Thanks, I logged into G+ using the email address registered here and now I’m into G+ and have access to angry birds.
Cool. If you +1 this comment on G+ I can add you to the circle
On Google+ Angry birds, what is the function of the red bird? After you click the screen with the red bird in midair it seems to move differently than the average red bird found in other versions of the game. I believe this should call for a completely different leaderboard for G+.
I don’t believe red bird has an functionality, although you can click to trigger one. I don’t notice any change in trajectory.
I added everyone to my Angry Birds circle, and many of them have added me in return, but it still says only four have my friends have played recently.
Have you guys seriously not been playing??? =D
Right after I posted this I went from four to EIGHTY-SIX (!) so… thank you for your prompt attention to this matter?
Haha, I think there is a delay, as a few people have said this.
I have finished 1-1-3-21, and got 145 starts. ★★★★★
GOOGLE plus’ 7 special levels (NOT TEAMWORG levels) the same as CHROME’s DIMENSION (7 levels).
see http://chrome.angrybirds.com/
Chrome balls are in the 1-16,1-18,1-20,2-4,2-20,3-7,3-14 levels. The same game content. I have verified that.
Cool, thanks!
Yes, it is the same list as in Chrome Beta
Hey Bird Leader, can you post the walkthroughs for teamwork?
In the process of being created. Should be up soon.
The Teamwork walkthroughs are now available here!
Is anyone playing Google + Angry Birds on iPad?
It doesn’t work on iOS devices as far as I know. I presume they don’t work on other mobile devices either.
Thanks, that’s what I thought but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something.
I’ve achieved all 244 stars in only 3 days!
The minimm scores for 3 stars in the teamwork levels are:
G+-1: 135.000 pts.
G+-2: 115.000 pts.
G+-3: 60.000 pts.
G+-4: 130.000 pts.
G+-5: 120.000 pts.
G+-6: 75.000 pts.
G+-7: 120.000 pts.
G+-8: 155.000 pts.
I haven’t verified all of these, but at the very least, the score for G-1 is off. 135k is only 2 stars.
Then it must be somewhere between 135.000 and 140.000. 139.000 is 3 stars, for sure.
I have all the G+ Teamwork levels verified.
G-1: 139k
G-2: 115k
G-3: 60k
G-4: 130k
G-5: 122k
G-6: 75k
G-7: 120k
G-8: 155k
There is a secret way to get into the 4th and 5th Worlds (a.k.a. “Mighty Hoax”), hover over the Teamwork World button and hit Space on your keyboard!
Also, add me on G+, profile is in the website link of this post, otherwise look me up
Good find! The same trick works in Chome Beta (using the Chrome Dimension episode).
True, but you can’t play the levels yet even if you’ve completed all of Poached Eggs.
error message when I click to play on Google+: Failed to init(): (TypeError):Object doesn’t support this property or method number:-2146827850
any ideas?
What type of browser are you using and is it up-to-date?
I am getting the same error. I tried using IE and Firefox. Error on both. Anyone found any solutions yet?
Have you tried Chrome by chance?
Any idea why my Teamwork levels are now in SLOW motion? All other levels/worlds are fine, and the sound in Teamwork is fine but the movement is super slow.
Could be high-traffic; also clearing your cache may help.
Still in ultra slow motion, I did clear the cache but no change.
They also have A LOT going on, so rendering those levels is expensive (= slow) in some browsers and computers. Curious, what browser do you play in?
Internet Explorer 9, 64 bit.
I just tried Teamwork through the Chrome browser and it worked fine.
I doubt they optimized the game for IE yet. I would stick with Chrome, Firefox, or Safari at this point.
Good advice, thanks.
G+ shows I have 1000 friends and 8028 friends’ stars this morning (screenshot). It’s a BUG, a good bug because I only have 160 friends. :)
The number of starts up and down from 7200 to 8100. A sudden increase, all of a sudden decrease. Play angry birds I met a lot of strange things.
I noticed that even though it is Google+, there is still the Chrome logo in the background of the levels
Yeah, these are definitely tied together. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the fold AB Chrome into AB Google+ down the road.
到底怎么玩?有人能教教我吗?
你能你遇到麻烦,其中一部分更具体一点吗?
@FujiToast,do you know chinese?I can do every part with chinese!
Pretty sure he used a translator. :)
I am a chinese and I live in Hong Kong!