A quick update to highlight a few things we have been working on to improve your experience here at JIG (just in case you're a new visitor or one that doesn't poke around the site very much)...

Do you Twitter? Seems everyone is these days. If you have a Twitter account, be sure to follow us @Jayisgames We'll be giving away random free stuff all spring and summer, including Big Fish Games coupons, iTunes gift certificates, and more! Tell your family and friends to follow us, too. The more eyes watching, the more chances you have to win! :)

Big Fish is celebrating the Memorial Day (US) holiday weekend by offering a selection of games for only 99 cents. But that's not all we found. In addition, Hidden Expedition: Amazon is also being offered for 99 cents, along with all the previously reported free games. This all adds up to some very inexpensive fun to be had during the long weekend.

Plants vs. Zombies is now available from Big Fish Games for a mere $6.99! That's a steal of a deal for a game that will likely be in the running for Casual Game of the Year 2009.

If you don't already own the unique, puzzle-filled game Azada, or the epic hidden object adventure Hidden Expedition: Everest, or the remarkably fun and challenging Fairway Solitaire, or the time management hit Spa Mania, then you can get the full version for any or all of these titles, FREE! Offer good only until May 31, 2009, so don't delay — do it NOW...

Casual sim/strategy fans (and anyone who enjoyed Virtual Villagers or My Tribe) take note: Westward III: Gold Rush has arrived! Following last spring's release of Westward II: Heroes of the Frontier, the third installment in the series continues the new 3D visual style and basic premise introduced in the second game. Take control of three new heroes as you collect resources, construct farms, saloons, granaries and more to keep your settlers happy and healthy.

The Guardian (UK) has just published a list of the "100 top sites for the year ahead" and we're proud to report that JIG is included in that list, and we are one of just 5 gaming sites mentioned(!) Say the Guardian folks, JIG is "passionate, well-designed and knowledgeable." We will do everything we can to make sure 2009 meets or exceeds expectations!

Winda Benedetti writes the Citizen Gamer column for MSNBC.com, and she just published two articles today that you may find good reads. Both articles give us a mention and recommend some of our favorite games here at JIG.

HipSoft has just released Build-a-lot 3: Passport to Europe, the latest installment in the excellent Build-a-lot series of tycoon-style real estate sims. The series has found the sweet spot between keeping a successful formula the same and adding new elements to bring players back for more. I've already spent some time with this game and it's just as addictive as the previous titles. Look for a full review this weekend. In the meantime, start playing!

Pop Cultureheads rejoice! The new season of VH1's World Series of Pop Culture (WSOPC) begins tonight! To celebrate, VH1 is holding a special trivia contest in which you can compete for $2,500 each night as well as a $10,000 grand prize!

They start with nothing, and in just three days time, a completed game sits before them. The second Toronto Indie Game Development Jam (TO Jam) was held earlier this month from May 4-6. Over 60 intrepid participants dove into the creative corners of their minds and pulled out unique games the world has never seen (and in some wacky cases, should never see).

What's that? A totally new version of Eets for the Xbox 360 Live Arcade? You may now celebrate. With enough extras and bonuses to almost consider it a sequel, Eets: Chowdown has been molded to fit the Xbox 360 interface like a glove. Expect tons of new items, puzzles and features such as single-system multiplayer, all enshrined by gorgeous HD graphics. Swoon!

Good news for point-and-click fans and for those that missed it the first go-round, all four episodes to CDX are once again online and available to play, even if you live outside the UK! Be sure not to miss this fantastic adventure that includes full-motion video of live actors, selectable dialog, and top-notch production values.

Adobe made available a beta version of FP9 for Linux systems a few days ago. It works pretty well with most of the flash games reviewed at your site (which often did not work with the highest version available for Linux - 7). I don't know how many of your visitors are using Linux OS but even if it is 1 out of 100 it could be nice to give them that info.

Today the wraps were taken off the remaining details regarding the launch of Nintendo's next console, Wii (pronounced "we"). Besides being available November 19th for a retail price of $249, what was even more interesting (at least to me) was word confirming that the Wii Opera Web browser would indeed support Adobe Flash(!)

A big warm shout-out to the folks over at Indie Superstar, a Web-based indie videocast all about indie games and the studios that create them, including in-person interviews with developers. Jayisgames is prominently featured in their latest episode, number 4, so be sure to pay them a visit and check it out!

Cheers! to USA Today for the "Hot Sites" listing in the Tech News and Web Guide section. =)