This morning, Google employee Steven Le posted a photo of the Android statue outside his office, which looked a bit stranger than usual:

While the statue's makeover was mysterious at first glance, a press release and accompanying video from Zynga soon clarified the situtation:

[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKf9RVkXLqE

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Indeed, the occasion was a promo of ZombieSmash!, a new Zynga game being launched on Google Play later this week. To be clear, the game is technically already on Play, but only in Canada; this week, ZombieSmash! will be made available globally.

ZombieSmash!, powered by Zynga's proprietary and extremely bloody SplatterEngine, includes more than 30 upgrades and "special weapons" (i.e. asteroids, wrecking balls and liquid nitrogen). Additionally, the game comes with four different game modes; here's Zynga's description of them:

• Campaign Mode: Challenges players to survive for over 31 intense days against the mounting zombie threat and another 30 nights in the Camp Nowhere campaign
• Endless Siege Mode: Confronts players with a never-ending zombie assault - hold out as long as possible, racking up an ever-rising body count
• Sandbox Mode: Gives players all the tools to rain destruction down on those stinking, moaning zombies without any of the peril
• Bonus Nights: Smash and destroy zombies in new ways. Unlock this special mode through extended gameplay and by using your braaains!

Judging by the promo pictures Zynga released for the Canadian version, the game does look pretty sweet:

Again, ZombieSmash! will be available in Google Play later this week; for a "limited time," it will cost $.99, and after that the price will be raised to $1.99. To sweeten the deal, live wallpapers will be included, and the game will be tablet-optimized. For more info, check out the press release below or the Play page for the Canadian edition of the game.

Today Zynga announced that global availability of ZombieSmash! for Android devices is coming this week via Google Play. Currently available in Canada on Google Play (and already available on the App Store), ZombieSmash! is an un-dead themed castle defense game featuring Joey, the lone human survivor, and pits players against a herd of writhing, unrelenting zombies. To claim victory, players must flick and smash zombies into little pieces.

To celebrate the launch, we had some fun with our friends at Google. Check out a these images and a time lapsed video here to see us turn the 13 ft. Android statue into a zombie. You’ll also find an embed link for the YouTube video below.

Zombie Smash! Features

ZombieSmash! features over 30 upgrades and special weapons including asteroids, wrecking balls and liquid nitrogen that can be used alone or in combination to smash the attacking zombies. The game also includes sophisticated ragdoll physics and the proprietary SplatterEngine™, creating cartoon blood and gore that is adorable and cathartic all at the same time. ZombieSmash! is available in eight languages and features four different game modes giving zombie hunters choice in their fight with the undead:

• Campaign Mode: Challenges players to survive for over 31 intense days against the mounting zombie threat and another 30 nights in the Camp Nowhere campaign
• Endless Siege Mode: Confronts players with a never-ending zombie assault - hold out as long as possible, racking up an ever-rising body count
• Sandbox Mode: Gives players all the tools to rain destruction down on those stinking, moaning zombies without any of the peril
• Bonus Nights: Smash and destroy zombies in new ways. Unlock this special mode through extended gameplay and by using your braaains!

ZombieSmash! on Google Play will come bundled with live wallpaper and is also optimized for tablet devices.  The game will be available for a special price of .99 for a limited time (regular price: $1.99).

For more information visit the Zynga Blog and for logos and art assets visit here: https://zynga.box.com/s/2dac679ffcf1933f8496.

Image credit for Android statue: Google+ (Steven Le)