Publisher's Clearing House Facebook game promises real-life rewards

Publisher's Clearing House -- that omnipresent direct marketing company that occasionally shows up at people's houses with oversized checks -- has launched a new game on Facebook called Bingo Charms.

The game, created in partnership with NYC-based developer Arkadium, is a far cry from the bingo played in retirement homes and church basements. Instead of the traditional number calling, numbers are unveiled by clicking fruit on a virtual tree that sits at the top of the game screen. Card-holders can increase their luck by purchasing special power-ups (or 'charms' as they're called in the game) using the two in-game currencies -- Ladybugs and Leprechaun Gold. As you progress through the game, you'll unlock different types of cards and more power-ups.