Not everyday do I get to read about a game that claims to use real world weather based on your location and data connection within the game itself. VNA’s Ducktastic does that shmup style where players guide a duck flying through levels, doing whatever they can to prevent the duck from becoming a part of a restaurant’s menu item. Check out the details in the press release below:
Ducktastic 1.2 – AppStore Game Uses The Real Weather Around You
VNA announce Ducktastic 1.2, their first game for iOS devices. With fantastic artwork, created by actual artists and a lovely retro feel, Ducktastic uses the real weather around you, and creates its own WeatherFX using your location and data connection. It is both fun and catchy, harking back to the games you played as a child. Pilot your duck through 18 levels and stages, eat the bugs, dodge the bullets and do everything you can, not to end up on the restaurant menu.
Ducktastic creates its own WeatherFX using your location and data connection. Each time you play, it checks your location, time and weather to customize the graphics and gameplay to your environment. Thus if its raining outside, its raining in the game, if its night time, its night time in the game.
The way to play is to pilot your duck through 18 levels and stages, eat the bugs, dodge the bullets and do everything you can, not to end up on the restaurant menu. Start is pretty basic and simple but it gradually develops into a game which is both very engaging and quite smart. And by using your local time and weather conditions in the game, it does offer something different each time you play. With wind direction and speed affecting your flight, and with rain, clouds, night and more, it’s ever changing and ever challenging.
Ducktastic features:
18 levels/stages through 6 exquisite regions
Beautiful artwork with hand painted backgrounds
Weather FX; each time you play it could be different
Automatic day and night time modes
Ducktastic 1.2 is only $0.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Games category. It is rated 4+ for everyone over 4 years of age. Check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/app/id402181408
You’ve probably read about how recently a 14-year old teenager who created an iPhone game called Bubble Ball (read about it here) and that game even knocked off Angry Birds off the top of the free games chart for a while on iTunes. This is not the first time though that teenage developers made the news, two years ago, a nine year old kid came up with Doodle Kids for the iPhone (read about it here)
Joining the bandwagon (somewhat) would be an 11 year old, this time taking credit for “coming-up-with-an-idea” that sparked the creation of game (done by this kid’s dad’s friend). They even came up with a press release on PRMac for this, unbelievable, even the title reads “11 year old inadvertently creates hit iPhone Game” *sic*. Jumping on the bandwagon? Striking when the hammer is hot? You decide after reading the press release below:
11 year old inadvertently creates hit iPhone Game
Carrollton, Georgia – From the developers of Monsters Love Gum comes FLUP, a new iPhone and iPad game that brings a unique 3-D twist to the classic slider puzzle genre. The initial version includes 36 levels of brain-busting puzzles with more levels and a new game mode in the works.
Sorta Precision CEO, Matt Greene says the most common question regarding FLUP is “Where did the idea come from?”. “I have to give all the credit to my 11 year old son. One afternoon on the way out of the dentist office he was given a little plastic slider puzzle.. you know, the kind you used to get in a Cracker Jack box. Later that night he came into my office with 8 paper cubes that he formed from construction paper. He had drawn these little stick figures on each of the faces and said “dad, can you solve my puzzle?” Immediately I thought, holy cow! this would make a great iphone game.”
Greene then created some simple cube models and textures and tested the concept with Cheetah3D. After a bit of tweaking he worked out a simple template and sent the assets to his partner and lead programmer, Leo “the nerd” Chang. “My son was so excited when we got our first few puzzles implemented. He insisted on not only getting his name in the credits but wanted a piece of the action.”
Greene did not disclose the share his son was given but said it was fairly significant. “I doubt it will pay for his college or anything, but he’s as happy as he can be. (Since it’s release, FLUP customers have downloaded about 25,000 copies). Greene says his son has been hard at work designing and sketching new ideas. “I hope he continues to have an interest in Game Development, it’s much safer than his current career goal, professional skateboarder.”
And now, time for some news, the guys behind Dungeon Raid for the iPhone and iPod touch, Fireflame Games, has just released the latest update to that game which bring about global leaderboards (via OpenFeint and Game Center) as well as new gameplay enhancements such as 10 new enemy types and an improved item system. Check out the press release below for more details:
Dungeon Raid 1.2 for iPhone – Now with Game Center and OpenFeint
Sydney, Australia – Announcing that Fireflame Games, the developers of Dungeon Raid, have released their latest update to the fun and addictive game for iPhone and iPod touch users. Players updating to Dungeon Raid 1.2 will now be able to compete for the highest score in 8 separate categories in the global leaderboards offered by Game Center and OpenFeint, as well as enjoy numerous gameplay improvements.
Dungeon Raid is a puzzle game with roleplaying mechanics, most reminiscent of a match-3 roguelike. By tracing a path and collecting matching tiles, players can buy and upgrade weapons and armor in the updated item shop, level up their character and fight off the enemies whose devious ranks are even more varied in this 1.2 update.
There are some cool extras for players of Dungeon Raid. They can play their own music, save a game at any time and return to finish later, as well as select from four different levels of difficulty, including an easy relaxing level for learning the game or when a player feels like something a little slower paced.
Dungeon Raid has been specifically designed and developed for optimum enjoyment on an iPhone or iPod touch. Since release, it has garnered universally positive comments in iTunes, and has been well-received by a number of major websites and blogs. Players and reviewers alike have reported being surprised at just how much fun the game is and how far it has exceeded their expectations.
The union for The Orcs of Undermountain recently filed a complaint with the orc resources ministry against their employer for gross negligence. Apparently, the employer of these evil orc minions, a video games developer, sent them to invade a country, Astonia or something, and after a slaughter fest in their favour, they came up against a possessed Knight of the Blue Guard.
They found out (the hard way) that the knight had mad skills and had access to weapons and magic, and as the fiend worked through their ranks, he actually got stronger and had access to even more brutal weapons AND really really painful magic spells. To add insult to injury (more like death), for every orc the knight beat up, he stands to gain any bling-bling items (like gold and jewelry) or potions that the orc drops.
The orcs had enough of this pawnage, even their bad mojo troops were getting slaughtered, despite the fact that some of them could teleport across the beautiful 2D battlefield and some of them carried sticks of dynamite. The occasional “Orc Rush” and boss fights failed to smother the bloodlust of the possessed knight and the ensuing carnage brought new meaning to the phrase “beat-em-up”.
According to eyewitness reports in the battlefield, the knight occasionally displayed prowess in other areas such as ice carving in bonus levels, and he stood to earn a lot from such levels, adding to the loot that he has taken off the chopped bloody bodies of fallen orcs.
The orcs also protested that the knight was posting his feats online via a service called Game Center, calling this a humiliation and that this was adding salt to their injuries. One even wept that he cannot bring himself to see eye to eye with his equally ugly orc wife due to the shame inflicted by the pwnage.
The last point in the orcs’ case involves pointing out their concern that the knight is actually enjoying (addicted even) these slaughter and doesn’t show signs of letting up. Some swore that they heard him laughing like a madman as he melted faces with his fireballs and made sushi out of orcs with his blade. Dark days loom ahead for these orcs from Undermountain, but a glorious one for the possessed Knight.
Brutal Fantasy – The Orcs of Undermountain gets a deserving 4.5 out of 5 STARS. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. This game is available on the App Store for USD 1.99, check it out here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brutal-fantasy-the-orcs-undermountain/id399617563?mt=8. A copy of the game was provided to Nine Over Ten 9/10 by the developer, Iskanda, Inc. for this review.
Oh my goodness, one of the best shmups that I used to play a lot on the PC is has now made it’s way to the Mac App Store courtesy of DotEmu. Raptor Call of the Shadows 2010 has been brought to life on the Mac OS X at a launch price of USD 2.99. Check out the following press release for screens and a trailer!
Raptor Call of the Shadows 2010 Edition now available on Mac App Store
Paris, France – January 20, 2011 – DotEmu, developer and publisher specialized in bringing retro games back to life, is proud to announce a first game for the Mac App Store with an explosive title: Raptor Call of the Shadows. Three other games will be following very soon: Nicky Boom, Nicky Boom 2 and Krypton Egg.
As a mercenary in the not-so-distant future, flying the super-advanced Raptor space fighter, you’ll be sent on interplanetary missions to knock out your MegaCorp’s top competitors. Battle against hordes of relentless enemies. Spend the bounties claimed for their demise to expand your devastating arsenal!
One of the best 2D Shoot’em’up ever made is back on your Mac !
According to Gametrailers.com, one of the best 2D shooters ever made.
An impressive arsenal of upgradeable, hard-core, deadly weapons!
Earn more cash to improve your ship’s technology!
Fast-paced action and a pulse-pounding soundtrack to pump some adrenaline into your veins!
The 2010 Edition features improved graphics and native support for higher resolutions (640×400, 960×600 and 1280×800). Standard, oldschool graphics are also available.
It’s good news time for what I consider as two well regarded iOS app publishers as their titles hit new highs. First up, Tapulous, a division of Disney Mobile has three apps in Apple’s newly announced All Time Top Paid iPhone Apps list, and what’s more, these apps are in the top 10!
Released in conjunction with Apple’s count down to the 10 billionth app downloaded, the All-Time Top Paid Apps list features Tap Tap Revenge 3, Tap Tap Revenge 2.6 and Tap Tap Revenge Classic in the top 10, in addition to Disney Mobile’s JellyCar 2 in the top 100. This news comes on the heels of Disney Mobile’s release of success metrics with regards to the recent launch of Tap Tap Revenge 4, including:
6 million total downloads in 22 days
Ranked #1 on the App Store in 37 countries
Ranked #1 on the App Store in the US for 14 days
The other news concerns G5 Entertainment. The makers of popular object hunt games, and games such as Virtual City, announced that Treasure Seekers 2: Visions of Gold HD, a sequel to the beloved hidden object adventure, has already spent a week in Top 50 iPad Games in the US App Store. Both iPhone and iPad versions receive numerous praises from players.
It sounds like very good news to kick start 2011 on the back of the launch of Apple’s App Store for Mac OS. A good year ahead for publishers/developers and studios alike? I think so.
This is interesting, controversial DOS emulator for the iPhone/iPad, iDOS, which was previously pulled from Apple’s iTunes App Store, is now back with on the App Store but not without some interesting changes. For starters, iTunes File Sharing has been turned OFF! This prevents users from adding DOS programs via iTunes, which pretty much defeats the purpose of having the emulator in the first place.
Secondly, the update brings about several freeware DOS games, namely Wolf3D, Duke Nukem I/II, Major Striker, SuperNova and Kingdom of Kroz II, all of which are from the product catalogue of 3D Realms (Apogee Software Ltd). The new games might be tempting but think about the disabled file sharing function.Like what the developer says, think thrice before updating if you already have the earlier version of the app!
Star Walk, the interactive astronomy guide app, received many accolades last year, among them the winner of the Apple Design Award 2010 for the iPad version and was featured by Apple as part of the Best Apps of 2009, Best Apps of 2010 and even on iPad TV commercials!
Now, Nine Over Ten 9/10 in conjunction with Star Walk makers Vito Technology is having a massive giveaway for Star Walk (iPad and iPhone versions) and also Solar Walk, the really cool universal app for both the iPhone and iPad featuring a 3D Solar System model!
Up for grabs are 4 promo codes for Star Walk (iPad), 4 promo codes for Star Walk (iPhone) and 4 promo codes for Solar Walk (universal app). All you need to do is:
Get onto Tweeter and follow me @zorocaster
Tweet the following message “Check out the great Star Walk & Solar Walk give away at Nineoverten.com #nineoverten”
Add either one of these hash tags “#starwalkiphone”, “#starwalkipad”, and #solarwalk to indicate which promo code you wish to receive.
Rules: Each person is eligible for just one app. For more info on the apps, click here for Star Walk and here for Solar Walk.
Last year was the year for Pocket Legends, a 3D MMORPG that took the American iOS gaming community by storm. This year, I guess we’ll be seeing even more MMORPGs, and kicking off 2011 would be Lakoo’s 2D MMORPG, Empire Online. Previously available in Asia, Empire Online is now available on the North American iTunes App Store. Check out the press release below for more details, the trailer and pics.
Asia’s Top iPhone MMORPG, Empire Online Now Available on North American App Store: Lakoo brings popular free-to-play game westward with English-language release
Hong Kong—January 17, 2011—Lakoo, leading developer of iPhone and Android games, announced today that Empire Online, Asia’s largest mobile MMORPG is now available for free on the U.S. iTunes App Store. The hit touch-screen adventure, already been downloaded by over 5 million players in Asia and Australia, is now open for invasion by kung-fu fighters, wizards, hunters and shamans from the fabled continent of North America.
In Empire Online, you’ll join forces with friends to adventure, battle and build your own handheld kingdom—conquering territories across numerous world maps along the way. Fight in teams of five for traditional turn-based combat, or face off one-on-one in PvP (player-versus-player) battles. Empire Online offers extensive character customization within its RPG race system, but you can learn skills and collect power-up gear from any class, putting all avatars on an even playing field for one of the most epic iPhone adventures you’ve encountered to date.
“The Lakoo team has been anxiously awaiting Empire Online’s expansion into the North American market,” said Kin Ko, CEO of Lakoo. “Now English-language players have the keys to the kingdom, and you won’t believe how many MMO elements we can fit on a smartphone.”
Founded in 1999, Lakoo is dedicated to developing iPhone and Android mobile games with a team of over 150 members in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and other cities in China. Lakoo’s flagship product, Empire Online is one of the most popular mobile MMORPGs in the world with over 5 million registered users. Lakoo is funded by Sequoia Capital.
Back when I was younger, I was enrolled into a music school to study and play the electronic organ. While the electronic organ was a fascinating piece of musical instrument (with all the sounds it made, it was also programmable and accepted 1.44″ floppy discs), it was the metronome sitting on top of the grand piano (the school’s showpiece) that caught my eye…I thought it was a toy.
It wasn’t until I moved to a big city music school that someone actually bothered to explain the function of a metronome, which is used by pianists (or any other musicians for that matter) to practice by setting a tempo. Those who played the electronic organ didn’t really needed this as the pieces we played on usually called for “accompaniment” which in turn set the tempo.
Imagine my surprise when I found out that there are electronic metronomes on the iPhone. And one of them is Setlist Metronome from Diatche Software. It’s an interactive 3D graphical metronome that according to the developer, is useful for musicians and advocates of music. The new update brings about a even more polished and beautiful user experience based on the earlier feedback from users. Check out the following press release for details:
Setlist Metronome: the best musician tool on the iPhone
January,6, 2011, Auckland, New Zealand – Diatche Software announces the update for Setlist Metronome, a useful musician’s tool that performs all functions as a classical metronome at exquisite graphical enhancements. Musicians can really enjoy using the Setlist Metronome to improve their timing skills (drummers especially) as well as playing along with their favorite song.
Setlist Metronome is easy to use. The user can set the time signature and then tap the device to set the tempo. Increasing or decreasing the tempo is also conveniently done to ensure accurate tempo settings. Setlist Metronome allows also to save settings and create a metronome specifically for a certain song. All of the saved song settings can be placed into a playlist that will automatically play. This feature is convenient for musicians who just want to sit back, relax, and play along to their favorite songs while letting the Setlist Metronome automatically run.
The metronome can be used by the traditional clicking, vibration, or a flash. The flash feature is really useful for bands that want to record or play a song without the clicking noise in the background. The band can just turn off the lights and follow the flashing from the device to keep time. A musician of any kind of instrument playing any kind of genre of music will find Setlist Metronome incredibly useful.
“After receiving so much positive feedback from our users, we made every effort to bring an even more polished and beautiful user experience to Setlist Metronome. I believe this is our best work yet.” – said Pavel Diatchenko, managing director of Diatche Software.
