NHL 2K11 for iPhone is Out Today
August 24, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones, Games
2K Sports today announced that the NHL 2K series is going mobile with NHL 2K11 for iPhone and iPod touch. Available Today, Tuesday, August 24th, NHL 2K11 features a new control system designed from the ground up; animations and graphics taken from the console version of the game; and fully realized season, shootout and free skate modes of play. To celebrate the launch of the title, 2K Sports is offering the game for the discounted price of $1.99 during its first week of availability.
“The quality of this game is outstanding and it’s just pure fun,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “Featuring graphics, animation and intense hockey action found in the console game - this is a complete NHL gaming experience that fits in your pocket. Now diehard hockey fans have something to do while they wait for the 2010 NHL season to begin.”
NHL 2K11 for iPhone and iPod touch is the first officially licensed NHL and NHL PA game on any portable platform, and allows fans to make trades and sign free agents as they take their favorite teams and players all the way to the Stanley Cup in Season Mode. Gamers will also be able to jump into practice and quick game modes to polish their skills using the intuitive control scheme. On top of the deep set of features already present in the game, 2K Sports plans on providing regular updates throughout the season to ensure the gameplay experience stays fresh all year long.
NHL 2K11 for iPhone and iPod touch is currently available at the App Store.
New Top Gun 2 Game Free for iPhone
August 20, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Cell Phones, Games
Paramount Digital Entertainment and Freeverse have announced Top Gun 2 is now available on the App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch. In Top Gun 2, players jump into the cockpit to engage in air-to-air and air-to-ground arcade combat, utilizing all-new high-speed defensive maneuvers and offensive attacks. Using the accelerometer, players will dodge enemies and deal devastating damage as they navigate through seven unique environments, including outer space.
“Following the success of the original Top Gun app, we wanted to offer fans another opportunity to fly into the danger zone,” said John Kavanagh, senior vice president, Paramount Digital Entertainment. “In Top Gun 2, Freeverse built on the best qualities of Top Gun and added new content, better controls, more action and higher quality graphics to create the fastest, most exciting jet fighting combat we could imagine.”
Top Gun 2 features levels designed to keep players on the edge of their seats with surprise attacks and unique gameplay. Players can choose to pilot one of three jets: the F/A-18 Hornet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-14 Tomcat. Each jet comes fully equipped with upgradable cannon and missile systems. In addition, each features unique special offensive and defensive capabilities. The F-14 features Metal Storm attack, which obliterates all enemies on the screen and Afterburner defense. The F-16 offers Missile Barrage, which unleashes a torrent of missiles and Shield defense. The F/A-18 features Smart Bomb, which triggers targeted strikes and Flares defense. Players will blast enemies to a raucous soundtrack by Brooklyn based rockers Daredevil Squadron as well as the all-time classic composition “Danger Zone.”
Additionally, fans that already have the original Top Gun iPhone game can now download a free upgrade for the title. The new Top Gun update allows players to pilot the iconic F-14 jet and adds the Afterburner feature to the classic game. The Afterburner allows players to activate a high-speed boost to get out of dangerous situations. iPhone iOS 4 compatibility is included in the upgrade.
Top Gun 2 for iPhone and iPod touch is now available for introductory price of $2.99 until August 23. The game will then return to its regular price of $3.99. Top Gun 2 is available from the App Store or at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/top-gun-2/id386217029?mt=8. Top Gun for iPhone and iPod touch can be downloaded for $1.99 at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/top-gun/id313885030?mt=8. Top Gun for iPad can be downloaded for $4.99 at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/top-gun-for-ipad/id364051262?mt=8.
Windows Phone 7 to Launch With Large Game Roster
August 17, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Cell Phones, Games
Microsoft this evening set out to show the worls that Windows Phone 7 wil have a high-end game experience by detailing some of the first 50 launch titles. Its smartphone OS will trade on major game names but will sometimes use them as companions that tie into full Xbox games. Crackdown 2: Project Sunburst will be a full game acting as a side story; Halo: Waypoint will tie into the universe, but will primarily be used for community and video viewing.
We believe that no matter where life takes you, the best in gaming and entertainment should follow,” said Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft. “Windows Phone 7 takes a different approach to handheld gaming, utilizing Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Game Studios, leading game publishers, and innovative indie developers, to create powerful, shared experiences for everyone.”
Other major experiences onboard will include Castlevania, Guitar Hero and Star Wars titles. Microsoft is promoting a level of casual games such as its self-developed ilomilo as well as Bejeweled, Rocket Riot, Uno and other games often borrowed from Xbox Live Arcade.
Xbox LIVE
Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7 unlocks a world of games and fun and directly connects you to a global community of more than 25 million active Xbox LIVE members. Windows Phone 7 is the only phone that seamlessly integrates Xbox LIVE, and its more than 25 million members, to provides unique mobile gaming experiences.
- Avatars. Connect to your Xbox LIVE profile and Avatar, or create a new one if you don’t already have an Avatar or Xbox LIVE profile; take your 3-D Avatar and props with you on the phone with full closet access.
- Friends. Bring your Xbox LIVE friends with you everywhere; compare Achievements, challenge rivals to your favorite game, and even see who’s online and what they’re doing on their consoles, PCs or phones.
- Game access. Easily view and launch your full game library from a single location; find, try and buy new games either in the Marketplace or Games hub.
- Achievements. Earn, view and track Achievements, view Xbox LIVE leaderboards and build your Gamerscore across Xbox 360 and Windows Phone 7 — every time you play an Xbox LIVE title.
- Messaging. Communicate with all of your Xbox LIVE friends, any time you want, through Xbox LIVE messages.
- Multiplayer. Invite, connect and play against friends on other Windows Phone 7 phones or the PC with turn-based (asynchronous) multiplayer gaming.
- Spotlight. Access Xbox LIVE Spotlight feeds, including the latest game titles, breaking news from Xbox LIVE, game tips and tricks, and more.
“Windows Phone 7 is the launch of a major gaming platform for Microsoft,” said Matt Booty, general manager of mobile gaming for MGS. “Just like we’ve done with Xbox 360, our charter is to push the envelope and deliver definitive games that maximize the platform. We will have an incredible lineup of MGS titles, and that’s just the beginning.”
Microsoft is due to ship the first Windows Phone 7 devices to Europe in October and the US in November and should have most if not all of the launch titles available the same day or “shortly after.”
Launch Titles
- “3D Brick Breaker Revolution” (Digital Chocolate)
- “Age of Zombies” (Halfbrick)
- “Armor Valley” (Protege Games)
- “Asphalt 5″ (Gameloft)
- “Assassins Creed” (Gameloft)
- “Bejeweled™ LIVE” (PopCap)
- “Bloons TD” (Digital Goldfish)
- “Brain Challenge” (Gameloft)
- “Bubble Town 2″ (i-Play)
- “Butterfly” (Press Start Studio)
- “CarneyVale Showtime” (MGS)
- “Castlevania” (Konami Digital Entertainment)
- “Crackdown 2: Project Sunburst” (MGS)
- “De Blob Revolution” (THQ)
- “Deal or No Deal 2010″ (i-Play)
- “Earthworm Jim” (Gameloft)
- “Fast & Furious 7″ (i-Play)
- “Fight Game Rivals” (Rough Cookie)
- “Finger Physics” (Mobliss Inc.)
- “Flight Control” (Namco Bandai)
- “Flowerz” (Carbonated Games)
- “Frogger” (Konami Digital Entertainment)
- “Fruit Ninja” (Halfbrick)
- “Game Chest-Board” (MGS)
- “Game Chest-Card” (MGS)
- “Game Chest-Logic” (MGS)
- “Game Chest-Solitaire” (MGS)
- “GeoDefense” (Critical Thought)
- “Ghostscape” (Psionic)
- “Glow Artisan” (Powerhead Games)
- “Glyder 2″ (Glu Mobile)
- “Guitar Hero 5″ (Glu Mobile)
- “Halo Waypoint” (MGS)
- “Hexic Rush” (Carbonated Games)
- “I Dig It” (InMotion)
- “iBlast Moki” (Godzilab)
- “ilomilo” (MGS)
- “Implode XL” (IUGO)
- “Iquarium” (Infinite Dreams)
- “Jet Car Stunts” (True Axis)
- “Let’s Golf 2″ (Gameloft)
- “Little Wheel” (One click dog)
- “Loondon” (Flip N Tale)
- “Max and the Magic Marker” (PressPlay)
- “Mini Squadron” (Supermono Limited)
- “More Brain Exercise” (Namco Bandai)
- “O.M.G.” (Arkedo)
- “Puzzle Quest 2″ (Namco Bandai)
- “Real Soccer 2″ (Gameloft)
- “The Revenants” (Chaotic Moon)
- “Rise of Glory” (Revo Solutions)
- “Rocket Riot” (Codeglue)
- “Splinter Cell Conviction” (Gameloft)
- “Star Wars: Battle for Hoth” (THQ)
- “Star Wars: Cantina” (THQ)
- “The Harvest” (MGS)
- “The Oregon Trail” (Gameloft)
- “Tower Bloxx NY” (Digital Chocolate)
- “Twin Blades” (Press Start Studio)
- “UNO” (Gameloft)
- “Women’s Murder Club: Death in Scarlet” (i-Play)
- “Zombie Attack!” (IUGO)
- “Zombies!!!!” (Babaroga)
Crush The Castle Comes to Android
August 12, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Cell Phones, Games
Namco Networks has announced that the Flash, iPhone and iPad hit, Crush the Castle, is now available for download on the Android Market.
Players enter a world of fantasy and aid the King in expanding his territory by literally crushing the castle. The game is simple—players load a trebuchet with weapons, aim at the castle and its inhabitants, and then try to knock it down. Destroy the target in the least amount of shots to win a medal and unlock new continents. The highly addictive game not only has 90 unique levels and more than ten types of ammunition, but fans can create their own castles in the Castle Editor for endless entertainment.
“The iPhone version of the game has received more than 1.5 million downloads to date and its fan-base continues to grow,” stated Daniel McNeely, Founder of Armor Games. “We were thrilled to work with Namco to further extend consumer awareness and adoption. Not only is the company one of the top publishers in the U.S. mobile market, but they continue to establish themselves in the Android marketplace.”
According to Carlson Choi, Vice President of Marketing at Namco, “With consumers becoming increasingly connected on a 24-hour basis, it is extremely important to bring great games to as many platforms as possible. Armor Games witnessed great success with Crush the Castle on iOS and Flash, and we couldn’t be more excited to reach even more fans by extending the games reach to Android.”
Crush the Castle is available for $0.99 on the Android Market. To date, Namco has launched an extensive portfolio of games on Android, including Learn to Fly, PAC-MAN, PAC-MAN Championship Edition, among others. To learn more about Namco and its library of Android games visit www.namcogames.com or NAMCO GAMES on Facebook.
EA and PopCap to Release Zuma’s Revenge for Mobiles
August 2, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Cell Phones, Games
EA Mobile and PopCap Games have announced a global distribution agreement for PopCap’s Zuma’s Revenge! on mobile phones. As the global distribution partner, EA Mobile is bringing PopCap’s popular online ball-blasting action game to mobile gamers this summer.
“The mobile phone is an excellent platform for Zuma’s Revenge!,” said Andrew Stein, Director of Business Development, Mobile at PopCap. “Given our successful and continuing collaboration on Bejeweled, we are very pleased to be expanding our working relationship with EA Mobile. Zuma is one of our most popular franchises—our biggest intellectual property next to Bejeweled—and Zuma’s Revenge! is a total refresh of the classic marble-busting game with great graphics and gameplay.”
Zuma’s Revenge! launches for mobile phones in the US and Europe in August.
About Zuma’s Revenge!
Zuma’s Revenge! allows players to inhabit a newly evolved world of Zuma and conquer over 60 levels by firing stone spheres to make matches and destroy the deadly stream of balls. Advanced gameplay allows users to slide and hop for smarter shots; hit targets for exotic bonuses; detonate power-up balls; battle six imposing tiki bosses and guide their agile amphibian protagonist to victory.
Learning Mixology via the iPhone
July 24, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Cell Phones, Games
Just in time for this weekend’s Mad Men premiere, comes an iPhone app that will help make you the best party host on the block. Developed over two years by a team of video game and mixology veterans, Nimble Strong: Bartender in Training combines a full 101 drink mixing course with game play designed to be fun and a mature storyline. 
“Whereas nearly every video game aimed at children has an underlying educational component, there is little available for adults who are interested in learning life useful skills,” said Adam Ghahramani, the game’s director. “With Nimble Strong we spent as much time on creating a progressive and authentic educational experience as we did on the game play and storyline.”
To underscore the game’s educational mission, players who complete Nimble Strong can fill out a form online and receive a printable bartending certificate.Additional features include multiple endings, dialogue branches, a vibrant art style that blends Japanese anime with Eastern European edge, 15 unique characters, practice and survival modes, and accelerometer support, so you can shake drinks by shaking your iPhone. Players will also be surprised to learn that Nimble Strong was narrated by legendary anime and video game voice actor Kyle Hebert, who plays Gohan in the classic show DragonBall Z, Kamina in Gurren Lagaan, and Ryu in the hit game Street Fighter 4.
Disney Launches TRON for iPhone/iPod Touch at Comic-Con
July 23, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Applications, Cell Phones, Games
We called it it ComicCon but the folks at Disney want all of to think of it as“ComiTRON.”
To that end, Disney Interactive Media Group’s has releasesd the TRON app for the iPhone and iPod Touch and it is the must-have for attendees. By downloading the TRON app, attendees can “Enter the Grid” by checking in at the show via the phone’s GPS system, which also updates the user’s Facebook status. Starting today, anyone who has checked in at ComiTRON (located on aisle #3712) and opens us the app will receive an exclusive “golden ticket” to the Studio’s offsite ComiTRON event, revealing information about the event’s location and timing.
For those of us who are not in San Deigo this week for the con, The app has the Tanks game from the Tron Arcade, a trailer of TRON: Legacy and lets you receive pre-sale order information for the TRON Evolution video game from Disney Interactive Studios. The app will also be updated as the premiere of the TRON: Legacy film in December draws closer to include additional video, music, and free and premium games.
N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance Comes to iPhone
July 22, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones, Games
Gameloft is launching N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance for iPhone 4, the first game that takes advantage of all the latest innovations in technology on the iPhone 4.
The use of the Retina display allows for excellent screen resolution in N.O.V.A Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance. The game is also the first FPS (First Person Shooter) on the App Store to incorporate gyroscope based controls.
A Major Innovation for the FPS Genre
With the gyroscopic technology, N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance innovates using a new control mode never seen before even on PC and consoles. This new technology offers a brand-new and much more intuitive gaming experience. Players can rotate their camera as though they were moving their own head.
Total Immersion in the Game
The improved controls allow for more realistic interactions. The gyroscope plunges players in a virtual reality, where they can view the entire 3D environment of the game around them in real time by fully rotating their iPhone 4.
Graphics
The Retina display integrated in the iPhone 4 improves the depth of the game, thanks to enhanced graphics that lets players see four times better resolution and finer details than before, all while maintaining the same screen size.
N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance is the first Gameloft game to incorporate gyroscope controls. But by the end of summer, Gameloft will have 20 titles that are optimized for the iPhone 4; games like Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction and Brothers In Arms 2 which have already received iPhone 4 updates, and Asphalt 5 which will incorporate gyroscope controls
Strumming a Six String on Your iPhone
July 15, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Cell Phones, Games
Universal Music Group has announced the launch of a free version of their Six-String guitar game and an updated premium version, available for both iPhone and iPod touch on the App Store. Designed to provide a true to life guitar playing experience and using studio masters, Six-String goes beyond rhythm games to deliver the most dynamic, lifelike guitar-playing experience. Gamers can download hours of game play both in the free version with 3 bundled songs and a premium version, which includes 17 songs with purchase. Up to 50 songs, including top Six-String artists such as Papa Roach, Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson, 3 Doors Down, and Maroon 5 are available through the game and/or for purchase from the in-app store for only 99 cents per track.
Six-String app recreates the experience of playing the guitar by combining a strumming and picking game interface with tracks culled from the real studio masters. Six-String’s virtual guitar interface lets you pluck, strum and change chords along with the master recording and, with the true sound of discord, spares no mercy when a wrong string is strum. Both the free and premium Six-String games are bundled with tracks from both established and emerging artists, selected from Universal’s. You will never be at a loss for a challenge as new songs continue to be released to the in-app store.
The apps free version includes the Scorpions’ “Raised On Rock” as well as free downloads of Lifehouse’s “Nerve Damage” and Neon Trees’ “Animal” from within the app. The premium version includes these 3 tracks, plus an additional 7 embedded songs: Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name,” Fall Out Boy’s “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs,” Orianthi’s “According To You,” Peter Frampton’s “Show Me The Way,” Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down A Dream,” Foghat’s “Mumbo Jumbo” and Jackyl’s “Loads Of Fun.” In addition, 7 more exciting new songs are available at no charge within the in-app store – 2 Cents “Get What? ,” Atomic Tom “Take Me Out,” BigBang “Call Me,” Four Year Strong “Find My Way Back,” Rey Fresco “Precious Time,” Ruby Tigers “The Deal” and The Toadies “Song I Hate.” The in-app store also features more than 35 tracks available at 99 cents each.
The Six-String app is available for $4.99 from the App Store or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. Existing owners of the existing version of Six-String will have access to all 11 new, free songs upon upgrading to the new version of the game.
For more info about the Six-String app, go to: www.six-string.com
Qualcomm Establishes Augmented Reality Game Studio at Georgia Tech
July 13, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones, Games
Qualcomm has joined forces with the Georgia Tech to establish the Qualcomm Augmented Reality Game Studio, a research and design center aimed at pioneering new advancements in mobile gaming and interactive media. Located on Georgia Tech’s Atlanta campus, the game studio will build upon Qualcomm’s newly announced augmented reality platform and related graphics technologies to produce new application concepts and prototypes.
“Georgia Tech continues to be at the forefront of augmented reality innovation,” said Matt Grob, senior vice president of engineering and head of corporate research and development at Qualcomm. “For more than 12 years, the university’s Augmented Environments Lab has been researching ways to enhance a user’s senses by creating interactive computing environments. Now, with Qualcomm’s new augmented reality platform, we are working together to further advance the user experience by extending virtual gaming experiences into the real world.”
The Qualcomm Augmented Reality Game Studio will be led by acclaimed augmented reality researcher and Associate Professor of Interactive Computing Dr. Blair MacIntyre, director of Georgia Tech’s Augmented Environments Lab. The lab is part of Georgia Tech’s GVU Center, a world-renowned research center that brings together students and faculty from across the university to study problems at the intersection of people and technology. In collaboration with students and faculty from the Savannah College of Art and Design, MacIntyre will combine the skills and creative insight of students with expertise in augmented reality technology, game development and the arts.
“Powerful processors and sophisticated graphics engines in today’s mobile devices have only recently reached the point where they can meet the computing requirements for augmented reality,” said MacIntyre. “By collaborating with Qualcomm, we’ll have access to both the high-end hardware and core augmented reality technology that will enable us to push the envelope in game development. We are very excited to work with Qualcomm as we explore new frontiers in augmented reality gaming.”