"Alright, guys, time-in." If the mobile social games space were a game of tag in the schoolyard, that's essentially what Japanese social game maker DeNA just said. The company announced that the ngmoco-powered Mobage platform for Western Android devices is out of open beta. Ngmoco CEO Neil Young said, "Mobage has come out of beta," according to GamesIndustry.biz.
Certainly an apt description of current events, but we'll take it. Since Mobage launched this July, the service hasn't enjoyed much success. Despite that, a number of games from Zombie Farm to We Rule already hit the top 25 on the Android Market while on Mobage. However, according to Young, that was just a test.
"The beta period allowed us to test, refine and prove the service, assuring a superb user experience with Mobage and our world-class suite of games," Young said. "We now start the process of scaling the service and it is great to already see our games ranking high in the charts."
A wild success or not, DeNA is already ahead of its arch nemesis, Gree. The competing Japanese mobile social game network has yet to release its OpenFeint-backed global games network, though it has said that it's coming ... in 2012. Of course, there's also the mighty Zynga to worry about, which might have a few mobile tricks up its sleeves with Project Z. It looks like we'll have to wait another year to see the mobile social games race pick up the pace.
Showing posts with label mobile gaming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mobile gaming. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
Apple rejects PopCap's first 4th & Battery game, Unpleasant Horse
What's the matter, Apple? A little edginess too much for ya, huh? Well, the news that Apple rejected PopCap's first offering on the App Store through 4th & Battery, its new indie studio, gets me a little miffed--unpleasant even. Horrible puns aside, Gamasutra reports that Apple brought down the hammer on Unpleasant Horse for "mature content," to which 4th & Battery announced the bummer on Twitter with, "We thought horses dying in meat grinders was wholesome family entertainment!"
The Seattle-based indie studio then tweeted that it has resubmitted the game with nothing changed but the listed age requirement. The game features an adorable if murderous horse that kills birds and leaps on other horses from above, launching them into a meat grinder, for bonus points. Think of it as a much darker Robot Unicorn Attack Heavy Metal Edition.
This could lead to an ongoing battle between the studio and Apple as it plans to release more iOS games with what Apple calls "mature content." It's just a wonder that completely useless "fart apps" spread meaningless flatulence around the App Store, while potentially fun games get the gates smashed in their faces for comedic violence. It begs the question: Where's the "immature content" rating standard?
[Image Credit: Gamers Daily News]
What do you think of PopCap's first indie iOS game being rejected? Will its next attempt be accepted? What do you think of Apple's rating process for apps and games?
The Seattle-based indie studio then tweeted that it has resubmitted the game with nothing changed but the listed age requirement. The game features an adorable if murderous horse that kills birds and leaps on other horses from above, launching them into a meat grinder, for bonus points. Think of it as a much darker Robot Unicorn Attack Heavy Metal Edition.
This could lead to an ongoing battle between the studio and Apple as it plans to release more iOS games with what Apple calls "mature content." It's just a wonder that completely useless "fart apps" spread meaningless flatulence around the App Store, while potentially fun games get the gates smashed in their faces for comedic violence. It begs the question: Where's the "immature content" rating standard?
[Image Credit: Gamers Daily News]
What do you think of PopCap's first indie iOS game being rejected? Will its next attempt be accepted? What do you think of Apple's rating process for apps and games?
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Cool story, Storm8: Zoo Story 2, Pet Shop hit iPhone, iPad for free
Seriously, though. Mobile social game publisher Storm8 announced that two new games in its popular "Story" franchise of games have hit the App Store for both iPhone and iPad. (And for free, mind you.) Both developed by TeamLava, Zoo Story 2 and Pet Shop Story are available now on nearly all Apple devices, and mark the 10th and 11th releases from the developer in 18 months.
Zoo Story 2, according to Storm8 CEO Perry Tam, is "the most beautiful, fun and social zoo game on iOS." The game allows players to create their own zoos from scratch, choose from more than 100 animals to populate it and even crossbreed critters. Ever wanted to make your own gryphon? You got it. How about a flying monkey? Yours. Of course, players can invite friends to their zoos through Facebook Connect and help them build new habitats for their animals through gifting.
Pet Shop Story, however, sounds as if it's the same premise in a different setting. (Or would that be the other way around?) Players can create a thriving pet shop with a wide variety of domesticated animals. As with the former, you can also crossbreed your pets, though it doesn't sound like you'll be able to create creatures like winged dogs or cats with fins. Of course, this game too allows for friendly interactions via Facebook Connect, and we're sure you're going to need it.
Zoo Story 2
Storm8 is on a roll with mobile social games this year. In June, the publisher had its first million-dollar day, meaning it made $1 million in a single day from virtual goods sales. And now, it's one of the launch partners on the release of Facebook Mobile platform, with games like World War available in HTML5. So, yes: Cool story, bro Storm8.
Click here to download Zoo Story 2 and here to download Pet Shop Story for free Now >
Are you a fan of Storm8's Story series of mobile games? What are your favorite mobile social games these days?
Zoo Story 2, according to Storm8 CEO Perry Tam, is "the most beautiful, fun and social zoo game on iOS." The game allows players to create their own zoos from scratch, choose from more than 100 animals to populate it and even crossbreed critters. Ever wanted to make your own gryphon? You got it. How about a flying monkey? Yours. Of course, players can invite friends to their zoos through Facebook Connect and help them build new habitats for their animals through gifting.
Pet Shop Story, however, sounds as if it's the same premise in a different setting. (Or would that be the other way around?) Players can create a thriving pet shop with a wide variety of domesticated animals. As with the former, you can also crossbreed your pets, though it doesn't sound like you'll be able to create creatures like winged dogs or cats with fins. Of course, this game too allows for friendly interactions via Facebook Connect, and we're sure you're going to need it.
Zoo Story 2
Storm8 is on a roll with mobile social games this year. In June, the publisher had its first million-dollar day, meaning it made $1 million in a single day from virtual goods sales. And now, it's one of the launch partners on the release of Facebook Mobile platform, with games like World War available in HTML5. So, yes: Cool story, bro Storm8.
Click here to download Zoo Story 2 and here to download Pet Shop Story for free Now >
Are you a fan of Storm8's Story series of mobile games? What are your favorite mobile social games these days?
Do young folk get Alec Baldwin's thing for Words With Friends?
They might "understand" Mr. Baldwin's desire to play mobile games while on the runway, but we doubt they understand his ... handling of the situation. According to poll of 1,356 by Poll Position, 69.9 percent of people aged 18 to 29 years old think that passengers should be able to play electronic games with others while awaiting take-off in the plane. They got your back, Alec!
That's all well and good, but what about people that are the guy's age--the 45 to 64-year-old group? According to the poll, only 26.8 percent of folks in that group think you should be able to play said games while waiting for take-off. In that case, we almost definitely know that they wouldn't be down with Baldwin's reported outburst on an American Airlines flight last week.
The snafu had far more of a ripple effect than you'd might imagine. Not only did it lead to both American Airlines and the Greyhound bus company's embarrassment, but it drove Baldwin off of Twitter and (of course) garnered the support of Zynga. The Words With Friends creator enjoyed a fine week with its hit word game: Last week, the game skyrocketed by 500,000 daily players to oust competitor The Sims Social on the charts, knocking it down to sixth place. In short, Words With Friends is serious business. That is, if you ask over-privileged millennials.
[Image Credit: Jim Lopes]
Do you think people should be able to play video games while waiting for the plane to take off? Was Baldwin right in his outrage with American Airlines?
That's all well and good, but what about people that are the guy's age--the 45 to 64-year-old group? According to the poll, only 26.8 percent of folks in that group think you should be able to play said games while waiting for take-off. In that case, we almost definitely know that they wouldn't be down with Baldwin's reported outburst on an American Airlines flight last week.
The snafu had far more of a ripple effect than you'd might imagine. Not only did it lead to both American Airlines and the Greyhound bus company's embarrassment, but it drove Baldwin off of Twitter and (of course) garnered the support of Zynga. The Words With Friends creator enjoyed a fine week with its hit word game: Last week, the game skyrocketed by 500,000 daily players to oust competitor The Sims Social on the charts, knocking it down to sixth place. In short, Words With Friends is serious business. That is, if you ask over-privileged millennials.
[Image Credit: Jim Lopes]
Do you think people should be able to play video games while waiting for the plane to take off? Was Baldwin right in his outrage with American Airlines?
Keep the little ones off of Facebook: MokoFarm is FarmVille for kids
You love them to tears, but your kids want shut the heck up about FarmVille. And what (good) parent wants their toddler on Facebook? MokoMomo Interactive has released MokoFarm for the iPad for $1.99 on the App Store. This game is said to give kids the FarmVille experience and might teach them a thing or two in the process. And near everything in the game is touchable.
And we all know your kids like to touch things--you put those plastic things on the outlets around the house for a reason. MokoFarm doesn't look like it's limited by the boundaries of normal social games like energy or lengthy time constraints. However, kids can also share their farm creations through their parents' Facebook accounts. According to MokoMomo, the game is narrated to help the younger folks learn new words.
Of course, the common FarmVille-like tropes are all present like buying animals, crops and new buildings to deck out the farm. That said, nearly every piece of content, including the animals, appear to be interactive. Kids can tap the windmills to make them spin, touch trees to shake their leaves and tap critters to make them run. Your tike can even take pictures of his/her farm to send to you. Sure, it's no FarmVille, but for what it's worth it looks pretty darn close.
Click here to download MokoFarm on iPad Now >
[Via E27]
Does your kid(s) bug you about playing FarmVille? Do you wish Facebook games were more kid-friendly?
And we all know your kids like to touch things--you put those plastic things on the outlets around the house for a reason. MokoFarm doesn't look like it's limited by the boundaries of normal social games like energy or lengthy time constraints. However, kids can also share their farm creations through their parents' Facebook accounts. According to MokoMomo, the game is narrated to help the younger folks learn new words.
Of course, the common FarmVille-like tropes are all present like buying animals, crops and new buildings to deck out the farm. That said, nearly every piece of content, including the animals, appear to be interactive. Kids can tap the windmills to make them spin, touch trees to shake their leaves and tap critters to make them run. Your tike can even take pictures of his/her farm to send to you. Sure, it's no FarmVille, but for what it's worth it looks pretty darn close.
Click here to download MokoFarm on iPad Now >
[Via E27]
Does your kid(s) bug you about playing FarmVille? Do you wish Facebook games were more kid-friendly?
Microsoft breaks adorable new ground with Kinectimals for iPhone, iPad
You read that right: Microsoft Studios has released a game for an Apple device. (Did you see that pig?!) Kinectimals, the popular kids game that launched with the Xbox 360 Kinect, is now available for iPhone and iPad for $2.99. The game appears similar to the original in that players can interact, feed and play with a number of wild pets through touch controls.
The game also provides five exclusive new pets for those who already own the Kinect version of Kinectimals for their Xbox 360. The visuals in this mobile version of the motion-controlled selling point for Kinect look nearly identical, which is far from a bad thing. If anything, based on screen shots, it's testament to how far iPhones and iPads have come in the graphics department. As for play hooks, they look like much of the same, but with the novelty of touch rather than motion.
Created by Frontier Developments and published by Microsoft Studios, Kinectimals on iOS devices not only breaks its exclusivity with Windows Phone, but could mark the start of an interesting relationship. Microsoft and Apple aren't exactly best buddies, and never would the latter release a product on the former's hardware. Perhaps this is an attempt to foster some sort of relationship with the iPad maker. What we do know, however, is that your kids are probably going to go bonkers over this.
Click here to download Kinectimals for iPhone and iPad Now >
[Via Major Nelson]
Did you see this one coming at all (neither did we)? Will you pick this one up for your kids to play around with?
The game also provides five exclusive new pets for those who already own the Kinect version of Kinectimals for their Xbox 360. The visuals in this mobile version of the motion-controlled selling point for Kinect look nearly identical, which is far from a bad thing. If anything, based on screen shots, it's testament to how far iPhones and iPads have come in the graphics department. As for play hooks, they look like much of the same, but with the novelty of touch rather than motion.
Created by Frontier Developments and published by Microsoft Studios, Kinectimals on iOS devices not only breaks its exclusivity with Windows Phone, but could mark the start of an interesting relationship. Microsoft and Apple aren't exactly best buddies, and never would the latter release a product on the former's hardware. Perhaps this is an attempt to foster some sort of relationship with the iPad maker. What we do know, however, is that your kids are probably going to go bonkers over this.
Click here to download Kinectimals for iPhone and iPad Now >
[Via Major Nelson]
Did you see this one coming at all (neither did we)? Will you pick this one up for your kids to play around with?
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