Joystiq

iOS games get so, so real in this bizarre music video

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST

Aussie indie pop group Hey Geronimo were interested in promoting their latest single, "Why Don't We Do Something?," so they made this terrifying montage of iOS games acted out in real life, you see. We're not exactly sure how this happened, but we can't say we're sorry it did.

iOS games get so, so real in this bizarre music video originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NintendoWare Weekly: Urban Champion, Flight Control

JC Fletcher — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:25:00 EST

During a convention like Gamescom, with news flying out in all directions, you have to bring your A-game if you want to get attention. Nintendo of America has brought ... Urban Champion. Specifically, the 3D Classics remake of Urban Champion, available today on the 3DS eShop.

Nintendo also mentioned that a new Jason Derulo video will premiere on Nintendo Video today, if that's something you want to see and hear.

WiiWare finally gets its port of air-traffic control puzzler Flight Control, so if you don't own any smartphone or a DSi, you can now see what all the fuss was about.

Gallery: 3D Classics: Urban Champion (3DS)

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: Urban Champion, Flight Control

NintendoWare Weekly: Urban Champion, Flight Control originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA agrees to buy Firemint, devs behind iOS hits Flight Control, Real Racing

Christopher Grant — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:15:00 EST

Electronic Arts continues to chase the mobile market, today announcing an agreement to purchase Firemint, the Australia-based developer behind iOS hits like Flight Control, Real Racing and, notably, "an attractive future slate of games." Flight Racing, anyone? While it may be true love, EA and Firemint aren't ones to kiss-and-tell; the purchase price isn't being disclosed.

EA isn't just buying Firemint, however. The developer recently purchased fellow Australians Infinite Interactive, the devs behind the popular Puzzle Quest series. For its part, EA recently purchased a company called MPP, a "leader in high quality cross-platform development and porting of games for smartphones." We don't know about you, but we detect a faint whiff of synergy.

Oh, here it is: "The added technical expertise of MPP, combined with the creative talent of Firemint and our EAi studio teams, fuels EA's leadership in delivering top selling, high quality games across mobile phones and smartphones, tablets and future digital interactive entertainment platforms," EA Interactive's Barry Cottle said in a press release.

This courtship has ostensibly been going on for some time. Before it struck it rich on the App Store, Firemint labored in the EA Mobile mines working on the Madden NFL 3D series, a 2006 mobile release of Need for Speed Most Wanted, and something called The Sims DJ. You can't say Firemint hasn't paid its dues.

EA agrees to buy Firemint, devs behind iOS hits Flight Control, Real Racing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 May 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows Phone 7 review: Flight Control

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST

Ahh, the fun of having one of the most stressful jobs in the world. Flight Control puts you in the shoes of a flight controller, having to manage landing planes and helicopters on a variety of landing strips while avoiding (you guessed it) crashes. It's a simple concept that needs no explanation, as evidenced by the total lack of an in-game tutorial. It's easy to grasp, but difficult to master. I didn't even make it to ten landings on my first attempt at the game!

There are many reasons behind Flight Control's rapid proliferation across platforms-- iOS, Android, PlayStation Move, and more. The simple drag-and-drop interface works perfectly with these devices, and the premise is immediately understandable. However, developer Firemint's classy design is what helped it succeed in the crowded App Store. The visuals are easy to read, the style is charming, and the music is oh-so-perfect. This is a game that will make you smile, even if you do accidentally kill hundreds of people in a horrific plane crash.

There are a number of levels, each with a distinct look and tarmac layout. However, they all play out essentially the same. Once again, this is a game meant for players that want to chase high scores. Other than a few Achievements (like one which requires you to crash three planes at once), rarely does the game offer you something new or different to do. But perhaps Flight Control doesn't need to offer anything new. It's certainly addictive enough to make the hours pass on by.

See also: Windows Phone 7 launch games reviews hub

This review is based on a retail Samsung Focus provided by Microsoft and AT&T.

Windows Phone 7 review: Flight Control originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flight Control HD lands on PSN Sept. 15 with Move support

Randy Nelson — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Having already soared onto millions of iPhones, iPods and iPads (and maybe like a couple dozen DSis), Australian developer Firemint's casual "plane landing game," Flight Control HD, is officially set for arrival on PS3 as a downloadable title on September 15. We first learned of the port last month, when it was revealed as an upcoming title by Sony Computer Entertainment Korea.

The PS3 version of the game will run at 1080p resolution and feature support for two heavily hyped technologies: PlayStation Move and stereoscopic 3D. Though it supports Sony's motion controller for guiding aircraft to a safe landing via "line drawing" gameplay that spawned an entire genre on iOS devices, Flight Control HD will also support old-fashioned DualShock 3 control and will bring to PS3 a four-player, drop in / drop out co-op mode, as well as an exclusive "Metropolis" map with changing day/night cycle.

Flight Control HD for PS3 will also arrive in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia on September 15, followed up by an October 21 release in Japan. This post may also be used as a flotation device in the event of a water landing.

Continue reading Flight Control HD lands on PSN Sept. 15 with Move support

Flight Control HD lands on PSN Sept. 15 with Move support originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Korea outs Move-compatible Flight Control and new PS3 racer

Randy Nelson — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:05:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

In announcing a September 15 launch for PlayStation Move in its territory, Sony Computer Entertainment Korea (intentionally?) slipped out the identity of two new PS3 titles, both with Move support. The first will be familiar to anyone who's browsed the iTunes App Store in, well, ever. It's a downloadable version of the popular "line drawing" casual strategy game Flight Control from Firemint, which has lifted off from iDevices and DSi to land on the PSN store ... at some point. (No date was listed.)

Also new and included in the "supports Move" category, Ignition is a Blu-ray Disc based racer from Hungarian developer Nemesys. The game was actually unveiled this time last year, was supposed to arrive in fall 2009 and doesn't have a publisher to speak of -- but hey, who needs that when you have looks? Check out screens of the game below and see for yourself. (While we try and find out who's actually releasing it.)

Gallery: Ignite

Sony Korea outs Move-compatible Flight Control and new PS3 racer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flight Control rated for Wii

JC Fletcher — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:15:00 EST

Firemint's air traffic control game Flight Control, currently available for handhelds like the iPhone and DSi, appears to be moving to the big screen -- and no, we don't mean the iPad. (That already happened.) We mean the even bigger screen: your TV.

Australia's OFLC media review board has rated a Wii version of Flight Control, which would most likely point to a WiiWare release. This would be the first home console version of the game, and also the first not to use a touchscreen interface. Thanks to these altered controls, Flight Control for Wii could be either novel or annoying to fans of previous versions.

[Via Gamerbytes]

Flight Control rated for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 May 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad Roundup: Here's the stuff that may interest you

David Hinkle — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST

With the iPad set to launch April 3, we know a lot of you out there are wondering what types of games and apps there are to look forward to. Well, we reprogrammed the Joystiq bots to scour the iTunes App store for information on updates and new games, culling the data for you all. There's plenty to look forward to, so don't waste time reading this -- head past the break for the goods!

Continue reading iPad Roundup: Here's the stuff that may interest you

iPad Roundup: Here's the stuff that may interest you originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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App Store leak hints at iPad versions of Plants vs. Zombies, Worms

Mike Schramm — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:31:00 EST

Looks like you early iPad adopters will have something good to play -- PadGadget noticed yesterday that Apple's App Store listings accidentally included a few unannounced iPad launch games in their store listings, even though the games aren't available for download yet. A few games, like Flight Control HD and Labyrinth 2 HD - both high definition iPad versions of their iPhone counterparts - had already been announced by their respective developers but there were at least two big titles on the list that gamers might appreciate: Plants vs. Zombies HD and Worms HD. Yup, looks like both PopCap's popular topiary tower defense game and the old fightin' invertebrates are coming to the iPad on day one.

Of course, this could just be a slip-up on Apple's end -- these could be placeholder names, or they could just be testing the app store for iPad titles. But considering the popularity of PopCap's titles on the portable platforms, odds are very good that as soon as you get home from the Apple Store on iPad on April 3rd, iPad day, Tall Nut and all of his other buds will be ready to play.

[Via Touch Arcade]

App Store leak hints at iPad versions of Plants vs. Zombies, Worms originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NintendoWare Weekly: Flight Control, Flipper, Ghost Slayer

JC Fletcher — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST

Today's WiiWare and DSiWare update is brought to you by the letter "F." Four of the seven games released on Nintendo's download services today have titles starting with the letter, including: a new game in the Aksys "Family" series; Flight Control; the indie platformer from goodbyegalaxygames, Flipper; and ... Faceez.

In non-alliterative news, the spooky WiiWare sword fighting game Ghost Slayer is now haunting the Wii Shop.

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: Flight Control, Flipper, Ghost Slayer

NintendoWare Weekly: Flight Control, Flipper, Ghost Slayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flight Control DSiWare cleared for landing on Feb. 19 and Feb. 22

JC Fletcher — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:15:00 EST

Firemint's DSiWare version of its iPhone hit Flight Control is preparing to descend to the DSi Shop. It'll be out in Europe this Friday, February 19, arriving in North America the following Monday, Feb. 22, for 500 Points. And even if you've landed thousands of planes in the iPhone version of this air traffic control game, this version includes new maps!

The trailer after the break demonstrates the simple gameplay. Using the stylus, you direct the flight paths of swarms of tiny airplanes so that they all land safely. And then you declare "I am an air traffic controller!" Oh, no, that's a different game.

Continue reading Flight Control DSiWare cleared for landing on Feb. 19 and Feb. 22

Flight Control DSiWare cleared for landing on Feb. 19 and Feb. 22 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flight Control to be 're-imagined' for iPad

JC Fletcher — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST

Developer Firemint is one of the first iPhone devs (though not the first!) to announce an upgraded version of an iPhone game for Apple's new iPad tablet thingy -- specifically, its two-million-selling action/strategy/air traffic control game, Flight Control. The developer announced that it will release an "optimised and re-imagined version of Flight Control" for the iPad. A DSiWare version is also expected to release at some unspecified time, though this announcement didn't mention it.

Though no concrete information about what the re-imaginings would be for iPad -- beyond imagining it on a bigger screen -- it sounds like Firemint anticipated porting the game up. "We are already building our next generation of games for higher definition, more powerful devices than are available today," Firemint said in its press release. "We like to imagine what the devices of tomorrow will be capable of, and invest in bringing our games to the next generation of hardware."

[Via Mobile-Ent]

Flight Control to be 're-imagined' for iPad originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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