Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Australian government invests in game industry to halt job migration]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/18/australian-government-invests-in-game-industry-to-halt-job-migra/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/18/australian-government-invests-in-game-industry-to-halt-job-migra/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/18/australian-government-invests-in-game-industry-to-halt-job-migra/#comments Austalian government invests in games industry to halt job migrationAustralia's government-funded Screen Australia program plans on investing $20 million into the local video game industry. Gamasutra reports the organization will spend $4-5 million on games production and $2-3 million on supporting business sustainability over the next year.

The organization cites the American-owned Firemonkeys, studio-killing LA Noire and Halfbrick (Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride) as successful signs of Australian-developed games - hey, one legit shout-out to Halfbrick out of three ain't bad.

Australia has had to spend the past several years reinventing its place in the video game industry. Unfavorable exchange rates for foreign investors caused major publishers to pull console game development out of the country, causing severe job losses over a three-year period. The region has found success focusing on the mobile market.

JoystiqAustralian government invests in game industry to halt job migration originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiafiremonkeysfruit-ninjafruit-ninja-hdhalfbrickscreen-australiaMon, 18 Feb 2013 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[All Halfbrick games free on App Store now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/all-halfbrick-games-free-on-app-store-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/all-halfbrick-games-free-on-app-store-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/all-halfbrick-games-free-on-app-store-now/#comments Go buy every Halfbrick game on the App Store, for your iPhone or iPad. We don't normally make such direct demands on our readers' finances, but as it turns out, this won't affect your finances much.

For a "very limited time," all Halfbrick games on iPhone or iPad are free. That includes stuff like Fruit Ninja, Age of Zombies, Jetpack Joyride, and Monster Dash. Halfbrick games are among the most clever and addictive pastimes on the iOS platform. We'd recommend them even at nonzero prices!

JoystiqAll Halfbrick games free on App Store now originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-zombiesfreefruit-ninjafruit-ninja-puss-in-bootshalfbrickiosipadiphonemobilemonster-dashMon, 17 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja celebrates 2-year anniversary with new powerups, free iOS codes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/fruit-ninja-celebrates-2-year-anniversary-with-new-powerups-fre/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/fruit-ninja-celebrates-2-year-anniversary-with-new-powerups-fre/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/fruit-ninja-celebrates-2-year-anniversary-with-new-powerups-fre/#comments Image
Fruit Ninja might not really need updating - it's pretty feature-complete if there is fruit for you to slice, and you can slice it - but Halfbrick is adding content to the mobile game anyway in honor of its two-year anniversary. The new update will be live May 24.

Gutsu and Truffles join the cast (in other words, Sensei), bringing with them a shop where you can purchase powerups that add time, deflect bombs, or explode, in exchange for Starfruit, a new currency that you earn in-game.

Speaking of currency, Halfbrick is handing out the iPhone game at no cost right now on its anniversary website. The offer is limited, but we'd be surprised if this Starfruit update weren't leading into an optional microtransaction-based system like that in Jetpack Joyride.

Continue reading Fruit Ninja celebrates 2-year anniversary with new powerups, free iOS codes

JoystiqFruit Ninja celebrates 2-year anniversary with new powerups, free iOS codes originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2012 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fruit-ninjafruit-ninja-hdiosipadiphonemobileMon, 21 May 2012 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja's price slashed to ten cents on Android Market today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/fruit-ninjas-price-slashed-to-ten-cents-on-android-market-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/fruit-ninjas-price-slashed-to-ten-cents-on-android-market-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/fruit-ninjas-price-slashed-to-ten-cents-on-android-market-today/#comments Normally we'd be skeptical of heavily discounted fruit, but we think this offer is safe for consumption. In honor of the Android Market's ten millionth download, that platform's version of Fruit Ninja is on sale for ten cents today!

Halfbrick also informs us that Age of Zombies will be on sale for a dime this Saturday. Good thing, too -- we can't be expected to pay almost a whole dollar for every game.

JoystiqFruit Ninja's price slashed to ten cents on Android Market today originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-zombiesandroidfruit-ninjafruit-ninja-hdgooglehalfbrick-studiosmobileWed, 07 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja plushies prove it's possible to milk fruit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/fruit-ninja-plushies-prove-its-possible-to-milk-fruit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/fruit-ninja-plushies-prove-its-possible-to-milk-fruit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/fruit-ninja-plushies-prove-its-possible-to-milk-fruit/#comments Other than coconuts, we mean. Halfbrick Studios is making a claim on more of your money, after some admittedly reasonable financial demands from the Fruit Ninja series. The developer has opened a store offering two themed plush toys, which include the cutest watermelon you've ever forcibly bisected, and a happy Sensei whom you can pretend is performing said cut.

In the US, the Sensei sells for $16 (or 16 times the price of a copy of Fruit Ninja), the Watermelon for $15 (1.5 Fruit Ninja Kinects), and a "Training Pack" of both for $30. The Sensei is available now, but that adorable melon is shipping in mid-January.

We may sound as if we're giving Halfbrick a hard time for cashing in on Fruit Ninja, but we're happy for the developer. The games have been universally worthwhile, and the toys are undeniably huggable. Besides, Halfbrick has to raise money to save the Australian game industry, pretty much single-handed.

JoystiqFruit Ninja plushies prove it's possible to milk fruit originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfruit-ninjafruit-ninja-hdhalfbrick-studiosiosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilepcplushtoysxboxTue, 06 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja dev Halfbrick chopping away at sequel in new Sydney studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/fruit-ninja-dev-halfbrick-chopping-away-at-sequel-in-new-sydney/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/fruit-ninja-dev-halfbrick-chopping-away-at-sequel-in-new-sydney/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/fruit-ninja-dev-halfbrick-chopping-away-at-sequel-in-new-sydney/#comments
Halfbrick Studios is working on a sequel to Fruit Ninja at its new government-supported studio in Sydney, Australia. In mid-October it was revealed that the Brisbane-based company was opening up a second studio in Sydney; a new piece in the Illawarra Mercury tosses up some more details.

According to New South Wales Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner, the studio is the result of a new $3 million "Interactive Media Fund," but there is no clear indication regarding how much of that fund went to Halfbrick.

"The new Sydney team will develop the next evolution of the Fruit Ninja games franchise. The new game will involve players launching a series of fruit to knock ninjas off their towers in a 3D world, with each fruit having special powers," Stoner said. The game is expected in 2012, with an initial launch on iOS.

Stoner explained the $3 million fund is designed to support local developers over the next two years. Given the current state of the Australian development scene for big publishers, it may be time to get a bigger fund for the local indies.

JoystiqFruit Ninja dev Halfbrick chopping away at sequel in new Sydney studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fruit-ninjaFruit-Ninja-2fruit-ninja-hdHalfbrickhalfbrick-studiosiosipadiphonemobileMon, 05 Dec 2011 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[iOS games get so, so real in this bizarre music video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/ios-games-get-so-so-real-in-this-bizarre-music-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/ios-games-get-so-so-real-in-this-bizarre-music-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/ios-games-get-so-so-real-in-this-bizarre-music-video/#comments
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.

JoystiqiOS 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry-birdscut-the-ropeflight-controlfruit-ninjahey-geronimoiosipadiphonemobileplants-vs-zombiesFri, 02 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Portabliss: Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots (iOS)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/portabliss-fruit-ninja-puss-in-boots-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/portabliss-fruit-ninja-puss-in-boots-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/portabliss-fruit-ninja-puss-in-boots-ios/#commentsDid you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots.

You might be tempted to hold a grudge against Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots. It seems like a vaguely disturbing trend to match popular mobile games to upcoming movies, just because they have compatible premises, for purely promotional purposes. Two games is a trend, right?

But we all knew this was going to be good. It turns out that the license is actually a good thing, as the result is a version of Fruit Ninja with the addition of vocal encouragement from Antonio Banderas. Ah yes!

The other, less Boots-specific additions are delightful as well.

Gallery: Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots

Continue reading Portabliss: Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots (iOS)

JoystiqPortabliss: Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots (iOS) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fruit-ninjafruit-ninja-puss-in-bootshalfbrick-studiosiosiphonemobileportablissthqThu, 20 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja dev opening new studio in Sydney]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/fruit-ninja-dev-opening-new-studio-in-sydney/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/fruit-ninja-dev-opening-new-studio-in-sydney/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/fruit-ninja-dev-opening-new-studio-in-sydney/#comments Australian developer Halfbrick is opening up a studio in Sydney, which likely comes as welcome news for the nation's troubled development scene. Gamasutra took note of the job listings for the new Sydney office for the Brisbane-based studio.

Halfbrick is best known for Fruit Ninja, which has made the studio so much money, it sponsored an orchard as reparations for all the virtual fruit waste. It is also going to make more coin going the Angry Birds movie tie-in route, with the upcoming Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots. We're particularly fond of Halfbrick's Jetpack Joyride.

Asked if Halfbrick would change its name to "Fullbrick" after opening a second studio, Marketing Director Phil Larsen told us, "No. A logical question nonetheless."

JoystiqFruit Ninja dev opening new studio in Sydney originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAustraliafruit-ninjafruit-ninja-hdHalfbrickhalfbrick-studiosiosipadiphonemicrosoftmobileSydneyxboxTue, 18 Oct 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots is a thing, really; coming to iOS on Oct. 20]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/fruit-ninja-puss-in-boots-is-a-thing-really-coming-to-ios-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/fruit-ninja-puss-in-boots-is-a-thing-really-coming-to-ios-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/fruit-ninja-puss-in-boots-is-a-thing-really-coming-to-ios-on/#comments
As if the fruit on your phone, iPod, tablet, Android, and Kinect weren't already sliced thoroughly enough, Halfbrick is burdening yet more fruit with potential murder in the upcoming movie tie-in Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots. As you've likely surmised, the game is a Puss in Boots-themed Fruit Ninja release, which imagines the titular Puss slicing up fruit with his dutiful foil.

In addition to introducing a well-timed theme into the mix, FN: PIB adds the "all-new Bandito mode," which tasks players with surviving progressively more difficult levels with unique challenges, and the "Desperado" mode, which updates the first game's "Classic" mode. "We wanted to create something new and different for our fans while keeping the magic of Fruit Ninja intact, and we think Bandito Mode will keep even the most practiced players on their toes," Jetpack Joyride playable character and Halfbrick chief marketing man Phil Larsen notes in the announcement.

Oh, and tomatoes? Totally in there, definitively proving once and for all that they're fruit. Take that, science! Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots arrives on the iOS App Store on October 20 for $0.99 on iPhone and $1.99 on iPad.

Gallery: Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots

JoystiqFruit Ninja: Puss in Boots is a thing, really; coming to iOS on Oct. 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storedreamworksfruit-ninjafruit-ninja-puss-in-bootshalfbrickhalfbrick-studiosiosipadiphonemobilephil-larsenpuss-in-bootsq4-2011release-datethqFri, 07 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja Kinect DLC boldly goes where no Fruit Ninja's gone before]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/fruit-ninja-kinect-dlc-boldly-goes-where-no-fruit-ninjas-gone-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/fruit-ninja-kinect-dlc-boldly-goes-where-no-fruit-ninjas-gone-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/fruit-ninja-kinect-dlc-boldly-goes-where-no-fruit-ninjas-gone-b/#comments Nothing is more important in Fruit Ninja than freshness, which is why Halfbrick has announced more DLC for the Kinect iteration of the produce bisection game. The "Space Capsule" DLC adds a new "Star Chart" background, a new player silhouette style called the "Stellar Shadow," and an on-screen sword called the "Comet Blade."

What it doesn't add -- and this is a massive missed opportunity -- is bags of those freeze-dried strawberries that are sold as "astronaut food." We could totally be cutting futuristic fruits right now! The space food-free DLC is available now for $2.

Continue reading Fruit Ninja Kinect DLC boldly goes where no Fruit Ninja's gone before

JoystiqFruit Ninja Kinect DLC boldly goes where no Fruit Ninja's gone before originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcfruit-ninjafruit-ninja-kinecthalfbrick-studiosmicrosoftspace-capsulexblaxboxWed, 07 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja Kinect DLC brings the thunder tomorrow [update: Today!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/fruit-ninja-kinect-dlc-brings-the-thunder-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/fruit-ninja-kinect-dlc-brings-the-thunder-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/fruit-ninja-kinect-dlc-brings-the-thunder-tomorrow/#comments Not feeling powerful enough during your sessions of fruit mutilation (or, if you will, fruitilation) on Fruit Ninja Kinect? You're insatiable -- but you're also the target demographic for tomorrow's DLC update. Titled "Storm Season," the content will add a new "Storm Castle" background, "The Rain Man Shadow" silhouette and, following the theme, the "Lightning Bolt Blade."

The DLC will run purchasers 160 Microsoft Points ($2), will add three new Achievements to the title for a bonus of 50 'cheevo points, and will finally let you figure out what happens when an apple gets struck by a bolt of lightning. Points. Points happen.

Update: A Halfbrick representative just emailed to inform us that their initial timetable was off by exactly one day. By which we mean: It's available right now!

Continue reading Fruit Ninja Kinect DLC brings the thunder tomorrow [update: Today!]

JoystiqFruit Ninja Kinect DLC brings the thunder tomorrow [update: Today!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcfruit-ninjafruit-ninja-kinecthalfbrick-studiosmicrosoftxblaxboxWed, 24 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[You won't believe what Fruit Ninja Frenzy on Facebook looks like]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/you-wont-believe-what-fruit-ninja-frenzy-on-facebook-looks-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/you-wont-believe-what-fruit-ninja-frenzy-on-facebook-looks-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/you-wont-believe-what-fruit-ninja-frenzy-on-facebook-looks-like/#comments Unless, that is, you are able to believe the premise that it looks exactly like Fruit Ninja. In that case, it's actually pretty believable. What a relief that Halfbrick stuck to the formula of cutting fruit with a sword, instead of going into some kind of Facebook-style fruit dojo management sim.

MTV Multiplayer got exclusive video footage and details of Fruit Ninja Frenzy, the Facebook-bound version of Halfbrick's absurdly popular fruit-slicing game, which you can see after the break. Frenzy is essentially Fruit Ninja's 60-second "arcade mode" with the addition of power-up "smoothies." You can choose one at the start of each round, from a list including "Extra Time" which gives you 7 additional seconds, "Spirit Bombs" which neutralizes bombs, and "Mega Freeze" which doubles the number of fruits that appear after a "Freeze" banana.

Optionally, you can increase the number of "smoothie" slots per round with microtransactions, because Facebook.

Continue reading You won't believe what Fruit Ninja Frenzy on Facebook looks like

JoystiqYou won't believe what Fruit Ninja Frenzy on Facebook looks like originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfruit-ninjafruit-ninja-frenzyhalfbrick-studiosmacpcFri, 12 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ad-supported Fruit Ninja Free now on Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/ad-supported-fruit-ninja-free-now-on-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/ad-supported-fruit-ninja-free-now-on-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/ad-supported-fruit-ninja-free-now-on-android/#comments We know how it is. You want to play Fruit Ninja on your Android device, but that hefty $1.28 stays your hand every time. Worry no more, for a new free version of Halfbrick's fruit-slicer is now available on Android Market. Simply titled Fruit Ninja Free, the game includes all of the features of its comparatively costly sibling, including three different gameplay modes and OpenFeint support.

Being free, it also includes a brand new feature not seen in previous versions: Advertisements. Ads pop up once the game loads and between fruit brutalizing sessions as well. But hey, it's still free Fruit Ninja, right?

Continue reading Ad-supported Fruit Ninja Free now on Android

JoystiqAd-supported Fruit Ninja Free now on Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfruit-ninjafruit-ninja-hdhalfbrick-studiosmobileThu, 21 Jul 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Fruit Ninja Kinect' rated in Korea]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/fruit-ninja-kinect-rated-in-korea/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/fruit-ninja-kinect-rated-in-korea/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/fruit-ninja-kinect-rated-in-korea/#comments According to Korea's Game Rating Board, the iOS, Android and Windows Phone sensation Fruit Ninja is headed to the Xbox 360 with Kinect functionality in tow.

The game will be billed Fruit Ninja Kinect and, presumably, will have us all karate chopping virtual melons in front of the TV like idiots. In other words, it sounds like a grand ol' time. We can only hope it winds up a little something like this.

Joystiq'Fruit Ninja Kinect' rated in Korea originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fruit-ninjafruit-ninja-kinectgrbhalfbrick-studioskinectkoreamicrosoftxboxThu, 28 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja becomes life-size using CAVE technology]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/fruit-ninja-becomes-life-size-using-cave-technology/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/fruit-ninja-becomes-life-size-using-cave-technology/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/fruit-ninja-becomes-life-size-using-cave-technology/#comments The same encapsulating virtual reality display that led to the memorable Kinect hack from last week now has an altogether new and exciting purpose. A group of students from FH-Wedel Germany have turned the CAVE hardware and a Wiimote into a gigantic, all-encompassing version of Fruit Ninja.

Continue reading Fruit Ninja becomes life-size using CAVE technology

JoystiqFruit Ninja becomes life-size using CAVE technology originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cavefruit-ninjagermanyhackmicrosoftnintendowiiwiimoteTue, 29 Mar 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja surpasses 20 million total downloads]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/fruit-ninja-surpasses-20-million-total-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/fruit-ninja-surpasses-20-million-total-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/fruit-ninja-surpasses-20-million-total-downloads/#comments At this point, Halfbrick's gotta be in talks for a major motion picture deal, action figures, a television show, lunchboxes -- all of it. To say Fruit Ninja is a "success" is an understatement:

Halfbrick's Phil Larsen revealed to us during GDC that the game has reached a ridiculous 20 million downloads across all platforms, including iOS (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch), Android and Windows Phone 7. The figure includes downloads of the free "lite" versions, but Larsen reminded us that the paid iPhone app has been purchased by 6 million players, accounting for a huge bushel of the total downloads.

So, where does the game go from here? Well, disregarding the aforementioned movie and action figures, might we suggest making a Facebook game? Oh, right.

JoystiqFruit Ninja surpasses 20 million total downloads originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downloadsfruit-ninjafruit-ninja-hdgdc-2011halfbrick-studiosmobilesalesThu, 03 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja hits six million sales, sponsors a fruit orchard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/fruit-ninja-hits-six-million-sales-sponsors-a-fruit-orchard/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/fruit-ninja-hits-six-million-sales-sponsors-a-fruit-orchard/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/fruit-ninja-hits-six-million-sales-sponsors-a-fruit-orchard/#comments Halfbrick's little iPhone app Fruit Ninja has hit 6 million paid downloads. To make amends for slaughtering over 150 billion pieces of virtual fruit, the company is partnering with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation -- yup, it's a real thing. Halfbrick will sponsor the planting of an orchard in a "low-income Native American community," with the delicious fruits of such an endeavor quite obvious to all parties involved.

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation will be charged with planting and maintaining the Halfbrick fruit orchard. Residents of the internet will be able to check out the growth of the fruit development complex on FTPF.org and Halfbrick's site. Now we will meditate on the bizarre nature of our world, where wholesale virtual fruit slaughter (or real-life, if one is cosplaying) in an app spawns the development of a real-world orchard.

JoystiqFruit Ninja hits six million sales, sponsors a fruit orchard originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charityfruit-ninjafruit-ninja-hdFruit-Tree-Planting-FoundationhalfbrickmacmobileSat, 19 Feb 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Misunderstoods are real-life Fruit Ninjas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/the-misunderstoods-are-real-life-fruit-ninjas/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/the-misunderstoods-are-real-life-fruit-ninjas/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/the-misunderstoods-are-real-life-fruit-ninjas/#comments While the rest of us wait for a Kinect version of Fruit Ninja, comedy troupe The Misunderstoods has taken the mobile hit to an even realer level, using actual knives to actually slash produce that's actually being hurled at them. Ball's in your court, Jack. ... Ball's in your court.

Continue reading The Misunderstoods are real-life Fruit Ninjas

JoystiqThe Misunderstoods are real-life Fruit Ninjas originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fruit-ninjafruit-ninja-hdhalfbrick-studiosmobilethe-misunderstoodsFri, 21 Jan 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja sells two million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/fruit-ninja-sells-two-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/fruit-ninja-sells-two-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/fruit-ninja-sells-two-million/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When people say the job of game industry analysts is easy, we like to point to statistics like this:

According to a release today from Halfbrick, the developer's iPod/iPhone sensation Fruit Ninja has moved two million units. To put it in a perspective that's even more difficult to comprehend: 24 billion-with-a-b pieces of fruit have been slashed in-game.

So, you really wanna wear Pachter's shoes in a world where two million people buy a game about cutting fruit with the tip of their finger? No, we thought not.

Continue reading Fruit Ninja sells two million

JoystiqFruit Ninja sells two million originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fruit-ninjahalfbrick-studiosipadiphonemobileThu, 23 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OpenFeint now available on Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/openfeint-now-available-on-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/openfeint-now-available-on-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/openfeint-now-available-on-android/#commentsFiled under: , ,

[Image Credit: Engadget]
 Today, Android users can access OpenFeint, a social gaming suite which supports cross-platform communication, leaderboards and achievements for supported games. Aurora Feint, the company behind the tech, is currently working to enable cross-platform voice chat and real-time multiplayer sometime later this year.

PocketGamer reports Android users can download several new games supporting the platform right now, including iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad hit, Fruit Ninja, but plans are underway to offer 20 games over the course of the next month. Head past the break for the list of games, including those that are currently available.

Continue reading OpenFeint now available on Android

JoystiqOpenFeint now available on Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidaurora-feintfruit-ninjamobileopenfeintFri, 17 Sep 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja HD slices up the iPad later this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/fruit-ninja-hd-slices-up-the-ipad-later-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/fruit-ninja-hd-slices-up-the-ipad-later-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/fruit-ninja-hd-slices-up-the-ipad-later-this-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Having trouble slicing those kumquats, tangerines and cherries in your standard edition of Fruit Ninja? Then you'll be pleased to know that Halfbrick is preparing an enhanced version for iPad called Fruitninja HD. But improved graphics aren't the only addition to the game, as the iPad installment will also boast input for up to eight fingers and head-to-head multiplayer battles through Classic Attack and Zen Duel modes. Look for Fruit Ninja HD in the App Store on July 14 for $4.99.

We know what you're thinking: how can any ninja, let alone one skilled in the ways of battling fruit -- an enemy with barely any defensive skills whatsoever -- wield up to eight swords at once? Frankly, we just don't know. The ways of the ninja have long been shrouded in mystery and pulp, but we have managed to secure a brief piece of communication from the ninja clans, which you can watch right after the break.

Continue reading Fruit Ninja HD slices up the iPad later this week

JoystiqFruit Ninja HD slices up the iPad later this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fruit-ninjafruit-ninja-hdhalfbrickhalfbrick-studiosMon, 12 Jul 2010 22:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Halfbrick shares Fruit Ninja sales numbers, how to succeed on the App store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/halfbrick-shares-fruit-ninja-sales-numbers-how-to-succeed-on-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/halfbrick-shares-fruit-ninja-sales-numbers-how-to-succeed-on-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/halfbrick-shares-fruit-ninja-sales-numbers-how-to-succeed-on-th/#comments iPhone and iPod Touch gamers have likely already heard of Fruit Ninja, a game where you coldly murder different offerings from nature's bounty -- by tapping and slicing across the screen, you cut down watermelons and the like. It's a pretty simple game and at only $.99, it's quickly climbed the charts of the most popular Apps in the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Denmark and Sweden. So we decided to grill Halbrick's creator and lead designer of Fruit Ninja, Luke Muscat, on all things iPhone.

Joystiq: You sent out a press release before the weekend claiming 140,000 copies sold of your iPhone/iPod Touch game, Fruit Ninja. What's the current total at?

Luke Muscat: Over 200,000 now. That's a pretty big milestone for us, we are very happy to have achieved such great success in a market that can be pretty unpredictable. If you're reading this and have purchased the game - you rule the App store!

Continue reading Halfbrick shares Fruit Ninja sales numbers, how to succeed on the App store

JoystiqHalfbrick shares Fruit Ninja sales numbers, how to succeed on the App store originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 May 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applefruit-ninjahalfbrickhalfbrick-studiosinterviewInterviewsiphoneipodMon, 10 May 2010 16:30:00 EST