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[Sonic the Hedgehog speeds to Android today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/sonic-the-hedgehog-speeds-to-android-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/sonic-the-hedgehog-speeds-to-android-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/sonic-the-hedgehog-speeds-to-android-today/#comments Update: The game is now available on the Google Play store.

There are quite a few Sonic games available on Android, but today marks the first appearance of the Blue Blur's original adventure, Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic's first adventure has been updated for mobile devices, adding widescreen support, a remastered soundtrack, leaderboards and more. Furthermore, a brand new addition will allow users to play as either Knuckles or Tails. This new feature is also being added to the iOS version of Sonic the Hedgehog via a free update.

The game hasn't appeared on the North American Google Play store as of this writing, but it's slated to arrive today for $2.99.

Continue reading Sonic the Hedgehog speeds to Android today

JoystiqSonic the Hedgehog speeds to Android today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgoogle-playiosipadiphonemobilesegasonic-the-hedgehogThu, 16 May 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Play launches game services for mobile, social, cloud gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/google-play-launches-game-services-for-mobile-social-cloud-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/google-play-launches-game-services-for-mobile-social-cloud-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/google-play-launches-game-services-for-mobile-social-cloud-gam/#commentsGoogle Play launches game services for mobile, social, cloud gaming Google is kicking off games services on its Play Store that allows developers to add achievements, social and public leaderboards, cloud saving, and real-time multiplayer. The games service goes live today and works completely on Android, and mostly on iOS or other "connected devices" - that second batch won't support multiplayer.

Google Play's games services differs from Apple's Game Center in that it offers backend support, rather than a standalone application.

Anyone making a game with Google Play has access to its developer services. A handful of games already have these services incorporated: World of Goo, Super Stickman Golf 2, Beach Buggy Blitz, Kingdom Rush, Eternity Warriors 2 and Osmos.

"We won't make it a mandatory exercise, or have any certification process around it," Google lead product manager Greg Hartrell told Engadget. "We create fantastic services that allow developers to create these great game experiences, and help promote their discovery, help retain their users and keep them engaged."

Check out the games services on Google's developer site.

Continue reading Google Play launches game services for mobile, social, cloud gaming

JoystiqGoogle Play launches game services for mobile, social, cloud gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgamesgames-servicesgooglegoogle-gamesgoogle-io-2013google-playiosipadiphonemobileWed, 15 May 2013 12:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Play Games leaks out, will feature matchmaking and achievements]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/google-play-games-leaks-out-will-feature-matchmaking-and-achiev/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/google-play-games-leaks-out-will-feature-matchmaking-and-achiev/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/google-play-games-leaks-out-will-feature-matchmaking-and-achiev/#comments'Google Play Games' leaks out, will feature matchmaking and achievements The Android answer to Apple's Game Center app on iOS will be Google Play Games, according to information obtained by Android Police from a Play Services APK teardown. The service will bring lobbies and invites for matchmaking, in-game chat, cloud game saves, achievements and leaderboards to the platform for developers to make use of.

The APK Android Police pulled apart is a file package primarily used to update Android apps, so this update was riddled with code that indicated what features would be coming to the platform down the road, but aren't accessible just yet. There is certainly a good chance Google Play Games will be fully unveiled at Google's I/O event next week in San Francisco.

JoystiqGoogle Play Games leaks out, will feature matchmaking and achievements originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Achievementsandroidcloud-savesgame-centergooglegoogle-playgoogle-play-gamesleaderboardsmatchmakingmobileSun, 12 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fieldrunners 2 sprinting to Android next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/fieldrunners-2-sprinting-to-android-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/fieldrunners-2-sprinting-to-android-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/fieldrunners-2-sprinting-to-android-next-week/#comments Fieldrunners 2 on Android next weekSubatomic Studios has announced that Fieldrunners 2, having already hit iOS and Steam, is hoofing it to Android next week. The release won't have any Android-only content, but it does have the original's twenty-plus hour campaign, colorful hand-painted graphics, and Time Trial, Sudden Death, and Puzzle modes.

The Android version of Fieldrunners 2 will be available on April 24 on the Google Play store. Subatomic says its next focus will be on releasing an update for the iOS version.

Continue reading Fieldrunners 2 sprinting to Android next week

JoystiqFieldrunners 2 sprinting to Android next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid-storefieldrunnersfieldrunners-2google-playiosmobilereleasesubatomic-studiosThu, 18 Apr 2013 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Fist Face Fight throws down April 18 on iOS, Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/fist-face-fight-throws-down-april-18-on-ios-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/fist-face-fight-throws-down-april-18-on-ios-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/fist-face-fight-throws-down-april-18-on-ios-android/#comments
Jared Bailey of developer Nocanwin has confirmed to Joystiq that Fist Face Fight will be available on Thursday, April 18. Fist Face Fight will be a free download on both Android and iOS devices, ad-supported with in-app purchases of in-game currency. Any in-app purchase will disable advertisements permanently.

Fist Face Fight is a self-described "frenetic physics based arena combat game" in which you defend your heart by punching back waves of encroaching ninja. They want your heart; punch them.

Gallery: Fist Face Fight (iOS, Android)

JoystiqFist Face Fight throws down April 18 on iOS, Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidapp-storefist-face-fightgoogle-playiosipadiphoneitunesjared-baileymobilenocanwinWed, 10 Apr 2013 00:20:00 EST<![CDATA['Epic Citadel' tech demo now on Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/epic-citadel-tech-demo-now-on-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/epic-citadel-tech-demo-now-on-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/epic-citadel-tech-demo-now-on-android/#comments Epic Games' 'Epic Citadel' tech demo now on AndroidAndroid users still can't partake in the acclaimed slashing hijinks of Epic Games' mobile showpiece Infinity Blade or its sequel, but they can walk around its medieval setting and watch things, like, render and stuff, now that Epic Citadel is available for free on Google Play and the Amazon Appstore.

Originally released on iOS way back in the stone ages (read: September 2010), Epic Citadel serves as both Unreal Engine 3 tech demo and phone hardware benchmarking tool, allowing Android users to not only see how pretty UE3's rivers are, but also how well their devices handle rendering them. Our Galaxy Nexus, for instance, ranked in at the "High Performance" level, churning out an average of 43.9 FPS at 1196 x 720. During testing, framerates peaked just below 60 FPS and momentarily bottomed out around 18 FPS.

As with the iOS release, there isn't a tremendous amount to actually do in Epic Citadel, aside from looking at fluttery banners and lens flares, and its on-screen twinstick controls are only recommended for those who enjoy being 100 percent out of control of their movement. Still, it's very pretty.

Gallery: Epic Citadel (Android)

Continue reading 'Epic Citadel' tech demo now on Android

Joystiq'Epic Citadel' tech demo now on Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazon-appstoreandroidbenchmarkbenchmarkingEpic-CitadelEpic-GamesGoogle-Playmobiletech-demoTue, 29 Jan 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Hexagon out on Android, temporarily $1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/super-hexagon-out-on-android-temporarily-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/super-hexagon-out-on-android-temporarily-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/super-hexagon-out-on-android-temporarily-1/#comments Super Hexagon out on Android, temporarily $1Terry Cavanagh's concentric chiptune masterpiece Super Hexagon is now available on most Android devices running Froyo or newer, provided said device has access to Google Play and runs hardware on par with (or better than) an iPhone 3GS.

Sadly, the port's issues with the Nexus 7 have yet to be resolved, and therefore the game won't run on Google's flagship tablet. "We're going keep an eye on the situation with the Nexus 7," Cavanagh said on his official blog. "If it ever improves, you can be sure we'll make it available on that device too."

To celebrate its release, the game is on sale for $0.99, though how long this promotional pricing will last remains a mystery. Seeing as Super Hexagon was our fifth favorite game of 2012, you should probably jump on that offer while it stands.

JoystiqSuper Hexagon out on Android, temporarily $1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgoogle-playmobilereleaserelease-datesalesuper-hexagonterry-cavanaghSat, 19 Jan 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery now out on Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/superbrothers-sword-and-sworcery-now-out-on-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/superbrothers-sword-and-sworcery-now-out-on-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/superbrothers-sword-and-sworcery-now-out-on-android/#comments If you missed your chance to grab the Android version of Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP during its surprise spotlight in the Humble Android Bundle 4, now's your time to pounce. The Android version is the full game, unchanged from its iOS and Steam siblings.

Sword & Sworcery on Android requires devices running OS 2.3 and higher, and is available as a $1.99 download on the Google Play store right now. It's a great game and, in the humble opinion of this editor, one of 2011's best.

JoystiqSuperbrothers: Sword & Sworcery now out on Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcapyCapybara-Gamesgoogle-playmobilesuperbrothers-sword-and-sworcery-epSat, 22 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zen Pinball HD loaded into the Android chute]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/zen-pinball-hd-loaded-into-the-android-chute/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/zen-pinball-hd-loaded-into-the-android-chute/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/zen-pinball-hd-loaded-into-the-android-chute/#comments Zen Pinball HD now on AndroidThe folks at Zen Studios will not be content until their digital pinball wares exist on every platform known to man. Today the developer lets loose Zen Pinball HD onto the Google Play store, a free download for Android 3.0 devices and up.

Zen Pinball HD includes the "Sorcerer's Lair" table gratis - within the app, you may purchase up to 15 additional tables through micro-transactions, including selections from Zen Studios' lauded Marvel Pinball series of tables. In fact, the developer is offering a special sale price for each of those Marvel tables over the next week: $.99 each. You don't have to be a billionaire playboy to appreciate a good bargain.

Continue reading Zen Pinball HD loaded into the Android chute

JoystiqZen Pinball HD loaded into the Android chute originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgoogle-playmobileZen-Pinballzen-pinball-hdzen-studiosWed, 19 Dec 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Play up to 700,000 apps for Android, closing in on App Store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/google-play-up-to-700-000-apps-for-android-closing-in-on-app-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/google-play-up-to-700-000-apps-for-android-closing-in-on-app-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/google-play-up-to-700-000-apps-for-android-closing-in-on-app-st/#comments Google Play up to 700,000 apps for Android, closing in on App StoreThere are now around 700,000 apps on Google Play, the same number Apple revealed last month as being on the App Store. Speaking to Bloomberg, Google divulged the new amount of available Android apps, having announced last month it was up to 675,000.

Google Play is apparently closing in when it comes to available apps, but there's a way to go yet in terms of app downloads. At its recent press event, Apple revealed a figure of 35 billion downloads on the App Store. That compares to 25 billion downloads on Google Play at last count.

Using those figures, there have been 8.5 Android and iOS app downloads per person on the planet. That's crazy to think about, even if it sounds relatively meager compared to the number of apps we've stuffed onto our devices.

JoystiqGoogle Play up to 700,000 apps for Android, closing in on App Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappleappsfiguresgoogle-playiosipadiphonemobileWed, 31 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Big Fish Unlimited makes a splash on Android by streaming games from the cloud]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/01/big-fish-unlimited-makes-a-splash-on-android-by-streaming-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/01/big-fish-unlimited-makes-a-splash-on-android-by-streaming-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/01/big-fish-unlimited-makes-a-splash-on-android-by-streaming-games/#comments Big FIsh Unlimited now on Google PlayBig Fish Games, proprietors of casual gaming, have released a new app on the Google Play store: Big Fish Unlimited. From within this app, Android users can access over 100 different casual games.

Big Fish Games is adding new games to the app each week and promises players can resume play between devices - if you start a game on your Android device, you can pick up where you left off on your PC through the cloud. Right now Big Fish Unlimited is, well, limited to folks in the U.S. running Android 2.2 or higher, but Big Fish promises to roll out the app to more regions "soon."

JoystiqBig Fish Unlimited makes a splash on Android by streaming games from the cloud originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 19:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbig-fish-gamesgoogle-playmobileSat, 01 Sep 2012 19:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy brings the Warriors of Light to Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/28/final-fantasy-brings-the-warriors-of-light-to-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/28/final-fantasy-brings-the-warriors-of-light-to-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/28/final-fantasy-brings-the-warriors-of-light-to-android/#comments Final Fantasy now on AndroidHot on the heels of Final Fantasy 3's launch on Android, the original has made its debut on the Google Play store - well, a remake of the original, anyway. Final Fantasy on Android is the same as the iOS version from years ago and the recent Windows Phone 7 version, both of which are based on the PSP remake from back in 2007.

Final Fantasy on Android is available for $6.99 in the Google Play store right now, and runs on Android 2.1-compatible devices and up.

JoystiqFinal Fantasy brings the Warriors of Light to Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfinal-fantasygooglegoogle-playmobilerpgsquare-enixwarriors-of-lightSat, 28 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Dark Knight Rises drops in on iOS and Android this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/the-dark-knight-rises-drops-in-on-ios-and-android-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/the-dark-knight-rises-drops-in-on-ios-and-android-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/the-dark-knight-rises-drops-in-on-ios-and-android-this-summer/#comments The Dark Knight Rises mobile game is a thing
Gameloft is developing an open-world mobile tie-in for The Dark Knight Rises, which looks to cater to the lucrative market of people who want to beat up bald dudes. At least, the first teaser trailer above promises plenty of that this summer, when The Dark Knight Rises debuts on iOS and Android devices.

JoystiqThe Dark Knight Rises drops in on iOS and Android this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbatmangameloftgoogle-playiosipadiphonemobilethe-dark-knight-risesThu, 14 Jun 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Play adds in-app subscription support for Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/google-play-adds-in-app-subscription-support-for-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/google-play-adds-in-app-subscription-support-for-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/google-play-adds-in-app-subscription-support-for-android/#comments ImageGoogle Play (formerly Android Market) now supports in-app subscriptions, so developers can optionally accept recurring payments for their apps. Subscriptions can be monthly or annual, and ... are all auto-renewing by default. Good news, developers! You'll get at least one accidental payment from a user.

First out of the gate to support this is Glu Mobile, which appears to be using it for recurring conversions of money to in-game credits in games like Frontline Commando. There's even API functionality allowing developers to use in-app subscriptions to determine access to non-Android-based properties, like websites - allowing an Android app to serve as the subscription system.

JoystiqGoogle Play adds in-app subscription support for Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgooglegoogle-playin-app-purchasesin-app-subscriptionsmobileFri, 25 May 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mass Effect: Infiltrator available on Android today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/mass-effect-infiltrator-available-on-android-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/mass-effect-infiltrator-available-on-android-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/mass-effect-infiltrator-available-on-android-today/#comments Mass Effect: Infiltrator - developed by the same team responsible for the mobile version of Dead Space - is now available for download in the Google Play store for $6.99.

In Mass Effect: Infiltrator, players take on the role of Cerberus defector Randall Ezno as he attempts to flee from a Cerberus base with intel for the Alliance. Progress in Mass Effect: Infiltrator affects your Galactic Readiness level in Mass Effect 3. And if you've been meaning to go back to the portable game, the latest update (version 1.0.3) added a new character and mission.

JoystiqMass Effect: Infiltrator available on Android today originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbiowareeaea-gamesgoogle-playmass-effect-3mass-effect-infiltratormobileWed, 23 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Play passes 15 billion downloads]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/google-play-passes-15-billion-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/google-play-passes-15-billion-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/google-play-passes-15-billion-downloads/#comments ImageGoogle Play, the download service formerly known as Android Market, crossed 15 billion downloads "a few weeks ago," Google told TechCrunch.

There's no information about what percentage of that 15 billion is games, but we can at least look at this as a handy comparison to the nearest competitor: Google has served up 15 billion since October 2008, while iOS apps have been downloaded (as of March) 25 billion times since July 2008.

There's also no information on how many of those downloads have been since the rebranding - we hope the name change hasn't been too confusing for Android users, leaving them desperately searching for the Android Market.

JoystiqGoogle Play passes 15 billion downloads originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgooglegoogle-playmobileTue, 08 May 2012 12:00:00 EST