Joystiq

PSA: Hunger Games: Girl on Fire out today

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire, the iOS adaptation of Suzanne Collins' breakout young-adult sensation, is now available for free on the App Store. As you'll recall, Girl on Fire was developed by a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young-esque indie-games supergroup captained by Adam Saltsman of Canabalt fame, featuring artwork by Super Crate Box's Paul Veer and music by Super Meat Boy composer Daniel Baranowsky.

The above trailer was actually created before the game was in a playable state, using a combination of the game's art assets, Adobe After Effects and a powerful amount of ingenuity. Hopefully Lionsgate's film version of The Hunger Games, which hits theaters tomorrow, will have as much effort put into it.

PSA: Hunger Games: Girl on Fire out today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Mouse is Firemint's latest iOS joint, available now

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:10:00 EST

We don't take very kindly to pesky rodents sneaking around our places of residence, and we like the concept of said rodents spying on us even less. Still, we can get down with some Firemint-developed iOS games and tell you about the studio's latest title: Spy Mouse, wherein a sneaky vermin codenamed "Agent Squeak" can navigate 72 different themed levels while avoiding enemies, grabbing cheese, and employing a variety of power-ups.

Considering that Spy Mouse is from the folks who created Flight Control, it's not a huge surprise that it looks like a twist on that game's control scheme and central concept, albeit with many fewer paths to address. Firemint head Rob Murray claims that, after two years working on the new game, it's "Firemint's best game yet." It's available now for $0.99.

Gallery: Spy Mouse (iOS)

Spy Mouse is Firemint's latest iOS joint, available now originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Furmins coming to iOS in freemium and premium versions

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST

If you want to pay the bare minimum when it comes to fur-related acquisitions, you'll be pleased to hear that Housemarque is planning a "freemium" version of Furmins, its upcoming creature-preservation puzzler for iOS.

The Dead Nation developer is making it a universal app -- meaning compatibility with iThings of all sizes -- with 12 levels and support for in-app purchases of DLC. The "freemium" version will sit alongside a premium universal app, which contains 40 levels spread across four worlds, and a cheaper iPhone/iPod version.

Your goal in Furmins is to guide the rotund race to every level's exit by placing items and bumpers in their path. Considering their pathetic, momentum-driven nature, it's not a huge surprise to learn that you're saving them from a dehydration-induced extinction. Their enormous ruler has rolled over and accidentally blocked the flow of water in a vital river, it says here.

Gallery: Furmins (8/24/11)

Furmins coming to iOS in freemium and premium versions originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Penny Poker

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 21:30:00 EST

Indie developers are the starving artists of the video-game world, often brilliant and innovative, but also misunderstood, underfunded and more prone to writing free-form poetry on their LiveJournals. We at Joystiq believe no one deserves to starve, and many indie developers are entitled to a fridge full of tasty, fulfilling media coverage, right here. This week, we're featuring Paul Perry's iOS app and excuse to write off trips to Vegas, Penny Poker.

What's your game called, and what's it about?

Penny Poker is a mobile video poker. It contains six styles of video poker: Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus, Tens or better, Aces and Eights, Loose Deuces and Joker Poker. It has Game Center support with global leaderboards and achievements.

The same app purchase gets you both iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad versions. For iPhone 4 Retina HD graphics are included. The game is really gorgeous. My girlfriend is an artist extraordinaire -- she also has an MFA -- and she is really able to create some incredible visuals. Each version has different background graphics. On top of that, the sound effects are really appealing.

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Penny Poker

The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Penny Poker originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Jul 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sword and Sworcery EP down to $1 today, pay what you want for the soundtrack

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST

If you've yet to pick up Superbrothers' strange and magical iOS title, Sword and Sworcery EP, you'll want to correct that humiliating omission before day's end. For today only, the game's been marked down to $0.99 on iPhone and $1.99 on iPad, and its soundtrack is temporarily pay-what-you-want.

Continue reading Sword and Sworcery EP down to $1 today, pay what you want for the soundtrack

Sword and Sworcery EP down to $1 today, pay what you want for the soundtrack originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Double Dragon punches iOS in the gut

Randy Nelson — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:59:00 EST

Beat-'em-ups are woefully under-represented on the App Store, but one of the genre's earliest classics has arrived to help fill the void. Enter the ... Double Dragon. Aksys Games has released Taito's seminal scrapper in updated form, compliments of developer Brizo Interactive, for an "introductory price" of $3.99 -- steep, yes, but set to increase to $7.99 at an unspecified point.

App Store reviews of the game -- which is ported from the Zeebo platform -- are mixed so far, with most complaints focused on the unnecessarily large (and opaque) "control panel." Still, it's said to be faithful to the original's gameplay and features multiple unlockable characters. See Billy and Jimmy get their clobber on after the break.

Continue reading Double Dragon punches iOS in the gut

Double Dragon punches iOS in the gut originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tilt to Live adds local 'Viva la Co-op' mode

Justin McElroy — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:50:00 EST

As teased in January, Joystiq favorite Tilt to Live has just added co-op play, which normally would be enough prompting for us to swear off work and spend the day exploding bombs and killing stupid dots together. Unfortunately, the news comes with a couple of caveats.

For one, co-op can only be played locally via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Additionally, it's only available in the game's "Viva La Turret" mode, with one player free flying and the other controlling the turret. (Also of note: finishing touches are still being put on the iPad version of the update.)

Of course, it's a freebie for anyone who's ponied up the buck for the Viva La Turret DLC, so we're not grousing too much. See what you're in for in the (very funny) co-op trailer after the break.

... So, umm, anyone wanna come over to our house and play? Mom made pizza rolls.

Continue reading Tilt to Live adds local 'Viva la Co-op' mode

Tilt to Live adds local 'Viva la Co-op' mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The worst version of Virtua Fighter 2 now on iPhone

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST

The iPhone is a surprisingly capable gaming device, something that's been proven quite handily lately by titles like Infinity Blade. Try to forget about that as you read the following news: Sega has released the Genesis version of Virtua Fighter 2 for iPhone. That's right, the least impressive version of one of the most technically demanding fighting games is now available for $2 on a device with no buttons. Enjoy!

The worst version of Virtua Fighter 2 now on iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iOS art game iCarus out now, free for one week

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 05:00:00 EST

Hey, do you feel like getting super bummed out? Don't feel weird about it -- we all get in those moods, sometimes. Usually we just curl up on the couch with our coffee-flavored ice cream and pop in A Walk to Remember, but if you're looking for something a little more non-dairy, you may want to check out indie developer Sir Realism's new iOS title, iCarus. (Not to be confused with iCarly, though we doubt anyone reading this particular blog would make that mistake.)

The game could safely be labeled as "artsy," featuring absolutely zero text and a highly interpretable storyline about a father grieving the death of his son. If that sounds up your alley, you can download iCarus from the App Store for free -- but only until January 19. Check out a trailer after the jump if you need more convincing!

Continue reading iOS art game iCarus out now, free for one week

iOS art game iCarus out now, free for one week originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uno for uno dollar on iThings this Tuesday

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST

If you've been looking for a (legitimate) excuse to scream "UNO!" in public, Mattel has got a deal for you: To celebrate Uno's 40th anniversary, the iPhone and iPad versions of the card game will be available for $1 on the App Store tomorrow, January 11 -- 1/11/11, geddit?

Continue reading Uno for uno dollar on iThings this Tuesday

Uno for uno dollar on iThings this Tuesday originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holiday Buyer's Guide: App Store Games

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:40:00 EST

From the conceptually insane Solipskier to the "you're clearly insane if you don't like this" Cut the Rope, 2010 saw the release of oodles of excellent and wildly divergent iOS games for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. These are our favorites.

To begin, click one of the links below to jump to a category or simply head on past the break to peruse the guide form top to bottom.

The Game For Everyone | For the Hardcore

Console Quality | Look At This | New-School Old School

One Minute, Man | Where'd the Time Go?

Continue reading Holiday Buyer's Guide: App Store Games

Holiday Buyer's Guide: App Store Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Secret of Mana on iPhone greenlit, should hit App Store tonight

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST

We were pretty skeptical about whether the iOS version of Secret of Mana, which was announced at E3 earlier this year then never heard from again, would make its 2010 launch target. According to an update on Square Enix DLG's Facebook page, it's going to make it just under the wire -- producer Masaru Oyamada revealed that the game has been greenlit for release on the App Store, and will arrive there sometime before the end of the month. According to Touch Arcade, the game just appeared on the New Zealand App Store, which usually means it will arrive in North America by the end of the day. Keep an eye out!

The Square Enix Facebook post didn't mention any new features which have been added to the classic early-90s gem, but there were a few screenshots of the game's user interface. It looks like a pretty standard action-RPG control scheme; whether it will be solid enough to let us tackle Mana's occasionally impossible bosses remains to be seen. (Here's looking at you, Spiky Tiger.)

Secret of Mana on iPhone greenlit, should hit App Store tonight originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Infinity Blade update next week, multiplayer coming soon

Justin McElroy — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:40:00 EST

The problem with releasing Infinity Blade, arguably the best looking iOS game ever? As Chair Entertainment has discovered, it's keeping up with the stream of new content that iOS players have come to expect.

"We're all very thrilled with how cool it looks, but the same amount of time it takes to make a high-res character for Gears is the same amount of time it takes to make one for Infinity Blade or to make these environments," Chair's Donald Mustard told Joystiq. "It takes time to make this stuff look awesome, and we want it to look awesome."

Make no mistake, Chair has a long-term plan for its slash-em-up, but it's a plan the 12-member development team has to be judicious about executing. Though players may have to wait for a bit for some of the big updates (like the multiplayer mode), Chair is taking advantage of the game's early popularity and pushing the first add-on through the App Store door next week.

Continue reading First Infinity Blade update next week, multiplayer coming soon

First Infinity Blade update next week, multiplayer coming soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega permanently drops prices on its iPhone and iPad titles

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST

If you've purchased an iDevice as a holiday gift for that certain special someone, Sega's made it a bit more affordable for you to load it up with some solid interactive apps. Nearly all of the publisher's games for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch have received permanent, sizable price cuts.

Continue reading Sega permanently drops prices on its iPhone and iPad titles

Sega permanently drops prices on its iPhone and iPad titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infinity Blade review: Greatness cut down to size

Justin McElroy — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST

I dodge, since even my hefty shield can't save me from a gorgeously rendered mechanical titan and his crushing boot. I curse myself for not wearing my magical healing ring. It was stupid, but I wanted the experience point from leveling up my weaker fire ring. I slash at the titan's hammer, trying to match the angle of his swing so I can successfully parry and hit him with a flurry of blows from my poison-tipped blade. I pull it off and move in for the kill, leaping skyward, the sun glinting off my armor as I bury the sword in the monster's metallic head.

This is Infinity Blade. And it's all happening on my iPhone.

Gallery: Infinity Blade (11/19/10)

Continue reading Infinity Blade review: Greatness cut down to size

Infinity Blade review: Greatness cut down to size originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reggie: Nintendo sees Apple as larger threat than Microsoft and Sony

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime wants to make sure you're not getting it twisted -- he's not competing with other game companies, but with the very concept of time itself. Speaking to Forbes recently, Fils-Aime explained that "It's all about time." Rather than just competing with the likes of Microsoft and Sony, Fils-Aime said, "I compete with Zynga, I compete with surfing the net, I compete with the newspaper." What about eating ice cream, Mr. Fils-Aime? Hmmmm?

Regardless, he does see one direct competitor to worry about: Apple. Fils-Aime rhetorically wondered, "Do I think that in the near term they can hurt us more than Microsoft? Absolutely." Though, despite astronomical sales of both the iPhone and iPod Touch, Fils-Aime believes that content will win the day, bringing up Dragon Quest IX as an example of a game that can "consume." He even pointed out that 14 of the top 20 selling games this generation originated with Nintendo.

Fils-Aime didn't point out Apple's bigger trump card -- its device does a lot more than play video games. We're confident that Nintendo isn't going anywhere anytime soon, but competing with a phone in terms of handheld sales? Not so sure about that.

Reggie: Nintendo sees Apple as larger threat than Microsoft and Sony originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Elite 11 still coming this month ... to iPhone

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST

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

EA might have stopped the presses of NBA Elite 11 console discs, but the iPhone version is still on track for release this month, according to EA Mobile. The division announced its fall lineup today, with FIFA 11 and EA Sports MMA rounding out the sports titles for iPhone (and iPod Touch) in October. Additionally, Heroes Lore, a popular mobile RPG in Korea (we're told), will be released this month in the App Store.

An iPhone version of Battlefield Bad Company 2, "based on the best-selling console game," leads EA Mobile's November charge, which includes High Caliber Hunting, a Retina Display-enhanced critter capper, featuring a multitude of brand-name firearms and gear. For iPad? There's SimCity Deluxe.

And for poor Android this fall? Just ... the Game of Life.

Continue reading NBA Elite 11 still coming this month ... to iPhone

NBA Elite 11 still coming this month ... to iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone Monkey Island Special Edition 1 & 2 on sale

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST

Here's a riddle for ya: Even if a woodchuck could chuck wood, and even if a woodchuck would chuck wood, should a woodchuck spend a buck -- aww forget it! Both Special Edition remakes of Monkey Island 1 & 2 for iPhone are currently just $1 -- and the iPad sequel is on sale, too!

Continue reading iPhone Monkey Island Special Edition 1 & 2 on sale

iPhone Monkey Island Special Edition 1 & 2 on sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guitar Hero iPhone gets Weezer pack

Justin McElroy — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 05:30:00 EST

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

A Weezer DLC pack has been released for the iPhone version of Guitar Hero to mark the release of the band's new album, Hurley. The collection includes the new track "Memories," as well as "Buddy Holly" and "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" from the Weezer back catalog. You can pick up the set for $1.99.

... What's that? You're saying we posted this news just so we'd have a threadbare excuse to embed the new Weezer-centric Auto-Tune The News after the break? Why, we're positively scandalized by your assertion.

Continue reading Guitar Hero iPhone gets Weezer pack

Guitar Hero iPhone gets Weezer pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvel collectible game coming to Facebook, iPhone

Justin McElroy — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST

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

Call us crazy, but we always suspected that the sort of projects MechWarrior / Shadowrun / Crimson Skies IP holder Smith & Tinker would work on would ... well, would be one of those three properties. But the company has continued to confound our expectations, first with kid-friendly MMO Nanovar and now with the announcement of a Marvel-licensed digital collectible game for Facebook, iPhone and other iOS devices due in 2011.

As you can see in then press release after the break, details are otherwise scarce, but Andreea Enache-Thune, Games and Digital VP at Marvel, assures us "this agreement [is] something Iron Man, Wolverine, Thor and Captain America are all quite proud of."

... Seriously, guys? You have Captain America and Thor sitting in on biz dev deals? There wasn't something more pressing they needed to attend to? Fine, but if anybody got mugged and/or murdered while your were at P.F. Chang's, hurriedly pitching Wolverine on your Facebook game, that's on you.

Continue reading Marvel collectible game coming to Facebook, iPhone

Marvel collectible game coming to Facebook, iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New iPod Touch with iOS 4, Retina Display, and Game Center revealed

David Hinkle — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:50:00 EST

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

During today's Apple event, Steve Jobs claimed that the iPod Touch was outselling the PSP and DS combined, and revealed a new version of the popular device modeled after the iPhone 4. The new iPod Touch has all the gaming capabilities of the phone, without the AT&T contract: iOS 4.1 with Game Center is a big deal, and Apple's crammed an A4 chip into the new iPod Touch along wit a 3-axis gyroscope, plus upgraded the screen with Retina Display. The redesign even features a front-facing camera.

The new iPod Touch will be available next week in an 8GB model for $229, a 32 GB model for $299 and a 64GB model for $399. You can pre-order it now.

New iPod Touch with iOS 4, Retina Display, and Game Center revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Apple fall 2010 event kicks off at 10AM PT / 1PM ET

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:40:00 EST

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

While the giant guitar logo hovering over the doorway isn't exactly spelling out "Game Center," we're anticipating some relevant news from Apple during the company's fall keynote event today -- it kicks off in 20 minutes!

Continue reading PSA: Apple fall 2010 event kicks off at 10AM PT / 1PM ET

PSA: Apple fall 2010 event kicks off at 10AM PT / 1PM ET originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix Members 2009 prizes unboxed

Andrew Yoon — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:30:00 EST

Have you been diligently buying and registering your games via Square Enix Members? The 2009 prizes finally shipped, and we snapped some pics of the Ultimate level gifts. Included in the box is a Square Enix branded iPod Touch, and a medal-enclosed box that includes a soundtrack CD, postcards and a desktop calendar. This is some of the highest-quality swag we've seen given to fans. It certainly makes Club Nintendo pale in comparison. Check it all out in our gallery below.

The 2010 program is currently ongoing. To register, visit the official Members website.

Gallery: Square Enix Members 2009

Square Enix Members 2009 prizes unboxed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA Mobile iPhone prices cut for 'Back to School' sale

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:29:00 EST

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

Surely, out of pity for the helpless masses returning to academia (because that march up the ivory tower is a long one), EA Mobile is slashing prices for its "Back to School" sale. For the Europeans, PocketGamer has listed all the titles, prices in the promotion. For the Americans, y'all can check out the titles and prices after the break.

Continue reading EA Mobile iPhone prices cut for 'Back to School' sale

EA Mobile iPhone prices cut for 'Back to School' sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple's Game Center goes green

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:30:00 EST

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

Apple's multiplayer gaming platform for iEverything -- Game Center -- may not have arrived just yet, but it appears that it's getting a bit of a face-lift on the back-end. As seen in the image above (care of Mobile Crunch), the color palette of GC has been lightened and varied quite a bit, going from a black and blue tone to a decidedly more billiard table-flavored one.

Given that the new look also bears a striking resemblance to our friend (and yours) Kermit the Frog, we're not exactly on the fence in terms of preference of the two -- what can we say, it's a lot more welcoming! Now all we need is an actual release of the client so we can see what else (other than the frontmost loading screen) it has to offer.

Apple's Game Center goes green originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone's Call of Duty: Zombies gets add-on Shi No Numa pack

David Hinkle — Thu, 27 May 2010 07:00:00 EST

There's only so much zombie slaughter one can engage in before dispatching the undead loses its luster, wouldn't you say? That's why Activision is looking to shake things up for its undead murder sim, Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies on iPhone.

IGN reports Shi No Numa will add the Zombie Swamp map to the game -- one of Call of Duty: World at War's maps. In Zombie Swamp, players will get access to new weapons (the Arisaka, Type 100 machine gun and the Wunderwaffe DG-2) and take on new enemies: Japanese soldiers and Hellhounds.

This is the second expansion released for Call of Duty: Zombies, joining the currently available Verruckt map pack. Current owners will be able to download Shi No Numa at the end of this week for $4.99 from the App Store. If you have yet to download the game at all, you can purchase Call of Duty: Zombies for the usual price of $9.99 with Shi No Numa already loaded.

iPhone's Call of Duty: Zombies gets add-on Shi No Numa pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 May 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joyswag: Alpha Protocol-themed 8GB iPod Touches [update]

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:00:00 EST

Update: We've closed the comments and will pick three lucky winners shortly. Keep an eye on your inboxes!

We've got three 8 gigglebyte iPod Touches with fancy Alpha Protocol branding etched on 'em -- and hey, we'd love to give them to three of you. For your chance to win, just come up with at least one idea for how a spy could use an iPod (other than leave it laying around to distract foolish lackeys, of course).

You have eight chances to enter -- once per day -- as this giveaway will be active for a full week. Don't worry -- it won't self-destruct at that time ... So, what could a spy do with an iPod Touch? You tell us! To enter:

Leave a comment telling us something a spy might do with an iPod Touch.
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec).
Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day.
This entry period ends at 3:00PM ET on Wednesday, June 2.
At that time, we will randomly select three winners to each receive one 8GB iPod Touch with limited edition Alpha Protocol branding (ARV $199.99).
For a list of complete rules, click here.

What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition.

For more info on our policy, click here.

Joyswag: Alpha Protocol-themed 8GB iPod Touches [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 May 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swag Sunday: 32GB iPod Touch [update]

David Hinkle — Sun, 02 May 2010 15:30:00 EST

Update: The entry period has concluded. Keep an eye on your email to see if you won!

We've got a 32GB iPod Touch courtesy of Sega, pre-loaded with Football Manager 2010 leftover from our review, and we're looking to pass it on to one lucky reader. For your chance to score this limited edition iPod -- it's 1 of 45 laser-etched with the Football Manager 2010 logo -- just follow the simple rules below:

Leave a comment telling us your favorite football (you know, "soccer") player of all time.
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec).
Limit 1 entry per person per day.
This entry period ends at 3:31PM ET on Monday, May 3.
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive the limited edition 32GB iPod Touch (ARV: $299.99).
For a list of complete rules, click here.

Swag Sunday: 32GB iPod Touch [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 May 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Saboteur has much more color on iPhone

David Hinkle — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

EA's The Saboteur must've gotten lost down an alley or something, because it's just emerged on the iPhone. Developed by Hands-On Mobile, the port takes a noticeable departure from the strong visual style its console-bound comrade went with, yet retains a lot of the narrative elements: you still play as Irishman Sean Devlin and he's still trying to get those darn Nazis out of France.

You can check it out right now by hitting up the App store or, if you're checking out Joystiq on an iPhone, by tapping the little gray button you see below. Na toilich do mhiann gus am feuch thu do sporan!

The Saboteur ($2.99):

Gallery: The Saboteur (iPhone)

[Via PocketGamer]

The Saboteur has much more color on iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix details upcoming membership rewards

JC Fletcher — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST

If you're in North America and you've been dutifully collecting Square Enix games, you may have some free stuff headed your way. The end of the current reward period for the Square Enix Members club is coming up on March 31, at which point Square Enix will ship out rewards depending on your "tier" rank -- a status awarded based on the number of games you've registered through the program.

For the mere seconds of work we just spent registering a single game, we hit "bronze" status and earned a postcard set featuring Final Fantasy XIII, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Star Ocean The Last Hope International artwork. Silver members will get a desktop calendar with artwork from Final Fantasy XIV, Front Mission Evolved and other games; Gold members get a music compilation on CD; and Ultimate members will get an 8GB iPod Touch and a free Square Enix game to play on it!

Square Enix details upcoming membership rewards originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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App development surges thanks to iPad announcement

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST

According to statistics compiled by mobile industry analysis firm Flurry, new development projects for the iPhone "exploded" during the month of January. The number of new projects during the first month of 2010 more than tripled the total for December -- an upswing which Flurry's "Smartphone Industry Pulse" report chalks up to excitement over the announcement of the Big and Tall model of Apple's multitouch device, the iPad.

In fact, that excitement was so palpable that it managed to reverse an upward trend for Android app development, as seen in this graph. Perhaps this trend could be re-reversed -- if only Motorola would introduce a mobile device that's roughly the size of a baking sheet.

[Via IndustryGamers]

App development surges thanks to iPad announcement originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed II: Discovery back on iPhone

David Hinkle — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:15:00 EST

Like, for serious this time! We know the game initially snuck into the App Store, only to evade our attempts to download by vanishing into the night almost as quickly as it came, but now it's back for good. Ubisoft has announced that iPhone and iPod Touch users can now download Assassin's Creed II: Discovery for $9.99 -- around twice the cost of hiring a pack of 15th-century prostitutes to distract some guards for you. Nowadays, you don't even want to know how much that costs. Thanks, inflation!

Download Assassin's Creed II: Discovery - $9.99

Gallery: Assassin's Creed 2: Discovery

Assassin's Creed II: Discovery back on iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unreal Engine 3 up and running (and shooting) on iPhone

Randy Nelson — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST

[AnandTech]

Epic Games has again shown itself a practitioner of the dark magicks by porting its powerhouse Unreal Engine 3 to iPhone. AnandTech got a peak at a playable tech demo, featuring a weapon and architecture from the Unreal Tournament series. Although, the site says it was told this shouldn't be taken as a sign that Epic is getting into iPhone game development.

The demo evidently ran quite smoothly, but the engine requires Open GL ES 2.0, meaning that it will only run on the iPhone 3GS or the third-generation iPod Touch. Check out a quick -- we're talking 15 seconds -- video of the demo, made by AnandTeach, after the break.

Continue reading Unreal Engine 3 up and running (and shooting) on iPhone

Unreal Engine 3 up and running (and shooting) on iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mirror's Edge vaults onto the iPhone

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST

Click to see all of Faith's roof-hopping antics.

So, hypothetical situation. You're perched on the roof of a skyscraper, peering across a lengthy chasm to the adjacent building, where your destination lies. You're suddenly overcome with doubt and uncertainty! If only you had some sort of portable parkour training manual which could show you the proper timing and form for such a jump. Fortunately, your hypothetical needs are being tended to. According to a recent EA press release, the high-flying, first-person adventure, Mirror's Edge, will soon land on iPhones and iPod Touches.

A few screenshots for the title (which is due out in January) show that while it will be in 3D, we'll be operating from a side-scrolling perspective rather than being stuck within Faith's head.

Gallery: Mirror's Edge (iPhone)

Mirror's Edge vaults onto the iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone beats Wii, DS, PSP: 'fastest hardware growth in consumer tech history'

Christopher Grant — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST

If you wonder why analysts love the iPhone, wonder no longer! Those rascally number crunchers just love to make bold proclamations and Apple's iPhone / iPod Touch ecosystem allow them to do just that. Let's start with Mary Meeker, internet analyst at Morgan Stanley, who told the Web 2.0 Summit crowd yesterday that the iPhone and iPod Touch (which share a common software platform) exhibited the "fastest hardware user growth in consumer tech history"! Don't believe her? Check out that chart. Those numbers even make the DS look pedestrian.

Couple Meeker's research with DFC Intelligence analyst David Cole's assertion that the iPhone and iPod Touch devices will be the "primary drivers of mobile game market sales over the coming years" and you've got what those of us in the biz call "consensus."

Still think it's not a real gaming platform?

iPhone beats Wii, DS, PSP: 'fastest hardware growth in consumer tech history' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spell the day away with Boggle on iPhone

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:30:00 EST

EA Mobile certainly hopes your fascination with crafting words from letter-filled grids on your iPhone hasn't waned -- the developer recently released a port of Hasbro's Boggle onto the App Store. Though it lacks Word Scramble's robust multiplayer system (and free-ness), it does possess one feature that justifies its $2.99 price tag: Achievements. Lots of achievements. Seriously, wordsmithing hasn't been this rewarding since you won those tickets to Dollywood in your fourth grade spelling bee.

We take it back. This is way more rewarding than that.

Boggle ($2.99, EA Mobile):

Spell the day away with Boggle on iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rockstar's Beaterator kicks it on the iPhone this fall

David Hinkle — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST

Timbaland's beat-blasting PSP game Beaterator is exclusive to Sony's platform no more, as Rockstar just announced the music-making application is headed to the iPhone, alongside Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. Set for release sometime this fall, the title "features thousands of loops and sounds made by both Timbaland and Rockstar, and puts the power to make professional-level music at your fingertips in a format that's portable, accessible and fun."

Sadly, no price has been mentioned, but we're sure you won't have to pony up that much scratch. Get it? Hey, where are you going?

Rockstar's Beaterator kicks it on the iPhone this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega calls for your iPhone game ideas

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:00:00 EST

Sega of America wants to hear the vox populi's suggestions for iPhone and iPod Touch games. Frankly, if you don't give them ideas, you know the powers that be will just pump out more Sonic -- they just don't know any better! The community team is saying that all ideas are welcome and that they'll add them to their upcoming presentation list. Two rules: the suggestions must be first-party Sega games; and they can't involve original games (who would want such a thing?).

Sega is taking recommendations through Twitter, Facebook and on its forums. Feel free to leave some ideas below too, though we can't confirm that Sega will read them here. We're all for games from Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection receiving visual upgrades and loving ports, as unlikely as that may be.

Sega calls for your iPhone game ideas originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Worms launch assault on App Store, available for five bucks

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:05:00 EST

If your appetite for caecilian destruction hasn't been satiated by the recently released Worms 2: Armageddon, you'll be pleased to know that you can now get your fill on the go with the even more recently released Worms app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

For $4.99, it sounds like a nice little package. There's four-team multiplayer, unlockable items and over 50 challenges for the lone wolves among us to explore. Best of all, you can still customize your team names -- just keep it classy, folks. Your Weather app is watching.

Worms launch assault on App Store, available for five bucks originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gameloft on its 40 iPhone games: 'not volume business'

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 EST

Weighed against the more than 50,000 other apps in the App Store, Gameloft's 40 iPhone games might seem minuscule, but there's no doubt the mobile publisher has taken a prolific approach to striking gold in the mad rush to mine Apple's virtual territory. Putting top spin on his words, Gameloft CEO Michel Guillemot insists to Pocket Gamer, "We're not in the volume business. We're in the experience business." And my, what variety of experience there is!

Gameloft has ported every manner of popular genre into an iPhone game and, despite mixed results, has managed to maintain a presence in both the top 100 paid games and paid (overall) apps lists -- with two bargain-bin sales currently in effect, Gameloft has four games among the top 100 paid apps right now. Key to this success, Guillemot claims, is staggering releases: "You can't take care of your titles when you're releasing them shotgun." So, do we just ignore that DJ Mix Tour, Real Tennis 2009 and Rise of Lost Empires were all released on June 3? Clearly, Gameloft is in the volume business, and it's working. But what are the drawbacks?

Guillemot suggests that the speedy Terminator Salvation: The official game price slash (from $9.99 to $4.99) is an example of Gameloft quickly responding to "consumer expectations," as if it is some breakthrough in seller-buyer relations. That's a crafty way of covering up the fact that Gameloft wasn't taking care and, in turn, diluted the market and damaged the integrity of iPhone games that might be worth $9.99. A more lasting effect could be the discouraging of developers that would have otherwise set out to create content worth that ceiling price, but instead turn to those half-baked, $0.99 efforts that are piling up -- almost literally -- a dime a dozen. But hey, at least there's no shortage of experience.

Gameloft on its 40 iPhone games: 'not volume business' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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