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Mastering Jenga taught this robot real-world physics
Artificial intelligence is already better than humans at video games, quiz shows and an ancient Chinese board game. Next up, the bots are coming for Jenga. In a newly-published paper, scientists from MIT describe how they taught a robot real-world physics and a practical sense of touch by unleashing it on the tricky tower-building game. Why Jenga? Because unlike purely cognitive games that rely on visual cues, such as chess or Go, Jenga "requires mastery of physical skills such as probing, pushing, pulling, placing and aligning pieces," claims MIT's Prof Alberto Rodriguez.
Daily App: Jenga brings a piece of the puzzle game to your iOS device
If you don't have time at home for a quick game of Jenga, don't worry -- you can bring the game along with you and play against others on your iPhone. Natural Motion, the team behind the Apple-showcased Clumsy Ninja, created a version of the Jenga game along with the help of game inventor Leslie Scott. The iOS version of Jenga keeps the same gameplay as the original puzzle block game. You have a traditional tower of blocks that you must carefully disassemble and rebuild without causing the structure to collapse. The controls make it easy to remove and replace blocks and the physics that control the collapse of the structure are realistic. The game features several modes of play including a single person challenge and multiplayer mode where you play against another person online. There's also an pass and play mode for playing in a group and an arcade mode that challenges you to move fast and match colors as your earn coins. The biggest issue with Jenga is the game itself -- it's a virtual game and cannot capture the tactile cues that are critical to the gameplay. When you pull out a block on the iPhone, the experience is fluid and smooth, which is much different from the real-life game. What is missing are the subtle tactile cues like the the resistance when you remove a block and the wobbling of the structure that tell you whether you've made the right choice or a costly mistake. Also, the app is not updated for the iPhone 5/5s, which is a mixed blessing. Those with a newer iPhone might be annoyed by the borders around the game, while those with an iPhone 4/4s may appreciate an older game that runs well on their device. Diehard fans of the Jenga game will enjoy the casual gameplay and the multi-player modes. Jenga is available for free from the iOS App Store so you don't have to pay anything to play it.
Hasbro lands deal for real-world Tetris games, brings us our L blocks this August
With all the Tetris ports we've seen to not-quite-digital mediums, there's been very few truly physical games built around those seven iconic pieces. Hasbro plans to explore that final frontier shortly. It just reached a licensing deal with The Tetris Company to offer "multiple" very tangible games based on Alexei Pajitnov's original vision. The expansion starts in August, when we'll see a light-matching, Tetris-themed version of Bop It! and the seemingly inevitable Jenga variant. We'll have to wait for more details, although we hope Hasbro isn't too authentic -- we'd like a few more straight pieces this time around. [Image credit: Juanjo Marin, Flickr]
Super Mario Balance Block is Jenga for goombas
You know, when you stop and think about it, Mario has had a pretty hard life. He's single-handedly saved pretty much everything that can possibly be saved, from princesses to whole entire galaxies, but it's still never enough. There's always one more mountain for Mario to climb, one more castle in need of conquering, one more koopa to coop up. Now, in what may be his most sadistic and tragically doomed challenge to date, Mario has been tasked to climb a tower that is destined to fall, in the form of Super Mario Balance Block, a table-top Jenga derivative due out in Japan this November. Not to be confused with that other Mario-infused Jenga derivative, Balance Block somehow augments traditional Jenga gameplay with Super Mushrooms, although we doubt Mario will be able to complete his impossible task, even with their help. Currently, it doesn't look like Super Mario Balance Block will be officially released stateside, however there are a few different import options in the source link, if that's your thing. You monster.
Jenga for iPhone has great graphics, frustrating gameplay
Jenga. Jenga. J-J-J-Jenga. Now that you've got that Jenga song stuck in your head, you're ready for a review of Jenga on the iPhone. The original Jenga was about as simple as games get. As the song goes, you take a block from the bottom, and you put it on top. Or, you can take a block from the middle, then put it on top. Once the tower of wooden blocks falls over, the game ends. When two or more players play, the one who caused the tower to topple is the loser. The basic gameplay works exactly the same way on the iPhone, with graphics that seem almost excessively beautiful for a game of this type. But there's one very critical "gotcha" that made the game incredibly frustrating for me -- without any sort physical feedback, I found the game almost impossibly difficult compared to the real-world version of the game. Read on to discover how Jenga proved to be both an unexpected delight and an exercise in frustration.
NaturalMotion moving into publishing, naturally
Developer NaturalMotion, perhaps best known for its Morpheme and Euphoria middleware, has announced that it will begin publishing games digitally, beginning with a couple of iOS projects. According to GI.biz, Jenga and Backbreaker 2: Vengeance (really -- that's the subtitle for a football game?) will be the first products out of the company's new publishing division. The developer's first Backbreaker game has been reportedly downloaded over three million times from the App Store, offering a solid clue as to why NaturalMotion is moving in this new direction. "We believe there is a significant opportunity in combining the ease of use and connectivity of social games with the stunning performance of modern devices such iOS, Android and consoles," said CEO Torsten Reil. According to the NaturalMotion website, Jenga for iOS will be the publisher's inaugural release this holiday.
XBLA's Hasbro Family Game Night adding Pictureka!, Connect 4x4 and Jenga
EA's Hasbro Family Game Night collection on XBLA will receive three new titles this summer: Pictureka!, Connect 4x4 and Jenga. It's relatively easy to imagine how the Xbox 360 interpretations will work with Pictureka! and Connect 4x4. Pictureka! is a hide-and-seek visual game, whereas Connect 4x4 is a twist on the classic title, which supports more players and includes a "super squares" mode with power-ups on the board. As for Jenga -- and its real-world repercussion of creating a mess once your block tower topples -- EA might just capture some of that Boom Blox magic in HD. Although, we still posit that playing Jenga on a computer screen is about as suspect as clothed Twister.
Hasbro Family Game Night 2 arrives on Wii in October
Hasbro Family Game Night 2 hits the Wii (ever so gently) this October with more family-friendly games based on real-world Hasbro titles. The latest installment delivers: Operation, "Boppit," Jenga, Pictureka and Connect 4x4. It also includes Mii integration and a "Family Game Show" mode that allows multiple players to face off in a game night competition. For those with a collection itch, playing the various titles found in the game will unlock a slew of items for hosts Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head to wear -- and unlike at home, the items aren't stored up their ... oh my, let's just end here.
Off the Grid + Joyswag: Donkey Kong Jenga
Update: Entry period for the giveaway has ended. Saria the Cat was randomly selected, and here's her winning entry: "Ticket to Ride expansion using the Ocarina of Time Hyrule map. Yeah, I know I'm creative. Not." Congrats to the winner, and you can still read our impressions of the game below!It's been awhile since we've brought you an Off the Grid post, and we're returning with a special edition where you can actually win the game we're talking about. During the final rounds of this year's Omegathon at PAX '08, Jenga was one of the most exciting things to watch. Which block would they pull out next? Who would topple the tower? Is it cheating to use two hands?USAopoly has been putting out branded versions of popular board games since 1994. They currently produce eight different versions of Jenga including Casino Jenga: Las Vegas Edition, and the timely Jenga: Halloween Edition. The most recent version of the game is Donkey Kong themed, features different colored Marios, pink girders, a spinner, and Pauline (not Princess Peach) who was the damsel in distress in the arcade game. Read all about it after the break, and steady your hand before commenting so you can win one of your very own.
PAX 2008: Omeganaut shows us his special Jenga move
Ben Gray, aka MNC Dover from Monday Night Crew, was eliminated from the Omegathon on Saturday, but they were nice enough to let him pass along his words of wisdom, and his ultra-secret Jenga move. If you want to know how to get a leg up on the competition, check out the video above.One thing's for sure, if you use this move you'll never get invited to play Jenga ever again. Which might be exactly what you're looking for.
Omegathon 2008 lineup includes Peggle, Boom Blox, Rock Band, Jenga
The 2008 Penny Arcade Expo Omegathon V lineup has been revealed and it feels surprisingly casual. There's no Doom or Quake title like we've seen in every previous Omegathon. Also new: starting the first round with a non-board game (Jenga has been pushed to round 5). Here's the list: Round 1: Peggle Round 2: Boom Blox Round 3: Pictionary Round 4: Rock Band (Our guess is Rock Band 2) Round 5: Jenga Final Round: *** TOP SECRET *** The 20 Omeganauts have already been chosen (congratulations to any Joystiq readers who made the cut!); first prize this year is a trip for two to the Tokyo Game Show with all expenses paid and $5,000 in "walking around money."While last year's Omegathon skipped the previous tradition of using a classic retro title (Pong, Combat, Tengen Tetris), every year has featured an id Software shooter. With Rage, Doom 4 and the new Wolfenstein looking unlikely, we're trying to think of another potential, unreleased FPS that could top last year's surprise Halo 3 inclusion. If Tycho and Gabe are looking to make our heads explode, maybe they can get Duke Nukem Forever. We won't find out until minutes before the final round on Sunday, August 31 at 4:30 PM PT. In the meantime, check out the list of past Omegathon lineups, and feel free to make your own and play along at home.
WRUP: Getting every last star edition
Yes, we're still knee-deep in Mario's latest outing, despite a strong desire to pick up the latest release chock full of block-stacking. We're so busy what with blogging a lot that we've only had enough time to gather about 30 stars, maybe a few more. All of you out there in Reader Land probably could put us to shame with your own star count.As with every Friday, we're doomed to that question that must be asked: what are you playing? Are you going to be gathering up stars or will you be stacking blocks? Are you planning on playing something else?
Wii releases for the week of December 3rd
There isn't much in the way of games you've probably been looking forward to this week, but, then again, there probably isn't going to be anything you've been dying to get until NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams releases. So, if some movie tie-ins are your thing, then you're in luck. Or, if you're a fan of Atari games. The Golden Compass Alvin & The Chipmunks Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Godzilla Unleashed Jenga Plan on picking any of these games up this week?
Jenga, thy name is genius
Europe tends to be left out in the cold for many great releases, starved and forgotten about like the bastard children of rich CEOs and politicians. You can count your lucky stars, though, Europe, because things are looking up. The angels must truly be smiling at you, because a gem, nay, a diamond in the form of a Jenga DS cart is being released on European soil (descending from the heavens, if you will) only two weeks after its U.S. release.If you know anyone at all in the U.S., you can probably attest that they have not stopped talking about Jenga for the DS. We can't imagine what it must have been like during those tortuous two weeks, while your friends across the pond were rubbing their Jenga exploits in your face. Now, however, you are finally granted the privilege of purchasing a game worthy of a Nobel Prize (forget Game of the Year).We're actually outraged that this game is retailing for only $29.99. With gameplay as good as this, you're getting a lot of value for your money. And just look at those effects as the block is placed on top of the pile! What a steal, amirite?Note: We apologize in advance for the heavy sarcasm, but we felt that a post consisting entirely of the word "What?" would have been a bit too short.
DS releases for the week of November 12th
Hmm, with all the games out this week, it seems like there should be something that really gets our hearts pumping. Maybe it's WordJong. After all, we liked it, but nah, that's not really an incomparable thrill ride. Cooking Mama 2? Just doesn't seem like it. We can cross off Baby Pals and all the Petz and Horsez games, too. It's right there, on the tip of the tongue ... what could it be?Oh yeah: Contra 4. At last, dear friends, it's here! Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? Baby Pals Contra 4 Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders Impossible Mission Jenga Monster Jam Need for Speed ProStreet Orcs & Elves Petz: Catz 2 Petz: Dogz 2 Petz: Hamsterz Life 2 Petz: Horsez 2 Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 Strawberry Shortcake: The Four Seasons Cake Super Fruit Fall Ultimate Mortal Kombat WordJong WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008
Jenga to collapse on the DS
With Jenga headed to the Wii, the DS seems like as good a candidate as any for the title. And, now we know the game is headed our way. The true question, though, is do you care? It still is just Jenga and we feel like some of the appeal of the game can only be stemmed from playing it right there with friends, pointing and laughing like a maniac when they make the stack fall.As of right now, Atari will be bringing the game to Europe and the states this November.[Via Go Nintendo]
Physics nerfed for Jenga
We suspected that the Wii controls would make Jenga significantly more difficult than the real thing, but that isn't the case, according to Siliconera's Spencer Yip. Instead, he found that it often required real effort to make the tower fall down. He tested this by smacking the tower with his virtual hand a few times, which caused shifting, but not collapse. He was slightly down on the idea of an easier Jenga, but we could see ourselves making it fun for ... a few minutes. Imagine putting every piece on top of the tower so that it sticks out halfway, creating a tower that builds outward at a 45 degree angle. Can't do that with real Jenga! Seriously, though, the defining image of Jenga is of the tower toppling in a humiliating cacophony and spectacular dispersion of blocks. We don't know if it's going to feel like Jenga without constant failure.
Wii Warm Up: Tabletop style
With the news that Jenga is coming to the Wii, and with the Wii so perfect for certain other games (DS/Wii Pictionary, maybe?), we're curious what else you might possibly be interested in. One of the best parts about board games on XBLA, for example, is the lack of setup or cleanup (which is always nice), but how many games really translate well? Also, are such games better suited for download services or budget titles?
Spielberg enters booming Jenga genre
Which of these two recently-announced Steven Spielberg games would you want to play?
