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TUAW's Daily App: UNO
Everybody knows UNO, the classic card game where you have to match cards going around a table and try to clear out your hand before someone else clears out theirs. Gameloft produced the iPhone version, and it's a respectable recreation of the card game that's available in single or multiplayer. The game even has some extra rule sets, so if you're tired of the core game, you can try some others. Unfortunately, there's no Game Center integration, but the app was updated for Retina Display recently. In celebration of the game's 40th anniversary, it's on sale at 99 cents for a limited time, so head to the App Store and grab it while it's cheap. There's also a free version to try if a dollar is somehow too much, and there's an iPad HD version as well, though it's still at its normal US$4.99 price.
Magic: The Gathering - Tactics trailer taps its Blue Mana reserves
Curious to see what Magic: The Gathering - Tactics' most cerulean characters are going to look like once freed from the burdensome confines of their flat, glossy prisons? Check out the trailer for the card-strategy title (which is due out in a scant three days) below to see Blue Mana in motion.
Square Enix working on a Final Fantasy trading card game (not Triple Triad, sadly)
Square Enix has already proven itself entirely capable of creating compelling collectible card games within the virtual worlds of its Final Fantasy franchise -- in fact, occasionally, those mini-games became more engrossing than the adventures which surrounded them. That's why we can't wait to see what Square and CCG manufacturer Hobby Japan can do with the recently announced Final Fantasy Trading Card Game when it launches February 25, 2011. Potential players can start bolstering their collections by picking up the Japanese version of The 3rd Birthday, which will include a promotional card. Though a handful of samples have been revealed (pictured above), the actual rules of the game haven't been detailed. We're going to assume that you have to play it over and over and over again until you're strong enough to win. Also, playing summon cards will take three to six minutes, depending on the strength of said summon. Also, Chocobos have gots to be up in the mix.
An early look into CardMon Hero
For those who have ever enjoyed collectible card games, the idea of an MMO that features collectible and playable cards might be intriguing. Well, if you're in the market for a new game, Redbana, T3fun and Hanbitsoft have a treat for you. Their newest free-to-play game, CardMon Hero, offers a system that is heavily based on building up certain cards and playing them in the world against mobs and other players. Not only will players get cards for skills, but adventuring through the world will net special monster cards known as mercenary cards, which are picked up via questing, crafting, and drops. As of this evening, the game is entering closed beta as well. We had a chance to take a look at CardMon Hero with Redbana's Project Manager, Damien Moreno, who gave us an early peek at some of the things players can expect within the game. Many of the systems present will be fairly familiar to veteran MMO players. Movement is handled through either click-to-move or WASD. Also present are familiar UI options like action bars, maps, a quest journal, character sheet (with a cosmetic pane) and the like. Eventually, a cash shop will also be implemented, although Moreno informed us that it is being worked on to provide a plethora of cosmetic and helpful options, as opposed to gear or weapons that will create game-breaking imbalances between paid players and free-to-play gamers -- a very important thing to many Western gamers. For more on this free-to-play game, join me after the break, or check out the gallery of concept art and in-game screenshots below! %Gallery-107151%
CardMon Hero gearing up for closed beta, again
When it comes to free-to-play MMOs, we're used to seeing lots of imports. That said, this has to be one of the first ones we've seen imported three times to the West, only to keep changing hands. CardMon Hero, developed by Hanbitsoft for the Korean market, was initially picked up and ported by Gamengame. Earlier this year, we saw the game announced as part of the lineup for T3/Uforia, and now it's purely being published by T3 Entertainment/Redbana, along with a rebranding from Orka to Camon Hero and now CardMon Hero. The principles of the game remain the same: players who enjoy card games can travel around the world, picking up cards that will allow them to summon henchmen to fight for their side. The closed beta will start on November 10th, and signups are open if you'd like to take a whack at some thrice imported card-summoning MMOness. Perhaps the third time will be the charm for the game. In either case, we have a new trailer beyond the break for you to check out and decide if this triple-take title is your flavor of fun.
Aika expands enemy loot list to include NVidia video cards [Updated]
If there are two things that MMO players love, those things would probably be killing enemies and getting prizes. (The third would be cheesecake of either variety.) Aika seems keen to capitalize on this, and the game is running a promotion for players through the 13th of the month allowing those two passions to combine into one. For the duration of the event, every time you kill a monster, you have a chance of winning a brand-new graphics card from NVidia. The system for entry is simple. Any enemy fought within your level range will drop a token, which can produce one of two items. The first is an NVidia box which includes useful in-game items and certainly is nothing to sneeze at. The second is a raffle ticket, which automatically puts you in the drawing for one of the graphics cards, with more tickets meaning a better chance of winning a card. Aika players are also given a special page to track their entries, something that will no doubt become quite frequent as the event marches on. [Update: We've changed up the graphic with the most current one per the folks at gPotato. Note, the event runs through the 13th, not the 18th!]
TUAW's Daily App: Awesome Solitaire
Awesome Solitaire is (surprise!) an awesome solitaire game. The usual card game is so simple by now that presentation is everything, and Awesome Solitaire has presentation in spades. If you play in Awesome mode, the graphics are flashy, you get rewarded with points for combos, and the animation looks smooth and professional. Heck, the background is even animated with the accelerometer. My one argument is that there's no sound on the app at all -- as flashy and smooth as the graphics are, you'd think there would be some sparkling sounds to accompany them. But then again, I often turn the sounds on my phone down (especially in public), so the lack of sound on a pick up and play game like this doesn't hurt too much. This is the absolute coolest version of solitaire you will ever play on your iPhone. There aren't a lot of actual game options (there are lots of other versions if you want a little variety), but if you just want to sit back and move solitaire cards around, this is the way to do it. Oh, and one more thing: the app is free through the weekend. You really have no excuses at all -- go on over to the App Store and download this one.
TUAW's Daily App: Cartolina
Cartolina is an app that I noticed over on the great Drawn! illustration blog. While you might not want to get it yourself (it's the thought that counts with greeting cards, and I think that, with both cards and letters, the real thing is still better), you can't disagree that the art of this one is pretty incredible. Cartolina is originally a stationery company, printing cards and letterheads with elaborate and elegant designs on them, but they've also released an iPhone app. For US$2.99, you get access to nine different artistic templates, which can then be made into beautiful email or text messages. It's not a big deal (and it's no substitute for actually writing someone a letter -- something I already don't do enough of), but for classing up the standard congratulatory or simply nice email or text message, it'll work wonders. The app also has a built-in calendar with reminders of major events, and the app promises even more designs and features coming soon. Again, if you already have a schedule and a plan for sending greeting cards, the app probably won't interest you that much. But it's always nice to send someone a reminder that you're thinking of them, and having Cartolina around might help you do just that.
App review: Tichu card game ups the ante for digital trick taking
Normally, to get a game of Tichu going, you need to round up three friends. If you don't have any card-playing friends who know Tichu, then maybe you have to tell them you're going to have a Bridge party, then *bam!* you bust out the 56-card Tichu deck at the last minute. This sort of gamer subterfuge is a thing of the past, thanks to the brand-new Tichu app from Steve Blanding. Now, any number of players can enjoy the card game at any time: one person can play against three computer opponents or link up with other people on their iDevices (the $2.99 app is universal) and the computer will fill in any empty seats. Why bother with all of this? Because Tichu is one of the best – and most well-regarded – card game around. The rules will be familiar enough to people who enjoy trick-taking games but it's different enough to present a fresh challenge and is enjoyable every time. Keep reading to find out all about it. %Gallery-101273%
TUAW's Daily App: Solidarity Solitaire
Solidarity Solitaire is a pretty good version of Solitaire on the App Store, and developer Kyle Davis just recently released a free version supported by in-game ads. Just like the paid version, the free version is a no-frills affair. Solitaire is Solitaire, though, so if all you want to do is play a little solo card game, it'll do ya. The two quibbles I had with the app were that the free version doesn't offer a landscape orientation, so if you want that, you'll have to pay the 99 cents. Also, there's no auto-clearing of the board, even when you have opened up all of the cards. Update: The author of the app points out that there is an option for this. Then again, half of the point of Solitaire is just moving cards around, so maybe that's part of the game. If you play a ton of Solitaire and want a full-fledged experience, you'd probably be better served by shelling out for something like Solitaire City. It's much pricier, but with multiple modes, better graphics, and even leaderboards (wait -- leaderboards on a solo game? Solidarity offers that as well, thanks to OpenFeint integration), it might be worth the investment if you play cards on your iPhone a lot. If you just want a quick hit of pushing cards around, Solidarity (especially the free version) is worth a download.
Camon Hero reveals card production and dismantling with new action shots
It's almost cliche to say that a game has a unique art style these days, but Camon Hero is something of a special case. A card-based game with a setting and art style inspired by that odd pedigree, it may be the only place you can see things like a knight in armor fighting musketeers, angels, and flying gingerbread men. But there's more to the game than just the breadth of setting -- the game has just disclosed some details of the system whereby a character can break down unwanted cards or create new ones, thereby expanding their capabilities. Almost everything can be dismantled, from equipment to random items to cards. Dismantling produces both Arc Stones, used for summoning monsters and upgrading equipment, and possible bonus items. In addition, players can find recipes for new cards on the field, which can be assembled in town from various items. Since cards define a character's capabilities, dismantling and re-assembling are likely to be integral elements to gameplay. Check out the gallery below for several new shots of Camon Hero in action, and keep your eyes open for more news as the game moves through closed beta. %Gallery-90435%
iPad apps: defining experiences from the first wave
There are now over 1,348 approved apps for the iPad. That's on top of the 150,000 iPad-compatible iPhone programs already available in the App Store. When Apple's tablet PC launches, just hours from now, it will have a software library greater than that of any handheld in history -- not counting the occasional UMPC. That said, the vast majority of even those 1,348 iPad apps are not original. They were designed for the iPhone, a device with a comparatively pokey processor and a tiny screen, and most have just been tweaked slightly, upped in price and given an "HD" suffix -- as if that somehow justified the increased cost. Besides, we've seen the amazing potential programs have on iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and webOS when given access to a touchscreen, always-on data connection, GPS, cloud storage and WiFi -- but where are the apps that truly define iPad? What will take advantage of its extra headroom, new UI paradigms and multitouch real estate? Caught between netbook and smartphone, what does the iPad do that the iPhone cannot? After spending hours digging through the web and new iPad section of the App Store, we believe we have a number of reasonably compelling answers. Update: Now includes Wormhole Remote, TweetDeck, SkyGrid, Touchgrind HD, GoToMeeting, SplitBrowser, iDisplay, Geometry Wars and Drawing Pad.
First Look: Game Table for the iPad
Here's some screenshots for another upcoming iPad app called Game Table. The app brings Checkers, Chess, and various card games onto Apple's tablet with detailed graphics and an "intuitive" interface -- the developers claim it's like carrying full board games around with you, but without all the little pieces and doodads. Unfortunately, that also means that you don't actually "play" any games on the device -- it's just a series of boards and interactive pieces for them, so it's up to you as the player to determine how you want to actually move them around. That could be either a benefit (if you have a weird variation of poker or chess that you like to play that wouldn't normally be found in a mobile game, there you go) or a hindrance, if you'd rather your board game action be a little bit more guided. But the price is right -- the Game Table is set to release for just 99 cents. Game Table will be available on the App store at launch. %Gallery-89336%
Second Magic the Gathering expansion DLC detailed
Jonesing for a few handfuls of new decks for Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers? You could try throwing your real-life Magic cards at the screen as hard as you possibly could, hoping they'll somehow break into the virtual plane of existence. Or, you could take the more intelligent route and wait for the next batch of DLC to drop -- GamerBytes reports the expansion will add three new decks and "a slew of new cards" to the XBLA title. In addition, the DLC will feature a new single-player campaign (in which two of the new decks will be unlocked), as well as new challenges, personas, Achievements and Avatar Awards. There's no release date on the new content, but we'd previously heard a Spring launch window. Oh, hey -- it's Spring right now!
Couple marries at 5th Avenue Apple Store on Valentine's Day
We've seen robberies at Apple Stores before, we've seen kids rapping and we've even seen death threats, but I don't know that I've ever heard of a wedding in an Apple Store. That's what newlyweds Ya Ting Li and Joshua Li decided to do at midnight in the Fifth Avenue Apple Store on Valentine's Day -- right there among the iMacs and Macbooks, they got their wedding officiated by a turtlenecked Steve Jobs stand-in. The rings came in on an original iPod, and the cards and decorations were Apple-themed as well (one says "I love you more than this" with a picture of an iPhone on it). Why did they choose to have their wedding in an Apple temple? The couple even met at an Apple Store. We don't know the details of that, but we'd like to think their eyes found each other over a 17" MacBook Pro. Very cute. Congrats to the happy couple -- we would hope that they got AppleCare for the marriage, but we doubt they'd need it.
Palm Pre Plus shows off multitasking upgrade with 50 simultaneous apps (video)
Yea, you read that right -- fifty apps loaded side by side by freaking side on the Pre Plus, and the thing just kept on ticking. The chaps over at Pre Central decided to test out specifically how much of an improvement the doubling of RAM and storage in the new handset delivered, and they were not disappointed. Opening up the same apps on both phones, they found the original Sprint Pre (sporting a mere 256MB of RAM) ran out of puff at the 13 app mark, whereas the Pre Plus soldiered on until a nice round fifty was reached. Go past the break to see the video evidence for yourself -- long live multitasking!
Eye of Judgment: Legends to be released on PSN in spring
Not only does Eye of Judgment: Legends on PSP lack both the camera and physical cards that characterized the PlayStation 3 original, but it doesn't even have a disc. SCEA officially announced the game for the US, to be released only as a download on the PlayStation Store in (when else?) spring 2010. Despite the absence of real cards, players will still be able to expand their decks through additional PSN downloads. Cards can also be traded between players or earned in-game. Producer Kumi Yuasa promised more information on "new single and multi player modes," meaning that this game has additional content not found in the PS3 version, other than the "over 30" new cards being added to the deck.
The future of the ingame Darkmoon Faire
Larisa over at the Pink Pigtail Inn misunderstood the news we posted the other day about the Darkmoon Faire live event in France being canceled, and instead thought that the actual ingame event had been shut down for good. And that brought up an interesting question to her: so what if it was? The original Faire was an interesting idea, a way to bring the fun of a regular holiday (along with the usual quests, special items, and even a reputation to grind) around every month or so. But just like having Christmas every month would get old after a while, the Faire has sort of worn out its welcome -- players really only go there for following some arcane questline, and when they do get there, they're undoubtedly disappointed by how barren the place is.So what to do? Larisa suggests that the Cataclysm might just claim the whole thing -- Azeroth gets rocked, and no more Darkmoon Faire. I'd actually like to see the story go the other way: if there's a traveling group of performers with vast magical powers that's allowed to move at will between Horde and Alliance lands, wouldn't it be great if they were actually part of a secret society that had bigger interests rise to the top in a disaster situation? I'm sure Blizzard has more than enough on their plate for the next few content patches, but the Faire itself is due for an update, too, and it'd be nice to see it included in the larger storyline somehow.
Blizzard working to fix graphics issues on Macs
Reader Catsby sent along news of an issue that's apparently plaguing Mac users. Blizzard has confirmed that people using Macs with Nvidia 7300GT and 7600GT graphics cards in them (you can see what you've got by going to the Apple, "About this Mac," and then hitting more info) are having issues with framerates, especially around water and during boss fights (which is exactly when you want the graphics to mess up, right?) Unfortunately, there's no fix yet -- Blizzard says the issue is known and reproducible, and they're working to put a fix in "the next patch" (originally they say it'll be in a PTR patch 3.2.2 build, but a hint at the end of the thread suggests we may see it even sooner than that). So if your Mac has one of those graphics cards installed and you're having this issue, just sit tight -- Blizzard is working as fast as they can to get a fix out to you.
iPhone playing cards use washable PVC touchscreen technology
Wanna spice up your next poker night? Meninos would love to help you out there with its deck of iPhone-inspired playing cards. They certainly look the part, as at first blush we thought we were dealing with an app, and are novel enough to appeal even to our cold and cynical souls. Another shot lies after the break, and you can grab your own deck for $25 through the read link. [Via Chip Chick]
