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ICYMI: Massive Minesweeper, Android 4 BlackBerry and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-935334{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-935334, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-935334{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-935334").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Today on In Case You Missed It, I've replaced Kerry Davis in a sinister plot to take over the show while she's on vacation drinking Angry Orchard by the lake. In actual news, we celebrated Windows 95's 20th birthday with a throwback to "The Rachel" in a promo video for Microsoft's famed OS, starring Jennifer Aniston and Matthew Perry. In related, albeit more panic-inducing news, someone's made a giant game of Minesweeper to drive you bat shit crazy. A Brazilian vlogger gave us a glimpse of the world's most popular operating system on one of the world's least popular phones. And, finally, someone with a whole lot of time on his hands came up with the ultimate way to sink your battle ship. If you come across any interesting videos, we'd love to see them. Just tweet us with the #ICYMI hashtag @engadget or @mskerryd. And if you just want to heap praise on your handsome guest host, feel free to hit me up @mr_trout.
10 people will get to play a 24-screen game of Minesweeper
I'm not quite keen on playing a massive game of Minesweeper when a tiny one is enough to make me go nuclear. But hey, if you've always dreamt of playing it on 24 high-definition displays, you can send in an application to participate in the Minesweeper Super Challenge by a company called Cinemassive. To celebrate Minesweeper's 30th anniversary, Cinemassive is having 10 people compete on a gargantuan screen. Because, obviously, nothing quite celebrates pushing gamers everywhere to the edge for 30 years than having to clear 38,799 mines. The project page says you'll be able to play "from the comfort of your home," so we're assuming you'd be able to control the company's setup remotely if you're chosen. Before you apply, note that you get three tries before you're out, and you only have 12 hours to beat the game. I'd definitely understand, though, if you ragequit somewhere in the middle.
Solitaire returns to Windows 10: the bouncy cards are back!
To the dismay of many users, Microsoft decided to remove its Solitaire, Hearts and Minesweeper games from Windows 8. But now, to celebrate the venerated card game's 25th anniversary (it debuted all the way back on Windows 3.0), the company is making things right. Microsoft has announced that a modernized version of Solitaire will return to the Start menu from the Windows Store where it had been relegated. Unfortunately fans of both Hearts and Minesweeper will still have to grab both of those games online and install them individually.
Almost 40 Windows Phone games get updates to work with newer devices
Microsoft made a big fuss over Windows Phone's gaming abilities right from the start, but it's hard to appreciate that if you're a newcomer; many classic titles never made the leap to Windows Phone 8, or were never tuned for budget devices. Not all of those releases will be consigned to the history books, however. In a sudden revival, nearly 40 older games (according to WPCentral) have been updated to either run on Windows Phone 8 in the first place or else support devices with a modest 512MB of memory, like the Lumia 630. You may know some of the upgraded games off-hand. Microsoft's relatively recent Halo: Spartan Assault is the highlight, but we've also spotted earlier gems like Hexic, ilomilo and even Minesweeper. This renaissance probably won't lead to any Windows Phone converts, but it should give first-timers a warmer welcome -- and veterans a trip down memory lane.
Microsoft connects Windows 8 for PCs, phones with new Solitaire, Minesweeper and Mahjong
As a late holiday gift, Microsoft is finally syncing up some of the popular software from its desktop and tablet Windows OS with the latest version of Windows for phones. We are, of course, referring to classic Windows games like Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Minesweeper (which also has a WP7 version) and Mahjong, which as of today are available on Windows Phone 8. Better still, they're enhanced for Xbox leaderboards, achievements and stat-tracking, with the ability to pause and resume games across Windows PCs, phones and tablets. They're all free, so hit the links to download them and waste time on the go just like you do at work.
Smartphone-powered mine detectors readied for field-testing in Cambodia (video)
Red Lotus Technologies is now refining and pitching its PETALS technology for real-world use around the world. Short for Pattern Enhancement Tool for Assisting Landmine Sensing, the system connects acoustic sensors to smartphones, outputting a silhouette of what lies below onto the phone's screen. The company has expanded from an initial research project that paired mine-detecting sensors with the processing clout (and availability of) smartphones. It's now developed some tablet-based training equipment for de-miners and, working alongside the Landmine Relief Fund, aims to field-test the devices in Cambodia before launching them next year.
Windows 8 gets 'Xbox Windows' games; Minesweeper, Solitaire and Mahjong getting achievements
Finally, you'll receive real, tangible rewards for your mad Minesweeper skills soon enough – that is, if you upgrade to Windows 8. According to Xbox 360 Achievements.org, Minesweeper, Solitaire and Mahjong are all getting achievements akin to those seen in current Xbox 360 and Games For Windows Live-compatible games when Windows 8 launches on October 26.These games will also fall into the new "Xbox Windows" family, evidenced by some packaging discovered by Xbox 360 Achievements.org. Look familiar? It's basically the same packaging seen on Xbox Live Arcade games, except for the header coloring at the top and inclusion of Windows branding.We've contacted Microsoft for an official statement and will update accordingly.
Windows 8 built-in games now called Xbox Windows, Microsoft's naming synergy continues
Were you among those who jumped for joy when Windows Explorer got its new moniker? Good news, nomenclature fans, for Redmond has decided to label its new OS' built-in games and titles obtained from the Windows Store as "Xbox Windows." Along with the new branding, venerable Windows titles like Minesweeper, Solitaire and Mahjong will also offer Xbox Achievements, so you can bulk up your Gamerscore while wasting time at work. Full details of the achievement and point totals can be found at the source links below.
Windows 8's stock apps get pictured, tease its final build
Microsoft might be wavering on the well established Metro moniker that it ascribes to its flat, live tile design aesthetic, but that doesn't make it any less pervasive in Windows 8's final build. Care to see? Impatient Windows fans have pilfered a handful of screenshots from Google and Windows Store previews, revealing what appears to be the final look for several of Windows 8's apps. Gumshoes at the Neowin forums uncovered fresh previews of the Photos, Mail, Messaging, People, Calendar Xbox music, Xbox video and Xbox SmartGlass applications. Liveside followed up on the forum's findings with a peek at the OS' baked in Bing integration. The camera interface's crop and video playback features make an appearance too, as do the operating system's legacy time wasters: Solitaire, Minesweeper and Mahjong -- slacking off never looked so good. Check them out for yourself in the gallery below, and agonize over how far away October 26th suddenly seems. %Gallery-161692%
Free Minesweeper, Sudoku come to Windows Phone 7 in the US
Looking to bolster your games collection on your Windows Phone on the cheap? Today, Microsoft has announced that ad-supported versions of Minesweeper and Sudoku are available to download, free of charge, right now on your Windows Phone 7 device. There's only one stipulation: you've gotta be a US resident. Both titles feature Achievements and multiple modes of play -- in Sudoku, you've got Classic or Lightning mode, while Minesweeper boasts Classic and Speed modes. You can download each by following the links below. [Thanks, Curtis]
Minesweeper, Sudoku now available for Windows Phone users, procrastinators
Got a Windows Phone 7 and an addictive personality? Well then today's your lucky day, as the Xbox Live versions of both Minesweeper and Sudoku have now landed in the US Marketplace. With these new additions, users can now sweep for virtual landmines in either Classic or Speed mode, or put their logic skills to the test by playing Sudoku in Lightning mode -- all while racking up achievements and powerups. Both are available for free and either will do a great job of destroying your productivity. Hit up the source links to download them for yourself and let the magic unfurl.
Rumor: Microsoft's Live support coming to free Windows games; Minesweeper, Solitaire and more
Microsoft is allegedly preparing to implement Live functionality into the free suite of games that comes with all Windows-enabled PCs: Solitaire, Chess, Checkers, Spades, Hearts, Backgammon, Minesweeper, Purple Place, Spider Solitaire and Freecell. This tip comes courtesy of our trusted source (who accurately predicted Lucidity, NBA 2K10 Draft Combine and Tecmo Bowl: Throwback). Reportedly, each Windows game will not only get Achievements, but also chat and leaderboard support. While unconfirmed by our source, we'd anticipate this to be a free update. If true -- and hey, our tipster's batting a thousand (that's sports talk for reliable) -- adding Live functionality to these games would be an ideal gateway for Microsoft to usher new users into Live and the Achievements system. After registering a free Games For Windows Live account, a new user would be able to instantly start building Gamerscore cred with the free games included on Windows PCs. It's Drug Dealing 101 -- give 'em the first fix for free, and they'll be hooked!
Minesweeper adventure game in the works for OneBigGame
The neat thing about doing something as unassailable and cool as designing a game for charity is that no one can make fun of your ideas without looking like a total jackass. Take Charles Cecil, the man behind the Broken Sword series, for instance. According to G4, he's creating an adventure game based on Minesweeper. It's blogger gold, until you learn that he's making it for charity game publisher OneBigGame. So now, instead of the hilarious gag we instinctively created -- involving making a mustache out of honey and cat hair and then putting it on a mime -- we're just going to wish Cecil all the best. Dammit.
Free, shiny and simple. A winning recipe for wider audiences?
Scarcely a fraction of gamers are involved in MMOGs. The percentage is a little higher if you're a gamer over 25, but below that, the odds are that only 1-2% of gamers are into MMOGs. But the gamer market is expanding. That is, the number of gamers who are involved in MMOGs is growing at a rate less than a twentieth of the growth of the hobby. Or to put it another way, the pool of potential customers is growing much larger than the customers the industry already has, if only the industry can find a way to make MMO gaming, as a hobby, more attractive to gamers who have hitherto shown little or no interest in it. There are several approaches the industry has and is attempting in order to reach out into that broader pool of would-be players.
Can your other favorite games be predicted based on your most played?
GamerDNA regularly likes to data mine their own site and look for possible correlations between games and the gamers that play them. What ends up surfacing is almost always intriguing and thought-provoking.This time GamerDNA has put your second favorite game to the test as they look at what players of online free-to-play games like to play in their spare time in their second round of "Also Played." Does playing Shaiya mean that you'll be more likely to try and enjoy World of Warcraft? Do MapleStory users really enjoy Counter-Strike? Is playing Runescape akin to playing Solitare or Minesweeper?These questions and more are probed inside of Also Played, and trust us, the answers can be pretty surprising. For the full story, check out the article over at GamerDNA, complete with handy charts.
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: NHL Arcade, Minesweeper Flags
This week, XBLA in Brief takes a look at 3 on 3 NHL Arcade and the (sort of) surprise release, Minesweeper Flags. Let's put it this way, one of them is a decent game and the other is a retread of a freeware PC game that you probably already have on your computer right now. Watch and enjoy. Download the trial version of NHL Arcade Download the trial version of Minesweeper Flags [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon). [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
This Wednesday (also): Minesweeper Flags comes to XBLA
Brace yourself for a Wednesday morning freak-out. We've already done our "This Wednesday" post for this week (3 on 3 NHL Arcade, thank you for asking) and now we're doing it ... again. Because XBLA will be welcoming not one game to the service this week, but two. And the other one ... is Minesweeper ... no, not on your digital watch, on your 360.Technically, TikGames' new release is Minesweeper Flags 400 ($5), which includes a new mode wherein -- get this -- you try to find the mines. We told you, this post is a mindf**k. Dogs, cats, mass hysteria, the whole bit.
Death Tank, Minesweeper, Cellfactor spotted on Xbox.com, releasing soon?
GamerBytes reports that several upcoming Xbox Live Arcade games now have either an Xbox.com splash page or forum. Specifically, Death Tank now has its own page on Xbox.com complete with screens and a trailer (this one, if your curious). Additionally, both Minesweeper Flags and the first person shooter Cellfactor now have their own forums on Xbox.com (though not their own individual pages). While it's not definite at this point, a game showing up on Xbox.com is generally an indication that it will be released in the near future. We're not sure about Minesweeper Flags, but both Cellfactor and Death Tank definitely have us intrigued, so here's hoping we see them sooner rather than later.Source -- Xbox.com - Death Tank page Source -- Xbox.com - Minesweeper Flags forum Source -- Xbox.com - Cellfactor forum
Unraveling the Indie - Acidbomb 2
Every other week on Unraveling the Indie we'll sit down with an independent developer to unearth the dark secrets of indie game creation: Terrorists have scattered bombs across the country. It's your job to disarm them. Acidbomb 2: Rearmed is everything a sequel should be: bigger, badder, and infinitely more polished. Combining elements from Minesweeper and Picross, Acidbomb is a challenging puzzle game with the added tension of watching a bomb's timer tick down to zero. Using latitude and longitude-like information, you must determine which areas of the grid are pistons (bad) and which are safe. Mark them with the corresponding symbols, then watch the countdown and hope you got it right. If not ... kaboom. We recently sat down with Dave Galindo of Vertigo Games to get some inside-information about Acidbomb 2. Read on for the full interrogation.
Holy crap: Minesweeper Expert in 38 seconds
If you're anything like us, the first time you watch this video of a 38-second expert minesweeper run, you'll probably think it's a sped-up fake. But all you doubting Thomases can actually download the raw MVF file for Minesweeper recorder The Clone and be amazed at how quickly those fingers can actually fly. While you're at it, check out all the cool, ultra-obsessive content on Planet Minesweeper, which includes tips on mouse handling, a mathematical analysis of first click positions and a map of serious players nationwide. Seems some people use the game as much more than just a procrastination tool. Who knew? [Via TheLastBoss]
