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The 'Futurama' crew returns today in a new mobile game
Good news, everyone: after no small amount of hype, you can revisit the Futurama universe on your phone. Jam City's TinyCo has released Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow for free on both Android and iOS. It's clearly another not-so-subtle attempt to cash in on a much-loved TV series, but this title promises to do more than trade on a familiar name. It has a relatively rich story created by Matt Groening, David X. Cohen and a writing team from the show, and the original show cast is on tap for dialogue. However, the most intriguing part may be its extremely varied gameplay -- it's more ambitious than many console or PC titles in some ways, even if it's not necessarily as deep.
The next 'Futurama' mobile game has the show's creators aboard
Futurama continues to be the animated franchise that just won't die. Fox and developer TinyCo (a divison of Jam City) announced today that they're working on another mobile game from the series -- Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow -- which will notably have creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen involved. Even better, TinyCo is also working with the show's original voice actors, animators (Rough Draft Studio) and some of its writers. We still don't know what the game is actually about, but it's expected to land this summer as a free title. The developers will also be revealing more during a Facebook Live chat this afternoon.
Yelp settles with the FTC over claims it collected personal info from kids
The FTC is eager to crack down on any perceived online privacy violations, especially when they involve children -- and we just got a good demonstration of that eagerness today. Both Yelp and mobile app developer TinyCo have settled with the FTC over allegations that they knowingly scooped up kids' personal information without permission. Yelp is paying a $450,000 penalty because it didn't have an effective age screen in its apps, letting those under 13 sign up by themselves. TinyCo, meanwhile, is shelling out $300,000 after some of its kid-oriented games asked for email addresses in return for in-game currency. These aren't the biggest settlements we've seen by any stretch, but they'll hopefully serve as warning to any app creator that wants to collect your little ones' data.
Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff destroys Quahog next week
Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff is due out for iOS and Android devices on April 10. It's free-to-play and comes from FOX Digital Entertainment and TinyCo. The story (yes, there is a story) follows Peter and other Quahog residents as they attempt to rebuild the city after Peter destroys it in a fight with the Giant Chicken. You can make a living in Quahog and send characters on "ridiculous adventures," TinyCo says. Given it's a Family Guy game, the "ridiculous" part is a tad redundant.
Family Guy is coming to iOS with the help of TinyCo and Fuzzy Door
Mobile games based on cartoons are big business. Simpsons Tapped Out alone has made US$100 million since it launched in 2012, and that game is free to play. In keeping with tradition, Family Guy will now follow in the footsteps of the Simpsons once again with the release of its own mobile game -- but this one sounds a little more complicated than Tapped Out. Fox Digital, which also owns Tapped Out, has big plans for the title. In a profile on Polygon, the game, currently in development by Tiny Castle makers TinyCo, is described as an adventure that will focus on a story arc. Resource development will still be part of the game because, let's face it: Freemium is really profitable model and people will always pay for more doughnuts, beers or gems to build their empires faster. The game's story will be developed by Seth MacFarlane's production company, Fuzzy Door. According to The Wrap, the developers have designed the game to be played in short increments, basically turning your interaction with the game into a Family Guy cutaway gag in your real life. If you're worried the game won't be keeping true to the show's particular brand of evil humor, put your fears to bed. Andrew Green of TinyCo told Polygon in an interview that "nothing is sacred and nothing's safe. It's not going to be completely fourth-wall breaking. We want you to feel like you're playing the show." Given the insane amount of taboos Family Guy is known for regularly tackling, murdering and then setting on fire, this game has a lot to live up to. Head over to Polygon for their article on the game, including perspective from Fox Digital Entertainment's vice president, Rick Phillips.
