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Take revenge on infuriating flies with FlyOut for iOS
Flyout for both iPhone and iPad is a free game that's all about killing flies -- many different kinds of very annoying flies. The good news is that you get to kill them with all sorts of wonderful devices. The aim of the game is to kill as many flies as possible, wave by wave, without letting any survive. Things start off relatively easily with a slow wave of normal flies. You're equipped with a fly swatter to get the business done. However, things rapidly get more challenging with fast, sturdy flies who require multiple zaps and quick strikes. Fortunately, your arsenal improves with a machine gun, rocket launcher, bug spray, and my personal favorite, the say-hello-to-my-little-friend minigun! Annihilating the pesky flies is quite satisfying. However, there are some annoying ads in the game, which can be zapped by a small, one-off in-app purchase. The game is entirely playable if you don't make the purchase. When first launching the FlyOut it asks for your Facebook and Twitter account information, but you can dismiss that request without consequence. Regardless, if you've ever been infuriated by a fly, FlyOut will let you serve justice.
Zodiac Dodge asks you to save a monkey from a familiar Mario enemy
If you thought Flappy Bird was ripping off Super Mario Brothers, you're going to throw your iPhone down in rage when you play Zodiac Dodge. The game's premise is simple, but well executed; users control a monkey across a circular 3D isometric board. Your job is to grab as many bananas as possible before a swarm of bullets gun you down. For the sake of accuracy, lets call these bullets "Bill." The action comes fast and furious, with the average game time lasting just a few seconds until you get the hang of things. Even then my best time was only around one minute of playing. What's frustrating is I can't blame my low score on cruddy controls. Moving is tight and responsive. I'm just awful at dodging this hail of living bullets. While its difficultly is punishing, the addition of health power-ups keeps Zodiac Dodge from feeling unfair. There are even handy clocks that pop up from time to time that slow down the pace of the bullets. "Bullet time" if you will. Of course they wouldn't call it that and risk copyright infringement, so they've called it Matrix instead. Obviously there are other players who are mastering the game. Thanks to the included leaderboards I know there's at least one person out there who has managed to score 59,800 points. With such simple game play mechanics it would be easy to write this one off as a quick burner game, but then you discover the game's included achievements and get sucked right back in. Currently there are only 10 achievements to be unlocked, but if developer Maple Syrup Games is smart they'll add more in a future update. Zodiac Dodge is a great choice for your kid's iPod touch before a long car trip. The bright graphics are colorful and its platforming action has the charm of a brutal arcade classic. The latest update introduced a graphics upgrade, so it seems like the developers are committed to improvement. I'm still trying to figure out what the zodiac has to do with the title, but it doesn't really matter. There's a monkey out there that needs my help dodging bullets. Until he's safe, the stars can wait. You can find Zodiac Dodge right now for free in the iTunes Store.
Engadget giveaway: win an Anki Drive Starter Kit and two of its newest cars!
Video games are great, but sometimes on-screen action doesn't cut it when it comes to play time. But it is 2014, so there's little need to clutter the house with interlocking track segments when it's time to set up the speedway. Anki and its iOS-based Drive game let you simply roll out an 8-foot track when you're ready to race. And with a software upgrade and a few new artificially intelligent whips now available, the company is in the mood to celebrate. Anki has given us a Drive Starter Kit and the new Corax and Hadion cars for two lucky Engadget readers to enjoy. Drive racers will also be able to mix up their layouts come May, when two additional tracks hit the shops. You'll need an iOS device to control each ride, but if there's no one else around, you can always challenge the AI car in a head-to-head Battle. All you need to do is steer yourself towards the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning one of these Anki Drive racing kits. Winners: congratulations to Tim S., Burlington, MA and Rushmi M., Redmond, WA.
Beyond controller support what else does iOS 7 have to offer game developers?
This morning we wrote about the possible impact game controller support may have on iOS 7. But what else will iOS 7 have to offer for game developers? After all we're going to need something to play on those mFi controllers. Retro gamers should take note of SpriteKit, a new Apple framework for developing simple 2D games with access to powerful game physics. An example of what the Apple exclusive tool is capable of can be viewed below and shows the mix of simplicity and power it has to offer. Given how strong a platform the iPhone has proven itself to be for creative physics games I personally can't wait to see what games developers make out of these new tools. Developers have also seen new additions added via the re-designed Game Center. The game center now includes support for turn-based games and improved leaderboards. Developers using the Game Center will also have the ability to authenticate players, and securely transmit game scores and achievements. As multiplayer becomes more important to the system, and easier to accomplish on one screen thanks to controller support, the possibility of having your friends profile and achievements shot to your phone as you play is fun to think about. Given the popularity of mobile gaming, and the complex politics that are hoarding the next generation of consoles, these seemingly minor developments could have a major impact on the iPhone's share of the game market place.
Apple banning games with "memory" in the name from App Store
Game maker Ravensburger is reportedly putting pressure on Apple regarding iOS games with "Memory" in the title. The German game and puzzle manufacturer claims to hold a trademark on the term in over 40 countries. Ravensburger makes a popular line of games called "Memory" with international recognition. In fact, the group claims that 91 percent of Germans are familiar with Memory, the game. Apple has not issued a comment, though Gamasutra claims that iOS developers whose games include the term "memory" and are internationally distributed have received notice to make a name change. If you're on that list, let us know in the comments. [Via The Register]
Insert Coin: GameDock lets your iPhone interface with a TV and controllers, game it old school
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. With its GameDock, Cascadia Games has a new twist on iOS arcade play -- it lets you use your TV and two classic controllers. While retro games are popular on iPhones right now, an intense session can go haywire if your digits start slippping around on the screen, and head-to-head play is literally that if you're sharing a small device with a foe. That aforementioned situation inspired the GameDock, which turns into a full-blown console when you plug in and pair your iPhone, iPad or iPod using Bluetooth, then connect your TV, along with a couple of USB game controllers. Just like that, you and a buddy are playing big-screen Asteroids, Centipede and 100 or so other iOS games that work with iCade. With 43 days remaining, just shy of 10 grand has been offered toward the $50K goal, so check the source if you want to revel in the gaming days of yore -- eye or thumb strain-free.
Ion iCade Mobile and iCade Core review
The iCade Arcade Cabinet famously began life as an April Fool's joke, pulling the video game equivalent of Pinocchio by transforming in a real salable product. The $100 arcade machine-shaped iPad enclosure / controller hit the sweet spot between functionality and retro gaming nostalgia, proving successful enough that Ion found itself with a solid reason to expand the line. Notable amongst the new arrivals are the iCade Core, which offers up the same feature set as the original iCade in a more portable joystick form, and the iCade Mobile, a re-imagining of the product as an oversized iPhone case. The Core carries the same price tag as its predecessor, while the Mobile clocks in at $20 less. So, are these additions worthy of the iCade name? Or would the line have been better served as a one-off? Insert a coin and find out after the break. Update: Unfortunately, we were provided with incorrect information ahead of the review -- the iCade Core is actually priced at $80, same as the iCade Mobile.
