Got two bucks handy and an iPhone or iPad? Of course you do! Like to dance? Absolutely (even though you only do it when no one is around. Yes, I do KNOW these things). Good. Go get GO DANCE, Sega’s new app that’s a pure blast of fun bound to liven up any get together with some cool dancing and plenty of competitive action.
While that budget price point means only two songs are included with the app (LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem and Nicki Minaj’s Super Bass, more tracks are available (Flo Rida’s Wild Ones and Avicii’s Levels) as in-App purchases and more are on the way. The game uses the front-facing camera on your device to scan and track your face and torso allowing for some great and realistic dance action from your customizable onscreen avatar.
That’s because I don’t own a tablet at all (tried a few, but I’m like Goldilocks – haven’t found one that’s “Just Right” yet), so I’ve been missing out on these cash-ins that pop up when new blockbuster flicks hit. In a way, I prefer these sorts of licensed games show up as cheaper, well-intentioned games than ones with bigger budgets, longer (but never long enough) development cycles and higher price tags. Anyway, the fine folks at Game Empire HD have saved me the trouble of buying a tablet just for this game (not that I would do this, mind you!) and have posted some nice videos of Pacific Rim: The Game in action on their YouTube page. Do please poke around and check them out. In the meantime, a trailer for the game to ogle since you’re here…
I like the arcade-like look and play to this, but would I run out and snap this up if I did have a tablet? Mmmmaybe… I tend to like more story to my games, but I don’t mind the mindless beat ’em up from time to time…
I can probably tell you the long and boring story of my first pinball machine memories (1972,Gottlieb’s Batter Up, first version, but I also vaguely recall playing Central Park a few years earlier at Coney Island while standing on a rickety wooden crate), but then you’d be fast asleep and drooling in front of your computer instead of up-voting Phantom Compass’ (and friends!) innovative Rollers of the Realm on Steam Greenlight.
The team is working on what’s turning out to be a superb genre-blending mix of old and new ideas that features some excellent pinball action, decent writing and so far, what’s looking to be the makings of an instant hit that absolutely deserves to be on as many platforms as possible. I signed up to get access to a playable version as soon as I heard this was in development, that pre-beta access popped up in my inbox on Friday and after playing the first chapter a few times, I’m definitely recommending anyone even remotely interested in pinball, RPGs and puzzle games to take a nice long look at this one…
If you own an iPhone, you’ve taken pictures with it and if you’ve taken pictures with it, there are those shots you’ve missed or mucked up because you could have used an extra hand or one less finger sticking into the resulting photo. Or perhaps you’ve handed your phone to a total stranger and asked him or her to snap away, only to watch them fiddling away trying to find the right button (no, not EVERYONE owns an iPhone, folks). Well, if they don’t simply smile,tip their cap and make a run for the hills with your phone, that is (hey, I’m in NYC, so this tends to happen, according to the authorities)…
Ladies and gentlemen, Ben Zajeski feels your pain. He’s the Project Engineer behind the amazing Grip & Shoot, a three-piece system that Apple needs to think about making a standard issue accessory. This genius device turns that iPhone into a MUCH better still and movie camera and also allows for may other apps to be used in a more natural way without fear of dropping that pricey phone. Created for the iPhone 4S or 5 (which fits snugly into a special case which then attaches to the Bluetooth-enabled Smart Grip handle) and simple to set up, this one’s another product that needs to be in the hands of as many iPhone users as possible. You can also detach and use the bottom of the grip handle with a tripod for the ultimate in stability (no more shaky-cam movies!) as well as use any other case as long as it can fit onto the Smart Grip handle.
It’s another one of those great accessories that as soon as you get your hands on it, it not only feels perfect, it makes you wonder why the heck Apple didn’t include something like it with any previous iPhone iteration. Without a case, a plain iPhone can get a bit slippery to hold onto, which is a huge issue many users have with the phone when taking pictures or playing games. Speaking of playing games, Grip & Shoot has an open API that’s developer friendly and yes indeed, if that’s up your alley you’re welcome to sign up and join the party before this thing takes off and becomes huge. While it’s currently not yet available for sale, it will be soon and yes, you should boogie on over to the product site and then here to sign up.
It took all of under three seconds for Ramsey Elias to show off his amazing Trego and even though I’m not an iPad user, I’d buy one just to tote it around in that wearable case and show it off as he did. As I walked up and asked what a Trego was, he whipped the bag around from his back to his chest, zipped open a flap and down dropped a securely fixed iPad ready for action. I laughed and nodded because it was such a genius invention that Elias really didn’t need to say more and his own grin made me feel as if he’s quite used to people responding in a similar fashion.
Speaking of fashion, that Trego is a really cool-looking bag as well as a more than capable multi-tasker. It’s got separate storage for plenty of extra gear, That drop down tray makes the bag a sturdy workstation that never has to leave your body (making your tablet a hard to steal item) and if you do take the bag off, it’s still an excellent, stable work surface. Even cooler, your iPad rests in a detachable case when you need to take it out of the bag, but I’m betting you’ll be so happy you have a hands-free solution that keeps your tablet safe that you’ll be trying to take your Trego into bed or the shower. I’d say bed is good if you’re using that iPad for something fun, but I don’t think using it in the shower is a particularly great idea…
That Apple doesn’t carry these in their stores is a shame, as I’m betting the sight of an Apple associate whipping that Trego around to reveal a new iPad would practically guarantee 1:1 sales of the device and what’s currently the best carrying case for it I’ve ever seen. Anyway, got an iPad? get a Trego. $79, free shipping (in the Continental US). It’s that simple. And go tell a friend to get one as well so they don’t try to steal yours. Then again, the chances of that happening are slim, as they’ll have have a hard time getting your own hands off that bag…
File this under “Now I’ve seen everything…”, folks. Stride Gum has teamed up with W+K London and Johnny Two Shoes to create Gumulon, which as you can see above is… yes, a game controlled by players chewing to jump. And I’m betting you’ll want a gum with a long-lasting flavor to play, meaning (cue Stride Gum theme music… if they don’t have a theme, they better get one and fast)… you’ll be buying some Stride with this new iOS game (as in: iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPad 2, iPad 3rd & 4th generation, iPad Mini, iPod Touch 4th & 5th generation). I normally don’t cover iOS stuff (hey, do I look as if own anything Apple other than actual apples which aren’t “owned” for long because they’re eaten in a few delightful ways), but this was amusing enough to catch my eye when it hit my inbox, so here you go. Er, I guess if you get REALLY good at this one you can consider yourself… (wait for it…) chew chew trained. A ha ha and ha…
I’ll admit my eyebrow went flying up into the air for a second when I heard about Rollers of the Realm, but after a look around at the video above and the official site, I’m all in. Yeah, developer Phantom Compass (and friends) currently only has this set to hit PC and certain phone and tablet-shaped portable devices, but I think this one could be the new Puzzle Quest if it hits consoles as well at some point down the road. Sure, it’ll cost more to buy if it’s on the PS3 and Vita va PSN, Wii U and 3DS eShop or the Xbox 360 through XBLA. But hey, we console gamers are USED to paying more for some games because we know it generally costs more to bring them over with new features. Granted, I’d prefer this on a disc or game card, but that’s not going to happen at all, I’d bet. So a nice and shiny HD download is perfectly fine by me. I’ll be keeping an eye on this one, that’s for sure…
Hmmmm. I used to read Stan Sakai’s great indie comic way back in the 80’s (I actually had Albedo Anthropomorphics #2 back in 1984!), so seeing the character FINALLY make it to video game form is interesting considering it’s NOT what I thought he’d be on. Amusingly enough, this and many other iOS and/or device games plus way too many indie games to count are EXACTLY what gamers would be paying fifty to sixty bucks for on a cartridge. So, seeing all of these apps popping up and getting forgotten unless they get some major press (which doesn’t seem to be a big thing non-mobile gaming sites cover regularly) is a bit amusing and annoying at the same time. I’ll check this one out if it ever shows up on something I can use a dedicated controller on or a handheld system with a decent control pad. Oh, wait… it IS coming to PC after all (wheee!):
Yeah, that’s more like it. Thanks, Happy Giant Games! For the record, I’ve tried the device thing and while fun for some titles, others just aren’t fit for tapping and tickling a screen. That’s right, grrrr… I’ll have to be dragged kicking and screaming into owning a tablet primarily for gaming – I’ll be kicking that tablet you’re trying to force on me and you’ll be screaming at me to stop with the foot action. Grrrrrowlllll.
Hey, Keller Rinaudo? Your Romo is an interesting device and all, but my phone isn’t as “smart” as yours at all (or anything made after 2007) and I don’t plan to change that much. Hey, I only use it for getting calls (and almost no one calls me) and playing games. Sure, I can probably grab a nice used iPhone and be hip like the rest of you cool kids…. but NO iOS or Android device will play the awesome RIFTS: Promise of Power, Pathway to Glory and some other really great N-Gage games that never got released on other mobile platforms or handheld gaming systems.
Hmmm… if you can teach Romo to program games and pull some legal strings so these games popped up on devices and tablets, MAYBE I’ll reconsider. Or maybe not. I like my contract-less freedom and app-less lifestyle…
If I were a REALLY cranky and cynical bastard, I’d say Disney REALLY killed off Lucasarts (and pretty much anything Star Wars related in the game space forever) so cheaper to make casual games like Mittens could live. Sacrifice that expensive cash-draining bigger studio and two solid-looking works in progress along with that formerly proud sci-fi IP (that still has a gigantic fan base, mind you) that’s had a bunch of not-so-hot games mixed in with a few winners over the years for this cute kitten and a ton of other faster to cash in mobile and social titles? Sure, why not? Any non-gaming industry analyst worth his salt (and a few who do, I’d bet) will say it makes PERFECT economic sense at the end of the day (albeit at the cost of too many jobs at a newly shuttered studio)…
Hey, all is not lost, right? Disney still has some of its own famous (and new original) properties that are SURELY guaranteed a huge audience based on that company name recognition alone? And hey, NO one will miss Lucasarts save for a “vocal minority” (as we get called by the executive types who trumpet these casual games and their monetizing schemes over “risky” IP with a shaky track record).
Yeah, sure… that’s the ticket…
Fortunately, I’m NOT that guy… I think. So long Lucasarts. Hopefully, the Force will be with those now unemployed.
Got two bucks handy and an iPhone or iPad? Of course you do! Like to dance? Absolutely (even though you only do it when no one is around. Yes, I do KNOW these things). Good. Go get GO DANCE, Sega’s new app that’s a pure blast of fun bound to liven up any get together with some cool dancing and plenty of competitive action.
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