If you’re a mobile poker fan, chances are you’ve played either Texas Hold’em King 2 or 3 by Magmic. THK2 comes free with a BlackBerry Bold on AT&T and the entire AT&T network (all handsets) have access to THK3. Personally, I can’t see the justification in playing THK2 when the sequel comes with more avatar personalization as well as a generally better multiplayer experience.
Recently, I was playing THK3 and got a message to check out Social.Magmic.com after finishing a table. The site is clearly in its Alpha stage, but it is something I have never seen before in the BlackBerry gaming space.
Magmic Social is a social networking site aimed at connecting Magmic gamers to one another with the end result of improving the overall mobile gaming experience. It does this in a few ways:
Twitter functionality: You can register your Twitter account with Magmic Social and connect with other Twitter users who have similar mobile gaming interests. Also, Magmic Social has the ability to push information to your Twitter account and notify mobile gamers in your network.
Notifications: Through Magmic Social, I can build a network of friends and get notifications for when they are playing Texas Hold’em King 2 or 3.
Messaging: You can message other players on the site and get in touch with people playing the same game as you.
Discussions: Have a problem in-game? Want to build your friend network? There is a built-in forum to help you connect with all the pro THK players out there.
Check out the THK2 and THK3 pages on Magmic Social and let me know what you guys think. Is this something you feel will improve your Texas Hold’em experience?
Square Enix has recently launched a tower defense game for the iPhone called Crystal Defenders. The game uses Final Fantasy characters such as the Black Mages and follows a standard tower defense format. At $7.99 for the full version, and a free Lite version, it’s worth checking out.
Okay I won’t post too many more iPhone game releases but I know you’re stoked about Metal Gear for the iPhone. The game is based on the characters and story from Metal Gear Solid 4, and according to Konami, 8 levels will be available in the game with more stages to be added later. I’ll keep you updated about its release.
EA has launched an iPhone version of the classic game SimCity. SimCity is what started it all. Before virtual worlds were popular, SimCity had everyone going nuts over the idea of making their own city. Created by Will Wright and originally released for the Mac and Amiga in 1989, the game has been a hit release after release.
SimCity is now available for $9.99USD through the App Store.
I love the idea of console games coming to mobile. Back when QB was first starting out, we were solely about mobile games. The problem was, they all totally sucked. It made for a really cynical blog that pretty much only doled out bad reviews. Most of our hate was concentrated on the RAZR and every game that came with it. I constantly talked about how the day will come when mobile gaming will be fun and we’ll have genuine console ports. It’s incredible that I’m still blogging and that day has come.
Katamari is now available for the iPhone. Heck yeah! The game costs $8 on the App Store and although I haven’t played it yet, it seems to have most of the functionality of the original game.
Ah booth girls. I wonder if being surrounded by professionals gives them any incentive to change their career from cute girl with a smile, to cute girl with a smile and a real PR job. I would love to do PR for a company that I actually believed in and loved their product. Actually, it would be even better to do PR for something that was totally intangible. Here are some things I would love to help with public relations, not that they need it:
LG has been showcasing various LTE technologies and one of them was a WinMo phone running over LTE. The potential for LTE is amazing and it will definitely be the missing link for full video streaming and media capabilities on a device.
With LTE technology, users can download a 700 MB movie file in less than one minute at speeds of 100 Mbps. LTE technology would also allow consumers to simultaneously stream four HD movies without any buffering.
This is going to be an incredible advancement in mobile devices and LG are doing a great job of pioneering the technology. With over 250 staff on the research and development team, expect the first LTE devices to come from LG.
Namco has announced that Tekken 2 is available on Verizon. The game features 3D graphics as well as the original arcade classics. Also, you’ll be able to unlock characters. Verizon customers who download the game from now until March 3rd 2009, will be entered for a chance to win a Tekken 5 arcade machine and other cool prizes. Verizon Wireless customers who wish to enter without downloading the game from their Verizon Wireless phones may enter by sending a 3×5 card with their first and last name, physical address, phone number and birth date to: “TEKKEN” Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 10849, Rochester, NY 14610.
Verizon Wireless customers can purchase and download TEKKEN 2 from the What’s New, Verizon Exclusives or Action Games categories in the Games shopping aisle in the Get It Now or Media Center virtual store on a number of popular Verizon Wireless phones. Customers can download “TEKKEN 2″ for a monthly subscription fee of $3.99 or for $9.99 for unlimited use purchase.
Gameloft’s Brothers in Arms: Hour of Heroes is a great take on first-person shooting for the iPhone. I’ve seen a lot of companies attempt to make a good FPS but there are many limitations. The most basic form of FPS involves a virtual d-pad on the touchscreen. This isn’t the best way to do controls because the d-pad requires the ability to slide your fingers between directions, and with a touchscreen, you’re more pressing individual directions. Diagonal is difficult too. The other FPS I’ve seen involves using the accelerometer to move the individual. This isn’t perfect either because it requires you tilt the screen making it difficult to focus on what you’re trying to shoot. Gameloft’s approach is a touchscreen style thumbstick, much like the one you would find on an XBOX 360. Watch the video to see it in action.
Brothers in Arms is available on the App Store for $9.99
Fresh off of our review of Nintaii for BlackBerry, where BBCool JB gave it a stellar 4 out of 5, I was contacted today by the fine folks at Mobigloo. They wanted to let me know that Nintaii was now available for BlackBerry Storm users - and is likely the first BlackBerry Storm game to make use of the accelerometer. You can check out the video above demonstrating Nintaii’s addictive gameplay, or read the review below. I can’t wait to see more games which make use of the BlackBerry Storm’s potential.
