08 Sep
Posted by David Miller as Card Games, Electronic Games, Modern Board Games
Playdek, the developer of several popular mobile tabletop games, is testing a new online organized play system that will work cross-platform and cross-game. The system, which I’m sure will eventually have a snazzy name, is planned for release within the next few months as an update within existing game apps.
While the new system will allow the profiles, avatars, chats, messages, and friend lists typical of online play spaces, its real focus will be on organizing tournaments—of various lengths—for Playdek’s competitive games such as Summoner Wars and Ascension. At the beginning, the organization of new tournaments will be automated. Eventually, though, users will be able to initiate tournaments in single-elimination, double-elimination, and other formats.
23 Jun
Posted by Rob Kalajian as Electronic Games, War Games
Coming out on this week for iOS devices is Desert Fox: The Battle of El Alamein. Shenandoah Studio, the ones who also developed Battle of the Bulge, has teamed up with Mark Herman to bring Desert Fox to Apple’s devices. The game will be a universal app, so there will be no need to purchase separate copies for the iPhone and iPad.
Desert Fox takes place in North Africa during World War II. Players can take control of either Commonwealth or Axis forces. Key features of the game include:
• Command tanks, recon units, flak guns, and more in strategic desert warfare
• Call the shots and decide when to attack or defend in campaign mode.
• Learn the ropes through a quick guided tutorial and three learning scenarios.
• Face off against distinct AI opponents, local friends, or players online.
• Battle through two stand-alone scenarios in addition to the grand campaign.
• Relive victories with replays, leaderboards, and achievements.
• Improve your strategy with full rules, charts, and tables.
• Discover history with extensive historical photos and commentary.
• Designed by Mark Herman, award-winning creator of Washington’s War.
Desert Fox: The Battle of El Alamein will be released June 26th on iTunes for $9.99.
You may remember my review of Dungeon Heroes last year, an awesome little two player game. Now that game has come to iOS devices thanks to Gamelyn. For $3.99 you get:
I’m a big fan of the game, and am really looking forward to snagging this and being able to play it on the go. $3.99? That’s a steal.
Now available on iTunes for $6.99, Lords of Waterdeep is the first official Dungeons and Dragons app to his iOS. It’s developed by Playdeck, the same people who’ve done iOS ports of Agricola, Ascension and Summoner Wars.
Lords of Waterdeep is a universal app, so it’ll work on both and iPad and iPhone. No need to purchase two different versions. It also features online mulitplayer, local multiplayer, and the ability to play against bots.
That’s right! Carcassonne for the iPhone and iPad is finally getting expansions that can be bought as in-game downloadable content. The two expansions that have been released are The River and Inns & Cathedrals.
The River adds 12 tiles that are played at the start of the game, creating a river that divides the land. It’s priced at 99 cents.
Inns & Cathedrals adds 18 tiles, some of which have an inn or a cathedral on them. Inns can double the value of completed roads they touch, while cathedrals add an extra point for each tile that makes up a city. It’s priced at $1.99.
In my opinion, both of these expansions are worth the price. If they’d just release Traders & Builders I’d be a happy man.