Games Powered by Unity Engine Rejected by Apple
In a stunning move, Apple is blocking new apps, particularly games, using the Unity engine. While Unity is not being blamed specifically for the problem, due to their use of developer Storm8’s API calls. These calls have been proven to be used for purposes that violate Apple’s iPhone Software Development Kit agreement. Due to this particular falling out, developer’s utilizing the API from Storm8 are now having their upcoming titles rejected as Apple works to defend iPhone users from improper use of software. According to sources no damage has been done to users, but Apple is notably fierce in their protection of customers, often coming down hard on developers perceived as using potentially sneaky code.
Due to this particular event, many titles are going to be locked up in development for a much longer period of time than would normally be expected. Apple alleges that Storm8’s titles Mobsters and also Vampires Live are in violation, so those are going to be summarily banned, but other titles such as Gameloft’s hot selling Modern Combat: Sandstorm also face potential to be removed. Unity’s long awaited role playing title Ravensword is of particular concern for gamers who have been awaiting a gaming experience similar to massively popular RPGs such as Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, available on gaming consoles.
Faceoff
Black Forest Interactive has released Faceoff, a 3D action game in the shooter category, for the iPhone. This original title features gameplay intended to take advantage of the popular handheld device’s unique capabilities by offering a physics based ball roller to keep players focused on the game’s action through touch based lock on to ease play, with a virtual pad control system being offered as an alternative to those who prefer that style of play controls.
Faceoff places players in a fictional setting where they are part of a resistance movement against a global a sinister race of secret agents called The Black Thorns bent on humanity’s demise. To battle a nuclear meltdown and save the world, players will need to make use of eight different weapons such as a Lightning Whip, Peashooter, Gatling Gun, Napalm Thrower and Heat Seeking Missles. The roamable missions will offer players 10 missions, each with its own boss for players to battle.
Black Forest Interactive is developing more content for the game to be released at a future date such as a global leaderboard, multiplayer capabilities and further missions for players to conquer.
The title is available for those with the iPhone or iPod Touch through Apple’s App Store for a 3 day introductory rate of $0.99, but it typically sells for $2.99.
Game Based on Showtime Series Dexter Now Available
The hit television series Dexter, now entering its fourth season on the Showtime cable channel, now has a game available for users of the iPhone. Dexter the Game is made by Mark Ecko Entertainment and will feature lead character Dexter Morgan (played by actor Michael C. Hall in the series), who works as a crime scene analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department on the show and has a side line habit as a serial killer himself. The series itself, a Showtime original, features Dexter investigating various violent crimes and analyzing evidence such as blood spatters and slides of biological evidence in order to help the homicide department track down the killers. The twist in the show is that Dexter leads a double life as a killer himself, stalking and executing the killers through his own methods as a way of serving justice. In the game, players will be using their own sleuthing skills to analyze evidence and decide if the criminals should be apprehended by the justice system or subject to what the show calls ‘the Dark Passenger’, meaning that Dexter murders those he finds guilty. With a 3D gaming environment and an action adventure theme, the game will be available for download in the Apple App Store at a price of $5.99.
MySpace Mobsters
In a move many in the app industry are calling pure genius, the extraordinarily popular social networking game Mobsters is being ported to iPhone as a title called Mobsters: Big Apple. This mafia themed social RPG game has already become the most popular game on MySpace, boasting over 13 and a half million installs on that network.
The entire game, including all of its features and huge community will be completely ported to the iPhone. Players will still be able to do their old favorite activities like buy ammo, rob convenience stores and buy getaway cars. On top of what they already know from MySpace, a “Mysterious Mr. X Missions” addition will help gamers cross over to the iPhone where they will enjoy a deeper, more complex game play experience that still allows them to play on both their iPhone and MySpace, seeing results of game play in both places.
On missions that require extra players, iPhone users will be able to use their friends from MySpace or play through missions for hired guns. Playdom has stated that they are dedicated to keeping Mobsters: Big Apple the most content rich mafia game on the iPhone. The game will run on any iPhone running OS 2.2.1 or later.
Enigmo 1.0 for 3G iPhone
Enigmo 1.0 is a 3D puzzle game where players construct mechanisms to direct lasers, water and plasma in order to toggle switches, deactivate force fields and reach their final destination. The liquids will fall from droppers and will bounce around the walls of the puzzle. The game comes from Pangea Software and is available for both the iPhone and iPod touch. The new iPhone version will take full advantage of the multi-touch interface for manipulating the puzzle pieces, zooming in and out and operating the game controls. The 3D scenes will be rendered with the Open GL ES and audio is produced by Open AL.