Daily News Courier

SEGA today announced that it has unleashed the long-awaited iOS version of classic Dreamcast game, Crazy Taxi, to the App Store. The game was originally released for the Dreamcast back in 1999, and was also recently released in an HD version for the consoles. Gameplay sees you taking on the role of a taxi driver in a busy city, taking customers where they want to go. Along the way, you can earn extra cash by executing crazy techniques and stunts. It?s all about getting the highest fare that you can and getting to your destination as quickly as possible. This new version of the game has been remastered specifically for iOS, and includes both Arcade and Original mode, as well as 16 mini games, and the full Dreamcast soundtrack. The universal app also has the standard Game Center leaderboard and Achievement support.

Click here to download for $4.99: Crazy Taxi for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

Source: SEGA

Electronic Arts has today released more details about Real Racing 3, which was the game that Apple featured running on the iPhone 5 during yesterday?s presentation as an example of the new phone?s gaming capabilities. EA said that this was the first live demo appearance for Real Racing 3, which is being developed by EA Firemonkeys studio for iOS, taking full advantage of the iPhone 5?s 4-inch Retina display, enhanced graphics, and processing power. The game also features dynamic reflections, as well as an all-new rearview mirror feature, and time-shifted multiplayer, which is a new feature designed to leverage Game Center iOS 6 challenges.

No release date as yet, but we?ll keep you posted.

Source: EA

News of another great free game offer today comes from FDG Entertainment, which announces that the iPad version of its 8-million-downloads game Cover Orange is free from today, for a very limited time only. This is the first time that the iPad version, which is normally $1.99, has ever been available for free, so now?s a good time to go grab it. The game, which boasts a total of 360 levels, is the result of a collaboration between FDG and the original Flash developer ?Johnny-K?. Gameplay revolves around trying to save the hapless oranges from a dangerous cloud of deadly poison rain that will destroy them if it lands on them. In order to protect the oranges, it?s up to you to find various inventive ways to keep them covered and safe from the rain, a bit like Angry Birds in reverse, if the pigs were oranges, and the birds were rain, and? okay, it?s not that much like Angry Birds, but you get the point! The latest version of the game for iPad supports Retina display graphics and Game Center Leaderboards and Achievements.

Click here to download the free game: Cover Orange HD for iPad on the iTunes App Store

Source: FDG Entertainment.

Team17 has announced that the long-awaited iOS version of its classic top-down shooter Alien Breed has arrived in the App Store. The universal app lets both old and new fans experience the original survival-horror game. Those of us who used to enjoy playing it on their Amigas will appreciate the old-school graphics mode, while those who like to keep their gaming as modern as possible will appreciate the new retina-display mode. Whichever graphics you decide to go for, the gameplay will be just as challenging as the original, although this time around players will be able to buy gaming aids such as extra ammo, keys, and weapons at the in-app store. Three different sets of maps from the original 1991 game are included, namely the original Alien Breed, Alien Breed Special Edition, and the all-new Alien Breed Convergence. Here are some of the game?s main features, courtesy of Team17. Brings back a lot of happy memories!

Click here to download the game for $4.99: App Store – Alien Breed

Source: Team17

Yet another classic video game is heading for iOS this summer, with the announcement from Robots and Pencils, First Star Software and Warner Bros., that retro classic Spy vs Spy is on its way to Apple?s devices. Yes, this latest slice of retro heaven features the Black and White spies from DC Entertainment?s MAD Magazine, and is based on the original Spy vs Spy game that was designed, developed and published by First Star Software, way back in 1984 for the Apple II, Atari 400/800 and Commodore 64. This new iOS version brings back the action, humour, challenges and fighting that made it such a smash hit at the time, but adds HD visuals, as well as giving the player the choice of modern or retro graphics and soundtracks. Here are some of the game?s key features, courtesy of Robots and Pencils:

Spy vs Spy for iOS does not have a release date yet, but it is due sometime this summer.

Source: Robots and Pencils

PopCap Games announced today that the ever-popular Bejeweled Blitz for iOS has been updated with the new Universal mode. The new update sees the introduction of Game Center support for the game, meaning that you can now check out how your own high scores fare against other players all over the world via the Game Center Leaderboards. Another very handy feature of the new update is an enhanced gameplay experience for those players who don?t connect to Facebook. Now, all Bejeweled Blitz players, not just those who connect to Facebook, will have access to all Bejeweled Blitz features, including Daily Spins, Rare Gems, multiple Boosts and Stats. Non-connected players will even be able to compete in weekly tournaments against their favourite PopCap characters. Finally, the Daily Spin has now been updated with all-new sounds and FX.

Bejeweled Blitz was the first ever Freemium game to be released by PopCap, and is a spin-off of the popular Bejeweled game mode; it includes a fun tutorial system to help get new players on the leaderboards, as well as Retina display support.

Click here to download Bejeweled Blitz for free: App Store – Bejeweled Blitz

Source:
PopCap Games

THQ announced today that Margaritaville Online, the immersive, freemium everyday escape inspired by the lifestyle of singer-songwriter, country music legend and author, Jimmy Buffett, is now available as a standalone iPad app. Now, even without an internet connection, players and Parrotheads alike will be able to carry on the party without having to access their Facebook account or log on. Data will be saved on the iPad, enabling players to see their accomplishments via Game Center achievements and leaderboards. In the iPad app, players can explore and adventure in the tropical 3D world, which features 175 quests and lots of activities to enjoy, including five island-themed mini-games: Pirate Shooter, Hammock Time, Steel Drum Star, Limbo and Tile Puzzle. The game features 12 playable areas on three different themed islands, with 10 caves and 10 interiors to explore, and more than 40 quest characters to interact with. Don’t forget, it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, just ask Jimmy!

Click here to download the free app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/margaritaville-online/id483050520?mt=8

Source: THQ

Yesterday, Apple CEO, Tim Cook, made a guest appearance at the All Things D Conference in California based, Rancho Palos Verdes. The discussion covered many topics of interest, but one that particularly stood out, involved the almost forgotten Apple attempt at creating a social network ? namely Ping.

For those who don?t remember Ping ? this is a music based social network, something maybe like Last.fm – Listen to free music with internet radio and the largest music catalogue online but not nearly as popular. Joana Stern of ABC brought up the issue of what has happened to Ping and asked Cook if he plans on pulling the plug on the project:

?Some customers love it, but there?s not a huge number that do, so will we kill it? I don?t know. I?ll look at it.?

The Apple boss certainly acknowledged the fact that Apple needs to be social, but this process has to happen following today?s standards, that?s why the company is looking into a tighter Twitter integration into the iOS and Mountain Lion. He also promised that in the future, users will surely be seeing more social products emerging from the Apple developing labs. Cook brought into discussion Game Center, saying that this facility can be considered as being a piece of the puzzle of Apple?s social master plan.

What?s interesting is that at this moment, Tim Cook doesn?t see Apple developing its intrinsic social network as a necessity. The company already tried its hands at that with Ping and users voted, so there?s actually no good reason to invest time and energy into something similar anymore. From now on, Apple will go on the path of trying to create a community revolving around communication rather than just around picture sharing.

By Radu

Source: Apple CEO Tim Cook promises more social integration

Indie developer AlgoCrunch has announced that its iOS word game, Word Fusion, is available to download for free for a limited time, in conjunction with Daily App Dream. Word Fusion is a fast-paced word game with vibrant graphics and intuitive controls that sees the player going on an adventure with Otto and his magical chemistry set, the beakers of which must be filled with knowledge before the experiments explode. In order to win, players have to be both fast and smart. The game helps to develop speed and accuracy skills while also being a lot of fun for players of all ages. If you?re addicted to word games, as so many of us are, you?re going to love the way in which the game gets you to spell and write words in a fun and unique way by encouraging players to find as many words as possible on the game board in order to get bonuses. Word Fusion features 22 levels, and four multiplayer modes where you can compete against family and friends: via Game Center with real-time play, Game Center with turn-based play, Bluetooth, and pass-to-play on the same device.

Click here to download the game for free: App Store – Word Fusion

Source: AlgoCrunch