• Spot it : Dobble! Updated
• Scramble Your Friends Updated
• Assassin's Creed Recollection Updated
• Pocket World at War Updated and Free
• Squarea Released
• Victory Point Games Releases Loot and Scoot
• Rex Verbi Released
• IGN names apps to Best Mobile Board Games of 2011
• IGN Article on Mobile
• Greed Corp Updated, Price Drop
• Starving Gators Released
• Plan X Released
• Ubisoft Reveals Assassin's Creed Recollection Plans
• Chinese 13 Card Poker Updated
• Keltis HD Updated
• Stephane Maurel Info Updates
• Danger Alliance Updated
• Ravenmark Updated
• Simple Board Game Released
• Who Goes First Released
• War on Terror Drops Price
•Poker Pals Updated
• HanClinto Outlines AI for Alien Frontiers
• KQED Posts Article on Board Game Apps
• Call of Cthulu Gets Official Release Date
• Delve: The Dice Game Coming in January
• Two Towers Released, Then Price Drop
• Naval Warfare! Turn-Based Multiplayer Strategy Game Released
•Electronic Arts Holiday Sale
• Hurry Up! Master Updated
• Catan News
•Wars of the Roses Released
• BoardGame Remix Kit Price Drop to Free
• BANG! [HD] the Official Video Game Updated
• Hippos & Crocs Released
•Mobits Button Soccer HD Price Drop
• Big Daddy's Creations Apps On Sale
• All Sage Board Games on Sale
• Hex Empire Price Drop
• Time's Up Price Drop
• Dallas Morning News Suggests iOS Board Games for the Holidays
• Hex Masters Pro Released - December 6
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/hex-masters-pro/id480970605
• Spot it : Dobble! Updated - December 7
Quote:
What's new Fixes bugs
Now supports iOS5 (leaderboards)
• Scramble Your Friends Updated - December 7
Quote:
What's new - Changed format of posts to Facebook and Twitter
- Changes to UI and Images
- Changed 3x and 2x to TW and DW (triple word and double word) to better reflect what the items actually do
• Words with Friends Updated - December 7
Quote:
What's new Lace up your galoshes and prepare for the blizzard of features rolling out in the All-New Words with Friends Store: • Tile Pile shows you how many of each letter is left!
• Word-O-Meter tells you how strong your word is relative to all words your rack can create!
• Assassin's Creed Recollection Updated - December 8, 10, 12, 13
Updated to version 1.2.2 on December 8
Quote:
What's new Multiplayer General:
-Rewards: Get Animus Credits by winning, and XP by playing online games.
-Game speed: The pace of the game is faster for a more intense experience.
-See your opponent’s name when playing an online game.
-Better feedback in the store.
-Various small gameplay and bug fixes.
-Tutorial update
-Menu artwork update
Then Price dropped from 2.99 to $0.99 on December 12
Updated to version 1.4.5 on December 13
Quote:
What's new - New artworks available
- Spanish, German, Italian, French and Portugese (Brazil) versions
- Fixes a few Memory abilities
- Improves tutorial
- Displays the name of your opponent in the defeat/victory screen
- Various fixes and stabilization on the network, gameplay, interface and store
- Fixes reward after a network disconnection during defeat/victory
- Support for Game Center Leaderboard
- Fixes Memories going out of screen when opening packs
• Pocket World at War Updated and Free - December 9, 10, 13, 16
Updated to version 1.4
Quote:
What's New in this version:
★ 1.4 UPDATE Added support for Winter Challenge.Balance adjustments.
Updated to version 1.5 on December 13
Quote:
What's New in this version:
Resolved issues running on older iOS devices, such as iPhone 3G.
Quote:
What's new
● Really attempting to resolve the older iPhone 3g issue this time.
• Squarea Released - December 9
Developer, Smileypop, dropped in to announce the release of a cool looking app called Squarea.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/squarea-free/id464594860
• Victory Point Games Releases Loot and Scoot - December 12
We posted a review here.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/loot-and-scoot/id483972683
• Rex Verbi Released - December 12
Developer Otocolobus AB released word game, ReX Verbi, and started a thread on BGG.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rex-verbi/id486451226
• IGN names apps to Best Mobile Board Games of 2011 - December 13
We're excited to see that IGN even has a category unto itself known as "Best Mobile Board Games".
And the nominees for Best Mobile Board Game 2011 are:
Ancient Trader
Puerto Rico
Quarrel
Ticket to Ride
Tikal
The winner, announced on December 19th, was Quarrel, an app we reviewed early on. Congratulations!
• IGN Article on Mobile - December 12
IGN lays out the five 2011 trends "that allowed iOS game developers to deliver more multiplayer to more gamers." including:
More Asynchronous Options
Console-Like Connectivity
Social Single Player
Game Center Evolves
Multiplayer for Everyone
http://wireless.ign.com/articles/121/1214607p1.html
• Greed Corp Updated, Price Drop - December 13, 14
Updated Version 1.2 on December 13
What's new
Localization pack:
- automated localization by device language
- manual in-game language options
- additional languages: German, French, Spanish
Additional improvements:
- minor bug fixes
Price drop on December 14
$4.99 to $2.99
• Starving Gators Released - Deecember 13
OMG, it's a Hungry Hungry Hippos clone!
http://itunes.apple.com/app/starving-gators/id487510103
• Plan X Released - December 13, 16, 22
According to developer extrafeet, Plan X combines the "magic" of collectible card games and the fun of an online mobile MMO with the real world in a game where you "battle friends, take down rivals, and complete evil plans at the local coffee shop!". That CCG element was enough for us to give it a list entry.
Released December 13
Updated to version 1.0.1
Updated to version 1.0.2
Quote:
What's new New Minion and Weapon sounds (check out Kung Fu Jones)
Attacks from Leaderboard
Better card interactivity
Crashes on Attack fixed
• Ubisoft Reveals Assassin's Creed Recollection Plans - December 14
IGN has posted an interesting interview with the makers of Assassin's Creed Recollection. The interview also includes a cool video.
http://wireless.ign.com/articles/121/1214822p1.html
• Chinese 13 Card Poker Updated - December 14
Updated to Version 2.1.0
Quote:
What's new 1) Added in-app Twitter support (iOS5.0 only) - tweet your Game Center ID or your best hands!
2) AI improvements
3) Minor bug fixes
• Keltis HD Updated - December 14
Updated to Version 1.1
Quote:
What's new - Fixed stability and display issues after loading a saved game
- Improved card handling for the draw and discard piles
- Adjusted placement of some wishing stones in „New Challenges“
- Adjusted random generator when starting a new game from a saved game
- Fixed Game Center achievement counter for online games
- Improved ingame help texts in online games
• Stephane Maurel Info Updates - December 14
Stephane Maurel is the person behind such apps as Kamon, Trader HD and Cyclades. Stephan is also working on Haru Ichiban, the first Bruno Cathala-designed game for iPad, as well as Yggdrasil and Olympos. Here's what coming from Stephane Maurel and apps he's working on:
December: Updates to Cyclades
January: TimeLine Hd (for iPad), Haru Ichiban (for iPad/iPhone, the first Bruno Cathala game designed for iPad).
February/March: Yggdrasil (iPad) and Olympos (iPad) to be released.
• Danger Alliance Updated - December 15
Updated to version 1.1.0
Quote:
What's new - 'The Wraithmaster' mini-campaign. Includes an exciting new game mode, new enemies and additional content.
- An additional weapon for the Captain. The 'Dual Pistols'.
- A new 'Star Rating' system for all missions. Can you achieve the elusive 'Five Star Rating' on hard mode?
- 4 new music tracks to listen to while you battle.
- Drastically improved performance on all supported devices with updates to Joust, our in-house game engine.
- Faster games with quick enemy moves and no more battle report between turns.
- Many more features and fixes.
• Ravenmark Updated - December 15
Updated to version 1.02
Quote:
What's new *** KNOWN ISSUE *** Major Changes UI Changes Gameplay Changes Bug Fixes and Optimizations
After installing the update, the title screen may display "NEW GAME" instead of "CONTINUE" even if you have played the game previously. YOUR SAVE DATA IS INTACT; simply hit "NEW GAME" to resume from where you left off.
- RAVENMARK is now Universal and will run on the iPad natively!
- RAVENMARK will now autosave at the start of every Command Phase, and at the start of every dialogue scene. The game will also autosave when you exit from a battle to the Main Menu. The Continue button in the Main Menu will continue the last autosaved game.
- The speed of the splash animations (during combat) is now adjustable in the Options menu. The splash animations can also be turned off, such that only damage and buff/debuff effects will be denoted after each combat instance.
- When the terrain grid is visible, it will clearly indicate all tiles which the player's own Elements have been commanded to occupy due to Move and Wheeling commands.
- When an AI-controlled Formation is selected, a new toggle is now available to switch between either displaying their movement range or displaying their attack range; the attack range will show the maximum threshold for attacking without moving, as well as attacking after a move.
- Players may now give an order to Move an Element or Formation into tiles either already occupied or blocked by their own units.
- Fixed an issue where the information panel for AI-controlled units would sometimes not display.
- Fixed the radial menu scale not being updated properly when centering on a unit from a zoom that is larger than the default.
- Fixed dialogue errors in the cutscenes for Ravenhood mission 5, and the bug where the characters were assigned incorrect dialogue at the end of Ravenhood mission 6.
- In Ravenhood missions 4 and 5, certain buildings will no longer be erroneously drawn on top of units at certain locations.
- More aggressively reduce memory usage and increase FPS across the game.
• Simple Board Game Released - December 15
Free version of The Octagon Theory by M&D Enterprise
http://itunes.apple.com/app/simple-board-game/id487140103
• Who Goes First Released - December 15
Who Goes First is an app that helps you decide who goes first.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/who-goes-first/id488637822
•Hero Academy Launching January 4 - December 15
Robot Entertainment, making their first foray into mobile game development, has unveiled the first gameplay footage for their upcoming head-to-head tactics game app, Hero Academy. The trailer gives players a first look at the gameplay and layout of the board, as well as specific moves and item upgrades for different units.
Along with the gameplay trailer, Robot Entertainment has revealed the first two playable teams, the noble Council and nefarious Dark Elves. Each team has unique abilities and five types of units; Fighter, Shooter, Caster, Support, and Super Units. Both teams provide a variety of ranged and melee attacks for you to attack your friends any way you see fit.
The app releases on January 4, 2012.
• War on Terror Drops Price - December 16
The app has dropped from $4.99 to $1.99.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/war-on-terror/id421716803
•Poker Pals Updated - December 16
Updated to version 1.2
Quote:
What's new • Now featuring in-game chat function!
• Use iCloud to synch your games across all devices!
http://itunes.apple.com/app/poker-pals-hd/id465632551
/pic866095.jpg "iOS News Bits: Hex Masters Pro • Squarea • Rex Verbi • Starving Gators • Plan X • Yggdrasil • Who Goes First • Simple Board Game • Alien Frontiers • Call of Cthulu • Delve: The Dice Game • Two Towers • Catan News • Wars of the Roses • Much More... | GEEK Digital Board Games (25)")
• HanClinto Outlines AI for Alien Frontiers - December 16
Clint Herron has posted an in-depth look on some of the work he's been doing for the future Alien Frontiers app.
http://boardgamegeek.com/article/8057566#8057566
• KQED Posts Article on Board Game Apps - December 16
Another holiday board game article, this time comparing print and apps.
http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/12/for-a-holiday-gift-board-g...
• Call of Cthulu Gets Official Release Date - December 16
Red Wasp Design will release their turn-based strategy/role-playing video game app, Call of Cthulhu on January 30th, 2012.
http://redwaspdesign.wordpress.com/call-of-cthulhu/
• Delve: The Dice Game Coming in January - December 17
Fellow BGGer Graham Smallwood has let us know that Delve: The Dice Game, will get an app implementation of the same name, developed by Code Bunny Games and releasing in January. The app will be launch priced at $1.99. Here's a description from the developer:
Quote:
Delve:TDG uses the well known three-throws dice mechanic to activate the spells and powers of your party of dungeon delvers. Use full houses, long straights, and five of a kinds to beat up minions until you can punch the boss in the face. With eight heroes to pick from, five missions to beat, and a bunch of achievements to unlock, Delve:TDG is a perfect little dice romp for the iPhone.
• Two Towers Released, Then Price Drop - December 17
Fireblink has released their app, Two Towers. We've not played it yet, but it appears that it might have some interesting game play. Subsequently, it's developer FireBlink then dropped it's price from $2.99 to $1.99.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/two-towers/id461456191
• Naval Warfare! Turn-Based Multiplayer Strategy Game Released - December 17
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/naval-warfare!-turn-based/id4...
•Electronic Arts Holiday Sale - December 20
One of the major video game publishers, Electronic Arts has slashed prices on its apps. They've got a few mainstream board game apps, that are probably worth a look from an implementation perspective if you can stomach the underlying games.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/the-game-of-life-for-ipad/id4062...
• Hurry Up! Master Updated - December 20
Updated to Version 2.0
Quote:
What's new - New Design
- The timer can be set to 3 levels of difficulty
- New Music
• Catan News - December 20
Around the turn of the year, Catan will get an update that optimizes the graphics engine in preparation for ‘Cities & Knights’. They will also tweak the AI opponents and integrate various smaller optimizations, among others for Game Center and iOS 5.0.1.
Here's more from United Soft Media (USM):
USM wrote:
We are, of course, working at full speed on the ‘Cities & Knights’ expansion for iOS and Android. We will launch the public beta test at the beginning of next year, and once again we’d be glad if our users could once again provide some feedback to help us optimize the app. We’ll keep you updated about the details. Currently we plan to release Cities and Knights around the end of February/ beginning of March 2012.
Of course, we also continue working on the eagerly anticipated online multiplayer mode. Our aim is to create a cross-platform multiplayer that will allow iPhone, iPad, and Android users to play online with each other. Since the development and testing on the various devices are very time-consuming, we’ll launch the public testing around (or shortly after) the release of ‘Cities & Knights’.
The completely new iOS app called ‘Rivals for Catan’ - based on the two-player card game bearing the same title - is now being developed. We’re currently testing the first version, and we’ll also invite our users to join the beta test and to give some feedback on the game. Details on this issue will follow as soon as we’re ready to launch the public testing.
•Wars of the Roses Released - December 21
Also from USM, the iOS implementation of Dirk Henn's The Rose King has been released as Wars of the Roses. Here's more from USM:
USM wrote:
The house of York, bearing the white rose in their coat of arms, and the house of Lancaster with the red rose struggle for the kingship.
Play your might cards deliberately to gain control over large, connected areas. The cunning use of your heroes will foil your opponent’s plans and bring the crown within your reach! A comprehensive introduction to the rules helps beginners as well as board game veterans. Wars of the Roses can be played against AI opponents, with friends via hot seat multiplayer, via Bluetooth or on the internet via Game Center. Leaderboards and achievements for the multiplayer modes or the campaign mode for one player challenge the ambitious game-fan.
“Wars of the roses” is now available on the App Store for $ 3.99.
• Board Game Remix Kit Price Drop to Free - December 21
Board Game Remix Kit is an app full of variants rule sets for use with the components of more mainstream games.
[url="http://itunes.apple.com/app/boardgame-remix-kit/id406367891"]http://itunes.apple.com/app/boardgame-remix-kit/id406367891[/url]
• BANG! [HD] the Official Video Game Updated - December 21
Palzoun & SpinVector wrote:
What's new A new achievement that unlocks "Claus the Saint".
Better Online Gameplay.
Several fixes.
• Hippos & Crocs Released - December 21
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/hippos-crocs/id490086932
•Mobits Button Soccer HD Price Drop - December 21
Price dropped from $2.99 to $.99
http://itunes.apple.com/app/mobits-button-soccer-hd/id450495...
• Big Daddy's Creations Apps On Sale - December 21
Big Daddy's Creations has dropped prices on some of its most popular apps.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/neuroshima-hex-puzzle/id42284937...
http://itunes.apple.com/app/neuroshima-hex/id391297152
http://itunes.apple.com/app/army-of-frogs-hd/id449111716
• All Sage Board Games on Sale - December 21
- Puerto Rico on sale for $4.99
- Tigris & Euphrates on sale for $3.99
- Ra on sale for $2.99
- Tikal on sale for $2.99
- Medici HD on sale for $1.99
- Medici for iPhone on sale for $0.99
• Hex Empire Price Drop - December 22
In just over a week since release NTT Resonant dropped the price of Hex Empire from $2.99 to $.99.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/hex-empire/id454125259
• Time's Up Price Drop - December 22
Just in time for holiday party gaming, Repos Production has dropped the price of Time's Up! from $4.99 to $1.99.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/times-up!-usa/id425237539
• Dallas Morning News Suggests iPhone, iPad board/card games for the holidays - December 22
Another mainstream media annual holiday board games piece, but this one is about board game apps:
http://popcultureblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/12/great-...
