Cyan releases Myst on the Mac App Store and Steam with updated graphics and sound along with M1 Mac support.
Games
Smash Hit Asphalt 8: Airborne Racing to Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade might have been launched to help new and exclusive games, but Cupertino has been adding some really hot titles to the subscription gaming service. On August 27, 2021, you’ll be able to download the popular racing game Asphalt 8: Airborne through Apple Arcade. Sure, the franchise is up to Asphalt 9, but this version won’t tempt you with in-app purchases.
One interesting aspect of having Asphalt 8 available on Apple Arcade is the change in the gameplay model. Current Asphalt games (including Asphalt 8) are free-to-play, meaning that anyone can download them without paying, but the game offers multiple items that can only be obtained through in-app purchases.
‘Pokémon UNITE’ Launches for iOS and Android on September 22
Nintendo Switch game Pokémon UNITE is coming to the App Store on September 22, the company revealed on Wednesday.
Preregistration has already kicked off on the App Store and Google Play Store. If you haven’t preregistered already, there’s an added incentive to do so. If preregistration totals reach 2,500,000, participants will receive a Pikachu Unite license. And if preregistration numbers hit 5,000,000, participants will get a special Holowear—Festival Style: Pikachu.
Scrabble-Like Game ‘wurdweb’ Now Available on Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade players who love puzzles should check out the new game wurdweb. Grab words from a list and cross them with words on the board. Puzzle your way towards a Finish Tile, put down enough words, or put down as many
words as you can. In this game, you’ll find: Infinite unique puzzles, generated by an intelligent algorithm; Tangle Mode, where you pick up extra words to put down 15 words; Precise Mode, where puzzles have a single solution; Daily, Weekly and Monthly Mode, where you put down as many words as you can. On top of that, you’ll also find; 20+ word themes, some of which are rather…peculiar; Plenty of puzzle variations to challenge how you play; Cute little characters who walk around in your puzzles doing absolutely nothing. Play with controllers compatible with your device.
‘Unseen Empire’ is a Game Based on a Real-Life Wildlife Study
Based on the biggest wildlife camera trap study ever, Unseen Empire takes you through the research process.
In playing the game, users can re-enact the research process as they place camera traps across eight countries and collected and identify hundreds of never-before-seen photos of rare animal species.
Apple Device Owners Can Play Facebook Games in a Web App
Facebook is bringing its cloud gaming services to Apple devices via a web app that can be added to the Home Screen
‘Doodle God Universe’ is Out on Apple Arcade
Fans of Doodle God, rejoice! The newest game in the series, Doodle God Universe, is now available on Apple Arcade. In this addictive puzzle & world building game mix and match different combinations of elements to create an entire universe. As you create each new element, watch your 3D planet come alive in amazing animation. But beware, the power of creation may have unintended consequences, inventing the wheel might just trigger a zombie plague or a powerful volcano,
Basketball Game 'Ultimate Rivals: The Court' Now on Apple Arcade
Get ready for the ultimate arcade action basketball game featuring sports athletes from the NHL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL Players Association, and US women’s soccer national team players. Players will create powerhouse squads consisting of their favorite pros to compete with their friends and family in 3-on-3 games with tons of above-the-rim acrobatics. With more than 130 superstars from across the sports world, players have access to a dream roster of top athletes, but they’ll have to choose wisely to combine the pros’ playing styles and maximize their impact on the court. Set in a digital world in the near future, Ultimate Rivals: The Court is the first basketball experience to gives fans the ability to play as their favorite athletes wherever and however they choose, with pros such as NBA’s Luka Doncic, De’Aaron Fox, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and legendary athletes like Larry Bird, Julius Erving and Shaquille O’Neal; WNBA’s Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins-Smith; USWNT’s Alex Morgan; NFL’s Juju Smith-Schuster; NHL’s Alex Ovechkin and legend Wayne Gretzky.
An AI Created a Video Game Called ‘Candy Shop Slaughter’
A company called Fractl used artificial intelligence tools to create a game called Candy Shop Slaughter, commissioned by OnlineRoulette.com.
‘Legends of Kingdom Rush’ Now on Apple Arcade
Apple announced on Friday that Legends of Kingdom Rush is now on Apple Arcade. It’s a turn-based combat game.
Gaming Company ‘EA’ Suffers Data Breach of Game Code
Electronic Arts is the latest company to have information stolen in a data breach. It includes the source code for FIFA 21, the Frostbite engine, and proprietary frameworks and SDKs.
We are investigating a recent incident of intrusion into our network where a limited amount of game source code and related tools were stolen. No player data was accessed, and we have no reason to believe there is any risk to player privacy.
Following the incident, we’ve already made security improvements and do not expect an impact on our games or our business. We are actively working with law enforcement officials and other experts as part of this ongoing criminal investigation.
Pre-Orders For Playdate Handheld Game System Open in July
Playdate is a small handheld game system filled with original games. Earlier this week the team behind it announced that pre-orders for the device will open in July. It has a black and white screen, WI-Fi, and Bluetooth. It also has a loudspeaker and a crank which serves as an analog controller. Once set up, users get two brand new games every week for 12 weeks. Playdate costs U.S. $179 plus taxes and shipping.
Roblox Faces $200 Million Lawsuit for Alleged Music Copyright Infringement
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) filed a $200 million lawsuit against Roblox for user-uploaded music in their streams.
Sony to Bring PlayStation Games to Mobile in Future
Sony announced plans to bring some of its “iconic IP” to mobile devices during its current fiscal year, which runs until March 2022.
Verizon Customers Can Get Up to One Year Free Apple Arcade
Verizon customers can get up to one year free (with certain plans) of Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass, according to an announcement on Monday.
Buy This Wireless Game Controller and get 4 Free Months of Apple Arcade
Gaming company SteelSeries announced a new offer that involves its Nimbus+ wireless gamepad controller.
Summon the Seven Princes of Hell With ‘The Book of Asmodeus’
“5300 years ago Asmodeus wrote a book that people can summon his demons. If you defeat the demons, all earthly lust and pleasure are yours. In 2021 we found that book.” The Book of Asmodeus is an “interactive horror book and game” that involves using the augmented reality capabilities on your iPhone. The Kickstarter page lists it as an upcoming project, but the team’s Medium post shares the details. In the game it sounds like you “summon” AR demons and defeat them, all while writing your own story. It sounds like one of those Choose Your Own Adventure books. The book in question looks really cool. The team says it’s handmade with a 3D printed/polymer clay cover, with pages showing original artwork. There will be a PDF version for US$49 and a super early bird Kickstarter reward for the hardcover-US$79.
New Civilization VI Update Means Scouts Can Pet Their Dogs
Civilization VI received an update on Thursday but it brings an important new feature: Your scouts can now pet their dogs. Other updates include three new military units, four new maps, a new unit action, and various bug fixes and improvements. New units: Trebuchet – Medieval Era Catapult upgrade. Siege promotion class. Upgrades into Bombard. Cannot move and attack on the same turn unless they’ve earned the Expert Crew Promotion. Man-At-Arms: Medieval Era Swordsman upgrade. Melee promotion class. Upgrades into Musketman. Line Infantry: Industrial Era Musketman upgrade. Melee promotion class. Upgrades into Infantry. New maps: Mediterranean Large Map: A large map of the greater Mediterranean region with resources, terrain, and features reflecting their historic locations. Earth Huge Map: A larger sized representation of Earth with resources, terrain, and features reflecting their historic locations. TSL Earth Huge: Civilizations start at the location of their historical capital on the huge Earth map. TSL Mediterranean: Civilizations start the location of their historic capital on the large Mediterranean map.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Enters Beta for Apple Devices
Microsoft announced on Monday that its Xbox Cloud gaming service will enter a limited beta for select Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members.
IMEI Numbers, Apple Arcade Updates – TMO Daily Observations 2021-04-07
Bryan Chaffin and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss IMEI numbers, the new wave of Apple Arcade games, and cultural confessions.
Civilization VI Gets New ‘Zombie Defense’ Mode With Portugal Pack
Zombies are trudging their way into Civilization VI in the new Portugal Pack DLC. It comes with a new leader and civilization.
In the final Civilization 6 Frontier DLC, Portugal Pack, players will get access to the Portuguese civilization and leader Joao III. This isn’t anything surprising, as the game series has released new leaders like this in the past. What has come as the biggest surprise is the new zombie mode being released in this DLC. Usually found in the FPS genre, zombies have occasionally made an appearance in strategy games before.
I’ll leave you with this fine song.
Amazon Launches ‘GameOn’ App to Share Gaming Clips on iOS
Following its Android launch in November, Amazon has released its GameOn app so mobile gamers can share clips to their favorite social media.
Civilization VI and You – TMO Daily Observations 2021-03-02
Andrew Orr and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss the latest iteration of the game Civilization, and also explain the game to Kelly.
Doctor Mac on Apple Arcade – TMO Daily Observations 2021-02-25
Bob “Dr Mac” LeVitus joins host Kelly Guimont today to chat about Apple Arcade and why Bob has become a casual fan of Apple casual gaming service.
