Games

XCOM: Enemy Unknown lands on the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

If you thought casual mobile entertainment were becoming a tad too boring lately, how about something completely different? Something along the lines of a triple-A action strategy that has a long history and loyal following, a direct port of a massively popular PC hit?

Developer Fireaxis and publisher 2K Games have been trumpeting the forthcoming release of XCOM: Enemy Unknown for Apple's iOS platform for quite some time and now it's finally arrived. The universal binary supports iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices and apart from touch-based controls, this is the full XCOM: Enemy Unknown experience you'd expect from the popular PC and console franchise...

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour ‘Meltdown’ update explodes into the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 19, 2013

True to its promise, French developer Gameloft today unleashed a massive content update to the fourth installment of its popular wartime shooter franchise, Modern Combat. The 'Meltdown' content pack, as they're calling it, is of course free to players who've previously purchased the game.

The download brings with it three new maps, two new weapons - the portable 40mm Thor GLP grenade launcher and the SFS CTK-12 sniper rifle - two new game modes, a brand new Demolition specialization and a whole host of goodies aimed at balancing the gameplay...

How much is too much for mobile games?

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

I was going to write this post when everything was raw, soon after the news had developed and the internet was awash with people seemingly frothing at the mouth. Frothing, apparently, for one of two reasons.

Firstly, we had the people frothing because "ZOMG, 20 dollars for an iPad game!!!!." Apparently anything the wrong side of free is just about the developers trying to squeeze money out of their hard work. Because, well, it's their living.

Then secondly, there were the polar opposites. People screaming back, apparently oblivious to the fact they were wasting their time, claiming that developers deserve to be paid and that free to play games have ruined the App Store, caused world hunger and possibly even kicked a kitten once.

The truth though, as is so often the case, is somewhere in-between...

Gameloft previews Modern Combat 4 ‘Meltdown’ update, coming Wednesday

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 17, 2013

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour made its way into the App Store last December and today French developer Gameloft is teasing a forthcoming update. Titled 'Meltdown,' the content update is of course free to players who bought the game and will be available on iOS starting Thursday, June 19, and "coming very soon" to Android.

The trailer included right below the fold mentions three new maps (Fracture, Extraction and Backfire), two new game modes and a brand new specialization (Demolition)...

XCOM: Enemy Unknown hitting iOS on June 20

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

We told you back in March that developer Fireaxis and publisher 2K Games will be releasing the official XCOM: Enemy Unknown port on the App Store this summer. Today, the publisher has confirmed both the released date and price: XCOM: Enemy Unknown is coming to an iPhone and iPad near your on June 20, costing twenty bucks.

Basically a re-imagined remake of the 1994 cult classic strategy game UFO: Enemy Unknown (also known as X-COM: UFO Defense), XCOM: Enemy Unknown puts you in the shoes of an elite multinational paramilitary organization which must get rid of the alien scum invading the Earth...

Photo surfaces of first ‘Made for iPhone’ game controller prototype

Cody Lee ∙ June 16, 2013

We know that iOS 7 is going to offer developers an easy way to make their games compatible with physical controllers. After years of ignoring the space, Apple is finally going to officially support third-party gamepads, and both Logitech and MOGA are already onboard.

Today, we get our first glimpse of what at least some of these controllers may look like. A photo has surfaced of what is said to be a prototype of the first 'Made for iPhone' game controller. It's made by Logitech, and the control scheme looks reminiscent of the PS Vita...

Cubemen2 will put you on a path of destruction

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 12, 2018

Every week, Apple spotlights a couple of new or recently updated apps that they believe stand out amongst the sea of submissions to the App Store. The Editor’s Choice is usually given to an app or game that looks especially cool, incorporates iOS technology well, or is otherwise innovative in its field.

Cubemen2 received the Editor’s Choice moniker this week for its combination of real-time strategy and tower defense gaming. It is full of customizable playing fields, multiplayer battle action, and more...

Apple sticks it to cheaters with Game Center on iOS 7

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

All the talk about iOS 7 is, rightly or wrongly, revolving around the aesthetic changes that Apple has made, but that doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of alterations under the hood. Game Center, a feature often ignored by many, is receiving some much needed love with this update and those pesky cheaters are top of the agenda.

Whilst adding new Game Center features that aim to make recognizing cheaters as easy as possible for developers, Apple is also adding other development tools that will make the whole Game Center experience better as a whole. Improved leaderboards and challenges are just two of the changes coming in iOS 7.

With rampant cheating and high scores that have obviously tampered with, Game Center is set to receive its biggest overhaul yet, and most people won't even notice what's changed...

Apple said to be working with Logitech and others on MFi gamepads

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Yesterday we talked a little bit about a new feature (or rather, developer API) in iOS 7 that offers support for MFi (Made for iPhone) certified hardware game controllers. This will be the first time that Apple has officially supported third party gamepads.

Today a few more details have surfaced about Apple's plans regarding these controllers. A new report is out this afternoon claiming that the Cupertino company is working with the likes of Logitech and MOGA to produce a new line of iOS gaming peripherals...

Man of Steel game arrives ahead of tomorrow’s Superman movie premiere

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

As part of the upcoming Superman movie, Warner Bros. today released the official movie tie-in game on the App Store. The Man of Steel companion game supports all form-fator iDevices natively and features great graphics and memorable locations such as Smallville and the Kent Farm.

This being an action-focused arcade title means you'll be fighting foes using a plethora of moves, bone-crunching combos and super powers. I've included the official promo video and more tidbits right after the break...

Gameloft teases Asphalt 8: Airborne

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 11, 2013

French games maker Gameloft is on a roll lately. Hot on the heels of teasing its upcoming Modern Combat 5 for iOS and Android and releasing Gangstar Vegas on the App Store, just a few hours ago it posted the first Asphalt 8: Airborne teaser.

Yup, the next installment in the Asphalt franchise promises to up the ante with high-octane action.

This usually entails smashing vehicles into each other and taking control of crazy fast racing cars that defy gravity and fly all over the place, almost as if someone's watched a tad too many Fast and Furious movies. We're not complaining, though. Asphalt 8: Airborne looks business and we can't wait to get our hands on it. Your action-packed trailer is right after the break...

Apple invites robotics company Anki onstage to show off new iOS accessory

Cody Lee ∙ June 10, 2013

This is kind of interesting. Halfway through his opening remarks, Tim Cook called up the folks behind a new robotics company called Anki up to the stage to show off an innovative new iOS accessory called AnkiDrive.

Essentially, they are tiny, artificially-controlled race cars. You can choose to play against your friends, or take your chances against the AI. The promise here is that AnkiDrive will "take iOS gaming to a whole new level."