Tag: Game Center »

Osmos initially released on the iPad back in 2010 with an iPhone version releasing later, which makes the game practically ancient by App Store standards. The game just became relevant in 2012, as an update with Game Center multiplayer has been released. The rules vary based on the 6 map types available, which are based on modes with in the singleplayer game, but the goal is generally to absorb the other player, or some central object, before they do the same. Levels are designed to be symmetrical, so no one player has an advantage over the other.

This means that games often have an interesting pacing to them: a slow build-up as players try to carefully tread on their way to becoming bigger, then when a player gets the opportune moment to strike, a rapid chase occurs. Of course, sometimes what happens is that one player gets stuck, but might still win if the other player messes up. Or a player chasing after the other might think they have a clear shot at victory by absorption, before a larger mote comes along and drains them enough, sending them careening to their doom. It’s something that makes for a surprisingly great fit with the established gameplay, while adding a whole new dimension to it. The update is live on both the iPhone and iPad versions of the game.

Overkill, Craneballs' free target shooter, has gotten a major update bringing Game Center online head-to-head multiplayer to the proceedings. It operates in a similar fashion to Fruit Ninja’s online multiplayer. There are three sets of enemies: blue enemies that the player must shoot for points. These enemies, if not taken care of before they firing circle meter diminishes, will shoot at the player, which causes the player to lose points. The red enemies are the other player’s enemies; shooting them causes a point penalty to be assessed. The white enemies are worth a lot of points, but can be shot by either player, so getting to them before the other player is the goal. As well, there are powerups that can be shot, granting temporary upgrades or attacks to obscure the other player’s view. Lag does not appear to affect the player’s aiming, though the view of the opponent’s target may be delayed.

There are two tiers of gameplay: Novice, where everyone has the same weapon, and Elite where gun upgrades, flying bots, score bonuses, and Game Center leaderboards get involved. This mode costs 30 Overkill Medals to unlock. The free update is available now.

Apple shocked the world today by announcing a brand-new operating system for desktop devices, less than a year after the launch of OS X Lion. Codenamed Mountain Lion, the latest update further blurs the line between home computers and tablets, bringing a host of features that make your MacBook or iMac run more like an iPad. Here's a rundown of some of the major additions and how they work.

Messages - Built to replace the current iChat system, the Messages app seamlessly integrates with iMessage, allowing users to chat across platforms. If you're at work but want to get a message out to a loved one's iPhone all you have to do is pop into Messages and start typing. The service is free and supports text, photos and even high-def video sharing.

Reminders - Create and organize tasks and to-do lists on your computer, then push them out to all your devices via iCloud. Need to run a bunch of errands this weekend? Reminders has you covered.

Notification Center - Another iOS concept ported over to the Mac, Notification Center groups all your alerts in one place to easily view and/or dismiss at your convenience. No more alerts popping up all over the screen, now things are contained to one place off to the side, minimizing interruption.

Game Center - You know it, you love it, it's here. Any questions?

For those who can't get enough, Apple has also released the following video showcasing all the cool new features present in OS X Mountain Lion:

While no price has yet been announced Apple expects to launch Mountain Lion this summer. Furthermore, developers can sign up for access right now and begin tinkering with this new, iOS inspired operating system. Apple has long been the company most devoted to making the desktop and mobile experience as analogous as possible, and things seem to be going to a whole new level with Mountain Lion. In the immortal words of Philip J. Fry, "Shut up and take my money!"