Carter speaks with Neil Ferguson of Vertigo Software about his new puzzle game Virus Strike, why he decided to release it for free initially, and where the future of the game will lead to.
Carter speaks with Nitzan Wilnai of Engineous Games about Sketch Nation Jump, how the app has evolved from Sketch Nation Shooter, how they were able to use the app to create Spooky Jump, and how users will be able to share their games with others on the App Store.
Lets just face facts and admit that as much as we would like to believe otherwise, the "match three" puzzle game is here to stay. The success of the gametype could be chocked up to everything from its simple to grasp concepts to the use of bright colors and often flashy animations, but the problem is that no developers are willing to mess with the formula. Hoping to take the nauseatingly stagnant bull by the proverbial horns, a new game named Virus Strike looks to change all of that in one quick swoop of their handkerchief. How are they hoping to breath new life into the stagnant genre? The answer is simple: give it a personal touch. Well, line drawing controls at least.
While much of the competition fumbles with fake analog sticks and gimmicky finger shuffling, Vertigo Software may be onto something with their unique new line drawing scheme that has more in common with Flight Control than it does Tetris. To help you better wrap your brain around how this awesomely simple schema works, glance over the brief gameplay footage below:
After viewing that video, I think it would be reasonable to assume that we have never controlled a "match three" in quite this manner. This may be the kind of change that has been needed for quite some time. Though, I do have to say that I have some concerns over the precision of the above methods; if nothing else, it will give a much needed change of pace that could further drive innovation.
Place your bets on how long these controls are exclusively in Virus Strike. Sadly, I am guessing it will be not long at all before someone from a larger publisher "borrows" it. However, the genre may be better off because of it. Be sure to give credit where it is deserved and take the innovator out for a test spin. The game will only stay free for a limited time.
:: FUN
