extremepreneur

Building a Better Bounce Trap

This is a story about how a good game became GREAT.

I am proud to announce that Bounce Trap Tilt just got released on iTunes and the App Store. 



The original Bounce Trap got some nice reviews on iTunes and in the press. 

... this iPhone puzzle game is fun. It's got the addictiveness part down pat. This is one of the first iPhone games that I'd deem worthy for an actual gamer. - Hands-On, Destructoid.com

Addiction is a cruel mistress. She sneaks up on you, luring you with promise of pleasure. It's a rouse, a trap – one time and you're hooked. Bounce Trap ensnares you with its easy-to-learn gameplay, drawing you back with its subtle strategic depth. ... Bounce Trap provides polished casual play with enough depth to entertain a seasoned gamer. - PocketGamer 

With a mixture of action, strategy, and chance Bounce Trap can get fairly addicting and will provide entertainment for young and old. - AppCraver 

But along with that, there was a legitimate criticism that the game needed more interactivity. You could control where the ball was released, but like Peggle^tm, once the ball was released you didn't have any control over it's trajectory.

Well, Bounce Trap Tilt now allows you to control the ball by .... tilting the iPhone. You can curve your shots, aim for specific bonus holes etc... We also added a new audio driver and shrunk the game from 26MB to 9.3MB with all the music and sound effects of the original. You can even buy the game ($0.99) directly from your iPhone by texting BOUNCE to 74415.

And of course, it is a free update for existing players of Bounce Trap.

Update: Bounce Trap Tilt is featured in "What's Hot" on iTunes!

iPhone Reviews blog reviews Mystic Jewels

Wednesday's Review: Mystic Jewels

Mystic Jewels is a very clever strategy game. While it does look like another matching game, it is far from it. The aim of the game is to remove all jewels from the board. This is done by upgrading the Jewels until the are destroyed and sent out waves which start a chain reaction, earning you more points. It sounds simple but if you don't make big chain reactions, the number of moves which you get will get be down dramatically, causing you to lose the game. This is very addictive and a great game to play.
....

This is a very addicting game with a lot of replay value as you try and master the game and beat your high scores. Very polished game that was well thought out. Anyone who enjoys puzzle games would enjoy this, definitely consider buying this for its sale price, well worth it.

Support P.O.P., People against the Overfeeding of Pigs

Please support this worthy cause:


Pigs a' Pop'n - Save the Pigs video from tedb on Vimeo.

Thank you.

Sony to Sony Ericsson, DROP DEAD!

I don't see anyway to sugarcoat this.

With massive layoffs at Sony, coupled with Sony Ericsson losses of US$346 million having just been announced, there's never been a better time to branch out with a potentially lucrative and under used brands – like the PSP [PlayStation Portable)]. But according to MobileToday, Sony has refused the use of the PSP brand, stating that:

"In the past, we have been keen that our product proposition lives up to brand promise, and we feel at the moment the technical specs are not high enough to put such a prestigious brand on a phone."

http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/news.asp?c=0445241201&pk=33430117

They have literally denied Sony Ericsson the tools needed to turnabout their sales picture and in fact have hurt the PSP platform itself. The iPhone/iPod touch are already taking share away from the PSP, which badly needs a OTA distribution system.

This ranks with some of the all-time bad business decisions ever made.

How to market a product: GEICO

I am constantly amazed at GEICO's marketing genius.  They have the caveman.  They have the gecko.

Most companies would stop there, but GEICO keeps trying new and different campaigns.  The latest is a stack of money with two eyes on top ... "The Money You Would Save" or something.

They have done many others.  The 'spokesperson' ads.  The "silly things on the internet" ads.  

Makes me think that you have to iterate.  Never be satisfied with what you have.

SUPER PIG OUT! A new contest for Pigs a Pop'n

Ok, so we ran a contest and in a few hours, one lucky player (Eric, you were AWESOME) beat our best scores and managed to get to level 25.   I never got past level 14 so I was impressed.

So this time we're making the challenge more interesting.  

In honor of the Super Bowl we're awarding $200 (via Paypal) to the highest score submitted by Super Bowl day (Feb. 1st).  

Just email a screen grab of a game screen (better than Level 25, we know you can do that) to:

[email protected] 

Here's some information on capturing a screen.

How to Capture a Screen

Here's the link to the game: http://tinyurl.com/5mgk6z

Or simply text Pigs to 74415.

We will keep everyone informed of the current high score on this blog, on Twitter, and on the touchArcade forum.

Super Oink Oink!

SYGG wins the contest!

Contest: PIG OUT with "Pigs a Pop'n"

Simple contest. 

First person to get to level 25 in the game "Pigs a Pop'n" gets $100 in PayPal to buy Pizza or whatever else they want to PIG OUT on.

Just email a screen grab of Level 25 to:

[email protected] 

How to Capture a Screen

Here's the link to the game: http://tinyurl.com/5mgk6z




Oink Oink!

UPDATE!  We have a WINNER!  Metehe from the touchArcade forum got to level 25 and they started playing today!  

New contest to be announced.