iGame Radio

Host Omaha Sternberg goes it alone, covering the gaming scene at Macworld 2012, whether game publishers are relevant anymore, and this week’s copycatting scandals.
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Heatma.ps looks like something one would see on computer screens in a sci-fi flick. But it’s real-time UI testing for game devs at its finest. Visuals do the best job for seeing the words, so check out the screens below, and listen into the podcast to find out how Heatm.aps might help you use players for real-time testing.

 

TourWrist is not an app one would immediately think of as a gaming application. A 360 degree panoramic viewer, the app is great to look at but has no interactivity. Yet the possibilities for iOS gaming for this pano viewer are incredible. Listen in to find out why.

 

Foursaken Media started out in true game developer tradition, developing games in their garages. After some success with more traditional games, such as N.Y. Zombies and Bug Heroes, they decided to try their chops with a more casual style. They recently released Mad Chef, an interesting mashup of Fruit Nina and Diner Dash. Their next game? Ever thought a gnome could fly? Check out the podcast to find out more!

 

Their first year at Macworld, Hidden Variable Studios brings a bunch of game industry veterans together to create their own games. They were showing off their first game, Bag It!, at the show, and we spoke with them about the game, why they chose to form the company, and what their experience with Macworld has been. Better listen in for that Sweetheart Match!

 

Last year we chatted with XMG Studios at Macworld about their games centered around customization and user generated content. They’re still at it, preparing to release two new entertainment apps centered around customizing fashion and a unique take on consuming content on the iPad. For you racing fans, a new drag-racing game is soon to arrive, with great multiplayer potential. And who you gonna call? Well, you’ll have to listen in to find out!

iGame Radio will be stalking the hallways of Moscone West this year at Macworld|iWorld 2012 as we seek out new and interesting games and check in with our old favorites appearing at the show. We’ll also be hosting the 2nd Annual iGame Radio Gamers Meetup at the show as well.

We’ve already been checking out who is going to attend the show and who isn’t, and the shift over the years is pretty surprising. Years ago, Macworld was known for its gaming pavilion, at which most major Mac gaming publishers and developers would attend. Times have changed, and now what we are seeing is iOS game developers in small booths, showing off their latest creations. Since Apple’s decision to leave Macworld, the annual convention has been struggling to survive and find a new niche to cater to. What you find this year might be characterized as more like SXSW for the Mac elite.

Head Editor Omaha Sternberg will be there, grabbing interviews, posting about new games, and getting images to us for the site. She’ll also be hosting the Gamers’ Meetup that will be held on Thursday, January 26th, starting at 5:30pm. If you’ll be at Macworld you can join us in the 2nd Floor lobby of Moscone West.

There’s going to be tons to do at Macworld, so make sure to check out the 2012 Hess Memorial Macworld-iWorld Events List as well so you don’t miss out.

 

This is the last of the podcasts from Macworld 2011, and I apologize that it took so long to get posted. Chris Allen of RPG.net talks about what RPG.net is all about, and about how he ported Eurogame board games, such as the Reiner Knizia games, over to the iPhone and iPad. Also, Chris talks about iPhone Dev Camp, an UnConference which eschews speakers and brings teams together based on their mutual interests.

 

Alexandra Butova of Alawar Entertainment was at Macworld 2011 showing off their latest iPad game, Hamlet. This point and click adventure game reminds one of Myst in the type of puzzles it provides, and the artwork is quite original. This is an example of the new path that Alawar ha been taking on all of their games in 2010, and they intend to continue this path. I talked with Butova about their games on Mac and iOS devices and where they are going from here.

 

Jeff McCord has a long history in the game industry. Best known for developing Sword of Fargoal back in 1982 (a game which was listed in 1996 by Computer Gaming World as #147 on the “Top 150 Best Video Games of All Time”), McCord has brought this well-beloved game back to PC, Mac, and even iPhone and iPad. Now he has moved forward with two endeavors to continue his gaming career with the development of Sword of Fargoal 2, and Trouble Brothers, a company he is working in conjunction with Steven Shippert to develop strategy games, including the recently released Wizard Hex.