iGame Radio

Omaha explains why she isn’t going to Macworld/iWorld this year to cover the Mac/iOS gaming scene…and may not again in the future.

I made a hard decision not to go to Macworld/iWorld this year. Much of it is about working to transition iGame Radio into something better for this year, and I’ve got a lot of work to do this month. Going to Macworld will cut into that.

But unfortunately much of it has to do with my feeling that Macworld really isn’t a place for me to go to cover gaming anymore. In years past, back when Apple still was the centerpiece to the show, there was a giant gaming hub at Macworld. Even despite the fact that Apple really doesn’t support Mac gaming much at all, there were those internal at Apple and many external (developers and publishers) who did.

But over the years, even before Apple left, that hub began to die. After Apple announced it would no longer be showing at Macworld, that pretty much meant the death knell to any kind of gaming hub. For a year or two there was still a central location where many developers and publishers of Mac and iOS games would situate their booths, but even that became less important as many had booths elsewhere in the show or, more likely, didn’t even show up.

Last year I felt, as a journalist, that there was really not much to see. There were a few iOS game developers that had small booths at the Appalooza section, but that was it. No tracks. I tried to get a meetup together and few showed up. This year I counted two game companies in the list (both iOS). I just don’t think that Macworld is a place for covering Mac/iOS gaming anymore.

There are two other important events for me that are happening the same weekend in my area. If I were covering GDC, for example, it would be a no-brainer. But because I feel like I’m not going to be getting much out of Macworld for iGame Radio, if at all, I’d really rather just stay put this year.

Maybe next year…if there isn’t anything else going on. To see my friends.

Today Omaha reviews the esoteric exploration puzzler Botanicula by Amanita Design.

• A review of Botanicula, the esoteric exploration puzzler by Amanita Design. This game takes you to a different place of beauty, danger, and idiosyncrasy and makes you work as you adventure back.

I’ve been running iGame Radio, believe it or not, for seven years. In Intarweb terms, that’s almost a lifetime. Considering that I obtained my first email address in 1987, it doesn’t seem that long to me, but still (and yes, you may get off my lawn, n00b).

In all that time, the core of iGame Radio has been podcasting, from its days when I still did live Internet radio broadcasts (ah, those days!). Over the recent years, though, I’ve become more and more disillusioned and unhappy with working with iGame Radio. I ask myself, why? I love games. I love writing about games. I love gaming on Macs, iPhones, and iPads. I love talking to developers and publishers about their games. I love talking to gamers about what makes gaming fun. So, what’s my problem?
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Hosts Omaha Sternberg and Rob Benson talk about the hardware announced at the October Apple Event and the Steam Black Screen of Doom. Plus, much more!

What’s inside this episode:

• Host Omaha Sternberg and co-host Rob Benson talk about the week’s news in Mac and iOS gaming. First, this week’s Apple Event. Tim Cook waxed on about how great the Apple Retail stores are. No really, he did. Oh, and Phil was allowed to show off new hardware, too. Omaha and Rob talk about whether the new 13 inch Macbook Pro is worth buying to game with, if the 2012 iMac will be this year’s Apple gaming machine, and what impact the new iPad Mini and surprise 4th gen iPad announcement will have on the mobile gaming market. Also, they speculate about the next major iPad announcement…the iPad Pro. Key phrase of the day: “A little bit of Steve Jobs in every one.”
• Valve made every Mac gamer’s life by bringing Steam to the Mac. But what good does it do if you can’t ever see anything? Omaha brings up the Steam Black Screen of Doom. Much talked about on forums, and yet nothing seems to be done about it yet. Valve, you listening?
• GOG.com brought their platform to the Mac this month. Now you too can buy Mac versions of The Witcher 2 and Populus from the same site!
• Plus, much more than you every thought possible!

Music Notes:

• Digital Droo produced our theme music here at iGame Radio.

Today Omaha reviews the microbial puzzler Splice by Cipher Prime.

• A review of Splice, the mircobial puzzler by Cipher Prime. If you are a fan of puzzle games, Splice will knock your socks off. If you’re a fan of AAA titles, you won’t stop playing until you’ve finished every puzzle at Angelic.

The mission-based RTS comes to Valve’s platform with multiplayer and skirmish modes.

UPDATE: Just got confirmation that the Steam version will be released for PC and Mac!

Last year we got news that Iceberg Interactive was bringing 4x RTS game Gemini Wars to the PC and Mac. Scheduled for a 1st quarter 2012 release, it actually came out quietly in June. And strangely, you can find the Mac version on developer Camel101′s Gemini Wars site but no mention on Iceberg Interactive.

The storyline follows a war between the United Space Federation and the Alliance of Free Worlds, a bloody conflict which has apparently reached a stalemate. That is about to change when a third faction unexpectedly appears. In the game you take control of a fleet commander who returns from exile, rises through the ranks of the USF forces, and joins an epic war across the stars. Build space stations, fortify your position, and build up your fleet.

Iceberg says that the game is entirely missions-based, with 16 missions to provide long gameplay time. A substantial free update was just announced that will add Skirmish and Multiplayer modes, among other things. Based on user feedback, Iceberg Interactive has also sped up the tempo of the game. With the update, the game will also be released on Steam at a newly lowered price of $19.99.

The update as well as the newly priced complete game will be available November 2, but there was no indication of whether the Steam version will include the Mac client.

You’re gonna love that full frontal shot…if your computer can handle it.

Virtual Programming announced today the release of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition for the Mac. And all you have to do is check out the trailer on VP’s site to realize that this is going to be the best RPG your going to play on the Mac this year. The graphics are the best I’ve seen in a game yet, and the voice-overs are professionals…no voices from the sound-guys girlfriend’s sister here.

The Witcher 2 continues the story of Geralt of Rivia from the first game, as chaos reigns and bloody assassinations become commonplace in a world where cruelty and violence are daily fare.

Follow the intense, emotionally charged, non-linear storyline, as you are forced to make crucial decisions in order to succeed, faced with rampaging monsters and fierce battles at every turn in the most lively and believable game world ever created. Decisions are crucial because each choice you make impacts the development of the storyline, resulting in different endings depending on the path you chose.

VP promises a new combat system that merges dynamic battles with RPG mechanics and tactical options using the REDengine, the game engine that CDProjekt Red, the publisher of the game, created. The engine provides for faster loading times and better speed in game. Also, we didn’t have to deal with that lousy DRM mess that PC gamers “tested out” when the game first launched. Sucks to be them, eh?

The Witcher 2 received game rankings in the high 80′s with review scores of 9 out of 10 on average. The Enhanced Edition includes additional content set in previously unseen locations, expanding the story and introducing new characters, mysteries and monsters; all new animations and cut scenes; and all of the DLC and improvements seen in the 2.0 version of the game, including Arena mode, Dark mode, and a more extensive tutorial system.

Hope it’s worth it, because the minimum system requirements require a high-end Mac to play it:

• OS X version 10.7.5 or later
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo
• Memory: 4GB RAM
• Graphics: GeForce GT 650M 512MB (on 1440×900, medium), Radeon HD 5770 1GB (on 1440×900, low)

Seven more Mac titles greenlit by Steam.

Valve has announced the second wave of greenlit games from Steam Greenlight. Intended to be only 10 more games, they decided to release 20 because of the number and quality of games submitted, among other things.

Among those titles are 7 that will be available for the Mac when the games are finally released. The total is listed below, but they include the multi-legged sequel Octodad: The Dadliest Catch, the humorous Folk Tale, and atmospheric exploration game Dream.

In the coming months, the developers for these games will work with Valve to work on, polish, and/or market the game and plan for its launch. The amount of time that takes will depend on just how far the game is in development now. For example, Folk Tale is looking at a Winter 2013 release, whereas Postal 2 is looking at a release on October 22 of this year.

Games Greenlit this wave with Mac clients:
AirBuccaneers
Folk Tale
Interstellar Marines
Octodad: Dadliest Catch
POSTAL 2 COMPLETE
The Stanley Parable: HD Remix
Yogventures!

Hosts Omaha Sternberg and Rob Benson talk about Apple’s new restrictions on 3rd party apps, a publicity stunt gone wrong, and EVE Online’s new expansion, Retribution. Plus, much more!

• Host Omaha Sternberg and co-host Rob Benson talk about the week’s news in Mac and iOS gaming. First, Reverb Publishing really wanted the votes for its Endless Space strategy game to be greenlit onto Steam. But its method for getting those votes backfired. Omaha and Rob talk about what went down, why it didn’t technically violate Steam’s terms of service for Greenlight, and why it was a bad idea anyway.
• Apple updated their ToS at the beginning of October, and included a clause that puts restrictions on 3rd-party apps that promote other apps. Omaha and Rob talk about what the clause will actually mean and further info discovered that may soften the blow. Also, is this just going to come down like all of Apple’s other decisions?
• EVE Online recently announced their 18th free expansion, Retribution. Consistent with the name, Retribution is intended to make sure there are consequences for player decisions…whatever they may be. Omaha and Rob talk about what is in store and the deeper question of the uniqueness of the EVE Online design itself.
• Plus, much more!

Music Notes:

• Digital Droo produced our theme music here at iGame Radio.

Batman learns the true meaning of “The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend” in Arkham City.

Feral Interactive has announced its next big release. Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition will be coming out for the Mac this November. This action/adventure game previously released for PC and consoles will have all of the previously released DLC, including the Harley Quinn’s Revenge pack.

Based upon the comic book mythos, Batmam: Arkham City takes you into a vast open world with a rich main plot and a huge number of side missions, secrets and puzzles to figure out. Batman has been dropped into Arkham City, a huge open-air prison that is a walled-off portion of Gotham City, and must survive not just the regular criminals but the notorious insane criminal masterminds that include The Riddler, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, and, of course, The Joker.

The DLCs provide a large amount of extra gameplay along the way. The Harley Quinn’s Revenge mission sends you back into Arkham City as both Batman and Robin two weeks after the main game. The Catwoman pack let’s you become Catwoman in a subplot occurring alongside the main story, and the Nightwing and Robin bundles let you become these characters to take on the game’s challenge mode.

Batman: Arkham City has received huge critical acclaim and quite a lot of awards, including Best Action Adventure Game for the Spike Video Game Awards and Action Game award at the BAFTA awards.

No pricing, system requirements, or dedicated site info have been released yet, but you can check out the trailer for the game below or on Feral’s YouTube Channel.