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.

 

Orian Livnat of LivGames began developing Legendary Wars in a garage, in the truest tradition of an indie game. Legendary Wars is a castle defense game for the iPhone which turns schizophrenic…through mini-games that span genres like RTS, RPG, action, and running, the game can’t make up its mind what it is. Inspired by old-school Nintendo games, Livnat wanted Legendary Wars to be a modern reminder of old games past. The game was released during Macworld, but will receive updates soon that will add competitive and co-op multiplayer and Game Center. We talked with Livnat about the development of the game and its future.

 

William Volk has a long history in game development, and in the Mac community. He attended the first Macworld in 1985, has worked for Activision, and his company, PlayScreen, launched web-based games when the original iPhone first launched. He launched the latest PlayScreen game, Bocce-Ball for iPhone, at Macworld 2011. Based on the classic Bocce game, Bocce-Ball was launched in conjunction with BocceNation.com and the American Bocce League. We talked with Volk about Bocce Ball, his upcoming game Crickler, his thoughts on freemium games and more in this interview from the floor of Macworld 2011.

 

XMG Studio’s Patti Mikula chatted with us at Macworld 2011, showing off their games themed around customization and user generated content. We talked about their recent games Inspector Gadget, a running game around the 80′s television show, and Cows vs. Aliens, a multi-touch game that will be coming out very shortly involving herding cows and keeping the aliens out. We also investigate future games that XMG Studio is looking to bring to the iPhone and iPad platform. Plus, just what is XMG’s opinion regarding EA’s pricing on the App Store over Christmas, and Apple’s involvement?