Intergalactics
22 October 2009An mmosbg regular contacted me about the resurrection of a fun java based multiplayer game called Intergalactics hosted at playigx.com. Apparently the game can be played alone against computer bots or with other players online. I haven't played yet since it doesn't seem to work in Firefox or Safari on my mac, but it does work in IE on windows. The game looks fun and I'll be sure to play when I can get a hold of a windows pc to use. It looks like the sort of game, mmosbg players might enjoy, so be sure to give it a try.
tony
www.a4q.com
A4Q Kingdom, A New MMOSBG Game
04 April 2009I am pleased to announce the launch of A4Q Kingdom, a new game based on MMOSBG. The current version of MMOSBG on A4Q.com will remain unchanged; this is an additional game hosted on the site. A4Q Kingdom can be thought of as version 2.0 of MMOSBG with several improvements, and game modifications and tight forum integration. One account can be used to play all boards and interact in the forum. Custom squares can be updated through your account (by updating a 16x16 avatar). Moves will accumulate at a rate of 30 per hour plus 30 additional for each island (board) where you are in the lead. Moves can be played on any board and the choice of where to play them will add an extra level of strategy. A full explanation of the rules can be read under How To Play on the top menu of the game. I am excited about this new version of the game and think anyone who has enjoyed MMOSBG will really like the game. Important Note: There seems to be a bug when using Internet Explorer, so I recommend using Firefox.
tony
www.a4q.com
Monster Truck Nitro (iPhone Game Review)
1 April 2009
Wow, Monster Truck Nitro might just be my favorite iPhone game yet. The controls are simple but very effective; bottom right accelerates, and the accelerometer controls the trucks angle. There are 8 levels (tracks) to play, each with their own particular challenges. The levels are unlocked by qualifying for a bronze medal based on speed and the two super cool trucks (a supped up school bus and the formula monster truck) are unlocked by qualifying for enough gold medals. Track 7 is by far the coolest, where you accelerate upside down around a giant ramp. The key to beating that level is turning the gas on auto drive and completely spinning your phone at the right speed as you move through the turns.
The school bus also comes in very handy once its unlocked. I was able to beat a few levels with the bus that I couldnt seem to finish fast enough with the other trucks. While it may not seem like an ideal racing vehicle, its length comes in handy negotiating some rather tricky obstacles. Nice graphics, good controls, great game play; for $1.99, the game is definitely worth a look.iTunes Link:
tony
www.a4q.com
Hill Billy (iPhone Game Review)
31 March 2009
It is a problem that we can all relate with. Gigantic mutant rabbits are stealing your carrots. You can either show some mercy, letting the poor hungry rabbits eat a few, or you can grab your shotgun. Well in this game, you are Hill Billy: the worlds largest carrot grower, and if I learned two things in this game, its that Hill Billy hates rabbits, and sure loves himself some carrots. He loves carrots so much he even has portraits of creepy carrot families with fake teeth and gold chains (and a portrait of a pig whom is apparently his best friend).The game is actually very impressive in some ways. The developers did a nice job creating an eerie atmosphere (the occasional crow sound is a nice touch in the first level) and the 3D graphics are among the best Ive seen yet on the iPhone.
All motion is controlled by tilting the phone back and forth and side to side. Its not a bad system, but it forces you to sit upright and play looking almost straight down, which started hurting my neck after some time. The gun is fired by simply tapping the screen and is always aimed at whatever is dead center in frame. Each level is a mix between first, finding a given weapon and then second, shooting up a variety of very large, green blooded and somewhat cyborgish rabbits (some of which wear stylish cowboy hats).
The game was fun and certainly pulled me into a creepy atmosphere, but I finished the first two levels within a half hour and expect that there is not too much more to play before finishing the 5 levels. I stopped on level three after my failed attempt to locate the dungun. If someone has a screen shot of where it is please post it to the forum. The game is worth a play. You will have to decide on the price point. iTunes Link:tony
www.a4q.com
New Forum is Up
28 March 2009Remember the old forum? Those of you who have been playing for a while might remember that we used to have a fairly active forum for MMOSBG. It was set up by a player who volunteered to host and monitor it, but then mysteriously vanished. The forum became heavily spammed and then went inactive. Anyway, I set up a new forum! Hopefully we can get some activity there like the old forum. Please check it out and post something to get things rolling. Link here and in the top menu.
tony
www.a4q.com
Sliders - Match 3 (iPhone Game Review) $1.99
28 March 2009
I recently discovered a great iPhone game that is quite addicting; Sliders - Match 3 from developer GottaKickit.com. The game consists of a 5 x 5 grid of blocks which you slide with your fingers to match lines of 3 of the same color. The strategy takes effect with the added moves that are added when you form special shapes or combos. In the "strategy" mode you have 50 moves which can last indefinitely as you add moves with the special combos. Their website lists high scores from players who have emailed in a screenshot from the end of their game (you can take a screenshot by pressing the home and power buttons at the same time). Right now the highest score posted is 38,600. I will have to email the screenshot here of my last game to claim the high score. I have a feeling that the game hasn't become terribly popular since there are only 3 high scores shown. It's quite a shame if that's the case since its really a very fun, challenging and strategic game. iTunes link:tony
www.a4q.com
Favicon, or Why the Default Square Size Changed
05 February 2009A somewhat obvious fact occurred to me recently. The squares we have been using to play this game are very similar to favicons, which are those little 16 x16 pixel images you see next to the url field of your browser. Most websites create custom favicons that are displayed as a way of easily recognizing them in bookmark lists. Since the art of creating cool artwork with a limited number of pixels is already well established to create favicons, I changed the default square size to 16 x16 pixels to coincide with this established art. I think this will be useful for a few reasons. If you are interested in creating a custom square for instance, you can find tons of advice on the net by googling something like, how to create favicons. You also can find ready made favicons that have been placed under a creative commons license, like the cool library of creative commons favicons at favicon.cc (link). Another option is for those with their own website/blog to use their sites favicon as their square. Anyway, definitely check out favicon.cc. Besides the favicons which you can browse through, they also have a great tool for creating your own.
tony
www.a4q.com
A4Q.com, the New Home of MMOSBG
28 January 2009I have been thinking about expanding MMOSBG into a larger, more all-inclusive gaming and entertainment site by including a blog and flash games. The idea of housing such content on a site titled MMOSBG.com did not seem like it would quite work however.I figured the name would seem confusing to many new users interested in the blog content for instance if the site was called Massively Multiplayer Online Strategic Board Game. I therefore decided to port the game MMOSBG to the web address A4Q.com. I like the name because its short, flows fairly well off the tongue and means nothing in particular. Basically, a good general name for a multi-purpose entertainment site. The game itself (MMOSBG) should work exactly as before and I tried to make the interface fairly easy to navigate. I also plan to allow users to post their own blog posts through MMOSBG accounts that have reached a certain level. This would allow members of the community to add to the blog but prevent people from signing up specifically to spam the blog. The blog will also allow a way for me to post new information about the game in a better manner than simply posting to the comments thread. I hope you guys like the new layout and enjoy some of the new content.
tony
www.a4q.com