Author Archives: Chris Morris

App Review: Infinity Blade II

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It would have been easy for Chair Entertainment to simply rest on its laurels with Infinity Blade II. The first game, after all, was a smash hit. And while there is a certain sense of sameness with this sequel, there are also new role-playing elements that make it feel less like a treadmill. The game is once again a graphical tour de force and still caters well to the quick-play philosophy that iOS gamers embrace. Unfortunately, some of the original game’s weaknesses remain. Though there are a number of weapons and spells at your disposal, there’s not a lot of variety in the battles, which makes long sessions with the game sometimes feel a bit repetitive (though not nearly as fast as the original).

Ultimately, that doesn’t drag down the game, though. Like its predecessor, this is an app that is great looking and a fun action title, broken into digestible segments that keep it from getting frustrating. And the added emphasis on story, while at times confusing, is a nice new touch.

Read more at Common Sense Media

Game Review: Carnival Island

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The Midway makes a smooth transition to the PlayStation 3 in Carnival Island, with some familiar favorite games as well as modern spins on them to make them a bit more lively. The game is incredibly upbeat, which is a nice change of pace, but it’s also a lot of fun for both kids and adults, making it a great family gaming choice. Instructions are spoken aloud, so kids who can’t read still know what to do if they play by themselves, also. While it’s easy to play for long stretches, adults might find the games to be a bit repetitive, even with the variations, but kids won’t be able to get enough.

Read more at Common Sense Media

Astonishingly expensive Theme Park hits iOS

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Electronic Arts is bringing the classic game Theme Park back from the dead, but the price of admission may make most players choke.

The new take on the old management simulation will be a free download for owners of iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. But if you want to build some of the better attractions in your park, it could cost you more than the original version did at retail back in 1994.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Gore Verbinski partners with Microsoft

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Director Gore Verbinski is getting into the video game industry.

The helmer of such pictures as The Ring, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Rango has announced a deal with Microsoft, where his Blind Wink transmedia company will produce original interactive content for Microsoft platforms, including the Xbox 360, Windows Phone and Windows-based PCs.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

Zynga Shows Street Smarts With IPO Plan

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[Though Zynga’s upcoming $1 billion IPO is lower than expected based on previous reports and market cap valuations, Gamasutra’s Chris Morris explains why the company is playing it smart with its low share prices.]

Five months after announcing its intention to go public, Zynga is about to make the splash, but it’s doing so with a much smaller splash than most people expected back in July.

Back then, when the market was teasing investors with a head fake of stability, analysts, and the financial media (along with most of the gaming industry) expected the company to raise between $1.5 and $2 billion – with an accompanying market cap of $15 billion and $20 billion. But when shares begin trading Dec. 16, the company will only seek $1 billion – and have a maximum market cap of $7 billion.

Read more at Gamasutra

Major update turns Xbox 360 into entertainment hub

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For years, Microsoft has used the Xbox 360 as a Trojan horse to get into people’s living rooms. Now, it’s launching a full-scale attack on your other entertainment devices.

Starting Monday, Xbox 360 owners are being prompted to download a free new user interface for the console, which expands Kinect voice control, introduces a broad entertainment search option and adds a slew of new content options that have nothing to do with gaming.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Which entertainment properties led Twitter in 2010?

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As the end of the year draws close, the inevitable year in review pieces are starting to roll out. The first, from Twitter, however, shows what the hot shows, music, movies and actors were with the Twitterati – and it holds some pretty big surprises.

While it’s not exactly shocking that Charlie Sheen led the actor category, Elizabeth Taylor was the most talked about actress (and Raven Symone topped both Natalie Portman and Jennifer Lopez). And of all the shows on TV, ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars” was the hottest topic.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

Zynga sets a date for its IPO

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FarmVille has a date with Wall Street on December 16. And we’re all invited.

Four months after signaling its intention to go public, Zynga has finally updated the paperwork to let investors know the date is imminent, with shares set to begin trading in two weeks. But despite speculation about Zynga instantly becoming the highest valued company in the gaming industry, that’s likely not going to be in the cards.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Video games headed to Sundance

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The video game world has never really been represented well at Robert Redford’s popular Sundance Film Festival, but that’s set to change this year.

Indie Game: The Movie has been selected to screen at the event. The film will show in the festival’s World Documentary category, which only approved 12 submissions this year.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment

Building a better app

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For pros in the scripted entertainment world, the jump to making an interactive app can be a jarring one. Confusion about appropriate budgets and how to tailor the content can result in something that does more harm than good to the property it’s trying to promote.

If you’re tapped with overseeing or signing off on an app for an entertainment property (or even just giving notes on one), there are a few basic elements you should be looking for to ensuring its success.

Read more at Daily Variety