Posts Tagged ‘mobile’
15/02/2012
Word Trick, Outplay Entertainment’s first title for Apple iOS is now live on the App Store in the US, UK, Canada and Europe. The game is new take on the classic board game formula. Players take it in turns to make the highest scoring words they can from a selection of eight letters.
The board features the familiar double and triple letter or word scores, but Word Trick adds a new element with green ‘trick tiles’ which give players bonus points when they’re used in groups of three or more. Up to four players can take part in a single game and players can have up to 21 games in progress at any one time.
Clear? Good.
Word Trick can now be enjoyed by Facebook and iOS users alike. On the same game. On different platforms. Mind BLOWN. Truly we are in the FUTURE…
You can also play against other players in the same location by passing your phone back and forth, like a tiny electronic board game of joy.
Word Trick for iOS is available now for your iPad, iPod or iPhone. There is a free, ad-funded version of the game available now. A paid for version which removes the adverts will be available shortly.
Go get it.
Posted in Developers, Online, Mobile | Tagged apple, board game, casual, dundee, games, ios, mobile, puzzle, scotland, social, Words | Leave a Comment »
01/02/2012
We’ve had a request from the team at One Thumb Mobile, who are looking for a number of staff, to let readers know about the opportunities within the company and what they’re up to at the moment.
If you’ve not come across them before, One Thumb Mobile is a leading mobile development studio based in Glasgow, specialising in high end and complex mobile development. The company has a track record of eleven years delivering 2D and 3D mobile games and entertainment apps.
In 2012 One Thumb launched Celtic Heroes, one of the first full scale 3D MMORPGs for mobile platforms and tablets, and has worked with games publishers and some of the world’s leading brands to create groundbreaking mobile games and entertainment products. One Thumb Mobile has created mobile products for brands such as Liverpool FC, Honda, Visa, Nissan and Star Trek, and achieved the number two overall best selling app in Apple’s UK App Store in May 2010.
The company now has vacancies for the following:
MMO Game Designer
The MMO game designer role is based around creating new game mechanics including items, stats, skills, quests, enemies, crafting, pvp, and many other types of game mechanics, whilst ensuring game balance and fun is maintained. This role comes with freedom to contribute to all aspects of the game as it evolves and improves over time.
- Experience designing RPG and MMO game mechanics is essential, with examples of previous game designs required.
- A love of MMO games and extensive playing history of numerous MMO games is essential.
- Any experience with freemium game mechanics is a plus.
- Commercial MMO or RPG design experience is advantageous.
Experienced / Lead 3D Artist
This role involves creating new artwork, improving existing artwork, mentoring of less experienced artists, and liaising with external artists. This is a great opportunity to make your mark in setting the art direction of the game, and to get involved and contribute to the overall development of the game, including visual style and game design ideas.
- Extensive experience and knowledge of 3ds max is essential.
- A strong portfolio is required, with examples of low polygon and medieval / fantasy style art.
- Experience creating artwork for RPG and MMO games is a plus.
- A love of MMO games and experience playing a variety of MMO games is also desirable.
Posted in games, jobs | Tagged games, jobs, mobile, now hiring, One Thumb, opportunities, recruitment, scotland, vacancies | Leave a Comment »
31/01/2012
Whatever will they think of next? Cobra has started promoting a forthcoming game – BEFORE IT’S EVEN RELEASED!
Their so-called promotion will be looked upon by the wider industry with the greatest disapprobation and their concept will be stolen, pirated and released upon the lawless streets of the world before they can draw breath.
Will it be mobile? Will it be online? Will it be social? What genre is it? THEY DON’T SAY! There’s literally NO information there. It’s like the expect people to GUESS or actually wonder what they’re up to.
It’s IMMODEST and crass.
It’s clearly madness!
Looks very nice though. Count us as impressed.
(Oh and the rest of you. Yes, you lot. This is a GOOD idea…)
Posted in games, Mobile, Online, Scotland | Tagged casual, cobra, dundee, games, mobile, online, promo, scotland, social, SOMETHING, teaser, wonder | 2 Comments »
27/01/2012
Tag’s first title for its casual/social TagPlay label, Funpark Friends, has been nominated in the Best Social Games category in the 2012 International Mobile Games Awards, which are announced that the Mobile World Congress, which takes place in Barcelona at the end of February.
Congratulations to the team and we’ll all keep our fingers crossed for another win.
You can find the whole list of nominees here.
Posted in Awards, Developers, games, Mobile | Tagged awards, dundee, funpark friends, games, IMGA, mobile, mwc, scotland, tag, tagplay, winning | Leave a Comment »
27/01/2012
A team from Dundee’s Abertay University has picked up first prize in the Samsung bada Student Developer Challenge. The competition challenged teams of students to create new games for Samsung’s app store – starting with a gruelling 24 hour game jam.
Tom DeMajo, Erin Michno and Ian Reynolds, collectively known as Quartic Llama, built Moeba, an side-scrolling, colour-changing action game with a unique organic style. Players have to destroy cells by tapping the phone screen, to keep their character safe.
Abertay University also took the prize for the best university, because it produced the winning team. Three other teams out of the twelve who competed came from Abertay, highlighting the university’s presence within the games sector.
The contest was judged by Samsung and a panel of mobile industry experts.
Erin Michno from the winning team said: “All of the finalists created interesting and high-polished apps, so it was really an honour and a surprise to win the challenge. It was also fantastic to pick up the university prize as it has been great working with the staff and the other Abertay teams.”
Ian Reynolds said: “I’m delighted that our team and university won the competition, and I’ve really enjoyed working with the all the other teams from Abertay that entered. We’re all hugely grateful for the support we got from the University, particularly Iain Donald’s dedication to organising the events at Abertay.”
The team won £5,000 and their game will now be promoted on the Samsung Apps store.
Dr Iain Donald, Computer Games Lecturer and team supervisor, said: “This is an incredible achievement from three very promising young professionals, who have already attracted a lot of attention for their technical skills and creativity.
“A key part of Abertay University’s education is developing industry skills and professionalism – competing against other prestigious universities like Oxford and Imperial College London to win the Samsung bada Student Developer Challenge shows just how well this is working.”
Posted in Awards, games, Universities | Tagged Abertay, app, bada, challenge, competition, dundee, games, industry, jam, mobile, samsung, scotland | Leave a Comment »
20/01/2012
The local chapter of STV popped into the Dundee HQ of Outplay Entertainment earlier this week to take a look at what the company’s working on and ponder the ongoing evolution of the games business.
Superstar reporter Holly Hamilton spoke to senior producer Tone Brennan and a handsome passerby to ask how the industry has changed in the last couple of years and what the future holds for the local development studios and publishers (which are increasingly one and the same).
Watch the whole piece over on the STV website.
Posted in Developers, games, Mobile, Online, publishers, Social | Tagged apple, awesome, casual, dundee, facebook, games, ios, mobile, online, scotland, social, trick, word | Leave a Comment »
19/12/2011
Outplay has clearly been borrowing some of Santa’s elves, as the company has been a positive avalanche of news, information and updates in the last few weeks.
With social gaming much in the media, thanks to Zynga’s initial public offering (which is what IPO stands for, fact fans…) last week, Outplay has announced two new additions to the company’s board, as well as officially launching their debut titles – Word Trick (4.5/5 on Gamezebo) and Booty Quest (now with added Pirates).
Former head of AOL in Europe Karen Thomson has joined Outplay as non-executive Chair. Randy Breen, a former executive with Electronic Arts (executive producer/creative director) & LucasArts (VP of Product Development) has meanwhile joined the board as a non-executive director.
Quotes time!
“I chose to join the Outplay board because I believe Douglas and Richard have the vision, passion, drive and experience to create huge business opportunities as well as fantastic entertainment properties,” said Karen Thomson, non-executive chair for Outplay. “I am delighted to be involved with such a forward thinking company and look forward to working with Outplay to create rich gaming experiences that bridge the gap between mobile and online platforms.”
“Social and mobile gaming have only begun to show their full potential, and I believe Outplay are well positioned to become a major player in the industry,” said Randy Breen, non-executive director of Outplay. “I’ve known Douglas and Richard for more than a decade and having seen what they and the rest of the Outplay team have accomplished since April and what they have planned for the future, I’m very excited to be part of the board.”
“Karen and Randy bring a wealth of complementary experience and expertise to Outplay Entertainment,” said Douglas Hare, CEO & co-founder of Outplay. “Karen’s marketing background and track record with large-scale consumer-facing internet and mobile businesses combined with Randy’s remarkable creative, production and business expertise will be invaluable to Outplay’s ambitious growth plans for 2012 and beyond. We are thrilled to have them onboard.”
There’s more to come from Outplay in 2012 including, if possible, a look at the company’s three main principles for creating successful games for the new generation of online and social players:
- Social Games by Design - From the initial concept stages through launch, Outplay will weave social features into every game design. These social activities will always be entertaining and will enrich the player’s overall experience.
- Games Playable Anywhere - Outplay games are designed to allow players to continue their experience wherever they may be, whether on a mobile device or at a desktop. The desktop and mobile experiences may be identical or complementary to better leverage the qualities of each respective platform.
- Skill Based Gaming - Outplay believes that players have much more fun and play for longer when there is some form of skill to learn and to master. Rewarding skillful gaming is essential to providing an enduring and engaging experience.
Congratulations to Outplay and welcome, Karen and Randy, to the Scottishgames community. You’ll enjoy it here, we’re lovely.
Posted in Developers, games, Social | Tagged AOL, appointments, board, casual, chair, dundee, EA, executive, games, LucasArts, mobile, Pirates, Quests, recruitment, scotland, social, Tricks, Words, Yarrr | Leave a Comment »
13/12/2011
While the rest of the economy languishes, the creative sector seems to recovering a little faster than other sectors. The interactive industry in particular seems to be thriving right now, with a great many companies now looking for new employees and recruits.
First up in a festive rundown of recruitment is Dundee’s Cobra. If you’re unfamiliar with the company, the chances you’ve come across their games – especially if you’re an iPhone, iPod or iPad owner. Cobra is the company behind Low Grav Racer 2, Storm In A Teacup, iBomber 2, the BAFTA nominated iBomber Defence and Numba, amongst many others.
The company was founded by DMA Design veteran Mark Ettle and was a pioneer of the iOS platform. Cobra continues to focus on simple, casual and addictive games.
They’re now looking for staff:
Cobra Mobile is looking for enthusiastic artists and graphic designers to come and work on a series of exciting new games and platforms in Dundee. Please get in-touch if you would like to come and work with some of the best. Visit cobramobile.com or say hello on Facebook at facebook.com/cobramobile to find out more about its amazing products.
Artist/Junior Artist
To be responsible for creation of in-game graphic assets.
Traditional art skills required, including 2D drawing skills.
Knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator.
If you’re interested, visit the links above, the e-mail a CV to jobs@cobramobile.com
Posted in Developers, Recruitment | Tagged apple, casual, cobra, developers, dundee, employment, games, ios, ipad, iphone, ipod, jobs, mobile, recruitment, scotland, studio | Leave a Comment »
20/09/2011
Tag Games is moving onwards and upwards, with a relocation into larger offices within the opulent Seabraes Yards, digital media hub in central Dundee. Providing the company with greater space, lovelier views and room for further expansion, Tag’s new address is: Tag Games, West Wing 2nd Floor, Seabraes House, Greenmarket, Dundee, DD1 4QB. Yes, the West Wing. We were impressed too. All of the companies electronic and social contact points remain unchanged. Tag is also threatening more recruitment in the near future. We’ll keep you posted. On our NEW (soon to be COMPLETED) JOBS PAGE.
Posted in Developers, Scotland | Tagged casual, dundee, games, html 5, mobile, scotland, social, tag | Leave a Comment »
19/09/2011
Glasgow’s WeeWorld is sometimes overlooked in a round up of games and interactive companies within Scotland. However, the company deserves a lot more recognition than it tends to receive, not least because of it’s 50 million+ Weemees and focus on the younger, more casual end of the market.
WeeWorld users can create their own avatar, or WeeMee, for free. They can then modify it, export it and use it across most other social networks, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or whatever else floats your boat (like Skype, MSN Messenger etc). The chances are you probably have at least one or two contacts who use their WeeMee for a profile picture on one of those communities.
The company has also now spread WeeWorld onto the iPhone and iPad, with dedicated apps allowing users to build, modify and play with their WeeMees on the move. Plus, there are a growing range of games on WeeWorld.com, which allow players to enjoy games featuring their – and other users’ WeeMees.
Not to mention the fact that the company has numerous fun and game-like touches on its website – such as the banner on the Corporate Information page. Go on. Try it.
Anyway, after that prolonged introduction, WeeWorld’s CEO, Celia Francis has been featured in Wired, as one of four female bosses leading games companies.
Bit of an odd article, in our opinion. Do we still think women can’t run a games company? However, it’s nice to see WeeWorld getting a little more exposure (their PR presence really dropped off around 2007, though we cannot imagine why…)
Posted in Developers, Mobile, Online, Scotland | Tagged avatar, casual, games, iphone, mobile, online, scotland, social, weemee, weeworld | Leave a Comment »
Word Trick, Outplay Entertainment’s first title for Apple iOS is now live on the App Store in the US, UK, Canada and Europe. The game is new take on the classic board game formula. Players take it in turns to make the highest scoring words they can from a selection of eight letters.
Word Trick can now be enjoyed by Facebook and iOS users alike. On the same game. On different platforms. Mind BLOWN. Truly we are in the FUTURE…
