Filed under: Gaming, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review
WWDC Demo: Harbor Master
I shot some video of a preview build for Harbor Master back at WWDC, and I'll upload that to our Facebook page later, but I also shot a quick video of Harbor Master's gameplay (on the next page). If you play Flight Control -- and those who do find it hard to put down -- you will absolutely love Harbor Master (iTunes link). The mechanism for control is the same: use your finger to draw a path to direct vehicles to their destination. In this case you are controlling boats in a harbor. However, instead of merely docking them, you must juggle unloading their cargo (automated, but larger boats take longer) and sending them on their merry way. This pleasant twist on Flight Control's mechanics allows players of Harbor Master to steer clear of boredom.
Later levels add further twists, literally. One of the developers, Natalia, demonstrated a tiny hurricane, which will spin your boat around no matter what intended path you draw. Harbor Master also includes the requisite leaderboard, so if you like the high scores, you're covered (although you'll need to provide an email address and username).
The folks behind Harbor Master, Imangi Studios, have partnered with some other iPhone developers to provide some in-app promotion for each other in a service called App Treasures. Imagni also demoed another clever app, PhotoMarkr, at WWDC. It quickly and easily adds watermarks to photos on your iPhone. Check it out on the App Store here.
Update: fixed the Harbor Master link.
Here's a video showing my first hands-on playing experience with Harbor Master. Sorry for the jump cut around 25 seconds, but all you're missing is my username! The app doesn't skip any functionality, the cut is just in the video.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
St3phen said 7:31PM on 6-25-2009
App Store link in article is bad. Goes to PhotoMarkr, not Harbor Master. Further, a search for "harbor" in the iTunes Store gave no app results.
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Ryan said 8:07PM on 6-25-2009
i searched harbor earlier and am playing the game now.
St3phen said 8:11PM on 6-25-2009
Yeah, I see it now if I scroll way down. Thanks.
kshep said 7:45PM on 6-25-2009
Here is the correct link to Harbor Master on the app store: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=313014213&mt=8
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coolfrost said 11:39PM on 6-25-2009
Nice game. Love playing it on my iPhone
PSM said 3:50AM on 6-26-2009
I'm a little bit hooked. For some reason it seems a little easier than Flight Control, even though you also have to worry about getting the ships back out safely. My high score is currently 74.
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Dave said 11:31AM on 6-26-2009
I hare this game...it keeps dragging me back, kicking and screaming, for more. :)
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sonic the plumber said 9:16AM on 6-28-2009
For any Xbox 360 users, there's a similar game called Dock'em on Xbox Live's Community Games section for 200 MS Points.
Highly addictive style of game, I must say.
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