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Filed under: Gaming, Software, Odds and ends, Freeware, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch

TUAW exclusive: Makers of Aurora Feint unveil new game, codenamed "VSL"

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Oct 20th, 2009


Aurora Feint was one of the iPhone's first big games, way back in the early days of the App Store. Since then, the company behind that first hit has added on a few different games in the same universe, each with their own separate features and focus, but all in the same vein of puzzle-based RPG. Today, Aurora Feint, Inc. has pulled back the curtain just slightly to reveal their very first original effort since that initial App Store release. The game is only codenamed so far -- they're calling it "VSL" -- but the developers at Aurora Feint plan to turn it into a "showcase" of what's possible with Apple's new policy of allowing free apps to provide content on demand.

Above is the very first screenshot of the yet-to-be revealed game, and TUAW got a chance to talk exclusively with both Peter Relan and Jason Citron of Aurora Feint about the new game, what it'll be like, and how it'll integrate with their growing social gaming platform, OpenFeint. Click the link below to read on.

Continue reading “TUAW exclusive: Makers of Aurora Feint unveil new game, codenamed "VSL"”

Tags: apple, aurora-feint, chat, codename, content, exclusive, gaming, in-app-purchases, interview, iphone, ipod-touch, jason-citron, microtransactions, openfeint, peter-relan, puzzle-based-rpg, social-gaming, tuaw, virtual-goods, vsl

Filed under: Gaming, Software, Interviews, Developer

Exclusive from 360iDev: OpenFeint 2.1 released, over 200 games in App Store

by Steven Sande (RSS feed) on Sep 29th, 2009

This afternoon I had the opportunity to talk to Jason Citron and Eros Resmini of Aurora Feint, the company behind the OpenFeint social gaming platform. At 360iDev, Aurora Feint announced the availability of OpenFeint 2.1 to the developers on hand, as well as touting that over 200 active games using OpenFeint are now on sale in the App Store.

Citron noted that there are about 500 indie developers, like those in attendance at 360iDev in Denver this week, who are working on other gaming titles using the OpenFeint platform. OpenFeint 2.1 is available immediately for download at www.openfeint.com, and information on the open and free business model for the platform is on the site as well.

OpenFeint is being used in some of the top games in the App Store right now, including geoDefense Swarm (which debuted at #2 when it launched), Rope 'n Fly 2 (currently in the top 50), and Apple featured games Unify and Above & Beyond. The platform provides a way for developers to add social gaming elements to their work without reinventing the wheel, as standard APIs are used instead.

TUAW will have more news from 360iDev tomorrow, so stay tuned!


Tags: app store, AppStore, developer, development, exclusive, features, iphone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, openfeint

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Multimedia, Rumors, iTunes, Apple TV

TV exclusives taking movies off of iTunes?

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Dec 12th, 2008

Has your favorite movie gone missing from iTunes or Netflix lately? The reason could be television, says CNET -- apparently a slew of movies on iTunes and Netflix's streaming service have recently fallen prey to television exclusive agreements. With the onset of Apple TV and apps like Boxee making it possible to stream Netflix, TV networks with exclusive showing agreements have made sure that while they've got a lock on a movie, we can't watch it anywhere else.

Of course, as CNET notes, it's about the money (isn't it always?). If studios can make more money from the TV networks than they can from online rentals, then obviously they're going to go with television. The only problem with that, however, is that with an exclusive agreement, they'll never know, will they?

And of course the other issue here is the actual definition of places like iTunes and Netflix -- obviously, retail stores aren't barred from carrying these movies, so does that mean that Netflix and iTunes are actually content channels rather than retailers? Tough issue. You have to think that it'll eventually be settled in favor of digital distribution (what consumer wouldn't want to watch a movie on their own time rather than sticking to a TV network's schedule), but until studios are convinced otherwise, exclusivity agreements will likely be the rule.

[via Apple Insider]

Tags: agreement, boxee, cnet, deals, exclusive, itunes, movies, netflix, networks, studios, television

Filed under: iPhone

O2 may not be aboard the iPhone train

by Erica Sadun (RSS feed) on Jul 5th, 2007

According to this Dutch-language report, O2 says it does not have an iPhone contract with Apple to distribute the iPhone in England The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland not including her overseas territories. A spokesman denied signing a contract and would not discuss any ongoing negotiations. This contradicts earlier reports that O2 would provide exclusive iPhone service in the UK. Rumors are flying regarding European iPhone distribution deals but there is still no official word about anything yet over at the Apple PR site.


Thanks, Habbie.

Tags: Britain, Carrier, Exclusive, O2, UK

Filed under: iPod Family, iTS, iTunes

The Beatles to be exclusive to iTunes Store?

by Scott McNulty (RSS feed) on Nov 27th, 2006

Apple and the Beatles have a long, litigious history. As you may be aware, the Beatles created a record label on which they sold their music. The name of that label? Apple.

Apple Computer, many years ago, agreed not to sell music so that there would never be any confusion between the two companies. Then along came the iPod and the iTunes Store and then another lawsuit.

It would seem that Apple and Apple are letting bygones be bygones and are close to reaching an exclusive deal for the Beatles catalog. Steve had personally invited the Beatles to join the iTunes Store, and it looks like they may take him up on the offer. The iTunes Store, if Fortune is right, will be the only place where you will be able to purchase digital versions of the Beatles work. This will be a big boost to the iTunes Store, if it is true. Though I wonder if the Zune Market place is working on getting the Rutles' catalog.

Thanks, Sam G.

Tags: beatles, exclusive, itunes store, ItunesStore, zune

Filed under: iTS, iTunes

Limited edition iTunes gift cards at Target

by Scott McNulty (RSS feed) on Jul 28th, 2006



Limited edition iTunes Music Store gift cards that you can collect and trade with your friends? That's right, and they're exclusively available at Target. Cards featuring Jewel, Kanye West, James Blunt, Mariah Carey, Hoobastank, Dixie Chicks, and Panic! at the Disco have custom artwork and grant you access to exclusive bonus material. The rest of the 13 cards have custom artwork though, sadly, no super cool extra material.

All the cards come in $15 denominations and are available now.

[via iLounge]

Tags: exclusive, itunes cards, ItunesCards, target

Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, iPod Family, Retail, Macbook Pro

Incase releases exclusive New York commemorative case line

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on May 22nd, 2006


iLounge is reporting that Incase has pulled out all their case-making stops and introduced a complete lineup of cases for Apple products that commemorate New York and some of its major landmarks. To top things off, these cases are exclusive to the new 24/7 5th Avenue Apple Store that opened last weekend.

The lineup consists of white and black cases for the 5G iPod, iPod nano and MacBook Pro. No word yet on whether Incase has been chosen to create the leather case for the giant glass cube that Dave mentioned yesterday.

[image via iLounge]

Tags: Apple Store, AppleStore, case, cases, commemorative, cube, exclusive, glass, Incase, iPod, iPod nano, IpodNano, MacBook Pro, MacbookPro, New York, NewYork

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