Tiny Troopers 2: Special Ops comes to Android, free to download
I spent countless hours playing the first iteration of Tiny Troopers, and now I know exactly what I will be doing during my days off. Popular developer Chillingo has released a successor to the mentioned title through the Google Play Store. The new game goes by the name of Tiny Troopers 2: Special Ops and it’s free to download, so you might as well check it out.
Let’s tell you a bit about the game before you rush over to the Play Store and download it, though. In Tiny Troopers 2: Special Ops you command a troop of soldiers through a series of missions. The user command them and tell them where to go, who to attack and how to do so. It’s a simple concept, but the game does have an extensive system of upgrades, levels and experience, similar to an RPG game.
For example, one can level up soldiers’ ranks, customize their uniforms, upgrade their rifles and strengthen their body armors. This game also includes special forces, which allow you to recruit medics, machine gunners, flamers and more. Not enough fun? Then jump on a humvee and blaze through your enemies with a powerful 0.50 caliber automatic gun.
It’s a fun game, packed with many hours of intense battles and tactical planning. It’s especially exciting that Tiny Troopers 2: Special Ops is free of charge to download from the Google Play Store. The developer does need to make money somehow, but they follow the in-app purchase strategy, which has become very popular the past years.
Don’t let the in-app purchases scare you away, though. These are mostly to advance in the game without having to go through much hassle. You can still play the game to its fullest without spending any of your precious cash.
So, who is downloading this game? I know I am!
Office for Android, including Word, Excel and Powerpoint, are available to all now
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If you’ve ever struggled with Google Docs, Sheets or Slides, you’ll be happy to know that the real deal from Microsoft is now available on Android. After a brief preview period, Microsoft has today launched Office for Android, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint, all available for free from today for everyone. If you don’t want to move away from Google Drive, that’s fine, because Microsoft has designed Office to integrate with Drive, as well as other popular cloud-based storage like Box, Dropbox, and of course, OneDrive. Check out Microsofot’s 90 second introduction to its new Android apps:
I’ve been really impressed with Microsoft of late, particularly their openness to develop full-featured apps for Android, including the arrival of personal assistant Cortana in the near future. No doubt it has to do with Microsoft’s waning strength in the mobile hardware sector, but we’re not complaining really if we’re going to keep getting great support for native Android apps. Also expect to see a lot more of these apps as Microsoft partners with OEMs to get these apps pre-loaded on devices before shipment. Hit the links below if you want to download the new apps:
What do you think about Office on Android? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Microsoft Office Blog via news.com.au
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Steams Android app gets a much needed material design refresh
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If you aren’t a PC gamer, or have friends that are, then Steam is a bit of a foreign service to you. In a nutshell it is a game service that lets you buy PC games, connect with game friends and have all your titles easily accessible anywhere you sign in. It also acts as a great way to stream games from one PC to another fairly well. On the Android front the Steam app let you see game sales, buy games, queue your connected PC to start downloading a title while you were away, chat with your gamer buddies and a little bit more. Unfortunately, it was one of the ugliest apps that many gamers had on their devices. There really wasn’t another option to access your Steam account on the go. Thankfully though, the app is getting updated and it brings in a bit of Google’s Material Design elements. Before you see what it looks like now, check out the familiar look of how it was.
Uhg. It was pretty hideous, but it got the job done and that is the most important part really. Now let’s see what it looks like after the update.
It still isn’t outstanding in my opinion, but it certainly a welcomed change. One day I would to see the app let us stream our games to our phones, tablets and Android TV. I mean, if NVIDIA and Moonshine can make it happen, why can’t Steam do it? The app is heading out to the Play Store, but you might not see it immediately. If you don’t see the update you can sideload it via APK Mirror, link below.
Download: Steam app v2.0.7
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Mobile news app Circa fails to find a buyer, goes on indefinite break
Circa was a niche news app that took a mobile-first approach to information curation. It was a cool app with a decent number of downloads and an impressive average rating on Google’s Play Store, but apparently that just wasn’t enough to help sustain the company.
The co-founder of Circa, Matt Galligan, released a statement today announcing that the app/service will be taking an indefinite hiatus after failing to be purchased by a bigger company. Circa developers looked at multiple monetization options, but none of them really fit what was considered the focus of the company, which lead to this situation where Circa would either be acquired by another more profitable company, or it would be doomed. Looks like the latter happened.
Galligan isn’t all doom and gloom about Circa’s fate, though. He considers the project a success, just not a financial win. Many of the features Circa offered, including news curation and daily briefings, searchable news, and customizable topics, are all available in other competing news apps, which is certainly a testament to how Circa may have influenced the news app market in a particular direction.
Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult for a small app like Circa to compete with some of the bigger fish in the pond. Apps like Flipboard have support from enormous companies like Samsung, and bigger tech giants offer their own news applications, like Google’s Newsstand. And if we don’t count those major players, news apps are extremely common in the Play Store, so standing out (and managing to actually turn a profit) is a very tricky thing to do. It just didn’t pay off for Circa.
Whatever happens from here on out, Galligan says he’d like to keep the spirit and technology of Circa alive, so you’ll likely see some of the developers and writers from the service moving on to other projects, bringing their expertise with them. Who knows, maybe someone like Google or Microsoft will scoop most of them up and put them to good use.
source: Circa
via: Mashable
Come comment on this article: Mobile news app Circa fails to find a buyer, goes on indefinite break
Nintendo includes same-sex marriages in ‘Fire Emblem Fates’
Nintendo has a rocky past when it comes to same-sex relationships in its games, but the upcoming Fire Emblem Fates for its 3DS handheld should change that. There are a few different options to choose from, as Polygon reports. If you want to play as a male character who can marry a male party member, you should grab the Conquest edition of Fates. And if you want to be a female warrior who weds another lady, then the Birthright edition is the one for you. There’s also a third downloadable storyline that’ll let you do both. The marriages don’t come easy from the sounds of it, either: you need to bond with your partner in battle before you can tie the knot.
It’s a rather surprising about-face from Nintendo considering its history, but the company’s statement to Polygon makes it pretty clear that the company’s learned its lesson. Check it out:
“We believe that our gameplay experiences should reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate and, at the same time, we will always design the game specifications of each title by considering a variety of factors, such as the game’s scenario and the nature of the game play. In the end of course, the game should be fun to play. We feel that Fire Emblem Fates is indeed enjoyable to play and we hope fans like the game.”
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, Nintendo
Source: Polygon
HBO’s ‘Ballers’ and ‘The Brink’ pilots now up on Facebook
Looks like Facebook’s video efforts have been paying off lately. The social network has scored two more series premieres after Amazon’s Catastrophe, and both are from HBO: Dwayne Johnson-starrer Ballers and political comedy The Brink. These series’ pilot episodes are now available for viewing on The Rock’s Facebook account and on The Brink’s official page for a limited time — Ballers, in particular, will feature a video intro from Johnson. The shows are already up on HBO Now and HBO Go, but this sounds like a great way to sample them for free if you’re in the US and still don’t have access to either service. Facebook has been putting more and more energy into expanding its video offerings, seeing as the platform has been helping boost the company’s active user count. Not to mention, it’s been bringing in $$$ from video ads since 2014.
.@HBO gives audiences free access to premiere episodes of @BallersHBO and #TheBrink. Available now on @facebook: http://t.co/UQDbCEYPe6
– HBO PR (@HBOPR) June 24, 2015
Source: HBO (Twitter)
New Chromebox for meetings tailored for larger conference rooms
It has been over a year since Chromebox for Meetings was introduced. Google’s enterprise solution for conference video calls has served its purpose like a champ. Not much has changed, but the Search Giant figures it’s now time to expand. They have announced a new Chromebox for Meetings bundle targeted at bigger companies with larger conference rooms and more users.
For those who have been living under a rock, Chromebox for meeting pretty much uses Hangouts and the simplicity of Chrome OS to put together a simple, fast and affordable conference call system for businesses (starts at only $999). Chrome OS is super easy to manage, as it’s a cloud-based OS. Not to mention Google has great support for enterprise.
There’s multiple reasons why this new Chromebox for Meetings hardware is better. For starters, Google is offering a pan-tilt-zoom USB camera that captures live video at 1080p and can really take a look at everyone in a large conference room. Because people can sit pretty far from each other at sizable environments, Google also found the need to include an extra speaker. Now you can conveniently place a couple speaker/microphone devices where you see best fit.
Aside from the hardware improvements, the Search Giant is also catering to big businesses by improving dual-screen support, allowing you to connect two monitors for a much richer experience. Full-screen mode and extra management controls have also been included in the software side of things.
You can’t expect all this extra bang for no extra buck, especially in the enterprise market. These video call hardware bundles are to cost a hefty $1999. It sure isn’t cheap, but some companies spend fortunes in similar solutions, and nothing really beats the simplicity of Chrome OS.
This large room bundle is said to serve up to 20 people, whereas the previous iteration only covered up to 8 users. That is a huge difference, and we can see some of you business people taking good advantage of this. You can always go to the official Chromebox for Meetings website to learn more and sign up to use this with your team. Have any of you tested Chromebox for Meetings? What do you think of it?
Gameloft launches Siegefall, a new strategy title to suck the life out of you
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Are you in the market for another strategy title to kick back with and burn through a battery? Gameloft has released Siegefall, a title they announced back at E3. It comes from the creators of the very popular Modern Combat series, except this one isn’t about running and gunning. Instead it is a free-to-play strategy title that involves legions of specialized troops, magic, unique heroes and even a bad ass dragon.
The graphics look pretty fun and rather rich, while I have yet to give it a whirl, it would seem you have a bit more control over your hero and army than other similar titles where they just attack random targets. Mix in the magic cards for added boosts and it could be a stellar title. I just hope that in-app purchase scheme isn’t over done and prevent you from moving forward in the title. Check out the detailed list of what Siegefall offers up and then direct yourself to the Play Store via the link below to get it installed.
BESIEGE YOUR ENEMIES
● Amass legions of specialized troops including sneaky rogues, horrifying trolls, and heavy-fisted knights.
● Deploy your army and directly control your Hero in battle to exploit enemy weaknesses.
● Master dozens of Magic Cards you can win or loot, unleash them to freeze foes, launch explosive boulders, and conjure fearsome Dragons!EXPAND YOUR KINGDOM
● War is expensive! Build mines, sawmills, farms and more to keep your kingdom’s economy running.
● Defend your kingdom with strategically placed defense towers, explosives, traps, barricades and walls to ward off greedy invaders.
● Battle with players worldwide and besiege their castles for resources.IT’S ALL ABOUT PERSONALITY
● Unique Heroes: Unlock rival leaders and their abilities as you progress in the solo campaign. Always choose the right hero for the job!
● Amazing graphics with stylized art that makes battles epic to watch, while making units and buildings easy to identify.
Download: Siegefall by Gameloft
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Shiver Entertainment, Nexon M reveal ‘Beasts vs Bots’
John Schappert’s name may not sound familiar but anyone who has ever played a video game will know the companies he has worked for. The twenty-year video game industry veteran held positions with Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and Zynga before launching an entirely new studio. Shiver Entertainment was formed in 2013 and this year the studio, with the help of Nexon M, will launch Beasts vs Bots.
The new title is a real-time strategy game, pitting player against player, tailored for mobile devices. Players use touch and gesture controls as alien-like robots and ancient beasts fight for Earth and its resources. Beasts vs Bots requires players to develop troops and launch attacks, with the sole mission being to eliminate an enemy’s base. Each battle should take around five minutes to complete and rewards victors for standing tall at the end. Between battles, players can upgrade their base both offensively and defensively.
Schappert explained what the game had to offer to gamers:
“Beasts vs Bots brings real-time strategy gaming to mobile. It features all of the mechanics you love from full-featured core PC RTS games: base building, strategic combat, individual troop control, and real-time PvP with back-to-back battles. Gamers have been yearning for real-time battles on mobile and Beasts vs Bots delivers–from innovative touch controls to five-minute battles to an expansive and rewarding base-building experience with your chosen faction.”
Neither Shiver Entertainment nor Nexon M provided a specific release date outside of a 2015 window.
Click here to view the embedded video.
JOHN SCHAPPERT’S SHIVER ENTERTAINMENT AND NEXON M
UNVEIL MOBILE REAL-TIME STRATEGY GAME BEASTS VS BOTSElite Industry Veterans from EA, Microsoft, Activision and Zynga
Bring “True” RTS Experience to MobileOAKLAND and MIAMI – June 24, 2015 – Shiver Entertainment and Nexon M have revealed their next mobile title, Beasts vs Bots, a fast-paced real-time strategy game tailored for touch control on mobile phones and tablets. Players go head-to-head in live synchronous battles using intuitive touch and gesture controls to command huge armies in their quest to destroy their opponent’s base, while laying waste to city buildings standing in their way. Beasts vs Bots will be available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and on Google Play for Android devices in 2015.
“Beasts vs Bots brings real-time strategy gaming to mobile. It features all of the mechanics you love from full-featured core PC RTS games: base building, strategic combat, individual troop control, and real-time PvP with back-to-back battles,” said John Schappert, CEO and co-founder, Shiver Entertainment. “Gamers have been yearning for real-time battles on mobile and Beasts vs Bots delivers—from innovative touch controls to five-minute battles to an expansive and rewarding base-building experience with your chosen faction.”
In Beasts vs Bots, players take control of an invading race of alien robots looking to consume the Earth and its valuable resources or a species of ancient beasts awakened to defend their home world. In each battle, players, in real-time, must collect resources, create troops, and strategically command their armies across the battlefield to destroy their opponent’s base. Players can jump right into battle—without waiting for troops—where they must compete to destroy the city buildings that provide resources for creating troops in battle. Players can choose to select and move individual troops, groups of troops, or all troops of a certain type, just as they would in a traditional RTS game. Outside of PvP matches, players prepare for battle by building out their base with additional offensive and defensive buildings, as well as upgrading their troops.
“John Schappert and his team at Shiver are pioneering the mobile real-time strategy genre,” said John Robinson, General Manager, Nexon M. “Beasts vs Bots brings amazing technology to mobile. Experienced RTS fans will love its intuitive control scheme with on-the-fly resource management and troop creation, while first-time RTS players will enjoy an unparalleled fast, strategic, head-to-head mobile experience.”
To learn more about Shiver Entertainment’s new title Beasts vs Bots, please visit www.beastsvsbots.com.
About NEXON M
NEXON M is the mobile publishing arm of NEXON Group, a pioneer of interactive entertainment software and the world’s leader in free-to-play online games. Counting Big Huge Games, Shiver Entertainment, Envision Entertainment, and TURBO Studios among its development partners, NEXON M’s goal is to support the world’s best mobile developers in making fun and unique games.To learn more about NEXON M, please visit www.nexonm.com.
About Shiver Entertainment
Shiver Entertainment was founded in 2013 by industry veterans John Schappert, Jason Andersen and John Osvald. John Schappert founded Electronic Arts’ Tiburon development studio and served in a variety of roles for the company from senior vice president to chief operating officer. He also served as corporate vice president at Microsoft, overseeing Xbox LIVE and Microsoft Game Studios, and recently held the position of chief operating officer of Zynga. Jason Andersen co-founded Tiburon, founded Budcat Creations, and has worked on some of the industry’s largest franchises including Madden NFL and Guitar Hero. John Osvald recently served as Zynga’s senior vice president of games, where he oversaw much of Zynga’s Ville business.To join the Shiver in their quest to make great games, please visit www.shiver.net
Come comment on this article: Shiver Entertainment, Nexon M reveal ‘Beasts vs Bots’
Bungie apologizes to ‘Destiny’ players by selling them stuff
At E3 Bungie announced The Taken King expansion for Destiny, and as we explained this morning that didn’t go over very well with existing players. One of the main reasons is that, aside from a $40 price for the expansion itself, Bungie made exclusive downloadables that only people buying the complete game as part of a new collector’s edition could get. Tonight the developer published an early “Part 1″ of its usual weekly update, apologizing for that awkward Eurogamer interview and explaining that existing players can get the new items (three specific class emotes, three color schemes for their armor, and three exotic class items) by shelling out $20 for an upgrade bundle it will put on sale September 15th. That’s certainly better than not being able to get it at all — and cheaper than buying the new $80 CE — but let us know if that’s enough, or if you’re still calling BS.
Source: Bungie
AIVAnet 