SteamBirds Wins Grand Prize At IndiePub's Mobile Games Competition
December 15, 2010 | By Eric Caoili 9 comments More:
Zoo Entertainment's online independent gaming community IndiePub announced the results of its Mobile Games Competition, choosing the Android version of Steambirds as the Grand Prize winner for its overall presentation, mechanics and gameplay.
Developers Spryfox and Radial Games will receive a $25,000 cash prize and the option of a future publishing deal for other platform. The acclaimed turn-based dogfighting game also has an online edition and recently received an iOS release courtesy of Canabalt developer Semi Secret Software.
IndiePub also revealed the winners of four other Mobile Games Competition categories:
Art: Plexxr for iOS (Tactile Media) - "Plexxr is a stimulating visual puzzle game with an extraterrestrial twist. Designed to challenge and appeal to the senses, it is not about simply solving the puzzles, but figuring out how to solve them. Its consistent presentation and style permeates to the smallest details, from the muted colors to the shapes of the alien runes."
Audio: Spark It Up for Android (sumiguchi) - "Spark it Up combines the visual wonders of a fireworks show with musical gameplay, which creates the sense of playing an instrument in an orchestra of light and animation. Even when the gameplay increases in challenge, the audio remains whimsically musical."
Design: Skwer for iOS (Alebrije Studios) - "Skwer's few simple mechanics and complex puzzles gradually emerge and draw the player into this surprisingly deep and addicting puzzle game."
Technical Excellence: Hero Mages for Android (D20Studios) - "Hero Mages is an online turn-based strategy game with deep tactical gameplay and interesting team-based combat. Its ability to connect to multiple players on different platforms, along with its full-fledged lobby and matchmaking system, proves its technical feat."
"Given the immense popularity of mobile games among consumers and developers alike, it was a natural step for indiePub to introduce a contest dedicated to this space," says Zoo Games CEO Mark Seremet.
He adds, "The variety of submissions we received for iOS, Android and other platforms clearly point to strong developer enthusiasm for great mobile game experiences regardless of the smart phone customers prefer."
Ron, please refer to Andy's own blog, where he points out that Daniel Cook not only did the art for the original Steambirds but was also integral to the design of the game. Daniel is half of Spry Fox.
i stand corrected, seems dan played more of a role in the game than i previously thought. still seems a bit odd that spry fox is ahead of radial, don't you think?
It gets tricky, eh? With any game, you've got a team of people who worked on the game. The company names are pretty much unimportant in terms of actual credit, but there's a natural tendency to latch onto them.
Here is what should be a pretty accurate list for whom kudos should go out to (in alphabetical order) for the Android version of Steambirds:
Oh I see how it is, DanC, you listed it alphabetical by LAST name.... Knowing full well I would have been FIRST if you did it alphabetically by FIRST name!!!
WITH LUV,
Indie Superstar
http://www.andymoore.ca/2010/03/steambirds-by-the-numbers/
Here is what should be a pretty accurate list for whom kudos should go out to (in alphabetical order) for the Android version of Steambirds:
Victor Chelaru
Daniel Cook
Gideon Crevoshay
David Edery
Jordan Fehr
Terry Lewis
Kao Martin
Andy Moore
Pablo Poffald
Jeremy Thal
If you see them, congratulate them. :-)
All the best,
Danc.
/me takes off gauntlet
/me drops gauntlet at your feet
Yours,
Danc.