There’s a New App Developer in Town - eoz games!

In the wild west of app development, it helps to partner up with a developer who’s no stranger to danger. And believe me, we’ve seen our share - as a soup to nuts indie developer, and as a hired gun.

We first met new game company, eoz games, right around the holidays, when they were just a bunch of sketches on index cards.

Today, we’ve developed and published two eoz games, Ticker Quiz and Word Cracker, for the App Store and another, Roman Backgammon, is in beta testing with Apple submission just around the bend.

It’s no easy task, launching a game company virtually overnight. We pushed and pulled and cursed and toiled, to get the specs and design just right. And once the dust (mostly) settled, we’ve got three polished apps - cocked and ready to download. They’ve filled out a bit since we first met, but in reality, these three games haven’t strayed far from their humble 3 x 5 beginnings. The trio might be bigger and shinier now, but the beauty and simplicity of the original game concepts remains intact.

App #1 is called Ticker Quiz - it’s a handy pocket game for those itching to test their stock symbol know-how. The game can be played two ways: by company name, or by ticker. The timed game can be played solo or in head-to-head mode and the top scores appear on the Game Center leader boards.

App #2 is called Word Cracker - if you’re daring enough to call yourself a wordsmith, you better be willing to lay it on the table and prove it with this app. The timed game is played two ways: with or without spaces (think hangman) and also offers solo and head-to-head play modes. Like Ticker Quiz, top scores appear on the Game Center leaderboards.

App #3, Roman Backgammon, is my personal favorite of the bunch. Addicting and challenging, this app takes the classic Backgammon game and adds a historical twist with slightly different rules and a custom game board and dice design to take you back in time. Once you’ve beaten the crafty AI a few times, you may think you’re ready for a high noon duel with a dice-slinger from another far off town, and the Game Center integration will bring the challenger to you - just pick a stranger and pit your wits.

Together, this app trio represent some of the finest games you’ll play this side of Dodge City.

eoz games in the App Store

Shake-a-Phrase is an Apple Staff Favorite!

Q: What do NASA, MOMA and Shake-a-Phrase have in common?

A: They're all featured Staff Favorites in the App Store Education category.

It's always nice to be featured by Apple.

And celebrating the launch of the new iPad with some App Store stars in the Staff Favorites lounge ain't a bad way to spend the day.

More shrimp cocktail?

Why yes - don't mind if I do.

Oh look, there's Dr. Seuss - gotta run!...

(Stay tuned for the launch of a trio of game apps we're working on for a client - instant game company!)

Shake-a-Phrase 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Or should I say, Happy Lupercalia.

From National Geographic news this morning:

More than a Hallmark holiday, Valentine's Day, like Halloween, is rooted in pagan partying. (See "Halloween Facts: Costumes, History, Urban Legends, More.")

The lovers' holiday traces its roots to raucous annual Roman festivals where men stripped naked, grabbed goat- or dog-skin whips, and spanked young maidens in hopes of increasing their fertility, said classics professor Noel Lenski of the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The annual pagan celebration, called Lupercalia, was held every year on February 15 and remained wildly popular well into the fifth century A.D.—at least 150 years after Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

However you choose to celebrate, enjoy the day!

Did You Just Say The Hit Alien Buddies Ed App Is FREE?

Why, yes.

Yes, I did.

Download Alien Buddies For Free Today!

Alien Buddies Update v.1.1 Drops in App Store - More Fun!

So, Apple cleverly timed their revolutionary educational self-publishing announcement today to hitch a ride on the Artgig express.

I suppose it's just a coincidence that our all new Alien Buddies Puzzle game update went live in the App Store last night.

Well done, Apple - well done.

The Puzzle addition expands the early learning game suite from three to four activities, because the only thing better than fun is more fun, right?

Speaking of fun, Alien Buddies has been a lot of fun to work on, and we hope you and your kids enjoy the update as much as we've enjoyed making it.

And if you find that your kids are suddenly having more fun with Alien Buddies, please take a moment and leave an iTunes review - there's a link right on the Parents page in the app.

Good reviews and lots of 5 star ratings are the kind of thing that Apple likes to see.

And we really like hearing from you.

Now go have more fun.

Download Alien Buddies (you can thank us later)

Happy Holidays! From Artgig Studio

You:

Damn!

Know what I forgot?

A card!

Us:

Don't worry - we've got your back, with the Artgig Holiday Card Generator.

Now you can make your own custom e-card, featuring the cute and quirky characters from our Alien Buddies App!

And you can do it in your browser or, on your iPad.

Look here - no Flash up our sleeve.

Sweet!

You:
(Standing there, mouth agape, amazed)

Us:

So, Happy Holidays from us, to you.

You:
(Drooling a little)

Us:

Okay then...er...have fun!

The Artgig Holiday Card Generator!

The Alien Buddies Have Landed – On Cafe Press!

This Just In:

The Alien Buddies have landed on Cafe Press!

That's right, we're having so much fun with our cute and quirky App Store friends, we decided to open a store to share and wear them!

Have a "New and Noteworthy" baby to shop for?

No problem!

Or maybe you just want your BFF on a shirt!

If you're looking for your favorite Alien Buddies on a plethora of products, we've got you covered!

Just look for Artgig on Cafe Press and follow the signs.

And it's 20% off right now with coupon code NOEL20.

As our Alien Buddies are fond of saying...

Sweet!

Artgig Cafe Press Store