ngmoco, Inc.

We've been covering the existence of ngmoco since the very beginning in mid-2008, back before they dropped the extra colon from their logo even. A month later, we were on top of their initial round of funding, and with the launch of nglabs and other amazing future promises, quite a few people (myself included) thought ngmoco was going to become the unquestionable king of iOS game development. It's been a long four years since then, and while we once knew ngmoco for releasing absolutely classic must-have games like Rolando [99¢], Rolando 2 [99¢], and Star Defense [99¢], they switched gears to championing the free to play game market in a major way in late 2009. We were blown away when it was announced that Eliminate [Free] was going to be free, and We Rule [Free] was equally popular around here as ngmoco made a splash on the App Store with one of the first available free to play Farmville-like building games. Since that original free to play explosion in 2009, Ngmoco hasn't done very much to interest our community. They've seemingly stopped both publishing and releasing games, with the last major release that made much of a splash around here being Godfinger [Free], another free to play building game which hit the App Store in late 2010. Even more confusing is what in the world ngmoco has been doing with Freverse, the beloved former Mac developer, since they were acquired. With Freeverse onboard, ngmoco's proverbial financial katamari was large enough to lure Asian gaming giant DeNA into acquiring ngmoco for $400m, and since then it seems they've fallen even further off the map. Not even people familiar with the situation have been able to explain to me what ngmoco has been up to in the last two years aside from pushing hard into the Android world with questionable success utilizing their cross-platform game engine Mobage (which is pronounced MOH-bah-GAY, if you were curious). Throughout all of this, it seems that ngmoco has been hiring all sorts of people, and still are, if their positions page is any indication. Sadly, TechCrunch is reporting layoffs at the former iOS gaming giant: Ngmoco CEO Neil Young was quick to respond, making it sound as if they layoffs are a result of Ngmoco and DeNA merging, eliminating any duplicate positions leftover from the restructuring process: To add another interesting wrinkle to the potential fate of Read More

If you've got a first, second, or even 8GB third generation iPod touch, an O.G. iPhone or an iPhone 3G, it might be time to think about upgrading. Aside from missing out on a heck of a lot of cool games that require more recent hardware, quite a few developers seem to be dropping support of their older devices as Apple no longer provides iOS updates. Freemium powerhouse ngmoco announced this afternoon that as of We Rule [Free] version 1.6, older devices will no longer be supported. Ngmoco, like many other developers who have made this decision to abandon older devices explains that in order to move the game forward they need to free themselves of the constraints of these older devices. An interesting statistic comes out of this though, in that according to a blog post of theirs, only 5% of their player base actually uses these ancient devices. What do you do if you're in this 5% and you want to keep ruling over your game of We Rule? Well, even older iOS devices still fetch a decent amount of money on Craigslist and Ebay, and Apple offers refurbs on the cheap. Alternatively, it might not be that bad of an idea to just wait until what the rumored September iPod/iPhone event has in store for us before upgrading. Like most yearly iterations, the 5th generation iPod touch likely will cost just as much as the current 4th generation iPod touch does now. Otherwise, if you're still one of the people who is playing We Rule, hold off on updating if you're still on older hardware. So, I wrote iTunes (reported a problem) when I received my bill. And even though the game's info says that it's in English, and it's not, I was told that there is nothing that they can do for me, that the 'functionality of the game is not Apple's responsibility." So... another $5 down the damn drain... Still no response from the developer... sucks that I paid $5 only to be able to leave a goddamn 1 star review.   #11   Today, 08:08 AM Senior Member iPhone 4, iOS 5.x Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 245 Can't wait any more to try this game ! Hi everyone. I'm happy to announce that our first game is on the appstore. I leave you the description and links to the trailer and the app store Read More

The Digital Marketing Series is supported by HubSpot, which offers inbound marketing software that helps small and medium sized businesses get found on the Internet by the right prospects and converts more of them into leads and customers. Learn more. Skeptics of social gaming for business purposes exist, but that’s not stopping some big brands from disproving those critics’ misconceptions. Big brands are finding ways to leverage the enormous social gaming population (which is expected to reach 68.7 million players by the end of 2012). They’re jumping into the game — so to speak — with branded virtual goods, integrated ads and offers as well as games that combine digital and real-world incentives. For example, marketers like Century 21 have started using branded virtual goods — inexpensive, non-tangible items people buy to use in digital games — in order to gain brand recognition and tap into the profitable social gaming trend. In 2011, U.S. gamers will spark $653 million in revenue solely from purchasing virtual items, predicts research aggregator eMarketer. That figure is expected to reach $792 million in 2012. Here are five brands that are successfully using social gaming in their marketing campaigns. If you know of any other stellar campaigns, please share them in the comments section. To try to make its 40-year-old brand appeal to the age group that buys the most homes — people who are 25 to 34 — residential real estate organization Century 21 launched its first social gaming campaign in early April. Century 21 partnered with mobile gaming company ngmoco to create branded virtual goods that players could use in ngmoco’s [iTunes link], a game in which players build cities. The Century 21-branded virtual goods comprised of skyscrapers, homes and other buildings that players added to progress through the game, which was compatible with the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The social gaming campaign ended April 26, and it has paid off. Century 21 Chief Marketing Officer Bev Thorne says 92% of We City players have incorporated Century 21-branded structures into their virtual cities. “That’s quite the engagement rate,” she adds. “We’ll also be basing our success on brand survey results, video views and app downloads.” Appssavvy, a company that focuses on connecting brands to people through digital social activities, developed the strategy and design for Century 21′s first attempt at leveraging social gaming for marketing. Appssavvy is no stranger to the online social Read More

posted by Trey Trawick on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 10:11 pm.   April Fools! Actually, April Fools on that April Fools, because as unimaginable as it sounds, Rolando has indeed been updated. Ngmoco, a company who has become a bit of a disappointment over the last year, has finally pulled through and updated the rolling adventure series Rolando with Retina display graphics. In its hay-day, Rolando was one of the all-time greats, and it’s wonderful to see that it is finally up to par with the latest display technology. Sadly, the graphics (and a lower price tag) are the only thing that have changed. Ngmoco hasn’t brought the fabled Rolondo 3 back from the grave (even as a joke). If you haven’t picked up Rolando yet, now is the perfect time to see what all the fuss is about. Read More

Ngmoco has surprised us with some updates. Rolando and its sequel Rolando 2 have both been updated for the iPhone 4's Retina Display and have had a few bug issues fixed. To celebrate the update, they're both on sale for just US$0.99. Either one of these is a bargain at that price. They're both very solid, original platformers, designed specifically for the iOS system. What's most interesting about this, though, is that Ngmoco has updated these at all. Rolando was one of the first big titles for the now gigantic iOS developer, but when Ngmoco moved into the We Rule freemium model, the Rolando series was more or less abandoned in favor of games that could use more microtransactions and attract more "DAUs" (daily active users). A lot of Rolando fans were disappointed with that direction, though Ngmoco's We Rule and other freemium games have seen plenty of success anyway. Rolando creator Simon Oliver's HandCircus has been working on a PSN game instead, but maybe with these updates, there's a possibility we could finally see Ngmoco return to the little rolling hero and his series. Read More

Vocal members of our community have long since written off ngmoco as a lost freemium cause, leaving us hardcore gamers in the dust as they move on to greener (and more casual) free to play pastures. The Rolando series seemed poised to become the Super Mario of the iOS platform when the original Rolando [99¢] hit in in late 2008. In July of 2009, Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid [99¢] was released, and is better than the original in every way imaginable. Unfortunately, even though Rolando 3 was announced, poor sales of Rolando 2 combined with the wildly successful freemium-powered Eliminate [Free] seemed to be all ngmoco needed to seemingly give up on the Rolando franchise. Check out the trailer to see what Rolando 2 is all about: With a 99¢ price drop and a Retina Display update, I recommend everyone download Rolando 2, and you might as well snag Rolando while you're at it. Put simply, Rolando 2 is a fantastic iOS platformer that intelligently utilizes both touch and tilt to create one of the first "iOS-only experiences." It looks great with the new graphics, and the gameplay still stands on its own today. While we're incredibly excited that some of our favorite games are getting some entirely unexpected Retina Display treatment, it's still dreadfully disappointing that there hasn't yet been (and from where we're sitting likely won't be) a Rolando 3. So, I wrote iTunes (reported a problem) when I received my bill. And even though the game's info says that it's in English, and it's not, I was told that there is nothing that they can do for me, that the 'functionality of the game is not Apple's responsibility." So... another $5 down the damn drain... Still no response from the developer... sucks that I paid $5 only to be able to leave a goddamn 1 star review.   #11   Today, 08:08 AM Senior Member iPhone 4, iOS 5.x Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 245 Can't wait any more to try this game ! Hi everyone. I'm happy to announce that our first game is on the appstore. I leave you the description and links to the trailer and the app store to download it! In our blog (link below), there are screenshots, but seeing the game in motion is much better :P iTunes Link: Hold on to your planets, the Diabalons are coming! Ever Read More

The crazily-named WINtA is a new music game whose proceeds go to children's charities. WINta—that crazy acronym stands for “War Is Not the Answer”—is a new music rhythm game that claims it’s trying to reinvent the genre. WINtA does away with the now-typical “track of notes” approach. Instead, different shapes appear on screen, and you tap them in rhythm with the lyrics. The game includes one free song; others are available for in-app purchase at $0.99. The developer promises that more free tracks will be released in the future, along with other paid songs. Speaking of the developer, WINtA is the brainchild of developer Masaya Mastuura, a Japanese developer. The app’s description calls him the “inventor” of the music genre, citing his 1996 release Parappa the Rapper. Also, Ngmoco is publishing WINtA, so the game features full Plus+ integration, including leaderboards and achievements. But perhaps happiest of all: WINtA is part of the OneBigGame organization, meaning that ten percent of the profits from each extra track you buy go towards OneBigGame’s partners. Currently, OneBigGame is partnered with the Starlight Children’s Foundation and Save the Children. The Starlight Children’s Foundation works with children with terminal illnesses and their families, while Save the Children works to improve many aspects of children’s lives. WINtA is a simple game with a simple premise, but it’s hard not to like a game built for charity. Plus, Winta is free to try…so why not give it a download? Unfortunately the game isn’t compatible with early-generation iPod Touches or iPhones, but those with newer devices are free to go. FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Released: 2010-12-08 :: Category: Games Read More

Apple has compiled a list called their 2010 Rewind. In it, they have named the top Apps of the year, and gathered them all up into one page so that they can easily be found. Let’s take a look at their top Apps in each category. On this list, you will find Apple’s best apps of 2010. Everything from best iPhone games of 2010 to best educational apps of 2010. Note that these are not our picks (though many of our favorites did make the list) but it’s a compilation of Apple’s favorite Apps of the 2010. Let’s take a look at Apple’s iTunes 2010 rewind: Shoot, Edit, Share – Best of iPhone Camera Utility Apps of 2010 1) Hipstamatic – 99 cents      2) Path – Free 3) Instagram – Free 4) Pocketbooth – 99 cents 5) iMovie – $4.99      6) Splice – Video Editor – 99 cents 7) ReelDirector – $3.99 Infinicam – $1.99 9) MobileMonet – 99 cents 10) ToonCamera – $1.99 11) lo-mob – $1.99 12) iMut8r – 99 cents 13) ZombieBooth – 99 cents 14) SwankoLab – $1.99 15) StopMotion Recorder – 99 cents Augmented Reality – Best Augmented Reality Apps of 2010 1) Peak.ar – Free 2) Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner – $4.99 3) ARDefender – 99 cents 4) Golfscape GPS Rangefinder – $19.99 5) Nearest Wiki – $1.99 6) Spyglass – $3.99   7) AR Soccer – $1.99      Hidden Sky – $4.99      9) Theodolite Basic – $1.99      10) Yelp – Free      11) Style.com – Free      12) Explore 9/11 – Free      13) San Francisco Guide – $5.99 Fun for Foodies 1) Foodspotting – Free      2) Jamie’s Recipes – Free 3) Mario Batali Cooks! – $4.99 4) How to Cook Everything – $4.99      5) MasterChef Academy US – $4.99      6) Omaha Steaks – Free 7) Levi Roots – $6.99 Cook’s Illustrated – Free      9) Teach Me Sushi – $4.99 10) Good Food Quick Recipes – $2.99      11) Weber’s On the Grill – $4.99      12) Campbell’s Kitchen – Free      13) Gordon Ramsay Cook With Me – $4.99      14) Chow Thanksgiving Dinner Coach- Free      New News – Best News Apps of 2010 1) Pulse News Mini – Free 2) Reeder – $2.99      3) Blancspot: The Art of News – Free 4) NBC Nightly News – Free      5) PBS NEWSHOUR – Read More

Big box games like and (or their App Store equivalents) aren't so different. At the end of the day, they have you strumming or drumming along with the beat of a song. Recent App Store rhythm game release WINta [Free] is different. It has you pounding out beats to the vocals of a given track, meaning the beat isn't all that critical to your success. Freedom from the norm! The vocal-first mentality of WINta won't strike you as much of a surprise when you take the time to consider who made the game. This is a product of visionary game creator Masaya Matsuura's imagination. Matsuura-san is responsible for the creation of the series, as well as for the Wii. It doesn't take long to master WINta. Its UI is cold and efficient. During each vocal segment of a song, a pattern of psychedelic squares are presented. Whenever the singing starts, you simply press a corresponding square that begins filling up with his or her words. Sadly, you won't be able to do much with WINta unless you're willing to put down some cash. The game comes with a light, yet informative tutorial and just one song. Other songs can be added at a price, of course, making this a freemium title of sorts. Interested? Give it a try. While WINta is not my cup of tea, I can see a fair few music game fans having a good time with this. Plus, it's free. Download it already, silly head. What have you got to lose? UPDATE: We've received a very important detail about this WINta -- it's a OneBigGame published App. That's notable because OBG is a non-profit publisher who brings developers together in order to create games that benefit charity. Specifically for WINta, a portion of each additional music track sold will go to Save the Children and the Starlight Children's Foundation. Neat!   #11   Today, 04:44 AM Junior Member iPod Touch (4th Gen), OS 4.x Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 7 Thanks metalcasket! Glad you like it! Do you mean to change the orientation from clockwise-landscape to anti-clockwise-landscape? Yeah, we hope to get that resolved soon! We are happy to announce our latest title Mike V: Skateboard Party. The game was developed in collaboration with Pro Skater Mike Vallely and his sponsors which includes Airwalk, Powell & Peralta, Tork Trux and Iron Fist Clothing. Mike V: Read More

In unregelmäßigen Abständen halte ich an dieser Stelle meine ersten beiden Homescreen-Seiten vom iPhone fest. Zuletzt erfolgte dies im August 2010, Januar 2010 sowie September 2009. Für mich von Spannung ist dabei welche Apps sich immer noch auf meinem Geräte befinden, welche komplett verschwanden oder sich eventuell (nur) verschoben haben. Dabei greife ich die (für mich) wesentlichen Änderungen heraus. Ansonsten überraschend wenig Veränderungen: BeejiveIM flog dank Push-Benachrichtigungen in einen Ordner auf der zweiten Seite. Außerdem verstecken sich innerhalb der Ordner folgende Apps*: Amazon.de (kostenlos; App Store-Link), Convertbot (1.59 €; App Store-Link), AnalyticsPro (5.49 €; App Store-Link), Delivery Status touch (3.99 €; universal; App Store-Link), Dropbox (kostenlos; universal; App Store-Link), iCabMobile (1.59 €; universal; App Store-Link), Skype (kostenlos; App Store-Link), WeatherPro (2.99 €; App Store-Link), Pastebot (2.99 €; App Store-Link), LogMeIn (23.99 €; universal; App Store-Link), OffMaps (1.59 €; universal; App Store-Link), Kik (kostenlos; App Store-Link), PayPal (kostenlos; App Store-Link), Linkie (0.79 €; App Store-Link), ClickyTouch (2.39 €; universal; App Store-Link), Groundwire (7.99 €; App Store-Link), Air Video (2.39 €; universal; App Store-Link), EyeTV (3.99 €; App Store-Link), BeejiveIM (7.99 €; App Store-Link), Facebook (kostenlos; App Store-Link), Articles (2.39 €; App Store-Link), WD TV Live Remote (2.39 €; App Store-Link), Camera+ (nicht verfügbar), Glyphboard (Web-Anwendung), TrueHDR (0.79; App Store-Link), Filterstorm (2.39 €; universal; App Store-Link), Tilt Shift Focus (0.79 €; App Store-Link), Big Picture (2.39 €; universal; App Store-Link), Hipstamatic (0.79 €; App Store-Link), TiltShift Video (1.59 €; App Store-Link), ShutterSnitch (5.99 €; universal; App Store-Link), 360 Panorama (0.79 €; App Store-Link), Instagram (kostenlos; App Store-Link), Dodonpachi (6.99 €; App Store-Link), Osmos (2.39 €; App Store-Link), Archetype (0.79 €; App Store-Link), Carcassonne (7.99 €; universal; App Store-Link), Sonic 4 (5.49 €; App Store-Link), ChuChu Rocket! (2.39 €; App Store-Link), Rage HD (1.59; universal; App Store-Link), Bug Panic (3.99 €; App Store-Link), Blue Defense (1.59 €; universal; App Store-Link), Duden Universal (29.99; universal; App Store-Link), Duden Rechtschreibung (19.99 €; universal; App Store-Link), Duden Synonyme (19.99 €; universal; App Store-Link), Finnish English (1.59 €; universal; App Store-Link), Joystiq (kostenlos; App Store-Link), Kindle (kostenlos; App Store-Link), iLiga 3.0 (kostenlos; App Store-Link), Evernote (kostenlos; universal; App Store-Link), Trails (2.99 €; universal; App Store-Link), Delibar (1.59 €; App Store-Link), GMX SMS (kostenlos; App Store-Link), Woizzer (kostenlos; App Store-Link), Colorimeter (2.39 €; App Store-Link), OTRmobile (kostenlos; App Store-Link), Raumzeit 01 (0.79 €; App Store-Link), Momento (2.39 €; App Store-Link), Air Distance (1.59 €; App Store-Link), Comic Strip (1.59 Read More