The long awaited “21st century interpretation of the archetypical old school videogame adventure, designed exclusively for Apple’s touchtronic machinery” and one of the most anticipated games for the platform, aka Sword & Sworcery EP by Superbrothers, is now available in the AppStore.

In a nutshell, Sword & Sworcery EP is an exploratory action adventure with an emphasis on audio-video style, exploring musical mysteries and use a sword to do battle & evoke sworcery. You can co-operate with friends via Twitter, explore the amazing pixel environment Superbrothers have created and absorb the unforgettable soundtrack by Jim Guthrie.

Music by Jim Guthrie exclusively for Sword & Sworcery.
Programming by Capy
Artwork by superbrothers aka Craig Adams

Available only for the iPad. iPhone-specific version of the game will arrive sometime next month.

Read the full preview on TouchArcade: Exclusive ‘Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP’ for iPad Hands-On Preview, Review on IGN: Sword & Sworcery EP iPad Review - Almost pixel-perfect and IndieCade 2010: Superbrothers’ Sword and Sworcery EP preview on TUAW.

If this is not enough, also check out Craig Adams’ profile piece on Kill Screen

Platform: iPad
Version: 1.0
Cost: $4.99
Developer: Capybara Games Inc.

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Latest game from Shaun Inman, Horror Vacui 2 is a two-player abstract strategy board game based on the antiquated notion that nature abhors a vacuum. The game involved two players (cpu or 2 humans), Water and Earth, who take turns placing pieces on the board. The temperature of each piece affects adjacent pieces. The player with the most normal temperature pieces when the board is full wins.

This is a paid update to the first version we wrote about few months back. Ver 2 brings two player mode, isometric view and a new soundtrack EP. Interestingly, unlike the audio in the first Horror Vacui which was created using the Korg DS-10 the sequel’s music and sound effects were produced generatively in MML.

Mac version of the game has also been submitted to the Mac AppStore.

NEW IN HORROR VACUI 2
- Same engaging strategy
- New dexterity-based reels and familiar luck of the draw cards
- Two board sizes for longer or shorter play times
- All new 8-bit isometric graphics
- Unique temperature and element animations
- Expanded and remixed 8-bit music plus all new sound effects

Platform: iPhone/iPad (Universal)
Version: 1.0
Cost: $1.99
Developer: Shaun Inman

Previously on CA:
Fever [WebApp]: New RSS Reader WebApp by Shaun Inman …
Horror Vacui [iPhone]: Find complexity in even the most simple of …
Mimeo [iPhone, Games] – Game by @shauninman

Selected as a finalist at this years IGF (Independent Games Festival), Today I Die, a poem game by Daniel Benmergui is now available for the iPhone. Today I Die takes you on a journey with words to uncover to generate new meanings and resolve puzzles you find along the way. The game is not about winning but a narrative in the poem you uncover.

It’s about the daily choice of waking up in the morning.
No skill playing videogames is necessary! Playing this game can be a significant experience.

The music is by Hernán Rozenwasser (Night Raveler).

Platform: iPhone
Version: 1.01
Cost: $0.99
Developer: Atakama Labs Inc

Qubicle is a standalone Windows software for creating 3D pixel-art. It combines standard 2D image editing tools with a powerfull function-set for editing 3D cube-matrices. We first wrote about it in October last year and have just received an email from the creator, Tim Wesoly, notifying us that Qubicle is now available for download (Public Beta v 9.502)!

What’s included:
Standard Image Editing Tools
The tools used in the Qubicle Constructor are familiar to users of common image editing tools like Adobe Photoshop. The pencil, the eraser, the paintbucket and other well known tools are used to “draw” the model on a 2D canvas or to sculpt it in 3D. It’s easier to learn and use than conventional 3d modelers based on polygonal meshes. And the models you create have a very original look and that retro touch we all love.

Powerfull Function-Sets for Matrix-Editing
In addition to the familiar tools, Qubicle Constructor owns many helpful functions like interpolated scaling, mirroring and texturing.

File exchange with other 3D Applications
Qubicle Constructor can export models as OBJ. OBJ can be imported by most third party 3d applications on the market. It also reads and writes the exchange Format QEF for a seamless transfer of cube models between the Qubicle Constructor and the Qubicle Maya Plugin.

More info + download at minddesk.com

Previously: Qubicle [Windows]

Created by Kim Asendorf and published by CreativeApplications.Net, asdfbmp is a pixel pattern generator app for iPhone and iPod Touch. It creates a pixel structure by using a spatial partition algorithm resulting in fields populated by pixel patterns.

You can choose from 16 bitmap patterns and 32 colours. You can adjust the minimal field size, the probability of a new division and the proportion between horizontal and vertical division.

In the draw mode you decide which field is going to be divided. By tapping on the screen the field you have chosen gets split under condition that your minimal field size is met.  The auto mode divides until there is no more field left and it’s wonderful to watch. Additionally there is a mode menu where you can choose extra blending modes such as pattern, fill, outline, empty, random.

Kim Asendorf is an artist based in Kassel, Germany. Inspired by social behavior, the thinking of large media groups and the resulting gaps in these systems. Driven by curiosity and the basic idea of a do-gooder, he uses all the known techniques and methods to express oneself.

For examples see Flickr and for updates follow asdfbmp on twitter @asdfbmp_app.

The app is available in the AppStore for $1.99.

About Apps.CAN:
Apps.CreativeApplications.Net, a little brother of CAN, is a site dedicated to the collection of Apps for Mac, Windows, iPhone and iPad created by artists around the globe and published by CreativeApplications.Net. The aim is to inspire, innovate and challenge the norm by creating applications that question our relationship to technology and personal devices. The applications included are the first of many to come. If you are an artist/developer and interested in working with CreativeApplications.Net, please get in touch.

We wrote about it back in April, Neven Mrgan’s + Matt Comi‘s Curious Incident is now available in the AppStore! A fast-paced, retro-style action game with run, dodge and jump your way to safety as an angry rain of just about everything in the world falls and builds a mountain of platforms for you to climb up, up… up to the source of it all: the cause of The Incident.

THE INCIDENT is easy to pick up but hard to master. It’s a totally new gameplay concept and it’s perhaps TOO addictive. It’s loaded with power-ups, power-downs (d’oh!) and collectables. Try to beat the game, then try to unlock all the achievements. No one said getting 500 coins would be easy.

The incident is a universal app that runs on both iPhone and iPad.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX:

• Supercool 8-bit pixel art
• Awesome chiptune soundtrack
• 7 levels to explore and survive
• Hundreds of unique objects, hundreds of ways to die
• The Trophy Room, where you recall your adventures
• The elusive “B-mode”

Previously: Neven Mrgan’s Curious Incident [Games, iPhone, iPad] – Interview

Platform: iPad/iPhone
Version: 1.0
Cost: $1.99
Developer: Big Bucket Software

When the Hook Champ was first released back October last year I was instantly impressed but refrained from posting much about the game until I actually completed it. Now that the new version, Super QuickHook, is out I thought I’d take this opportunity to look back and also provide some insight into what I think about the first and the most recent version of the game.

In a nutshell, Hook Champ is a physics platformer about using a grappling hook to swing through haunted ruins at high speeds. Featuring pixel style retro graphics, Hook Champ is basically a ‘single tap on the screen’ type game. Your task is to complete the level as quickly as possible and at the same time collect as many gold coins which allow you to purchase power-ups and additional “style” goods from the store. The game starts pretty easy, where you may find yourself doing as much walking as swinging. The map is split into different areas, usually 2 at the time are unlocked and to access more you will need to collect enough coins and finish previous levels. As you unlock new levels, the only way to pass through them is by being in the air. Precision and timing is crucial but with practice you become the master, tapping perfectly at the right time swinging over and through obstacles at amazing pace. It is not enough just to grab onto something above, it is about finding the perfect swing radius to least disrupt the motion flow through the level. Did I mention there was a big bad black monster following you? Yep, that’s it, speed and staying in front of it is important. Some power-ups include rocket shoes, longer rope, larger gold coin collection radius and all of these have different levels, ie you start with Level 1 rope and end with Level 4. Higher the level the more they will cost you so collecting as many gold coins as possible will make this process easier. I estimate about 5-6 hours playtime to complete the game. At times you may get stuck and some levels will take 10-20 replays to complete. This may sound somewhat mundane but in practice is very gratifying. This is also the case when you get to the last few levels where perfect precision and timing are crucial. The game is pretty balanced, with time your skill will improve and you will feel like you made the game yourself.

This brings us to the new version of Hook Champ called Super QuickHook. Where you may expect this to be a very similar game it does feel very different. The UI and graphics have generally been improved, physics as well and the overall game feels a lot more fluid. The map for the levels has been abandoned (finally!, I hated that thing in the first version) and now you have a horizontal scroll menu showing different maps to play. The progression through the levels feels a little easier and I am not sure whether that’s because I played Hook Champ before or because the team chose it to be that way. Once you get near the end levels the condition to unlock them is to beat developers’ scores on the early levels. Now, this has proved very challenging, meaning that you MUST collect all the coins and complete in reasonable time. Once again, 10-20 replays have done it for the simple reason I had to learn the map off by heart. This is very different to the previous version of the game. In Hook Champ you could just run through the level without collecting most of the coins. Sure, it felt great to collect all but you didn’t have to. In QuickHook, to unlock the new levels you will have to know some of the maps inside out. As you progress, faster than in Hook Champ you will obtain new items from the shop. In most case you will probably be focused on power-ups and where in the first version you re-played maps just to collect coins to purchase power-ups in the latest version you will find that as long as you work through the levels you will collect enough coins to fund your new power-ups. This is somewhat disappointing and it does feel like a lot less effort than previously. I am nevertheless enjoying it very much and with only 2 levels left to complete I am somewhat sad and resist playing until I am ready to face the end.

If you have played Hook Champ before and you enjoyed it, I am sure you will love the Super QuickHook. If you haven’t I strongly recommend trying the original version first before you get to the new one. The skill you will gain will only make Super QuickHook more enjoyable and once you have played it it’s highly unlikely you will play the original version.

The developers suggest high replay value in both games but unfortunately, I somewhat disagree. I have never been a big shopper of accessories in games and where power-ups do have purpose you will find the rest pretty useless. You also have the option of playing different characters but considering this is a pixel aesthetic game I much more enjoyed the environment than worrying which character I am playing. In other words I do not think having an option to buy 100 different hats will make this game worth replaying. Once you have reached the end it is unlikely you will go and play it again. I have tried, but did not feel the same joy as I did the first time around.

To summarise, both games are fantastic! Hook Champ and Super QuickHook are probably (by my standards) some of the best games for the iPhone. For $2.99 a pop they will keep you entertained for hours and I can’t recommend them more. Get them, you won’t regret!

Platform: iPhone
Cost: $2.99
Developer: Jeremy Orlando
Hook Champ: 
Super QuickHook:

Poodle Invasion is a fun and quirky little shooter for the iPhone. You fight your way against the horde of poodle’s that have invaded the planet. As scary as this may sound, you don’t have to worry much as you are well equipped including bling and fashionable items you get to accumulate during your heroic adventure. Tilt your iPhone to control the cat (???) or drop bombs to obliterate all poodles in near proximity. Sounds fun?

Interestingly, the game was created using GameSalad, a game development framework which allows users to create games without programming a single line of code. You can build games using a drag-and-drop interface along with already included behavior system. There are a bunch of templates available including those for a ‘Basic Platformer’, “Shoot’em Up”, pong style game and few more. To update the graphics you can just use those available and customise your own in an image editing app. Simple and straight forward. Of course, as you’d expect this is all quite limiting (without getting into code) but nevertheless if you have ideas for visual style that you want to explore this may be the quickest way to do it and get things up and running quickly. In the example of Poodle Invasion, you WILL find the game somewhat slow, gameplay limited and controls slightly odd. These are all most probably the limitations of the framework. But for testing purposes and being able to quickly illustrate your ideas not using a single line of code, this could be interesting for many. Check it out at: gamesalad.com

Platform: iPhone
Version: 1.0
Cost: $0.99
Developer: Frederico Machuca

After a short break comes a new release from Poppy called Monster’s Valley. Once again, beautiful pixel graphics and simple gameplay make this a wonderful addition to the growing collection of games from Poppy, TomTom and Jerry collective.

The task this time is: Let monsters jump not to fall in the valley.

In case you missed previous releases, it’s never too late to catch up including Sweep Man (itunes link) which is now free!

Previously: Brave Man, Apple and Monster, Hotdog Panic, Sweep Man and Giant Metal Robot

Platform: iPhone
Version: 1.0
Cost: $0.99
Developer: Poppy

Created by recoil performance group from Denmark, F**k You, Buddy is a physical performance in combination of interactive video scenography. We wrote about the project back in January and now the video with behinds the scenes (embeded below) + details of the setup are available. The interactive/stage tracking and projections were coded by Ole Kristensen and Jonas Jongejan including a custom framework for a modular app combining openFrameworks and cocoa gui, controllable via midi. The set-up includes infrared lights, led par 64 cans (dmx from our own arduino) and two panasonic projectors on stage.

The software is open source and we are very grateful to the openFrameworks community, whose efforts form the basis of our programming work. The software for Fuck You Buddy builds on our move into Cocoa and Objective-C from the Frost performance. We intergrate openFrameworks into a cocoa-based Mac OS X Snow Leopard application running on a mac pro seeing the dancers through a Point Grey Flea 2 IEEE 1394b camera, showing the openGL graphics using two video projectors, shooting diagonally onto a white square of dance floor. The projectors have 0.7 wide angle optics and the software is qued from qLab using apple’s midi networking capabilities.

Links:
http://3xw.ole.kristensen.name/works/fuck-you-buddy
http://halfdanj.dk
http://recoil-performance.org/productio … -you-buddy

To download code for the project head over to http://code.google.com/p/fuckyoubody/
The team are also planning to make their ofxCocoaPlugins gui code available for general consumption very soon.

recoil is a Copenhagen based performance group. The group was formed in 2003 by choreographer Tina Tarpgaard and composer Pelle Skovmand, with the intention of establishing collaboration between artists across genre and borders. Through dance, live video and electronic sound, we create performances that aim to explore technology as an equal and interactive partner to the performing artist’