Game-Changing Features Position Flipstones 2 for Holiday Success

December 7, 2010 – Seattle, WA – PressOK Entertainment, a leading mobile application developer and publisher is releasing its feature-packed new title, Flipstones 2 today.  Flipstones 2, available as a Free update of PressOK’s popular title Flipstones, is a line-drawing puzzle game that was re-built from the ground-up with additions including the new Frenzy mode, Boosts and PlacePlay integration, a location-based mobile gaming platform developed by PressOK Entertainment.

Frenzy mode is an addictive, fast-paced race to score as many points as possible before time runs out – a new concept for the game that has a lot of appeal and quickly hooks players.  Challenge mode is still available for players who loved the original Flipstones, but now players can earn stars throughout gameplay which can be used to buy Boosts to better their score in Frenzy mode.  With both modes feeding off each other users are consistently able to keep the game fresh and exciting.

Players will also notice the addition of PlacePlay.  PlacePlay made its debut last week in PressOK Entertainment’s Feed Al: A Finger Physics Odyssey with rave reviews making Flipstones the second PlacePlay enabled title to hit the market.  PlacePlay introduces a new dimension to mobile gaming that enables consumers to post their scores to location specific leader boards to earn virtual currency, virtual content and compete in location specific competitions.  By competing locally, users earn virtual currency which can be redeemed in-game for Boosts to play better, flip stones faster, increase the length of Frenzy mode, and rise to the top of their local leader boards.

“We’ve been working diligently on the PlacePlay integration with Flipstones 2, so we’re looking forward to getting the app into users’ hands” said Ryan Morel, CEO of PressOK Entertainment.  “Flipstones was fun, Flipstones 2 is more fun and I think our users will agree.”

Flipstones 2 is available for the iPhone and iPod Touch for $.99 and is currently available on Apple’s App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flipstones/id379345229?mt=8

PlacePlay is currently in beta with plans to release an SDK for developers in early 2011.  For more information, please visit www.placeplay.com.

It’s been a long time coming, but we’re HAPPY to announce that PlacePlay has been (un)officially launched!

So, what exactly is PlacePlay?  Good question.

- PlacePlay is our new location-based mobile gaming platform.  It’s in Feed Al right now and as of tomorrow, will be in Flipstones 2.

- PlacePlay is a platform that allows users to post their high scores to virtual leader boards wherever they’re playing such as a coffee shop, office or bus stop.

- By posting your score (we call it a ‘pl@y’) you earn virtual currency that buys you Boosts within the game, so you can play better/faster and beat your last score.

We think PlacePlay has the opportunity to change the way people think and play mobile games and so far, we’re on the right track.  Last week, PlacePlay made it’s beta debut in Feed Al with enthusiastic and encouraging feedback.  Tomorrow, we’re launching the completely re-built Flipstones – now titled Flipstones 2 which will also have PlacePlay integration…. exciting stuff!

For more info, we’ve created a new website for PlacePlay here:  www.placeplay.com.  So if you’re a developer, a merchant or a user, please check it out!  Or you can find us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/placeplay) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/PlacePlay/158415817519401).

We’re looking for an all around awesome person that will make a great addition to the existing team.

http://pressokentertainment.com/careers

PressOK Entertainment Releases New iPhone Game with Location-Based Gaming Platform, PlacePlay

12.01.2010– Seattle, WA – PressOK Entertainment, a leading mobile application developer and publisher is launching Feed Al: A Finger Physics Odyssey, a new game for iPhone and iPod touch users. Feed Al is an extension of the chart-topping hit Finger Physics and has many of the characteristics that mobile gamers loved about the original with totally different game play and a fresh new face – Al Newton!

Al Newton, the star-eating Alien, needs help gathering as many stars as possible to keep him from starving. Players guide the gravity-abiding Collector thingamajob through a myriad of obstacles, blocks, tunnels, and more to gather as many stars as possible to FEED AL!

Feed Al provides endless game play with an enormous amount of levels that differ each game session with a guarantee to churn out new levels and challenges on an on-going basis. The massive amount of levels and constantly changing game play has a major impact on the level of difficulty which makes the game addicting, challenging and endless.

Making its beta debut in Feed Al is PlacePlay, PressOK Entertainment’s location-based gaming platform. PlacePlay introduces a new dimension to mobile gaming that enables consumers to post their scores to location specific leader board to earn virtual currency, virtual content and compete in location specific competitions. By competing in local challenges users earn virtual currency which can be redeemed in-game for Boosts to play better, go farther, Feed Al (most importantly), and rise to the top of their local leader boards.

“We’re very excited to launch the beta version of PlacePlay in Feed Al today” said Ryan Morel, CEO of PressOK Entertainment. “Feed Al combines the favorite aspects of Finger Physics with a fun new spin. We really think our fans will enjoy the new title. Plus, PlacePlay introduces a new dimension of competition for mobile games – we hope our fans enjoy it as much as we do” continued Morel.

Feed Al is currently available for iPhone and iPod Touch on Apple’s App Store for $.99: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/feed-al-a-finger-physics-odyssey/id405263677?mt=8

PlacePlay is currently in beta with plans to release an SDK for developers in early 2011. For more information, please visit www.placeplay.com.

Dear Earthlings,

Al Newton here! Al is writing you from my spaceship hoping that you can help me: the thing is Al’s out of food up here and he’s HUNGRY! Al eats stars. Lots and lots of stars. Will you please help Feed Al?? Yes, Al Netwon refers to himself in the 3rd person.

Feeding Al is pretty straightforward: Al invented a Collector device thingamajobby and sent it to Earth for you to use. Just guide the Collector through each level, grabbing as many stars as possible while avoiding crazy blocks, wonky obstacles and bouncing out into the galaxy!

Also, there’s this great new thing called PlacePlay that’s in here and it’s awesome! PlacePlay helps you buy Boosts which help you collect even MORE stars. PlacePlay also lets you post your high score to your local leader board, like at a coffee shop, restaurant or bus stop!

Here are more reasons why I love Feed Al:
- Because Earthlings feeding Al is fun! (and delicious)
- Feed Al changes every time you play it – so feeding Al is always a never-ending challenge.
- PlacePlay lets you compete with your friends and neighbors to see who is best at feeding Al. When you are the best, you get more
boosts. Admittedly, Al Newton loves this, because
more boosts means more food! Yummmm.
- Feed Al will be updated regularly with more content
and more ways to Feed Al! Al Newton approves of
this message.
- Well, if you don’t Feed Al, Al will destroy your planet.
Just kidding, Al’s a fictional video game character
…Al fooled you huh?

A few weeks after the launch of Finger Physics HD we are enamored by the iPad and all the possibilities it offers us as game developers. The larger screen and crystal clear graphics really enhance gameplay and the overall experience. While the iPhone is still an amazing gaming device, the iPad is a step above and we plan to take full advantage of it!

Technically Finger Physics HD Free is port from iPhone, so you won’t see any differences in the levels or stages per se, but it does feel like a brand new game.

Our favorite things about Finger Physics HD Free:
- Bigger Screen
- HD Graphics
- Easier Gameplay for Fat Fingers
- Exclusive iPad-only Levels

Check out our screenshots & all the other cool features on the Finger Physics HD page. As always, we love feedback whether you love it or hate it!

September 28, 2010

[PressOK's VP of engineering describes how iOS App Store success Finger Physics was conceived, greenlit, developed, and marketed -- with tips on how to change small side-projects into big successes.]

At PressOK Entertainment, our product strategy is pretty simple: make games so fun that people want to share them with others. As most developers or publishers will tell you, this is much easier said than done. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail, but the goal never changes.

One of the biggest challenges we face in meeting that goal is making sure that the team working on the game is invested in it, not only because it’s their job, but because it’s their baby. As anyone who has kids or friends who have kids will tell you, no one is as interested in your baby as you are. It’s no different in game development.

The Original Concept

In an attempt to overcome this challenge we instituted the “Rogue Development Project” program. The idea is simple: let our developers spend a certain amount of their time working on whatever game idea they want.

If the resulting ideas or prototypes fit our broad product strategy, they become full-scale projects, led by the developer or team who came up with the idea. Six months after the program started, it was already paying dividends.

Vladimir Agafonov and Efim Voinov, who work in our Moscow, Russia office, were the first to submit a rogue project called “Block-it” to the review team three weeks after the program started.

The process for reviewing games submitted under this program is not scientific by means; it is really basic: is the first five minutes of the game fun? Do we believe the can game be marketed? If our management team answers yes to both questions, then we are off to the races.

Evolution

Our initial feedback included several points that could be improved to help turn this game from a good idea to an outstanding, marketable contender in the puzzle genre.

Starting with the name, we suggested a change from Block-it to something that better described the mechanics and play style of the game itself; ultimately concluding in what we think was a home-run of a title in Finger Physics.

The original game also featured just one basic game mode. Our suggestion of adding more content would help Finger Physics stand out from the crowd of “stacker” games and countless other puzzle games on the App Store.

For the interface and overall look of the game we listed a few improvements that could help bolster the game’s appeal and a player’s likelihood to be entertained for longer periods of time. First off, we opted for more backgrounds and different visuals to keep the player intrigued.

The original background was a stark contrast to the moving pieces of the puzzle and we felt that the “hard” background should blend more with the game to help minimize any distraction from the gameplay itself. The UI underwent a major overhaul; everything from the main menu to the level selection mode was reevaluated and redesigned to polish the game, preparing it for the market.

Agafonov and Voinov took our feedback and ran with it, all while completing development on other projects. Three weeks later, they provided us with an updated build that integrated all of the suggestions, including multiple game modes and addicting gameplay — needless to say, they quickly changed our opinion of the game.

The following week, Agafonov and Voinov teamed up with Anton Antonov, Ilya Koryakin, Dmitry Chernenko, and Grigory Kireev to further develop Finger Physics and make it into the game it is today.

> Read the whole story & view images at Gamasutra.com

SEATTLE – September 16, 2010 – Today, PressOK Entertainment announced its first iPad title to hit the App Store, Finger Physics HD. PressOK Entertainment is a developer and publisher of mobile games with numerous hit titles on the App Store including Finger Physics, Finger Physics: Thumb Wars, and Gin Rummy Multipack.

Finger Physics for iPhone has been downloaded more than 5 million times and PressOK Entertainment continues to extend the reach of the franchise to an eager and loyal fanbase.

“We’re excited to launch our first iPad title today” said Ryan Morel, CEO of PressOK Entertainment. “Finger Physics HD is a natural progression for the franchise and we’re looking forward to getting it into the hands of Finger Physics fans everywhere. The graphics are amazing and the iPad helps to make an already great experience even better” continues Morel.

To celebrate their first iPad title, PressOK Entertainment is having a launch sale and for a limited time, Finger Physics HD is only $1.99 – a very inexpensive price for the iPad App Store. The purchase of Finger Physics HD includes:
- 270 Levels
- 7 Modes
- OpenFeint Integration
- Free access to the iPhone’s paid level packs
- Exclusive iPad-only content to be released in the coming weeks

PressOK Entertainment wants to get their new title on as many iPads as possible, so they’ve sweetened the pot with an astonishing amount of levels and more iPad-only ones to come – a promise that PressOK has continued to deliver on with all of their Finger Physics titles to date.

To download Finger Physics HD today, please visit:
http://itunes.com/app/finger-physics-hd

Try your skills at exclusive iPad-only levels and know that we always keep our games fresh with new content and updates. Grab your fingers, grab your iPad and be WOW’D by the amazing graphics, smooth gameplay & more than 300 finger teasing levels!

Finger Physics HD is packed with all of the finger-loving levels that got you hooked on the iPhone version, but with a larger screen – it’s a whole new game. Finger Physics was #1 on the App Store for a reason! Download it today and play ’til your fingers’ content!

> Already stuck?? Check out our YouTube channel for how-to videos

Game Features:
- 300+ Levels!!
- 7 Modes
- Eggs, baskets, exploding shapes & floating blocks
- OpenFeint integration
- Free access to all the iPhone paid level packs
- Exclusive iPad-only levels!