Apple TV games – Apple TV Hacks

SketchParty TV 4.0 released with new design, Apple Pencil support, and more

tomek — Thu, 05 May 2016 15:35:31 +0000

SketchParty TV, a popular Pictionary-style drawing and guessing party game to play on your iPad and Apple TV, has been updated to version 4.0 that brings a fresh new look and some great new features, like support for Apple Pencil, drag-and-drop team setup screen and improved scoring system. Support for the 4th generation Apple TV has been improved too.

SketchParty TV is a drawing game for two teams of up to eight players per team that plays a bit like Pictionary or “Win, Lose or Draw”. The standard gameplay settings give each player five words to draw in two minutes, and each player gets two of these two minute turns. With six total players, a full game can be played in about 30 minutes.

Here’s what’s new in version 4.0:

• A fresh yet familiar new look.
• Completely overhauled Team Setup screen (with at-a-glance game and word list settings on iPad).
• Drag-and-drop to reorder players. And move players between teams.
• A redesigned drawing canvas screen.
• An improved scoring system with Time Bonuses. Extra points awarded for speed!
• Apple Pencil support! With iPad Pro (either model) and Pencil, now you can vary line width by applying pressure.
• Many more bug fixes and improvements.

SketchParty TV 4.0 for Apple TV

SketchParty TV is made “with love and care” in Ohio by Matt Braun. Here’s what we’ve heard from him:

SketchParty TV 4 is a complete redesign both visually and functionally. This is the best SketchParty TV yet. I’ve been making it better every year since its release for the 2nd generation Apple TV in 2012. I’ve been refining it for four years, and what makes it great is still in there.

SketchParty TV is available on the iTunes App Store for the special sale price of $5.99 (regularly $9.99). Version 4.0 is a free update for existing customers.

To get the Apple TV app, just search for SketchParty TV on the Apple TV App Store or find it in your Purchased history.

Note: SketchParty TV requires an AirPlay Mirroring-capable device and either SketchParty TV on the 4th generation Apple TV or an Apple TV 2 or later to play. SketchParty TV can also be played using Apple’s AV adapter or a Mac/PC app like Reflector or AirServer.

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Sonic The Hedgehog now available on Apple TV 4

tomek — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 00:20:49 +0000

The Sonic game which started it all is now available for Apple TV!

Yo can now play “Sonic The Hedgehog” on your Apple TV 4, as Sega has launched a tvOS version of its iconic game from the 1990s. This re-mastered version of the SEGA Mega Drive classic features the full “Sonic The Hedgehog” game, plus some exclusive features:

Sonic The Hedgehog now plays in widescreen at a smooth 60FPS offering unrivalled performance and the game’s legendary soundtrack has been fully re-mastered.
New playable characters: play as Sonic’s friends Tails & Knuckles for the first time. Use their unique abilities to fly, climb, and glide around levels offering exciting new ways to explore.
Challenge your friends: challenge your friends in the new Time Attack Mode and check out how you rank with Leaderboards and Achievements.

Race at lightning speeds across seven classic zones as Sonic the Hedgehog. Run and spin through loop-de-loops as you collect rings and defeat enemies on your mission to save the world from the evil Dr. Eggman.

Search for “Sonic The Hedgehog” on your Apple TV to purchase ($2.99) and download the app.

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Disney Infinity 3.0 ‘Star Wars’ Edition launched for Apple TV 4

tomek — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 12:18:57 +0000

Disney launched Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition starter pack for the new Apple TV. It includes the SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller and a black Bluetooth Disney Infinity Base and it is available now at Apple retail stores. The new Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition game is now available on the Apple TV App Store.

The game offers the “full Disney Infinity 3.0 experience”, including all 3.0 Play Sets, figures and Toy Box Expansion Games. In addition, all figures and Power Discs from the 1.0 and 2.0 editions of Disney Infinity are also compatible with the Apple TV version of the game.

The Disney Infinity 3.0 Starter Pack for Apple TV is sold at $99.99 and include:

Star Wars: Twilight of the Republic Play Set piece
Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano figures
A Bluetooth enabled Disney Infinity base
Web code card for mobile and PC devices
SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller

Players can also experience the Battle of Yavin from Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope when they download the Disney Infinity 3.0 app from the App Store. Additional Disney Infinity 3.0 EditionPlay Sets, figures and Power Discs are sold separately.

Also read:

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Cosmos – Infinite Space: classic arcade shooter for Apple TV 4

tomek — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 01:02:36 +0000

Cosmos – Infinite Space is an arcade-style vertically scrolling space shooter, a reminder of the gameplay of the 70s and early 80s, coupled with modern technology. It combines the randomness of Asteroids with the core gameplay of Galaga to entice players to reach for an always higher score.

Cosmos is available on the App Store for $2.99. A single purchase on the App Store gives you access to the game on all of your iOS devices and your new Apple TV.

Related articles:

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Pangea releases five tvOS games with support for 3DTV

tomek — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 12:20:51 +0000

Pangea Software, a veteran game developer for Mac and iOS has announced their game catalog for the Apple TV 4. All of Pangea’s tvOS games include support for 3DTVs.

Air Wings: A multiplayer flight game where you pilot various toy and paper airplanes and engage in dogfighting combat with online opponents.
Bugdom 2: An action-adventure game where you play a grasshopper who explores his amazing world.
Nanosaur 2: Pilot a time traveling pterodactyl from the future, and battle other dinosaurs, or battle online opponents in the three different multiplayer modes.
Nucleus: A modern take on the classic Asteroids-style game.
Otto Matic: An action-adventure game where you play a robot who’s mission is to save the humans from being abducted by the evil Brain Aliens.

All of Pangea’s games have the capability of playing in stereo-3D on any HDTV which is 3DTV capable. This not only adds an extra visual element to the games, but in many cases it gives the player an advantage since 3D makes it easier to aim weapons and calculate jumps.

Additionally, all of the games are Game Controller compatible, so they can be played with either the Siri Remote or with any tvOS compatible gamepad.

Pangea promises to bring more of their iOS game lineup to tvOS in the near future. Cro-Mag Rally and Air Wings Intergalactic will not be far away, and they also will be working on new, tvOS-specific games as well.

Anyone who owns the iOS version of any of their games will get the tvOS version for free, and vice-versa. Even the in-app purchases will automatically transfer between the two platforms, and the saved game progress will also sync among the devices, so a player who just completed level 5 of Otto Matic on his iPad can continue playing from there on his Apple TV.

The iOS versions of all of Pangea Software’s games can be found on the App Store here.

More on Apple TV 4:

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Apple releases tvOS GM, asks developers to submit apps for Apple TV

tomek — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 11:47:55 +0000

After releasing the Gold Master version of tvOS for Apple TV 4 and Xcode 7.1 yesterday, Apple has sent out emails asking developers to submitt their tvOS apps tested on the latest GM seed.

We’re hearing from developers that Apple is already reviewing their apps really fast. It doesn’t come much as a surprise as we learned that the new Apple TV is coming next week – orders will start on Monday, Oct. 26, with the device shipping later that week.

Giveaway: Win a brand new Apple TV 4!

Apple also posted an app submission guide on its developer website and laid out some Apple TV human interface guidelines.

More on Apple TV 4:

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MAME emulator running on Apple TV 4

tomek — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 15:31:55 +0000

iOS developer Kevin Smith got a popular MAME emulator working on the 4th gen. Apple TV. In the video posted on YouTube he shows off a Les Bird’s code-based tvOS app running on a brand new Apple TV.

Here’s how he describes the proces of rewriting an iOS universal app – iMAME4all, to run on tvOS beta 2:

I created a target for tvOS and set about getting the code to compile for arm64 (Mandatory for AppleTV), fixed a varierty of compiler and linker errors. Removed code which was incompatible with tvOS frameworks and simplified code to work on tvOS. Added a basic icon compatible with tvOS. I added some tweaks to the source to allow the pause button to exit the game and supporting the resolution for the 1080p display.

The original work is based on iMAME4all which is a iOS universal app, port of MAME 0.37b5 emulator by Nicola Salmoria for all iOS devices (iPad HD, iPhone 4G , iPod touch and older) based on GP2X, WIZ MAME4ALL 2.5 by Franxis.

Kevin used the SteelSeries Stratus XL controller paired to the Apple TV via the Bluetooth settings.

According to him, most games were running well, though there were some sound issues with some of them, which he suspects are arm64-related.

He said he’ll work on the source a little more and endeavour to release the source code around the time the Apple TV launches to the public (late October) but we should not expect to see MAME on the Apple TV App Store any time soon as Apple doesn’t allow emulators of any kind.

The new Apple TV will be available at the end of October starting at $149 for a 32GB model and $199 for a 64GB model.

More on the 4th gen. Apple TV:

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GT Spirit for the new Apple TV: more than just racing

tomek — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 23:26:23 +0000

Created by Eden Games, a successfull gaming studio that specializes in high-profile AAA productions in the racing game genre, GT Spirit may be one of the most interesting games available on the new Apple TV when it launches in late October.

GT Spirit is a realistic driving experience, with fully simulated engines, powertrains, suspensions and aerodynamics. Players compete live with their online friends and foes through unlimited races, championships and daily events.

GT Spirit is claimed to be more than just racing game – it includes everything to do with cars. You can collect, upgrade and customize some of the “most gorgeous exotic vehicles” in your performance shop and see details including engine and interiors in full HD.

You will also be able to engineer specific parts to boost your machines beyond their maximum capacity.

The game runs on the latest Unity engine. It has been in development at Eden’s studio for the last 20 months.

GT Spirit will also be available on the Apple TV App Store i late October and on mobile at a later stage. Pre-registration is open for those who want to be kept in the loop.

Eden Games track record includes the creation of the V-Rally franchise, Need for Speed: Porsche and Test Drive Unlimited, among other major racing game hits on various consoles.

More on the 4th gen. Apple TV:

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All Apple TV games must support Siri Remote

tomek — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 14:07:16 +0000

Apple has updated its App Programming Guide for tvOS to include one small, but very significant change: all Apple TV games that support third-party game controllers must also support the new Apple TV Siri Remote.

Requirements for Games That Support Game Controllers

Apple has created specific requirements you must follow for any game that supports game controllers. These requirements are designed to make sure that games are always playable.

Your game must support the Apple TV remote. Your game may not require the use of a controller.
tvOS games that support controllers must support the extended control layout. All controllers for tvOS are nonformfitting extended controllers.
Games must be playable using standalone controllers. If you support an extended controller, the game must be playable solely with that controller.
You must support the pause button. All controllers include a pause button. When gameplay is active, pressing the pause button should pause gameplay. When the game is not being played, such as when you are at a menu screen, the pause button moves to a previous screen of content.

The phrase: “Your game may not require the use of a controller” means that all Apple TV games must be playable solely with the Siri Remote, which will be bundled with the new Apple TV.

This new policy can be a serious constraint to the development of games for tvOS and may cripple some developers that have already designed their sophisticated and complex games to be playable, and fully enjoyable, only with third-party controllers.

This can also mean that Apple is actually not planning to fix what’s wrong with console gaming today (or at least not anytime soon).

On the other hand, this is a good news for many Apple TV users (and especially for casual gamers), who will be able to play every game they buy from the Apple TV App Store, even if they don’t own a third-party controller.

The new Apple TV will be available at the end of October starting at $149 for a 32GB model and $199 for a 64GB model.

More on the 4th gen. Apple TV:

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Guitar Hero, Skylanders, and Geometry Wars coming to the new Apple TV this fall

tomek — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 17:01:43 +0000

Activision, one of the world’s largest gaming company, announced in a blog post that it will be bringing three new games – Guitar Hero Live, Skylanders SuperChargers, and Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved – to the 4th generation Apple TV this fall.

Guitar Hero Live

The new Guitar Hero Live for Apple TV will feature a new live mode that is said to bring you “closer to the live stage experience” with live-action, first-person gameplay with crowds and bands that react dynamically to how you play.

The game will be also available for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch and it will come with the redesigned six-button guitar controller, which connects through Bluetooth so it be used across all supported Apple devices.

There will be also Guitar Here TV, “the world’s first playable music video network,” which will let you play along with a continually updated collection of official music videos.

Skylanders SuperChargers

Skylanders SuperChargers is the next entry in the Skylanders series, an action-adventure fantasy video game. It utilizes a NFC reader platform, called the Traptanium Portal, that reads NFC chips located on the bottom of figurines. The figurines are then used in-game as playable characters.

The Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Pack for Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch will include a Bluetooth-enabled portal, an embedded Bluetooth controller, and a built-in stand. If you have multiple Apple devices, your progress can be synced across Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch with cloud save support under the same Game Center account.

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved is a fast-paced arcade-style shooter game that features 3D action and gameplay modes, a dedicated single-player campaign and an online cooperative mode. It will be available for the new Apple TV, as well as for the iPad Pro. Activison says it will be “a lot of fun to play with the new remote for Apple TV and the new Apple Pencil on iPad Pro.”

Apple TV 4 will be available at the end of October starting at $149 for a 32GB model and $199 for a 64GB model.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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