IllusionLabs’ Touchgrind [App Store] has been released to the App Store for $4.99. This multi-touch skateboarding game has generated some interest based on its early demo videos which show the player “riding" the skateboard with his/her fingers.
The game uses “true physics" simulations to pull of tricks including ollies, shuvits, kickflips, heelflips, impossibles, 5-0, 50-50, crooks, smithgrinds, boardslides, tailslides, darkslides and more. Features include:
- True physics
- Innovative multi-touch controls
- 12 unlockable boards with different abilities
- Warm Up, Jam Session and Competition game modes
- Tutorial videos
- Stunning 3D graphics
- Realistic sound
App Store Link: Touchgrind, $4.99
Thanks for the link love Blake!
TUAW <3 Touch Arcade.
It needs MULTI-PLAYER.
I can't wait for this app. I never amagined being able to play one of those racing games as a video game.
Sweeeet!
Loved the real thing...
Best thing here: TRACK EDITOR!!! :)
Why oh WHY does this developer seem to think that touching/holding on the screen to accelerate is ANYTHING like a real slot car controller? At least the writer here got it correct - it was an analog controller, not digital. That is, you controlled how much juice to give your car, NOT whether it was getting any or not. The controller governed velocity, with acceleration merely being the time it took the car to adjust to your inputs. This game proposes controlling acceleration, with velocity being the result of whether you are accelerating or coasting against friction.
Sheesh. It may end up being fun anyways, but it won't be just like the old days. Too much video game mentality, not enough basic understanding.
Well, i was pretty much sold at track editor.
Mark: there'll be an analogue control option too, but so far we're finding that the digital option is more fun to play. Real slot cars are 2D and bigger than the iPhone screen, so there's always a balance of what the real controls are and what's needed to make the game work best. In SlotZ we're giving you the option so you can pick whichever control you prefer.
There'll also be multiplayer networkman.
WOW!
@Aaron: Really appreciate the feedback. I might suggest that if the digital controls are "more fun" then perhaps some attention should be paid to making the analog controls "more fun" too, instead of just accepting it :-). Maybe a different choice of analog implementation, or responsiveness tuning, would help? But hey, creds for trying, so thanks. And I think you meant "3D", not "2D"...
I go back to the 1/24 scale real hardcore scene in the 60s, where most towns had an actual track business/storefront, there were multiple magazines dedicated to the sport, and top end accessories like a pro controller were $50 or more (in 1960s dollars!). I really don't expect you to perfectly emulate that experience, but now you know where the bar is set :-).
@Mark: I'm a big Scalextric (1/32nd) nut and we've got a very serious HO club racer testing for us too, so don't worry, you'll enjoy it :) (and yes, real cars are actual 3D, while anything on a flat screen is ultimately 2D :) ). As always though, prime directive is to make it a really fun iPhone game.
There's a lot of tweaks, tuning and such to go before MacWorld of course, and the preview version mentioned above was very pre-alpha (by the time anything I'm working on gets through the various levels of "are we allowed to talk about this" checking, it's usually way behind what I've got here )
I loved Scalextric back in the day, and heard that it's gone digital or something(the real thing i mean).
Anyways, this looks like it's gonna rock. I trust it has authentic sounds too?
oh wow, I almost missed the Scalextric days, just remembering seeing my brothers and cousins playing in massive tracks but I never got around to playing on them. This looks like a great trip down memory lane. Am quite eager to try this out :)
As for Analogue acceleration, couldn't you work something like a sliding vertical bar on the side? Sort of like the throttle in X-Plane?
Wow, this is the second time I've skimmed over this article, and just now noticed this is a Freeverse game. I'm sold. Period.
it's definitely the multi-player over wifi that will make this game awesome. With a touch and an iPhone in our house already, I'm looking forward to kicking my kids' butts.:)