BBCW launches CBeebies games app

Games based on popular CBeebies Games series Charlie & Lola, Teletubbies, 3rd & Bird and Numberjacks are available through a new app launched by BBC Worldwide.

CBeebies On The Go is available for free on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to pre-school children in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Developed by Tag Apps, it includes matching pairs picture games for the Teletubbies and Charlie & Lola, a Kerwhizz jigsaw game and a 3rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge. It also holds a number of short video clips from popular shows.
Director of CBeebies investment at BBCW, Henrietta Hurford-Jones, said the team had “worked hard to build a product that upholds the core values of learning through play”.
She added: “This new kids’ app is a first for the Channels business, so the learnings from this pilot phase will help shape any future plans to roll CBeebies Games On The Go out to new territories and different devices.”
More than 53m homes have access to the CBeebies channel worldwide.

What's the deal with Move?

Now, before people get all upset, this isn't a blog designed to put down the Move motion controller or anything like that at all. This is just a question about Move support.

Ever since Move was announced, all I've seen are people assuming that pretty much EVERY game coming out for the PS3 is going to have Move support. Really? Is that really what you want?

Recently, I can name 2 games that I've seen people calling for Move support, one where it was blatantly assumed to be coming for it.

The first game is Demon's Souls 2. Now, FromSoftware and SCEJ have stated that, no, there is no Demon's Souls 2 currently in production and will not be in the foreseeable future; but that they could and may bring a Demon's Souls 2 to us some day. In reading the comments from the 2 posts for this, one of 2 features was constantly voiced to be part of the game. And that one feature is Move support.

Now, I don't think that I'm the only one who thinks that Move support would be beneficial to a game like Demon's Souls. The game is combat intensive, and stat dependent. Could you picture yourself swinging your arms constantly, and yet also having to stop every few seconds due to the stamina bar? What about fan tournaments like the many SL120 PvP tournaments held all the time? Long battles would become tiring don't you think? That's just my opinion.

The next game I saw with this was the recently announced Dynasty Warriors 7. Someone in the "Dynasty Warriors 7 announced for Xbox 360" article stated they will be getting the PS3 version because of Move support. Did KoeiTecmo announce Move support for it? I don't think they did. And again, this is a combat intensive game. Ever hear of Repetitive Strain Injuries? It's where making the same movement over and over and over causes strain, and pain, to whatever it is you are moving. Think Tennis Elbow. I don't think it's feasible for DW7 to have Move support.

But the point of my blog is the question, why do many assume that Move support is going to be included with every new PS3 game, or that it even should be? Do you all want Motion controllers to be the default controller of future console generations? I'm really curious for an answer here. Because personally, I've been gaming for 23 years and like using regular controllers with buttons.

Yes, I'm aware that Move has buttons and you can still use DS3 and that it's just an option; but I don't think that I'm the only one who sees this as testing the waters for the future. Am I?

GameStop sees the (iPhone back)light, will sell iOS devices [Rumor]

First Facebook, and now ... iPads? According to 9to5 Mac, the ubiquitous, brick-and-mortar games retailer plans to sell iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches. The website cites several anonymous sources that say the announcement was made at the company's annual private trade show in Las Vegas last week. And if you think that it's all poppycock, check out the below image that 9to5 Mac found, detailing the fact that GameStop will soon accept trade-ins of old iPhones, iPods and iPads in its stores.

Since that news was revealed earlier, the website guesses that GameStop looks to stock up on its trade-ins of these devices before offering the new models such as the imminent iPhone 5 (4S ... 4G?). Of course, this wouldn't be a terrible idea. Mobile gaming is in a renaissance of sorts at the moment, with everyone wanting a piece of that pie and putting their best foot forward to break out in a big way in the space.

With a storefront on Facebook and now reportedly embracing the mobile gaming revolution, GameStop appears to realize (finally) that it needs to adapt to the changing games industry. As a forewarning, however: If you're going to buy an iPad or iPhone from GameStop, make sure to buy it new--this is complex hardware we're talking about here. (And have you seen those used consoles the stores offer? I'll pass.)
GameStop iOS device trade in

[Image Credit: 9to5 Mac]

Do you believe that GameStop will start selling iOS devices? Do you think this would be a good or bad move on the company's part? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment