iPhone game developer Ngmoco raises second round of funding

iPhone game developer Ngmoco raises second round of funding

The iPhone game publisher Ngmoco is announcing today that it has raised $10 million in a second round of funding — in its ninth month as a company.

The funding — led by Norwest Venture Partners and put together in a matter of weeks — shows… Continue Reading

iPhone game developers rejoice at Apple’s latest update plans

iPhone game developers rejoice at Apple’s latest update plans

There were a lot of happy game developers among the 200 or so people who attended Thursday’s iGames Summit in San Francisco, which was devoted to iPhone games.

Speakers at the summit, including game developers such as Tapulous, ngmoco, Booyah, Demiforce, Zynga and Social Gaming Network,… Continue Reading

GamesBeat 09: More great speakers lined up

GamesBeat 09: More great speakers lined up

As the March 24 GamesBeat 2009 games conference draws near, we’re unveiling a new list of speakers. We’re proud to say that some of the biggest names in the gaming world are joining us for the program. Tickets are still available.

Chris Taylor (right), founder of Gas… Continue Reading

Dean’s top ten family games of 2008

Dean’s top ten family games of 2008

As always, my other top-ten games lists were chock full of the violent fare that I enjoy. But family games are big in my house too, so here’s my list of the best family games of 2008:

1. Wii Fit (Nintendo Wii) Nintendo. May 2008. Yes, this… Continue Reading

MG’s 10 favorite iPhone games of 2008

MG’s 10 favorite iPhone games of 2008

Yesterday, I wrote up my 10 favorite iPhone apps of 2008 with a note that I wasn’t including any games on the list because there were far too many good ones and they should probably get their own list. Today, I bring you that list.

This… Continue Reading

Rolando launches. The first truly great iPhone game?

Rolando launches. The first truly great iPhone game?

There have been a lot of good games released for the iPhone and iPod touch since the the App Store launched this past July. And now, with more experienced developers like EA, that have plenty of money to throw at game development, coming to the… Continue Reading

A slight tweak in the App Store promotes paid apps

A slight tweak in the App Store promotes paid apps

Apple has a problem with the App Store — but it’s a problem many companies would love to have: It’s growing too quickly. What worked when there were only 500 applications doesn’t work as well when there are more than 10,000. Amid growing criticism that… Continue Reading

Ngmoco’s Dropship has controls that are either innovative or frustrating

Ngmoco’s Dropship has controls that are either innovative or frustrating

iPhone game development house ngmoco is continuing its rapid-fire rollout of games for the iPhone. The latest one is Dropship, a space-based shooter reminiscent of the old Starfox games for the Nintendo consoles. I think this is one of those games that people will either… Continue Reading

Cut open your friends on your iPhone with Dr. Awesome

Cut open your friends on your iPhone with Dr. Awesome

iPhone game-development house ngmoco is on a roll. Its first game, MazeFinger, was good (at least for a free app). Its next game, Topple, was great. And today it released its third game, Dr. Awesome, Microsurgeon M.D., and it’s — wait for it — awesome.

The… Continue Reading

New Rolando trailer shows its controls in action on the iPhone

When I wrote about my experience playing Ngmoco’s upcoming iPhone game Rolando, quite a few people (in our comments and elsewhere) noted that it seemed to be a rip-off of an older Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) game, Loco Roco.

While it’s undeniable that there are similarities,… Continue Reading

The revenge of the $9.99 iPhone apps

The revenge of the $9.99 iPhone apps

When Apple’s App Store first launched back in July there was a wide range of prices for individual applications. While many were free, quite a few of the early games were $5 or $10. But as time has passed, there’s definitely been a trend of… Continue Reading

Rolando, one of the best looking iPhone games, plays even better

Rolando, one of the best looking iPhone games, plays even better

I’ve been excited about an iPhone game named Rolando ever since a video of it spread throughout the internet back in July right before the launch of the iPhone 3G (and App Store). The developers had hoped to release it in August, but that came… Continue Reading

Kleiner-backed startup Ngmoco to launch three new iPhone games

Kleiner-backed startup Ngmoco to launch three new iPhone games

Ngmoco is unveiling its first three games for the iPhone and iPod Touch today. The San Francisco-based startup is on a tear. Neil Young, a former Electronic Arts executive, founded the company in June, raised $5.6 million from Maples Investments and the Kleiner Perkins iFund… Continue Reading

Ngmoco raises Kleiner Perkins funding for iPhone games, puts Bing Gordon on board

Ngmoco raises Kleiner Perkins funding for iPhone games, puts Bing Gordon on board

iPhone games publisher Ngmoco has raised a first round of funding led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Kleiner Perkins partner Bing Gordon, the former chief creative officer of Electronic Arts, will join the San Francisco company’s board. The amount was not diclosed.

It isn’t too… Continue Reading

E3 perspective: An interview with John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts

E3 perspective: An interview with John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts

John Riccitiello has been driving a lot of change at Electronic Arts. He was president and chief operating officer of the big independent video game publisher from 1997 to 2004. Then he left to co-found Elevation Partners. He engineered a deal to invest $400 million… Continue Reading

EA star leaves to start iPhone games company, Ngmoco

EA star leaves to start iPhone games company, Ngmoco

The iPhone’s remaking of the cell phone business is creating opportunities for new start-ups, particularly in the game field. That’s why one of the game industry’s leading executives left his job to create Ngmoco, an iPhone game start-up.

Neil Young was one of the rock star… Continue Reading