I found a new iPhone game today. Actually, it's been on the app store
since
2011, but it 's news to me. The game is called Swing Tennis, by Head
First
Communications. Where Lolrific tennis and Blindfold tennis fall short,
this
picks up the slack. I hav en't figured it all out yet, which is why I
haven't posted to Applevis, but...
First, you can play over Game Center. No more being limited to a WiFi
connection for a good game of audio tennis.
Second, there are three difficulty levels, and easy is actually a bit
difficult.
Third, though it's strictly timing based like other audio tennis apps for
the iPhone, its rules are stricter--a lot stricter, so you have to have
split-second timing.
Fourth, both you and your opponent have power-ups you can use. Don't get
comfortable, because as soon as you think you've got the rhythm down, in
comes a fast ball. I haven't exactly figured out how to use the power-ups
and various swings yet.
Fifth, each level has nine computer opponents on single player, each with
different skills and strategies.
Sixth, the game allows you to chat with your opponent. Kind of
interesting,
though you have to pause the game to do it.
The game play itself is simple. Just swing your iPhone like a tennis
racket.
The weird thing is that you have to be touching your screen to do this,
with
Voiceover off. Even the lightest movement might be construed as a swing,
so
be careful! I suspect that since it's an audio game for the sighted, not
tailored for the blind, there may be special places to touch if you want
certain swings, power-ups and so on. I don't think this will be too hard
to
learn however. Yes, sighted people are learning about audio games at
last.
Now if we can just convince them to make them accessible...
Speaking of accessibility, the tutorial isn't accessible at all, and the
game starts with a bunch of unlabeled buttons. All of these, save one,
are
dimmed, and the undimmed one is the one to click each time. It takes
about
three minutes of clicking around to get through the tutorial, but once
you're past that everything's accessible except whatever might be on the
screen during actual game play. I'll try to get help with that aspect
tonight and post about what I find.
The game also has an extra game to unlock, called ball bounce, but this,
sadly, is inaccessible. However, the game is definitely worth the $.99
price
tag.
---
Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org
If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to
gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org.
You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at
http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org.
All messages are archived and can be searched and read at
http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the
list,
please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.