Monty Speaks: You know me...
Dear Readers,
Howdy! By now, lots of you have seen me in my new game, Burning Monkey Solitaire 3. I'm having a blast hanging from my tail from that tree. But I keep losing my tacos and jujubees. If you find them, will you please let me know?
The most frequent question people ask me (besides "will you marry me?") is what games yours truly will be appearing in later this year. I'm going to be a very busy monkey this winter, making appearances in not only the upcoming Burning Monkey Mahjong Solitaire, but also 3D Crazy Eights and Burning Monkey Casino!
Wow. If Freeverse knew what they were getting into when they created me, they'd be intentional geniuses! Or is that genii? As long as it's not Gigli...
But the biggest news this time is a game that doesn't include me at all. If you've heard of our PointyStick project, we're spilling the beans on it in the next story, complete with screenshots! This collection of games for the iSight camera (or other webcams) will take Mac gaming where it has never been before: controllerless play!
Cheers,
Monty Zuma
Official Spokesmonkey
Freeverse Software
PointyStick Revealed
Remember how Tom Cruise controlled the computer in Minority Report? Well, it aint sci-fi anymore!
Our secret PointyStick project is...
This collection of ten micro-games lets you use the Apple iSight or other webcam to put yourself right in the action. Motion-detection technology lets you control ToySight by waving your hands in front of the camera. Really, it's the coolest thing you've ever seen!
ToySight is being developed by the famous Fothergill brothers of Strange Flavour, (the folks who brought you Airburst), and games will include The Plank, Skydiver, ToyWar and more.
Mac-first, Mac-only... Look for ToySight in stores this holiday season!
Burning Monkey Mahjong Solitaire Goes Gold
Burning Monkey Mahjong Solitaire, our tile matching game, went "Golden Master" recently, meaning that it's being manufactured as we speak, and is headed for retailers around the country.
If you remember Gunshy, or Shanghai, or other tile matching games, you'll get a kick out of Burning Monkey Mahjong Solitaire. It works exclusively on Mac OS X, and features the Burning Monkey taste that adults have grown to love!
A downloadable demo will be posted online when one becomes available. In the meantime, you can preorder Burning Monkey Mahjong Soiltaire from Amazon.com or look for it at the Apple Store.
Get into the Game Contest, Part II
Freeverse is still committed to leading the way in game personalization. Last month, we announced the Get into the Game contest, and challenged you to send in recipes involving the name Monty.
Well, only one of you won that contest. Unfortunately, the computer that the winner sent the e-mail to is, to quote the propaganda minister from Saving Private Ryan, kaput.
(This is why there was no MontyMail in August.)
If you think you are the winner, please send me an e-mail at monty@freeverse.com with the recipe. I will remember your recipe. When we hear from you, we can start making your easter eggs. Don't be shy. I remember your recipe, so I will know it's you when you write.
So why is this called Part II? It's because we're doing another player easter egg. To get yourself into one of our games, you don't have to send in a recipe this time. All you have to do is sign up for MontyMail. If you're reading this in your inbox, chances are that you already signed up!
Before the next issue, we'll pick one subscriber at random, and offer them the chance to get into the game! So sign up, and tell a friend or three.
Development Update
Remy, our army of one in Ithaca, recently posted an update on Freeverse titles scheduled to be released in fall of 2003 to the Freeverse News section.
Here's what he had to say:
A lot of people have been finding products of ours popping up on various retailer sites. Rather than face an endless barrage of "does this exist?", we've decided to nip it in the bud with this complete list of everything we've got in the works for this fall.
3D Crazy Eights
(no webpage yet)
Your favorite game as a kid makes its triumphant leap onto GameSmith! Play against all your favorite opponents or go online in this kid-friendly game using our 3D Deluxe Cards engine.
Active Lancer
http://www.freeverse.com/lancer.mgi
Join Lancer Squad, an elite team of flight capable soldiers, on their current mission to defeat the diabolical war machine of an alien army bent on taking over the universe. Taking the battle to the alien factories over the diverse landscapes of their home world, Active Lancer pits you (and a friend of you have need) against wave after wave of alien ships, tanks, boats, and gun turrets over 15 levels of increasing intensity. It's straight up vertical scrolling arcade shooter action.
Burning Monkey Casino
(no webpage yet)
Put your bananas where your mouth is! Challenge the Burning Monkey crew to games like Video Poker, Blackjack, and 3 Card Monty, plus more!
Burning Monkey Mahjong Solitaire
http://www.freeverse.com/bmmj.mgi
Monty, Jackie, and even more monkeys are heading to the Far East to challenge you in the most beautiful Mahjong Solitaire game on the market! Lots of layouts, helpful features, a soothing soundtrack, and Asian-themed monkey antics!
Secret Projects
ChewToy
_________________
Dan "Remy" Dickinson
Master Of All That Is Good
That says it all! Thanks, Remy!
What's Jen Cookin'?
Yo!
This was the month that the contest winner was supposed to have his recipe featured here. Unforunately, that's not the case this time.
As you may know, much of the northeastern United States and a good bit of Toronto in Canada was hit by a gigantic blackout last month. And this month, a hurricane hit the Mid-Atlantic region, leaving millions without power. So, I bet a lot of you are wondering what people eat during blackouts, aside from their neighbor's children.
Blackout Surprise
| Qty | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | gigantic blackout that Canadians blame on Americans, and Americans blame on Canadians (or a Category 5 hurricane, downgraded to Category 2) |
| 1 cup | chaos |
| 15 | flashlights, candles, or other sources of illumination that you can't find |
| 15 | stairs to fall down in the dark |
| some | jujubees |
| some | tacos |
| one | pet monkey, named Monty |
Stage the Blackout. Try to make it happen while you are doing something important, to make it authentic.
In your location, when the lights go out, fumble for your flashlight or candle near the stairwell. Reach further toward the shelf until you are completely off balance.
Fall down the stairs, being careful not to injure yourself. You may want to contact a professional stunt performer for this part of the recipe.
When you land, pretend to break your ankle, and scream for help. Your pet monkey, Monty, will arrive and laugh at you. When he does, steal his jujubees and tacos, as long as you can find them.
Like this recipe? Forward it to a friend!
Freeverse Tip: More Burning Monkey Solitaire Easter Eggs
Did you know that you can activate most of the easter eggs of Burning Monkey Solitaire 3 without using keywords? Just try clicking in various places on the game screen, including eyes, teeth, and other elements that aren't so obvious.
Having fund looking for them? That's why they're called Easter Eggs.
Monkey Chuckles
You know you're in trouble in college when...
Monty went to an appliance store sale and found a bargain. "I would like to buy this TV," he told the salesman.
"Sorry, we don't sell to stupid monkeys," he replied.
He hurried home and put on a tuxedo, then went back to the store. Again, he told the salesman, "I would like to buy this TV."
"Sorry, we don't sell to stupid monkeys," he replied.
Monty went home again and came back with ten of his friends, but they all wore goofy glasses. Then they all went to the store again and said, "I would like to buy this TV."
"Sorry, we don't sell to stupid monkeys," he replied.
Frustrated, he exclaimed, "How do you know we're stupid monkeys?"
"Because that's a microwave," he replied.
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