TALKING TOM GOLD RUN

There's been a heist and it is up to you to track down all the stolen gold in the newest addition to the popular Talking Tom and Friends mobile app video game franchise.  Talking Tom Gold Run, from Outfit7, begins with a robbery causing the players to run as fast as possible to retrieve the fallen gold bars, dodge obstacles and collect rewards.  Each component of the game allows players to "Go for the Gold" as they help Talking Tom and Friends utilize the gold they've collected to build their dream homes.  Featuring seven worlds to unlock, as a player progresses in building his or her character's house new building upgrades, characters, and running segments become available within the game.



With Talking Tom and Friends apps reaching more than 4.5 billion downloads worldwide you know Outfit7 is doing something right when it designs these video games for mobile devices.  For example, Talking Tom Gold Run expands beyond the standard mechanics of a runner game by giving players a reason to run in the dream home construction aspect of the game.  Vibrant graphics combined with intricately designed levels don't just provide for fun game play but also allow players to experience an ongoing story through the eyes of Talking Tom and the gang.

"Talking Tom Gold Run draws the player in with an interactive storyline, top-notch graphics and iconic characters that users have come to know and love," founder and CEO of Outfit7 told A Geek Daddy. "We guarantee the gamer will never get bored with so many unique worlds and segments to unlock."

Talking Tom Gold Run is FREE to download on GooglePlay Store, Apple App Store, Windows Store, and Amazon.  It does include in-app purchase options so if your kids are playing make sure to keep your parental control feature activated on the mobile devices just to make sure mom and dad are approving of any purchases.  The game also contains social features which allows players to connect with friends through Facebook and share high scores.

App provides tour of Detroit locations used in filming Batman V Superman movie

While I've been wanting to see director Zack Snyder's Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice movie which is based upon the iconic super heroes of DC Comics lore because I've been following the adventures of these characters since watching their guest appearances on Saturday morning Scooby Doo cartoons as a kid, I'm also very excited to watch the flick to see how many local spots I can identify throughout the film.  The movie spent five months filming in Michigan using a film studio in Pontiac that I drive by all the time on my way to and from work and 40 remote locations that ranged from the Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum on the East Lansing campus of Michigan State University to multiple locations within Detroit including the popular Hygrade Deli in the city's Corktown neighborhoods to the historic Detroit Public Library building in Midtown.  For those fans who want to explore the real life locations portrayed in the fictional world of Gotham City and Metropolis from the movie there is a new app designed for iOS devices that can help with that.



The Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice mobile tour app from the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office debuted in coordination with the March 25, 2016 premiere date of the movie in theaters across the United States. The app features an interactive map that highlights 12 Detroit spots used for filming the Warner Brothers movie providing a summary about the Batman V Superman scene shot at the site and information about the real world location.  Movie fans and travel enthusiasts visiting Detroit can utilize the app, created by Grand Rapids-based Mutually Human, to take a self-guided tour exploring all the locations from Batman V Superman scenes shot in Detroit.  While using the social media functionality of the app you can earn rewards and unlock features while taking either a virtual or physical tour of the featured Detroit filming locations.

The Detroit locations featured in the app include the Fort Street Financial District (Downtown Metropolis), Guardian Building (Wayne Building in Gotham), World Trade Center (Wayne Building in Metropolis), Russell Industrial Center (Boat Yard), Masonic Temple (Diana's Hotel), Belle Isle Bridge (Washington D.C.), Ransom Gillis House (Abandoned House), Detroit Public Library (Museum Gala), Michigan Central Train Station (Abandoned Gotham Building), Old Wayne County Courthouse (Washington DC), and Hygrade Deli (Raffi's Restaurant).  In addition to the tour features of the app, users can also view video segments and photos from the movie and utilize the camera function to take your own custom Batman V Superman themed photographs.

To download the FREE app that is available for Apple devices visit batmanvsupermantour.com

2 girls from Brooklyn create online gaming empire in Nickelodeon's new comedy series: GAME SHAKERS

In Nickelodeon's newest live-action comedy series, GAME SHAKERS, which premieres on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 8:30 pm (ET / PT) a pair of 12-year-old girls from Brooklyn become unlikely moguls when their school project becomes the most popular mobile game online.  Game Shakers was created by multi-Emmy nominated writer and producer Dan Schneider (iCarly, Victorious, Henry Danger) and revolves around middle school students Babe (Cree Cicchino) and Kenzie (Madisyn Shipman) that create a mobile game named SKY WHALE which quickly becomes a world-wide sensation.

Tying the show to today's kids' love of gaming and apps, the games created by Babe and Kenzie in the series will be made available to play on Nick.com and through the Nick app.  The first game to be released will be Babe and Kenzie's initial creation on the show, SKY WHALE, which is featured in the premiere episode.  SKY WHALE will be available for FREE in September to download via the Apple, Google, and Amazon app stores.  This game challenges players to bounce through the sky and to keep a narwhal up in the air using clouds and crazy objects to go higher and farther, even into outer space or on an underwater adventure.

Game Shakers' premiere episode will also feature cameo appearances from YouTube pop culture comedians and gaming entertainers including GloZell, Lasercorn and ProJared.  The debut episode of Game Shakers will be simulcast on cable television on Nickelodeon, TeenNick, and Nicktoons plus will be available at the same time on Nick.com and on the Nick app.  Following this linear debut, the premiere episode will also be available for FREE on iTunes for one week.



In the premiere episode, after an app they create for their school science fair project turns into the biggest mobile game of the year, Babe and Kenzie use their profits to start Game Shakers, a super-cool gaming company based in Brooklyn, New York.  Not realizing the game illegally sampled a song from superstar rapper Double G ( '90s Nick icon Kel Mitchell ) turn the performer from an antagonist into their new business partner.  As part of the deal, Double G's son, Triple G ( Benjamin 'Lil P-Nut' Flores ), becomes the company's "gaming consultant."  Hijinks follow as this team works to make Game Shakers a huge success and create their own gaming empire. 

Star Wars Inspired Hot Wheels Cars Race to Stores

Hot Wheels has a new lineup of toy cars racing to store shelves just in time for the holiday shopping season that have designs inspired by the characters from Star Wars.  We recently picked up the Darth Vader Mobile that both my kids and myself agree is just pretty darn cool.

The back of the packaging for the diecast car reads:

As powerful and menacing as Lord Vader himself, this jet black sports car commands the road with a force befitting a Dark Lord of the Sith.

Vader's iconic helmet, mask and chest plate create an ominous design that can intimidate even the fiercest drivers, while his Lightsaber side trim indicates he's always ready for battle.

If you only knew the power of the dark side, you'd steer clear of this sinister speed machine!

To help market this new line of Hot Wheels toy manufacturer Mattel actually commissioned the creation of a real life #DarthCar that has been driving around the country making promotional appearances.  It looks like a fierce ride!

The Darth Vader Mobile was fabricated from a Chevrolet Corvette with a 526 horsepower GM LS3 V-8 engine featuring a six-speed manual transmission and has been road-tested at speeds at up to 80 miles per hour; though it has the capability of reaching a velocity of 150mph.  The car has illuminated side pipes that are styled to look like red lightsaber and special audio effects that include Vader's breathing and the sound of light sabers igniting which can be controlled by an iPad.  Plus the helmet styled roof lifts off to provide access to the vehicle utilizing a smoke machine to add dramatic effect to the process.  Impressive, Most Impressive!

Check out this video on the making of the Darth Car:

There are five models of the Star Wars Hot Wheels Toys - Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Chewbacca, R2D2 & Darth Vader unless you get the exclusive collectors pack at Target which features a sixth car: the Stormtrooper.

 

 

 

 

My wife's favorite car is the Yoda version which she says is adorable.  I personally like the Luke Skywalker fighter pilot car the best.  Interestingly, my twins actually agreed on something for once and both like the Darth Car the most.  We all came together though to agree that these cars were awesome...well except for the R2D2 buggy which we all felt was pretty lame.  These Hot Wheels cars are available at Toys R Us, Walmart, Target and Amazon.com.