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Empire Ascendant
Antivirus
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Latest News and Blog
Welcome to DRG!
(June 11, 2010) Empire Lite released, more updates coming soon
Empire Ascendant Lite is out and we're planning a V1.2 release to clean up some bugs and add a feature or two as well. AV2 coming along nicely and after that the 4X version of EA. Some fans have requested a forum and a heavier tactics tips/strats section and some purists even want something more like the original Trek game! Text-based, now that's hard-core!
We're working to keep the updates coming along while still pushing to get the new apps done, busy busy at DRG lately!
Thanks for all those who have submitted bug reports! Surprisingly few people seem bothered by the fact that EA is just really really hard. Strategy is key, brute force will only get you so far.
The Rat is really psyched about the new iPhone 4, 1 Ghz is a lot of processing power which is going to make some more advanced games possible. This thing is turning into something the world has never seen before. Heck you could hook one up to a monitor and bluetooth keyboard and use your phone as a desktop! People are already doing it with iPads ... same chip!
Wow.
(April 29, 2010) Empire Ascendant V1.1 and Lite coming soon!
EA V1.1 Changes
- A "Next Planet" button on the Planet Screen. (Finally!) Also Progress bars for the planet screen.
- Smarter A.I. but also a little more aggressive
- Made it a ~little~ easier so you don't get crushed quite so soon, but you'll still going get crushed!
- Added Black Holes that crush you hull faster then the regular Stars do
And of course, some bugs squashed! Still on the wish list is some more ship graphics (we got a few submissions already, thanks all!) and we're going to make the lasers/torps look different when upgraded. Wandering monsters, starbases and indicators for maximum system overcharge.
Still looking for suggestions/input/graphics if any kind souls feel as passionately about tactical combat as we do. :) Pew pew pew!
Gotta run, 'cause we're working on the 4x version of EA!
'nuff said, Rat out!
(March 29, 2010) Empire Ascendant Wish List!
After some great emails from the fans, here's what peeps have been telling us they want so far in the next update/expansion:
The EA V1.1 WISH LIST
-Tutorial is waaaay too long, need to chop it into smaller bite-size pieces
- Add some way to have like two power states, one combat-mode and crusing-around mode.
- A "Next Planet" button on the Planet Screen. (Doh! Why didn't we think of that!)
Got a suggestion, fire it off to the Rat!
Love getting real emails instead of all the ... you know, Spam. ;)
OK, ok, the Rat is not funny.
(March 24, 2010) Empire Ascendant RELEASED!
1971 was a fantastic year, not only because I was born but also because it was the year they made the first Star Trek game, called "Star Trek" that ran on a teletype terminal of all things! Fantastic graphics, check it out below! Anyways, I fell in love with computers, games and all things Star Trek then and there, so in homage to Mike Mayfield the original developer I created Empire Ascendant.
While EA lacks in licensing of the franchise from Paramount, it makes up for in spiffy new graphics and the iPhone is about a billion times more powerful than a 1971 mainframe, which had also had a tendency to become sentient.
What's next? Where do we start!!!
EA is actually a pre-quel to the next release, also set in the Empire universe, a strategic 4X game that will be called Empire-something. There will be an expansion for the tactical-level EA, but we're going to be looking for fan support to help determine what that will be and hopefully contribute some 2D ship graphics. (Email the Rat if you're on board!)
With the new iPad coming out, we'll be making a new version formatted to fit that new screen size at native resolution. The space combats will look awesome at 1024!
Antivirus 2 uses the same code engine, so AV2 won't be long in development. The name will likely change so we don't canabalize the original game sales, and AV will get another update to add more content and some new tech.
One final note: For all those fans who supported us and emailed the Rat with bugs, suggestions and simple praise, we're handing out free promo-codes for EA to all.
'Cause that's how the Rat likes to roll
'nuff Said, Rat out!
(Feb 27, 2010) Rat Updates
(May 2, 2009) KA, AV2 and Future Apps
After KA and AV2, we're planning our next app already.
(Apr 12, 2009) Secret Project and Antivirus 2 Promotion!
To help get the ball rolling with Antivirus 2 we're going to be giving away FREE Promo Codes for the first 50 fans who write us a nice 5-star review on iTunes for the Full and/or Lite Version and send us your name and email. Shameless self-promotion? Absolutely! The Rat really wants AV2 to happen, we figure the peeps that help us make it happen deserve their copy free, and as a indie-app-dev we need your support now more than ever! [Update: 27 codes left as of May 1!]
Of course, we can't promise we won't send you ... Spam. :)
So for our two-month anniversary, a big Thank You to all our fans!!!
(Mar 30, 2009) Antivirus Full V1.3 and Lite V1.2
The latest Major update to V1.2 for AV-Lite is going to hit the app store shortly,
[UPDATE: It's out!!!] so there's never been a better time to check out the much-improved FREE version!We've pulled ahead V1.3 for our AV Full customers, and what were stuffing into the pipe this week includes improved FPS graphics and more importantly a SAVE GAME feature that will only be available on the Full version.
[ Special Thanks for Songkran and all our bug squashers! ]
(Mar 25, 2009) AV gets an updated review
at iPhoneAppReviews.net!
www.iphoneappreviews.net/2009/02/11/antivirus/
Yes, V1.2 is a big deal. Gotta go, we're working on V1.3 next! :)
(Mar 24, 2009) AV V1.2 is out of the Pipe!
Yup, AV just got a major upgrade, go check it out!
Lots of stuff in 1.2 see below, and still in development for V1.3:
Save Game Feature
2 New Tower Defenses
2 New Virus Types
Improved FPS
More Graphic ImprovementsAND we've decided not to change the price for AV, it'll stay at $1.99 for two reasons: It's a great value in terms of entertainment hours per dollar spent and second we want to distinguish ourselves from the 'dollar bin' apps out there.
(Mar 16, 2009) Antivirus V1.2 is in the Pipe!
Whew! We just stuffed V1.2 into the pipe, and it is a MAJOR improvement over the previous version!
- Vastly improved graphics
- New Animated Virii will be crushing you
- High Scores and a new Scoring System!
- New End-of-Game Screens!
- Improved instructions!
- Improved Upgrade Menu!
- Improved fidelity sound!
- A couple bug fixes
- DOS still as annoying as ever!Overall V1.2 gives the player a far more immersive experience with a lot more polish and a more rewarding challenge now that you have High Scores.
The Lite players get 2 of the 6 Connections, full version has all 6.
In the words of our playtesters: - "Hey, that's way better."
(Mar 12, 2009) Antivirus Reviews
Great review of Antivirus over at iPhone Community !
We're thrilled to get reviews! It's always good getting honest feedback so we can make AV even better and truly let the game evolve. Which we are! Antivirus V1.2 is going to address a lot of the shortcomings the reviewers noted, but it's the fantastic response we have had from our fanbase and their requests that we really want to implement with this next update.
V1.2 is going in the pipe soon, and the big 'A' usually takes about a week to process new updates, so keep an eye out for V1.2 next week!
Thanks to all the fans who have emailed us suggestions so far (Yes, we actually read them all and really try to implement them!) so please keep them coming!
(Feb 23, 2009) Antivirus suggestions
What's in store for V1.2 of AV? Our fans have suggested this much so far:
- Improved graphics and sound
- High Scores
- More firepower
- Wow the DOS are annoying, they're eating all my defenses!Love the AV but want to see something more with V1.2, this is your chance, email the rat and let us know!
(Feb 15, 2009) Antivirus V1.1 Released!
Yes V1.1 is out! What's in it?
- Three new internet connections!
- Two new Virus types!
- All internet connections playable at all four difficulty challenges!
- Defense ranges shown when placing and upgrading them.
- Batteries can now be upgraded for power production!
- Improved framerates
- Expanded instructions
Antivirus just got EVEN BETTER.
The 1.1 really polished the game and expanded the core gameplay, so it's got a lot more replayability.
(Feb 15, 2009) Antivirus Lite Now Released!
As of right now you can try the free version of Antivirus!
Antivirus Lite is a full game in of itself, all the defenses, two difficulty levels and the first internet connection type, unlike most "Lite" versions.
We're confident enough that people are going to love this game that we've offered the basic version for free!
(Feb 14, 2009) Antivirus V1.1 Coming Soon!
Yes AV1.1 is in the pipe!
[ Ed. It's out of the pipe! ]
(Feb 2, 2009) Antivirus V1.0 Released!
We're thrilled to announce V1.0 has been approved by iTunes and available for purchase!
What is it?
A game for the iPhone/iPod Touch where you defend your System from attacking computer Viruses. A Tower Defense Genre game, but this time the Virus' fight back. Spam comes in ceaseless waves, Malware disables your defenses, Denial of Service crushes them, Trojans steamroll over you ... just like real life! You have to balance how much power you spend, because that's also your life. Tricky that.
It's a bit like a puzzle in that you need to develop your own survival strategy, and a bit like chess in that each move can be critical, especially in the beginning. Experiment with new tactics, you can tell which new ideas didn't work out because you'll be dead.
Death, ok cool, where do I get it?
Download from the iTunes store for $1.99. Ummm, you do have an iPhone or iPod touch right?
Is it fun?
We think it's the best $1.99 game on iPhone/iPod out there right now.
Will there be an Antivirus V1.1 update?
Yes, more contentf!!!
Antivirus 2?
There's been lots of talk about doing V2, and lots of great ideas are in the works. Honestly it all depends on you! How successful AV1 is. We're looking to the fans to tell we're heading in the right direction. Hopefully by buying lots of copies!
V2 is not a true sequel but a companion product. It's something we really would love to do since we truly enjoyed making the first one. What does that mean? Here's a hint: You get to be the Virus!
End transmission.
Our Games
Empire Ascendant
Bob the Virus, big Debut!
The New V1.2 Antivirus Connections
Antivirus Main Screen
Splash Screen/Main Menu from Antivirus.
Very very very green.
The New Upgrade Interface
