Hearthstone on iPad! Plus 2 more amazing iOS card games

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft on iPad. It's incredible!

I didn't play the PC version of Hearthstone at all, so this is all brand-new to me, and it is stellar.

Now available for iPad, (I hope they'll consider a universal version) Hearthstone is a deck-building strategy game by Blizzard Entertainment set in the World of Warcraft universe. This fast-paced, turn-based game may be compared to Magic: The Gathering, but its closer in style to games like Shadow Era and Solforge. [Magic 2014, Shadow Era, Solforge at the App Store]

While those three are all wonderful games, what Hearthstone has over them is production value. Seemingly nothing has been overlooked; from the table art, card art, characters, voices — all of it is stunning. Selecting a card causes it to hover; as it does, it casts a shadow on the table. When you place a minion card, it changes to a circular token and hits the table with a thump. The griffon on the game board will roar and look up at you if you touch him. These details don't change the mechanics of the game, but they do make the game come alive.

The iPad is perhaps the perfect digital card game platform, and finally, it seems the general public is becoming aware of this. The App Store has a new section called "Card Battle Games," and while some of the titles are freemium junk, there's a handful of hidden gems such as Yomi.

Hopefully Hearthstone will encourage gamers to try these other games. By the way, Solforge is having a 30% off sale until 4/22/14. (I love that game as well — a superb game designed by Gary Games and Richard Garfield, creator of MTG, where cards level up as you use them, becoming increasingly more powerful iterations with enhanced artwork.)

If you love strategy games, give these a try, even if you don't normally play trading card games. The digital format takes away the mess of physical cards and makes the normally arduous process of finding an opponent simple and nearly instantaneous.

As I'm still sort of a Hearthstone and Solforge beginner, I'm not comfortable writing a full review, but as both of these titles are free downloads, I can surely recommend them! Both come with free cards and you can earn more as you play!

Posted with Blogsy

Marrakech Magic Theater Grand Opening!

Looking for something fun to do in the SF bay area? Special entertainment for Father’s Day — a treat for dad.

Peter Morrison — magician, and friend of mine — is opening his new magic theater this week in San Francisco! The already world-famous Marrakech Moroccan restaurant, located in the theater district, one block away from Union Square, now offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience. 

What you need to know.

This show is Bradtastic Approved. I’ll be there tomorrow night! But if you can’t make that show, don’t fret or weep (at least not too much) — just visit sanfranciscomagictheater.com and get yourself a ticket. If you let Peter Morrison know that you’re a friend of mine, he may even do something extra-special for you and yours.

Also, be sure to let him know that you LOVE the marketing material, door poster, and all theater-related graphic design. That stuff isn’t just Bradtastic Approved, it’s Bradtastic DESIGNED. If you know me, you know that my stamp of approval doesn’t get placed everywhere or on just anything.

Tickets are $55, and you can purchase at the door. (If you want to order by phone, dial 800-838-3006 and reference “Marrakech Magic Theater” or “Peter Morrison”)

For questions or general information: (877) 624-4264

What a race!

Over the past few weeks, my life has been project after project,

With no time to relax. I'm not complaining — not really — because it's been good. I've been in a position to help some friends get things done while simultaneously making some money. Altogether, not bad.

I haven't had much downtime, however — no time to relax. With a disability, that's a bad thing. Yesterday I was really run down.

A perfect storm.

I was struck with medication side-effects, heartburn — extremely intense, despite taking acid reducers, and I had a horrible stomach ache plus a head-splitting migraine. It was my intention to meet with a friend for dinner and a chat — but I wasn't in a reasonable condition.

Fortunately, with some rest, I started to feel better... a few hours ago. I'm still being cautious about what I do and specifically, what I eat. I've been watching Star Trek and I played some Red Dead Redemption (awesome game). I managed to get some work done as well.

It's during these gaming sessions, while relaxing, when I come up with many of my ideas. I've been thinking a lot about blogging/writing and my websites, and i'm thinking about using Disqus for comments here. Squarespace's default system just isn't working for me. I don't get email notification when new comments are posted, and I don't understand the spam filter.

Video games are fun with friends!

I'm excited about co-op gaming: Red Dead Redemption will have multiplayer missions soon, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (Sony PSP) was entirely designed with co-op play in-mind and at-heart. If you have a PS3 and/or PSP, please let me know.

Yes, this post is random. It's early in the morning and I'm in a lot of pain still. Later I'll post about my project for San Francisco magician Peter Morrison and his show at The Marrakech Magic Theater (located near Union Square)...

and the upcoming Starcraft II launch event here in the bay area!