0 Word Sprinters Fight For Literacy

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 03/03/2023

As I've previously written, I joined Literacy Volunteers of America to help adults learn to read when I was an undergraduate at Rutgers University. See Spelling Runners Literacy: Driving A Game App. Sadly, not much in the USA literacy universe has changed since my university days. In Boston, Dr. Jim O'Connell stated in a March 2, 2023 NBC News video profile that 25% of the homeless men he treats on the streets of Beantown can't read or write. My home base of operation is the Greater Philadelphia, PA region. Achieve Now, a City of Brotherly Love organization is committed to "helping Philadelphia families battle systemic inequities. They see literacy as a social justice issue." According to Achieve Now, "22 percent of Philadelphians aged 16 and older lack the most basic literacy skills. 52% of Philadelphia's adults are functionally illiterate, and 67% are low-literate, reading at a sixth- to eighth-grade level. Almost 40% of adult Philadelphians struggle to fill out a job application, to read doctors’ instructions on their medicines, and to help with their children’s homework." Statistics don't lie. Achieve Now also states that "Philadelphia ranks 92nd out of the 100 largest U.S. cities in educational attainment. 17.4% of adult Philadelphians—an estimated 225,000—do not have a high school diploma, compared to 10.5 percent in Pennsylvania at large." When I was in the third grade, I was lucky because comic books and books were always in the home. Even though I was a rambunctious kid, my third grade reading level was that of a fifth or sixth grader. This is why when you take a look at several of our apps, word game or people name games are positioned center stage. I'm not naive enough to think that a software application can cure illiteracy, but working or playing with words can benefit those who want to move forward. In putting together the Word Sprinters game, another developer on my team helped me pack almost 500 words into the mix. I wanted the words to appear faster than my own app code would allow. The co-developer did some of the heavy coding changes, and I researched which words would make the final cut. I personally selected three, four, five, six, seven, and eight letter words popping them into the game mix. You'll see in this short 16 second video how the gameplay gets you physically involved. Someone you know might gain more confidence by using this app (with a dictionary too) but I doubt that will be needed. Word Sprinters was formerly called Spelling Runners   

0 Zodiac Signs Jigsaw Puzzle Walkthrough Video

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 12/20/2022

Zodiac sign games should use art work that has a lot of variety. You'll see the styles we used to create Zodiac Signs Jigsaw Puzzle for mobile in this short 3 minute video.  

0 The Complete Beginner's Guide to Blackjack 21 AA

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 11/30/2022

Blackjack 21 is a fun game to play on mobile. Unlike video poker, roulette, baccarat and other card variants Blackjack 21 is a breeze to learn. Blackjack 21 AA is our version of Blackjack developed by yours truly and the Quikthinking Software team. Count any ace as 1 or 11, any face card (Jack, Queen, King) as 10, and the other cards below 10 at face value. Each participant receives two cards to start play. You (the player) and the dealer attempt to get a count of 21, or as near to 21 as possible, without going over twenty-one. We left out insurance, doubling down, and more advanced Blackjack techniques so you can focus on playing and learning the basic game. Watch my 8 minute video showing you what it takes to score while boosting your win tally. Blackjack 21 AA uses simulated money. No real money is used in this mobile game for Android or iPhone - iPad. For entertainment only for you to enjoy!

0 Santa Jump Game Pole Hopping High Jinks!

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 11/25/2022

How is your hand - eye coordination when tapping and touching your mobile screen? Do you describe it as diligent dexterity, positive proficiency, complete competence or "blind as a bat" blinking? Maybe it's not so good? Want to take it from zero to hero? Santa Jump Game puts your dancing digits in full gear for a fun-filled finger flexing fling.  Developed for Android and iOS, this is a holiday mobile game that's way to simple to play but is as difficult to master as 'the force' is in Star Wars. Your Santa is the life of the holiday party hopping from pole to pole. Unfortunately sliding down the next pole is another occupant taking up space. This is target practice leaping into the jump zone so don't despair. Four Santas, two owls, unlimited poles, and no time limits combine for a challenge you'll want to jump on. Watch as I play Santa Jump Game with a special surprise somewhere in the two minute plus video! Check out the Santa Jump Game Holiday Sweatshirt.

0 Thanksgiving Match 3 and Thanksgiving Retro Games Video

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 11/09/2022

It's Always Thanksgiving with Thanksgiving Match 3 Game for iOS and Android and Thanksgiving Retro Match 3 for Android! Watch the video below as I play both versions of the game. From feedback you've given me most of you seem to like the Retro version better between the two Android versions. The screen shots you see above are for Android iPad and iPhone use a different design We wanted to use the "Always Thanksgiving" design (above left) for all versions (iOS and Android) but the Apple App Store did not want us to use that layout as they said it was too close to another one of our games (Backpack Bounce). App developers have to spin on a dime and constantly adapt to the requested  changes! Here's a screen shot of one level of the iPhone - iPad Thanksgiving Match 3 Game as played on an iPad The Thanksgiving Match 3 game video is 2 minutes, 44 seconds long. Enjoy these free games at home, on a road trip, commuting, or during a break at work. Enjoy the holiday season!  

0 Playing Video Poker Jacks Or Better Card Game Video

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 10/26/2022

Video poker jacks or better strategy is easy to learn. With just 5 cards per hand to handle most people start with the jacks or better variant when learning video poker. You will pick up some of the easy video poker jacks or better rules by watching me play our latest iOS and Android game, Video Poker Jacks Or Better VP. The VP is part of the app name in The Apple App Store. Check out the 3 minute 30 second video as I play Video Poker Jacks Or Better non-stop with comments about game strategy. This is simulated fun with no real money involved but the video poker is very real and may help you learn how to play!  

0 Playing Blackjack 21 AA Card Game Video

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 10/19/2022

It's a true story I tell in the video. I thought every adult knew how to play blackjack. I discovered the exception to the rule in my own extended family. My mother taught me how to play. We played often when I was young. When we played, no money was involved (even as I got older). What kind of mom would try to fleece her own kid? Not mine! I thoroughly enjoyed the process of developing Blackjack 21 AA. Building the mobile game was not in vain. Everyone doesn't know how to play so another Blackjack mobile experience is not overkill. Our version for iPhone, iPad and Android keeps things simple. Blackjack 21 AA features simulated gambling. No real money is wagered. We don't include extended elements found in more sophisticated versions that use doubling down or insurance. We just capture the fun element of the game! Read this update for the Blackjack 21 AA backstory. Here I go. Watch the 2 minute video. Next time I'll show you four minutes of more card action in another new game we've recently released.

0 Blackjack 21 AA or Video Poker Jacks Or Better?

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 09/07/2022

It's been awhile since we dropped a new game into the casual mobile game mix. We sometimes don't release everything we're working on. Here are two top candidates in the video below: Blackjack 21 AA, and Video Poker Jacks Or Better. I generally enjoy playing both games. Since 2019 during the early pandemic days, a hand-held 'Game Boy' sized video poker game grabbed lots of my time and attention. Would you believe since then, I've scored two royal flushes (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 all of the same suit) on this portable old school player! Here's a photo of one of them... I can't guarantee you two royal flushes within 3 years, but it's always fun trying to get one when the money you are playing with isn't real. Inspiration was the mother of invention for cooking up our spin on these extremely popular card games. Between Blackjack 21 AA and Video Poker Jacks Or Better, which one do you like the best? We'll release one, or both as mobile games. Video Poker Jacks Or Better is complete. Blackjack 21 AA has a few more very minor tweaks to hit the finish line.  Blackjack without the extras (insurance, doubling down, etc.) is the simpler game. Video poker requires much more strategy to learn how to win or not win from the five cards handed to you in the deal. As these are both casual mobile games, we've kept it simple and stuck to the basics. You'll find hardcore approaches elsewhere. Update September 20, 2022. Google Play was the first app store to approve Video Poker Jacks Or Better. Discover more on our game page. Update September 25, 2022. Google Play has approved the Blackjack 21 AA Card Game. Learn more on our game page. Update September 29, 2022. The Amazon App Store has approved Blackjack 21 AA. Play it on your Kindle tablet. Update October 3, 2022. Amazon approved Video Poker Jacks Or Better. Working with these app stores is like applying to college and once accepted, trying to maintain an 'A' grade point average! Yikes! So you want to play on your iPhone or iPad? Our MacBook Pro needs to be retired so we've just gotten a MacBook Air to speed up the iOS development for both of these games. Update October 10, 2022. The MacBook Pro was recently retired from duty. Video Poker Jacks Or Better and Blackjack 21 AA were developed for iOS using Unity (SDK) and the Xcode software development kit on a recycled MacBook Air. Update October 17, 2022 Apple has accepted to the App Store Video Poker Jacks Or Better VP. Update October 20, 2022. Apple has accepted to the App Store Blackjack 21 AA.

0 Backpack Bounce Match 3 Game

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 08/24/2022

Great backpacks get the job done! For a good time, watch the 29 second Backpack Bounce Match 3 Game video below. You swipe the backpacks to create two or more combinations. This mobile game features 20 different levels with different backpacks. Play the levels in any order you wish. "Angry" looking backpacks in some levels may make matches but those matches don't count! Bombs next to the non-angry backpack matches boost your score. Backpack Bounce is in the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon app store. The Android version has been recently updated. See more details below the video.  For Android some of the screen layouts will render much better in version 3.4. The updated version (August 23, 2022) has been tested on Android 7, 8, 11 and Kindle Fire OS 7.3.2.4. Learn more about our... Backpack Bounce Match 3 Game Thanksgiving Match 3 Game and Thanksgiving Retro Match 3 Game

0 Zodiac Signs Jigsaw Style

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 08/10/2022

Cancer, Aquarius, Taurus, and Scorpio. Four of the twelve zodiac signs. The three visual styles you see below are used when mobile game pieces are displayed in Zodiac Signs Jigsaw Puzzle.        As you complete 50 easy, 50 medium, or 50 harder levels, all three styles come into play. The cosmic and badge based images are used in the higher levels. These jigsaw puzzles are a snap to finish on mobile phones or tablets. You won't have to worry about dragging and dropping hundreds of game pieces to put the final signs together. Try Zodiac Signs Jigsaw Puzzle on your tablet or mobile phone for a change of pace. 

0 Black History People Mobile Game

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 07/27/2022

Black History People Game is the app that literally drops all the great names for fast fun. The folks just float down your screen. Touch the letters on your keyboard to score points. No shifting to upper or lower case required. Forget about backspace. We made this too easy! Black History People Game is a fast keyboard busting trivia experience. Play the game one more time! Watch this video then get it on your device.

0 RnB and Hip Hop Quiz Shines

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 06/01/2022

In Music Trivia Quizzes Sing Song Success you'll see a video that features our RnB and Hip Hop Quiz on an iPhone - iPad. Below are just a handful of questions from this music trivia throwback challenge app as they appear in the Android version of the mobile game. I wrote and researched all of the questions in RnB and Hip Hop Quiz trivia.   Did you know that in 1991, Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do" (Without You)" was a #1 pop hit. Janet was the first artist to have seven top five pop hits from the same album.    Ray Charles Robinson (1930 - 2004) was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He received his Lifetime Achievement Award at the thirtieth annual Grammy Awards in 1988.   Ronnie Wilson (vocal, horns, keyboards), Robert Wilson (vocals, bass) and Charlie Wilson (vocals, drums) are the funk trio The Gap Band from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Charlie Wilson continues in 2022 as a solo artist. The group chose their name after three streets in Tulsa: Greenwood, Archer, and Pine. Ronnie Wilson, the founder of the Gap Band died at 73 in November, 2021. Brother Robert Wilson passed at age 53 in 2010. Trivia tease. What's the other famous three brother Latin jazz-rock classic soul group whose founding members have the same surname as the Gap Band? It's Mandrill with: Lou, Richard, and Carlos Wilson. No relation to The Gap Band Wilsons!    I've seen Chaka Khan live at least 6 times and was at the 30th Anniversary Rufus and Chaka Khan Concert with Earth, Wind & Fire, September 1, 2001 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.   TLC's first hit "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" was in 1992. Five artists were sampled in their track: James Brown, Kool & The Gang, Average White Band, Silver Convention, and Bob James. I think I'll take a few points off for originality.   Do you know the answer to this one? I won't give it away.   Do you know the answer to this one?   An easy one! Discover RnB and Hip Hop Quiz trivia featuring 12 levels with R&B questions, and 12 levels with hip hop questions. Your choice. Twenty-four levels are in the mix. Enjoy both the Android or the iOS version on your mobile device. 

0 Superhero Flyer Challenge - Why Is This Game So Hard?

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 05/04/2022

So easy to play it's boring, or so hard to learn it's easy to lose? That's any mobile game challenge. As you know, good games take a few moments to flush out and more devoted time to master winning techniques. Superhero Flyer is a side scrolling action game that looks simple to play but there is significant strategy you must use to get to the top levels. This is our most difficult game. Watch the 59 second video for a quick overview. Here are some ways you can get the most fun out of Superhero Flyer for iPhone and Android. You start the action with Scout and play against the countdown clock. Touch the screen to keep flying. Scout has 5 lives and leads the way. You can't score with Scout. Scout powers up to Blue. When Scout touches the sun, moon, windsock or drones Blue will appear to continue the game. Blue is active for a random amount of time. A short amount of time. Blue will take out the small rockets (enemies) and score points, but will be eliminated by large rockets. In level 1 when Blue touches a balloon, Trax appears (and Blue disappears). Trax (below) can take out all of the rocket enemies but your score won't climb as fast. That's why in the video I avoided making a move to bring Trax into the gameplay. Trax can be used in the game for a random amount of time that is short. Scout reappears when Trax disappears! (level 1 and possibly level 2). In a few of the levels, meet the eagles. They want to and will attack the drones. Don't worry, you or the bomb enemies can't hurt the eagles. Get Scout to touch the drones before the eagles swoop on them if you can, or you lose valuable time bringing Blue back into the game. If you can get to level 5 then you'll control Bambi (left) and Thump (below) as they take the lead. Bambi and Thump can knock out balloons, drones, and rockets. Super tip. In levels 6 - 8 go for the balloons if you can. They have the highest value to score points. Once you reach level 6, strap in. Score by taking out the drones, balloons, and rockets. Good luck getting all the way to level 8! I've revealed just enough to give you an edge. Can you get to 70,000 or more points? Grab Superhero Flyer and play the game to score.   

0 Puzzle Games: Black History Picture Puzzle, Zodiac Signs Jigsaw Puzzle

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 04/08/2022

Scrambled pictures have always been popular games of skill requiring you to engage your brain. You have to put back together what your mind tells you is an eye perception trick. Once you meet the challenge and solve the visual chaos, your temporary illusion returns to reality! Take a look at these four puzzle pieces: These are four prominent Americans shown in the "easy," scramble mode from our mobile app Black History Picture Puzzle (Android). Each picture lives on a separate screen. You tap each block to solve the puzzle by putting the picture back together. A touch of your finger rotates the block. No swiping is needed. If the "easy" mode looks simple enough, jump right into the "hard" mode with 70 different blocks for each puzzle. Now we're talkin' difficult! Jigsaw puzzles offer another approach to lovers of games with pictures. Here are four of the many images that make up the mobile app Zodiac Signs Jigsaw Puzzle (iPhone, iPad, Android). Once the pictures are segmented into jigsaws, you just put everything back together. This game features easy, medium, and hard modes. When moving old school concepts into new technologies some comprises are made. For a mobile game on a small screen thousands of jigsaw pieces aren't very practical. Zodiac Signs Jigsaw Puzzle has a good balance of game pieces for each of the 150 different levels. Fast and fun is the goal as you roll through the levels. All the signs are here.  Learn more about Black History Picture Puzzle and Zodiac Signs Jigsaw Puzzle. Grab both and leave a review or comment. Watch this video as I play both games.

0 Spelling Runners Literacy: Driving A Game App

• Games
• by Hugh Smith
• 03/31/2022

Imagine a young twenty-something year old in a densely populated urban area who just loves to drive a car through the lively city streets, without a license. Jose' (not his real name) realized that commercial driving might be his chance to earn an income in a job he was sure to love. Jose' was a high school graduate, but at 21, Jose' could not read at a 5th grade level. This is a true story. I joined Literacy Volunteers of America to help folks of all ages learn to read when I was an undergraduate at Rutgers University. To drive a truck, you need a commercial drivers license. Jose' couldn't get one. He wanted one. Passing the written part of the CDL test was an obstacle for him even though he was granted a high school diploma thanks to forgiving schools. A paper diploma won't help you if you don't have the foundation to back it up. Sometimes, bad education systems move students through, up and out of the 12th grade to deal with the real world on their own.  I wish this story had a happy ending. Jose' was not able to finish the tutoring I was giving him. Family responsibilities, earning money and other obstacles stood in his way. My Literacy Volunteers of America experiences inspired me to consider creating some entertaining teaching tools under our "apps, quizzes, teaching tools, and casual games with a multicultural touch" umbrella. Spelling Runners for iPhone, iPad, Android is a game that just happens to include over 400+ English words that I picked that are appropriate for all ages. Remember, this is a game and not a formal teaching vehicle. Look elsewhere for "best in the world" spelling bee championship drills. If you or young people you know like entertaining word games, here's one that is different. Watch the video and hop on board Spelling Runners game with an instant free download.