Some of our choices might fly in the face of well established design-conventions but I really think it works perfectly in this context.Oslo, Norway January 20, 2010 -- Norwegian iPhone Developer Nor Eagle, today released their latest iPhone game Fumbers. Fumbers is a reflex- and memory-testing game targeted at Steve Jobs according to Nor Eagle CEO, T. Benjamin Larsen. "Our aim was to create a game that anyone and everyone would enjoy playing. The rumor has it Steve Jobs loves video games as much as he loves wearing Hawaiian shirts, so he seemed like the perfect target for Fumbers," he said. "Now, it might never happen, but I believe that if he ever comes across Fumbers he will find it entertaining. We really think Fumbers is the game to show any parent, grandparent, partner, or anyone else that fail to understand the appeal of video gaming."
Machu Picchu is featured in FumbersTo achieve their goal Nor Eagle have shaped the game around the psychological principle that the human mind craves to be challenged and loves being rewarded. "Finding the right balance is always one of the most difficult aspects of game making. The trick is finding the sweet-spot where the player feels challenged yet able to master the task at hand. I think we've pulled it off, but only time will tell."
Nor Eagle have also made some surprising choices when it comes to the art direction of the game. Unlike the slick, streamlined look of most contemporary games, the developer have found inspiration from scrapbooks. "It's kind of ironic as I am normally a "less is more" kind of guy. I felt however that this project needed to be infused with some softer values. Some of our choices might fly in the face of well established design-conventions but I really think it works perfectly in this context."
Among the elements used to give the game a friendly atmosphere is a game-host who is actually Larsen's avatar. But the most surprising thing must be the developers' claim that Fumbers can help fight Alzheimer's disease: "Yes, I'm sure this is something that will raise a few eyebrows," Larsen said. "It is not some kind of mumbo-jumbo magic trick. The fact of the matter is that the mechanics of the game fits hand in glove with what is called "cognitive reserve". The theory, as I understand it, is that using your mind in particular ways is actually similar to giving your brain a workout. There are evidence to suggest this will prevent the effect of Alzheimer's". Despite all this, Larsen is eager to stress that Fumbers is first and foremost created to entertain. "It is a game clean and simple. The name derives from the words "fun" and "numbers" and this is really what Fumbers is all about. If anyone would like to refer to it as "an Alzheimer-fighting game for Steve Jobs" we won't object too strongly though," he finished laughingly.
Fumbers is compatible with the iPhone and iPod touch and is available worldwide through the iTunes App Store. It is priced at $1.99.
Nor Eagle is a Norwegian-based multimedia company founded in 1999. Nor Eagle has made its name domestically producing Corporate Videos and animations and is for the most of the time equal to its founder T. Benjamin Larsen.
