Apple’s trendy iTunes App Store is no stranger to music games, but the latest download for iPhone and iPod touch is the first that doesn’t require sight whatsoever.
Aurifi ($1.99; aurifi.com) from UK’s Punk Pie is billed as the first ever audio-only game, allowing players to interact with the content by moving the device around according to the audible instructions, music and sound effects. The iPhone and iPod touch’s integrated accelerometer detects how it’s held by the user, plus players must touch and shake the screen, too.
Game Theory was intrigued by the concept, plus we also thought this could be interesting for those who are seeing impaired, and so we downloaded Aurifi to give it a spin.
First, a pleasant female voice with a British accent tells you to put on your headphones in the correct ears, as it’s important to the gameplay. Then, after starting the game, the woman says to tilt the device left to start a new game or right to resume a previously played one. Tilt left for save slot 1 or right for save slot 2. You’ll now hear “I found a place for us to play,” and so the game begins.
The first exercise — a tutorial, if you will — is to tilt in one of four directions until the pitch of the louder tone matches the one in the background. You’ll also be instructed to tap the screen in rhythm with the beat, touch corners for high and low pitches and shake the iPhone or iPod touch to hear other percussion sounds.
At any time, you can press and hold the center of the screen to pause or resume play.
Once you get the basics down, a number of sound-based micro-games await you. All of them guide you through various soundscapes called “sonic environments,” totaling hundreds of different combinations, says Punk Pie. In one example, you’re asked to tilt the device around to “place” the tone in a particular spot; the music is layered in a way that it provides a groovy soundtrack customized to your experience.
Some of the games took a bit of trial and error until the hostess was pleased with your performance (and once you get the hang of it, she bows out altogether) – therefore, be aware of a slight learning curve. Another issue is the slight delay in the sound heard after tapping the screen, so you’ll need to touch, tap or shake a little early in order to be in time with the music.
If you want a taste of the game, check out this online video:
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Scott Steinberg is the CEO of video game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, and founder of GameExec magazine and Game Industry TV. Hailed as a top technology and video game expert by dozens of publications from USA Today to Forbes and NPR, he’s covered the field for 400+ outlets from Playboy to Rolling Stone. A frequent on-air analyst for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN, he’s also the author of Video Game Marketing and PR.