Join Astraware for their Annual Hogmanay Party and save on a range of great games!

KEELE, Staffordshire, UK – Monday 31st December 2007 – Astraware would like to invite you to their Annual Hogmanay Party sale which starts today – 31st December 2007 – and runs until midnight PST on 11th January 2008!

Each day during this New Year celebration, one or two games will be offered with huge discounts. With a wide range of action, adventure, word games, puzzles, strategy and card games to choose from, there’s certain to be something for everyone. Each offer lasts for just 24 hours, changing at midnight, so make sure to check back for the new offer each day!

The first game in the Annual Hogmanay Party on Monday 31st December is the beautiful puzzler Glyph for just $9.95. To grab this, or any of the great Hogmanay offers, head over to http://www.astraware.com/promo/hogmanay08.

Astraware’s latest game, Casino, brings all the fun an excitement of a trip to the casino without the risk of losing your shirt.

Last week saw the release of yet another high-quality game for the Palm OS and Windows Mobile platforms: Astraware Casino. Astraware Casio is a collection of eight popular casino games: Texas Hold ‘Em Limit Poker, Baccarat, Video Poker, Craps, Video Keno, Slots, Roulette, and Blackjack.

I enjoy playing card games in a casual setting when friends stop by to visit, but I’ve never been one to spend much time at the casino. After downloading and installing the demo, I was happy to learn that Astraware Casino is geared for the casual gamer. When you start the game, you are given $1,200 ($1,000 in your wallet, $200 in the bank) and all the games start off in “Tourist” mode. This mode is intended for the casual casino game player and there are limits on the minimum and maximum bets. For example, the Blackjack table has a minimum bet of $1 and a maximum bet limit of $250. In the third gaming level, “Regular”, the table limits are changed with the minimum bet set to $100 and the maximum bet set to $5,000. New modes of play are unlocked based on how frequently you play and win at the games in the Astraware Casino.

Playing Astraware Casino is a breeze. As with other recent games from Astraware (Solitaire and Boardgames) you move around the game board with the 5-way navigator, or if you prefer, the stylus. The first time to select to play a game that you have not previously played, the game’s rules are displayed in a How to Play window. The directions are well written and easy to understand. You can always view the game directions by tapping the Menu button and selecting Instructions from the menu. (I am still having trouble with the Craps game. I may have to get my book of Hoyle games out and read up on game play strategies.) Moving between the different games and the bank is easily done. Just select Bank or Choose Game from the menu and you will be back to the high stakes action in no time. Adding to the fun are unlockable souvenirs that you win while playing the game. So far my favorite souvenir is the Hawaiian Shirt, with the Ace of Spades a close second.

Astraware Casino is available for both Palm OS handhelds and Treo smartphones, and Treo smartphones running Windows Mobile 5 and 6. This includes the newest Palm smartphones, the Treo 500v (Europe) and the Centro (United States). I tested the game on the Palm TX, Treo 650, and 700p and the game experience was good. Astraware has made a time limited trial available for download. That is a great way to try the game out before you buy and the make sure your hardware is supported. Astraware Casino for Palm OS and Windows Mobile is available now from the Astraware online store and sells for $19.95.

Regardless of weather you are a casual card player or an adrenaline junkie who likes to live life on the edge, with Astraware Casino loaded on your Palm you will be able to take a little piece of the Las Vegas thrill with you wherever you go.

For more information or to download the demo, visit the Astraware website.

Earlier this week, UK-based Astraware released their latest game, Casino.

Astraware Casino features 8 of the most popular games found in casinos around the world including Texas Hold ‘Em Limit Poker, Roulette, Slots, and Blackjack. You’ll also get $1000 in your virtual wallet so you can start playing right away.

“Our casino has all the fun games and attraction, but unlike a real casino, the odds are with the player, so your chances of winning – and winning big – are that much better,” said Howard Tomlinson, CEO of Astraware. ” Take you pick from a choice of games, try your luck on the slots, use your skill at blackjack, keep your cool and make your bluff in poker, there’s something for all players!”

Astraware Casino is available for Palm OS(R) 5 devices with hi-res screens, and Windows Mobile(R) devices running 2003, 2003SE, 5 & 6 and with square, QVGA, and VGA portrait and landscape screens. The game is priced $19.95.

Download the free trial now…

Earlier today, Astraware, in partnership with PalmStorm, released Plantastic for Palm OS and Windows Mobile handhelds and smartphones. Astraware has also bundled three of their most popular games, Suduko, Boardgames, and Solitaire, into a family friendly game collection called Astraware Classic Collection.

Astraware writes:

Plantastic! is a fun combination of puzzle and strategy game where you create bouquets from groups of brightly coloured flowers to clear them fromthe play board and reach each level’s bloom target! Each game mode has a different planting pattern and blooms can only be placed near the player’s last bloom within the pattern shown. Blooms drop into the queue and you must plant them in the garden before the queue fills up.

Plantastic! begins as a simple fun game, but add the challenge of more complex flower arrangements, and a range of different bloom colours as you progress, and the challenge increases. Avoid the mushrooms that block your path, and stop Mr Mole from stealing your blooms by tapping him on the head, but make sure you don’t run out of time or flowers! Flower powerups like the super trowel and joker flowers will offer assistance to boost your points total.

And continues with Classic Collection by writing:

Following many customer requests, the Astraware Classic Collection brings together 3 family-friendly favorites featuring an award-winning Sudoku game, 8 classic boardgames, and 12 of the best-known card games, all in one super value pack for a very special price.

The Astraware Classic Collection includes Astraware Sudoku, Astraware Boardgames, and Astraware Solitaire and is available for Palm OS(R), and Windows Mobile(R) smartphones and PDAs. The collection is priced $39.95 – a saving of one third off the price of all 3 games bought separately and special pricing is also available to customers who already own one of the games.

Download Astraware Plantastic…
Download Astraware Classic Collection…

Celebrate Halloween with a special spooky version of Astraware Solitaire!

KEELE, UK – October 25th, 2007 – Astraware invites you to celebrate Halloween with a special spooky version of Astraware Solitaire.

Astraware Solitaire – Halloween Edition includes all the features of the highly-acclaimed standard edition but with the addition of a brand new Halloween card back set and a more eerie default color scheme. Select your card back from a choice of werewolf, vampire, pumpkins, bats, mummy, witch, ghost, or spider!

Astraware Solitaire includes 12 of the most well-known and best-loved card games in one easy-to-use pack. Each game offers customizable gameplay so you can play to your favorite set of rules, along with easily changeable color themes, backgrounds, card backs and fronts. It’s available for smartphones and PDAs running Palm OS(R) or Windows Mobile(R) and is compatible with a wide range of devices across both platforms.

The Halloween Edition of Astraware Solitaire will be available for a limited time only with a special $5 discount off the regular price. Registration codes for the standard version will work in the Halloween edition and vice versa, so owners of Astraware Solitaire can download this special version for FREE!

To download a trial or to buy, visit http://www.astraware.com/solitairehe.

Astraware has a new boardgames game back available. I know that my kids are going to love the fact that I’m going to be able to carry a copy of Tic Tac Toe with me when we are waiting at the doctor’s office, the diner, or at a restaurant.

The best part about this, for a limited time, you can pick up Astraware Boardgames for $9.95.

Astraware Boardgames – 8 classic boardgames in one fun pack!

KEELE, UK – October 9th 2007 – Astraware(R) is excited to announce the release of Astraware Boardgames – a collection of 8 classic boardgames including Chess, Backgammon, Reversi and more!

Astraware Boardgames includes 8 games, each with user-customizable rules and a range of difficulty levels, but designed with casual players and non-experts in mind. If you’re a new player or an old hand who enjoys a fun traditional board game, then Astraware Boardgames is just for you.

“We wanted to come up with a range of fun games that everyone knows, and everyone can enjoy playing,” said Howard Tomlinson, Astraware’s CEO. “I love being able to pick up any of the boardgames, know that I stand a chance of winning, and have fun playing. Sorry, Mr. Kasparov, Astraware Boardgames is for regular folks only!”

Astraware Boardgames offers 3 levels of gameplay that everyone can enjoy, even complete beginners, If you’re new to board games, you can play a nice easy game to begin with and when you’re winning those regularly, select a harder difficulty.

The game features plenty of options so that you can choose to play it your way – against the computer, or alongside other players, and with your choice of rules, so whether you like huffing in checkers, flying in nine men’s morris, want more ladders or less snakes, Astraware Boardgames lets you play it your way!

The gameplay and graphics are designed to evoke the feel of classic board games, played on wooden boards, with traditional playing pieces and satisfying piece movement. Astraware Boardgames includes Chess, Backgammon, Ludo, Checkers, Reversi, Nine Men’s Morris, Snakes and Ladders, and Tic Tac Toe.

Astraware Boardgames is packed with standard Astraware features, such as user profiles, appropriate sound effects throughout, and automatic saving when you exit or receive a phone call. Available now for PDAs and smartphones running Palm OS(R) 5.0 and Windows Mobile(R) 2003, 2003SE, 5.0 and 6.0, it includes support for all resolutions. The game offers a choice of control methods and is optimized for play with 5-way navigation across all devices, but also works perfectly with a stylus if you have one!

Astraware Boardgames is available now priced $19.95, but with an introductory discount for a limited time. To try or to buy, visit the Astraware website: http://www.astraware.com/boardgames.

For a limited time you can get 25% off on over 90 titles from Astraware for the Palm OS and Windows Mobile platforms. I’ve been playing games from Astraware for a long time and this is a perfect time to pick up some of their games like Bejeweled, My Little Tank, and Solitaire at a reduced price. Astraware’s press release appears below.

KEELE, UK – October 3rd, 2007 – Astraware is pleased to announce The Astraware BIG Fall Sale which offers 25% off a huge selection of games on their website.

The Astraware BIG Fall Sale runs from 3rd – 18th October 2007 and offers a fantastic 25% discount off over 90 games and packs! Brain-teasing word games and puzzles, epic adventures, exciting action games, and compelling card games are all included, so there really is something for everyone.

As well as enjoying these special low prices, Club Astraware members can also earn points on any games they buy in the sale – 1 point for every cent they spend!

To take advantage of this massive offer visit the Astraware website at http://www.astraware.com.

Astraware Brings Popular Big Fish Games Title To Mobile Devices

Hidden Expedition: Titanic Now Available For Palm OS and Windows Mobile Smartphones and PDAs

KEELE, England and SEATTLE – September 19, 2007 – Astraware and Big Fish GamesTM, Inc. are excited to announce the availability of the highly acclaimed Hidden Expedition: TitanicTM game for Palm OS and Windows Mobile smartphones and PDAs.

The legendary RMS Titanic, which sank in 1912, still houses a wealth of artifacts and treasures on- board. Hidden Expedition: Titanic offers players the opportunity to explore the wreckage of this once-majestic ship and collect antique artifacts for the Titanic Museum. The partnership between Astraware and Big Fish Games will allow consumers to enjoy Hidden Expedition: Titanic straight from their mobile devices.

“We’re pleased to be working with Big Fish Games to bring some of their great titles to handhelds,” said Astraware CEO, Howard Tomlinson. “A first in the new category of ‘hidden object’ games for handhelds, Hidden Expedition: Titanic is sure to be a hit with mobile device users.”

Players hunt for hidden objects within the wreckage during 14 diving missions, ultimately leading to the final prize: The Crown Jewels. Based on the best-selling PC game, Hidden Expedition: Titanic for handhelds features the same stunning graphics and atmosphere of the original. Players have the choice of using the intuitive five-way control scheme or the stylus to find a variety of artifacts hidden within the sunken ship.

“Astraware has proven time and again to deliver only the highest quality games,” added Paul Handelman, VP of Business Development for Big Fish Games. “We’re proud to lead the introduction of hidden-object games to the handheld market with them. We’re confident that this is only the tip of the iceberg for us, so to speak.”

Hidden Expedition: Titanic is priced at $19.95 and is available for Palm OS devices with high-resolution screens running OS5 and above, and for Windows Mobile smartphones and PDAs running WM2003, 2003SE, 5 and 6. Download Hidden Expedition: Titanic from the Astraware Web site at: http://www.astraware.com/titanic