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The Ace of Spades Poker Smash Official Thread

S

Shard

XBLAnnoyance
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What is Poker Smash?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poker_Smash

Poker Smash is a forthcoming card game developed by independent software developer Void Star Creations for the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade service. The title was officially announced during Microsoft's E3 2007 press conference and is due to be released in January 2008.

Poker Smash is a Tetris variant, or a "rising block game", crossed with Bejeweled game mechanics, with a poker theme. The player is presented with five columns of rising rows of face cards, including 10s and aces, of typical card suits; the player eliminates rows and columns of cards by creating legal poker hands with a value of three-of-a-kind or better by swapping adjacent cards. The player also has a limited allotment of bombs that can automatically remove cards without having to use them in matches.

There are three modes of play:

* Action: the columns of cards continue to rise in real-time
* Puzzle: the player tries to solve a full board, and eliminate every card
* Practice: a practice variation of the action mode in which the speed of the cards rising is controlled by the player

Multiplayer

The game features offline and online split screen gameplay. There is also an online "tournament" mode in which two to five players receive poker chips, which flow from player to player, depending on how well or how poorly they are playing. Losing one's entire stack of chips eliminates the player, and the sole surviving player wins.
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Release Date:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233480

(neutral) dcard
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(Today, 02:56 PM)
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Poker Smash hits Xbox LIVE Arcade on Feb 6th
I'm happy to announce that Poker Smash will be coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade on February 6th. The full version will be offered for 800 MS Points. If you are a Tetris Attack / Puzzle League fan you should definitely check it out.
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Xbox.com Splash Page:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/p/pokersmashxboxlivearcade/

Poker Smash™ is an action-packed puzzle game with a poker twist. Poker Smash expands on the traditional match-three puzzle mechanic with elements of one of the world's most popular card games: poker. Make vertical and horizontal matches by arranging cards by color or by forming poker hands, using radical features like super slow motion or card-blasting bombs. Play seven different game modes with up to five player multiplayer support, and make your next poker game an entirely smashing new experience.

* Innovative gameplay: Match-three gameplay with a twist. Use the special powerups to create poker hands, and form chains to rack up the big score.
* Seven game modes: Intense game modes include action, timed, puzzle levels (55 of them), practice, custom playlist, split screen head-to-head, and multiplayer tournaments.
* Multiplayer experience: Two-player offline support, as well as two to five player system link, and multiplayer over Xbox LIVE® is featured.
* New leaderboards: In addition to the traditional leaderboards, Poker Smash features never-before-seen rivalry tracking and even movie recording with shared playback.
* Immersive environment: The next-gen 3-D graphics feature eleven different highly detailed environments and background themes, coupled with thirteen new original soundtracks for play.
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Previews:

IGN XBOX 360

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/844/844410p1.html

1up.com

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3165294

TeamXbox

http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1829/Poker-Smash/p1/

Interviews:

XBLArcade.com

http://www.xblarcade.com/node/850

Screenshots:

psscreen_14.jpg


psscreen_03.jpg


psscreen_06.jpg


psscreen_10.jpg


psscreen_11.jpg


Video:

Official Trailer

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/viewer.aspx?productId=2128&assetTypeId=2&shotId=0

Gameplay Footage 1-5

http://www.voidstarcreations.com/pokersmash/downloads.html

Achievements:


http://www.xbox360achievements.org/achievements.php?gameID=559

Poker Smash

Chain Master
15
Score a 5x chain in Action Mode, Timed Mode or Custom Playlist Mode

Unchained Melody
20
Score a 7x Chain in Action Mode, Timed Mode or Custom Playlist Mode

Self Restraint
15
Get to speed level 7 only making 3 of a kinds and no chains

Pack Rat
15
Unlock all 11 in-game themes

Score of the Gods
30
Score 1,000,000 points

Champ
15
Win 1st place in a player match or ranked match

Chain Gang
15
Score a 3x chain in Action Mode, Timed Mode or Custom Playlist Mode

Chain Monster
20
Score a 24x chain in Action Mode, Timed Mode or Custom Playlist Mode

The Thinker
10
Unlock all puzzle groups

Challenge Hand
10
Make a challenge hand in Action Mode, Timed Mode or Custom Playlist Mode

All Hands
20
Make every possible hand in Action Mode, Timed Mode or Custom Playlist Mode

Triple Smash
15
Make three chains at the same time in Action Mode, Timed Mode or Custom Playlist Mode
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Reviews: Pending
 
Think I'm pretty saturated with match puzzle games Ive got from XBLA, no doubt I'l l try the demo like it and if GAFs playiing online get sucked in. We shall see :D
 
Yep, XBLA is back in business baby! From all the impressions, seems like this may be the best match puzzle game of all on the service.
 
Game looks pretty sweet, glad it'll have a demo, though. Too bad I won't have a 360 when it comes out unless Microsoft support pulls out a miracle :(
 
oooo online 5 player tournements.

interest +1

If anyone is interested it looks like you can download samples of the music from their official website. I think you also might be able to check some themes out as well. There's also some HD footage. I think I might use the 800 points I got back from Undertow for this.
 
When in doubt just remember that Poker Smash is using the Panel De Pon/Tetris Attack mechanic, and is therefore by default awesome.
 
Shard said:
When in doubt just remember that Poker Smash is using the Panel De Pon/Tetris Attack mechanic, and is therefore by default awesome.
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I really wish you would stop saying that. It looks like PDP, but doesn't really play like it at all.

But, yes, the game is totally awesome.
 
aku:jiki said:
I really wish you would stop saying that. It looks like PDP, but doesn't really play like it at all.

But, yes, the game is totally awesome.
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Well, okay I know it plays differently with a poker twist, but it can be played like Panel de Pon, only that would not be the best way to play it.
 
Shard said:
but it can be played like Panel de Pon, only that would not be the best way to play it.
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True enough. I'd hate for people to think this is "just" a PDP-clone with poker card skins.

Trying to save up for a royal flush actually really changes things more than some might think, is all I'm saying.
 
aku:jiki said:
True enough. I'd hate for people to think this is "just" a PDP-clone with poker card skins.

Trying to save up for a royal flush actually really changes things more than some might think, is all I'm saying.
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Fair enough, fair enough.
 
This game looks like it can cause headaches for people that arent into poker or have a hard time analyzing hands
 
I have to defend Shard's assessment a bit. If you liked Tetris Attack (Panel De Pon) then you will really like Poker Smash. All of the cards are color coded so you can play the game in the same way even if you aren't well versed in Poker.

With that said the comment about saving for a straight flush is totally on point. Hitting a straight flush for 15k and seeing the fireworks is money. The bombs come in really handy when you are hunting for straight flushes.

The best part about the game for me is that there are a ton of ways to play. I'm a chain guy myself. The fast controls and the slow motion power-up make crazy long chains possible (like 50+). I remember playing head to head Tetris Attack and getting chains in the teens by using the garbage blocks (remember those sweet buggles?). Poker Smash is tuned to allow long chains in the single player. Like I said thats my favorite part---but I'm totally biased.

Great thread Shard! Thanks!
 
Day 1. Presentation value looks nice.

I read in OXM that you can see your opponent's screen in local multiplayer, but not live multiplayer. Probably not a big deal.
 
dcard said:
I have to defend Shard's assessment a bit. If you liked Tetris Attack (Panel De Pon) then you will really like Poker Smash. All of the cards are color coded so you can play the game in the same way even if you aren't well versed in Poker.

With that said the comment about saving for a straight flush is totally on point. Hitting a straight flush for 15k and seeing the fireworks is money. The bombs come in really handy when you are hunting for straight flushes.

The best part about the game for me is that there are a ton of ways to play. I'm a chain guy myself. The fast controls and the slow motion power-up make crazy long chains possible (like 50+). I remember playing head to head Tetris Attack and getting chains in the teens by using the garbage blocks (remember those sweet buggles?). Poker Smash is tuned to allow long chains in the single player. Like I said thats my favorite part---but I'm totally biased.

Great thread Shard! Thanks!
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It is what I do around here.
 
Wario64 said:
This game looks like it can cause headaches for people that arent into poker or have a hard time analyzing hands
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Or it could be great training for those poker noobs considering a career on the poker circuit.
 
Hot damn, that look hot! Will be great with my other puzzle games so far (Puzzle Quest, Puzzle Figther). Keep'm coming!
 
Puzzle with a Poker Twist – “Poker Smash” Launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday along with a Free Gameplay Update for “Crystal Quest”

Newcomer Void Star Creations, an Independent developer based in South Carolina, takes the puzzle game genre to a whole new level with “Poker Smash,” an action packed puzzler with a poker twist! In “Poker Smash,” players rush to clear rows of cards by arranging them into poker hands. To keep things interesting “Poker Smash” offers card-blasting bombs and a super slow-motion trigger for players caught in a bind.

The game features over 30 minutes of original music set against stunning visuals, and contains seven unique game modes, including: action, timed, puzzle, practice, custom playlist, split screen head-to-head and multiplayer tournaments. Casual and hardcore gamers alike won’t want to miss this highly polished addition to Xbox LIVE Arcade.

For the Achievement junkies, “Poker Smash” contains 12 Achievements with a total of 200 points, including: “Score of the Gods,” which requires gamers to reach 1,000,000 points; “The Thinker,” which requires gamers to unlock all puzzle groups; and “Pack Rat,” which is awarded after gamers unlock all 11 in-game themes.

To celebrate the launch of “Poker Smash” on Xbox LIVE Arcade, players will have the opportunity to participate in the “Poker Smash” Play & Win Sweepstakes, where one lucky grand prize winner will receive an Xbox 360 Elite console! Plus, four other winners will be selected to receive Microsoft Point cards. To be automatically entered into the sweepstakes, simply download and play the full or trial version of “Poker Smash” from Wednesday, February 6 at 8:00 a.m. GMT (12:00 a.m. PST on Tuesday, February 5) through Thursday, February 14 at 7:59 a.m. (11:59 p.m. PST on Wednesday, February 13). This sweepstakes is available in the US and Canada only. For complete sweepstakes rules, please visit:

* www.xbox.com/pokersmash

“Poker Smash” will be available worldwide this Wednesday, February 6 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PST) for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.
 
I wonder if this will be the puzzle game to finally pull me away from Lumines. Can't wait to find out tomorrow.
 
SHOTEH FOCK OP said:
Well, that was certainly odd! :lol
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Wasn't it? I wonder if Zanthue is a riff on Xenu? Awesome that the developers starred in the commercial. Can't wait to finally play this game Weds. night.
 
Hopefully this will hit at midnight PST like Rez. Dont feel like staying up late for this game.
 
Anybody else get the feeling this game is going to be a huge hit? I am really looking forward to this game. I hope they pull it off, Planet Puzzle League + Poker sounds like a really interesting/fun idea.

---

Heh, I just read an interview that was posted via Ryan Ellis' blog and here is a funny quote from it...

"We joked once that we are not indie developers we are undie developers because we are all working from our homes."
 
Yeah, I'm skipping. I've already bought so many XBLA games lately so I can afford to skip this one. Not really itching for a new game, especially with DMC4 around the corner.
 
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