Matmi is no stranger to pinball games, so taking this stereotypically male game and making it over for a female audience has been a challenge we’ve really enjoyed. With our latest iteration of the genre, Cute Pinball, we have gone from monsters to make-up with global make-up brand, MAC Cosmetics.

MAC Cosmetics teamed up with Matmi based on our track record in branded entertainment as well as our multi-award-winning mobile app, Monster Pinball. They caught the pinball bug and asked for a Japanese styled game with characters and icons, taken from their new “Quite Cute” range of make-up aimed at the teens/early twenties age group.

Cute Pinball is a pinball game like you have never seen before. It’s full of kooky characters and crazy sound effects with more shades of pink than there are in lipstick (and that’s not us being stereotypicaly about females and pink!) You’ll find dripping lips, melting lollipops, sparkling diamonds, pirate bunnies, fried eggs and bouncing balloons with TWO extra pinball tables to reach from the main board. You certainly won’t be lost for bonuses to hit (my personal favourite is the dancing chicken drumsticks ) but be warned, we have heard that it can be dangerously distracting from work.

Talking of work – Cute Pinball is definitely appealing to the intended audience. Our stats show a 96% player profile of females aged 18 – 24. Oh yes! The masters of gaming at Matmi do it again! The game is already starting to gain some recognition in the gaming press too, the well respected site Kotaku featured it on their front page, a mere 2 days after it was launched.

So far, we have covered teeth (in Brilliant Brushers) and now make-up. Who knows? Maybe in the not-too-distant future we will further our personal presentation and create a full-body Matmi make-over. Mmmm – Jeff with sparkling pearly whites, pink lipstick and a six pack. More likely to be a six pack of beers, but watch this space anyway…

…must dash, need just one more go, have to reach number one spot on the score board!

For full disclosure, I should say now that we do actually know the developer of ‘Drift Away‘. Having said that, my view of the game stands. I loved it!

‘Drift Away‘ is an absolutely gorgeous game, available on the iPhone. As the App description says, it’s like yoga for the mind.

You guide a bubble through a wonderful scenic landscape, enjoying the serenity whilst listening to soothing classical music. Animals, insects and other natural obstacles hinder your path so be careful or your bubble will pop! Split your bubble in two to squeeze through small spaces and pinch them back together to return to your original size.

I picked it up yesterday and just couldn’t put it down. The mixture of amazingly realistic scenery, lovely modelled bubble and perfect physics engine creates a fantastically addicting experience.

The use of the iPhone touch screen to guide, split and merge your bubbles to reach the checkpoints is not only fun but a great little brain teaser at times. And I love to tease my Matmian brain, keeps it sharp (-ish).

Travel through enchanted lands collecting magical bubbles. Some bubbles hold special powers that will help you on your journey. Look out for special collectables that have been left by previous travellers. They may bring you good luck!

Drift Away certainly is an experience I’ll never forget. Absolutely brilliant concept and execution. We’d recommend it to anyone. And at the cost of 59p for hours of serene enjoyment, it’s a bargain.

So I’d just like to give a shout out to Pete Scott from Blue Beck Ltd. You’ve done a fantastic job with this App. We have enjoyed working with you in the past and look forward to working on some exciting co-productions in the future. Keep up the good work!

Drift Away on your iPhone with your bubble...