When a platform holder comes to visit a developer it’s either for something really, really good, or really, really bad.  It could also be a formality, but that was nowhere near as snappy, so we left it out.  Anyway, in this instance it was a good thing, as Apple wanted to talk to us about our future plans for the iPhone.

We already knew that Apple liked Monster Pinball, but it appears that our back catalogue is a hit with them too, as is our MD’s brain – although that’s hardly surprising given our years of experience working in the realm of digital engagement.  There was also some discussion of working on something for a devices other than the iPhone, but exactly what is we’re keeping under wraps.  We’ll give you a clue though; it starts with an ‘I’.

Obviously, we were pleased as punch that Apple came to see us, we got to show them our new offices, including our new mural, and had a chance to talk about future developments.  It’s also a great feeling to have your hard work recognised within the industry, kinda like what we imagine winning an Oscar must feel like.  We’re looking forward to seeing how Apple and Matmi can support each other in the future.

“Amigurumi (編みぐるみ?, lit. knitted stuffed toy) is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures.”

These things are amazing, especially if you share my penchant for all things woolly, crafty and geeky.
I came across Alix’s etsy shop ‘Parami Panda Crochet‘ this weekend, its loaded with fabulous furry critters that could fit in the palm of your hand.

Maybe…when we aren’t so busy, I can begin my amigurami matmisphere masterpiece – Small wonders!

After much anticipaton, we released our new facebook game, Ten-Pin Crazy Golfing in time for the Christmas break; but here at Matmi we’re perfectionists and so we couldn’t resist tweaking the game to make the game even better

We’re not going to spoil the surprise and tell you want we’ve added and changed, but it’s not long to go before we unveil the new and improved Ten-Pin Crazy Golfing, so keep watching this space for something really special!

What do you do when crazy golf has lost its lustre and bowling has become humdrum? Simple, you combine them into the most exciting game since polar bears invented cribbage! The aim of the game is simple; knock down as many of the ‘Pinguins’ as you can while navigating ten levels of snowdrifts, windmills, whales and other icy obstacles. Can you get a strike, or will you being going ‘spare?’

Best of all, if you don’t like the look of the Pinguins, you can swap their ugly mugs for pictures of your family and friends using Matmi’s new UStar technology, which we’re pretty sure is a first, unless there’s some other 3D browser game out there that not only lets you upload pictures from your hard drive, but from Facebook as well? If there is, it’s doing a pretty good job of hiding!

This is probably the most fun you’ll have this winter without taking your coat and mittens off!

Play today : http://facebook.matmi.com/tenpincrazygolfing/matmi.html Currently in BETA

Matmi just got a really great Christmas present from the prestigious Design Week Awards.  Only a month after the BIMA nomination, we’re in the short list for the Commerical Digital Design category for our redesign of Vimto’s UK website earlier this year.

We’re up against some tough competition and we’d love to tell you who (but the award shortlist isn’t arranged that way… ).  Joking aside, the Design Week Awards are a really big deal so it’s a real honour just to be nominated for this award. We’ve got our fingers crossed…. which is going to make the next few months tricky, as the winners aren’t announced until March!

If you fancy taking a peak at the site, check it out here and for more information on the Design Week Awards click here.

Most people complain about how long it takes to get apps approved by Apple, but not us, not after our new game Elf was approved in just one week!  Elf is another great effort from the Matmi iPhone team and is great value at just £1.19!  Grab it on the App Store today!

Game Description

It’s Christmas morning and there’s magic in the air, enough to send an elf soaring into the stratosphere. While Santa’s away, Irving the Elf like nothing more than leaping skyward, stepping on stars and bouncing on baubles trying to get as high as he can!  Build your boost and collect candy canes for a point bonus while you help Irving hit the heavens, but watch out for the twisted tinsel, its pointy prickles will put a real crimp on your day.

With all the looks and charm you’d expect from a Matmi game, Elf is simple enough that anyone can pick it up and play it, but addictive enough that you’ll be hooked all year round.  Aim skyward as you challenge your friends via Facebook Connect and see who can send Irving the highest!

About Elf

• Amazing graphics and animations
• Unique sound effects in stereo
• Simple but addictive gameplay suitable for all ages.
• Local and Online scoreboards plus Facebook Connect so you challenge all your friends
• Created specifically for the iPhone/iPod Touch by the wonderful minds of Matmi

There’s been quite a bit of doom and gloom around the business world, but here at Matmi we are having our best year yet!

We’ve doubled our team and expanded into the second floor of our lovely studios in Duke’s Court. As part of this expansion we are designing posters for our walls.

As we like to share, we have posted some of the posters here on our blog for you to have. They are print quality and will brighten up any dull wall.

We’ve expanded from online games into mobile games and just picked up our third award for our first iPhone game, “Monster Pinball” at The Roses Design Awards in Nottingham on Friday night. The same game is also short listed for the digital industry Oscars, the BIMAs, which are announced on 19th November.

We have many new iPhone and online games coming over the next few weeks.

Thanks for all your support.

Hot on the heels of the award-winning “Monster Pinball” game, Matmi is set to make lightning strike twice with “Snowy’s Christmas Pinball” for the iPhone and iPodTouch.

Taking Monster Pinball’s exciting gameplay and adding hundreds of new goals, challenges and other craziness, “Snowy’s Christmas Pinball” has super-smooth graphics and stunning stereo sound and is a gaming feast for the festive season and beyond!

“Snowy’s Christmas Pinball” has three feature-packed tables so novices and pros alike will find something to enjoy with this pinball extravaganza, and with local, global, and Facebook Connect leaderboards, you’re sure to find something – or someone – to challenge you!

About Snowy’s Christmas Pinball:

3 fun packed, interconnected tables with varied and unique goals and deep and engaging gameplay
60fps giving extra-smooth gameplay
Realistic physics engine.
Accelerometer tilt function
Iceball feature – Score double points when active
Amazing graphics and animations
Unique sound effects in stereo
Pause, Save and Resume
Local and Online scoreboards plus Facebook Connect
Created specifically for the iPhone/iPod Touch
Created by the wonderful minds of Matmi

But don’t just take out word for it, check it out for yourself!

Monster Pinball won the Gold Award for Best Mobile/Handheld Game at the Rose Design Awards in Nottingham on Friday. Monster Pinball is the first foray into mobile gaming for Matmi New Media, who is best known for its viral advergames and is by far the most advanced pinball game available for the iPhone.

Monster Pinball fought off stiff competition to take the top accolade in the newly created gaming section of the awards. The award comes just as a new version of Monster Pinball, with rebalanced gameplay, improved sound and Facebook Connect functionality is set to hit the App Store.

Described by Touch Arcade as “A Beautiful Pinball Experience”, Monster Pinball was Apple’s Pick of the Week less than a month after its release, as well as receiving top marks from Mac World and Appvee.com and Pocket Gamer’s gold award.

A winning shot.

Hot on the heels of the award-winning Monster Pinball, Matmi is releasing Snowy’s Christmas Pinball for the iPhone and iPodTouch in time for the holidays. Snowy’s Christmas Pinball builds on Matmi’s existing expertise in both Christmas games – having created the most popular Christmas viral game in the world for three years running – and being masters of the pinball genre, thus bringing something a little different to the holiday season.

Building on the pioneering technology created for Monster Pinball, Snowy’s Christmas Pinball is even faster than its predecessor and has three feature-packed tables starring some of the most recognisable Christmas icons around. Snowy’s Christmas Pinball has three selectable difficulty levels, as well as linked scoreboards that let you upload your high-score directly to Facebook and, of course, the amazing art and sound that Matmi is known for.

About Snowy’s Christmas Pinball:
3 fun packed, interconnected tables with varied and unique goals and deep and engaging gameplay
60fps giving extra-smooth gameplay
Realistic physics engine makes the game even faster than Monster Pinball.
Accelerometer tilt function
Hotball feature – Score double points when active
Amazing graphics and animations
Unique sound effects in stereo
Pause, Save and Resume
Local and Online scoreboards plus Facebook Connect
Created specifically for the iPhone/iPod Touch
Created by the wonderful minds of Matmi