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E3: Disney shows off iPad-exclusive version of The Incredible Machine

Fans of Rube Goldberg devices and physics-based puzzlers are likely well-acquainted with the classic puzzle game series The Incredible Machine . At E3, Disney showed us a new version of the game specifically built for the iPad, which debuted today on the App Store. Now you can once again tinker, build, and puzzle solve with The Incredible Machine's wacky and roundabout machinations.

We talked to Disney Interactive Studios' Senior Marketing Manager, Jeff Nuzzi, about this classic puzzle game and its appearance on a new platform. The first good piece of news for the fans of the quirky series is that the original developers behind the early-90s puzzlers are back. While the look and controls have been designed to be optimized for the iPad, the creative team behind it remains the same.

For those unfamiliar with the series, The Incredible Machine basically tasks players with manipulating a series of objects to achieve a certain goal. These objects include pipes, mice, rockets, candles, magnifying glasses, and platforms. In a given level you may have to lower a trap on a mouse, get series mascot Mel to his home, or sink a basketball into a basket. Known for their wacky sense of humor as well as their difficulty, The Incredible Machine series is all-ages appropriate and a great deal of fun. The games have become hard to come by recently as they don't appear on Steam and there hasn't been a new release since 2001's The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions.

While the original publisher, Dynamix, has since closed (as has later developer Sierra), the rights to the game eventually ended up in Playdom's hands, who in turn were bought by Disney last year. The iPad-exclusive title has been built from the ground up, with completely new sprites and art work but with many returning objects and characters-- including Mel. The game features 60 levels, 90 items and is currently available in the iTunes App Store for $2.99. Fans of the series may be disappointed to hear that there's no level editor yet, but Nuzzi assured me its “on the horizon.”

Like any good all-ages title worth its salt, The Incredible Machine for iPad has a robust tutorial. In fact, several. You'll be walked through how to utilize piping, who the cast of characters are (and what unique properties they have), and how to use the various explosives in the game. Oh yes, the rockets and dynamite are back.

The first mission I played really took me back to my days on Windows 95 playing on my family Dell computer. Back then I'd sit for hours trying to ensure that Mel got home safe or the mouse wasn't eaten by the crocodile or the basketball bounce just so. This first puzzle required me to correctly place a magnifying glass and bowling ball in the appropriate spots on the screen so that when the machine was turned on, I could launch a missile skyward. The solution was to put the ball above the flashlight, which would trigger a light, which would be focused by the placed magnifying glass, which would light the fuse, which would launch the rocket. It requires some practice and some trial and error, but it's good wholesome fun. Each puzzle has a star rating (defining how well you did) and the more stars you achieve, the more you puzzles you can unlock.

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Craziness has no limit and so doesn't a hobby! One could have a stamp collection hobby and other, perhaps coin collection! But one such hobby that is a craze not only amongst kids but also amongst the adults is the Disney pin collection.

With the undying affection for Disney characters going constant and unwithered, buying and selling of Disney pins is the obsession of the generation.  With the much hype in this fascination, the new introduction to this mania is trading of Disney pins. The Disney pin trading is buying as well as the trading of collectible pins and allied items that feature Disney characters, images and other elements!

Few might know that this practice of trading Disney pins is celebrated as a hobby, supported by Disney! And over the years, hundreds and thousands of pins and other items have been manufactured and traded. Variation knew no bounds when special pins with variety in color, accesorization, shape and size were introduced. These Disney pins are usually launched at movie premiers, special events or meetings to memorialize new ventures.     

This marvelous passion dates back to days when Disney parks were pioneered and Paul Pressler launched this hobby at the Disney land resort; which then spread to the Walt Disney World resort. And since then, sky has been the limit for these cute little pins.

Today, with this hobby fervor mountaineering heights, unlimited companies and dealers along with the Disney parks, offer a large variety of pins for procurement and exchange. In fact companies who are not even affiliated with Walt Disney proffer the best of their services in buying, selling as well as trading Disney pins. Pin gatherers can even modify their pin display owing to the ample diversity of pin products available. Lanyards are also obtainable in an extensive array of designs and colors, just like the lanyard medals. When creativity seeks no bounds, there cannot be a limit to anything related to it. Collectors have a superb assortment of items to assemble and display their pins: pin frames, notebooks, bags and even cork boards. One can easily spot a Disney pin aficionado for they are distinguished by their display of pin in form of pin covered lanyards and vests!          

Neophytes might hardly know that Disney pin collection could be damn addictive. Everyone who ever started with buying a single pin or even a starter kit has been captivated every since then. For innumerable various reasons, people have been obsessed with this fascinating hobby; kids living their childhood and adults reliving theirs!

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