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moki · Dec 24, 2003, 05:33 PM

Rochester, NY -- December 23, 2003 - Today Ambrosia Software, Inc. announced the release of Aki Mahjong Solitaire for Mac OS X, an elegant blend of the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong with an enchanting journey across Japan. Aki Mahjong Solitaire is easy to learn even if you still haven't mastered chopsticks, so don't hesitate to dive right in. We think you'll soon find yourself captivated.

The principle is simple: you have a number of ivory tiles arranged on a beautiful Japanese backdrop. Your goal is to make all of the tiles disappear by matching them to similar tiles. The catch is that tiles can be removed only if they are unblocked on either side by other tiles, and you have the uncompromising ticking away of the time limit to contend with.

At each step in your path, you will encounter new challenges in the variety of tile layouts presented to you, and a variety of skill levels that ensure you'll always find the experience engaging.

To to find out more about Aki, download it or see some screenshots, visit here:

http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/games/aki/

rjenkinson · Dec 24, 2003, 07:54 PM

wouldn't it make more sense to play mahjong while you journey across china?

-r.

moki · Dec 24, 2003, 10:22 PM

Originally posted by rjenkinson:
wouldn't it make more sense to play mahjong while you journey across china?

Yes, but Mahjong is played in Japan as well, and this is a slightly more interesting twist.

rjenkinson · Dec 25, 2003, 09:16 AM

a twist? it seems to make about as much sense as playing poker across russia or bowling your way through italy.

-r.

moki · Dec 25, 2003, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by rjenkinson:
a twist? it seems to make about as much sense as playing poker across russia or bowling your way through italy.

That is until you realize that the author of Aki is married to a Japanese woman, and he thus spends quite a bit of time in Japan, which is where he originally was taught how to play Mahjong.

Mahjong is not played only in China, any more than paper-folding is exclusively a Japanese art form.

rjenkinson · Dec 25, 2003, 06:14 PM

that's nice, but the author's personal life doesn't make calling solitaire a traditional chinese game and setting it in japan any less odd.

-r.

wreks · Dec 25, 2003, 06:25 PM

It's probably the nicest computer version of the game I've played. Though I still like the burning monkey one freeverse put out.

Only thing thats gotten in my way is the board perspective. Sometimes it's hard to make out the lower level pieces if there are higher stacks around it. Of course I also wish the demo let you play more levels. The journey thing is a nice implementation. Overall really well done.

hidden tiles

moki · Dec 25, 2003, 08:42 PM

Originally posted by rjenkinson:
that's nice, but the author's personal life doesn't make calling solitaire a traditional chinese game and setting it in japan any less odd.

Have you tried the game itself? I think you might enjoy it...

ambush · 09:52 PM

Originally posted by moki:
Have you tried the game itself? I think you might enjoy it...

... or not.

Also, the background pictures look like cheesy pcitures taken in 1980 by a bad photographer

I'm not too attracted to those types of game... except when it features Freeverse's Burning Monkey!!

moki · Dec 26, 2003, 03:54 AM

Originally posted by ambush:
I'm not too attracted to those types of game... except when it features Freeverse's Burning Monkey!!

Why does this not surprise me?

moki · Dec 26, 2003, 04:55 AM

A little hint...

If you're just learning Aki, or like to play such games without the pressure of time, simply set the game difficulty (on the main Map screen) to "Practice" and you'll be able to play Aki Mahjong without a time limit

Tulkas · Dec 26, 2003, 12:46 PM

This is one game I'd just rather play in reality. Sure, you can play it on your computer.. but thats not why we do it

Its stupid to travel across japan. The game originated and is always associated with china. Yeah, its played in japan. But pizza is also made is australia... doesn't mean you go looking for a good authentic australian pizza

Moki, you're just pissed cus its too late to change it.

moki · Dec 26, 2003, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by Tulkas:
Moki, you're just pissed cus its too late to change it.

I'm not upset at all -- if you like the game, play it, if you don't, that's fine too.

We never intended to "change" the game -- Chinese-themed Mahjong games have been done to death, and Mahjong is popular in other countries. We found this marriage of two different countries more interesting as a theme.

If you disagree, then play one of the many Chinese-themed (or monkey-themed) Mahjong games.

Tulkas · Dec 27, 2003, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by moki:
I'm not upset at all -- if you like the game, play it, if you don't, that's fine too.

We never intended to "change" the game -- Chinese-themed Mahjong games have been done to death, and Mahjong is popular in other countries. We found this marriage of two different countries more interesting as a theme.

If you disagree, then play one of the many Chinese-themed (or monkey-themed) Mahjong games.

Ya got me. I want classic Mahjong but I want good quality. So you da guys

jckalen · Dec 29, 2003, 04:52 PM

If you disagree, then play one of the many Chinese-themed (or monkey-themed) Mahjong games.

Shoot. I wanted to be the first to point out that burning monkeys are every bit as odd as having Japanese backdrops.

Tetris originated in Russia. Should ALL tetris backgrounds be limited to Russian photos taken by professional photographers in 2003?!?

I think you people are being a little nitpicky. If Andrew wanted to use Japan, it's his call. If he wanted to use flaming chimps, it's his call. If he wanted to feature all of the blue or green women from the original Star Trek series, he could.

If you don't like it, start your own shareware company and release nothing but traditional, historically accurate Mah Jong games.