Kona’s Crate is an upcoming physics-based puzzle game from Zoo Entertainment’s indiePub label. It will be released tomorrow (June 23, 2011) for $4.99 (PC, Mac, iPad) and $2.99 (iPhone, iPod Touch, Android). Kona’s Crate‘s gameplay mechanics are downright simple, but it can be quite difficult. I know the phrase “easy to play, difficult to master” is thrown around a lot, but Kona’s Crate is a shining example of what that phrase really means.

Computed tomography or CT scan is one of the most useful tools medicine has today. It allows doctors to look inside out bodies without having to cut them open. One of the latest uses of this technology is a process called Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) which greatly improves the accuracy of traditional radiation therapy. Unfortunately, IGRT also presented some risks but now, technology originally designed for video games is helping improve this life saving technology.

At E3 2010, an investor was getting some hands-on time with a few 3DS demos. While playing he heard a representative from Tecmo Koei say the breasts would jiggle if you shake the 3DS. It’s nice to see that built-in gyroscope is being put to good use.

The Mass Effect series is one of the games mixing science with story in a fun way. In this case, the game introduces the concept of dark matter into its core mechanics. Dark matter is a concept theorized by many physicists as an explanation for the constant and increasing expansion of the universe, but Mass Effect puts it to a different and probably more interesting use.

The game introduces the concept of “biotics,” beings (human or otherwise) that can control dark energy and use it to move objects and affect their surroundings. This ability endows biotics with Jedi-like abilities making them fearsome fighters. This same energy allows for faster-than-light travel and other technological wonders that populate the game. This phenomenon, called “mass effect” in the game world, is what gives the series its name. All this is explained throughout the game giving players access to this subject in a more entertaining way.

Physics are a really important aspect of any game whether it is a platformer, an RPG or a first-person shooter. Our world and every kind of interaction we have in it are ruled by the laws of physics so any kind of world that intends to resemble our own must abide by those same rules. more »