Classic Game with Innovative Scoring

Finger Arts has introduced Sudoku 2 PRO v1.0 for the iPhone and iPod touch, which is not an update to a previous version, but rather the classic game taken to the next level of its evolution - the same, but better. The app features an innovative "smart point system" where the point value of each correctly filled block, row, or column is tabulated using a "multiplier", a value that decreases over time. The player's strategy must now go beyond merely completing the puzzle, to encompass the sequence and speed of correct entries. In the same vein, Sudoku 2 keeps track of "runs" or consecutive games won. Sudoku 2 (pronounced soo'-da-koo) scores have their own OpenFeint achievements and leaderboards which foster global comparison and competition. As evidence of the game's overwhelmingly positive reception by the online Sudoku community, Finger Arts offers the fact that its free version of Sudoku 2 has achieved over 832,000 downloads in less than a month.

The game incorporates several convenience/interface features which enhance the enjoyment of play. To account for accidental mis-taps, the app scores a puzzle as solved providing the player has made 3 or fewer incorrect entries. To help players remember possible entries in any block, they can select the pencil icon and then tap into it up to 6 candidate numbers. To request a hint the player can tap an empty block and then select the hint icon (more hints available at lower levels). To analyze the board digit by digit, the player need only tap a number in any block and all blocks containing that number are highlighted. To encourage developing mastery of the game over time, the Easy level must be completed before moving to the Medium, and then the Hard levels. And games in progress can be saved.

Feature Highlights:
* All the fun and challenge of classic Sudoku, plus new smart point system
* Animated, colorful interface for players of all ages
* OpenFeint connectivity
* Optional hints, notes, highlights, tiles, and grid lines
* Five levels of play
* Games can be saved for resumption at a later time


Sudoku 2 PRO features an attractive, customizable GUI. All actions are animated, beginning levels are very simple, and the game includes complete instructions for play. The player continuously receives positive feedback through the appearance of an animated scoring of each correct entry, providing an immediate answer to how the "multiplier" is affecting each move. "Finger Arts has come up with a great take on the classic puzzle game and made it fun for online gaming. We think that our leaderboards and achievements will engage global competition and we look forward to seeing the game's community take off," said Eros Resmini, VP of Marketing and Developer Relations at OpenFeint.

The paid, PRO version differs from the free Sudoku 2 in several areas. The PRO version is ad-free, with a more spacious interface. Also, the PRO version adds two additional playing levels, Flash (super-easy) and Expert (super-hard) to the normal Easy, Medium, and Hard levels. Another difference is a third attractive game board, glass, plus standard tile and classic. And the PRO version includes auto-deletion of solved notes, green highlighting of matching notes, and optional deletion of the timer display for a more relaxed game. Planned for the future is a new Landscape mode.

"There are more than 150 Sudoku games in the App Store," commented company president Luigi Lira. "We think we've got the best, and it is now patent pending."

Language Support:
* US English, French, German, Italian and Spanish


Pricing and Availability:
Sudoku 2 PRO is priced at $2.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies), and will be available at the special introductory price of $1.99 on June 4 and 5 exclusively through the App Store in the Games category. Review copies are available upon request.

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