award

Matchy is a Windows Phone indie puzzle game developed by our own RogueCode at a previous Nokia Lumia hackathon in Durban, South Africa. Attending developers had just 48 hours to create a brand new Windows Phone app from scratch. While this may not sound overly difficult to the average consumer, it can prove difficult for the individual who has to go from concept in the mind to working prototype in a prompt fashion. Luckily he pulled through and created Matchy before the time was up.

We last looked at Matchy when it was released on the Marketplace for everyone to enjoy. Now we're pleased to announce that it has won "Windows Phone App of the Year" at the recent MTN (website) mobile app awards. To recap on the game itself - the gist of Matchy is to rotate objects into position on the screen to match the provided shadow. Four game modes are available for the player to enjoy, which are 1 minute sprint, 3 minute rush, 6 minute run and Continuous. The last option gives the player just six seconds to solve each puzzle, consider it the challenge mode for those with speedy reactions and a sharp mind.

There's been some beautiful headlines lately with the Windows Phone OS taking awards, winning polls, and more. Adding to the trophy cabinet is "Operating System of the Year", judged at the 2011 Know Your Mobile Awards. The Metro interface was the main focus, which differentiates the OS from the likes of both iOS and Android. Xbox Live, Bing, Windows Live and Office integration were also highlights.

Runners up were Samsung's Bada and Blackberry 7. A selection of comments from judges on Microsoft's winning OS:

"It has the most potential, with a unique interface and a rapidly growing apps selection. It has a great looking UI and doesn't look like Android or iOS."

"A massive move from the previous OS. Huge growth in apps and the system looks heaps better than the competition."

"Innovative interface, with more success to come."

"A refreshing OS that doesn't try and copy other operating systems. Has attracted a large number of developers too."

Source: Know Your Mobile, thanks Ahmed for the tip!

We threw up a post not so long ago where fans of the Windows Phone platform could go through and vote for the team to win the IDEA: People's Choice Award. At the ceremony the WP team were celebrating with just not one award, but three. They acquired People's Choice, Best in Show and Interaction awards.

Thanking fans and voters alike over Twitter, the team have seen both investment and innovation of the Metro UI being paid off with implementation in Windows 8 and Xbox 360, as well as awareness by the industry for its simplicity.

Source: Twitter [@WPDesignTeam]