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Here’s a snapshot of a day in my life:
“Mom, where’s my coat?”
“Honey, am I supposed to pick up the dry cleaning?”
“Have you read my memo on search engine optimization?”
“Mom, why do I have to shower EVERY day?”
So you might wonder if I’m insane or just conditioned to play a game of 20 Questions. I like to think it’s the latter, but several friends, at least one family member, and a licensed member of the state medical board say it’s the former. And not just for playing 20 questions. But, as usual, I digress.
20 Questions is a cute little game from inZania, the same folks that brought us Study Arcade and Mad Libs, both of which I find a ton of fun. And 20 Questions is fun too. I don’t have to explain how the game is played…do I? Really? Fine – it’s the same game you’ve played in the car with your parents on road trips, and the little electronic version that you may have seen. You think of something, and the game tries to read your mind, and has 20 questions to ask before guessing the answer.
This game asks all the questions you’d expect (like, is it animal, vegetable, or mineral as question 1), and continues to ask questions until it has to guess. If the game guesses at question 20 and gets it wrong, it gives the player the option to continue for another 5-10 questions to try and guess and learn. If the game guesses wrong, it asks you to type in the correct answer so it can learn from its mistakes. The game needs an internet connection because it uses a “brain” on the ‘net to not only figure out what the next question should be, but also to learn what the right answer should have been.
The graphics of the little Magic 8 Ball (that’s what I call him) are clever, and change expression along with his guesses and the game results. For a simple game, it is engaging, and I think the Magic 8 Ball guy they created helped to draw me in and keep me entertained. I played for 30 minutes straight yesterday while waiting for and appointment with the vet, and my kids played it last night and thought it was a fun way to pass the time.
I will say that it only guessed right about 40% of the time, but this is a new game, and if it is truly learning, then I expect the accuracy rating to go up. The $2.99 pricetag may be a little steep for a game that is so simplistic, but it’s a game that doesn’t have levels that you conquer and then get bored with, and it’s a different game every time you play it, assuming you don’t always think of the same object. With as much time as I spend waiting for delayed airplanes, I think 20 Questions will help make that time more bearable.
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- The rules couldn't be any simpler
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- Lots of options to answer the question
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- Don't hurt yourself...
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- Tee Hee!
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- Nice - gloating from a graphic.
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on Mar 5th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Thanks for the review! I’m surprised it only guessed right 40% of the time – I guess you really ARE smarter than the computer
But as you said, it does learn as you go – try again in a week and the results should be very different!
Perhaps someday soon you will be able to review MadLibs (as you said you find it a “ton of fun”!) – We’re releasing new MadLibs on it every week, which people seem to be enjoying.
One thing to bear in mind: These apps are brand new, and we are _really_ interested in making them perfect, so if you (or any of your readers) have any suggestions or problems with any of our apps, please feel free to drop me an email at:
apps -at- techTravelr -dot- com
Thanks again for the review!
– Jon Hughes
Co-Developer
inZania
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Chrisa reply on March 6th, 2009 9:05 am:
Hi Jon:
Thanks for stopping by! As I said, I think your graphics make this from what could be a ho-hum game into something engaging, so kudos on that.
I do love MadLibs – in fact, I love playing with my kids, one of which has a language disorder, because it makes her think of the right parts of speech (noun, verb, etc). So there’s my “mini review” on that!
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on Mar 6th, 2009 at 9:49 am
You may be aware that the award-winning 20Q (TM) game includes a proprietary and highly sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithm (AI) licensed to Mattel. The Inzania app contains 20Q copyrighted content improperly copied from 20Q.net which Inzania is using without permission, linking their app to the 20Q.net website. Such actions constitute copyright infringement, unfair competition and/or computer crimes under state or federal laws. Please remove this link and all archives relating to it from your site.
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Chrisa reply on March 6th, 2009 10:11 am:
Hi Tanis:
Since iphoneappreviews.net and I are neither the creator nor the distributor of 20 questions by inZania, I don’t see where we have to remove the review. That would be like saying a guy who did a review of Bratz dolls was contributing to copyright infringement, which is not only false, it’s kinda loopy logic. There’s no link to inZania, or its 20 Questions application on this site at all, dude!
Reviewing an application that may or may not infringe on Mattel’s copyright is not an act that constitutes copyright infringement, unfair competition, and/or computer crimes under any US State and Federal laws. I know this, because I file a lot of patents and own some technology-based IP. So while I appreciate that you might have some beef with inZania, I don’t see what it has to do with this site.
Hey – but thanks for commenting – nice to know Mattel is reading us!
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Michael (Admin) reply on March 6th, 2009 11:39 am:
Thanks Chrisa! Your response is totally right on.
Unless we hear from Tanis again, I’ll assume he’s taken Jon’s invitation to contact him privately which is the proper thing to do anyway.
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on Mar 6th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Tanis, this is most certainly not the venue for this, but as you have decided to bring this public, I am forced to defend myself.
20Q is a hand held game BASED ON the original game of “20 Questions.” Yes, the idea was turned into a form of AI originally by Robin in 1988, but the point is it was based on an existing “idea.” In-case you are not aware(which, by the extreme lengths you are going to get this game removed, I assume you are not), to infringe on your copyright, I would need to be using your registered name, “20Q.” This is why I chose “20 Questions” instead. I’ve spoken to a lawyer and I’m 100% in the clear here.
To put it another way, that’s like saying I can’t create a game that you roll lettered-dice and come up with words based on which letters were face-up on the fallen dice. That’s simply not the case, I just can’t create a game like that called “Boggle.” That’s infringement.
If you still feel like I am in any way infringing on your copyright, please feel free to contact me in a more private manner. You may reach me at jon -at- techTravelr.com.
Thank you and to those of you not directly involved, I thank you for your patience and beg forgiveness for this unsightly intrusion,
– Jon
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Michael (Admin) reply on March 6th, 2009 11:41 am:
No need to apologize Jon – thanks and I hope you and Tanis are able to get it worked out.
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on Mar 6th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Tanis,
I slightly obfuscated my email so it will not be picked up by spam bots, the email again is:
jon -at- techTravelr -dot- com
You have to replace ” -at ” with “@” and ” -dot- ” with “.”
Sorry about the confusion.
For those of you that are interested (I know I would be!) I have removed the app from the app store. While I strongly disagree with the way this was handled, I feel that it’s just not worth the trouble at this point to fight it. So for those of you wanting to play this app on your iPhone, I must sincerely apologize for getting your hopes up. As Tanis mentioned above, you may still play it online at http://www.20Q.net/.
Again, sorry about the disturbance, Michael and Chrisa — You provide an awesome service here for developers, and I hope that you will find it within yourselves to forgive me and by association, inZania, for this disruption. We have other apps that don’t cause nearly as much commotion, I assure you
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on Mar 6th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Hi Gentlemen:
Michael has the ultimate say, being the “Big Boss” and all, but for now, I have removed your comments from view that pertain to your copyright infringement/no infringement schtick. I wish you Godsspeed in figuring it all out, but it’s probably best done elsewhere.
Kumbaya,
Chrisa
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Michael (Admin) reply on March 6th, 2009 5:03 pm:
Chrisa, it’s your post so you’re free to moderate as you see fit!
In general I’ll only intervene if things really start to spin out of control, but luckily that hasn’t happened yet. Great, I just jinxed it…
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