Jyvaskyla, Finland – Star Arcade today is pleased to announce Diamonds Paradise 2.2 free for iOS, an update to its diamond chaining game for one player, or two players anywhere in the world. With more than one million people in 180+ countries playing their games, Star Arcade is the undisputed global leader in cross-platform, real-time multiplayer gaming. The goal is to create chains by dragging between adjacent hexagonal cells that contain the same kind of gem, turning them to the player’s color. The longer the chain, the higher the score, and capturing 35 cells wins. Diamonds Paradise features strategic special cells (power-ups) and online tournaments with real prizes.

Feature Highlights:
* Diamonds Paradise 2 is the shiny successor to the original Diamonds Paradise
* Turn-based gameplay for one or two players
* Play with friends or be matched with an opponent via Star Arcade’s game server
* 35-second limit per move
* Capture 35 cells to win
* Exciting tournament play with real prizes

“A swarm of bees was looking for a perfect place to build their hive. Accidentally, they fly over a tropical island, which looked just perfect. The island was filled with shiny diamonds, which were extremely handy in hive building. The only problem was that another swarm of bees arrived and needed the diamonds also. This is where you come in. Will you help the hardworking bees to capture the diamonds and build their hive?” So begins Diamonds Paradise 2.

The gameboard consists of a 9 x 7 grid of six-sided, hexagonal cells. The color of each cell is beige, but the cell turns red or blue depending upon the player who captures it. In the center of each cell is a diamond, which come in various shapes and colors. In their turn, players capture a cell by sliding their finger across three or more adjacent cells of the same diamond. Unlike a square cell with four adjacent cells, a hexagonal cell has six adjacent cells, which makes finding matches and forming chains easier. As players drag from cell to cell, arrows indicate the direction of the path, which lights up. Players can retrace their steps if they find a better route.

Long chains give players bonus points and special items like dynamite, which appears in a captured cell. Players can include the dynamite in a chain, which requires a payment in coins, and when the dynamite explodes during scoring, all the adjacent cells are captured. A bee can appear on a cell, and including that cell in a chain causes the bee to fly off, capturing additional cells. These power-ups create challenging strategic considerations that add to playability. Another strategic aspect of the game is choosing whether to create chains of the maximum length, versus chains that take cells away from the opponent.

“Nothing beats the fun and excitement of playing with friends and family playing Diamonds Paradise in one-on-one mode,” commented Harri Myllylä of Star Arcade. “You can also hang out in the chat room before or after every game to interact with whomever it is you’re rooting to play against or anyone within the global platform who seeks to meet new friends and gaming companions. You can also gain different power-ups that will help you get through every rough patch in the way.”

Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
* Requires iOS 5.0 or later
* Universal app optimized for display on all iOS devices
* 39.8 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Diamonds Paradise 2.2 is free and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Games category. Additional diamonds and coins are available as in-app purchases.

Star Arcade
Diamonds Paradise 2.2
Download from iTunes
YouTube Video
Screenshot
App icon

Based in Finland, Star Arcade was founded in 2010. Star Arcade is the undisputed global leader in cross-platform, real-time multiplayer gaming. Star Arcade – Never Play Alone. Copyright (C) 2010-2013 Star Arcade. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks and registered trademarks may be the property of their respective owners.