On this week's bonus episode of The TouchArcade Show we speak with Derek Laufman, one half of The Blocks Cometh [$.99] developer Halfbot. We cover a lot of ground in the interview. After a brief discussion of his birth, we dive into topics like how Derek got into games development, what made him leave his old gig and co-found a studio, and the controversy surrounding the release of Halfbot's first iOS game.

Other topics? Sure, we got those. I started up a "masocore" conversation, though in hindsight, I think the game fits into the genre because I'm terrible at it. Also, we dig into the flash game model from a developer's perspective.

You can listen to the podcast just below via direct download or streaming. Additionally, you can grab us on the iTunes �the Zune Marketplace. If you happen to swing by either of those lovely services it'd be awesome if you rated us. World domination is just a few five-star clicks away.

iTunes Link: The TouchArcade Show
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Direct Link: TouchArcadeShow-Bonus-005.mp3, 20MB

And here's a few musical notes: The Blocks Cometh theme music, which we use in this episode, is provided courtesy of Hyperduck Soundworks, the creators of said music. You can visit them on the web here. Jim Guthrie's Audio Pepsi, of course, opens and closes the 'cast.�You can buy the entire album or stream all the songs�at his Web site. Guthrie is also responsible for the�Sword & Sworcery [$4.99] soundtrack.

I have a +20 resistance against video games trans-media, but I think I'm going to have to do a saving throw because of these. Toy Wiz, a company that produces Angry Birds as well as Magic: The Gathering, Harry Potter, Pokemon and many more branded toys, is set to produce a line Om Nom plushies for shipment later this October. Om Nom, if ya' didn't know, is the lead in Cut The Rope [$.99 / HD / Lite], the fantastic bubble-popping game that stars the cutest monster this side of Alf or that huge duck-thing in that George Lucas flick. No, really.

While we're on the subject of Cut The Rope, we'll alert you to this choice bit of news: a set of brand new levels is coming "soon" via a free update. We're talking 25 levels in total, with new puzzle mechanics and concept art to collect. The package has been dubbed Toy Box.

Alongside this update, Chillingo will be adding in an IAP option called the "Star Key." After purchased and used, the item unlocks all the sets of levels in the game, essentially ridding the need to collect enough stars to progress further and further.

Before you grumble, remember that this is an optional purchase and probably intended for the uber-casual crowd that just wants to see and experience the entire game without the hassle of… solving puzzles.

Gamenauts, creators of an iOS title we liked very much called Stickbound [Free], have released a video for their newest project called Ninja Fishing. Basically, it takes the novel slicing gameplay of Fruit Ninja [99�] and couples it with… fishing. It may sound like a pretty strange premise, but after watching the trailer I actually think it looks pretty intriguing. You'll use tilt to control a fishing line as it lowers into the depths of the water, hooking fish along the way. Then, as you reel them up and above the surface, they are flung into the air where you must quickly slice 'em and dice 'em with your katana, Fruit Ninja style.

The key to success in Ninja Fishing is getting your line as deep as possible into the water before it hooks a fish and begins its ascent, giving you more time to hook additional fish on the way up. The more fish that you slice up, the more gold you earn which can be used for upgrades to your katana and hook, as well as other gameplay modifiers. Ninja Fishing sounds like it might just be wacky enough to work, and we'll be able to find out when it launches on August 4th for 99�. We'll be sure to check out Ninja Fishing when it releases, and be sure to stop by�the game's discussion thread in our forums.