We're live on the App Store with our latest casual title for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Pick Lifeboat up now for a limited introductory price of 99 cents!

Get out the water wings and chest wax, 'cause we're taking you out into the open ocean this summer with our latest iPhone game, Lifeboat.

Our new title sees a questionably sober captain leaving berth at the helm of a loaded passenger vessel.  Alas, as fate would have it, the star-crossed vessel hits un-cooperative waters and the player is forced to salvage the passengers before the murky depths (and the sharks) get a hold of them.

The gameplay puts you in the role of a relatively omnipotent agent of life, tilting the device to safely allocate passengers into their lifeboats.  Be quick about it, though; you only have so long before the ship goes under, and it's a smorgasbord for the sharks.

Remember that scene in Titanic where the guy's freaking out about the lifeboats only being launched half full? Well, in our game, the passengers are even worse off, because, after so long, those lifeboats are taking off whether or not there's anyone on them, so you better tilt quick.

Of course with all that tilting, some passengers are bound to end up wet, so you'll also have to pull them out of the water before the sharks get their teeth into them.

People tumbling around are also bound to drop a few coins, and since you're their saviour, I'm sure they're more than willing to forgive you for pocketing it, and using it to buy upgrades for the ship.

As you upgrade, you'll benefit from stuff like quicker controls, bonus time, and stronger swimming skills for your passengers.  But enough of my yammering, I'll let some screens of the game do the rest of the talking.  For a closer look, check out The Appera's and SlideToPlay's first takes on the game.  We'll be keeping you up to speed with more info as the game approaches its release.

Vans isn't just great at making shoes, they're apparently also wicked at putting together cool trailers. Here's the latest trailer for Pool Service, now up on the App Store, courtesy of the team at Vans.

At long last Vans SK8: Pool Service is now available in the App Store.

Initial feedback is still coming in but several sites have already posted reviews including:

• Discussion in the TouchArcade forums.
• iLounge posted a roundup comparing Vans SK8 to some other games.
• The Appera seemed to enjoy the game quite a bit as well.
• Even ESPN has jumped in on the review action.

Let us know in the comments what you think of the game, and if you have any other feedback or thoughts.

Happy Riding!

Recently, Fuel had the chance to have a little chit chat with our friend Dan Maiman at Vans on our current iPhone game Vans Sk8: Pool Service, here's what he had to say...

How did you guys get into the skate business?

Vans began in Southern California back in 1966 when skating was first coming alive. Skaters liked the way the Vans shoes and our waffle sole gripped their boards and they began using the shoes as a means of self expression by customizing them with their own designs. That's why we still offer the Vans Customs program where folks can design their shoe with different colors and patterns.

You’ve been part of the skate scene for almost half a century.  How do you keep it punk rock in today’s commercial skate industry?

It's really about our team riders, events, artists, music and the personalities we align with. Vans stays with what it knows and doesn't attempt to follow the latest fads that come and go.

How many riders does Vans sponsor besides Bucky and Omar?

More than 5 and less than a 1000... Seriously, between all the different divisions (Skate, Surf, Snow, Bmx, Pro and Am) that would take a while to figure out!

With Pool Service set to release later this month, we're stoked to present you guys with the latest trailer. Check out some more gameplay footage, and take a look at some of the boards and wheels on offer. Most of all--let us know what you think!