CastleCraft is a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) for Apple's iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch products. The app is free to download and the first stages of play are free. Originally when the player reached the point where his kingdom was ready to advance to level 2 a subscription was required, but now Dragon Crystals are used to advance and these can be acquired from [[]meteor craters]] or by purchasing them.

Existing subscribers’ subscriptions have been converted to Dragon Crystals at the rate of 1500 crystals for a one year subscription, 750 crystals for a 3 month subscription and 600 crystals for a one month subscription.http://www.pocketgamer.biz/r/PG.Biz/CastleCraft/news.asp?c=20499

The game is a real time strategy game and involves creating and managing a kingdom and its resources. The app can be downloaded from the iTunes store and once it is installed you are ready to begin. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/castlecraft/id355546454?mt=8 Next step involves naming the first city and selecting the server to play on. Initially the choice should be one that is relatively empty as there will be more resources available. As one gains more experience a server that has more population may be chosen so that it may be easier to find friends and allies. Now it is time to start building and gathering resources.

• Gold: Mountains
• Wood: Forests
• Dragon Crystals: Meteor Craters or Purchase
• 50 Crystals $0.99
• 1500 Crystals $20.00

Gold and wood are required for building and dragon crystals are used for upgrades and for speeding up building.http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/CastleCraft/review.asp?c=20814

The first kingdom will consist of a castle, a wall and 29 empty plots for building units. Initial production should be resource gathering units. Once resources begin coming in attention can be shifted to building other units. To advance levels the kingdom must have at least 1 of each of the 16 buildings. http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/CastleCraft/review.asp?c=20814 Also 1 residence for each 3 resource producing buildings will be needed in order to advance.http://castlecraftforums.com/discussion/255/castlecraft-beginners-guide/ Once all of the objectives have been completed for the first kingdom the player will advance to level 2 and can then really begin to expand.