Case Study: Ace Rider, iOS game
The Challenge
Take an established game type and improve it specifically for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch; create a simple user experience with a unique look that appeals to an audience beyond just racing enthusiasts; achieve a level of visibility that leads to sales in Apple’s App Store.
The Solution
Gameplay: To accelerate, press one finger anywhere on the screen. Ace Rider’s track becomes more challenging the farther you go. It’s divided into sections with checkpoints and you get points as you pass each checkpoint. Bonus points are awarded for doing stunts like jumps, flips and wheelies. It is intentionally hard to make it all the way to the end. Because the gameplay is so simple, a single 'help' screen shows how to control the bike.
Graphics and sound: The visual style is clean, bright and engaging. Four different landscapes, beautifully shaded and finely textured, load sequentially each time you restart. We used real 4-stroke motorbike sound samples. Be sure to listen for the birds chirping, snakes rattling and siren wailing in the distance.
Game Center: Players gather a range of Game Center achievements - single, double or triple flips; big air and huge air; and game completion. They compete on the Leaderboard against other players.
The Results
We launched the game with a contest and promoted it via Twitter, Facebook, and a targeted blogger list. In the first 6 weeks it was played over 200,000 times. Our biggest success to date: #6 in UK AppStore top paid iPad games. Ace Rider has received a lot of glowing reviews as well as many ideas and suggestions. We’re listening to all the feedback and plan to implement new features soon.
Reviews
“… strips away the complexity of similar titles and creates an intense, uncluttered gaming experience that’s a whole lot of fun-- as long as you’re up for a challenge... a quality game made by developers who clearly know how to design toward a platform’s strengths.”
-- Chris Reed, Slidetoplay.com
“ There's something intriguing about [the game] but honestly, I don't really know what it is... maybe it's the well-rendered little motorcyclist, but I found myself trying again and again to get to the next checkpoint and beat my previous score... there's a solid chunk of entertainment to be had here.”
-- Mike Schramm, The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
“ It’s been a while since I’ve run into a game as deceptively simple... This 2D bike game is an absolute gem... It couldn't get any simpler than this, and in this case that's definitely a good thing. Finally a motorbike game for the iOS that doesn't attempt to mimic the consoles but instead makes the most of the platform in the most minimalistic of ways.”
-- G4TV.com Best Mobile Games
"Sound is the star of the show. One touch control and depth by the bucketload... amid the sky high profile releases, here's a walnut sized solid gold nugget of native iOS goodness that should be nurtured and supported."
-- Gabrien, TouchArcade review
