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Halfbrick Studios are synonymous with cellular gaming, with each Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride being good examples of the quick-play, touch-controlled video games that made cellular gaming the fastest-growing leisure business on the earth. A little bit below ten years after Jetpack Joyride’s launch, phrase got here {that a} sequel was on the best way, with Jetpack Joyride 2 releasing into Soft Launch on Android and iOS early final 12 months.
However, these gentle launch cases at the moment are gone and the long-awaited sequel is now launching on Apple Arcade later this month. This is an fascinating twist, not least as a result of Apple Arcade was seen by some as an effort to save lots of the idea of premium gaming on cellular because the market continued to dive additional into Ad or Microtransaction-led monetisation.
We spoke with Francisco ‘Paco’ Gonzalez, the Product Manager and Lead Game Designer of Jetpack Joyride 2, about Halfbrick Studios’ transfer to Apple Arcade.
PocketGamer.biz: Jetpack Joyride has a protracted historical past as a stay product and stand-alone sport – even having a presence in arcades alongside Halfbrick’s different Hero IP: Fruit Ninja. Which elements indicated it was time for a sequel?
Francisco Gonzalez: It’s been greater than 10 years for the reason that first Jetpack Joyride sport was launched. Since then, we’ve at all times acquired the identical questions from gamers: “What about a sequel? When will the sequel come out?” For us, it was necessary to be sure that the sequel might supply one thing new, one thing totally different from the primary sport. And we didn’t need to rush till we discovered one thing that added worth to the expertise. We imagine that this new instalment not solely improves by way of content material and graphics, but in addition provides a brand new dimension to the playability. The capturing mechanic provides a brand new layer to the gameplay the place Barry takes an energetic position within the ongoing motion. And this can be a huge change!
Jetpack Joyride 2 was initially gentle launched, in choose areas, early final 12 months. What have been your learnings from the gentle launch interval?
The gentle launch interval was an amazing alternative to study from the gamers. It’s at all times nice to place the sport within the gamers’ fingers and see their response. The gentle launch interval helped the crew to validate some assumptions. It additionally tell us about which issues have been extra thrilling for gamers and which have been much less fascinating. Thanks to their suggestions, the issue and development of the sport has been completely revisited within the Apple Arcade model.
That allow us to put apart the complicated enterprise mannequin of F2P and give attention to constructing a very enjoyable sport!
Francisco Gonzalez
Which elements led to the choice to vary from a multi-format sport to a launch inside Apple’s Apple Arcade ecosystem?
When we began the conversations with Apple we realized quickly that this platform was an amazing alternative to develop the sport we needed. That allow us to put apart the complicated enterprise mannequin of F2P and give attention to constructing a very enjoyable sport! The gamers will expertise a extra polished and full Jetpack Joyride expertise because of it.
How have you ever discovered working with Apple on the manufacturing of Jetpack Joyride 2?
We’re very proud of the expertise. Communication has been easy, and Apple put all services to assist the event of the sport on its platform. The sport shall be out there not just for iPhone and iPad however for Apple TV and macOS.
Have there been any sudden necessities or advantages from the partnership to this point?
All necessities have been clear from the very starting. As I stated, communication was easy throughout the entire course of. And relating to advantages, yeah, one of many nice issues we’re getting from this partnership is a giant advertising assist by Apple Arcade. Jetpack Joyride 2 is among the huge bets of Apple Arcade and we’re actually proud of their implication within the promotion of the sport.
Can you inform me about one core gameplay change between the primary title and its sequel and what drove that change?
One of the largest adjustments, in addition to clearly the capturing mechanic, is that the sport is just not an limitless runner anymore! That signifies that now you may attain the tip of the extent! The purpose behind it’s that on this sport we needed to broaden the Jetpack Joyride universe. Barry will quickly uncover that there are extra laboratories in addition to Legitimate Research to run via! And with him, the participant will uncover new enemies, new hazards, and new bosses as they progress and full the totally different ranges!
Not tried Apple Arcade but? Here’s an inventory of each sport included within the subscription service and a variety of the explanation why it’s best to think about making an attempt it out.
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