Five 2018 apps that prove Singapore’s got game
By Wong Jun Heng
The launch of Apple’s App Store in 2008 heralded the proliferation of mobile game apps, with mobile gaming now accounting for more than 50 per cent of the world’s global gaming revenue. With projected global revenues of US$50 billion (S$69 billion) this year, homegrown developers have been keen to get a piece of the action. Here are five stand-out apps that are winning in the international gaming arena.
1. Zen Koi 2 (LandShark Games) iOS/Android
The relaxing and mesmerising Zen Koi 2 is the sequel to Google Play’s Editor’s Choice (2017) Zen Koi, and builds on the addictive collection mechanics of the original while expanding existing features. Now you can transform the Koi into mythical dragons, and decorate and manage your pond. Released in January, it has already garnered over a million downloads.
2. Battle Sky Brigade Tap Tap (Battle Brew Productions) Android
Battle Sky Brigade Tap Tap came out of Google’s first indie Games Accelerator Bootcamp, held in Singapore in December. The resource collection game relies on a basic game mechanic of screen-tapping, but the real attraction to this game is its charm. The combination of audacious bunnies, sky battles and floating islands has already prompted over five thousand downloads since its open Beta in October. The game was a nominee at the 3rd International Mobile Gaming Awards this year.
3. Umiro (Diceroll Studios) iOS/Android
Even before its official launch on the iOS platform and Google Play in March, Umiro already garnered Best Mobile Game and Best Indie Game for beta versions at conventions like Casual Connect Asia and Tokyo Game show. Through a series of clever puzzles, it tells of the journey of two schoolmates through the mysterious world of Umiro, and the history of the land holds the key to their own missing pasts. With over 5000 downloads since its March launch, it has already made Google Play’s Editor’s Choice (2018).
4. Magic School Story (Happy Labs Pte Ltd) Android
School simulator Magic School Story was downloaded some 500,000 times in the two months since its September launch. While the game mechanic is simple resource management – the magic school layer takes it up a level. Between enrolling students, picking topics to teach and, managing classes, it is the closest you’ll get to feeling like Dumbledore running Hogwarts.
5. Chef Wars Journeys (Mindcake) iOS/Android
The upgraded version of Mindcake’s award winning hit game “Chef Wars” was released in July, and has been installed over 10,000 times since. The main goal is to manage your “celebrity chef” staffed kitchen while traveling the world to unlock new recipes. Mindcake has kept the best aspects of the original, removed some of more fiddly features, and added the fun of travel to the mix.
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