By the time this post goes live, Halfbrick will officially be closed for the holidays. Where did the year go?! Most of the time we’re so busy looking forward that we forget to acknowledge our previous accomplishments, and that’s often the case at a company like Halfbrick. Thankfully, I'm here to fix that.
2015 was a year filled with new games, new content for old favourites, birthday celebrations, and some of our biggest partnerships yet. In short: a lot happened! So, let’s take a moment to look back at some of the major highlights from another action-packed year at Halfbrick Studios.
Believe it or not, Halfbrick released not one… not two… but SIX new games over the course of 12 months. Crazy, right? It was also one of our most diverse release calendars yet, encompassing party games, arcade classics, and even a learning companion. Bet you didn’t see that coming!
“Bigger, better, juicier.” Our friends at Hibernum talked the talk and walked the walk with an action-packed sequel featuring five new game modes, four-person multiplayer, and a colourful cast of ninjas-in-training. It was also a friendly reminder that I need to work on my cardio. Badly.
A bear that hates art. What’s not to like? This unique puzzle game is a personal favourite, offering endless entertainment in the form of mind-bending levels and the appropriately titled Infinite Mode. Looking to test your mettle? This is the game for you!
Now THIS is an app I could’ve used as a young’un. Combining exciting Fruit Ninja action with colourful characters and graded activities, it’s the perfect companion for parents looking to keep their kids engaged while they learn. Not an easy balancing act… trust me!
It’s random, it’s ridiculous, it’s really, really rad. This endless runner (if you can even call it that) was an instant hit thanks to its fast pace, epic tricks, and thumping soundtrack. Colourful, challenging, but never unfair, it’s the perfect time-killer for ad breaks, bus trips, or even a sneaky trip to the toilet. Wait… gross.
Having a party? Kick it up a notch with the official mobile app for Hollywood Game Night! Pop culture trivia? Check. Fast-paced gameplay? Check. Singing, dancing, and miming? Check, check, check. If you’ve seen the show, you’ll love the game. If you haven’t seen the show, you’ll love the game. In conclusion: you will probably love this game.
This game is so new it hasn't even been released at the time of writing! Pull off rad tricks, collect crazy characters, and eat a ton of burritos in a brand new game that will have you living out your skating dreams like never before. Don't just cross the road, own it!
Halfbrick released A LOT of updates this year. So many, in fact, that I don’t have room for them in this blog post. How about we stick to three of my favourites instead? Yeah, that’s probably a better idea...
Want to make a bunch of nerds excited? Get them to work on Back to the Future™! That’s exactly what happened when Jetpack Joyride paid tribute to Doc and Marty with one of the most popular updates in Halfbrick history. This substantial release included a brand new game mode, the Hill Valley 2015 background, three iconic Back to the Future™ costumes, new vehicles, and an awesome new jetpack. Heavy!
It’s hard to believe Fruit Ninja is five years old, mainly because the team at Halfbrick continues to add fresh and exciting content on a regular basis. 2015 was no different, with the release of a massive update to celebrate the game’s fifth anniversary.
There were new mini-games, a fully-fledged tournament, and our most powerful blade ever. Even our other games got in on the action! We also shot a feature-length documentary containing exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage. Check it out!
Coming in at number three is our pitchin’ collaboration with the team behind Pitch Perfect 2™. This aca-awesome crossover allowed fans to experience larger-than-life characters, unique instruments, and an iconic location from one of the year’s biggest films – all within Band Stars. A definite high note (pun intended) for everyone involved!‹ Back to start
How on Earth are we going to top 2015? Well, we already have a few ideas – most of them too early to share – but believe me when I tell you: it’s going to happen.
Our next game, Dan the Man, is already available in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. On the multimedia front, we recently partnered with YouTube to produce an animated Fruit Ninja series which premieres mid-2016. And, finally, our prototyping team has created a whopping 85 prototypes in the space of eight weeks. Will one of these be the next big thing in mobile gaming? We certainly think so!
Until then, thank you to each and every person who has supported Halfbrick through thick and thin. It’s been an incredible year and we’ll back with more in 2016. The future has never looked brighter!
What was YOUR favourite Halfbrick release of 2015? Let us know in the comments below.
