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Google Play adds 'Offline Games' section
Those worried that the games they play on their Android devices might be subtly pushing them ever-closer to their carrier's data cap can rest a bit easier by perusing the offerings in Google Play's newly-launched "Offline Games" section. Like the name says, all games found in the Offline Games section require no Internet connectivity beyond the initial download. While this means the games (which include Plague Inc., Jetpack Joyride and Minecraft - Pocket Edition) won't automatically tap into the cloud for leaderboard updates and in-app purchase reminders, it also means your monthly phone bill won't suddenly inflate to ludicrous levels simply because you spent an especially boring afternoon at the DMV with only your portable device for entertainment. As Engadget points out, the Offline Games section is currently paltry when compared to the thousands of games otherwise available on Google Play, but it's a start. Hopefully more mobile developers will see this move as a reminder that not everyone has an unlimited data plan. [Image: Google]
Jetpack Joyride ascends to two million downloads on PSN
Speaking to Joystiq at GDC today, Halfbrick Chief Marketing Officer Phil Larsen confirmed with that Jetpack Joyride has amassed two million downloads on PSN. Halfbrick unleashed Jetpack Joyride on Sony's network in November 2012, initially as a $3.99 download. In December, the game became free on PSN, quickly rising to its first million downloads by February of this year.
Jetpack Joyride sells over a million copies on PSN
Fruit Ninja developer Halfbrick announced today that its other baby, Jetpack Joyride, has been downloaded over a million times on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita. The portable PlayStation version of the game has also recently received an update that integrates Twitter support and "performance upgrades."Jetpack Joyride is currently available on... wait, let's try this another way. Jetpack Joyride is currently not available on Xbox 360, Nintendo systems and most brands of toasters.
Jetpack Joyride free on PSN in NA on Monday, today in Europe
Halfbrick's Jetpack Joyride will become a free download on the PlayStation Network beginning today, December 21, in Europe and Monday, December 31, in North America. The game was previously available for $3.99 as a Mini for PSP, PlayStation Vita and PS3.Jetpack Joyride on PSN includes everything found in the game's 1.3 update. Fly, Barry Streakfries, fly as long as you can!
Jetpack Joyride lands on PlayStation Network
After going free-to-play on iOS and Android (and undergoing a subsequent Facebook port), Halfbrick's Jetpack Joyride has made its way to PlayStation Network today. Jetpack Joyride is available for $3.99 on Sony platforms right now under the Minis section, making it compatible with PSP, PlayStation Vita and PS3.Jetpack Joyride features the most recent version of the game, replete with waves of nigh-unending challenges, a store full of unlockable jetpacks, outfits and other virtual goods. Plus: lasers. There are so many lasers in this game.Jetpack Joyride on PSN also includes gadgets, like coin magnets and gravity belts, which were introduced in the 1.3 update.
Jetpack Joyride now on Android for free
Jetpack Joyride is finally making the rocket-assisted jump to Android. In fact, the game is available for Android devices right now on both Google Play and the Amazon App Store. Even better, the scientist-crushing, coin-grabbing action game is free on either service.You can watch the Android launch trailer above. You might think that it's exactly the same as the launch trailer that was released last year, and you'd be right, except now there are some extra logos at the end.
Jetpack Joyride beta now on Facebook
Those of you who work in an office environment: we suggest you just keep right on movin'. For everyone else, please enjoy the following news: Jetpack Joyride is now playable on Facebook for free. Yes, adventure after adventure after adventure with Barry Steakfries is now just a few clicks (and a few onerous Facebook permissions) away.It's worth noting that the game is currently in beta, and some of the seams are definitely showing. The visuals aren't terribly sharp and we even ran into some display issues, specifically if your browser view settings are zoomed in.Again though, it's Jetpack Joyride, excitingly and horrifyingly more available than ever.
BlackBerry making games catalog fruitful with Jetpack Joyride, Sonic, and more
BlackBerry is leaping into the gaming ring with the announcement of major additions to its games catalog. Along with yesterday's launch of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light on PlayBook, RIM is adding Jetpack Joyride (and four more titles from Halfbrick), Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, Smash Cops, Star Marine, Kami Retro and Galaxy on Fire 2 to PlayBook and BlackBerry 10.The announcements come from the BlackBerry World 2012 conference, running this week in Orlando.
Jetpack Joyride's 1.3 update lands Thursday
The version 1.3 update, which adds weird new items like the gravity belt, coin magnet, and X-Ray Specs to Jetpack Joyride, will be delivered to iOS this Thursday, April 26. Like the game, the update is free.With version 1.3 finally careening our way, Halfbrick revealed all 15 new items included, along with their functions. That information is listed after the break. And start saving up your in-game currency for a device that freezes you solid. It's helpful ... apparently.
Jetpack Joyride adds attractive coin magnet in next patch
Halfbrick has been teasing gadgets and gizmos aplenty for Jetpack Joyride's upcoming version 1.3 patch, with its latest animated short featuring the irresistible "Coin Magnet." The free update will be available this month and adds 15 gadgets to keep Barry Streakfries flying for as long as possible.
Jetpack Joyride's 'Gravity Belt' drops in soon
Halfbrick is teasing new, weird gadgets for version 1.3 of Jetpack Joyride, including today's "Gravity Belt." We don't know how it works in-game, exactly, but the cute video introducing it makes it seem like something that makes flight more difficult.We can't imagine Jetpack Joyride being more fun without all the ... jetpack joyriding ... but we trust Halfbrick to know what it's doing. We look forward to seeing how being stuck to the ground translates into fun.
The evolution of Jetpack Joyride's store, in pictorial form
Halfbrick's chief creative officer Luke Muscat took panel attendees on a whirlwind tour of the development process for Jetpack Joyride during his Depth in Simplicity: The Making of Jetpack Joyride panel. Aside from sharing what the final name of the game could've been, Muscat also showed us the progression of the store. You may not know this, but the Jetpack Joyride storefront wasn't always so slick.In fact, early on it was downright ugly, but Muscat and his team iterated and looked to competitors on the App Store for inspiration. We snapped some shots of the earliest versions of the store on through what Halfbrick came up with later on -- screens we've conveniently embedded in the gallery below.%Gallery-150322%
Jetpack Joyride was almost 'Machine Fun Jetpack'
During his GDC talk Depth in Simplicity: The Making of Jetpack Joyride, Halfbrick Studios' chief creative officer Luke Muscat shared the story of the 11th hour name change for Jetpack Joyride, which was originally supposed to be called Machine Gun Jetpack. "I'll tell you, we almost changed the app to this name because we thought by making it too drastically different we were going to undermine all of our marketing effort, but we actually had this name for a while: Machine Fun Jetpack," Muscat said. "At the time, we were like 'that sounds alright, maybe I could live with that.' Then I got in the next morning, and I walked up to Phil's desk, and we both said the same thing at the same time: 'What the fuck were we thinking?' I'm so glad we didn't go out with that name."
Jetpack Joyride straps on Air Barrys
Alongside finalizing a major content update coming this April, Halfbrick has released a teaser and some screens for the upcoming Jetpack Joyride 1.3. The game, which has seen 16 million downloads since launch, will gain "gadgets" in the upcoming patch.
Take a free Jetpack Joyride on iOS today
Did you miss the offer of a free copy of Jetpack Joyride back in October? You have another chance to avoid the exorbitant 99-cent price, and you don't even have to go through Facebook. Free App a Day is featuring Halfbrick's coin-grabbing test flight, so you can just go into the App Store right now and download it at no cost. To be absolutely clear about it, you should go get this free game. We were quite fond of it even when we thought of it as a 99-cent game.
Jetpack Joyride content update takes Barry to the woods, adds stuff to the store
If you haven't stolen a top-secret experimental jetpack in a while, good on you for sticking to your post-prison rehabilitation program. We know how tough it is for a jetpack thief to give up the glamor of "the life." ... Oh, wait, sorry, we got our files mixed up. We meant to address Barry Steakfries -- you can leave now, other person. Barry, we'd like to inform you that the latest content update for Jetpack Joyride adds 125 new mission badges to unlock, a new forest environment and some new achievements and store items. Halfbrick also managed to squash a few bugs, because we all know about your insect phobias, Barry. %Gallery-141188%
Get Jetpack Joyride free via App Store Facebook page
Jetpack Joyride is one of the more delightful jetpack-based games to come out this year -- and for a "limited time," you can grab it for free. The official Facebook page for the iOS App Store is offering the game at no cost for reasons unknown; probably as an altruistic gesture, since human lives are inherently enriched by the presence of propulsion-based backpacks. There's no telling when the deal expires, so we'd suggest getting it ... like, right this instant. Seriously. Go.
Jetpack Joyride update injects new jetpacks, reaffirms our loathing of Game Center friends
Our love for Jetpack Joyride is well documented, but we're not above admitting that accessing the game's leaderboard system is a bit on the cumbersome side. That's why today's surprise update with in-level leaderboard implementation is so, so exciting. Now, while flying along in your jetpack of choice, sign posts will point out friends' scores as you soar past them, maniacally laughing in the bathroom, all alone. The update also adds a pair of new jetpacks and a trio of wearable items for Señor Steakfries, giving players even more stuff with which to dress up the chronically murdered main character. Another bonus: The update is totally free, and the full game still costs $0.99.
Jetpack Joyride update adds new jetpacks, one Phil Larsen
The thing about joyriding is that it's a chaotic act, one that has no motivation or plans beyond the need to take a ride in the name of joy. Halfbrick's latest, Jetpack Joyride, embodies that spirit -- only with jetpacks. And today, a new update adds a couple new rides to race around in, MTV Multiplayer reports. One of them is a new vehicle named Mr. Cuddles, a giant fire-breathing dragon. Also added are a new jetpack which pays homage to the company's original hit, Fruit Ninja, and Halfbrick's head of marketing, Phil Larsen, who makes an appearance as a playable character skin. He's perfect for crossing two things off on your bucket list: playing a game as a head of marketing and playing a game as a former Joystiq employee. Congrats, Phil!
Portabliss: Jetpack Joyride (iOS)
Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Jetpack Joyride. The free NES games in Nintendo's 3DS Ambassador Program arrived at an awkward time, because the standout of that group for me, Balloon Fight, is now getting overshadowed by the many jetpacks of Barry Steakfries. Like Halfbrick's Monster Dash before it (and Balloon Fight's "Balloon Trip" mode long before that), Jetpack Joyride takes the autorunning genre defined on iOS by Canabalt and adds a few kinks. Unlike Monster Dash, however, Jetpack Joyride is deep, with a mess of power-ups, vehicles, and mechanical and aesthetic additions. I was repeatedly taken aback by how fleshed out Halfbrick has made its latest iOS game, and repeatedly charmed by the studio's presentation. Nods to past Halfbrick titles abound (beyond the main character's return from previous iOS games), and the inclusion of an entire vehicle poking fun at the iPhone's most popular franchise lends an extra layer of levity to the already cheeky proceedings.%Gallery-131935%
