Doodle Jump

Doodle Jump
App Store art
Developer(s)	Lima Sky
Publisher(s)	Lima Sky
Platform(s)	Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Symbian, Samsung Mythic, Xbox 360 Kinect, Windows Phone 7
Release date(s)	iOS April 6, 2009 Android March 2, 2010 Symbian May 1, 2010 Windows Phone 7 June 1, 2011
Genre(s)	Platform
Mode(s)	Single-player / Multi-player
Rating(s)	Apple: 4+
Media/distribution	Download

Doodle Jump is a video game developed and published by Lima Sky for Windows Phone, iOS, BlackBerry, Android, and Nokia Symbian and soon on the Xbox 360 for the Kinect platform.^[1] It was released worldwide for iOS on April 6, 2009, and was later released for Android and Blackberry on March 2, 2010, Symbian on May 1, 2010, and Windows Phone 7 on June 1, 2011. It was released for the iPad on September 1, 2011.^[2] Since its release, the game has been generally well-received. The game PapiJump by SunFlat inspired the gameplay of Doodle Jump. The game is currently available on nine platforms. As of May 2011^[update] there have been more than 10 million downloads across all platforms.^[3]

Variations

There are currently 9 variations in which the player can choose. Some are only available in the iOS version of the game.

Variation	Description
Original	The first version developed which consists of a blank background with the original Doodler and monsters.
Christmas	This version has a snowy background and the Doodler dresses up as Santa Claus and shoots snowballs. Monsters have also been changed to match the snowy theme.
Halloween 1	This variation contains a graveyard background. The Doodler resembles a ghost and glows, lighting up the otherwise dark screen.
Halloween 2	In this version the background is dark with spiderwebs and the Doodler is dressed as a Frankenstein monster.*
Rainforest	In the Rainforest version the background is a jungle scenery and the monsters somewhat resemble animals. The Doodler wears a classic safari outfit.
Space	This edition takes place in space. The background contains a picture of stars and planets, the Doodler dressed in an astronaut outfit.
Soccer	This version was originally made to tie in with the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it consists of a soccer field background, the Doodler wears a referee outfit, and the monsters wear outfits based on countries participating in the FIFA World Cup. *
Ocean	This variation takes place underwater with the Doodler wearing a diving outfit and a background which consists of the ocean floor. The player shoots bubbles and the monsters resemble fish.*
Easter	The background in the Easter edition is blue with Easter eggs and the Doodler is dressed as the Easter Bunny.*

* Not available for Android.

There are also two other separate apps for iOS, Doodle Jump Christmas Special (a new Christmas theme) and Doodle Jump HOP, (a new Easter theme) where you play as E.B. from the movie HOP.

Reception

Doodle Jump sold approximately 5 million copies and reached over 10 million downloads across all platforms.

It is one of the highest ranked applications on Apple's App Store (iOS).

Doodle Jump has received favorable reviews from fans and critics alike, with TouchGen mentioning the fact that the game is 'fun as heck' and also praising the sound and cartoon graphics which they feel give the game charm. The review ends by saying that the game is a 'joy to play' and that it's obvious that a 'lot of love went into this game.' Fans of the game have mentioned the addictive nature of the game and on forums throughout the internet it is consistently mentioned as being in people's top smartphone games, alongside other successful games such as the popular Angry Birds.

Criticism

Lima Sky received criticism due the fact that they did not attempt to prevent players with jailbroken devices from manipulating and uploading their high score, hence rigging the leader boards system. However, Lima Sky later responded to the criticism by updating the game in order to make it more difficult for players to manipulate their high score.

Cultural references

The Doodler has made cameo appearances in several other iPhone games, such as Parachute Panic, The Creeps, Finger Physics and Pocket God, just like the Pocket God Pygmies are playable in Doodle Jump.

In episode 48 ("The Adhesive Duck Deficiency") of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper makes a reference to Doodle Jump when he sees someone playing the game in a hospital. It is also later referenced in episode 82, "The Zarnecki Incursion".

The Doodler and the monsters featured in Doodle Jump were based on Elise Gravel's illustrations.

References

1. ^ "Doodle Jump is coming to Kinect". http://123kinect.com/doodle-jump-for-kinect/. 
2. ^ Acevedo, Paul (2011-06-01). "Doodle Jump has landed on the Marketplace". WPCentral. http://www.wpcentral.com/doodle-jump-has-landed-marketplace. Retrieved 2011-06-04. 
3. ^ Edwards, Cliff (2011-05-26). "Mobile Game Makers Move into Toys, Films, and More". BusinessWeek. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_23/b4231051944147.htm. Retrieved 2011-11-12. 

External links

• Lima Sky homepage
• "A Cheap Apple App Means Big Money For Developers", All Things Digital, Wall Street Journal
• iTunes Game Profile Page Interview with Doodle Jump creator Igor Pusenjak
• Official Doodle Jump Global Leaderboard
• iPhoneapp-reviews.com, iPhoneApp-Reviews gives it 4 stars