Simogo

Simogo
Private
Industry Video games
Founded 2010
Headquarters Malmö, Sweden
Products Kosmo Spin
Bumpy Road
Beat Sneak Bandit
Year Walk
Device 6
Number of employees
 2 (November 2013)[1]
Website www.simogo.com

Simogo (formally known as Simogo Handelsbolag) is a Swedish video game developer based in Malmö.[2] The company was founded in 2010 and is best known for creating games for mobile devices, including Year Walk and Device 6. Its name comes from the name of its founders Simon (SIM), and Gordon (GO); the 'O' from the Swedish word "och" meaning "and".[3]

Prior to Simogo, founders Simon Flesser and Magnus "Gordon" Gardebäck worked at Southend Interactive, creating ilomilo (Xbox 360) amongst other games.[4]

History

In 2004, Simon Flesser was an animator working on movies and commercials. With the release of the Nintendo DS in the same year, he became interested in developing games for the new platform. This led him, in 2007, to Southend Interactive, where he produced art for several games.[5]

It was while working there that he met the other half of Simogo, Gordon "Magnus" Gardebäck. In 2010, the duo decided to leave Southend and create their own company.[6][7] Although roles were not and are not defined, Simon usually makes the artwork, sound and design whereas Gordon codes and does the paperwork.[3]

It has become a tradition for Simogo to post a visual collage teasing inspirations for projects the company is currently working on.[8] Hints are also visible throughout their blog, often hidden throughout seemingly normal announcements. After releasing their games, the company will usually provide insight into the development process as well as explain their previously cryptic clues.[9]

Games developed

Simogo is primarily a mobile game developer; as such, its games are usually first released for mobile products, then ported to other platforms such as PC and Mac. As Simon Flesser explains, the company usually develops the story behind the game prior to developing gameplay; as such, the gameplay is molded by its story.[10]

Kosmo Spin (2010)

The new studio's first release was Kosmo Spin, where the player attempts to save a planet populated with breakfast cereal people from aliens.[11] This game was made available on the App Store 2 December 2010 for USD $0.99.[12] Reviewers praised the simplicity[13][14] and "cute" graphics[15] of the game. It was featured by Apple on the App Store following its release.[16]

Bumpy Road (2011)

Main article: Bumpy Road

Their next game was Bumpy Road, following the adventure of an old couple on a road trip.[17] The distinguishing feature of this game was the mechanic where the player moves the road under the car instead of the car itself to reach objectives in the game. It was made available 19 May 2011 at a price of USD $2.99 for iOS and 12 April 2012 at the same price for Mac.[4][18] The game was featured on the front page of the Mac App Store when released.[19]

Beat Sneak Bandit (2012)

Main article: Beat Sneak Bandit

Following the success of their previous games, they released their third, Beat Sneak Bandit.[6] Playing as a bandit who must "sneak to the beat", the user sneaks into the mansion of "Duke Clockface" to take back the clocks the Duke has stolen from the town.[20] It was made available 16 Feb 2012.[12] Reviews praised the originality of the game,[20][21][22] along with its design.[23][24] The game was featured as the iPad Game of the Week.[25] As of January 2013, this game has sold 100 000 copies.[26]

Year Walk (2013)

Main article: Year Walk

Their next game, Year Walk, departed from their style of happy, cute games.[27] Year Walk is an adventure game about the Swedish tradition of "årsgång", or "year walking".[28] It was released 21 Feb 2013 on the App Store for USD $3.99, and PC/Mac on 6 March 2014.[12] The game was met with overwhelmingly positive reception: reviewers praised the dark atmosphere,[27][29][30][31][32][33] graphics,[29][31][32] sound,[29][30][33] and the story[29][31][32][33] of the game. As of 2014, it has sold over 200 000 copies.[34]

Device 6 (2013)

Main article: Device 6

Device 6 is a text-based puzzle adventure game. The games is played from Player249's point of view as he/she guides a person named Anna through a strange island with no memory of getting there. Using clues hidden throughout the text and images, the player attempts to travel though the story.[35] The app's text forms the map for which the player interacts; for example, a block of text moves as the player descends in an elevator.[36][37] It was released on the App Store 17 October 2013 for iOS.[12] Reception to this title was also overwhelmingly positive: reviewers lauded the creativity of the genre,[37][38][39][40] the narrative,[38][39][40] and the use of sound.[37][38] As of April 2014, it has sold 200 000 copies.[41]

The Sailor's Dream (2014)

Announced 28 July 2014, this game will be released late 2014. It is, according to the game developers, 'more open and quite non-linear', unlike their previous titles. Several screencaps and a trailer of the game were provided with the announcement.[42] Jonas Tarestad and Jonathan Eng, who previously worked with Simogo on Device 6, returned to work on this game.[43][44]

Reception & Awards

While Bumpy Road and Kosmo Spin received positive reviews, earning aggregate scores of 85% and 80% on Gamerankings, Beat Sneak Bandit and Year Walk received even more praise, with scores of 91% and 87.38%. The highest critically rated title from Simogo is Device 6, with a score of 93.68%, placing it in the top 100 games of all time.

Kosmo Spin

Bumpy Road

Beat Sneak Bandit

Year Walk

Device 6

References

  1. ↑ http://simogo.com/about/
  2. ↑ Nicholson, Brad (2012-02-19). "Simogo and How Its Sausage Is Made". TouchArcade. TouchArcade.com, LLC. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "About | Simogo". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Matulef, Jeffrey (2014-04-22). "ilomilo and Year Walk devs reveal canned game Brisby & Donnovan". EUROGAMER.NET. Gamer Network. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  5. ↑ Bradley, Lee (2014-02-21). "The Evolution of Simogo". eurogamer.net. Gamer Network. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Alexander, Leigh (2012-02-01). "Road to the IGF: Simogo's Beat Sneak Bandit". GAMASUTRA. UBM Tech. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  7. ↑ Gärdeback, Gordon (2010-08-02). "Simogo office is officially open!!!". Simogo. Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  8. ↑ Nelson, Jared (2014-05-30). "Simogo Shares Some Visual Inspirations for their Current Project". TouchArcade. TouchArcade.com, LLC. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  9. ↑ Flesser, Simon (2013-11-08). "The Making of Device 6: Art". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  10. ↑ "Simogo | One More Turn". One More Turn. Wordpress. 2014-05-15. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  11. ↑ Stuart, Keith (2010-11-22). "The 10 best new smartphone games for winter commuting". the guardian. Guardian News and Media Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "Simogo". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  13. ↑ Erickson, Tracy (2010-11-05). "Hands on with indie arcade game Kosmo Spin for iPhone". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  14. ↑ Writer, Staff (2010-12-03). "Review: Kosmo Spin - It's The Most Important Meal Of The Day". AppAdvice. AppAdvice LLC. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  15. ↑ McElroy, Justin (2010-11-09). "Joystiq Indie Pitch: Kosmo Spin". joystiq. AOL Inc. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  16. ↑ Flesser, Simon (2010-12-03). "Kosmo Spin Featured by Apple in Appstore". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  17. ↑ Meads, Richard (2011-03-08). "Innovative platformer Bumpy Road coming to iPhone and iPad". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  18. ↑ Flesser, Simon (2012-04-12). "Bumpy Road now available for Mac!". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  19. ↑ Flesser, Simon (2012-04-16). "Bumpy Road featured in Mac App Store!". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Campbell, Nissa (2012-02-15). "Beat Sneak Bandit Review". TouchArcade. TouchArcade.com, LLC. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  21. ↑ Davis, Justin (2011-11-09). "BEAT SNEAK BANDIT: THE FIRST RHYTHM STEALTH GAME". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  22. ↑ Wood, Nigel (2012-02-16). "Beat Sneak Bandit Review". TouchGen. TouchGen. Retrieved 214-06-08. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  23. ↑ "Beat Sneak Bandit review". EDGE Online. Future Publishing Ltd. 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  24. ↑ Nesvadba, Andrew (2012-02-16). "Beat Sneak Bandit Review". App Spy. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  25. ↑ Flesser, Simon (2012-02-17). "Is Beat Sneak Bandit iPad game of the week?". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  26. ↑ Flesser, Simon (2013-01-29). "Beat Sneak Bandit: 100 000 copies sold!". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Narcisse, Evan (2012-09-04). "Their Last Games Were Cute as Heck. This One Looks Scary as Hell.". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  28. ↑ Leray, Joseph (2013-02-21). "'Year Walk' Review - Be Careful What You Wish For". TouchArcade. TouchArcade.com, LLC. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Tabini, Marco (2013-04-15). "Review: Year Walk is a scary good adventure for iOS". Macworld. IDG Consumer and SMB. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Eddy, Max (2013-04-13). "Year Walk and Year Walk Companion (for iPhone)". PCMag. Ziff Davis, LLC. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Hargreaves, Roger (2014-03-10). "Year Walk PC review – from smartphone to Steam". Metro. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 Sliva, Marty (2013-03-21). "Year Walk Revew - IGN". IGN. IGN Entertainment Inc. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Schilling, Chris (2013-02-23). "Year Walk review". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  34. ↑ Flesser, Simon (2014-01-06). "2014 + 200 000 + More". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  35. ↑ "Device 6 | Simogo". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  36. ↑ Donlan, Christian (2013-08-22). "Device 6: Adventure Texts". EUROGAMER.NET. Gamer Network. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 "Device 6 Review | Edge Online". Edge Online. Future Publishing Ltd. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Dotson, Carter (2013-10-17). "Device 6 Review: 148Apps". 148Apps. Steel Media Ventures. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Geist, J. Nicholas (2013-10-18). "Device 6 is a mystery game that creates as many questions as it solves". Kill Screen. Kill Screen Media, Inc. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Sliva, Marty (2013-11-27). "Device 6 Review - IGN". IGN. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  41. ↑ Flesser, Simon (2013-03-27). "Last week was crazy. | Simogo". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
  42. ↑ Flesser, Simon (2014-07-28). "Simogo presents The Sailor’s Dream". Simogo. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  43. ↑ Dotson, Carter (2014-07-28). "Simogo's Latest Story-Based iOS Game, 'The Sailor's Dream', Announced". TouchArcade. TouchArcade.com, LLC. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  44. ↑ Farokhmanesh, Megan (2014-07-28). "The Sailor's Dream is the new game from the dev of indie hits Year Walk and Device 6". Polygon. Vox Media Inc. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  45. ↑ "Nordic Game Awards 2011: Nominees revealed". nordicgame. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  46. ↑ "ÅÅAÅrets vinnare 2011". DATASPELSGALAN. 2011-03-17. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  47. ↑ Schilling, Chris (2011-05-20). "Bumpy Road". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  48. ↑ "Games | Audio Achievement in 2013". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  49. ↑ Valay, Brian. "2012 EDGE awards". Gaming Everything. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  50. ↑ "2012 Independent Games Festival Winners". Independent Games Festival. UBM Tech. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  51. ↑ "IndieCade 2012 Nominees". IndieCade. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 "Unity Awards 2012". Unity. Unity Technologies. Retrieved 214-06-08. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  53. ↑ "Best Mobile Puzzle Game 2012". EPN. EP Media Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  54. ↑ "2014 Games | Games Innovation in 2014". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  55. ↑ "The 16th Annual Independent Games Festival Winners". Independent Games Festival. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 56.4 "IMGAWARDS - The Winners". imga. NCC s.a.r.l. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 57.4 "Nordic Game Awards 14". Nordic Game. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  58. ↑ Brown, Mark (2013-12-26). "PG's top 10 best iPhone and iPad games of the year - 2013 edition". Pocket Gamer. Games Press Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 "Best App Ever Awards: Announcing the winners in the Best Adventure Game Category". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  60. ↑ "Best App Ever Awards: Announcing the winners in the Best Role Playing Game Category". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 014-06-10. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 "Brothers, Paradox win big at Dataspelsgalan". The Square. 2014-03-28. Retrieved 2014-06-08. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  62. ↑ Hodapp, Eli (2013-12-24). "TouchArcade Game of the Year 2013: Ridiculous Fishing". TouchArcade. TouchArcade.com, LLC. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 63.2 "Unity Awards 2013". Unity. Unity Technologies. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  64. ↑ "Device 6 - Apple Design Awards - Apple Developer". Apple. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 65.2 "Games in 2014 | BAFTA Awards". BAFTA. British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 Batchelor, James (2014-04-29). "Develop Awards 2014: The Finalists Revealed". Develop. Intent Media. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 "Game Deveopers Choice Awards". Game Developer's Choice. UBM Tech. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  68. ↑ "Winnters 2014 | Global Mobile Awards". Global Mobile Awards. GSM Association. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 69.2 69.3 69.4 69.5 "The 16th Annual Independent Games Festival Finalists". IGF. UBM Technologies. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  70. ↑ "The Mobile Mavericks Mobile Gaming Awards". Mobile Mavericks. 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2014-06-08. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  71. ↑ Brown, Richard (2014-03-27). "Simogo's psyychological thriller DEVICE 6 is crowned the Best App Ever". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  72. ↑ "Best App Ever Awards: Announcing the winners in the Most Innovative Game category". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  73. ↑ "Pocket Tactics Best of 2013 Awards - Pocket Tactics". Pocket Tactics. Wintermute Media. Retrieved 2014-06-08.

External links