Ruby Blast
| Ruby Blast | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Zynga |
| Release | Facebook, Zynga.com June 19, 2012; iOS November 15, 2012 |
| Genre(s) | matching game, social network game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player with social features |
Ruby Blast is a match 3 arcade game by Zynga.[1] The game was first released in June 2012 on Facebook and Zynga.com[2] and later re-branded to Ruby Blast Adventures after Zynga added a new mode with map progression.[3] An iOS version of Ruby Blast was released in November 2012 with an Android version expected soon.[4] In the game, players try to match three or more gems to activate power ups and dig deeper into a mine.[5] Ruby Blast on iOS is the first arcade mobile game from Zynga[6] and the latest Zynga game that enables players to carry progress from the Web version to mobile. Ruby Blast was closed on January 4, 2014.
History
Ruby Blast was released June 19, 2012 for Facebook and Zynga.com in 15 languages and was the first game to launch simultaneously from both Zynga China and Zynga Seattle.[2] Ruby Blast on Facebook and Zynga.com evolved into Ruby Blast Adventures, adding themed-level progression.[3]
On November 15, 2012, Zynga released Ruby Blast on iOS devices and said an Android version would follow.[4] The mobile version was released for 13 languages[7] and was built by Zynga’s China team.[8]
As of late December 2012, the game had 9.9 million monthly active users across Web and mobile platforms.[9]
Gameplay
Ruby Blast and Ruby Blast Adventures are match 3 puzzle games in which players attempt to match three or more gems to help Ruby, the game’s protagonist, recover ancient artifacts.[5] As players match gems, they dig deeper into a mine by activating power-ups. In the connected, multi-platform game, all progress including scores, gems, coins, levels and in-game currency is synchronized between the mobile and Web versions.[7] Players view their friends’ scores and compete to rise to the top of the leaderboard.[8] Both the mobile and Web versions enable players to compete in weekly tournaments and offer ways to help out their friends.[7] The Web game also offers an Adventure Mode, in which players advance through multiple levels and have the ability to compete against other players globally for prizes.[8][10]
Currency
Ruby Blast and Ruby Blast Adventures are free to play on the Web and on iOS devices. There is also a paid $1 iOS app.[11]
Partnerships
Through a partnership between Zynga.org and the United Nations World Food Programme, players of Ruby Blast Adventures on the Web were able to donate to the non-profit organization by purchasing in-game items.[10]
References
- ^ Duryee, Tricia (15 November 2012). "Zynga Launching Facebook Game Ruby Blast on Mobile". All Things D. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ a b "Zynga Digs Up a New Gem in Ruby Blast". Press Release. Zynga.com. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ a b Fahey, Mike (15 November 2012). "Zynga Brings Ruby Blast to iPhone Today, Bubble Safari Coming Soon". Kotaku. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ a b Grubb, Jeffrey (15 November 2012). "Zynga brings its match-three gem game to mobile". VentureBeat/GamesBeat. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ a b Lien, Tracey (15 November 2012). "Zynga brings Ruby Blast to iOS, Android version to follow". Polygon. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ Thompson, Mike (15 November 2012). "Ruby Blast hits mobile platforms, with a little help from Adobe". Inside Social Games. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ a b c Osborne, Joe (15 November 2012). "Zynga mines Ruby Blast for all it's worth on iPhone, iPad for free". Games.com. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ a b c Ha, Anthony (15 November 2012). "Zynga's Arcade Games Go Mobile: Ruby Blast Launches On iOS, With Bubble Safari Coming Soon". TechCrunch. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ "Ruby Blast Adventures". Reports - Applications. AppData.com. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ a b "Zynga Uncovers a New Gem With Multi-Platform Play in Ruby Blast". Press Release. Zynga. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ "Ruby Blast". App Description. iTunes. Retrieved 20 December 2012.