GamePigeon

Last updated
GamePigeon
Developer(s) Vitalii Zlotskii
Initial release13 September 2016;8 years ago (2016-09-13)
Stable release
2.2.4 / 6 April 2022;3 years ago (2022-04-06)
Operating system iOS
Size 83.7 MB
Website gamepigeonapp.com

GamePigeon is a mobile app for iOS devices, developed by Vitalii Zlotskii and released on September 13, 2016. [1] The game takes advantage of the iOS 10 update, which expanded how users could interact with Apple's Messages app. [2] [3] GamePigeon is only available through the Messages app, which allows players to start and respond to different party games in conversations. [2]

Contents

Release

The app was first released on September 13, 2016, coinciding with the launch of iOS 10. [3] The app was released for free, although it includes in-app purchases to unlock additional items, such as cosmetic skins, avatar items, new game modes, and an option to remove ads. [4]

Games in the app

The following is a list of games which users can play within GamePigeon:

Sources: [5] [6] [7]

Poker was one of the games included in GamePigeon at launch, [8] although it has since been removed and is no longer listed on the game's App Store description. [5]

Reception

GamePigeon has enjoyed commercial success, with VentureBeat noting that GamePigeon was ranked number-one in the "Top Free" category of the iMessage App Store, six months after its release. [9] Critically, GamePigeon has been generally well received, being highlighted by online media publications early on shortly after the iOS 10 launch. [10] It has since been included on many "best iMessage apps" lists. [3] [7] [9] Based on over 162,000 ratings, the game holds a 4.0 out of 5 rating on the App Store. [5] Julian Chokkattu of Digital Trends wrote "GamePigeon should be like the pre-installed versions of Solitaire and Minesweeper that used to come with older iterations of Windows." [7] On its launch day, Boy Genius Report included it on a list of "10 of the best iMessage apps, games and stickers for iOS 10 on launch day." [2] The Daily Dot wrote, "GamePigeon is easily the best current gaming option within iMessages." [3]

8-ball and cup pong have been particularly well received by media outlets. [11] The Daily Dot had specific praise for the app's billiards game: "8-Ball controls shockingly smoothly with your fingers, and there’s nothing quite like destroying a dear friend in poker." [3] During his 2020 U.S. presidential campaign, Cory Booker was cited as playing the game with his family. [12]

In 2017, CNBC cited one teenager who expressed that GamePigeon was one of just a few reasons that those in her age range use the iMessage app. [13] The game has received particular positive reception for allowing introverted individuals to exercise a form social activity; similarly, the game was highlighted as a way to maintain social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. [6] [14] [15]

As an April Fools' Day joke in 2020, The Chronicle , a Duke University newspaper, published that Duke's athletic program adopted GamePigeon's Cup Pong as an official varsity sport. [16]

References

  1. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (October 20, 2016). "Mastermind Studios launches Battle Bash strategy game on iMessage". VentureBeat . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 Siegal, Jacob (September 13, 2016). "10 of the best iMessage apps, games and stickers for iOS 10 on launch day". Boy Genius Report . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Bond, John-Michael (February 28, 2020). "Text like a champ with these 5 free apps for iMessages". The Daily Dot . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  4. ↑ Dirks, Brent (December 7, 2019). "9 Best iMessage Games and How to Play Them With Your Friends". MakeUseOf. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 "GamePigeon on the App Store". Apple Inc. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Here's How I'm Hosting a "Social Distancing Cup Pong Tournament" This Weekend". WPST. 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 Chokkattu, Julian (August 18, 2017). "Own an iPhone 7? Try these 15 iMessage apps, sticker packs, games for iOS 10". Digital Trends . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  8. ↑ Vorhees, John (December 23, 2016). "My Favourite iMessage Apps and Sticker Packs of 2016". MacStories.net. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  9. 1 2 Johnson, Khari (March 20, 2017). "Forget stickers: iMessage's top 15 apps and games". VentureBeat . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  10. ↑ Pullen, John Patrick (October 18, 2016). "The Ultimate Guide to Apple's New Messages App". Time . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  11. ↑ Bell, Killian (September 3, 2019). "Apple has no plans to scrap iMessage apps and games". cultofmac.com . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  12. ↑ "2020 Presidential Democratic Candidates Reveal Their Pop Culture Favourites". E! Online . July 18, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  13. ↑ Castillo, Michelle (February 28, 2017). "Teens explain how they really use Snapchat and Instagram, and why Facebook still matters". CNBC . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  14. ↑ Rao, Emma (March 10, 2020). "Revisiting introversion and extroversion: Learning from each other, part 2". The Tufts Daily . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  15. ↑ Webb, Jack (March 24, 2020). "People are reviving iMessage games during self-isolation - here's how to find them". Evening Standard . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Duke Athletics adds GamePigeon 'Cup Pong' as official varsity sport". The Chronicle . April 1, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
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