Software:GamePigeon
 App Store icon | |
| Developer(s) | Vitalii Zlotskii |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 13 September 2016 |
| Stable release | 2.2.4
/ 6 April 2022 |
| Operating system | iOS |
| Size | 83.7 MB |
| Website | gamepigeonapp |
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]
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:
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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
- ↑ Takahashi, Dean (October 20, 2016). "Mastermind Studios launches Battle Bash strategy game on iMessage". VentureBeat. https://venturebeat.com/2016/10/20/mastermind-studios-launches-battle-bash-strategy-game-on-imessage/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Siegal, Jacob (September 13, 2016). "10 of the best iMessage apps, games and stickers for iOS 10 on launch day". Boy Genius Report. https://bgr.com/2016/09/13/ios-10-best-apps-games-stickers/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Bond, John-Michael (February 28, 2020). "Text like a champ with these 5 free apps for iMessages". The Daily Dot. https://www.dailydot.com/debug/best-free-apps-imessages/.
- ↑ Dirks, Brent (December 7, 2019). "9 Best iMessage Games and How to Play Them With Your Friends". MakeUseOf. https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/imessage-games-play-with-friends/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "GamePigeon on the App Store". Apple Inc.. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gamepigeon/id1124197642.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Here's How I'm Hosting a "Social Distancing Cup Pong Tournament" This Weekend". WPST. 2020. https://wpst.com/cup-pong-social-distancing/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Chokkattu, Julian (August 18, 2017). "Own an iPhone 7? Try these 15 iMessage apps, sticker packs, games for iOS 10". Digital Trends. https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-imessage-apps-games-stickers/.
- ↑ Vorhees, John (December 23, 2016). "My Favourite iMessage Apps and Sticker Packs of 2016". https://www.macstories.net/roundups/my-favorite-imessage-apps-and-sticker-packs-of-2016/.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Johnson, Khari (March 20, 2017). "Forget stickers: iMessage's top 15 apps and games". VentureBeat. https://venturebeat.com/2017/03/20/forget-stickers-imessages-top-15-apps-and-games/.
- ↑ Pullen, John Patrick (October 18, 2016). "The Ultimate Guide to Apple's New Messages App". Time (magazine). https://time.com/4534887/apple-messages-imessage-tips-tricks/. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ↑ Bell, Killian (September 3, 2019). "Apple has no plans to scrap iMessage apps and games". https://www.cultofmac.com/649048/apple-has-no-plans-to-scrap-imessage-apps-and-games/.
- ↑ "2020 Presidential Democratic Candidates Reveal Their Pop Culture Favourites". E! Online. July 18, 2019. https://www.eonline.com/news/1056958/2020-presidential-democratic-candidates-reveal-their-pop-culture-favorites.
- ↑ Castillo, Michelle (February 28, 2017). "Teens explain how they really use Snapchat and Instagram, and why Facebook still matters". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/28/teen-internet-habits-instagram-snapchat-facebook-privacy.html.
- ↑ Rao, Emma (March 10, 2020). "Revisiting introversion and extroversion: Learning from each other, part 2". The Tufts Daily. https://tuftsdaily.com/features/2020/03/10/revisiting-introversion-extroversion-learning-part-2/.
- ↑ Webb, Jack (March 24, 2020). "People are reviving iMessage games during self-isolation - here's how to find them". Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/imessage-games-how-find-play-iphone-a4396311.html.
- ↑ "Duke Athletics adds GamePigeon 'Cup Pong' as official varsity sport". The Chronicle. April 1, 2020. https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2020/04/duke-athletics-game-pigeon-cup-pong-varsity-sport.
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