Ruby Blast
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.
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 |
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.
- "Zynga Digs Up a New Gem in Ruby Blast". Press Release. Zynga.com. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- Fahey, Mike (15 November 2012). "Zynga Brings Ruby Blast to iPhone Today, Bubble Safari Coming Soon". Kotaku. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- Grubb, Jeffrey (15 November 2012). "Zynga brings its match-three gem game to mobile". VentureBeat/GamesBeat. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- "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.