Backflip Studios

Backflip Studios was a mobile game developer and publisher based in Boulder, Colorado, United States.[1] It was founded by Julian Farrior, Dale Thoms and Tom Blind in April 2009.[2] In August 2009, it was announced that the company had raised US$145,000 in funding to continue developing for the iPhone OS.[3] Backflip Studios was best known for their free mobile game Paper Toss, which has been downloaded over 50 million times.[4] They are also widely known for Dragonvale, with over 10 million downloads. In 2013, Backflip Studios sold a 70% stake in the company to Hasbro for $112 million in cash.[5][6]

Backflip Studios Inc.
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FateClosure
FoundedApril 2009
DefunctOctober 24, 2019
HeadquartersBoulder, Colorado, U.S.
Key people
Julian Farrior (CEO)
Dale Thoms (CTO)
Tom Blind (Lead Game Designer)
ProductsGames for video game consoles, Android and Apple Inc. App Store
Number of employees
100
ParentHasbro (70%)
WebsiteOfficial website

The studio closed on October 24, 2019.[7]

Games

Ragdoll Blaster

Ragdoll Blaster is a physics game in which players solve puzzles by shooting targets with rag dolls and a cannon.[8]

Paper Toss

Paper Toss is a casual mobile game, set in an office. The player's objective is to flick a piece of paper into a bin. To make the game more challenging, there is a fan running in the space, thus the wind direction and speed are displayed, as they need to be accounted for when flicking the piece of paper. Players are scored on how many times they manage to toss the paper into the bin before missing. There are online leaderboards and different levels with varying distances away from the bin.

A sequel titled Paper Toss: World Tour follows the same objective, but is set in different locations around the world. There are 8 different levels ranging in difficulty.[9] It was released exclusively on the iOS and was never ported to Android.

A follow-up of the original, Paper Toss 2.0 (later retitled Paper Toss Boss) also follows the same objective. The follow-up includes new locations, diverse objects to toss and special features. The new locations that appear in this game include a warehouse, the Boss' Office where a sleepy boss lies, and an airport terminal. The number items apart from the paper ball, that are available have also increased with the option of using various food items and household objects and grenades as well. The game also presents special new graphic features that were missing in the first version such as colleagues who can be hit with the paper balls or drawers, fish tanks and boxes that break open. Another speciality is the Intern level, where an intern carries the dustbin with himself as he slides across the office on his chair. Here, the player has to not only adjust the angle of the throw with the air current, but also time the intern's movement correctly to get the ball in. The game also features an achievement list which can be synced with Game Center.[10]

All three games have been removed from the app stores as of September 9, 2019 and are no longer supported.[11]

Harbor Havoc 3D

Harbor Havoc 3D is a simulation game in which players direct marine traffic to their proper ports.[12]

Ragdoll Blaster 2

Ragdoll Blaster 2 is a physics game in which players solve puzzles by shooting targets with rag dolls and a cannon. It is the sequel of Ragdoll Blaster.[13]

Strike Knight

Strike Knight was a simulation game which is based on real life puck bowling arcade games of the 80s and 90s.[14]

Graffiti Ball

Graffiti Ball is a physics game which is based around a graffiti theme. You have to draw lines on a wall to get a bouncing ball to each level's exit point as quickly as possible.[15]

Tunnel Shoot

Tunnel Shoot is a shooter developed by Backflip Studios and Team Phobic. In Tunnel Shoot, you pilot a ship down an endless, colorful, vector-drawn tunnel filled with obstacles and enemies.[16]

NinJump

NinJump is a game. The player, as a ninja, climbing up the walls on the sides of the screen while dodging protruding objects and attacking things in the air.[17]

Army of Darkness: Defense
Main article: Army of Darkness: Defense

Army of Darkness: Defense is a casual castle defense game based on the MGM classic movie, in which you play Ash, a time-traveling, evil-fighting, S-Mart sales clerk as you defend Lord Arthur's castle and the Necronomicon from the oncoming hordes of evil undead.

DragonVale
Main article: DragonVale

DragonVale is a breeding simulation application in which players design a park and display dragons in habitats in order to earn dragoncash. Dragons earn dragoncash while staying in their habitat. Different dragons earn at different rates depending upon their type and rarity. Dragoncash can be used to upgrade a park with new islands, habitats, and decorations. Currently the game has a maximum park level of 135; and there is a total dragon count of 560, decoration count of 437, and main island count of 30 including the overgrown islands.

Buganoids

Buganoids is an action arcade game where you play as a little astronaut and shoot bugs on each planet.

NinJump Deluxe

NinJump Deluxe is an action game and the sequel of NinJump. The player, as a ninja, climbing up walls on the sides of the screen while dodging protruding objects and attacking things in the air. This version has three new levels.

Backflip Slots

Backflip Slots is a casino slot machine game in which you win cash, prizes and use bonus buddies. It also has the appearances of characters from other Backflip Studios games.

Mahjongg Dimensions

Mahjongg Dimensions is a puzzle game in which you have to match images and clear the blocks as quickly as possible.

Shape Shift

Shape Shift is a simulation puzzle game in which you swap shapes with the same colors in unlimited levels.

Solitaire by Backflip

Solitaire by Backflip is a solitaire simulation game in which you can play Vegas style, or traditional one and three card draw Solitaire. It's complete with different card themes, like Ragdoll Blaster, and a prizes display case.

Ragdoll Blaster 3

Ragdoll Blaster 3 is a physics game in which players solve puzzles by shooting targets with rag dolls and a cannon. It's the third installment of the Ragdoll Blaster franchise.

Gizmonauts

Gizmonauts is similar to Dragonvale, in that the player breeds, feeds and battles with bots instead of dragons.[18]

Ferno

Ferno is a simulation game where you move your piece around a dark space-like board and collect orange flaming bolts to grow your piece, and your score. With 10 waves of fiery madness, you can grow your way to the top spot in the leaderboards.

Dragonvale Wings

Dragonvale Wings is a flight simulation game, similar to the hit "Flappy Bird", where you play a young fire dragon from Dragonvale. Navigate your way through the floating islands, collecting coins and gems for more points.

Ninjump Smash

Ninjump Smash is an arcade style game where you play as the famous Ninjump ninja, breaking through walls to reach the highest score.

Dragonvale World

Dragonvale World is an offshoot of the popular DragonVale game. It features many of the same aspects as Dragonvale but with different dragons. Expand and decorate your park to your liking. Collect rare dragons by breeding and buying. Build fantastic buildings and habitats to generate more wealth.

Awards

In 2012, Backflip Studios was recognized by 9News KUSA Denver as one of "50 Colorado Companies to Watch".[19]

Apple recognized DragonVale as the #1 Top Grossing iPad app and the #4 Top Grossing iPhone app of 2012.[20]

References
  1. linkedin company profile
  2. arn (June 10, 2010). "WWDC 2010: Backflip Studios' Success and Upcoming Games". Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  3. Kee, Tameka. "game backflip raises money". Archived from the original on 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2009-12-26.
  4. "Paper Toss - Android Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-26.
  5. "Boulder's Backflip Studios sells majority stake to Hasbro". www.denverpost.com. Retrieved 2016-02-26.
  6. Studios, Backflip. "Hasbro, Backflip Studios and Space Ape Games Bring The Fight Home with TRANSFORMERS: EARTH WARS; Game Coming To iOS And Android in Select Markets Spring 2016". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2016-02-26.
  7. Takahashi, Dean (October 24, 2019). "Hasbro closes Backflip, studio behind DragonVale and Transformers mobile games". VentureBeat. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  8. Andrew, Keith (May 29, 2009). "Pocket Gamer Ragdoll Blaster Review". pocketgamer.com. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  9. "touch arcade world tour review". Toucharcade.com. 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  10. Mack, Christopher (December 14, 2011). "Backflip Studios upgrades time wasting on iOS with Paper Toss 2.0". Gamezebo. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  11. "Paper Toss". Backflip Studios. Archived from the original on 2019-09-13.
  12. Macinnes, Fraser (November 20, 2009). "Pocket Gamer Harbor Havoc Review". pocketgamer.com. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  13. "Touch Arcade Ragdoll Blaster 2 Review". Archived from the original on 2012-01-24. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  14. "Touch Arcade Strike Knight Review". Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  15. Pocket Gamer Graffiti Ball Review
  16. "148 Apps Tunnel Shoot Review". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  17. "148 Apps NinJump Review". Archived from the original on 2012-01-03. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  18. Rise of the Collectible iPhone Robots
  19. BackflipStudios (2012-06-19), Backflip Studios on 9News "50 Colorado Companies To Watch", retrieved 2016-02-26
  20. "About – Backflip Studios". www.backflipstudios.com. Retrieved 2016-02-26.
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