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Halfbrick+ Lets You Play Popular iOS Games Like Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride and Mega Jump for $2.99/Month

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Halfbrick Studios is a game company best known for super popular iOS titles like Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, which have historically been freemium titles. Starting last year, Halfbrick decided to go with a different monetization model, offering all of its games for a low monthly fee.

halfbrick-plus.jpg

Halfbrick+, a $2.99 per month service (or $30/year), offers a bunch of updated takes on classic iOS games, with more titles added regularly. You can play without ads, in-app purchases, or irritating freemium game mechanics that limit gameplay unless you shell out more money.


The service soft launched late last year, but it's ramping up as Halfbrick has worked to add multiple games in 2024. Titles include Fruit Ninja Classic, Dan the Man Classic, Jetpack Joyride Test Labs, Bears vs. Art, Lazy Dog, Monster Dash, and tons more, with a full list available on the Halfbrick+ website. New games are coming on a regular basis, as Halfbrick is developing its own titles exclusively for Halfbrick+, and working with other game developers to bring classic titles to the service.

Just today, Halfbrick+ gained Mega Jump, an arcade platformer where the goal is to jump as high as possible while avoiding monsters and collecting coins. It's one of those classic iPhone titles that you likely played years and years ago, but it's back and better than ever with no IAP through Halfbrick+.


In a couple of weeks, Nimble Quest will join Halfbrick+. If you're unfamiliar with Nimble Quest, it's a fun little game that uses the classic snake mechanic. Players control a conga line of heroes, destroying enemies, collecting new heroes, and gathering treasure.


There are some obvious similarities between Halfbrick+ and Apple's own Apple Arcade subscription service, but Halfbrick is focusing on a more curated experience with well-loved game mechanics and the addictive gameplay that Halfbrick is known for. The $2.99 price point is purposely aggressive to keep it affordable for players, and there is a one-month free trial for anyone who wants to give the service a go.

Article Link: Halfbrick+ Lets You Play Popular iOS Games Like Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride and Mega Jump for $2.99/Month
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/09/20/halfbrick-plus-game-service/
B4U said:
Wait, so since we are not buying into this freemium crap, they are just gonna make that subscription instead?
That is still not what I would want to deal with.
Really miss the good old days when I pay for a game for a console and I own it for good.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the buy once and own forever model just isn't really possible in a world where the hardware and operating system those games are played on is changing constantly. Everyone looks back to the good ol' days of Nintendo cartridges, but the reason those games still work is because Nintendo could not update the NES. The NES hardware was the NES hardware and other than minor variations (like the top loader) it stayed the same. The games, and the hardware they're played on, is eternal.

This just isn't how things work anymore. Since the launch of the App Store, Apple has launched over 30 distinctly different devices, 18 major iOS versions, and hundreds of point releases during that time. What has broken things is the expectation that your 99 cent purchase in 2008 should have been supported through 16 years and all of these hardware / software revisions.

If you downloaded Trism on your iPhone 3G in July of 2008 running iPhone OS 2.0, disconnected it from WiFi and cellular, and threw it in your desk drawer, you can still play that same exact version of that game. That is the only way to have a buy once own forever experience. Subscriptions fix that because ongoing revenue allows for these games to continue to be maintained over time instead of just inevitably breaking with an iOS hardware / software update or requiring you to keep your device in this offline time capsule state.
 
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spercharged69 said:
Unfortunately, the buy once and own forever model just isn't really possible in a world where the hardware and operating system those games are played on is changing constantly.
Click to expand...
Not only that, with the constant security threats these devices face, there will never be a time when something connected to a network won’t be receiving changes.

Even if 20 million people would “never use a subscription service, ever”, developers only need to find a few million folks with money that are willing to support them. The rise of subscription services like Patreon has shown that there ARE people out there willing to part with a few bucks a month, a developer just has to be willing to ignore the “no-subscription” folks and find them.
 
Unregistered 4U said:
Not only that, with the constant security threats these devices face, there will never be a time when something connected to a network won’t be receiving changes.

Even if 20 million people would “never use a subscription service, ever”, developers only need to find a few million folks with money that are willing to support them. The rise of subscription services like Patreon has shown that there ARE people out there willing to part with a few bucks a month, a developer just has to be willing to ignore the “no-subscription” folks and find them.
Click to expand...

Yup. I'm happy to be a Netflix subscriber, but I have friends who absolutely will not subscribe to a video streaming service because they'd rather collect physical media from second hand stores. Neither approach is wrong, it's all personal preference. What's just always been bizarre to me is how fired up people get over a product or service they can just choose to ignore.

There's something weird that has happened over the last decade or so with the rise of social media and people having this weird belief that every product and service that is released must specifically be for them, their specific desires, and their exacting use cases. If these subscription things didn't have an audience, you wouldn't see every company under the sun moving in that direction.
 
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Jetpack joyride? In 2024? Subscription-based? Are they ROFLing or what?

I literally opened the game TWICE on my iPhone 5 in 2012 when I was sitting at boring school classes. And game already was “meh”.

They could have invested resources to make something modern and fun and not 2D lol. It seems funny that each year Apple is jumping out of their skins to bring newest and fastest SoC for developers to offer… CORNY 2D GAME FROM 2010???!
 
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spercharged69 said:
Unfortunately, the buy once and own forever model just isn't really possible in a world where the hardware and operating system those games are played on is changing constantly. Everyone looks back to the good ol' days of Nintendo cartridges, but the reason those games still work is because Nintendo could not update the NES. The NES hardware was the NES hardware and other than minor variations (like the top loader) it stayed the same. The games, and the hardware they're played on, is eternal.

This just isn't how things work anymore. Since the launch of the App Store, Apple has launched over 30 distinctly different devices, 18 major iOS versions, and hundreds of point releases during that time. What has broken things is the expectation that your 99 cent purchase in 2008 should have been supported through 16 years and all of these hardware / software revisions.

If you downloaded Trism on your iPhone 3G in July of 2008 running iPhone OS 2.0, disconnected it from WiFi and cellular, and threw it in your desk drawer, you can still play that same exact version of that game. That is the only way to have a buy once own forever experience. Subscriptions fix that because ongoing revenue allows for these games to continue to be maintained over time instead of just inevitably breaking with an iOS hardware / software update or requiring you to keep your device in this offline time capsule state.
Click to expand...
If it doesn’t work in modern world, I ain’t buying or playing it. Voting with my wallet (and others should too). One day developers will look into their lost revenue and failed expectations and probably reverse course. Obviously, they cannot sustain the same ancient game for 18 years, it should already become “archived” and new games, new products shall be developed instead which will be sold to both new and existing target audiences.

Btw Nintendo is not the best example since it is one of the greediest gaming companies in the world, apart from Sony. Still purchased Switch Pro Controller to pair with Apple TV emulators and Dolphin for few games that Mac can’t run
 
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shadowboi said:
If it doesn’t work in modern world, I ain’t buying or playing it. Voting with my wallet (and others should too). One day developers will look into their lost revenue and failed expectations and probably reverse course. Obviously, they cannot sustain the same ancient game for 18 years, it should already become “archived” and new games, new products shall be developed instead which will be sold to both new and existing target audiences.

Btw Nintendo is not the best example since it is one of the greediest gaming companies in the world, apart from Sony. Still purchased Switch Pro Controller to pair with Apple TV emulators and Dolphin for few games that Mac can’t run
Click to expand...

How exactly do you vote with your wallet if you purchase something and it breaks after an iOS update or doesn't work on your new iPhone because it was made by a one-man indie studio that has moved on to other things? By that point you'd be far outside of Apple's refund window and your ability to dispute the charge with your credit card.

I'm not sure Nintendo is the best example of this. They recently shut down the eShop for the Wii U and 3DS, and while purchases can still be downloaded, they've been very wishy washy on how long that will be true. Basically, if you want to buy software that will work forever, you need to exclusively be buying physical products that include 100% of the data necessary to use that application to be run on a firmware locked device that has no connectivity.

Unless you've pigeon holed yourself into that, you're not really voting with your wallet. You're just fooling yourself.
 
spercharged69 said:
Unfortunately, the buy once and own forever model just isn't really possible in a world where the hardware and operating system those games are played on is changing constantly. Everyone looks back to the good ol' days of Nintendo cartridges, but the reason those games still work is because Nintendo could not update the NES. The NES hardware was the NES hardware and other than minor variations (like the top loader) it stayed the same. The games, and the hardware they're played on, is eternal.

This just isn't how things work anymore. Since the launch of the App Store, Apple has launched over 30 distinctly different devices, 18 major iOS versions, and hundreds of point releases during that time. What has broken things is the expectation that your 99 cent purchase in 2008 should have been supported through 16 years and all of these hardware / software revisions.

If you downloaded Trism on your iPhone 3G in July of 2008 running iPhone OS 2.0, disconnected it from WiFi and cellular, and threw it in your desk drawer, you can still play that same exact version of that game. That is the only way to have a buy once own forever experience. Subscriptions fix that because ongoing revenue allows for these games to continue to be maintained over time instead of just inevitably breaking with an iOS hardware / software update or requiring you to keep your device in this offline time capsule state.
Click to expand...
Sigh, my PS3 still works perfectly fine with a game from 2008 and hardly ever updated since 2012.
The game cost over $60 back then, still a much better deal than these freemium stuffs that are constantly pay to win.
 
This is dope honestly. 2.99 is somewhat reasonable price, and them bringing back games like Mega Jump is great.

I’m not a fan of the subscription model, but it’s clearly the current way to do things unfortunately, and the only truly foolproof way to own anything digital these days is to pirate it.

And most importantly, I want to see a subscription or service from someone other than mega corporations actually be viable. I’m gonna give it a try.
 
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Apple Arcade already has some of those games. Will they still be available in Arcade?.
I play less and less, the quick fun games have died.
 
People think Arcade is terrible for $50 a year or as part of the bundled service. Imagine trying to present something so completely limited in scope for $36 dollars a year. I guess the one advantage is that the games won't leave the service since it's the developers own games, but who is that much of super fan of these games that that fact would even be a selling point?
 
The games business is tough, especially mobile. Having founded and operated a studio for 13 years myself, and having sold it in 2018, I wouldn’t want to be in a game developer’s shoes today.

There is so much content and the industry has had to endure a ‘race to the bottom’ on pricing for too long.

The only option for years was to offer a game for free and make money on IAP’s, ads and other tricks. Selling the game for $5, or even $1 - far less than a quality pint - means instant failure because the user’s perception has been for a game to be playable for free.

As a developer the only way to win was luck: Apple promoting the game! That went down the drain once they only promoted games for a week on a wall of new releases updated every week.

Then the salvation was subscriptions, but it wasn’t hard to see consumers are only willing to pay subscriptions for pain-killer products, not vitamin products.

All that when spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on development cost. People often underestimate how damn expensive it is to make games!

So although I understand the sentiment here, I wish there was a little bit more respect and positivity towards developers in the gaming industry. These guys often earn much less than getting a job in the IT industry. Only a handful are successful - and yes often that means cashing in - but the vast majority is in it for the passion and love for games.
 
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Halfbrick: Oh my godsies everyone we did an awesome~!~
Macrumors: Wow look at this TOTALLY AMAZING AND AWESOME DEAL!!!!!

Forum Comments: F**k this
 
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MacRumors said:


Halfbrick Studios is a game company best known for super popular iOS titles like Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, which have historically been freemium titles. Starting last year, Halfbrick decided to go with a different monetization model, offering all of its games for a low monthly fee.

halfbrick-plus.jpg

Halfbrick+, a $2.99 per month service (or $30/year), offers a bunch of updated takes on classic iOS games, with more titles added regularly. You can play without ads, in-app purchases, or irritating freemium game mechanics that limit gameplay unless you shell out more money.


The service soft launched late last year, but it's ramping up as Halfbrick has worked to add multiple games in 2024. Titles include Fruit Ninja Classic, Dan the Man Classic, Jetpack Joyride Test Labs, Bears vs. Art, Lazy Dog, Monster Dash, and tons more, with a full list available on the Halfbrick+ website. New games are coming on a regular basis, as Halfbrick is developing its own titles exclusively for Halfbrick+, and working with other game developers to bring classic titles to the service.

Just today, Halfbrick+ gained Mega Jump, an arcade platformer where the goal is to jump as high as possible while avoiding monsters and collecting coins. It's one of those classic iPhone titles that you likely played years and years ago, but it's back and better than ever with no IAP through Halfbrick+.


In a couple of weeks, Nimble Quest will join Halfbrick+. If you're unfamiliar with Nimble Quest, it's a fun little game that uses the classic snake mechanic. Players control a conga line of heroes, destroying enemies, collecting new heroes, and gathering treasure.


There are some obvious similarities between Halfbrick+ and Apple's own Apple Arcade subscription service, but Halfbrick is focusing on a more curated experience with well-loved game mechanics and the addictive gameplay that Halfbrick is known for. The $2.99 price point is purposely aggressive to keep it affordable for players, and there is a one-month free trial for anyone who wants to give the service a go.

Article Link: Halfbrick+ Lets You Play Popular iOS Games Like Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride and Mega Jump for $2.99/Month
Click to expand...
Subscription = no
 
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Some of us were smart enough to keep the games downloaded so we can play those on older devices :rolleyes:
 
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