MissingFishGames

Indie, retro, and fun mobile games

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Teaser trailer for Wreck the Crew. In this game, you play as a blue spinning ball that needs to climb up a construction site while knocking down all the workers on its way. It’s meant to be a parody of the rivalry between Mario and Sonic during the SNES and Genesis era. The game is been developed by @missingfishgames and will soon be released FOR FREE on both IOS and Android devices. If you liked it and want to help us, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook: @mfishgames or share this post :]

Thank you!

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One Year of Missing Fish Games

We turned one year old on April 28, cue the fanfare and pop the bottles. Jokes aside it’s a wonderful feeling being able to celebrate a year of working on something so great. There were plenty of learning opportunities to be had and games that were published.

To the people who helped us along the way, thank you, your energy kept us going.

If you’re interested in reading more in detail regarding MFG’s timeline, check out our timeline on Gamasutra.

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Catch A Fairy 4.2.1

Catch A Fairy has recently received its second big update. Our goal this time was to implement connectivity between players while adding small edits to the core game. The intention was to incentivize players to strive for higher scores to share online.

We decided that implementing leaderboards and notifications would serve as a good lesson while boosting retention. Making decisions on what is best for Catch A Fairy is sometimes difficult since we must balance the cost/time to implement a feature with its effectiveness. The lack of player details only compounds the issue. To remedy this, we will evaluate how our changes will affect the game’s performance. Hopefully, the charts will point upward with this new update

Competition inspires commitment. We aim to promote some friendly competition by allowing players to compare scores. It may be easy to think one is good in a vacuum which can cause complacency. The leaderboard should help set a baseline for players to use when evaluating their skill. While we don’t have a clear vision as to which audience enjoys Catch A Fairy the most, this feature should definitely appeal to a more passionate player base.

Greetings, it is us, the developers. Push notifications allows us to communicate more directly than before. This means being able to inform players of new features, updates, and important details. The feature also asks for players to provide a rating so that we can better gauge the game’s reception. We understand that pop ups and notifications can be annoying if used too often and so they will be kept to a minimum. It wouldn’t be smart to spam players. Implementing push notifications was a learning experience for us but we prevailed in the end with the efforts of Eric.

So we didn’t get it perfect the first time. Iteration is path to a better product and so Catch A Fairy received some changes based on feedback we heard. This includes changes to the price of some items in the store and the stats for the wrecking ball tongue. We are now able to better see the game’s metrics as more people try the game which means we can make more informed decisions.

For example, this new update will bring the fun back to the wrecking ball price. We will continue to receive improvements as we see them. That being said, feedback and comments are always appreciated.

As mentioned in the previous post, this game has been a great learning experience as the team delves past theory and into the actual application. Regardless of what happens next, Missing Fish Games will continue its success in learning as we head into a new year. Have a Merry Christmas and happy holidays wherever they are spent.

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Catch A Fairy - Update 4.0.2

We’ve made adjustments and added some extra flavor to make Catch A Fairy tastier than ever. Our focus was to supplement the rhythmic play style with additional features that will encourage players to return to the game.

The first step was reflecting on the feedback we received combined with our own personal observations. Some key points we highlighted was that the game didn’t progress much after one cycle except for the increase of speed, players didn’t have any long-term goals between game sessions, and the flow of the game remained fairly static.

Fairies aren’t so alone anymore. Our simple solution to evolving gameplay over multiple cycles is to add additional fairies per level. Over time, more fairies will populate the screen as the player completes cycles. Players will now be able to time their tongue shots to chain multiple fairies for bigger scores. Also, the screen won't feel as empty to boot.

Some new tongues added. The frog’s tongue has different models now. He adapted to overcome the many fairies that will now appear at the same time. Initially, the game spiked in difficulty as players needed to catch increasing amount of fairies with the same timer. We concluded that adding a new frog’s tongue will be a funner solution than simply increasing the timer per cycle. Now, the player can be catching multiple fairies in a single shot. Another possible mutation was adding additional tongues but more testing is needed.

The frog gets a wardrobe.  Players can now unlock skins with currency they earn after each session. The reasoning is to create the sensation of progress even though the game always restarts with each playthrough. Coins will be awarded after the frog croaks with varying amounts depending on the final score. This way, players can save up to purchase their favorite skins that encourage them to return to the game.

Adding the cherry on top. The final addition is to cap each cycle with a bonus level. This stage is filled with fairies that the frog can gobble up with glee to rack up extra points before prestiging. More points also mean extra coins. We felt that the bonus level will vary the flow of gameplay where the player can relax before starting a harder cycle.

Overall, we’re satisfied with the outcome of our adjustments and our hope is that the game will be catchier than ever. There’s still more than can be learned and adjusted so feedback is always a plus. We appreciate all suggestions, observations, and skin ideas so don’t hesitate to comment. Also, there’s more in store so stay tuned to upcoming posts.

Download on  Android / IOS

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Catch A Fairy - Mobile Games

Catch A Fairy is a challenging, retro game based on Atari style. Time the frog`s jumps to hit fairies and keep the bar filled. Trust your instincts and you`ll find the perfect rhythm to catch a fairy with every jump. Chain multiple fairy hits without missing to raise your score to greater heights. 

Every game, the players earn game currency where they are able to spend in new skins and have a lot of fun. 

Title: Catch a Fairy

Genre: Casual

Status: Published

Console Reference: Atari

Release Date: Dec 8, 2017

Platform: Android / IOS

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Upcoming game: Catch A Fairy

Hungry? Good because its time to Catch a Fairy, Missing Fish’s upcoming game for Android and iOS. Play as a famished frog that seeks fairies to stay sated as the world passes him by. Make your phone go old school with Atari 2600 graphics and sound effects that belong in mom’s basement.

Catch a Fairy will splash on the app stores October 2017

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In space, no one can hear you scream

Prep your laser gun, stock the candy printer, and appease the Great Ones because Halloween is almost upon us! New members from the stranger side of the galaxy will soon be joining the TSA team.  We have already received applications from Frankenstein’s monster and Samara from The Ring.

Frequent passengers will notice some changes around the station but worry not. Everything you see is purely decoration. Do not mind the eerie fog, stray cats, and wandering tentacles. Just follow the guided lines and do not provoke the new TSA agents.

Keep your three eyes out for more information coming soon for TSA’s Halloween edition. Download TSA on Android and iOS

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War of the words meets luggage inspection

With all eyes on the feud between Donald Trump and Kim Jung Un, we decided it is better to see them push buttons in TSA rather than in real life. When things in life are scary and out of our control the best thing we can do is make light of the situation. That being said, we take our game development seriously enough.

Inspect 30,000 suitcases and you can play as the biggest face off since the Cuban missile crisis. Use the two to boost your score to greater heights. Just make sure not to hit the wrong button… Download TSA on Android and iOS

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Total Spatial Awareness - Mobile Game

Now hiring: PACKAGE JUDICATOR Work in the system’s busiest spaceport as the latest hire in spatial security. No training is necessary. Just don some gloves and report to station #381. The job is simple but tricky that requires quick reflexes.

Evaluate luggage as they arrive in order to keep the line moving. Any hold ups are unacceptable and will result in immediate termination. Vaporizing approved luggage will also lead to termination. Accidentally passed some forbidden items? Terminated. 

Newer hires will have an easier job, but we’ll cut out the slack and add more suitcases as time progresses. There’s no point working here if there isn’t any challenge.

Apply now, spots are limited and members from all forms of time and space have already signed up.

Total Spatial Awareness (TSA) is a pick up and play game that focuses on pressing the correct input with increasingly limited time. Characters & creatures of all walks have the chance to be spotted or even hired so keep an eye out for those unlocks.

Title: Total Spatial Awareness

Genre: Casual

Status: Publishing

Console Reference: NES

Release Date: Sep 15, 2017

Platform: Android / IOS

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Indienomicon’s latest chapter: Missing Fish

We paid the downtown library a visit to present at Indienomicon on September 7th. Edson and Eric presented our development methods, how games are chosen, and our two games Better Call Bacon and Total Spatial Awareness. 

Attendants stopped by our makeshift booth to try the games out while we answered questions and spoke design. We received some solid feedback that we didn’t consider which tempted us to feature creep just a small amount.

As always we enjoyed watching people play our games and have fun, a sight that helps fuel our future projects. Our plan now is to balance the feedback we received, our observations, and scope cost to finish the final details and deliver TSA before hurricane Irma cuts our power and internet.

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Missing Fish holds first event at Orlando IX

       (Special thanks to Priscilla Pasquarelli and Amy Hua for volunteering) 

On August 17 Missing Fish presented Better Call Bacon and upcoming game Total Spatial Awareness at Orlando IX hosted on Full Sail’s campus. As a stroke of fate, the building where the booth was set up happens to be named “The Fishbowl”.  The team got their hands dirty doing some DIY booth prepping that included setting up the monitors to display mobile gameplay and stenciling sprites on the table’s skirt.

This event was the first opportunity for the team to interact with the audience directly and receive feedback that wasn’t a digital comment. Hearing everyone’s impressions of the games and watching their playstyles helped gauge the games’ success and shape future decisions. 

Aside from play testing, players competed to score the highest on TSA to win a $20 Steam gift card. Some rose to the challenge and attempted several times to solidify their top spot but the prize was ultimately won by Francisco Gonzalez who scored 102, the only who reached triple digits. 

OIX was Missing Fish’s first dip in the pool of indie gaming but to those who weren’t able to see us, don’t worry, there will be plenty of future events.

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Better Call Bacon - Mobile Game

Race through dark streets as the newest delivery boy for Bacon, the hottest burger joint in town. Play as Eddie, a man who needs some money to repair the brakes of his trusty neon scooter. His rides never stops as you swipe to screech past turns and pop wheelies by holding down the screen. Deliveries are never easy as the famished stalk the streets in hopes of stealing Eddie’s precious cargo, a Bacon cheeseburger.

BCB uses the same eight-color limit that the hardware the 80’s allowed back then. Each character is monochrome and heavily pixilated to trigger the nostalgia of the target audience.

BCB aims to deliver by providing hard enemies to match the simple but punishing play style of arcade games of old. Each enemy has their own unique behavior that leads to pincer strikes and close calls with Eddie. Eddie must rely on his wits and wheels to stay safe since power ups have yet to be seen around town.

Each level is custom built to keep the game fresh and ensure each one feels unique. There will be six levels in total. The maps are populated by four enemies who strip Eddie of his delivery if they reach him or steal his bike if he’s caught without food. Losing your bikes means game over. Each level has six deliveries that must be fulfilled within a set time limit. Deliveries start with a yellow box that sits in front of Bacon. The player must drive over the box to pick up the package. Once the package is secured, the randomly selected house lights up. Simply driving past the house will net a successful delivery.

Each time limit changes per level but the timer is set to challenge the player. The timer resets the moment a delivery is completed meaning the player must race back to Bacon for the next package. Players complete the level after the sixth delivery is resolved. The score screen tallies the remaining seconds for each successful delivery before flashing the player’s score. Failing to deliver three packages results in a game over. Each level can be completed around three minutes meaning that BCB is the game to satisfy one’s itch when waiting around for five minutes with nothing to do. The pickup and play nature of the swipe controls means that most people can understand the premise almost immediately.

Title: Better Call Bacon

Genre: Maze Runner

Status: Published

Console Reference: ZX Spectrum

Platform: Android / IOS