GamePigeon

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]

GamePigeon
Developer(s)Vitalii Zlotskii
Initial release13 September 2016 (2016-09-13)
Stable release
2.2.4 / 6 April 2022 (2022-04-06)
Operating systemiOS
Size83.7 MB
Websitegamepigeonapp.com

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:

Sources:[5][6][7]

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]

Influence

Snapchat released an in-message games app called Snapchat Games.[16]

As an April Fools' Day joke in 2020, The Chronicle, a Duke University newspaper, published that Duke's athletic program adopted Cup Pong as an official varsity sport.[17]

The VoIP and instant messaging social platform Discord would release "Discord activities," with a number of games being exclusive to their subscription, Discord Nitro.

References
  1. Takahashi, Dean (October 20, 2016). "Mastermind Studios launches Battle Bash strategy game on iMessage". VentureBeat. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  2. Siegal, Jacob (September 13, 2016). "10 of the best iMessage apps, games and stickers for iOS 10 on launch day". Boy Genius Report. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  3. Bond, John-Michael (February 28, 2020). "Text like a champ with these 5 free apps for iMessages". The Daily Dot. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  4. Dirks, Brent (December 7, 2019). "9 Best iMessage Games and How to Play Them With Your Friends". MakeUseOf. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  5. "GamePigeon on the App Store". Apple Inc. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  6. "Here's How I'm Hosting a "Social Distancing Cup Pong Tournament" This Weekend". WPST. 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  7. Chokkattu, Julian (August 18, 2017). "Own an iPhone 7? Try these 15 iMessage apps, sticker packs, games for iOS 10". Digital Trends. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  8. Vorhees, John (December 23, 2016). "My Favourite iMessage Apps and Sticker Packs of 2016". MacStories.net. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  9. Johnson, Khari (March 20, 2017). "Forget stickers: iMessage's top 15 apps and games". VentureBeat. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  10. Pullen, John Patrick (October 18, 2016). "The Ultimate Guide to Apple's New Messages App". Time. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  11. Bell, Killian (September 3, 2019). "Apple has no plans to scrap iMessage apps and games". cultofmac.com. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  12. "2020 Presidential Democratic Candidates Reveal Their Pop Culture Favourites". E! Online. July 18, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  13. Castillo, Michelle (February 28, 2017). "Teens explain how they really use Snapchat and Instagram, and why Facebook still matters". CNBC. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  14. Rao, Emma (March 10, 2020). "Revisiting introversion and extroversion: Learning from each other, part 2". The Tufts Daily. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  15. Webb, Jack (March 24, 2020). "People are reviving iMessage games during self-isolation - here's how to find them". Evening Standard. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  16. Sherrill, Cameron (March 31, 2020). "The 15 Best Mobile Games to Wile Away Hour After Hour Playing in 2020". Esquire. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  17. "Duke Athletics adds GamePigeon 'Cup Pong' as official varsity sport". The Chronicle. April 1, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
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