Zoe has mentioned Snailboy and the company behind them, Thoopid, on a few occasions over the past while but I have to admit I haven’t really paid that much attention. It’s not like I don’t want local developers to do well it’s just that I’ve learned to wait until a game is released before getting excited.
Well the Cape Town based crew of 5 behind the new game have now released it and Snailboy is now available in the iTunes app store.
Stop what you are doing right now and go and buy Snailboy by clicking here. It’s $1.99 and is a fantastic investment in local talent.
Here is their release trailer.
I’ve only played 10 or so levels so I’m not ready to give a critical assessment on the quality and worth of the game however to say it is of international standard is doing a disservice to the crew of Thoopid.
There is absolutely no way you would think this game is a small indie development based in South Africa, you would easily think this is the latest game from Rovio or King, except the graphics are better.Snailboy is currently listed in the Best New Games category on the iStore and according to Thoopid it is currently number 95 on the top paid apps listing.
So you’ve got a local developer with an incredibly good looking and fun game that is available right now for iOS devices and with an Android version under development. Could it get any better than that? Well yes it can, the game was apparently fully developed and released in under a year.
Are Thoopid primed to become the first local developers to break into the international market in a big way? I truly hope so; we so desperately need a thriving local gaming industry, to actually capitalise on all of the great ideas floating around MakeGamesSA.
For you cheapskates and non-iOS people out there, Snailboy will be at rAge so make sure you drop by and give the guys and girls a high-5 for their excellent work.
iOS people, go buy it now.
Last Updated: October 1, 2013
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Admiral Chief of Rivia
October 1, 2013 at 09:22
Haha, cool. Love the way it sticks against the walls
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
October 1, 2013 at 09:24
Mmmmm. Could this be a awesome new game for my iPad I see before me?
Tarisma
October 1, 2013 at 09:24
Sad Panda make and android one 🙂
FoxOneZA
October 1, 2013 at 09:39
It’s gonna happen faster than BBM releases on Android 😛
Tarisma
October 1, 2013 at 09:43
hahaha BBM a app that has found irrelevance in the past 2 years
FoxOneZA
October 1, 2013 at 09:34
Coming to Android too. Nice 🙂
Alwyn Venter
October 1, 2013 at 09:37
I will be getting it tonight. Been waiting for it since the trailer was revealed and it’s something that makes me proud to be a South African! Well done guys.
Rincethis
October 1, 2013 at 10:20
Good man. I spoke to the devs and they are great guys. The lighting in the game, along with particle effects, will blow your mind! 🙂
Alwyn Venter
October 1, 2013 at 10:22
Can’t wait 🙂
DoDoBeatz
October 1, 2013 at 09:38
“For you cheapskates and non-iOS people out there”… Is that really necessary now? Not everyone can afford overpriced iPhail devices. You clealry forgot to mention that the game is coming to Android but you punt rAge instead.
Sargon
October 1, 2013 at 09:41
Sho. Don’t rage too hard. You’ll be an iSheeple one day.
You all will…..
Muahahahahahaha.
ToshZA
October 1, 2013 at 09:41
He did mention the Android version is under development. Chill, and read the entire article before posting next time. 🙂
Spathi
October 1, 2013 at 09:41
“So you’ve got a local developer with an incredibly good looking and fun game that is available right now for iOS devices and with an Android version under development.” – From the article.
Also, “cheapskates” refers to the iOS people who doesn’t want to buy the game. Not people smart enough not to buy an iOS device 🙂
Brady miaau
October 1, 2013 at 10:10
Hah! “. Not people smart enough not to buy an iOS device ”
Awesome
Spathi
October 1, 2013 at 10:11
Said tongue in the cheek obviously 😀
Rikus
October 1, 2013 at 09:43
I was busy typing a reply and then all you eager beavers jumped in front of me. But yeah, my sentiments exactly. You are misinterpreting the statement and read before commenting.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 1, 2013 at 09:44
As stated below, you misread. He did not call those who don’t have iDevices cheapskates – he said those who wont buy the game or own iDevices should high five the guys. and yes, he did mention the Android version.
Gavin Mannion
October 1, 2013 at 09:56
Apologies if you felt I was trying to insult non iOS owners. That definitely was not my point.
Rincethis
October 1, 2013 at 10:19
Screw you Gavin, iOS is da best!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
October 1, 2013 at 14:16
Sheesh dude. You need to stop playing DoTA bud
Rincethis
October 1, 2013 at 10:19
CHILL the flip out man. Did you actually READ the article? Noob.
JHN
October 1, 2013 at 10:47
BUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRN
HvR
October 1, 2013 at 10:53
Rince did you play some Dota recently?
Rincethis
October 1, 2013 at 11:07
You shut up! Your mother, sister, nextdoor neighbour, dog! Pizza delivery boy! All NOOOOOB! (PS: Have never, and will never play DOTA, GTAV FTW!)
JHN
October 1, 2013 at 10:46
why U no read full article before comment?
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
October 1, 2013 at 14:07
Here is an english lesson:
“For you cheapskates and non-IOS people”
The and in that sentence separates two different ideas. But because the subjects of both are valid for the point brought forward later in the sentence (“Snailboy will be at rAge so make sure you drop by and give the guys and girls a high-5 for their excellent work.”) the word AND is used.
So because both subjects are relevant and not optional to the proceeding statement (Because the cheapskates won’t have the game and anyone who doesn’t have an iDevice won’t yet either as it isn’t on any other devices YET) the word AND gets used to indicate that both subjects are valid for the qualifying statement. OR cannot be used in that regards because it indicates that the fact of both being unable to access the game is optional and something that can be changed. Which it can’t.
Both cheapskates AND people who don’t have iPads will not have access to the game.
If he was saying that people who don’t have iPads are cheapskates he would have said “For you cheapskate, non IOS people…”. See the difference? There is no subject separator such as AND or, OR which then makes it an insult to people who don’t have IOS.
/RANT
Admiral Chief of Rivia
October 1, 2013 at 14:18
heheh
Sargon
October 1, 2013 at 09:43
Thanks for this. I have been looking for a cool game to try out on the pad that had nothing to do with birds. I’ll go snail instead! Boom!
Estian Hough
October 1, 2013 at 09:47
This is great and all… but…
Am I the only one here that wishes we’d have development teams working PC/Console games, rather than mobile games?
Estian Hough
October 1, 2013 at 09:48
As unlikely as it is, think of how awesome it would be for SA gaming if it was to release a AAA title, like GTA5.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 1, 2013 at 09:53
Yeah. We need to start somewhere though. We had I-imagine, who actually made Chase Hollywood: Stunt Driver for the original Xbox – but they’ve mostly gone back to making mobile games.
http://www.i-imagine.com/
Ben Myres
October 1, 2013 at 12:32
There are actually two South African developed games on Xbox currently: Ninja Crash(http://indiegames.com/2012/10/xblig_pick_ninja_crash_team_de.html) and Dirchie Kart 2(http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-us/Product/Dirchie-Kart-2/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550d9b).
There are two SA games that have been Greenlit recently: Broforce(http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=93927889) and Viscera Cleanup Detail(http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=159096666).
AAA Development will take a while to be possible. There needs more numerous local talent and funding to produce something in a reasonable time. In order to get there, we need indie game success to produce the people and interest. But also, console development is rapidly becoming a reality for indie devs.
cr1t
October 1, 2013 at 09:54
Technically, is that not a slug?
Gavin Mannion
October 1, 2013 at 09:55
No, it’s a snail with its shell stolen… *SPOILERS*
Spathi
October 1, 2013 at 10:02
Dammit Gavin!! The spoiler tag is supposed to be before the spoiler. GAME RUINED!!!
Mossel
October 1, 2013 at 10:04
*flips iPad over
Spathi
October 1, 2013 at 10:09
*Drops Phone in the loo*
Her Highness the Hipster
October 1, 2013 at 12:42
this is like breaking bad all over again!
Spathi
October 1, 2013 at 12:52
I watched the last episode last night, making sure I see the final before going online. Was SUPER afraid of spoilers. One of the best series I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. The music, story, character progression and especially the cinematography was all exceptional.
Breaking Bad has received the Spathi award of excellence along with Seinfeld, Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2, Coca Cola, Red Dead Redemption, Fight Club and The Last of Us for being more awesome than awesome.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 1, 2013 at 09:55
but, but..he’s trying to find his shells, which have been thiefed.
Spathi
October 1, 2013 at 10:10
Clearly a game by South Africans, with a South African setting too. 😛
Mossel
October 1, 2013 at 10:03
I shall purchase this game and engage it on the porcelain throne.
Brady miaau
October 1, 2013 at 10:11
Engage with it? Surely.
Yeah, modern times. Loo breaks are becoming longer and longer…..
Mossel
October 1, 2013 at 13:08
English might not be my first language…also, im good wif maf.
Brady miaau
October 1, 2013 at 13:34
Fair enough, just ribbing you. You know, for no good reason 🙂
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
October 1, 2013 at 10:16
That looks freaking amazing, I’m definitely getting the android version (once it releases). The Republic of Cape Town represents!
That Happy Twit
October 1, 2013 at 11:36
Will do the same.
Rincethis
October 1, 2013 at 10:17
I went to a dev meeting in CT and played this a few months ago. I was blown away by it. So people, do youself, and BUY BUY BUY IT!
fred
October 1, 2013 at 10:49
Is it on the SA app store in rands and cents? And if not ,why not?
JHN
October 1, 2013 at 10:52
Soon as it lands on android ill get it.
pikachu
October 1, 2013 at 10:56
coming to SA store soon guys.
thatguy
October 1, 2013 at 11:03
imagine the next game Thoopid will make, how can one top this game???
Verrayne
October 1, 2013 at 11:19
http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/1ni0zb/snailboy_ios_launch_trailer/
Go and upvote it so we can get these guys some international press.
Gavin Mannion
October 1, 2013 at 11:40
upvoted
That Happy Twit
October 1, 2013 at 11:36
So much of WIN!
Getting Thoopid
October 1, 2013 at 12:01
Loving all the local support! Keep upvoting and sharing Snailboy!
Rincethis
October 1, 2013 at 13:56
Indeed! But why no going to rAge dammit! 🙂
Alessandro Barbosa
October 1, 2013 at 12:24
“Are Thoopid primed to become the first local developers to break into the international market in a big way? ”
Um, are you completely forgetting that Free Lives are the first South African developers to be Steam Geenlit with Broforce? Or that Viscera Cleanup Detail was Geenlit as well within a week? Both of which are active members of MakeGamesSA?
Indie development locally has been a thriving community for a few years now, it’s not a new thing.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 1, 2013 at 12:32
To be pedantic, neither Broforce (which is all my retro contra dreams rolled in to tone) or Viscera cleanup Detail have actually been released yet. And Gavin didn’t say the local game development /community/ wasn’t thriving, but that as an industry it wasn’t. Not enough people in SA are making a living from making games, and as said, there are some incredible ideas shown off on MakeGamesSA (linked in the article).
This is released, it’s on a pretty damned active storefront, selling for actual money.
Alessandro Barbosa
October 1, 2013 at 12:41
I’m not taking anything away from Thoopid, because this is a monumental achievement 🙂
But the idea that seems to be prominent, especially when reading comments in this very article, is that South Africa doesn’t have a hard working, successful indie industry, when the exact opposite is true.
Also remember that being Greenlit on Steam is no easy task either, especially with it being open to the entire world. The fact that you have assurance that your game will launch on Steam is pretty noteworthy as well, that’s all I’m trying to say.
Stop only looking for the games that are making money today, and look for others that are also shaping up to change the industry locally forever. You might be surprised at what you find.
Gavin Mannion
October 1, 2013 at 13:15
Honestly, and yes I get hated for this, but I don’t think the local indie community is thriving,… thriving to me means people are doing what they love as a main job. They can actually live a good life while making games. That’s thriving.. we have a very active and passionate hobby industry that needs something like this to break out so that others can follow
Alessandro Barbosa
October 1, 2013 at 13:30
I don’t feel that’s a fair comparison.
Game developers don’t just sprout out of the ground and begin making money. There’s a ton of risk involved and a lot of experimenting that needs to take place before anyone starts taking notice. I think you can relate to that, as it’s probably the same process you underwent when you first started this very site 🙂
Game development has to start out as a hobby, which then in turn helps grow the industry. We’re in that phase at the moment locally, and it’s would be stupid to discount some of the incredible games being made by a lot of studios locally just because they haven’t made money yet.
Also, I’m pretty sure Free Lives already functions as a standalone studio, with salaries being paid to developers. Just an example of what I mean when I say “dig deeper”.
Ben Myres
October 1, 2013 at 13:31
I feel the same way about game journalism in SA… When you have sites such Lazygamer having their Twitter accounts being run concurrently as a personal accounts, that’s bound to lead to unprofessionalism: as it already has.
When you start acting professionally as a journalism site, perhaps then you’ll do the research about how many full-time studios there are in SA: Tasty Poison, Luma Arcade, QCF Design, Free Lives, RuneStorm. Those are just a few: all of which get frequent critical acclaim.
Brady miaau
October 1, 2013 at 13:34
Are those companies entirely self run, with the staff / owners getting no other source of income?
Alessandro Barbosa
October 1, 2013 at 13:34
Yes…
Ben Myres
October 1, 2013 at 13:37
Firstly yes they are.
Secondly, very few game companies make games without funding. That’s what publishers do – they fund the development of a game.
Spathi
October 1, 2013 at 13:39
Nice, getting down voted for a question…
Rincethis
October 1, 2013 at 13:41
See below. Thought it rather childish too.
Rincethis
October 1, 2013 at 13:41
Not sure why you would get a thumbs down asking a simple question. Some seriously angry people not reading what people are saying/asking and reacting rather stupidly me thinks I go to a dev meeting once a month and have met the team of Snailboy. Not many of them can say they work fulltime on their projects (as in other devs), most get very little money, and do it in their spare time. Which to me means we should give them more respect. But I do understand what Gavin is saying, we are not like first world countries where indie games are thriving at a huge scale. If we have 10 games like Snailboy coming out a month, THEN we could say it is thriving.
Alessandro Barbosa
October 1, 2013 at 13:45
If you go to the monthly MakeGamesSA dev meets (which I assume you’re referring to), then I’m not sure how you can agree with the view that our local indie scene is not rather impressive 🙂
Or are we going to different meet-ups? 😛
Spathi
October 1, 2013 at 13:48
I think your interpretation of “impressive” and “thriving” may be different than some other people on here. Those terms are extremely relative and needs qualification, which you have provided to an extent.
I’m not saying you are wrong (I agree with a lot you are saying actually), just that people’s views differ
Rincethis
October 1, 2013 at 13:53
HAHA! Nice 🙂 I think I mean what Gavin does, there is an awesome community, just because there are awesome people doing something, doesn’t mean that what is being done is commercially thriving 🙂 You go to the ones in Pinelands right?
Alessandro Barbosa
October 1, 2013 at 14:10
No one on Johannesburg, but they’re both run by MakeGamesSA 😛 You’re lucky, you have Danny Day and Free Lives at yours regularly 😛
Rincethis
October 1, 2013 at 14:18
Yeah lol. They’ve also changed the format, so more hands on games now which is quite cool.
Gavin Mannion
October 1, 2013 at 14:06
The ‘official’ Lazygamer twitter is https://twitter.com/LazygamerNet, mine is my personal one and I air my personal opinions on a regular basis on it
Ben Myres
October 1, 2013 at 13:35
I think this demonstrates a great naivety of game development business models. Making money and growing attention about a game only after it’s released is an archaic practice that is likely to fail.
Would you say the same thing about Prison Architect? It hasn’t released yet so clearly it’s not a real game that deserves attention.
Well… it’s sold 240 000 units and resulted in 7 million dollars for Introversion Software – but just in it’s Alpha right? (http://www.introversion.co.uk/prisonarchitect/) But you’re right – unrealeased games don’t mean anything.
Spathi
October 1, 2013 at 13:40
Dude, you don’t have to be a dick about it.
Gavin Mannion
October 1, 2013 at 14:11
I seriously doubt charging for a product only after it has released is a practice that’s going to go away anytime soon.
yes there are different ways to raise funding and some guys do really well with it, however until the game is released it cannot be fairly critically reviewed and as such it is unfair to judge it against it’s peers..
If you are happy to invest in alpha/beta games then that’s great but that isn’t the norm or mass market.
iStore is mass market and these guys should be getting credit not being used as a way for everyone else to complain about their lack of coverage.
Adam Meikle
October 1, 2013 at 14:35
The fact is that investing in alpha/beta indie games is becoming a norm for the indie games market, a trend if you will. Avenues like Kickstarter and Steam Greenlight are becoming the norm for indie devs to sell their games and get funding. You are also forgetting that indie games have very particular target markets because of their nicheness, AAA games and the retail sector are the mass market. Indie games are starting to follow very different business models.
Gavin Mannion
October 1, 2013 at 14:50
Granted that’s a valid point.. maybe I’m only looking at indie’s as studios who are targetting mass market and not culturally indie games.
Adam Meikle
October 1, 2013 at 16:20
Thanks. From my perspective, indie studios are targeting very specific audiences and catering to demographics that AAA studios typically don’t aim for.
Alex [SS] PsyChoPanthis
October 1, 2013 at 13:50
Get that android version all up in mah grill 😛
Tero
October 2, 2013 at 10:12
Fantastic looking game. well done Thoopid!!
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
October 2, 2013 at 11:44
Why u no love Windows Phone?