Bubble Shooter
{{Short description|2002 video game}}
{{more references|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox VG
| title = Bubble Shooter
| image = Bubble_Shooter_Logo.png
| caption =
| developer = Absolutist LTD (2002 - 2012)
Ilyon Dynamics (2012 - )
| publisher = Absolutist LTD (2002 - 2015)
Ilyon Dynamics (2015 - )
| release = 2002
| genre = Puzzle Bobble 2 clone, puzzle
| modes = Single-player
| platforms = iOS, Mac OS, Android, Flash, Palm OS, Pocket PC, Facebook
}}
Bubble Shooter is a clone of the Puzzle Bobble arcade game that was released by Taito in 1994.
The Bubble Shooter game and IP{{what|date=September 2024}} are owned by Ilyon Dynamics, after they were acquired from Absolutist, who released the original game in 2002. The game was ported to iOS in 2010,{{cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/il/app/bubble-shooter-pop-bubbles/id604044220|title=Bubble Shooter|last=|first=|date=8 June 2023|website=IOS Store|publisher=|access-date=}} and was ported to Android in 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bubbleshooter.orig|title=Bubble Shooter|last=|first=|date=|website=Google Play Store|publisher=|access-date=|archive-date=2022-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601202725/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bubbleshooter.orig|url-status=live}}
In 2015, Absolutist sold the Bubble Shooter IP to Ilyon Dynamics LTD,{{Cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/67821/bubble-shooter-bursts-the-50-million-download-mark/%26hl%3Den|title=Bubble Shooter bursts through 50 million download mark|author=Harris, Iain|date=March 27, 2018|work=Pocket Gamer Biz|publisher=Steel Media|access-date=April 24, 2018|archive-date=May 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524205540/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/67821/bubble-shooter-bursts-the-50-million-download-mark/%26hl%3Den|url-status=live}} which expanded the brand on mobile and into new platforms such as Facebook Messenger and the mobile eSports platform Skillz.{{Cite web|url=https://www.inc.com/will-yakowicz/skillz-cash-prize-video-game-platform.html%26hl%3Den|title=The Booming Business of Cash Prize Gaming|author=Yakowicz, Will|date=May 28, 2014|work=Inc|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-date=June 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615020515/https://www.inc.com/will-yakowicz/skillz-cash-prize-video-game-platform.html|url-status=live}} A special version was developed and published with the Seminole Tribe of Florida using their Hard Rock Cafe brand.{{cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hard-rock-bubble-shooter/id1441563757?mt=8|title=Hard Rock Bubble Shooter| last=|first=| date=|website=IOS Store|publisher=|access-date=}}
Gameplay
The goal of the game is to clear the playing field by forming groups of three or more marbles of the same color. The game ends when the balls reach the bottom line of the screen. The more balls destroyed in one shot, the more points scored. A player wins when there are no balls remaining on the playing field.
There are 4 difficulty levels: EasyRide, Novice, Expert, Master. Two scoring modes: Classic, Sniper. The Classic Mode suggests slow-paced gameplay with no time nor shots limits. The goal of the Sniper Mode is to clear the playfield using minimum shots.
There are two game modes:
- Strategy – shots limit
- Arcade – time limit