Fishdom
{{Short description|2008 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Fishdom
| image = Fishdom Logo.png
| developer = Playrix{{efn|JoinDots GmbH developed the DS/DSi versions.}}
| publisher = Playrix{{efn|The DS version was published by Rondomedia Marketing und Vertriebs GmbH in Europe and Atari in North America. The DSi/3DS version was published by JoinDots GmbH.}}
| series = Fishdom
| released = {{plainlist|
- Windows/Mac{{Video game release|WW|19 June 2008{{Cite web |last=Smirnova |first=Natasha |date=June 19, 2008 |title=Fishdom |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/fishdom-piscine-puzzler-launched-on-assorted-casual-gaming-portals |access-date=March 31, 2024 |website=GamesIndustry}}}}
- Nintendo DS{{Video game release|DE|16 September 2009{{Cite web |url=https://www.adventurespiele.net/News-article-sid-2116.htm |title=Avsn.de News Fishdom: Rondomedia portiert das erfolgreiche 3-Match-Spiel auf den Nintendo DS™}}|NA|21 February 2011}}
- Nintendo DSi/Nintendo 3DS{{Video game release|EU|13 November 2014{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-DSiWare/Fishdom-935219.html |title=Fishdom}}|NA|25 February 2015}}
- iOS/Android (Deep Dive){{Video game release|WW|10 December 2015{{Cite web |url=https://app.sensortower.com/ios/us/playrix/app/fishdom/664575829/overview |title = Fishdom - Overview - Apple App Store - US}}}}
}}
| genre = Puzzle game, social game
| modes = Single-player
| platforms = Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS
}}
Fishdom is a puzzle game developed by Playrix for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Android, iOS, and iPadOS. The game was originally launched on 19 June 2008.
Gameplay
{{Video game reviews
| Gamezebo = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Haasbroek|first=Lisa|date=June 19, 2008|title=Fishdom Review|url=https://www.gamezebo.com/2008/06/19/fishdom-review/|website=Gamezebo|accessdate=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311130815/http://www.gamezebo.com/2008/06/19/fishdom-review/|archive-date=11 March 2015|url-status=live}}| NLife= 6/10{{cite web|last=McMahon|first=Conor|date=December 6, 2014|title=Fishdom Review (DSiWare)|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/dsiware/fishdom|website=Nintendo Life|accessdate=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225122301/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/dsiware/fishdom|archive-date=25 December 2019|url-status=live}}
}}
The object of the game is to solve puzzles and earn coins to set up and decorate a virtual aquarium. Using in-game currency the player is able to purchase different species of fish, decorations, and "comfort" items to make the environment more pleasant for pet fishes. Filling all of the three meter gauges measuring the progress will unlock one of the trophies: bronze, silver, or gold. Adorned and themed tanks can be used as a smartphone screensaver.{{cite web |url = https://www.rbth.com/science-and-tech/333575-best-mobile-games-by-russians |title = The BEST mobile games by Russian developers that have conquered the world |date = 2021-03-21 |publisher = Russia Beyond |access-date = 2021-07-05}}{{cite web |url = https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/fishdom-ios-review/ |title = Fishdom (iOS) review |date = 13 February 2013 |publisher = AdWeek |access-date = 2021-07-05}}
Levels are based on a standard for "match three" mechanics: the player swaps two adjacent gems to make matches of three or more. Each of the rounds takes place on a different grid and poses a challenge to earn golden tiles by matching gems at least once over each one. Some of the tiles are locked and have a different color; to unlock them the player must match gems consecutively over multiple turns. When three or more objects are matched simultaneously, one of the bonuses appears: firecrackers, depth bombs, dynamite charges, or lightning. The puzzle board must be cleared before the player runs out of moves, otherwise the level must be repeated in order to progress further. The platform also provides mini-games, holiday-themed upgrades, pearl tournament challenges, and a 3D-simulation of a scuba mask which allows the user to dive into the deep sea.{{cite web |url = https://www.iwmbuzz.com/gaming/5-best-new-android-games-kids/2021/03/02 |title = 5 Best New Android Games For Kids |date = 2021-03-02 |publisher = IWMBuzz |access-date = 2021-07-05}}{{cite web |url = https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/firm-management/article/21212423/apps-we-love-march-2021-games |title = Apps We Love - March 2021: Games |date = 2021-03-21 |publisher = Endeavor Business Media |access-date = 2021-07-05}}{{cite web |url = https://medium.com/udonis/puzzle-games-report-on-puzzle-players-monetization-methods-and-advertising-1686e31247eb |title = Puzzle Games Report on Puzzle Players, Monetization Methods, and Advertising |date = 2020-09-17 |publisher = Medium |access-date = 2021-07-05}} By 2019, Playrix changed the gaming model to "freemium", in which various currencies such as diamonds can also be purchased in the app.{{cite web |url = https://www.appgefahren.de/fishdom-wie-schlaegt-sich-das-beworbene-match3-game-samt-freemium-modell-256948.html |title = Fishdom: Wie schlägt sich das beworbene Match3-Game samt Freemium-Modell? |date = 2019-07-29 |language = German |publisher = Appgefahren |access-date = 2021-07-05
}}
Reception
The original game was released in 2008 for PC and was adapted for smartphones by 2015. In addition, several sequels have been launched.{{cite news |title=Playrix Launches Fishdom 2 - IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/25/playrix-launches-fishdom-2 |access-date=2021-11-28 |work=IGN |date=2010-05-25 |language=en}}
Fishdom ranks among the most popular games from developer Playrix and received generally positive reviews. iParenting Media named Fishdom H2O: Hidden Odyssey one of the Greatest Video Games of 2009.{{cite web |url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/11/24/fishdom-from-playrix-announced-as-the-greatest-video-game-2009 |title = Fishdom From Playrix Announced as The Greatest Video Game 2009 |date = 2009-11-24 |publisher = IGN |accessdate = 2021-01-05}} According to the analytics of Sensor Tower, Fishdom was a top game in the category Puzzle&Decorate with around 15.6 million downloads in 2020.{{cite web |url = https://sensortower.com/blog/us-mobile-puzzle-4-point-6-billion-revenue |title = U.S. Mobile Puzzle Game Spending Rockets 30% Year-Over-Year to $4.6 Billion |date = 2012-03-17 |publisher = SensorTower Inc. |access-date = 2021-07-05}} The game was ranked 16th on the annual App Store list of the best free games (8th for iPad, 19th for iPhone).{{cite web |url = https://www.iguides.ru/main/other/nazvany_samye_populyarnye_igry_v_app_store/ |title = The most popular games in the App Store are named |date = 2020-12-02 |language=Russian |publisher = Iguides |access-date = 2021-07-05}}{{cite web |url = https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/apple-best-list-canada-2020 |title = Apple releases its best of podcasts, apps, books, and games of 2020 |date = 2020-12-02 |publisher = Daily Hive |access-date = 2021-07-05}}{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/apple-app-games-year-store-download-best-most-popular-b1764981.html |title = Apple has revealed its apps and games of the year |date = 2020-12-02 |publisher = Independent |access-date = 2021-07-05
}} According to Statista, the game was one of the ten most downloaded puzzle gaming apps as of 2021.{{cite web |url = https://www.statista.com/statistics/1222711/most-downloaded-puzzle-games-worldwide/ |title = Most popular puzzle gaming apps worldwide in February 2021, by downloads |date = 2021 |publisher = Statista |access-date = 2021-07-05}}{{Cite web | url=https://70okugame.com/seruran/fishdom | title=Fishdom sales Ranking | date=2021-06-30 | accessdate=2021-06-30 | archive-date=2021-07-12 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712090710/https://70okugame.com/seruran/fishdom | url-status=dead }}
= Controversy =
Despite seemingly good reception at first, some believe the game to be pay-to-win, as it appears to them that the game has nearly impossible levels, which usually need the game's boosters to easily beat. Others also call out the game for false advertising, since the pin-pulling puzzles in the advertisements are rarely seen in-game. This portion of negative reception can also be applied to Playrix's other games, such as Homescapes and Gardenscapes: New Acres, some also applying it to the company itself.
References
{{reflist}}
{{notelist}}
External links
- {{official|https://www.playrix.com/en/games/fishdom}}
- [https://thetechjournal.com/electronics/iphone/fishdom-hd-premium-puzzle-game-for-ipadfree.xhtml Overview of Fishdom] in The Tech Journal
Category:2020s fads and trends
Category:Android (operating system) games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Tile-matching video games
Category:Video games about fish
Category:Video games developed in Russia