Emoji Pop

Emoji Pop

Emoji Pop is a Bubble-Shooter puzzle game for the web. The core gameplay similar to other mobile puzzle games like Bubble Witch Saga 3 and Panda Pop, in which players shoot colored bubbles to make matches.

Players can also choose to swap which Emoji to shoot, adding a layer of strategy to the game. Players also unlock special Emoji Obstacles which don't behave like ordinary colored Emojis. These introduce new non-standard mechanics to the game, increasing in complexity as the player progresses. The first Emoji Obstacle is the Soap Emoji, which pops as a cluster regardless of which colored Emoji the player shoots at it.

The game is currently in live development on the web at https://playemojipop.com, and is playable from all web-enabled smartphones and laptops.

Creative Mode

Emoji Pop's most unique feature is its Creative Mode, which empowers players to design their own levels using the Emojis they've unlocked by beating levels in the game. Players can then share their level's web-link on social media for anyone to play instantly. Then, anyone in the world can play that level from any web-enabled device, without even needing to create an account.

The solo-developer of the game, Dylan Woodbury, teaches players practical design skills through a series of video tutorials surfaced to the player in-game. Players are encouraged to join the Emoji Pop community, playtest user-made levels, and give each other feedback. The best levels and their creators are featured in the game's side-modes, in which players can beat user-made levels to win bonus moves for the main campaign mode.

Progression

Most free-to-play puzzle games feature a "saga-map" progression system that requires players beat levels one-by-one, often resulting in players getting stuck on a level for a long period of time. Emoji Pop features a progression system based on the idea of continuous levels, in which moves regenerate after the player runs out. Players can hit Star Emojis to unlock mini-levels, which give them a limited number of tries to win major rewards, or else the level disappears.

By winning consecutive mini-levels, players go on a "streak", which means they get more attempts to beat the next mini-level. They also get an upgraded "slot machine", which will potentially reward them with more bonus moves after winning a mini-level.

By beating the longer continuous levels, players unlock new Emoji Obstacles which introduce increasingly complex mechanics to the game. Early examples include a Lightbulb Emoji which changes colors each turn, and a Snail Emoji which moves across the board. Because players aren't required to beat every level in the game, the developers can introduce skill-based mechanics far more complex than ever attempted in a Bubble Shooter before. An early example of this is the Dagger Emoji, which spins around and requires players time their shot accordingly in order to launch the Dagger in the most optimal direction. The developer plans on adding more Emoji Obstacles that are based in timing, physics, and logic.