Flick Runner (2009)

One summer I collaborated with a classmate, Chris Anderson, to create what we envisioned as a very simple but hopelessly addictive iPhone game. For me, it was a chance to test the waters, so to speak, having never worked on a mobile project before. The product became Flick Runner, in which a man on the screen runs through an obstacle course and you can gesture up or down to make him jump or duck. As I do not own an iPhone or an Apple computer, I undertook the role of game designer and graphics artist (butcher) while Chris programmed.

Flick Runner was featured by Apple in its app store and peaked at #4 arcade game in Germany and #12 arcade game in the UK. Like many lo-fi iPhone apps, this would benefit from an update in many obvious ways, but it's unlikely that will ever happen.

From the app store:

Run. Duck. Jump. Survive.

Flick Runner is a action-arcade game that tests your reflexes as you sprint across an urban landscape.

Flick your finger up to jump, and flick down to duck. It’s a new control scheme not found in any other major game! Dodge the obstacles as they come across the screen, and be sure to jump if the ground changes heights. Hit combos to boost your life - six obstacle dodges in a row means an extra chance to make the top score.

Everyone can enjoy Flick Runner - just concentrate and master the flicking!

FEATURES:
+ New intuitive control scheme.
+ Two levels of difficulty (try hard, we dare you!).
+ Addictive gameplay.
+ Retro graphics.
+ Highscores list.

What people said

"Bravo to the makers they've caused me to waste hours at work on my iPhone." - Someone in the app store

"Jump up, jump up, and if you lose, you just explode." - This child

"Pleasantly simplistic" - App Spy (who goes on to ultimately give it a pretty bad review)