2011 · Puzzle

Async Corp.

2011 video game

Released: 28 June 2011
Platforms: iOS
Genres: Puzzle
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Modes: Single-player
Country: United States

About

Async Corp. is a 2011 puzzle game developed and published by the American indie studio Powerhead Games. In it, the player must swap one square from two four-by-six boards to match a set of at least three other squares that create a packet. While listening to "Star Guitar" by The Chemical Brothers, designer Matt LoPresti was inspired to play its prototype, previously meant for DSiWare, in landscape mode. The corporate theme, inspired by the modernity of the Wipeout series, was contrasted by bright visuals to add personality.

Although the development team was laid off before launch, Async Corp. was released for iOS on June 28, 2011, and was praised for its gameplay, graphics, music, and corporate atmosphere but criticized for its lack of content. At the 2012 Independent Games Festival, it was nominated for an audience award and Best Mobile Game.

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Async Corp. is a puzzle game played from a top-down perspective. In control of two boards composed of 24 squares each, the player must take existing squares to make larger squares at least two-by-two in size. The player accomplishes this by swapping a square from each board, with a goal of creating larger squares (termed "packets") out of four matching squares; this can only be done if the squares complete a set of other squares of the same color.

Once the player finishes swapping, the four smaller squares merge into a packet. The player may continue to swap squares to increase a packet's size; assembling a packet of 24 squares will create an Async. Tapping on a packet will make it disappear, rewarding the player with points; two packets created at the same time are called "syncs", which award bonus points. The round will end if the player's quota bar in the center of the screen overflows.

Development

Async Corp. was developed by the twelve-person and New York City-based indie studio Powerhead Games, who had previously produced Glow Artisan for DSiWare. Over a period of four months, Async Corp. was developed with UIKit, and its visuals were made with Corel Image and Photoshop. The prototype, built by designer Matt LoPresti and programmer Ed Pereira, was made a year prior to release and was designed for DSiWare, where gameplay would be split between screens.

According to LoPresti, the concept for gameplay was conceived when listening to "Star Guitar" by The Chemical Brothers after hearing it in Lumines II. The song caused him to text a message to his wife flawlessly while his iPhone was in landscape mode, inspiring him to play the prototype similarly.

Reception

On Metacritic, Async Corp. received a "generally favorable" rating based on six critics. It was nominated at the 2012 Independent Games Festival for Best Mobile Game and an audience award.

The gameplay of Async Corp. was commended. Some reviewers agreed it was addictive and compelling. Kotaku compared it to Tetris and workplace comedy, justifying its portrayal of manual labor and praising how the modes gave variety.