Blocksworld
Developer(s)BoldaiAB, (2012-2013), Linden Lab (2013-2020), Fortell Games Inc., Blocksworld LLC (2023-)
Publisher(s)Linden Lab, BoldaiAB (2012 Nordic release), Fortell Games (2023)
Engine
Platform(s)
[1]
Release
  • NR: November 21, 2012
[2]
  • WW: July 6, 2013
Genre(s)Sandbox
Mode(s)

Blocksworld was a physics-based 3D sandbox video game developed by BoldaiAB and Linden Lab released originally for the iPad on November 21, 2012 in Nordic countries, and later worldwide on July 6, 2013. It was released for the iPhone in 2016, and later via Steam on September 25, 2017. As of 2020, Blocksworld is absent from Linden Lab's website (excluding previous press releases), and servers were fully shut down on June 17, 2020. It was subsequently removed from the App Store and later pulled from Steam on July 2, 2020.[3] In 2023, Blocksworld was acquired by Fortell Games Inc, leading to speculation of a potential relaunch in the future.

Gameplay

A creation made in Blocksworld

In Blocksworld, players could build using 3D building blocks that could be combined to construct simple or complex creations. Players could also use "action blocks" and a drag-and-drop visual programming tool to add interactivity to their creations. Examples included drivable cars, flyable jets, and playable games with win/lose conditions, health systems, and other attributes.[4] Players could also upload their creations for others to play.[5] Blocksworld also included a feature where players could redeem a certain number of in-game coins for real money.[6]

Before 2017, licensed Hasbro sets including content from My Little Pony, Transformers, and G.I. Joe, as well as characters from Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return, were available for purchase on the app.[7][8][9]

Development

Release timeline
2012Launched in November 2012 and created by BoldaiAB
2013Launched globally by Linden Lab for iPad
2014
2015
2016Added to the App Store for iPhone
2017Added to Steam
2018
2019
2020Blocksworld servers are shut down
2021
2022
2023Blocksworld is acquired by Fortell Games

Blocksworld was initially developed by Swedish independent video game developer Boldai AB.[10] Originally slated to release in summer 2012, the game was presented as part of the Nordic Game 2012 conference, where Boldai was awarded a 10,000-euro investment from the Nordic Game Fund.[11] A paid version of the game was later released on November 21, 2012, in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway, and was originally intended to release worldwide on December 13, 2012, for $0.99 USD.[12] However, it was later pushed back when the US-based Linden Lab acquired Boldai.[13][14] For the subsequent global release, the game was repositioned as a freemium offering where players had the option to purchase premium sets and games, additional building objects and pieces, coins, and other upgrades and extras for a small fee.[15]

On March 3, 2016, Linden Lab released a press release announcing Blocksworld's expansion to iPhone devices.[16] It was later added to Steam on September 25, 2017.[3]

Prior to its shutdown in 2020, Linden Lab paused development and promotion on Blocksworld, with its last significant update having been released in March 2018. This was attributed to Linden Lab's focus on other projects, including Second Life and Sansar.[17]

Legacy

Despite the game's shutdown in 2020, it still retains an active player base. Blocksworld: The Secondary Server, also known simply as Blocksworld 2, is an unofficial fan revival project which started in 2019.[18]

Fortell Games acquisition

It was rumored that in August 2023, Blocksworld was acquired by Fortell Games Inc, a studio located in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Santa Monica, California, after it was noticed the game's publisher changed on the Apple App Store. This was later backed up further when the Steam page was updated to list Fortell Games and "Blocksworld LLC" as developers.[3]

On November 27, 2023, Blocksworld's official Twitter account posted a GIF of a heart monitor screen after years of inactivity, which led to speculation of the game's possible future comeback.[19] This was followed up the day after with a post on the similarly inactive Instagram account, displaying a heart built in the game.[20] On December 2, it was noticed that the official website (blocksworld.com) had been edited to now include a beating heart instead of redirecting to the Linden Labs website.[21]

References

  1. ↑ "Blocksworld Steam (streaming is no longer available). page". Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Blocksworld Nordic Launch Nov 21st! news - Boldai AB". IndieDB. November 15, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "Blocksworld on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  4. ↑ Frauenfelder, Mark (August 16, 2013). "Apps for Kids 41: Blocksworld". boingboing.net. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Blocksworld - Sandbox Games". SandboxWorlds. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ Schneider, Derrick (March 8, 2016). "Creative Kids Get Cash From Blocksworld". GeekDad. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  7. ↑ "My Little Pony squares off with the Minecraft-like building game Blocksworld HD". appspy.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Linden Lab Adds Wizard of Oz Content to Blocksworld". New World Notes. May 9, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  9. ↑ Schneider, Derrick (October 29, 2015). "'Blocksworld' and Creativity". GeekDad. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  10. ↑ https://m.facebook.com/boldai/posts/289166904476297?_se_imp=2a2qyYrsAdLcWTuH7
  11. ↑ Jordan, Jon (May 29, 2012). "Boldai wins 10,000 euros from Nordic Game Fund for Blocksworld, its innovative digital Lego". PocketGamer. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Blocksworld launches, already top grossing education app in Sweden". November 22, 2012.
  13. ↑ "LINDEN LAB® ACQUIRES BLOCKSWORLD". January 24, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ↑ "Build, Play, and Share - Linden Lab's Blocksworld Brings Imaginations to Life on the iPad". www.businesswire.com. August 1, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  15. ↑ Jordan, Jon (June 6, 2012). "How small Swedish studio Boldai is bringing elegant interactive 'digital LEGO' to iOS and web". www.pocketgamer.com. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  16. ↑ Voyager, Daniel (March 8, 2016). "Press Release: Linden Lab announces that Blocksworld expands to iPhone & offers real money redemptions to creators". Daniel Voyager. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  17. ↑ Pey, Inara (July 30, 2019). "Lab pauses Blocksworld development and promotion". Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  18. ↑ https://bwsecondary.ddns.net/
  19. ↑ https://twitter.com/blocksworldgame/status/1729284372204073137
  20. ↑ "Instagram".
  21. ↑ https://blocksworld.com
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