Bobbies has been providing quality footwear for women since 2010. Established by Paris-based designers Antoine Bolze and Alexis Maugey, the brand offers a wide selection of moccasins, boots, trainers, and derbies. All of their footwear is designed in Paris and handcrafted in Portugal to ensure exceptional quality and comfort.

We worked with Bobbies to develop a HTML5 game called Ninja Jean-Bobby. This slicing game was used for the brand’s online competition. Winners will get a pair of brand new shoes.

Slice Some Shoes and Win a Pair!

Bobbies launched a three-day online contest where the players have to play a HTML5 game called “Ninja Jean-Bobby”. The online contest was created to market the brand to a wider audience during the Christmas season.

In order to join the contest, players must choose to register their details at the end of the game. Only registered players can win prizes. At the end of the Christmas season, Bobbies awarded the top 10 players of the game with their favorite pair of shoes.

Gameplay

Ninja Jean-Bobby is a slicing game where players try to reach the highest score. If they manage to cut at least three shoes in a single, slicing motion, they’ll score combo points. The Bobbies logo will occasionally appear along with the shoes. If the logo is sliced, they’ll lose ten points.

Instead of a time limit, players are given three lives. Every time they miss a shoe, they will lose one life. The game ends if you lose all three. After playing, players can register their details so the game can record their score on the leaderboard.

Below is a short demonstration of the game:

Localization

We created two versions of the game in English and French. Our work involved translating and adapting the game language based on the target market’s unique culture.

Players are more attracted to a localized game than a generalized version. Localization gives the players a feeling that the game was specially developed for them. This process also ensures that the message of the game will not be miscommunicated to its target audience.

Game Reskinning

Reskinning is the process of adapting the core mechanics of a game into a new one to suit a client’s marketing needs. Ninja Jean-Bobby was a reskin of our previous game called Fruit Blade, where its graphics were modified with visual elements from Bobbies. To make the new game more unique, we introduced the concept of having three lives instead of a time limit.

Since we did not build the game from scratch, we were able to complete the project in a short amount of time. Furthermore, reskinning also helped the clients save on resources without sacrificing quality.

Leaderboard

Bobbies wanted to collect marketing leads within the game. We added a registration and leaderboard system, where players provide details to save their scores and join the online contest. The registration is done after playing the game. Afterwards, players can view their usernames and ranks on the leaderboard.

HTML5 Framework

HTML5 is the best technology to build marketing games thanks to its cross-platform capabilities. Ninja Jean-Bobby and all of our HTML5 games can be played on smartphones, laptops, tablets. There is no need to install any plugins or download additional software to enjoy the game.

HTML5 technology allows other functions, like registration forms and leaderboards, to be added to a game. The client’s team was able to manage an online contest through our CMS backend system.

Game Reskin Podcast

Listen to our podcast, where we discuss game reskin projects in a practical manner. We break it down into simple steps and provide actionable advice, that any executive can understand.

Summary

Our team enjoyed developing the Ninja Jean-Bobby game for Bobbies. Using a HTML5 game for an online contest is effective in increasing brand awareness. The use of a registration system and leaderboard, combined with the power of social networks amplified the game’s appeal.

If you also need a HTML5 game for an online contest, don’t hesitate to contact us.