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2 posts tagged with "backseat-games"

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Backseat Games v1.2 — Free Solo Mode and a Clearer Monetization Line

· One min read
Mike Homol
Mike Homol
Principal Consultant @ ThreeWill

Solo Mode was the reliability win from v1.1 — this week I made it free and moved the one-time purchase behind Play online, so families can try the app offline before deciding to host a multiplayer session.

What happened​

  • Bumped to v1.2.0 on TestFlight with Solo Mode free and IAP gated behind Play online
  • Confirmed App Store / support pricing copy matches that line: joining and Solo stay free; the one-time host unlock sits behind Play online
  • Finished Travel Bingo per-item art across landmarks, businesses, scenery, vehicles, signs, and animals — generated icons and refreshed state plate art
  • Travel Bingo tiles moved from small stock emojis to custom illustrated sprites (same board, much clearer at a glance in the car)
  • Added plane propeller spin overlays and accessibility fixes; logged new game ideas in the backlog
  • Published Backseat Games marketing, privacy, and support pages on Homol Works (App Store URL, hero, and game lineup)
  • Refreshed the marketing hero and on-site game descriptions to match the current three-game lineup

Travel Bingo with custom sprites — canyon road background

Travel Bingo with custom sprites — snowy road background

Solo Mode — Offline Play Without a Multiplayer Lobby

· One min read
Mike Homol
Mike Homol
Principal Consultant @ ThreeWill

Backseat Games got a v1.1 delight pass — and Solo Mode so play still works when the relay lobby cannot. Offline-first turned out to be a product feature, not a fallback.

What happened​

  • Shipped jingle, SFX, icons, critter motion, and first-run teaching as one release theme
  • Added Solo Mode for offline play without a relay lobby
  • Useful for App Store demos and real car rides with spotty connectivity
  • Update is live on the App Store — Solo Mode and delight assets look right on device
  • Visual polish landed across the games (Travel Bingo board + License Plate Game cards)

Backseat Games Travel Bingo with delight visuals

Backseat Games License Plate Game card grid