Geometry Dash

2013 video game

Video game series

Geometry Dash

Genre(s)| Runner, music, platformer
Developer(s)| Robert Topala
Publisher(s)| RobTop Games
Platform(s)| iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Original release| iOS, Android
13 August 2013
Windows Phone
12 June 2014
Microsoft Windows, macOS
22 December 2014
First release| Geometry Dash
13 August 2013
Latest release| Geometry Dash SubZero
21 December 2017
Spin-offs|

* Geometry Dash Lite
* Geometry Dash Meltdown
* Geometry Dash World
* Geometry Dash Subzero

Geometry Dash is a side-scrolling music platforming game series developed by Robert Topala. The game was released on 13 August 2013 on iOS and Android, and the Windows and macOS versions on 22 December 2014. In Geometry Dash, players control the movement of an icon and navigate music-based levels while avoiding obstacles such as spikes.

Geometry Dash consists of 26 full-length levels made by its developer; 22 are auto-scrolling, and 4 are 'platformer' levels. There is also a short-length level called "The Challenge" that is unrelated to the other 26 levels. It has a level creation system, where players can create their own custom levels, share them online and play levels designed by other players. In-game currency, such as stars, moons, coins, mana orbs or diamonds, can be obtained from various sources, such as levels (both official and user-created) or chests.

Three other spin-off games in the series have been made: Geometry Dash Meltdown, Geometry Dash World and Geometry Dash SubZero. Geometry Dash Lite is a free version of the main game with advertisements and gameplay restrictions.

## Gameplay[edit]

The beginning of 'Electroman Adventures', the thirteenth level in the game

As a single-button game, Geometry Dash can be played with a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, or controller. The player manipulates the movement of their icon through input in the form of pressing or holding to reach the end of a level. The level restarts if the player crashes into an obstacle, such as a spike, a sawblade, a wall, or a ceiling. There is a 'practice mode' in which a player may place checkpoints to survey or practice a level but is unable to collect coins or gain progress for normal mode. The timing and rhythm of the in-game music are key parts of the game, often relating to each other.[1][2]

There are 26 main levels in the full version of Geometry Dash, 20 of which are unlocked upon installation. Three require a specific number of secret coins hidden within the official levels (also obtained by completing map packs), and the four platformer levels (three of which are initially locked) require the previous to be completed. "The Challenge" is also official but it is not considered a main level. Each level grants rewards upon completion.[1][3] The full version of the game features the ability to upload and download user-created levels.[4]

## Development[edit]

### Pre-Geometry Dash[edit]

Geometry Dash was created by Swedish video game developer Robert Nicholas Christian Topala, known professionally as RobTop. On 6 June 2010, Topala created his first video game, Bounce Ball Thingy, on Newgrounds, developing it while he was at university studying civil engineering. He later abandoned his course because he became more interested in the video game industry.[5]

Topala decided to work alone, founding RobTop Games in 2012. The first video game he produced under RobTop Games was Boomlings, a puzzle video game released on 5 November 2012 for mobile devices,[6][7] Topala continued to produce video games, including Memory Mastermind (2013) and Boomlings MatchUp (2013).[8][9]

### Geometry Dash[edit]

The game began as a project that could have moved in any direction, according to Topala. He made the remarks, 'it simply started as a template with a cube that could crash and jump' and 'there really was no detailed plan'.[10] He previously developed it for the computer but later altered his plan and made attempts to make it a mobile game. Topala was inspired by The Impossible Game and took about four months to create the game and take it to the App Store and Google Play Store. In the beta version, the game was called Geometry Jump but later changed to Geometry Dash. The game is developed on the Cocos2d game engine.[11]

Upon its release, Geometry Dash had seven levels free to play on the game's free version, alongside nine other levels released in later updates.[12] It gained popularity around the world, especially in Canada, where it achieved the title of the most popular paid iPhone app in June 2014.[13] There are four free versions of the game, one being Geometry Dash Lite, which includes 21 levels from the full version, including the tower levels.[3]

#### Update 2.2[edit]

On 14 August 2021, Topala released a sneak peek video of version 2.2, the first major update since 2017, on his YouTube channel. The release date had yet to be announced.[14][15] On 4 September 2022, Topala released the second sneak peek, over a year after the first.[16] Topala released a third sneak peek on 15 May 2023, which showcased additional platformer mode features and a sound effect library for custom levels.[17] On 13 August 2023, as part of the game's 10th anniversary, Topala released a 27-minute video in commemoration. At the end of the video, the release date for 2.2 was revealed as October 2023, making it the first update to be released in more than six years.[18] However, on 22 October 2023, Topala announced via Twitter that the 2.2 release date would be delayed to November due to server and bug issues.[19] Topala later wrote on 26 November 2023 that the release 'may not be doable in November' since he wanted to release the update simultaneously for all platforms.[20]

On 20 December 2023, Topala announced the update's release via Twitter with the message "check steam" and a clip from Avengers: Infinity War.[21][22][23]

## Reception[edit]

The game received generally positive reviews from critics. Softpedia complimented the game's style and challenge that it brings up, saying, 'While it can get a bit frustrating sometimes, you can always complete the stages using the practice mode and then jump into the many different user-generated levels'.[24] 148Apps also gave the game a positive review, stating, 'Geometry Dash provides all of the challenge expected from an 'impossible' game while also making it more accessible to newcomers'.[25] Geometry Dash has also been listed by the reviewer Chris Morris on the website Common Sense Media as a child-friendly video game that parents could let their children play on, stating that the game was a 'good way to handle frustration' and that 'families can also talk about rhythm and the joy of dancing in time with music'.[26] On the App Store, Geometry Dash was the second-best and seventh-best selling iPad and iPhone game in 2018, respectively.[27]

## Spin-offs[edit]

### Geometry Dash Lite[edit]

Geometry Dash Lite is a free version of the game with advertisements and gameplay restrictions. Geometry Dash Lite has 21 levels, including the tower levels, but lacks the option to create and play custom user-generated levels. It also has a much more limited selection of obtainable character customization options, missing many icons and colours used in the full game.[28][29]

### Geometry Dash Meltdown[edit]

On 16 December 2015, Topala announced a spin-off game titled Geometry Dash Meltdown,[30] which was released on 19 December 2015 for iOS and Android.[31][32] It includes three levels featuring songs by F-777. The game showcased new icons and features in levels added in version 2.0 of the original game.

### Geometry Dash World[edit]

On 21 December 2016, Topala announced a second spin-off game titled Geometry Dash World,[33] saying that it would come out on the same day. It includes two worlds with five levels each, introducing features that came to the original game later in update 2.1.[34][35] It also features a selection of levels created by other players.

Gamezebo praised the game's captivation and decent gameplay styles. Although, the reviewer noted that it was not the 'most interesting looking game out there'.[36] Gerson Noboa from AndroidGuys said that 'Geometry Dash World is a worthy addition to your game arsenal. Thanks to tightly connected graphical and sound elements, the game provides an awesome, integrated experience that is rarely seen in Play Store games'.[37]

### Geometry Dash SubZero[edit]

On 12 December 2017, Topala announced a third spin-off game titled Geometry Dash SubZero,[38] which was released on 21 December 2017.[39][40] It consists of three levels. It is the latest stand-alone game released in the series,[41] introducing features of the main game's current update 2.2.[42]

Year  | Video game  | Platform  | Ref(s).

|
|
|

2012  | Boomlings | iOS, Android | [7][43]
2013  | Memory Mastermind | [8]
Boomlings MatchUp | [9][44]
Geometry Dash | 2013: iOS, Android;
2014: Microsoft Windows, macOS
| [45]
[46]
Geometry Dash Lite | iOS, Android  | [47]
2015  | Geometry Dash Meltdown | [48][49]
2016  | Geometry Dash World | [50]
2017  | Geometry Dash SubZero | [51]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "Geometry Dash Review". Softpedia. Andrei Dobra. 9 January 2015. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
2. ^ Rota, Michele (31 December 2023). "Music Syncing as Intermedial Translation". Sound Stage Screen. 3 (1). doi:10.54103/sss18678. ISSN 2784-8949.
3. ^ a b "Geometry Dash: Best tips, tricks, and cheats!". imore.com. 7 May 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
4. ^ "The Version 2.0 Update For 'Geometry Dash' Just Hit The App Store". toucharcade.com. 26 August 2015. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
5. ^ Dormehl, Luke (27 June 2014). "Smart strategies fuel Geometry Dash's slow jog to success". Cult of Mac.
6. ^ "Boomlings by RobTop Games". XDA Developers. 5 November 2012.
7. ^ a b Caplan, Lisa (24 May 2012). "Boomlings Review". 148Apps.
8. ^ a b "Memory Mastermind by RobTop Games". XDA Developers. 17 January 2013.
9. ^ a b Conner, Chris (23 March 2013). "BoomLings MatchUp! – Review". iPhoneGamerUK.
10. ^ "Smart strategies fuel Geometry Dash's slow jog to success". Cult Of Mac. Luke Dormehl. 27 June 2014. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
11. ^ "Cocos Game Showcase - August 2021". 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
12. ^ "11 Years of Geometry Dash Game Design History - 30 Images". Version Museum. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
13. ^ "'Geometry Dash' top paid iPhone app in Canada". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. 24 June 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
14. ^ "Geometry Dash Update 2.2 Sneak Peek". YouTube. 15 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
15. ^ Fore, Gray (15 August 2021). "Geometry Dash Will Get Its First Update In Four Years". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
16. ^ "Geometry Dash Update 2.2 Sneak Peek 2". YouTube. 4 September 2022.
17. ^ "Geometry Dash Update 2.2 Sneak Peek 3". YouTube. 15 May 2023.
18. ^ Schomer, Matthew (13 August 2023). "Geometry Dash Gets First Update In 6 Years This October". DualShockers.
19. ^ @RobTopGames (20 December 2023). "check steam" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
20. ^ @RobTopGames (26 November 2023). "Hey everyone! Progress update: All levels and major ..." (Tweet) - via Twitter.
21. ^ Nelson, Will (20 December 2023). "Geometry Dash update seven years in the making smashes Steam records". PCGamesN. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
22. ^ @RobTopGames (20 December 2023). "check steam" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
23. ^ Lane, Rick (21 December 2023). "Game receives huge free update following 10th anniversary and instantly quintuples its previous player-count high". PC Gamer. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
24. ^ "Geometry Dash reviews for PC". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
25. ^ "Geometry Dash reviews for iOS". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
26. ^ "Geometry Dash App Review". commonsensemedia. 20 June 2014. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
27. ^ Crecente, Brian (4 December 2018). "Apple Names 'Donut County,' 'Gorogoa' Top iPhone, iPad Games of Year". Variety. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
28. ^ "Geometry Dash Lite - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
29. ^ "Geometry Dash Lite". App Store. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
30. ^ Geometry Dash Meltdown Trailer, 16 December 2015, archived from the original on 25 April 2021, retrieved 25 April 2021
31. ^ "Geometry Dash Meltdown". App Store. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
32. ^ "Geometry Dash Meltdown - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
33. ^ Geometry Dash World!, 21 December 2016, archived from the original on 28 September 2022, retrieved 25 April 2021
34. ^ "Geometry Dash World - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
35. ^ "Geometry Dash World". App Store. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
36. ^ "geometry Dash World reviews for iOS". Metacritic. 16 January 2017. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
37. ^ Noboa, Gerson (1 May 2017). "Geometry Dash World (Review)". AndroidGuys. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
38. ^ Geometry Dash SubZero Released!, 21 December 2017, archived from the original on 28 September 2022, retrieved 25 April 2021
39. ^ "Geometry Dash SubZero". App Store. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
40. ^ "Geometry Dash SubZero - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
41. ^ "'Geometry Dash SubZero' is the latest stand-alone expansion for RobTop Games' Geometry Dash series". androidpolice.com. 22 December 2017. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
42. ^ "RobTopGames - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
43. ^ Rasto (7 November 2012). "Boomlings Review (Android)". AndroidEntity.[permanent dead link]
44. ^ "Boomlings MatchUp by RobTop Games". XDA Developers. 5 February 2013.
45. ^ "Geometry Dash by RobTop Games". XDA Developers. 13 August 2013.
46. ^ @RobTopGames (22 December 2014). "Geometry Dash is out on Steam!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
47. ^ "Geometry Dash Lite is out". XDA Developers. 15 September 2013.
48. ^ Nelson, Jared (16 December 2015). "'Geometry Dash Meltdown' Trailer Released, Coming December 19th". TouchArcade.
49. ^ "Geometry Dash Meltdown Review: Squarely A Challenge". GameZebo. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
50. ^ "Geometry Dash World Review: It's A Mad World". GameZebo. 1 May 2017. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
51. ^ Linares, Iván (26 December 2017). "Vuelve el juego de plataformas más simple y musical: Geometry Dash Subzero".

## External links[edit]

* Official website

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