Interview

Zynga's Travis Boatman on bringing something different to the endless runner genre

Running (somewhere new) With Friends

Zynga's Travis Boatman on bringing something different to the endless runner genre
Despite general consensus, things may be looking up for Zynga.

If nothing else, when it comes to mobile games, it's in the process of testing and launching a lot of interesting titles, ranging from the internally developed midcore Battlestone and Solstice Arena to publishing deals like Eden to Green.

It's also just released Running With Friends for iPhone and iPad.

Lace up and gos

The latest game in its asynchronous multiplayer series, it brings the addictive tendencies of the endless runner genre to bear.

Surprisingly, though, it wasn't developed inhouse but is the debut mobile title from US studio Eat Sleep Play, which is better known for its work on PlayStation series Twisted Metal.

"It wasn't about speed to market," explains Zynga's SVP, Mobile, Travis Boatman, when asked about the risks involved with contracting with a mobile newbie.

He explains that despite numerous releases in the genre since it got popular in late 2011 with Temple Run, Zynga took its time to ensure the game was at a level expected of a With Friends title.

"The endless runner category is huge. We love it, and we understood what we wanted from the game, and what was important, what was fun," he says.

Something different

And while the endless runner part of the game is certainly as good graphically and presentationally-wise as anything else on the App Store, as you'd imagine it's the social elements that stand out.

"We wanted to bring randomness and difference into the genre," Boatman reveals.

In this way, at the start of each round, there's a slot machine that provides players with three random goals, which they can try to achieve to gain more in-game currency.



Also, each level you run through is dynamically-generated.

Of course, neat game design won't mean a thing if the game, which is also coming to Android, doesn't find a market and monetise well.

"We think Running With Friends will have a very broad appeal," Boatman says.

"We're hopeful we will see lots of new players in the Zynga network. We're on a mission to connect the world through play."

Contributing Editor

A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.