How one studio is finding repeated success with Flappy Bird-style games

Mobile gaming is turning into a graveyard of one-hit wonders, but one studio is has discovered a formula for continual success.

Developer Ketchapp had the top-downloaded iOS game in February, according to industry-tracking firm App Annie. The game is ZigZag, and it is what App Annie refers to as a “super-casual” game in the style of Flappy Bird. The free-to-play ZigZag features challenging one-touch mechanics where you must tap the screen to make your ball change direction along a narrow path. This is just the latest game to find success on mobile by offering up super-simple gameplay.