A downloadable game

You are the Root Bear serving bears their root beer.
They're extremely picky on their pour, but they pay well. 
Go on, Root Bear. Achieve the Perfect Pour.

A game for Playdate.
Purchase on Playdate Catalog
Made for Global Game Jam 2023

A game by:

Cole O’Brien
Lead Programming + Design
Andrea Cabral
Bear & Hero Art
Beau QP
UI & UX Art
Alex Sussman
Direction + Programming

🍺🐻

Updated 3 days ago
StatusReleased
Rating
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
(23 total ratings)
Authoralexsussy
GenreSimulation
Made withPlaydate
Tags1-bit, bear, beer, crank, Cute, ggj2023, Global Game Jam, lua, Playdate, root
Average sessionA few minutes

Download

Download
Root Bear 9 MB
Download
Root Bear v1.4 3 MB

Development log

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Comments

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I can't play this game for some reason. I can download it but there's no file to click on to actually start the game.

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The download is a .pdx file which can only be installed and played on a Playdate.

Ohh thank you! I didn't know that

Is the catalog version different?

Is this more like a demo..and the full version is on catalog?  Thanks!

Currently they’re similar, but only the Catalog version will be supported with new modes and improvements. No timeline yet!

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It's super fun!

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The bear faces :D 

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Initially sideloaded an older build when I got my first Playdate in the summer, bought it on Catalog once I got a refurbished one for Christmas.

Best pick-up-and-play title on the system imo and a great way to demonstrate the system to friends and family; they all thought it was fun! It's just perfect. Love the stock sfx screams (though I do kinda miss the Heavy Weapons Guy crying, but given the games now on Catalog, I get that wouldn't exactly fly haha.

Bought on Catalog, 100% would recommend. (v2.1)


Had only one crash in like 100 plays, at the end of the round.

Looking forward to any updates you're planning!

A fix for the crash has been submitted and should go live when Panic gets back from vacation. Sorry about that!

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Bought on the catalogue, has to be one of the best games on the playdate that i've played so far. its such a simple idea that gets a lot of mileage, especially when you have someone to compete against for the high score.

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Just tried 2.0 and love the new glass shapes/sizes and music!...but can't help but still have a warm fuzzy spot for the old bar bg noise audio and just 1 cup size.  Not sure how much more time/work you intend to keep investing on this title, but would be super dope to have 2 modes: 1 for 2.0 and one for Classic Mode.

In the meantime, is there a way to download 1.3 or 1.4 + have the store ver installed (so I have both 2.0 and 1.3/1.4 on my Playdate)?

NOTE: last ver I played was 1.3, so not fully aware of all the changes in 1.4 first hand.

I can look into re-providing a v1.4 build soon, but no promises!

♥️ 

Just to reiterate: I love the update and am thrilled you are still active on the project. I just also love classic and didn’t realize I would miss it! (Feels like it’s in a different bar, if that makes sense)

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Hi again!
Root Bear v1.4 can now be found in the dev post.
You may have to uninstall newer versions.
Let me know if you have any issues!

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dude, you are the best! I’ll be sure to download it so I have both forever

srry to be a pain, but not seeing the download for 1.4 using your link (Download button takes me back to 2.0's pg)

oh weird, I should have double checked.
Sorry for the trouble! v1.4 should now be available on the main page alongside v2.0.

also 1.4 includes the short lived time bonus. let me know if you'd like that removed for some v1.5 update.

so stoked to try 2.0!! (I just found out about it)
Root Bear is still my fave game on playdate

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I played your game on the Playdate Simulator and because it’s such a great game, I ordered the Playdate 😃 As soon as I played it on my Playdate, I come back to pay you 😊

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Absolutely awesome game! Any chance of submitting it for the catalog?

Keep a close eye on this page...

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YAY! Bought it from Catalog. Love this game so much!

Such a great game! Combining my two loves, beverages and games.

Hello, can you make a version for windows?

No plans for that, but in the meantime, you can download the Playdate SDK and use the simulator for a 'Windows' version.

https://play.date/dev/

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Cute game and character design. I thought the monochrome tone wouldn't work but it's on

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I'm excited to play this when my playdate i preordered arrives! Will definitely comment again, once I get to play it!

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very cute game, so fun and love all the illustrations 

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1000000% Catalog worthy!! prob my fav game on playdate atm!

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I’ve had it for like 2 months, it is my girlfriend and I’s most played game.

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oh man this is fantastic, I took it for free, now back here to give this comment, and pay for it. Just an awesome perfect feeling little game for the playdate.

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OMG ! It's really fun !
Tryed it, coming back to buy it :)

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I absolutely love this game, my high score is currently $150 :3

Root Bear game over screen with the final score of $150

nice high score dood

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This is one of the BEST Free Games for Playdate

I enjoyed this game! The core mechanic of the root beer tap took a moment to learn but holds its delight. I wish there was variety in the bear customers, their animation is a joy but it felt like I was looking at the same bear over and over which made me it harder for me to keep going. I believe variety in the patrons would remove that interruption to the experience. Otherwise it’s a treat, exactly what I’m looking for on Playdate!

Fantastic and silly! I only wish there was a leaderboard for past tries! :) I hope to follow what you create in the future! I love the art!!

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Stay tuned...

any chance for a quick list-view icon update in the future?

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I'll look into it!

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PERFECT POUR

Fantastic little game! :-) any chance of more root bear? :-)

(4 edits)

I LOVE this game!  Its been my go-to for quick game breaks.

Any chance of a full release on the playdate catalog?  Would be so awesome if it had online leaderboards, or at least local scoreboards saving (and maybe another mode...or 2...maybe a couple different bears and/or glass shapes/sizes? different levels/stages?)  i just want more Root Bear!

(1 edit)

Obviously the gameplay is simple, but it is fun and a unique mechanic. I can't think of any other game that asks you to pour and have diminishing head (lol).

The art though, the art is phenomenal. Overall I'm thankful  you made this and was a really fun experience!

OH AND THE SOUND TOO. Loved the ambience!

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yeeees! Between v1.3 and firmware update to 1.13.1 something finally clicked. the game is great and I've had some of those Perfect Pours! love it!

I'm in! Good fun and I really like the art.

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Looks great, but yeah, crashing.  Will retry when patched though.  Love both roots and bears.

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Hi! 

Played one round and then had an immediate hard crash - not sure what caused it! I think it popped up after I tried to return to the menu?

Apologies, will investigate!

crashes on startup (Play date)

Sorry for the trouble. I sideloaded the currently live build and could not replicate. Could you verify your Playdate OS version? (Mine is 1.12.3)

mine is the same. 1.12.3

Thanks for following up, will investigate.

also crashed before gameplay on 1.12.3 but i Need some Root Bear in my life

the download still seems to be on 1.1 which again crashes for me (still on 1.12.3). Does 1.2 work? I'd like to see this bear business