Root Bear
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
A game by:
Cole O’Brien
Lead Programming + Design
Andrea Cabral
Bear & Hero Art
Beau QP
UI & UX Art
Alex Sussman
Direction + Programming
🍺🐻
Download
Development log
- Root Bear merch available!7 days ago
- Community Awards for Root Bear!Mar 08, 2024
- Root Bear joins the Catalog Anniversary Sale!Mar 07, 2024
- Root Bear v2.1.1 [Catalog Only]Jan 09, 2024
- Root Bear v2.1 [Catalog Only]Dec 14, 2023
- Vote for Root Bear!Dec 04, 2023
- Root Bear now available on Playdate CatalogNov 21, 2023
- Root Bear v2.0Oct 09, 2023
Comments
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I love the game so much -- I had to create some fan art!
This is AMAZING!!!! Thank you!!!!
Thank YOU for making such an iconic game! My partner and I adore it! I always love the art in your games as well.
What's the difference between Root Beer 9.3MB and Root Beer v1.4, and why isn't it more obvious on the main page?
v1.4 was a off-brand experimental update with an infinite time mechanic brought back by popular demand.
Eh, not feeling it anymore! Took it down. Made comparing scores between versions really difficult. May be best to flesh it out as a separate mode for Catalog.
aaaaand again!
Bought it in the Catalog, first game on my playdate and loving it!
On one of my play there was a frog appearing, I was just curious to know what trigger it 😁
Thanks!
Must be a bug. Will make it even rarer in the next update :)
Hello! For some reason, I'm unable to actually purchase your game through the Playdate store. My card keeps getting declined, and this only happens for your game. I sideloaded the latest copy, which is a lot of fun. Got a way for me to pay you for it?
Strange! Not a clue what could be happening there. Shoot me an email and I'll make things right.
I love this so much this is so cuteeeee
Is it like mobile???
it is not mobile its for the playdate
if you want to buy it search up play.date
This looks great :D will try it soon!
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.
The download is a .pdx file which can only be installed and played on a Playdate.
Ohh thank you! I didn't know that
This is for Playdate, not for phone or computer 🖥
same
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!
It's super fun!
The bear faces :D
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!
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.
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)
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!
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
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 😊
Absolutely awesome game! Any chance of submitting it for the catalog?
Keep a close eye on this page...
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/
Cute game and character design. I thought the monochrome tone wouldn't work but it's on
I'm excited to play this when my playdate i preordered arrives! Will definitely comment again, once I get to play it!
very cute game, so fun and love all the illustrations
1000000% Catalog worthy!! prob my fav game on playdate atm!
I’ve had it for like 2 months, it is my girlfriend and I’s most played game.
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.
OMG ! It's really fun !
Tryed it, coming back to buy it :)
I absolutely love this game, my high score is currently $150 :3
nice high score dood
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!!
Stay tuned...
any chance for a quick list-view icon update in the future?
I'll look into it!
PERFECT POUR
Fantastic little game! :-) any chance of more root bear? :-)
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!
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!
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.
Looks great, but yeah, crashing. Will retry when patched though. Love both roots and bears.
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