A decade has passed since the then-19-year-old Gabriele Cirulli developed the game that would become an overnight hit.
Amsterdam, October 8, 2024: Dubbed the 'Candy Crush for math geeks,' 2048 began as a weekend passion project for Gabriele Cirulli in 2014. Now, as the game celebrates its 10th anniversary, Gabriele is launching a revamped edition of 2048, along with an exclusive new experience for Amazon Prime members called '2048 Plus.' This update introduces exciting new 'power-ups' and features a complete redesign
Originally developed as a hobby project, Gabriele is excited to revitalize the puzzle experience that captivated over 5 million players in just a week. This updated version of 2048 features a fresh design, enhanced animations, and new power-ups that transform gameplay. Players can now use the 'Undo' feature to correct mistakes and avoid the dreaded game over, 'Swap Two Tiles' to switch the positions of tiles in tricky situations, and 'Delete Tiles by Number' to clear the board of specific numbered tiles. These new features give both new and returning players exciting ways to devise new strategies and reach the coveted 2048 tile.
‘After discovering and getting addicted to puzzle games similar to 2048, I was intrigued. However, the aesthetic of the existing versions didn't quite appeal to me, so I decided to make my own version of the game with no intention of profiting from it. You can imagine my surprise when 2048 rose to the top of Hacker News and, and even more so when the interest not only stayed but grew into a viral phenomenon,’ says Gabriele Cirulli.
A special version of 2048, called '2048 Plus,' will be available exclusively to Amazon Prime members in supported countries. This edition offers three additional power-ups beyond those in the standard version: 'Teleport a Tile,' which lets you move any tile to an empty spot for more merging opportunities; 'Rotate the Outer Ring,' allowing you to shift tiles clockwise or counterclockwise to uncover new patterns; and 'Bomb,' which clears a 3x3 area of tiles, giving you much-needed space when you're stuck.
Owing to its open-source design, 2048 has seen widespread adaptation. From in-flight entertainment systems to car consoles or Easter eggs in apps, the game's presence extends far beyond traditional gaming platforms.
‘These updates demonstrate the lasting impact of Gabriele’s original game and his commitment to improving the player experience,’ says David Palan, CEO of Solebon. ‘We’re excited to partner with Gabriele to bring these updates to the mobile app in the coming months.’
Since October 2023, Gabriele has been working on 2048 full-time, focusing on performance improvements, updated visuals, and new gameplay features. The upcoming 2048 Plus, created in collaboration with Amazon Prime Gaming, marks a new chapter in the game’s history and promises an enhanced experience for both new and experienced players.
You can experience 2048 at play2048.co. The Prime Gaming experience, with the additional power-ups, can be accessed here.
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For more information, contact:
Sofia Chiscop - sofia@prlab.co
You can find the press kit here.
About Gabriele Cirulli & 2048
Gabriele Cirulli is the creator of 2048, the puzzle experience that gained over 5 million players in a week. In 2014, Gabriele's weekend passion project captured global attention, garnering millions of players. Originally published as open-source software on GitHub, 2048 rapidly evolved into a cultural icon, finding its way into in-flight entertainment systems, car consoles, and various apps. In 2023, Gabriele decided to focus on 2048 full-time, committing himself to its ongoing development.