A Wild Adventure with the Jokers
Impractical Jokers Take NYC
My Role
3D Modeling, Animation, Game Design, Economy Design and Simulation, System Design, UI Design, Unity 3D
Overview
Impractical Jokers Take NYC is a mobile game that brings fans into the chaotic world of Sal, Q, and Murr as they explore New York City. In this extensive mobile experience, players take on over 20 mini-games inspired by the show, including memorable challenges like “Twerkin’ at the Car Wash” and "Putting the P in Pool." With 5 unique zones, 8 missions, 100+ lines of dialogue, daily quests, and countless wardrobe options, the game delivers an immersive and humorous journey alongside the iconic Jokers.
Challenges
As a small team tackling a big project, we needed to develop an efficient art pipeline to manage the extensive content. Midway, the game’s goal shifted from a promotional tool to a revenue-generating sales product, putting additional pressure on the game's meta structure and economy, requiring significant adjustments to ensure long-term engagement.
Solution
We created a dynamic narrative system that kept players engaged with the Jokers through iconic NYC locations like Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, complete with custom level designs and 3D models. We developed over 20 mini-games with increasing difficulty, custom objectives, and achievements, offering players both challenge and variety.
To guide players smoothly through the game, we built 8 missions with structured objectives that unlocked content and rewarded progression. For retention, we integrated achievements, daily quests, and log-in bonuses, each providing incentives for players to return and dive deeper into the game. Additionally, a balanced in-game economy was created using a detailed currency tracking spreadsheet, ensuring a fair and rewarding experience.
Delight
Player expression was key, so we designed a wardrobe with over 100 outfit options, including hilarious and iconic Punishment costumes from the show. We developed a unique rigging system allowing animation reuse across the Jokers, player avatars, and NPCs, giving players the freedom to personalize their experience while keeping the Jokers’ personalities front and center.
Conclusion
The game launched successfully on both Android and iOS, offering fans a true-to-show experience with plenty of laughs. However, due to the focus on quantity over quality, some games experienced bugs, and the client’s decision to prioritize rapid content delivery over refinements led to eventual sunsetting. Despite this, the design and humor brought the world of Impractical Jokers to life, delivering memorable, fan-loved moments that felt authentic to the show.
+91M
Impressions
2x
Industry Avg. Session Time
20x
Industry Retention
