Tapulous taps into App Store with new game

Riddim Ribbon looking to repeat success of wildly popular Tap Tap Revenge

Seeking to replicate the success of Tap Tap Revenge and its collection of clones, Tapulous last night launched Riddim Ribbon, another iPhone app that makes pop music a part of the gaming experience.

In Riddim Ribbon, users use the iPhone's tilt technology to guide a ball down a psychedelic ribbon, trying to collect power-ups and avoid obstacles, all to the tune of Black Eyed Pea hits ("I Gotta Feeling," "Boom Boom Pow," and "Meet Me Halfway"). Users who inevitably get tired of the same old songs can purchase extra content by Tiësto and Benny Benassi.

Riddim Ribbon is currently available on the App Store for $2.99.

"In all of 2009, we were the Tap Tap Revenge company," said Bart Decrem, CEO of Tapulous. "If all goes right, this is going to be a big deal for us."

Tap Tap Revenge, Tapulous' first hit for the iPhone, reached 1 million users within the first month of its launch in July 2008. Since then, the app has found its way to over 25 million users via a plethora of variations on the original, including sequels and band-based iterations like the special Lady Gaga and Nine Inch Nails-branded versions.

Of course, Tapulous now faces increased competition from developers seeking to emulate their success. Most notably, MTV Networks and Electronic Arts released an iPhone version of Rock Band in October 2009.

Nevertheless, there's room on the platform for multiple game developers and the iPad will open even more avenues. Decrem is excited to port games to the iPad and believes the device will sell three to four million units in the first year.