UPDATED 09:47 EDT / APRIL 05 2012

Draw Something Hits 50M Downloads in 50 Days

Draw Something, the Pictionary-like app that invaded iOS and Android devices, has been downloaded 50 million times in just 50 days.

“We believe it’s not only the fastest-growing original mobile game of all time – 50 days to hit 50 million downloads — but one of the fastest growing web sensations that we’ve seen,” Zynga said in a statement.

The announcement was made by Zynga, who recently bought OMGPOP Inc., the developer of Draw Something, for $180 million, plus another $30 million for employee retention payments.  Aside from that, the app is once again the top-selling app in Apple’s App Store after a two week hiatus when Rovio’s Angry Birds Space launched.

Zynga acquired OMGPOP the day Rovio released Angry Birds Space, garnering criticizism for the acquisition with some stating that the deal was overpriced.  And the acquisition looked even worse when Angry Birds Space knocked Draw Something from its pedestal the next day as the top-selling app in the App Store.  Critics thought Draw Something was just an overnight thing.

Lo and behold, Draw Something is back on track, proving that they are not a fad.

Seriously, Draw Something is highly addictive!  For those of you who haven’t tried it yet, here’s a quick run-down.  You and your friends, or random people, will choose what word or phrases you’d like your opponent to guess.  If guessed correctly, you earn coins which can be used to purchase more colors to make your drawings more interesting.  The fun in the game, for me, is not based on whether you can guess the word or not, but in the creation of the drawings.  Some people take the game seriously, while some just write the words if they don’t know how to draw it.  But some players I’ve encountered were able to create works of art and it just amazes me.  All I can come up with are stick figures!

Still, even if Draw Something is a huge success now, there’s no telling how long it can hold on to the top spot.  Apps are being developed and released everyday and it’s just be a matter of time before another app catches the attention of people.  So it all comes back to Zynga: was it wise for them to acquire the company because of Draw Something?  Could the OMGPOP team be able to deliver games capable of matching Draw Something’s success or better?  Or was Draw Something some kind of a fluke?  I know Zynga is hoping they made the right choice, but only time will tell.


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