Diep.io

Diep.io
Mobile icon
Publisher(s)	Miniclip (2016–2021; mobile) Addicting Games (2021–2024) VexxusArts (2024–Present)
Designer(s)	Matheus Valadares
Platform(s)	Browser iOS Android
Release	Browser April 16, 2016 iOS July 8, 2016 Android July 7, 2016
Genre(s)	Shooter game
Mode(s)	Multi-player

Diep.io (stylized as diep.io) is a multiplayer browser game created by Brazilian developer Matheus Valadares in 2016. Miniclip first published the mobile version. In Diep.io, players control tanks in a two-dimensional arena. They earn experience points and upgrades by destroying shapes and other tanks.

Valadares created the similar Agar.io in 2015. Its viral popularity inspired a genre of similar browser games with simple gameplay and graphics called ".io games", which includes Diep.io. Diep.io was praised for its upgrade system, which gave it more depth and replay value than other ".io games". In 2021, it was acquired by Addicting Games. In 2024, it was acquired by 3AM Experiences who then contracted out VexxusArts to update and maintain the game. Google Play reports over 10 million mobile downloads as of 2023.^[1]

Background and development

Brazilian developer Matheus Valadares created Agar.io in April 2015. It is a simple browser game where cells attempt to grow larger by eating agar and other cells. Agar.io's unexpected viral success, supported by its popularity on platforms such as YouTube, led to millions of daily players and it becoming the most popular video game of 2015. A mobile port was released by Swiss publisher Miniclip.^[2][3][4]

Agar.io's rapid rise inspired the similar, snake-themed Slither.io and later an entire genre of simple multiplayer browser games called ".io games", many of which were shooters.^[2] Valadares released a shooter ".io game" called Diep.io in mid-2016,^[5] and Miniclip soon released a mobile version for iOS and Android.^[6]

In 2021, Addicting Games—then owned by Enthusiast Gaming—acquired Diep.io for an undisclosed amount. They previously acquired two other ".io games", Starve.io and Mope.io, and Valadares' Bubble Tanks. CEO Bill Karamousiz said they planned to rebuild the mobile app and add new game modes, achievements and cosmetics, among other improvements.^[7]

Gameplay

Like other .io games, Diep.io features simple gameplay and graphics consisting of basic shapes.^[8][9] Players control a tank in a multiplayer, two-dimensional arena. They earn experience points by destroying shapes and other tanks which spawn throughout the arena and killing other tanks.^[7][10] Tanks can upgrade into different classes suited to tailor individual strengths and weaknesses when they reach thresholds of Level 15; Level 30; and Level 45, which is the maximum.^[6] Some miscellaneous attributes like health, body damage, and size are increased with level. Some unique tank classes can control drones, shoot missiles, or lay traps. Every time the player levels up, or once every three levels starting at Level 30, they get a point which can be spent to upgrade game statistics such as health, bullet damage, and reload. A score board displays the players with the most points.^[11] Diep.io has eight multiplayer game modes, including free-for-all and several team-based modes, as well as a few mini-game modes.^[8][10] When rounds end, special server tanks called Arena Closers are called into the arena to defeat the remaining players in order to close the server.

Reception

Reviews praised Diep.io as one of the best .io games alongside Agar.io and Slither.io, noting that the more in-depth tank upgrade system offered more replay value than other games in the genre.^{[8][10][12][13]} Android Authority described it as a spiritual successor of Agar.io.^[6] Conversely, Simon Reed of Gamezebo opined that the early stages of gameplay were slow and the gameplay loop was not compelling enough to keep players after the first several playthroughs, unlike Agar.io and Slither.io, saying that Diep.io is "lacking in a few key departments that just hold it back from greatness." He rated it 3.5/5 stars.^[9] Christian Vas of PCGamesN considered the team-based game modes to be the best.^[10]

References

1. "diep.io - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
2. Takahashi, Dean (11 February 2017). "The surprising momentum behind games like Agar.io". VentureBeat. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
3. Burgess, Matt (12 April 2016). "How addictive simplicity made Agar.io a global hit". Wired UK. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
4. Makuch, Eddie (16 December 2015). "2015's Top Trending US Games on Google Revealed, Number 1 May Surprise You". GameSpot. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
5. Hodapp, Eli (21 July 2016). "'Diep.io' Hits the App Store From the Creator of 'Agar.io'". TouchArcade. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
6. "Miniclip releases its popular tank shooter, diep.io, to the Google Play Store". Android Authority. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
7. Orr, Aaron (16 September 2021). "Addicting Games acquires 2D tank arena game Diep.io". PocketGamer.biz. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
8. Lennox, Jesse (25 November 2020). "The Best IO Games". Digital Trends. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
9. Reed, Simon (29 July 2016). "diep.io Review: Tanks for the Idea". Gamezebo. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
10. Vas, Christian (April 2023). "The best io games 2023". PCGamesN. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
11. Reed, Simon (28 July 2016). "diep.io Tips, Cheats and Strategies". Gamezebo. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
12. Cohen, Maddy (22 February 2019). "10 Best .IO Games Worth Wasting Your Time On". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 30 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
13. Corpuz, John (24 June 2019). "10 Best IO Games of 2019". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.

External links

• Official website
• Diep.io on Google Play
• Diep.io on the App Store
• Official wiki