SHI•RO Press Kit

photo of the map in SHI•RO: a silver island.

This is SHI•RO

SHI•RO is a game for iPhone and iPad that uses gyroscope technology to bring art to life in a player’s hand. Gold and silver on coated darkness shimmer in the hands of players while they move their iPad or iPhone. Based on a real ancient story, the game tells the tale of a curious empress, a lost love and a blossoming friendship.

In over 60 handmade puzzles, players connect golden moons to separate the sea from the sky. Each level transforms their device into a beautiful Japanese lacquer box, which players need to think outside of! To engage with SHI•RO's story, players have to find the golden elements in the game's handdrawn illustrations. Taiko drums lead their way from one star constellation to the next, puzzle by puzzle, word by word, further in time.

SHI•RO has a dedicated website and is available on the Apple App Store. It came out on the 9th of September and has been featured by Apple.

SHI•RO's Features

Transform your iPhone and iPad into a beautiful Japanese lacquer box.
Tilt your iPhone or iPad to change the reflections on the material gold.
Challenge yourself by solving complex puzzles.
Engage with stories based on Japanese history.
Listen to Japanese language and soundscapes.
No ads, no hidden costs. Simply enjoy the game!

The story behind SHI•RO

When spending an exchange semester in Japan, Jasper and Isabel found moments of calmness in the midst of Kyoto’s vibrant shopping district. In a small workshop, a beautiful black Japanese lacquer box with golden sparkles caught their eyes. When they took their phones out to take a picture, the stunning material resemblance of the iPhone and the box impressed them: Both were glossy, of high quality and had the potential to tell stories on their surfaces. This moment became the core inspiration for SH•RO, a game that brings a piece of Japanese craftsmanship into the daily lives of players.

SHI•RO’s development

Story, design and gameplay in SHI•RO are carefully researched. Jasper and Isabel traveled to Japan twice to come up with digital realizations that represent Japan’s unique design philosophy. SHI•RO is the first mobile game that uses reflective metallic surfaces. It has been developed in Unity. This summer, the game was chosen from over 400 applications to be part of the game accelerator program Stugan in Sweden. Now living in Berlin, Jasper and Isabel work as studio Topicbird on two content updates called MIDORI and AKA. They continue their cooperation with the sound designer Leonard Bahro. The game is published by the brothers grimm.

Selected Articles

“SHIRO’s puzzles are beautiful enough to display in an art gallery.” – Apple US
“It’s as though the levels were designed to be spent time with, admired as though each was hanging on its own in a museum.” – TouchArcade
“There are over 60 handmade challenges which feature a stunning, minimal design.” – PocketGamer