Bicycling through Philadelphia looks difficult to any observer, but two University of Pennsylvania students saw that as an opportunity for a unique video game.

Michael Highland and Kevin Jenkins studied Digital Media Design and computer science at the university respectively, and together, they developed the game, “Hipster City Cycle”, according to their biographies.

The game allows users to navigate bicycling character, Binky McKee, in and out of traffic on the streets of Philadelphia. The group wrote on their website that Philadelphia has been the perfect setting for the game.

“(It is) under-appreciated yet iconic, sprawling yet familiar, ugly yet beautiful, and most important, its a city overflowing with character,” they wrote.

In order to succeed in the game, Binky must meet the challenges common with each of the Philadelphia neighborhoods included: West Philly, South Philly, Northern Liberties and Center City.



“For example, Trolley tracks can be dangers during the West Philly portions of the game,” Highland told the Inquirer.

Just like riding a bicycle through Philly, the most difficult part of the game comes as players dodge cars and car doors. Medals can be earned in the 16 races for succeeding time, style, and skill based goals, according to their website.

But the game is a little different than most iPad and iPhone applications. Their website reports that Highland and Jenkins called on Northeast Philly native Keith McKnight to create a retro appearance for the game.

The game, which has a 4 and a half star rating, is pretty popular with gamers. A Gaming Target review by Nicole Klein, in Apple's app store said, "It's a love letter to Philadelphia written on the stationery of retro gaming."

The application also proudly represents UPenn’s Digital Media Design (DMD) program. The program, which began in 1998, encourages students allows students to develop skills in computer graphics, animation, games, and the design of virtual reality environments.

In 2010, the Entertainment Software Association reported that 12 institutions in Pa. offered programs in game design and development.

The application, which can be used on an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, can be purchased in the iTunes App Store for $1.99.