Last week saw a significant new release for the Gear VR mobile-based virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD). Solitaire Jester developer Resolution Games released its second project for the platform in Bait! a fishing-based title that introduces in-app purchases (IAPs) for the platform. You might think that this approach to monetisation might turn some VR fans away, but apparently not; Resolution Games has this week announced that Bait! reached nearly 150,000 downloads in less than a week after release.

Bait! launched for free on 24th March 2016 and nearly reached this milestone in five days of being available. Furthermore, Resolution Games revealed that the title has downloaded in 160 different countries and that within those first five days Gear VR users had caught some 15 million pounds of fish. Bait! offers a single player story in which players explore an island, visiting different areas and catching a wide range of fictional types of fish. The experience relies on the Gear VRs on-board touchpad to get users to throw a line, catch a fish and then reel it in without letting it get away.

“It is amazing to see how widespread and global the interest is and with so many fish already caught it’s apparent the game is luring in players for longer play sessions,” said Tommy Palm, CEO and co-founder of Resolution Games. “We couldn’t be happier with the excitement from users around Bait! We’re hearing from players of all kinds about their experiences with the game – whether new to VR and fishing or old hats to both.” More localised versions of the videogame are also said to be on the way.

For the latest on Resolution Games’ work in VR, check back with VRFocus.