Sponsored Feature: iQin Mobile on how Kung Fu Fox on iOS is fighting off the physics-puzzler competition

How exactly do you stand out in the ultra-competitive physics-puzzler category on the App Store?

By making your game's protagonist a kung fu-loving fox, of course.

That's developer iQin Mobile's answer, at least, which has just released a new version of Kung Fu Fox on iPhone.

Tony Zhang, lead developer at iQin Mobile, spoke to us about the game's influences, innovations, and weapons. Legendary weapons of kung fu

Zhang believes two of the most instantly appealing parts of Kung Fu Fox are its controls and its drawing mechanic, which are both simple to pick up but tough to master.

"All you have to do is draw a line to shoot a weapon and kill the enemies - it is that easy," Zhang says. "The little Kung Fu Fox also learns the ways of three oriental secret weapons, such as powerful darts, flying knives, and the traditional Chinese fire cracker."

Drawing lines - dubbed "kung fu drawing" - to make sure your weapons hit home is the key to completing each stage, and Zhang is keen to emphasise how much variety this brings to the game.

"Draw anything you like and it will become true in Kung Fu Fox's game world," he says. "This skill allows the magic Kung Fu pen to draw any lines and make them real. Draw boards, bridges, traps, flowers, elephants, anything interesting, and widen your imagination.

"You can help Kung Fu Fox to create a brand-new world, and you even can share what you draw to your friends on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter."

Enter the fox

When it comes to citing the inspirations for Kung Fu Fox, Zhang claims that the one of the game's main influences is clearly evident within its title.

"We really like the art of kung fu and the films of Bruce Lee, and they really inspired us to create a cute fox who likes Chinese kung fu," he readily admits.

"After all, Kung Fu Fox is practising his moves in order to become a great kung fu fighter, just like his hero: Bruce Lee."

This isn't just an example of idle fanboy fawning either, with Zhang explaining there has been a conscious effort on the part of iQin Mobile to make sure its bushy-tailed star has the martial arts legend's moves down pat.

"We watched a lot of kung fu movies to make sure Kung Fu Fox behaves like a real kung fu fighter," he notes. "We added many animations for him. He's cute and smart, and trying his best to be a kung fu hero - but, sometimes, he's a bit lazy just like many kids when they study in school."

Foxes forever

To help add further variety to the fox's adventures, two different time settings for levels are available, both of which offers its own challenges.

"The two different modes in the game are named Day and Night," Zhang tells us.

"In the former, we provide the gamers with kung fu drawing in straight lines, and there are many cute pink wolves waiting for you. In Night mode, however, we provide the gamers with kung fu drawing in curves, and besides the wolves, there is a cute dummy enemy as well."

There has even been a special addition to the game in time for the holiday season.

"It also snows in the Night setting, and so levels become winter wonderlands," Zhang explains.

Fox of legend

As for what the future holds for Kung Fu Fox, Zhang reveals that updates will arrive in time.

"We are planning to add new enemies and new levels in the future," he says. "Perhaps, one day, you can even see how Kung Fu Fox has learnt more magic from the art of kung fu, and discover that he is proficient with some new weapons."

Zhang also remains open to the possibility of the martial arts-trained fox leaping onto other platforms.

"Currently, our team is focusing on iOS," he says. "But, if the gamers like our games, such as Kung Fu Fox, we'd like to bring them to Android and Windows Phone customers, as well."

Kung Fu Fox is available on iPhone now, and costs 69p / 99c [iTunes link]. An iPad version is also available - Kung Fu Fox HD - which costs £1.49 / $1.99 [iTunes link].

Check out the videos for Kung Fu Fox below.