The big guns in the gaming industry including Nintendo and Bethesda have taken advantage of the Stickers feature on iMessage.
Following the launch of iOS 10 earlier this month that brought cool new features to Siri and more, Bethesda and Nintendo were quick to capitalize on the stickers feature and offer free downloads for use on iMessage.
On Thursday, Sept. 22, Fallout Shelter publisher Bethesda released stickers that could be used with iMessage provided the device is running iOS 10.
As soon as they were seen in the 1.7.2 update they caught the attention of those who play the game on their iOS 10 devices. GameSpot says that some stickers are actually animated. It goes on to say that among the animated stickers are ones that focus on Vault Boy who appears to be approving or disapproving actions by using a "thumbs up or down" sign.
In addition to the animated stickers, Vault Boy is also seen carrying a load of boxes or slouching in disappointment. There are also cockroaches that are likely to be around even after a nuclear apocalypse and are an important part of the game.
However, it is clear that the ability to add these stickers that focus on the end of the world after a nuclear apocalypse is not going to find favor with all, and the animated thumbs up is likely going to find most traction with users.
Those who play Fallout Shelter on their iOS 10 devices and want to use the stickers just need to update the game to verison 1.7.2, after which they will be able to use the stickers. If they don't appear immediately, users can tap the App Store icon at the bottom left of Messages app and go to Manage. Here, they can enable sticker support on any app they'd like to use them on.
With the Stickers feature drawing a lot of attention since it arrived this month, it is likely that many game publishers are planning to make full use of it.
Even with the launch of Fallout Shelter stickers though, Bethesda could not beat Nintendo, as it brought out a free Super Mario Run sticker pack as the iPhone 7 launched. Nintendo's move to launch the stickers for iMessage even before the game is due to launch in December indicates that it is banking on the feature becoming popular on iOS 10. It's also likely that Nintendo will use the Stickers features on iOS 10 to increase awareness about Super Mario Run.
The New York Times even labeled the iOS 10 stickers feature as "iMessage's most tantalizing new destination," and it appears that more game publishers are going to follow Bethesda and Nintendo's path and take advantage of it.
