> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.annazplays.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Remix: Turning Fake Ads into Real Games - URL: https://www.annazplays.com/remix-turning-fake-ads-into-real-games/ - Published: 2025-09-27T04:39:51.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-11T04:43:07.000Z - Description: Ever wondered if fake game ads were real? HERO UP makes it happen. Here’s my review of its puzzle gameplay, pros, cons, and Remix-powered design. - Author: Annaz - Tags: AI-Powered We’ve all seen those fake game ads. A hero levels up by fighting monsters slightly weaker than themselves. They look fun, but you know deep down they don’t actually exist. Remix has hosted a "Fake Game" Jam to encourage game developers to create these fake games. > Introducing the "Fake Game" Jam. > > Ever rage-downloaded a zombie runner, only to get a 4x game in disguise? > > Not this time. > > $5,000 on the line, make the cursed fake games real on our website and be rewarded. [pic.twitter.com/YaEvzabQYj](https://t.co/YaEvzabQYj?ref=annazplays.com) > > — Remix (@RemixGG\_) [September 15, 2025](https://twitter.com/RemixGG%5F/status/1967643009933357190?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=annazplays.com) The submission that intrigued me was from [**LeevaiNFT**](https://x.com/LeevaiNFT?ref=annazplays.com), titled **HERO UP**. It's a pixel-art puzzler that feels like those ads finally came to life. I spent some time playing it, and here are my honest thoughts. ## First Impressions of HERO UP Gameplay The first thing I noticed was how familiar the core loop felt. You start as a weak hero, then gradually fight monsters to level up. But unlike the fake ads, here you actually need to **plan your moves**. - You can’t just button-mash your way through. - The challenge lies in **choosing the right sequence of monsters** to defeat. - Make the wrong choice, and you won’t be strong enough to take down the final boss. It’s basically a puzzle game dressed up as an action-adventure, and that twist kept me hooked longer than I expected. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/4f/5d4f3569-1df3-4210-bc0f-18ca85f587ca/content/images/2025/09/Pathtracking-1.PNG) Choosing the path of which monster to fight ### What I Loved About the Game There are some genuinely clever design choices in HERO UP: 1. **Puzzle Mechanics:** Every battle is a problem to solve. The “correct order” adds a chess-like layer of strategy. 2. **Speedrun Potential:** The addition of a **timer alongside the score** makes it perfect for replayability. I can already imagine speedrunners breaking down optimal paths. 3. **Pixel Art Vibes:** The art direction feels like a quirky mix of retro pixel aesthetics with “Among Us” humor sprinkled in. These touches show that HERO UP isn’t just a throwaway jam game. It has real personality. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/4f/5d4f3569-1df3-4210-bc0f-18ca85f587ca/content/images/2025/09/Defeat-Boss-2-1.PNG) Defeating the boss after having levelling up ### The Challenges of Scaling This Concept As fun as HERO UP is, it also highlights why fake game ads rarely become real games. Here’s why: - **Map Complexity**: To keep the game fresh, each new stage needs unique enemy sequences. Designing dozens (or hundreds) of maps would take serious development time. - **Repetition Risk**: After 5–10 levels, the core mechanic might start feeling repetitive if no new twists are added. Players need fresh challenges or progression systems to stay invested. - **Development Costs**: Building enough high-quality levels could take more time than an indie dev (or small team) can realistically commit to. This raises the big question: *Would players actually stick around for a full release of this idea?* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/4f/5d4f3569-1df3-4210-bc0f-18ca85f587ca/content/images/2025/09/image-11.png) First monster fought ### Would You Pay for This Kind of Game? The game makes me wonder how much players would be willing to pay. On one hand, the novelty of finally seeing a “fake ad game” turned real is strong. But unless the developer expands with new mechanics, it risks being too shallow for a premium release. As it stands, HERO UP feels like: - ✅ A **fun mini-game** worth checking out. - ✅ A solid jam entry that gets players talking. - ❓ A **proof of concept** that could evolve into something bigger. Would I play it again? Definitely, as a fun side game. As a full release, though, it needs more mechanics and variety to stay engaging. ## The Real Focus: Using Remix for Fast Prototyping of Creative Game Ideas One detail worth noting is that HERO UP was **built using Remix**, the app that hosted the jam. What stood out to me is just how quickly HERO Up was brought from idea to life. Normally, developing even a small puzzle game can take weeks or months, but with Remix, it seems possible to spin up a prototype in a much shorter time. That’s huge for indie developers. - It lowers the barrier to entry for testing out unusual game concepts. - Developers can validate whether an idea is fun with an audience before investing in full-scale production. - Rapid prototyping means more experimental games, more jams, and potentially more hidden gems making their way to players. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/4f/5d4f3569-1df3-4210-bc0f-18ca85f587ca/content/images/2025/09/RemixGG.png) Remix is now available on iOS HERO UP itself might not yet be a full commercial release, but it shows how powerful the Remix app can be as a **tool for game design experimentation**. Imagine how many “fake ad” concepts or other quirky mechanics could be tested this way before committing to a full development cycle. I'm looking forward to what game devs build in Remix in the future! **Here's my own experience in game development on Remix:** [How to Develop and Publish a Vibe-Coded Game on Remix (Step-by-Step Guide)Learn how I developed and published a vibe-coded game on Remix using AI, from first prompt to review, plus lessons on AI game design.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/4f/5d4f3569-1df3-4210-bc0f-18ca85f587ca/content/images/icon/GLHFers-2545-7.png)AnnazPlaysAnnaz![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/4f/5d4f3569-1df3-4210-bc0f-18ca85f587ca/content/images/thumbnail/Remix-Banner-1.png)](https://www.annazplays.com/how-to-develop-and-publish-a-vibe-coded-game-on-remix-step-by-step-guide/)