Vogue Publisher Launches Fashion Game for iOS

From Paris to the U.S., Vogue and GQ magazine have long been seen as the standard bearers for all things fashion and haute couture. Now the publisher of those titles, Conde Nast, is looking to leverage that fashion authority via technology with a new iOS game called Fashion Hazard.

The game is essentially a virtual trip through the high fashion world, taking runway models through the style gauntlet in Paris, New York, London, and Milan. Interestingly, the game acknowledges the archetypes that often pop up in the real modeling world by giving you characters like Ellie, a farm girl from Kansas, Le Tigress, a plastic surgery addict and child of the wealthy, and Rob, a washed up athlete turned brand mannequin.

Playing the game successfully involves tilting and tapping the environment at the right moments to avoid becoming runway roadkill. The game's "Power Ups" menu includes hilarious items such as Super Stiletto "attract bling without contact," Energy Drink "invincibility against obstacles," and Photogeneity "immediately trigger a photo op."

Developed by Conde Nast Digital's in-house team Interactive Product Group (iPG), the title is the firm's entry into the casual games market and could life Conde Nast's digital profile as it continues to develop its non-print products. In addition to GQ and Vogue, the company also publishes Allure, Teen Vogue, W, Glamour, Lucky, Details, and Style.com.

"We think girls will really enjoy the combination of fashion and action," said Juliana Stock, senior director business and product development at iPG. "It's a unique blend for this demo and a niche we feel has a lot of potential."

Although the video demonstration (below) of the game does appear to lean toward the teen market, the game will probably attract its fair share of adult gamers interested in some ironic fun posing as virtual runway models as well. The game is being sold in the app store for $0.99 and is currently only available for iOS devices.