KICKER Tribute Edition · for iPad
A new KICKER version.
After 35 years.
I mean it. On iPad. And you’re in — from the very first version on.
OK — is this serious?
Yes. I really mean this.
I want to bring my brother’s teenage project back to life — beyond an existence inside an emulator. And on the device people actually play on today: iPad.
The vision
KICKER. On the App Store. Officially. As close to the original as humanly possible.
- ▸All features of the original
- ▸The original look & feel
- ▸Those breathtaking goal scenes
- ▸Smooth on modern hardware
Yes, with AI. So what?
I lean on what people now call vibecoding — development with AI assistance.
What? AI? No way. I know — for many people AI in the gaming world is an absolute no-go. Honest answer: without it I wouldn’t have started this project at all. It helps me translate Dirk’s original GFA-Basic code into Swift.
And: it’s not as straightforward as it sounds. KICKER is a surprisingly complex game — all the little details that make football what it is have to land cleanly in the new code. That takes time. And patience. Mine. And yours.
How does this work?
I develop in my spare time, whenever it fits. New builds ship regularly — distributed via TestFlight.
STAGE 1 · DONE
The first usable version is out. I’ve had my fun — now it’s your turn.
STAGE 2 · NOW
Now real testing can start. I need you: bug reports, feature wishes, your taste of the original. The feedback tool is ready — structured and direct: send feedback.
What is TestFlight?
TestFlight is Apple’s official way to test apps before launch. Free. Fuss-free. Right inside the Apple ecosystem.
- ▸Install the app to your iPad in one tap
- ▸Updates land on your device automatically
- ▸Send feedback straight from inside the app
You need: an iPad, an Apple account and the free TestFlight app.
And who knows …
Maybe something bigger comes out of this. A KICKER with features that never existed — the ones we always wanted from KICKER or Starbyte Super Soccer back then but never got.
A small KICKER community. A Starbyte Super Soccer community, if you prefer. In my experience, creativity has very few limits here.
So: be in.
The earlier you join, the more you can shape. Spread the word — the more testers, the better the whole thing gets.
Looking forward to having you on board.