iPad App Review: DrawQuest

My sons and I had the chance to check out a free iPad app: DrawQuest. If you or your kids have a knack for drawing, this free app will be a fun diversion for you. The Facebook-connected online community will bring out your best of Pictionary; Win, Lose, or Draw; or Draw Something!

Founded by 4chan and Canv.as founder Christopher Poole, DrawQuest was designed as a “back to basics” outlet for those Canvas fans who enjoy modifying pictures. Poole discovered how much flexibility and liberty users were taking modifying photos.

DrawQuest is a free download from the Apple App Store. You can easily sign up with your Facebook account, but you don’t have to have a Facebook account to play. You can set up a username unilaterally.

DrawQuest isn’t a game, but then again, it is. The object of the app is to draw a picture based on a daily theme. Share the picture with the DrawQuest world (as well as on Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter, if you wish) and you can earn stars and coins. Those coins can be used to upgrade color palettes and earn other benefits.

Here’s how it works. Each day DrawQuest presents a quest of the day. The palette will have a partial drawing in place already and your quest will be to augment it. Use your imagination. Have a good time!

The interface is very similar to Draw Something, if you’re a fan of that particular game. Use your fingers. If you are ambitious enough, you can get really creative!

After you finish your drawing, by using the provided color palette and a paintbrush, marker, or pencil, you can share it to the DrawQuest community. You can compare your art with others in the community. You earn coins by completing quests, sharing the art, and earning lots of “likes” for your completed quests.

The welcome screen shows your profile and completed quests. Some of my boys’ quests look more…um, mature…than others. Screen capture: Patricia Vollmer.

A listing of recent quests. Unlike 4chan, these quests are appropriate for all ages. Screen capture: Patricia Vollmer.

With the coins you accumulate, you can buy more colors for your palette. Image capture: Patricia Vollmer.

My sons took control of my iPad before long and began to flood my Facebook and Twitter feeds with their artwork. While some of it was very good, much of it was quite snarky.

In response to "Let's Make a Sandcastle", my sons decided to enable laser eyes. Screen capture: Patricia Vollmer. — In response to “Let’s Make a Sandcastle,” my sons decided to enable laser eyes, making that little girl on the left cry. Screen capture: Patricia Vollmer.

"What's in the Jar?" Nothing. A fine example of my older son's sense of humor. Screen capture: Patricia Vollmer. — “What’s in the Jar?” Nothing. A fine example of my older son’s sense of humor. Screen capture: Patricia Vollmer.

This is a fun, very basic app that is appropriate for all ages. Kids will particularly enjoy the little prompts that get them to explore their creativity. I’m disappointed that it’s currently only available for iPad and nothing else. I see no indications that it will be available on any other platform anytime soon.

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