Bubble Witch 1 is a popular puzzle game developed by King, the same creators of Candy Crush Saga. The game was released in October 2011 and quickly gained traction among mobile gamers. It is available for both iOS and Android devices. In Bubble Witch 1, players take on the role of a witch named Stella, who is on a mission to save her enchanted world from the evil Wilbur. To do this, players must complete levels by popping bubbles strategically. The gameplay of Bubble Witch 1 is similar to other bubble shooter games.

How This Celebrity Tattoo Artist Created a Tattoo You Can Turn On and Off At Will

Bang Bang—who has inked the likes of Rihanna and LeBron—teamed up with research scientists to develop a new kind of light-sensitive ink.

Nearly everybody I know has at least one tattoo except me. But I am apparently not the only person without ink, because a day does not go by where my inbox does not host at least one press email declaring how to get the look, peddling tattoo stickers in the form of Hailey Bieber’s delicate hand tattoos or Pete Davidson’s more in-your-face styles. They’re meant to cater to people like me—blank canvases who still want to play along—or people who aren’t averse to tattoos, but just haven’t found one they’d be willing to commit to permanently yet.

And that’s what makes Keith “Bang Bang” McCurdy, owner of Bang Bang Tattoo Studios and very famous tattoo artist, very excited to talk to me about his latest innovation in ink. It’s so much cooler than a sticker—it's real tattoo ink that you can “turn on” or off using different wavelengths of UV and white light. He showed me on himself with a small red heart tattoo on his wrist—a few seconds of a white light flashlight and it was gone, and a few seconds in front of a UV flashlight and there it was again. Just like a spell, hence its name: Magic Ink.

Lots of tattoos here—but only the heart is Magic Ink.

Courtesy of Matt Cooney

Bang (as he's known to his friends and associates) has been quiet about Magic Ink thus far, teasing hints of it on his Instagram, showing only few VIP clients—and now me, in the literal flesh. We met at his glossy Manhattan studio—there's digital screen-wrapped entrance hall, a hovering fish tank above the staircase, poured concrete floors below. Also, lots and lots of abs. Every patron on the Tuesday afternoon of my visit appeared to be a model, or at least a music video extra. (“We get a lot of pretty people in here,” as he put it.)

Bang may be most notable for inking celebrities: Miley Cyrus, Adele, LeBron, Katy Perry, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber. It started with Rihanna. “I met this girl who wanted a tattoo. She wanted a little word on her hip,” he said. It was during his early days working downtown. (“It was like tattoo shop, sex shop, tattoo shop, pizza shop, Papaya Dog—grimy”). It was also around the time “Umbrella” dropped, but he just knew that she was a singer, like so many people who move to NY to pursue their dreams. Rihanna liked the tattoo enough to return several times, and they became friends, which opened more doors. Naturally she was one of the first people he showed Magic Ink. Her reaction was apparently similar to mine: “What the fuck?!”

“Tattooing hasn't changed for the most part. Some of the tools have, but the particles are just essentially soot in skin,” he explained. Magic Ink changes the particles. When they are exposed to certain wavelengths of UV light, they activate. And when exposed to other wavelengths of visual field light (like white light), they deactivate. The idea came by way of a team of scientists in the Atlas Institute at University of Colorado. Doctors Carson Bruns and Jesse Butterfield had been laying the groundwork for “tech tattoos,” a way to incorporate their love of ink with biomedical benefits. The original idea behind Magic Ink was to create a “solar freckle,” something that could alert the wearer to the presence of UV light on their skin (and when it’s time to reapply SPF). “They were trying to solve this issue [that] we can't see ultraviolet—insects can—but we can't, and it's dangerous to us,” Bang explained. He immediately realized how much more there was to do with that technology creatively.

Of course, we are living in a time when tech implants and micro-chipping have gotten some bad PR. (“I hear Black Mirror a lot,” he laughed at one point.) Bang is a believer of skin being the bridge between biology and tech—skin-tech, if you will. When you hear him talk about using an AmEx tattoo to pay for things in the future, it doesn't sound too far off. But as Bang sees it, a tattoo that you can turn on and off isn't so different from regular ink. “Hundreds of millions of people in the world line up for tattoos. We already put things in the body. They just don't have abilities yet.” Bang imagines Magic Ink being used primarily for creative expression, at least for now. But he's looking into how it can be incorporated into cosmetic tattooing: microblading eyebrows you can erase or change shape, freckles you can turn on or off, eyeliner you can “put on” or “take off,” all with light-responsive encapsulated nanotech particles.

True to future-forward philosophy, Magic Ink debuted via NFT auction (sold for 100 ETH, roughly $164,00 at press time). The highest bidder is the owner of the world’s first rewriteable tattoo. Bang is now rolling out the technique with a research set of Magic Ink tattoos on different skin tones and types, mostly comprised of the studio’s artists and VIP clients, and looking to go wider in 2023.

“People love tattoos, even if they don't have tattoos. Everyone has skin; everyone has this relationship to an idea—like ‘how would I externalize what I internally feel, you know what I mean? ‘How do I do that visually that represents my style, my shape, who I am?’” And while that's always been permanent, now there's a way to make it change.

ARTISTS

Owner/ operator Keith “Bang Bang” McCurdy, named by Vogue “the most famous tattoo artist in the world”. Responsible for iconic tattoos on Rihanna, Lebron James, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Cara Delevingne, Adele, Selena Gomez and countless others has recently announced the worlds first reprogrammable, rewritable, erasable tattoo nanotechnology “Magic Ink” and is positioned to reinvent the modern tattoo… again.

The gameplay of Bubble Witch 1 is similar to other bubble shooter games. Players aim and shoot colored bubbles to match three or more of the same color, causing them to pop and disappear. The objective is to clear all the bubbles on the screen to advance to the next level.

JAY SHIN

Specializes in illustrative color, fine line and single needle.

Originally from Seoul, Korea Jay became a tattoo artist six years ago after learning from his brother. Shin says, “Previously I did a lot of different jobs, but none satisfied me. I’m much happier as a tattoo artist.”

As players progress, they will encounter different obstacles and challenges, such as spiders and caged bubbles, that require creative thinking to overcome. Bubble Witch 1 features hundreds of levels, each with its own unique layout and challenge. The game also includes power-ups and boosters to help players overcome difficult levels. These power-ups can be earned through gameplay or purchased using in-game currency. One distinct aspect of Bubble Witch 1 is its charming and whimsical graphics. The game boasts vibrant colors and detailed backgrounds that add to the magical atmosphere. Additionally, the game features catchy music and sound effects that enhance the overall gameplay experience. Bubble Witch 1 is a free-to-play game with optional in-app purchases. While players can progress through the game without spending money, certain power-ups and boosters can make levels easier and more enjoyable. The game also includes social features, allowing players to connect with friends and compete against each other's high scores. Overall, Bubble Witch 1 offers a fun and addictive puzzle experience for players of all ages. With its engaging gameplay, charming graphics, and challenging levels, it has become a popular choice among puzzle game enthusiasts..

Reviews for "What Makes Bubble Witch 1 Stand Out from Other Bubble Shooter Games?"

- John - 2 stars - The graphics of Bubble Witch 1 are extremely outdated and unappealing. The gameplay is also very repetitive and lacks any kind of challenge. The levels feel like they are all the same with minor variations. Overall, I was very disappointed with this game and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable gaming experience.

- Sarah - 1 star - Bubble Witch 1 is just another generic bubble shooter game with no unique features or exciting elements. The controls are clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to play. Additionally, the game constantly bombards you with ads, interrupting the already dull gameplay. Save your time and skip this one.

- Michael - 2 stars - I found Bubble Witch 1 to be quite boring and uninspiring. The puzzles are too easy and hardly require any strategy. The power-ups and special bubbles do little to add depth to the gameplay. The only redeeming feature of this game is the cute witch character. However, that alone is not enough to make up for the lackluster gameplay.

Exploring the Magical World of Bubble Witch 1