About Corto
Corto is an independent geography game, built in the Netherlands by a one-person studio. No publisher, no ad network, no growth team. Just a map, a clock, and the conviction that knowing where things are still matters.
The idea
Most geography apps quiz you. Corto races you. The 10-second clock changes what the game asks of you: not whether you can find Reykjavik eventually, but whether you know it cold. That pressure is what makes a right answer feel earned, and a near miss impossible to let stand.
The mechanic is universal, and that is the point. One tap on a map needs no controls, no rules, no account. What changes per player is the reason to play: kids learn the world with the free topography packs, friends and colleagues battle head-to-head, enthusiasts prove they know their obsession, and grandparents keep their world knowledge sharp in two-minute games. Knowledge beats reflexes, so three generations can play each other and mean it.
The other conviction is respect for the player. Corto is free to download with real content included, sells its packs as one-time unlocks, and will never show an ad. There are no accounts, no tracking across apps, and no chat. What analytics exist are anonymous.
Safe for the whole family
The parent checklist
Fact sheet
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Corto |
| Tagline | Geography at Full Speed |
| Website | play-corto.com |
| Platform | iPhone and iPad (iOS or iPadOS 26.4 or later) |
| Availability | On the App Store now |
| Business model | Free download, one-time pack unlocks. No ads, no subscriptions |
| Content | 177 themed map packs across twelve categories, from world capitals and volcanoes to F1 circuits and the streets of Amsterdam. 21,500+ questions, each pack with its own illustrated tile |
| Languages | English, Dutch, German, French, Spanish. Interface and pack copy throughout; place names too in the free learning packs |
| Game length | 10 questions per game, about two minutes |
| Scoring | Up to 1,000 points per question: accuracy times speed |
| Ranks | Novice, Skilled, Expert, Conquered, earned per pack |
| Progression | Player XP and levels, eight Explorer ranks, a daily streak and a weekly three-pack expedition. Status only, unlocks nothing |
| Sync | Progress and unlocks sync via the player's own iCloud account. No Corto account, no password |
| 3D Explore | Optional tilted 3D flyover of the answer on 113 packs, using Apple Maps |
| Multiplayer | Head-to-head via Game Center, turn-based, Blitz (1×5), Quick (2×5) or Classic (3×10) |
| Age rating | 4+, no chat, no user-generated content |
| Origin | The Netherlands |
The look
Every pack ships with its own illustrated tile in Corto's dusk palette. A sample:
Press and partnerships
Review copies, promo codes, screenshots, and interview requests: send one email and expect a same-week reply. Community partnerships around specific packs are welcome, from sports clubs to wine societies. If your community has a map, Corto can make a game of it.
Every personal best generates a share card like this one, ready for the group chat.
