Filed under: Gaming, iPod Family, iTS
First impressions: buying a game from the iTunes Store
Scott beat me to buying a movie from the store and posted his first impressions, so I thought I would move on to the new games section (iTS link) of the store. The games work with 5G iPods (of which I am an owner) as well as the newly announced 5.5G iPods. I can't decide whether I'm surprised you can't play the games right inside iTunes, but this post isn't about my indecision, for I dropped some cash and bought my first game: Cubis 2 (iTS link). The way iTunes handles games is interesting, largely in part because you can't really do anything with them in iTunes - you can't even rate them or modify any of their metadata; they're only usable and playable on an iPod. Read on for all the details!
Take my money - please!
First thing's first, though: the purchase experience. I encountered some of the same sluggishness that Scott mentioned in his first movie impressions, though I imagine downloading a full movie, which is just slightly larger than a game (Cubis 2 is a paltry 20MB by comparison), might have helped slow things down for him - that and, of course, everyone was probably pounding the store yesterday. The purchase went well, and I was soon parted with my $4.99 in exchange for what looked like a clever little game (instant game addicts will be happy to find they can purchase all 9 in one fell swoop for $44.91). As a side note: you need the latest QuickTime 7.1.3 update released yesterday in order to be able to watch video previews in the store.
What is perhaps more impressive than a turbulence-less iTS purchasing experience is how iTunes displays games in the library, and what Apple decided to do with the extra window space since, again, they aren't in any way usable from within iTunes.
I know it's a small screenshot, but the game library, naturally, automatically appears in the sources list on the left once a game is purchased (for now, we don't know of any other way of making, importing or otherwise getting ahold of iPod games for iTunes). This is where Apple's creativity shines: in the media window, my one and only game is listed on the left (note the sexy 'wet floor' look), while information, screenshots, instructions and tips are listed on the right. This is a great idea, as I would hate to try and root through all this information on the iPod itself. However, for those wondering: there is a condensed section of 'quick help' included in the game on the iPod, complete with animated examples of how to play, but it doesn't seem nearly as extensive as what you get in iTunes.
All work and no play...
If you've ever synced an iPod, then the rest of the process involved doesn't really need to be examined. iTunes moved the game over without a hitch, and it appears next to the other built in games under the Extras menu, with no discerning marks to help you find it in the list.
Now this is the part where I need to be honest: when Apple first announced buying games for the iPod, I didn't exactly leap out of my seat. I've played the built in games, and I always thought the iPod's unique click wheel wouldn't lend itself to many other kinds of game playing. But, since our fearless leader Scott found out that I own a 5G iPod, he again threatened my well-being, and forced me to buy a game from the store (with my own money, might I add). At first I felt I was going to miss my $4.99.. but that frown quickly turned upside down. Cubis 2 is fun, and being able to bring it anywhere with me on my iPod is icing on the cake. I use my iPod to play music when I go to sleep, and I was able to crank out a couple Cubis 2 rounds in bed before my wife drew the line. The graphics are surprisingly rich (cmon, it's an iPod, not a PSP), and game play is slick and responsive. I haven't pushed it that far to see how many hours I can get out of playing yet, but it didn't seem like my battery was crying uncle when I was finished.
As a nice touch, it's possible to listen to music while playing a game. This is outlined in those aforementioned instructions in iTunes, but Cubis 2 uses nothing more than the wheel and the center/select button, so menu, pause/play and the previous/next buttons are free to direct your music. Again, I haven't pushed this so I can't tell you how badly you'll be thrashing your battery, but I'm sure music + game addicts will appreciate this.
Conclusion (or: Thanks for ruining my productivity, Apple)
Overall, I think the new games (ok, the one I've bought so far) are a great idea. One could even call me a born-again iPod game player, if such a thing exists. The games are snappy, and game play is fun and visually impressive. I really hope this iTS section takes off and they add more than the seemingly experimental 9 games currently available. Hard core handheld gaming fans probably aren't going to be tossing their PSPs in the garbage anytime soon but I can easily see these becoming a hit with a good portion of the iPod crowd. Just don't blame TUAW when your boss/professor/teacher nails you chomping pellets in Pac-Man instead of finishing that project.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
arkowi said 10:19AM on 9-13-2006
Good review. I bought Tetris and feel pretty good about it. Overall the games seem of pretty high quality for the price. If you compare the pricing and quality to cell phone games I would say the iPod wins hands down.
The thing I am more interested in, is someone figuring out how to bust these games apart, see what is inside the file, and potentially roll their own. Apple has finally made it possible to install additional hardware on the iPod, it will be interesting to see what the hacking/coding community to do with this.
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Mike Palmer said 10:30AM on 9-13-2006
Tetris took less than two minutes to download, and an even shorter syncing time with the iPod. The only snag I hit was having to go into iTunes and authorize it to be played on my iMac. Overall a pretty streamlined process.
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Drew said 10:45AM on 9-13-2006
Zuma is a nice time-killer as well. I was actually surprised that the iPod controls worked as smoothly as they do. Personally, I'm more excited to see games than overpriced movies at sub-par quality.
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arkowi said 10:50AM on 9-13-2006
"Apple has finally made it possible to install additional hardware on the iPod, it will be interesting to see what the hacking/coding community to do with this."
by hardware, i meant software, obviously. :-)
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ubi said 10:53AM on 9-13-2006
I bought bejeweled more to understand how the game's made, if it's doable on your own etc.
this is a great step, and hopefully apple will give us tools to develop our own games/apps
I've uncompressed a game using stuffIt and this came out
http://www.randomtype.com/?p=190
let's hope for a brighter future
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Joe said 11:21AM on 9-13-2006
My girlfriend just bought Pacman and when she went to transfer it to her iPod it told her the transfer could not happen because her computer was not autherized to play the game.
Anyone no how to rectify this situation?
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Garry Schafer said 11:01AM on 9-13-2006
I've been looking around trying to find any info on developing games; if someone finds something PLEASE let me know.
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Peter White said 11:02AM on 9-13-2006
I think the games are a great idea, with some good developer tools the ipod could be the next gameboy! (well maybe).
Its ashame you cant play them in iTunes too, think thats a real shame but ipod gaming could be a huge market.
Be nice to see what other applications could also be produced for the ipod now.
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Simon Kirby said 8:28AM on 10-02-2006
Just a quick tip for anyone having problems getting games onto the iPod. I tried, but it told me that my iPod wasn't authorised (which is odd, since it always had been before). Simply go to the Store menu in iTunes and select authorize computer. Next time you sync the game should appear.
Si
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Jacob Varghese said 11:12AM on 9-13-2006
I think games could be a huge hit once they finally release the long awaited full screen video ipod with touch screen. No one will use it to replace their PSP, but I think those classic nintendo/sega/atari games will enjoy a resurgence.
If they can sell movies with large download files, then why not offer the ability to purchase games for your computer?
iTunes could easily be the platform to purchase all digital media.
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Jacob Varghese said 11:13AM on 9-13-2006
I think Apple hinted at their interests at becoming a full spectrum media retailer.
music, video, podcasts, radio, games?, online magazines?
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G said 4:22PM on 9-13-2006
If you are having problems downloading the games to the iPod, you most likely need to re-authorize your computer with the store. To do this, click on "Store" in the menu bar at the top, and then "Authorize Computer".
I got all the games and they are all great. Well done, Apple.
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Linh said 11:54AM on 9-13-2006
Hey Joe,
Go to your games list in iTunes and double click the game like you are trying to play it within iTunes. A prompt should ask you to authorize your computer to play. Not sure why this step is necessary since you can't really play it in itunes but it should update to your ipod after this.
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luis b. said 12:00PM on 9-13-2006
Hi, i bought Vortex, created by Apple, only for prove it, and is amazing!. Graphics are smooths and very responssive, the music is correct ( a little bit more long, please...) but you can change with your ipod library music and the overall is very playfull. Several developers are working with apple, like EA or Namco. The future is brilliant!...maybe a RPG like zelda or anything?...
sorry for my poooooooor english :)
bye...
Pd. Pleeeaseeee we need more games from independet studios for this project!
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Joe said 12:11PM on 9-13-2006
Linh - Legend, that works a treat!
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Kevin said 12:25PM on 9-13-2006
How many of my iPods can I put the games on? Can I make one purchase and put each game on all three of my iPods?
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page said 12:29PM on 9-13-2006
I think some may in fact get rid of their Nintendo DS since the iPod games are about on par with that systems games, you just have a scroll wheel instead of a itsy bitsy stylus.
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joe said 1:08PM on 9-13-2006
rrrghgh. i'm having some trouble with my game download - it says i need ipod update 1.2 on my 5g ipod to play zuma, but i can't find this update anywhere. when i plug in my ipod with itunes 7, it shows i have 1.1 and then says my ipod software is current. wtf!?!? can anyone help?
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BigDrew said 1:15PM on 9-13-2006
I picked up Vortex and Mini-Golf, and have to say I am pretty impressed. Mini golf's controls are easy to use and has great replay value, and apples first internal offering, Vortex, is really amazing. 3-d breakout with power ups and scoreboard. Easy entry and can pause to come back to it after your number is called at the DMV.
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Christiaan W. Lustig said 1:59PM on 9-13-2006
In my enthousiasm about the prospect of Tetris on my iPod nano, I bought the game instantly after installing iTunes 7. However, now I am under the impression games don't work on the (now old) nano. That doesn't say so anywhere on the sight. At least not anywhere modestly visible.
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