Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Hardware, Odds and ends, Apple, Developer, iPhone
Videogames and the iPhone SDK
Now this is what I like to see-- Wil Shipley's mind is already working overtime dreaming up fun stuff to do with the iPhone's SDK when it drops in February ("times nicely," he says, "with my being done with Delicious Library 2 and looking for something to do before I start on v3"). As good as a game like Battlefleet is (and it is good-- I finally got my iPhone last weekend, and I've been playing Battlefleet quite a bit), browser games aren't going to cut it. We need games that take advantage of that multitouch screen to track dynamic input, games that take advantage of the fact that we're carrying little computers capable of great graphics around in our pockets, and games that take advantage of the fact that these phones can network like no other.A platform like the iPhone was made for casual, persistent gaming. I want a little virtual pet in my iPhone, ready for me to take care of and level him up at a moment's notice, polished with quality and creativity. I want awesome little pick-up-and-play games that save my progress and track my stats. Shipley's idea of a virtual collectible card game, or the networking game in which "pets" on iPhones close to each other start fighting is perfect.
I like what the iPhone devs have done so far-- the NES emulator was one of the first iPhone apps that really "caught on," and as soon as it can be done "legally," it probably will be. But this is a system that, if given the right software, could compete with the most popular handheld systems. Even the DS doesn't have multitouch. If the right folks have the right ideas and implement them the right way on the iPhone (and why wouldn't they?), this little gadget is going to become one of the best handheld software platforms (for gaming or anything else) ever made.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ghost said 8:24AM on 10-19-2007
clicking on the menu-bar five times opens the cheat menu. (for people who can't lose)
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Victor Agreda Jr said 8:25AM on 10-19-2007
oo, a card game is a fantastic idea... an MMO card game would be super because even through slow bandwidth, by having a local store of graphics you could play anywhere, anytime with anyone... neat.
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KeynoteKen said 8:55AM on 10-19-2007
I'd like to see usage of the iPhone in conjunction with or as a controller for a game for the Mac or PC. Not sure what I'd like to see, but with Bonjour and a network aware game, extra status information can be fed to the iPhone for use in a battle. To keep you from having to bring up an inventory screen, say.
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Neil Christie said 9:04AM on 10-19-2007
"These phones can network like no other"
Err, correct me if I'm wrong but iPhone only has WiFi and EDGE connectivity. There are plenty of other phones on the market which do exactly the same thing too.
As for this becoming a serious gaming platform, don't count on it. It's a £269 device with a £35 minimum monthly charge. Nintendo DS is £99 and that's all you need to pay.
No doubt Apple will distribute games for this at ridiculously inflated prices as it does right now for iPod games. You're about 15 to 20 years behind the current games industry.
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yacoub said 9:05AM on 10-19-2007
browser games aren't going to cut it. We need games that take advantage of that multitouch screen to track dynamic input, games that take advantage of the fact that we're carrying little computers capable of great graphics around in our pockets, and games that take advantage of the fact that these phones can network like no other.
Actually the NUMBER ONE REASON BROWSER GAMES WON'T CUT IT is because WE DON'T WANT TO BE FORCED TO KEEP WI-FI ON WHILE PLAYING. Hello, how do you miss the biggest pain in the butt about online games on the touch/iPhone. The best part about app-based games is YOU CAN TURN OFF WI-FI, load up a game, and play it. Hello improved battery life.
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yacoub said 9:06AM on 10-19-2007
ok i guess italics doesn't work... that first paragraph was an italicized quote from the post.
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yacoub said 9:07AM on 10-19-2007
Heck I know people that even downloaded the components of BattleFleet to be able to play it on the touch without having to be near a Wi-Fi site and online.
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KeynoteKen said 9:52AM on 10-19-2007
"As for this becoming a serious gaming platform"
Serious gaming as in "Crysis" serious? No. Serious as in a developer can make a serious amount of money if they make a good casual game using it? Definitely.
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Miranda Kali said 11:02AM on 10-19-2007
I'm a little weary of the whole NES emulator, MAME, Doom trinity.
I'ld like to see someone get MacGee's Alice, or an early Tomb Raider on the iPhone/Touch.
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Luigi193 said 12:57PM on 10-19-2007
I don't see the iPhone over taking the DS anytime soon... It is EXTREMELY unlikely....
I don't even see it as a competitor...sure its a great phone, but awesome video game player its most likely won't be. To expensive for a handheld.
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VanillaSpice said 12:44AM on 10-20-2007
yacoub, I think the author's reasons for why browser-based games won't cut it are far more pertinent and crucial. Battery life is merely one variable. Power and interface capability directly affect the game in myriad ways.
But no matter what your opinion on the subject, the capitals and "hello"s are rude and unwelcome.
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