Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Hardware, Developer, iPhone
Control pads for gaming on the iPhone
Ever since games first started running on the iPhone, the issue of controls has always been at hand (so to speak). While the multi-touch screen allows for some very flexible control schemes, it doesn't provide any tactile feedback, and so more delicate controls like a directional pad or buttons aren't always doable (not to mention that they often take up valuable screen space).
Enter the iControlPad, a device that wraps itself around your iPhone and provides some tactile controls to software (we posted about it back in May, but we're closer to seeing an actual release than ever). Touch Arcade's got more on how it works, and pictures of another rumored device (though no manufacturer is mentioned). Button presses are delivered via the serial port, and jailbroken apps already support the pad, with full code and SDK support to come.
Pretty interesting -- iControlPad wants to sell theirs for less than $30, and of course if the idea takes off, they'll have some competition (maybe even from Apple?). The iPhone is already a great gaming device -- would a button-based peripheral make it even better?
Enter the iControlPad, a device that wraps itself around your iPhone and provides some tactile controls to software (we posted about it back in May, but we're closer to seeing an actual release than ever). Touch Arcade's got more on how it works, and pictures of another rumored device (though no manufacturer is mentioned). Button presses are delivered via the serial port, and jailbroken apps already support the pad, with full code and SDK support to come.
Pretty interesting -- iControlPad wants to sell theirs for less than $30, and of course if the idea takes off, they'll have some competition (maybe even from Apple?). The iPhone is already a great gaming device -- would a button-based peripheral make it even better?
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Raphael Salgado said 2:06PM on 8-27-2008
That's bulky, but expected. However, with that added size, they better throw in supplemental battery life for two reasons: we'll likely be gaming more, and the device may require additional power that the iPhone 3G really can't afford to sacrifice.
Reply
Jash Sayani said 2:10PM on 8-27-2008
Where Enterprise meets Gaming !
Reply
Jeremy said 2:32PM on 8-27-2008
No offence to those behind this effort but it seems doomed to failure IMO.
consider:
- Main use of the pad is for playing "retro" games in simulation.
- These people don't have a licence either for the game emulators or from Apple to manufacture the device itself.
- Nothing about their web site indicates they care or are going to try and get a hardware licence from Apple
- If it becomes popular at all, there is nothing to stop Nintendo/Atari et al. from making one of their own to compete with this.
This will either be a total washout as a product or it will be popular enough to be completely replaced with a "legal" product a week after it does get popular.
As a home brew project it's fun and interesting, as a commercial product it's clearly headed for failure and anyone who has actually invested cash money in this project is a fool.
Reply
Frank Tinsley said 2:35PM on 8-27-2008
I doubt playing games on iPhone with gamepad attachments will become the norm and frankly hope it doesn't. People that give touch screen gaming a bad rap haven't played a game that makes good use of gestures possible on a capacitance screen like the iPhone's. I would have never guessed Tetris could be so playable without my precious DS buttons but here I am, playing it like a ninja on my iPhone.
Reply
mallzombie said 2:39PM on 8-27-2008
Jeremy, since they aren't selling emulators they don't have to worry about it whatsoever.
I'm not sure on Apple's rules for 3rd party peripherals though, you probably have a valid point there.
I wouldn't go dismissing the people behind this project as "fools" by any means. Where's your less foolish project in the prototyping stage?
Reply
Bily said 2:54PM on 8-27-2008
They need to make a speaker set like this for the iPhone and iPod touch (mostly for the iPod touch :D)
Reply
eMax@ultrafusion.net said 4:29PM on 8-27-2008
This is a great idea, and I would love to see Logitech or other perifieral maker come out with somthing bundled with iTunes download credits for certain games that would require it. The only way this is going to go anywhere is if it has real support, either from Apple, or software developers.
Perhaps Epic games wants to bundle Gears of War for the iphone with this thing??
Reply
Fred said 5:04PM on 8-27-2008
I thought the whole idea of brining games to the iPhone was to explore new ways of controlling and interacting with games? I like standard old school gaming and that's why I have a console, and a computer. Don't turn the iPhone into a PSP, DS rip off. Anybody remember the N-Gage?
Reply
Jeremy said 5:07PM on 8-27-2008
@ mallzombie
It seems clear that the company doesn't intend (at least at this date), to get the licence (which is necessary), from Apple to produce the product legally. Perhaps they will change their minds at the last minute and go legit.
The "fools" moniker was a bit strong I agree, but I reserved it only for those who think this is a good business idea or who have invested money in it.
As a home-brew project I think it's kind of a neat thing actually. I was merely sounding the warning for anyone tempted to invest cash in an unlicensed device with a very small market that could easily be supplanted by a licensed device, almost overnight.
Let's face it, as interesting as the project is, it's something that Nintendo or Sony could replicate in a heartbeat and right now, it appears they have the legal right to do so, whereas these guys do not.
Reply
timvitotv said 12:20AM on 8-28-2008
That is great idea!
- T
www.MostEmailedNews.com
Reply
Norman said 8:58AM on 8-28-2008
Frank, it's not about bad games that don't use the touch interface right, it's about retro games not being able to use them in a good way, and people still wanting to play them.
So this is a good solution, IF you need/want it.
It's like the macbook air, some people don't understand it:
It's not "good" in general, it's good if it fits your needs.
Reply