Gaming on Mac vs iOS vs PC

Huntn · Jul 29, 2012

I've looked at several upscale IOS games- Infinity Blade, and Zombie Infestation and the controls just don't cut it for any kind of serious gaming. The ipad is fine for very casual games like Plants vs Zombies or Angry Birds, but I don't see being drawn to anything serious as compared to my MBP.

miles01110 · Jul 30, 2012

Great. Depends on your definition of "serious," clearly.

SlickShoes · Jul 30, 2012

I agree, while there are games I enjoy on iOS there are not many. Most of the games are aimed at the extremely casual market though, people playing 5 mins here and there rather than for any extended amount of time.

It will be interesting to see how the baldurs gate remake plays on iOS.

I think we are still a very long way off gaming not needing any peripheral controllers.

shulerg · Jul 30, 2012

Do both. Some iOS games are pretty fun, but as the posters above have said, they are geared to a more casual style. Windows desktops and consoles are still the standards for more serious gaming.

iMacFarlane · Jul 30, 2012

I do both. But I agree that besides casual games which require touching objects to perform actions, control issues on iOS games kill the deal for me. Great games like Solomon's Keep/Boneyard, Angry Birds, Tiny Tower, Pocket Planes, Bejeweled etc. all work great on an iOS device.

But all these FPS attempts with virtual joysticks and hot zones on the screen and the fact that I CAN'T SEE THROUGH MY FINGERS makes for an annoying gaming experience.

But anyone who discounts the Mac as a viable gaming platform anymore . . . I think your definition of 'serious' gaming probably means that u l33t r pwn us n00bs.

Huntn · Jul 30, 2012

miles01110 said:
Great. Depends on your definition of "serious," clearly.

I imagine most gamers understand the distinction. Do not take offense. I think Plants vs Zombies is an outstanding iPad game.

SlickShoes said:
I agree, while there are games I enjoy on iOS there are not many. Most of the games are aimed at the extremely casual market though, people playing 5 mins here and there rather than for any extended amount of time.

It will be interesting to see how the baldurs gate remake plays on iOS.

I think we are still a very long way off gaming not needing any peripheral controllers.

In Infinity Blade, I am turned off by having to frantically swipe at my iPad screen. I think the virtual joystick based movement in Zombie Infestation is better, but aiming is awkward enough that fast reactions are not so good. BTW, I think there are free versions of both these games for testing purposes.

SlickShoes · Jul 30, 2012

I have tried a couple of games with the virtual joysticks and didn't really like the controls at all. Sadly I am one of these gamers that gets sweaty hands a bit when gaming so the virtual joysticks get harder to use.

I don't think that mimicking a real controller is the way forward, maybe letting people use a real controller would be a better solution. Games that are built to be touch games are fine really but games that have the touch interface sort of forced on them just don't make any sense to me. I think connecting something like a PS3 pad to your tablet PC or iPad makes more sense than forcing touch screen controls awkwardly into a game that would operate ten times better without it.

I realise that takes away from how mobile the games can be but it would maybe make more console gamers buy bigger games on iOS or even use a cloud gaming service in the future.

Huntn · Jul 30, 2012

SlickShoes said:
I have tried a couple of games with the virtual joysticks and didn't really like the controls at all. Sadly I am one of these gamers that gets sweaty hands a bit when gaming so the virtual joysticks get harder to use.

I don't think that mimicking a real controller is the way forward, maybe letting people use a real controller would be a better solution. Games that are built to be touch games are fine really but games that have the touch interface sort of forced on them just don't make any sense to me. I think connecting something like a PS3 pad to your tablet PC or iPad makes more sense than forcing touch screen controls awkwardly into a game that would operate ten times better without it.

I realise that takes away from how mobile the games can be but it would maybe make more console gamers buy bigger games on iOS or even use a cloud gaming service in the future.

To summarize, real controllers are better. It's difficult to hold an ipad and place enough strategic virtual buttons to give the kind of fidelity that keyboard/mouse or even console controller users expect.

Actually an ipad stand and connection ports might be the answer. Holding the iPad is bad for any high requirement game.

edddeduck · Jul 30, 2012

Huntn said:
I've looked at several upscale IOS games- Infinity Blade, and Zombie Infestation and the controls just don't cut it for any kind of serious gaming. The ipad is fine for very casual games like Plants vs Zombies or Angry Birds, but I don't see being drawn to anything serious as compared to my MBP.

I agree, I see the iPad/iPhone like the DS or PSP. It's good for games on the run/casual stuff but for anything meaty you move over to the Mac or Console for better graphics and controls.

Edwin

SlickShoes · Jul 30, 2012

Huntn said:
To summarize, real controllers are better. It's difficult to hold an ipad and place enough strategic virtual buttons to give the kind of fidelity that keyboard/mouse or even console controller users expect. Actually an ipad stand and connection ports might be the answer. Holding the iPad is bad for any high requirement game.

Haha yeah you summed it up well, PS3 controllers use bluetooth to connect so surely that is more than doable with a tablet. The OUYA controller will be wireless and its motherboard is basically from a tablet?

Like you say you would really need a dock or something to stand the tablet up while you hold a controller though.

marieweaver132 · Aug 1, 2012

I would like mac game in iPhone/iPad and provided apple tool and good retina for display compared to iOS game.

lewdvig · Aug 9, 2012

I'd like to see more games ported from iOS to Mac, particularly ones with traditional control schemes like racing, fighting and shooters.

iMacFarlane · Aug 10, 2012

The iCade is a cute idea that actually started out as a joke, but it's positive reception underscored two things: The popularity of iOS as a gaming platform, and the fact that hardware buttons and controls trump virtual d-pads any day.

Huntn · Aug 10, 2012

iMacFarlane said:
The iCade is a cute idea that actually started out as a joke, but it's positive reception underscored two things: The popularity of iOS as a gaming platform, and the fact that hardware buttons and controls trump virtual d-pads any day.

You know if they came out with a decent keyboard mouse setup and games that utilized these devices, I could see the iPad taking off as a portable game device. My impression is that there are no iPad games that provide the option to use keyboard/mouse (is there?).

iMacFarlane · Aug 10, 2012

Huntn said:
You know if they came out with a decent keyboard mouse setup and games that utilized these devices, I could see the iPad taking off as a portable game device. My impression is that there are no iPad games that provide the option to use keyboard/mouse (is there?).

iPad's got some keyboard options. If I'm not mistaken, you can even use an Apple wireless keyboard to drive it. But a mouse? I don't even think iOS has hooks in it to properly handle mouse events. It's all based around touch events. That's one of the reasons for all the flash-hate in iOS. The paradigm of a 'mouse over' is lost and impossible on a touch-centric device, so a lot of the flash based software out there wouldn't function properly in iOS.

But yeah, in order to properly rocket jump and shoot the guy who was coming up behind you, you need a keyboard and a mouse.

lewdvig · Aug 10, 2012

iMacFarlane said:
The iCade is a cute idea that actually started out as a joke, but it's positive reception underscored two things: The popularity of iOS as a gaming platform, and the fact that hardware buttons and controls trump virtual d-pads any day.

We have one, great for retro arcade games. Would love capcon and snk support.

Renzatic · Aug 10, 2012

SlickShoes said:
Like you say you would really need a dock or something to stand the tablet up while you hold a controller though.

If you're playing games in landscape orientation, the smart cover does that job perfectly. I use it all the time when playing SNES games on my iPad using a wiimote. I just prop it up where ever, and have a blast.

For MAME games, specially older games that look best in portrait orientation, just make yourself one of these...

It cost me $3 for the block of wood, and about 15 minutes of cutting and sanding (it also helps having a friend who does woodworking).

Other than having to lug around a couple extra pieces if I want to play emulators while I'm out and about, the smart cover and my chunk 'o block work perfectly for me.

lewdvig said:
We have one, great for retro arcade games. Would love capcon and snk support.

I think it's finally coming around, at least for SNK games. I know Metal Slug 3 supports the iCade.

edddeduck · Aug 13, 2012

Huntn said:
You know if they came out with a decent keyboard mouse setup and games that utilized these devices, I could see the iPad taking off as a portable game device. My impression is that there are no iPad games that provide the option to use keyboard/mouse (is there?).

Bluetooth sync with a PS3 or WiiMote would do. It's feasible on Mac OS X and I assume the bluetooth stack is similar so I guess the only question is is it allowed under the rules and does the sync method work on iOS?

Edwin

lewdvig · Aug 13, 2012

Renzatic said:
If you're playing games in landscape orientation, the smart cover does that job perfectly. I use it all the time when playing SNES games on my iPad using a wiimote. I just prop it up where ever, and have a blast.

For MAME games, specially older games that look best in portrait orientation, just make yourself one of these...

Image

It cost me $3 for the block of wood, and about 15 minutes of cutting and sanding (it also helps having a friend who does woodworking).

Other than having to lug around a couple extra pieces if I want to play emulators while I'm out and about, the smart cover and my chunk 'o block work perfectly for me.

I think it's finally coming around, at least for SNK games. I know Metal Slug 3 supports the iCade.

What!?! I did not know that. Thanks!

edddeduck said:
Bluetooth sync with a PS3 or WiiMote would do. It's feasible on Mac OS X and I assume the bluetooth stack is similar so I guess the only question is is it allowed under the rules and does the sync method work on iOS?

Edwin

PS3 controller on iPad games like GTA would be so awesome!

Kasalic · Aug 14, 2012

Some RPG's (especially the more 'retro' ones) work well on iPad, and the llamasoft series of games tend to have decent controls, especially on an iPad.

Huntn · Nov 19, 2012

BTW it's been a while since this thread was started. Have you discovered any great new iOS based games or just ones worthy of recommendation?

SlickShoes said:
Haha yeah you summed it up well, PS3 controllers use bluetooth to connect so surely that is more than doable with a tablet. The OUYA controller will be wireless and its motherboard is basically from a tablet?

Like you say you would really need a dock or something to stand the tablet up while you hold a controller though.

I wonder what would stop a company creating a 30 pin connection for a console like controller? But I see the issues. Would a game company create a game for iOS that requires a controller? -Probably not. I think they think it would cut into sales. It is conceivable that you could create a game that could take advantage of both a controller or on-screen controls, but there would be big issues, like the lack of fidelity or complexity of controls available on the screen as compared to a hand held controller.

I'm continuing to mostly, casually play Plants vs Zombies. I also played through the first Episode of The Walking Dead, but am hesitating to pick up the package for the remainder of the episodes. It was ok, nothing astounding, but more satisfying than playing Infinity Blade. I'm trying out Bastion, a dungeon crawler. And at times, I've also amused myself with Surviving High School, a teen drama game. However, I'm still into serious games, like Skyrim, GuildWars2, and Planetside2 is coming out of beta!

Renzatic said:
If you're playing games in landscape orientation, the smart cover does that job perfectly. I use it all the time when playing SNES games on my iPad using a wiimote. I just prop it up where ever, and have a blast.

For MAME games, specially older games that look best in portrait orientation, just make yourself one of these...

Image

It cost me $3 for the block of wood, and about 15 minutes of cutting and sanding (it also helps having a friend who does woodworking).

How far do you have it sticking out in the back?

Huntn · Nov 25, 2012

I came >< this close to purchasing Sim City Deluxe for iPad until I saw dozens of "1" ratings for a variety of issues. Anyone playing this? What is your verdict? Does .99 cents means you have to make a bunch of in-game purchases?

There seems to be tons of city-type simulations in iTunes. I tried a few and none of them (so far) are as good as SC I played on my Mac years ago.
Thoughts, opinions?
Thanks!

adder7712 · Nov 25, 2012

Huntn said:
I came >< this close to purchasing Sim City Deluxe for iPad until I saw dozens of "1" ratings for a variety of issues. Anyone playing this? What is your verdict? Does .99 cents means you have to make a bunch of in-game purchases?

There seems to be tons of city-type simulations in iTunes. I tried a few and none of them (so far) are as good as SC I played on my Mac years ago.
Thoughts, opinions?
Thanks!

Probably because it's EA.

Nova Sensei · Nov 26, 2012

An official Apple wireless iOS controller would go a long way.....

Huntn · Dec 25, 2012

Sim City Deluxe for iPad is on sale for $.99 for the holidays. I believe normally it's about $6. I had to buy it. I've looked at about 6 city simulation games available for iPad and this is by far the best.

Anyone playing?

It is not as full featured as the desktop version of Sim City and I have noticed a few issues, but it's still good especially for the sale price.

Issues:
* Can't build bridges or terraform after game starts. On a recent map a river cut down through the middle of the map and as far as I can see there is no way to connect one side of the city to the other side of the river?
* It appears to be difficult/impossible to build an economy with a substantial "commercial" component. I've tried half a dozen cities and "industrial" seems to be always in demand while commercial is always stagnant. As I recall, to avoid heavy reliance on industrial is to only use light industrial, and choose "green" ordinance, but every town I've developed, "commercial" is always weak.
* With my meager city management skills, it has been really hard to get a stable economy going. After a number of years, I am usually offered a Casino, which I jump on and get a real infusion of cash. What the heck are the real money makers? I've played several of the desktop versions and don't remember this issue persisting as it does in the iPad version.

Notes, not real issues:
* Before game starts, can add water or land areas, but can't build mountains.
* City loans can be found and originated under the "Budget" area.
* Water pumping stations only work on areas of fresh water. Rivers may or may not work as a source of fresh water.

Gaming on Mac vs iOS vs PC

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