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Techdy Announces 'Game D' iPad Mini Controller Case

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MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,532
30,840



Techdy is hoping to transform the iPad mini into a dedicated gaming device with the Game D, which is both a case and a controller for the tablet. Game D fits onto the mini like a standard Apple Smart Cover, but provides a d-pad and four action buttons designed for games.
Game D is the project code name for a revolutionary Gaming Device specifically made for iPad mini. It is the most powerful yet the most portable gaming device ever made. It attaches to iPad mini magically as a gaming add-on or as a smart cover. It is designed for both portable gaming and arcade gaming. It is an open source gaming device. It opens up unlimited possibilities to all Gamers and Developers.
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techdy2.jpg
The aluminum alloy Game D case can be mounted onto the back of the iPad mini with magnets to provide a controller for handheld gaming, or set on a flat surface to be used as an arcade-style platform in both landscape and portrait modes.

At this point in time, the prototype Game D is designed to work with the games that support iCade, but an open source game developer kit will be made available in the future.

Techdy is currently running its own crowdfunding campaign, offering reservations for the Game D at $39. A Pro version priced at $59 includes backlighting, dual analog thumbsticks, and vibration. If the 30-day funding campaign is successful, the developers plan on adding a joystick.

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The Game D is still in prototype mode and Techdy plans to let community supporters decide on a final name, custom colors, and an app user interface design.

Reservations for the Game D can be placed on the Techdy website. Orders made during the funding period are set to ship before August 2013.

Article Link: Techdy Announces 'Game D' iPad Mini Controller Case
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/04/11/techdy-announces-game-d-ipad-mini-controller-case/
C

Carouser

macrumors 65816
Feb 1, 2010
1,411
1
Apple might have good reasons for not having a game controller for iOS yet, but the continual push for various such controllers makes me think it would take off if there was some consistency (and clarity!) about support. On that note, it's good to see Techdy is working with iCade.
 
UnfetteredMind

UnfetteredMind

macrumors 6502
Jun 6, 2012
451
77
Nice shot of the Mac SE (SE/30?) sitting there in the vid (although not connected and running). I wonder if it's older than these guys :p
 
nagromme

nagromme

macrumors G5
May 2, 2002
12,546
1,196
Not sure if I'd buy it, but it looks like a neat option to have available. I'm sold on iCade, and the Mini makes a great "maxi" pocket console already. Why not?

The slight angle seemed odd to me, but in actual game play it's probably nicer than a flat "slider" would be.
 
APlotdevice

APlotdevice

macrumors 68040
Sep 3, 2011
3,145
3,861
KdParker said:
hand gestures and motion sensors seemed to be working just fine.
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Depends on the kind of game; For things like racing and puzzle games, sure those work fine, but for genres like platformers and fighting games you really need a d-pad and buttons.
 
jclardy

jclardy

macrumors 601
Oct 6, 2008
4,160
4,370
Since it works with iCade this is pretty cool. And the way it uses the magnet plus a notch to hold the iPad looks pretty nice as well.

But I don't think it is really worth carrying the extra cover around all the time just for some controller buttons. I currently own an 8-bitty, and I would much rather just stick that in my bag when I need it, rather than having it constantly attached to the device.

But cool idea.
 
I

irfaanfaki

macrumors member
Jan 11, 2013
95
0
Anyone else notice how some of what he said came straight from Apple product videos??? Lol picked up a few "lines" that Johnny Ive says in these videos
 
G

gatearray

macrumors 65816
Apr 24, 2010
1,130
232
ikir said:
Why not Kickstarter????
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Because doing it this way makes it easier to scam you out of your money. :)

They are selling this for $39? How on earth can an independent company bring this to market at such a low price? Good luck to anyone who donates their money to this fantasy.
 
S

SoldOnApple

macrumors 65816
Jul 20, 2011
1,013
1,681
It looks inspired, but without shoulder buttons I can't see how Mario Kart style games could be played so well. It's almost a perfect SNES pad, but missing the shoulder buttons :(
 
dwardin9

dwardin9

macrumors member
Sep 8, 2008
46
0
Clear Lake, IA
Dual connections...clever.

I have been looking around at the current generation ipad mini keyboards. Logitech ultra thin, belkins blah blah blah, zagg keyboards. I really like the design aspect of this controller. I hope someone is paying attention to this. I like the option of vertically docking the ipad mini AND the horizontal dock where the keys face out the bottom!


I'd buy it.
 
W

wkadamsjr

macrumors 6502
Jun 29, 2010
282
62
Doesn't Sony have a patent for X, Square, Triangle, and O buttons? Blatant copying like that is grounds for a lawsuit, especially in our lawsuit-happy world nowadays.

Otherwise, I like the idea.
 
ArtOfWarfare

ArtOfWarfare

macrumors G3
Nov 26, 2007
9,560
6,059
wkadamsjr said:
Doesn't Sony have a patent for X, Square, Triangle, and O buttons? Blatant copying like that is grounds for a lawsuit, especially in our lawsuit-happy world nowadays.

Otherwise, I like the idea.
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It's still in the design phase, so they could change it before shipping.

I like this idea a lot, but sadly neither have an iPad Mini nor can afford one (or justify spending so much on a product that I'm doing alright without.)
 
mdelvecchio

mdelvecchio

macrumors 68040
Sep 3, 2010
3,151
1,149
jclardy said:
I don't think it is really worth carrying the extra cover around all the time just for some controller buttons. I currently own an 8-bitty, and I would much rather just stick that in my bag when I need it, rather than having it constantly attached to the device.
Click to expand...

the beauty is cases like this are interchangeable. I would not expect one to carry it exclusively, unless one was quite the gamer.
 
S

shurcooL

macrumors 6502a
Jan 24, 2011
939
118
ikir said:
Why not Kickstarter????
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly?!

I'm actually intrigued by this, if I could trust them to do a good job at it, I'd really like a controller with physical buttons for my iPad mini.

I don't get why this is on some Kickstarter-clone instead of Kickstarter. Is it because they're not US based or something?
 
S

SteveJobs2.0

macrumors 6502a
Mar 9, 2012
942
1,716
shurcooL said:
My thoughts exactly?!

I'm actually intrigued by this, if I could trust them to do a good job at it, I'd really like a controller with physical buttons for my iPad mini.

I don't get why this is on some Kickstarter-clone instead of Kickstarter. Is it because they're not US based or something?
Click to expand...

So that when they run away with the money there isn't a well-embellished US company to cover the theft. Also no chance of suing. Then again, I might be cynical.
 
Jessica Lares

Jessica Lares

macrumors G3
Oct 31, 2009
9,612
1,056
Near Dallas, Texas, USA
ikir said:
Why not Kickstarter????
Click to expand...

gatearray said:
Because doing it this way makes it easier to scam you out of your money. :)

They are selling this for $39? How on earth can an independent company bring this to market at such a low price? Good luck to anyone who donates their money to this fantasy.
Click to expand...

shurcooL said:
My thoughts exactly?!

I'm actually intrigued by this, if I could trust them to do a good job at it, I'd really like a controller with physical buttons for my iPad mini.

I don't get why this is on some Kickstarter-clone instead of Kickstarter. Is it because they're not US based or something?
Click to expand...

SteveJobs2.0 said:
So that when they run away with the money there isn't a well-embellished US company to cover the theft. Also no chance of suing. Then again, I might be cynical.
Click to expand...

Wrong. You guys should have read the FAQ. Don't come to conclusions that they're running a scam. It may not be Kickstarter, but you know what? Developers there end up doing the same thing too - Not delivering. There are many FUNDED projects that are in limbo at the moment. Hell, I know of one that is almost to a YEAR past their shipping deadline.

The real reason is because they are providing some options that are not allowed in Kickstarter campaigns:
http://techdy.com/faq/faq/#1221

Some of the features we are offering are not accepted by the Kickstarter policy, such as the community design contests and the incentive program that we will offer to the developers. The good thing is, we are using PayPal to accept funds instead of the Amazon payments from Kickstarter. PayPal is a payment gateway being used more globally and supports more countries, we want Game D to be available to everyone in the world.
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Sure, PayPal isn't that great, but you can use a credit card for security too. Which is what I did.
 
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