Gaming on Mac vs iOS

[Huntn]

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]

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

[SlickShoes]

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.

[Huntn]

Originally Posted by miles01110

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.

Originally Posted by SlickShoes

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]

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]

Originally Posted by SlickShoes

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.

[shulerg]

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]

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.

[edddeduck]

Originally Posted by Huntn

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

[marieweaver132]

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

[lewdvig]

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

[iMacFarlane]

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]

Originally Posted by iMacFarlane

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]

Originally Posted by Huntn

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.

[edddeduck]

Originally Posted by Huntn

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]

Originally Posted by iMacFarlane

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.

[AndiS.]

Originally Posted by Huntn

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 think Infinity Blade 1 + 2 are pretty good games, but iOS games target a different market, as many here already said.

For "serious" mobile gaming you'd probably have to get a PSP or a DS (I never tried any of those), as they have full console titles.

A controller for the iPad, as you mentioned, would be a nice idea, but the majority of tablet owners would probably not be interested enough to justify the development of something good. Personally, I don't care about sitting in front of a 10 inch screen with a controller either. Not to speak of a mouse and keyboard. Imagine how far away you would be from the display, and depending on additional peripherals would also take away from mobility.

[Huntn]

Originally Posted by AndiS.

I think Infinity Blade 1 + 2 are pretty good games, but iOS games target a different market, as many here already said.

For "serious" mobile gaming you'd probably have to get a PSP or a DS (I never tried any of those), as they have full console titles.

A controller for the iPad, as you mentioned, would be a nice idea, but the majority of tablet owners would probably not be interested enough to justify the development of something good. Personally, I don't care about sitting in front of a 10 inch screen with a controller either. Not to speak of a mouse and keyboard. Imagine how far away you would be from the display, and depending on additional peripherals would also take away from mobility.

Because of it's nature, I believe the iPad and tablets in general are relegated to casual gaming.

[Huntn]

Somehow I got awarded a free copy of the Sims3 for iOS. It brings back those old memories of tell a joke, push a complement, confide, be friendly, be romantic all in the quest for not so satisfying "woohoo". Today it strikes me as a lot of busy work to keep your Sim going.

[Hackfix21]

I'm really hoping Legend of Grimrock will come out for iOS. Apparently they're working on it, fingers crossed.

I think that'll be the ideal "serious" game for the iPad. First person perspective, so not a problem that the screen size is smaller than on the Mac (with topdown games like SimCity it can get a little fiddly to try and control them with your finger). And the critical difference compared to FPSs is that you can only move from one square to the next, which should be much easier to control on the iPad than trying to do the kind of precise moving and aiming you need for FPSs.

[doh123]

Originally Posted by Hackfix21

I'm really hoping Legend of Grimrock will come out for iOS. Apparently they're working on it, fingers crossed.

I think that'll be the ideal "serious" game for the iPad. First person perspective, so not a problem that the screen size is smaller than on the Mac (with topdown games like SimCity it can get a little fiddly to try and control them with your finger). And the critical difference compared to FPSs is that you can only move from one square to the next, which should be much easier to control on the iPad than trying to do the kind of precise moving and aiming you need for FPSs.

It would be awesome on my iPad mini... Already having fun with Baldurs gate on it.