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Apple Hiring an iPhone Game Developer, Getting Even More Serious About Gaming?
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DirectX in Mac OS X?
Since when?
I'm tired of people writing things as if it was the truth when in fact it's totally wrong. At least type I think when writhing about thinks you aren't 100% sure about.
Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directx
I'm not sure how significant an impact hiring one game developer will have. It's hardly enough even for a decent iPhone game, given the quality of some of the games out there. I'd guess they just want to bundle a couple of simple, perhaps puzzle, games with the iTouch, to reinforce it as a gaming console?
re: Apple holidng back gaming due to Pro apps?
In the past, I'd say the previous poster was correct. Apple was purposely holding back on video cards included with their lower-cost systems, to ensure more people bought their "Pro" line of systems to run "Pro" applications of theirs.
But don't you think Apple has sort of moved past that already? I mean, we've got iMacs with quad-core processor options for them now, and fairly decent graphics options. The line between the Macbook and Macbook Pro has been blurred too.
I think they realize that they stand to make just as much (if not more) profit selling Pro apps to a larger audience of users, if they sell iMacs and Macbooks that can run them respectably well.
Meanwhile, the Mac Pro seems to be moving into the realm of being a "special purpose" machine. When the first couple generations of it were released, I wanted them badly as my primary home computer. Anything less felt like a compromise, between maximum RAM limitations, lack of expansion bays for hard drives, and graphics card options. But I look forward at what will be in the next revision, and I think "A high-end 27" iMac config. would be a lot smarter buy for me." Still won't have the drive bay expansion options, of course -- but I also won't be stuck paying a big premium for "Xeon" class processors that don't do me that much good anyway. And besides, plenty of nice external enclosures exist these days to hold as many as 8 hard drives, with some allowing stand-alone use on your LAN and built-in RAID capabilities in their hardware.
Apple simply seems to think gaming isn't an area they care to get involved with, on the computer side of things. I think that's sad, and a big mistake on their part. But let's face it. People like Steve Jobs aren't getting any younger. The demographic that primarily "gets" gaming are the 20 and 30-somethings. Is *anyone* in an important position at Apple in that age bracket right now?
In the past, I'd say the previous poster was correct. Apple was purposely holding back on video cards included with their lower-cost systems, to ensure more people bought their "Pro" line of systems to run "Pro" applications of theirs.
But don't you think Apple has sort of moved past that already? I mean, we've got iMacs with quad-core processor options for them now, and fairly decent graphics options. The line between the Macbook and Macbook Pro has been blurred too.
I think they realize that they stand to make just as much (if not more) profit selling Pro apps to a larger audience of users, if they sell iMacs and Macbooks that can run them respectably well.
Meanwhile, the Mac Pro seems to be moving into the realm of being a "special purpose" machine. When the first couple generations of it were released, I wanted them badly as my primary home computer. Anything less felt like a compromise, between maximum RAM limitations, lack of expansion bays for hard drives, and graphics card options. But I look forward at what will be in the next revision, and I think "A high-end 27" iMac config. would be a lot smarter buy for me." Still won't have the drive bay expansion options, of course -- but I also won't be stuck paying a big premium for "Xeon" class processors that don't do me that much good anyway. And besides, plenty of nice external enclosures exist these days to hold as many as 8 hard drives, with some allowing stand-alone use on your LAN and built-in RAID capabilities in their hardware.
Apple simply seems to think gaming isn't an area they care to get involved with, on the computer side of things. I think that's sad, and a big mistake on their part. But let's face it. People like Steve Jobs aren't getting any younger. The demographic that primarily "gets" gaming are the 20 and 30-somethings. Is *anyone* in an important position at Apple in that age bracket right now?
Agreed. This is one of those areas where Jobs' personal biases are a significant negative impact to Apple's business. Games sell hardware. And that is a fact whether or not Jobs thinks gaming is silly/stupid/lowbrow/a waste of time.
I wouldn't want to see Apple engaged in a money-hemorrhaging quest for gaming cred like Microsoft and their Xbox project (and paying for game development on Zune and then giving those games away for free), but dismissing gamers entirely would be a big mistake.
Mac gaming never seems to manage to crawl out of the mire. I'm still waiting for Unreal Tournament 3 for Mac to magically make its appearance.
*crickets*
That's funny. I actually laughed at your post. So because I don't know a couple of obscure UKRAINIAN PC developers I should stay out of gaming discussion? Has it crossed your mind yet that I don't live in Europe? After doing some research of Creoteam all I found was on website that hadn't been update since 2007:
http://www.creoteam.com/news_en.html
And all I could find was that they made one game. Yeah, I guess everyone should know about a developer that made one game that got mixed reviews right?
After looking up GSC Gameworld, all I could find was STALKER. Again, one game and the rest were never released in the US. STALKER is an average with 80% score on the majority of sites. Nothing that stands out AT ALL.
After looking up Deep Shadows... well I really couldn't find anything other than the fact that they reside in Kiev and don't even have a page on Wikipedia. I'm sure they're a big hit in the PC world.
As for the GPU, again minimal differences when the PS3 can run true 1080p. Easy to get mistaken, don't blow your lid over it. The PS3 will still perform better because of its vastly superior processor.
The Xbox 360 can also run 1080p. I don't understand why you're spreading this FUD, have a look over multiconsole games and how in almost all cases the Xbox 360 version has better framerate, higher resolution. Ghostbusters or GTAIV being the best examples. The highly praised CoD MW2 runs at 600p on both consoles, a bit far from "true HD" no?
And I haven't even played Stalker or most of the games by the previously mentioned developers. I just take notice of the gaming industry, I read up on it. I suggest you do too so you could stop spreading FUD.
If you're going off reviews then I doubt your worth as a gamer. They're something to go off but anyone who puts their opinions behind sales figures and Metacritic probably doesn't follow gaming all that well.
Lol, maybe you should do some damn research because you are about to get absolutely demolished. The 360 DOES NOT do true 1080p. The only reason why multi-platform games are like that on the 360 is because they are developed for the 360 first and not optimized for the PS3. This isn't rocket science, buddy. I suggest you stop using ****** terms such as "FUD" over and over again. It only makes you seem like you have the vocabulary of a 13-year old. I don't live in Europe, therefore I don't follow many European companies unless they actually stand out from the rest of the pack like Rare. What the hell is wrong with reviews? Or better yet reviews that are combined to bring together a general consensus? Your retort is awful to say the least and you calling me an "awful gamer" because i'm simply getting everyone's general opinion is absolutely hilarious. Just because a game sells well doesn't mean it's any good. Metacritic follows nearly EVERY major gaming outlet there is. Is 44 reviews not good enough for you? http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/stalkershadowofchernobyl?q=STALKER
That's funny. I actually laughed at your post. So because I don't know a couple of obscure UKRAINIAN PC developers I should stay out of gaming discussion? Has it crossed your mind yet that I don't live in Europe? After doing some research of Creoteam all I found was on website that hadn't been update since 2007:
http://www.creoteam.com/news_en.html
And all I could find was that they made one game. Yeah, I guess everyone should know about a developer that made one game that got mixed reviews right?
After looking up GSC Gameworld, all I could find was STALKER. Again, one game and the rest were never released in the US. STALKER is an average with 80% score on the majority of sites. Nothing that stands out AT ALL.
After looking up Deep Shadows... well I really couldn't find anything other than the fact that they reside in Kiev and don't even have a page on Wikipedia. I'm sure they're a big hit in the PC world.
As for the GPU, again minimal differences when the PS3 can run true 1080p. Easy to get mistaken, don't blow your lid over it. The PS3 will still perform better because of its vastly superior processor.
Creoteam has announced a sequel, you should have checked the russian site.
Dude, GSC Game World is not an obscure developer, it is in fact one of the few independent developers left. STALKER is in fact three games (Shadow of Chornobyl, Clear Sky & Call of Pripyat), which are very successful, and plus GSC became famous foremost for "Cossacks: European Wars" which as I pointed out sold 4 million copies. And also Clear Sky got some award at E3 (thats in America right?). The low score on metacritic is due to a lot of reviewers getting pissed off about bugs, otherwise the game is amazing, I think it costs $5 right now on steam, get it. Did you even look at what the worse reviews said: "coupled with poorly executed Quality Assurance" "Flaws abound in the game." etc. The bugs have been fixed, and the newest game (Call of Pripyat) is very stable, it just hasn't been released in the english speaking world yet, has been in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, etc. (non-english speaking countries). It'll come to America Q1 2010.
Getting back on topic, how about apple developes games for mac not for iphone (which doesn't seem to need any first party developers, it became successful anyway). Really, hire a person who develops games for a console (halo wars) to develop games for an iphone, wtf? They should have hired him for mac developement, he could become the next bungie.
All of this seems to cast doubt on AppleInsider's recent report that Apple is "embarrassed" by gaming's popularity on iPhone and iPod touch.
I'm fully aware of the multiple STALKER games after searching on metacritic and they both have the same score range, as well as Cossacks. Not all of the lower reviews are simply complaining about bugs. From what i've read I might as well be playing Fallout 3 instead of STALKER. The developer seems average from what i've read, nothing more and nothing less. As for the E3 award, yes E3 is in America but there are thousands of gaming sites that give awards. They don't mean much as many games who obtain those awards fall flat of expectations because they only got a small taste of it.
Have you played either game? No. When you play it share your opinion, for now just shut up.
STALKER is FAAARR different from fallout 3. For one, it's difficult. The underground areas also have some of the best ambiance in any game I've ever played. I highly recommend it :]
As for mods, I recommend LURK or Oblivion Lost. OL makes the game really easy though, so YMMV.
Fallout 3 deals with a postapocalyptic environment whilst STALKER deals with a devastated, but localised area. They're different on pretty much every level.
Heh, right on.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360
http://www.makeyougohmm.com/xbox360-1080p-games/ (from last year, Forza 3 runs at 1080p60)
As I said please stop spreading this FUD, or if you'd prefer; lies, misinformation, whatever you want to call incorrect information that you believe to be true. The Xbox 360 does 1080p60 over HDMI just like a Playstation 3. And as I said please do some research. Ghostbusters was primarily developed on the PS3, okay? (sorry to have to sound like this but) has it sunk in yet? Good, because the PS3 version looks worse compared to the Xbox version. GTAIV was also developed for the PS3 but has a lower resolution and more framerate drops than the Xbox version. The PS3 has a better CPU over the Xbox but it ends there.
Can you force me to play either game? No. Don't throw a hissy fit because your average game that's supposed to back up your entire argument is far from being anything special. You have one developer to back up your statement and god forbid they are anything but average.
Hate to break it to you but you still have no idea what you are talking about. Ghostbusters is still a multiplatform game as is GTAIV. Ghostbusters was also patched to fixed some graphical issues on the PS3 so that comparison picture can get thrown out the window. Even if it was developed for the PS3 first I doubt it was optimized for the PS3's cell processor AT ALL because they still have to make it easy to port it and the PS3's architecture is far more advanced. How about instead of comparing your crappy multiplatform games you compare exclusives like Uncharted 2? Oh that's right, because the PS3 would utterly destroy the 360 in every way shape and form. Did I mention that Metal Gear Solid 4 would take up 15 disks on the 360? Now sit down and go back to drawing board before you reply. I don't care what list you throw at me, it means absolutely nothing without some hard evidence such as the video I linked which you apparently didn't even click on, the 360 was not developed to produce 1080p images, whether you like it not. Every game done on the 360 can be put on the PS3, every optimized and developed from the ground up to work for the PS3 can not be put on the 360 without taking a massive hit in performance or just not even being able to put the game on it.
Then again I don't even know why i'm arguing with because it's pretty clear you look like you are 15 at the oldest. Seriously kid, next time you reply try to compare meaningful things so you can stop wasting my time.
long overdue
This is long overdue. Apple needed to get serious about gaming ten or fifteen years ago. They claim to be oriented towards home users but don't have a game software development team for Macs. They also have been very weak when it comes to relations with game developers and providing them the tools and services they would need to bring games to Macs and make a profit.
Many home users have used their computers to play games and even used that as a reason to upgrade or buy new computers. Apple ignored the very market they claimed to serve.
Now games on the iPhone and iPod Touch are a hit - by accident. And they are hiring a few developers? Too little too late. They should make a bold move now. Apple could buy some key established companies in the games industry and have some good exclusive (and some nonexclusive) titles released for Macs, iPod, iPhone, and other Apple hardware.
There are many good 20th century game titles that are available and waiting to be modified and released as an iPhone app. Just reusing these old ideas for games could bring billions of dollars in revenue to developers over time. Apple could be one of those developers.
This is long overdue. Apple needed to get serious about gaming ten or fifteen years ago. They claim to be oriented towards home users but don't have a game software development team for Macs. They also have been very weak when it comes to relations with game developers and providing them the tools and services they would need to bring games to Macs and make a profit.
Many home users have used their computers to play games and even used that as a reason to upgrade or buy new computers. Apple ignored the very market they claimed to serve.
Now games on the iPhone and iPod Touch are a hit - by accident. And they are hiring a few developers? Too little too late. They should make a bold move now. Apple could buy some key established companies in the games industry and have some good exclusive (and some nonexclusive) titles released for Macs, iPod, iPhone, and other Apple hardware.
There are many good 20th century game titles that are available and waiting to be modified and released as an iPhone app. Just reusing these old ideas for games could bring billions of dollars in revenue to developers over time. Apple could be one of those developers.
DirectX in Mac OS X?
Since when?
I'm tired of people writing things as if it was the truth when in fact it's totally wrong. At least type I think when writhing about thinks you aren't 100% sure about.
Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directx
My mistake. DirectX drivers for the Radeon 4870 were included on my Mac Pro install disks for Boot Camp. That is indeed a far cry from them being built in to OS X. You may now take a rest to relieve your tiredness.
If 44 reviews brought together for a general consensus amongst people who played the game isn't good enough for you then I don't know what is.
But its not even your opinion. Anyway lets go back to where we started where you said there are no more pc exclusives, STALKER is one, and it is a very successful one, people wouldn't buy a game, especially one got very little marketing outside the CIS, if it wasn't good. Plus since when is 80% score bad, borderlands got 82%, MW2 87%, NFS Shift got83%, Red Faction: Guerilla 83%, etc. Since when are these bad games, true i havent played any, but a friend said red faction was awesome, mw2 has to be awesome, and borderlands got a lot of praise.
its funny how people wish a joystick n a d pad would come out for the iphone/i touch. it will never happen. steve jobs wanted a touch screen and tilt device ONLY. they also complain how u cant play fps either. i had no problems playing doom, sandstorm, raven sword or any fps games. the fps is almost the same as playing it on any console. except u touch to move ur character. one day apple will have a touch device more powerful than 360 n ps3
Whoa whoa whoa, when did I ever say 80% was a bad score? It's simply average. Some good aspects that also have the same amount of bad aspects or a little less. The only reason Modern Warfare 2 has an 87% on PC is because Infinity Ward basically neglected a couple of perks you normally get on PC games.