Hudson Entertainment: We Want To Develop iPhone Games

[GFLPraxis]

Hi guys, many of you all know me already (I'm usually in the gaming section), but for those who don't, my name is Chris Hardin, and I write for NintendoPlayers.com. I am, of course, a fellow Apple fanatic like you all

Anyway, this week I got to spend a couple of days with Hudson Entertainment. Unfortunately due to some audio equipment failure I didn't get everything from the discussion I had with the CEO, but it was quite in depth.

Here's what I published, and the relevant quotes:

Interview with Hudson CEO John Greiner:
http://www.nintendoplayers.com/feature.php?featureID=46

NP: While we're primarily a Nintendo site, I am personally an Apple fan, so I've got to ask. Apple has recently been talking about opening the iPhone up to third party developers. Will Hudson be involved in developing for the iPhone?

John: Yes!

NP: That's excellent to hear, one of my biggest concerns has been the lack of serious developers on the iPhone. Part of it has to do with Apple's attitude towards gaming. If you look at the iPod, all we're getting is casual minigames-

John: -no serious games. Part of it has to do with the iPod's limitations; it's terrible for a gaming platform, and iTunes is not an optimal games distribution environment. We hope to do much better on the iPhone.

And the writeup of the event:
http://www.nintendoplayers.com/feature.php?featureID=45

(on page 3)
Although it is not really Nintendo related, I was most excited about how Mr. Greiner talked about the iPhone. What I have written in the interview doesn't really convey the excitement with which he spoke of it; but Hudson sounds like it plans to develop quite seriously for the iPhone as soon as they can get an SDK from Apple. I, for one, look forward seeing some serious games on that platform; the iPhone seems perfect for games like Elite Beat Agents, or even The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. While I did not get official confirmation that Hudson is actually in talks with Apple, I got a very strong sense of enthusiasm for the platform and a sense that Hudson really wants to develop for it.

I can't emphasize enough how enthusiastic Hudson seemed about iPhone development. They talked like they'd been planning it and had all sorts of ideas.

Since Hudson Entertainment has a strong focus on mobile phone games it makes sense.

Anyway, I wanted to be the first to hit you guys with that news tidbit. When Hudson starts coming out with iPhone games, I called it first!

 

[skeen]

Roll on SDK!

 

[TurboSC]

haha nice. As long as they don't make a Crazy Frog game then we're in business.

The SDK is really going to make the iPhone / iPod Touch shine, and I can't wait to see what the talented people out there will create for it.

 

[GFLPraxis]

Bomberman or Bonk would be cool...not sure how controls would work, but I have seen a Wii remote pointer and DS stylus concept for Bomberman controls so it is possible.

With Apple having gaming patents as well this seems to really be heating up

 

[GFLPraxis]

Hudson has just launched a web portal for iPhone/iPod Touch web-based (Ajax) games called "Do the Hudson":
http://touch.hudson.co.jp

And when the SDK is available they'll start making games that way.

Told you so!

 

[TurboSC]

niiice. I hope other game companies jump on board ( or already have the SDK in their hands )