iCade Creators Announce Nintendo-Like Wireless Controller for iOS

[derkunstler]

It was not an unsolicited submission. I was working with them towards securing a position as a creative designer. I created a series of samples within my portfolio to showcase what I could develop for them. Sadly they liked what they saw but felt it better to simply replicate some of my ideas rather than offer me a position. Its common in the design world these days. Thus why the graphic design field is dog eat dog and full of contempt and hate. There is a lot of bottomfeeding and plagiarism. It's simply the nature of the business now. But it does still hurt to see an idea you developed get used without your direct input. Then to read people's reactions to a design or 'look' you promoted. People think of the company as brilliant, yet it was me who promoted the retro graphics look for their products. If you do not believe me I can share with you my portfolio samples and you can see what was lifted.

But the fact is that there is no trust any more. Everything is fodder and everyone is material to be used in this industry. I went out on a limb and showed them a portfolio of material on their request. But I should have known what it was all about. Its all very common. I have some changes to make. Ideas are valuable. But there are people, especially in the usa, who disregard art and feel that original ideas are there for others to take without compensation. It is a blatant disregard for the value of art and creativity that has come to a serious crisis in this country. Art is taken for granted. Ideas or artists are often declared 'worthless' until there is something to steal. How can an artist be worthless and valuable at the same time? We wont hire you but we will lift concepts from you. I can not explain to you how angry this makes me. That is why this industry will continue to revolve around mediocrity. The people who are truly creative are held at bay, raped and eventually discarded. There is no respect for innovation or originality. There is only the all mighty buck. And saving a buck worth more than providing someone with potential a chance. That is a death sentence for any industry. It is only a matter of time. The economic depression isnt just about Bush, oil, credit and people living beyond their means. its about an industry selling out and abusing and excluding talent. It's about raping creativity as a resource.

But it doesn't matter. Its my fault I should have known. I was a fool to think that they would be honest with me. I have a lot of changes to make in how I prepare my portfolio. We live in evil times where the human element doesn't matter any more. People look at the atrocities going on in China at Foxcon. People need to look right in their backyard and see the kinds of things that take place right here. And why workers have 0 faith in business these days. Its just dog eat dog. Everyone and everything is fodder.

I must ask, why did you share it with them?

Apple has some pretty significant legalese about unsolicited submissions and how they automatically own all of them so if someone submits something and they come out with something similar, they can't be sued.

In my experience, folks are way too free with unsolicited submissions.

 

[toddybody]

Really? At $25? Wii and Xbox wireless controllers cost $40, and yes are a bit more advanced, but they can price them cheaper because they make money off of selling games, not hardware.

These guys only make money on hardware and they have no where near the market that a 360/Wii/PS3 controller would have (As everyone that owns an iOS device doesn't want a controller) So at $25 it allows them to still be profitable while providing a niche product...

I'd argue, but that would only end in me covered in blood and laughing in a prison cell.

 

[Mainyehc]

What about NES emulators for OS X?

If this actually just sends keyboard inputs, it should work just fine with a number of emulators for OS X, right?

What could be even more interesting would be an official utility for remapping the key inputs so you could use not one but several controllers at the same time (as I'm guessing that two plain-vanilla 8-bittys — 8-bitties? — would send equal and conflicting inputs)! Do you reckon that could be possible?

 

[JGowan]

It was not an unsolicited submission. I ... Its just dog eat dog. Everyone and everything is fodder.

I just want to offer my support to what you've said. I know how you feel. There is a lot of thievery going on -- PLUS -- even if you are a good designer, people still want your very best work for next to nothing. But have times really changed? When one considers many very famous artists/musicians throughout the ages that died with no money in a pitiful existence, we see that there is just not the appreciation of the arts as it should be. Best of luck.

 

[Sackvillenb]

Well, that seems pretty great! And $25 is not too bad either...

While I've found many great original games and ports on iOS devices, The lack of good controls and/or physical controls severely hampers 80% of those games...

As has been mentioned before though, good button mapping capabilities will be a must for this to succeed.

I wonder if I can play Marathon with it...

 

[NameUndecided]

I would hope that since this seems to be much less of a niche product than their arcade cabinet (that I couldn't get myself to spend even $50 on when it was on sale), that a lot more developers add support for it and there finally exists a widely-used physical controller for iOS (and Android) games.

I could see that happening, and then a year later this company releases a new version of the controller that works all the same and is just as small and portable, but is a little more modern and less retro-themed. I guess it's ultimately up to app developers though to be willing to adopt it.

Also -- I know nothing about programing and coding and that, so I wonder if their code for implementing support for their controllers is patented, or if another company could release their own controller that matches up with games that support this one.
(minor comeuppance for the alleged derkunstler incident?)

 

[derkunstler]

Cheers man. Sadly no the times have not changed however there comes a point when bottomfeeding and raping the arts brings about collapse. That is what we are seeing today. No lie can live forever and no one can suck and suck on something expecting it to last forever. There is a beginning and an end to all things. The moral arc of the universe is long but it bends towards Justice.

I had plans to develop a game app for their device, however those plans have been scraped. I didn't like what they did and though i originally believed in their product I have much less respect for them now. I may even get rid of this icade all together that I bought. But that is corporatism my friend, they are Nobodies friend.

But the world when see when the time comes. Though i am a developer I am an Artist first and that is where my heart will forever be. I'm from the 80's and the word selling out still is relevant in my mind. There is a lot of it going on, in fact that is what people strive to do these days. It's amazing.

I will never sell out the arts or the value of quality.
Art is life.

I wish I had a big company and big money behind me. I don't play by the rules and people come first in my book. But again I am old skool some my words may sound odd i nthis new $$$ era of branding and corporate chaos.

Oi

I just want to offer my support to what you've said. I know how you feel. There is a lot of thievery going on -- PLUS -- even if you are a good designer, people still want your very best work for next to nothing. But have times really changed? When one considers many very famous artists/musicians throughout the ages that died with no money in a pitiful existence, we see that there is just not the appreciation of the arts as it should be. Best of luck.

 

[SBlue1]

love the design