Industry Transforming: The iPhone and the Casual User, Enterprise, and Gamer

[MattInOz]

From a marketing view, Apple has put themselves into an amazing place. You're right about pushing the iPhone as enterprise God rather than the portable gaming God. I think Apple will use the touch as their gaming push. Both will be able to function as game and enterprise, but buyers won't be confused as to wether they are the target market or not.

I think your right this is a way for Apple to push each device in different directions. Sure both will be capable either way, it still offers a point of difference.

Lets face it any application for the iPhone has to be interuptable, when a phone call hits, that is it's primary purpose.
The touch on the hand this falls to hands of the user, sure you want to let them pause if they want to, but that's the point the user is in control if their phone is ringing they can just let it ring if they don't feel like answering.

 

[dr_lha]

I don't think so. If I were writing a game for the iPhone I'd have the game look at the hardware and then turn on or off certain features of the game based on the capabilies of the device. This could happen each time the game is launched but more likely it would be better to do this when the game is installed. I think this would give users what they expect, that the gameswould look better and do more after the iPhone is upgraded to a newer model

So owners of older iPhones get a worst version of the game? That puts a strain on users (who clearly don't want to be second best) and developers (who have to make their software scaleable). In the end it will end up like PC gaming, the moving target will end up dropping older models. Your model is not sustainable over the sorts of timescales that consoles like the PSP and DS operate. The PSP is just really coming into its own right now and has been out for 3 years after all.

Gamers would not expect newer iPhones to play games better than old ones as you suggest, after all you wouldn't expect a Wii or a PS3 bought in 2 years time to have more graphics and CPU power than a current one would you? Console gaming is all about longevity and large jumps.

 

[onionperson654]

Is it June yet?

Yeah, totally my sentiment. Reading these posts I them was driven to check out some screenshots/videos of psp games. I'm looking forward to some realy quality games (sorry developers for jailbroken ipods, they are fun, but more like minesweeper or bejewled (which, of course, many people like), than Crysis or Bioshock (I want to play those on my ipod!).

I think that the iphone/ipod touch will not too focused on games by Apple, although some developers certainly will. Games will have to get in line between phone, music player, internet communications device (remember the '07 Macworld announcement?).

When that does happen, however, I think that it will appeal to a very different crowd than the DS or PSP crowds, which in and of themselves are fairly different. Comparing with the ipod touch (which is more similar than the iphone), the DS is a bit more for youth (very broad statements, but I say them to mark general trends) while the PSP is bringing consoles to portability.

The ipod touch will be for people who want games in addition to the rest of the fuctionality. Generally older than lots of the kids that have portable gaming systems, but not so focused on the traditional console keypads. I think, actually, that the new Super Smash Brothers is a good example of the difference of these groups, for while it added alot of content, it barely uses any of the motion control advances for the Wii, primarily because former Super Smash Fans like the controls the way they were.



Personally, I don't have a console or a personal gaming device, but do have a computer (used occasionally for games) and an ipod touch. I am the sort of group that they are looking for with games, not a hard core gamer but someone who will enjoy and appreciate the added fuctionality (and pay for it) on games, and enjoy the experience of a novel motion control and multi-touch approach rather than be hemmed in to the old way of consol games (although I would like a keyboard, and perhaps a mouse .

 

[reverie]

i think alot of the games made would be wii-esque because of the use of the accelerometer. or develop a cross between wii and DS by using the computer screen for graphics along with the iphone for some other graphics plus controls? i think thatd be pretty cool.

The Wiimote allows for one-hand operation. The iPhone is too fat for that and people would be scared to break it. What you're describing equals the tilt function of the PS3 controller. It's not the Wii.

So owners of older iPhones get a worst version of the game? That puts a strain on users (who clearly don't want to be second best) and developers (who have to make their software scaleable). In the end it will end up like PC gaming, the moving target will end up dropping older models. Your model is not sustainable over the sorts of timescales that consoles like the PSP and DS operate. The PSP is just really coming into its own right now and has been out for 3 years after all.

Gamers would not expect newer iPhones to play games better than old ones as you suggest, after all you wouldn't expect a Wii or a PS3 bought in 2 years time to have more graphics and CPU power than a current one would you? Console gaming is all about longevity and large jumps.

Exactly. Those yearly updates would be less comfortable for consumers than the 5-yearly updates in the console world. It would be a little bit easier than the PC though, as long as Apple keeps their updates simple with one new generation per year. Then you can just tell the user that your games requires a 2008 model and a 2009 model is recommended. It should also be manageable for developers to test against a handful of devices.

The huge problem with iPhone games is going to be input. Finger input is unprecise and blocks your view. That's why the DS has a) a stylus and b) a second screen.

 

[diamond.g]

The OBVIOUS question that Apple has not highlighted is: can iPhone 2.0 firmware do push email from Mac OS X Server and other ISP push IMAP solutions?! Gmail push would be nice!

I thought there was IMAP Push, what happened to that? I don't understand how Apple supporting Microsoft Active Sync has anything to do with OS X Mail push.

just something that i thought about... what about making the iphone a wireless controller to be used for games running on an apple computer? would that be possible? you could use the multi touch for a d-pad/other buttons and also use the accelerometer for other controls. i though that this might be a cool way to integrate the iphone for use with games, but i am not so sure how practical this would be. what do people think about this?

It would be just like using the SIXAXIS with out having actual buttons. For a whirl go play Lair. If you like how the game controls then you would like using the iPhone/Touch as a controller.


I don't understand how having a hardware advantage is going to help Apple "take over" share from Sony/Nintendo. I mean the DS literally prints money for Nintendo (they sell something like a million units a month WW). There have been many competitors that had better specs than Nintendo and in the end Nintendo was on top. Now in the Cell Phone market the iPhone will be king.

Of course the biggest issue with handheld game systems? Battery Life. The PSP got panned for only having 5 hour battery life. I haven't played my DS in months but I can go and turn it on and play it right now, can't do that with the PSP, it drains the battery in about 2 weeks. The iPhone and Touch have that big screen to power, so battery life as a games system will be miserable (compared to the DS and PSP with extended battery). But I will love to see what Apple is able to do to combat the battery issue.

 

[earnjam]

I don't think Apple necessarily need to push it as a gaming platform, but think about it this way...

For all those kids/kids in adult bodies, if you love PSP or DS and portable gaming and you're looking to get a new phone...why not the iPhone? Its games will be light years ahead of many other mobile phones. Especially because of the multitouch/accelerometer.

They will continue to market it as an all in one device because that is what it is.

 

[diamond.g]

I don't think Apple necessarily need to push it as a gaming platform, but think about it this way...

For all those kids/kids in adult bodies, if you love PSP or DS and portable gaming and you're looking to get a new phone...why not the iPhone? Its games will be light years ahead of many other mobile phones. Especially because of the multitouch/accelerometer.

They will continue to market it as an all in one device because that is what it is.

Ah, well that is a good point.

 

[Dorfdad]

Im a big kid, well my wife says so anyway.. 36 Love my PSP and My DS as Im a gamer but sitting on the couch anymore is hard to do with 2 kids and a Job..

Just bought the Iphone and honestly I bought it based on the potential for games, as well as the IPOD, movie, and other capacites going forward.

I paid 249.99 for a device that does everything! Now for gaming the IPHONE will not compete or destroy the PSP or DS as they are different Markets pretty much.. What we will get is some more advanced versions of CASUAL gaming.

SUper Monkey Balls is a great example a Console lite version of the game. Better graphics than the DS and with EASY controls.

I can easily see Turn Based Games making it a hit on the system, but it will NEVER take down Sony or Nintendo without the support of 3rd paty developers beyond EA...

If you got Capcom, Eidos, UBISOFT and some others to develop original games that use the IPHONE's capabilities it will become a Great Casual Gaming device but if all that happens is everyone rushes to put Puzzle games out like all Apple systems suffer from than the gaming will be an after thought for everyone...

If apple want's to get in this game they need to truley FOCUS on gaming and they have given no indication in the past even on the Dekstop and Laptop side that they really care about it.

It has a shot and Im hoping it happens, but watch out for the Shovelware and rushed out Games in June... Bejeweld 200 will be hitting Itunes for sure...

 

[arn]

I can easily see Turn Based Games making it a hit on the system, but it will NEVER take down Sony or Nintendo without the support of 3rd paty developers beyond EA...

If you got Capcom, Eidos, UBISOFT and some others to develop original games that use the IPHONE's capabilities it will become a Great Casual Gaming device but if all that happens is everyone rushes to put Puzzle games out like all Apple systems suffer from than the gaming will be an after thought for everyone

I have no doubt that every game developer is seriously looking at the iPhone for game development. There are 4 million iPhones out there. 10-14 million by the end of 2008. With a iTunes App store built into the phone itself. It's an enormous opportunity.

It's not unreasonable to think that 10% (1-1.4million) of iPhone users will buy an iTunes App in the first few weeks to see what they can do with it.

arn

 

[dongmin]

I can easily see Turn Based Games making it a hit on the system, but it will NEVER take down Sony or Nintendo without the support of 3rd paty developers beyond EA...

Because of its portable internet capabilities, I expect A LOT of games that do multi-player in some way. Networked Scrabble, Poker, and Chess are obvious candidates. But perhaps more advanced games like Second Life or other MMORPGs. (I know most have higher hardware requirements but less visually complex versions of some of these games could work.)

 

[diamond.g]

I have no doubt that every game developer is seriously looking at the iPhone for game development. There are 4 million iPhones out there. 10-14 million by the end of 2008. With a iTunes App store built into the phone itself. It's an enormous opportunity.

It's not unreasonable to think that 10% (1-1.4million) of iPhone users will buy an iTunes App in the first few weeks to see what they can do with it.

arn

I think you are right. Most major publishers will love to make a quick port of a few hit franchises to make some money. There is just too much money sitting there to be had.

I would think MMORPG's would be painful to play on the iPhone with no real keyboard. Now minigames that link back to your toon would be sweet (think Fable 2).

 

[natejohnstone@g]

MORE than a game console!

So owners of older iPhones get a worst version of the game? That puts a strain on users (who clearly don't want to be second best) and developers (who have to make their software scaleable). In the end it will end up like PC gaming, the moving target will end up dropping older models. Your model is not sustainable over the sorts of timescales that consoles like the PSP and DS operate. The PSP is just really coming into its own right now and has been out for 3 years after all.

Gamers would not expect newer iPhones to play games better than old ones as you suggest, after all you wouldn't expect a Wii or a PS3 bought in 2 years time to have more graphics and CPU power than a current one would you? Console gaming is all about longevity and large jumps.

The iPod Touch / iPhone is NOT a game console and never will be, nor should it. The iPhone is a MINI COMPUTER. It is a handheld Mac running a mini OSX. As such, is looking to be the first to bring COMPUTER GAMES to handheld devices, not console games. Don't think DS and PSP--we're beyond that.

These days, many games are released for both consoles and computers nearly simultaneously. But the big difference was pointed out above--console gaming is different in that the dedicated machines do not change in their basic hardware capabilities for many years (around 8-10 for the PS3, most likely). Computer GPUs change at least once if not twice a year. Someone buying Call of Duty 4 on a console will get what they get, whereas someone buying it on their computer will get an experienced based on the capabilities of their computer (relative to the capabilities of the game).

I'm not saying that is not looking to compete with the DS and PSP--they are. THEY MUST. Those two products have sold over 100M units already (twice that of the "big" consoles--Wii, PS3, and 360--combined). The gaming world is HUGE HUGE business--bigger than the music industry that has already conquered and bigger than the tv/movie industry that they are working on now.

But even so, it's wrong to think of the iPod/iPhone as a game "console" in the sense of the DS or PSP. Those products are static, dedicated gaming devices. iPhone/etc is not and will not be. iPhone does, however, have the advantage of being a mini computer. And that's the advantage that they will exploit.

Case in Point: could be the first to the market with a mobile version of World of Warcraft, the most successful video game in history. It would be a snap to write for the iPod/iPhone since the game is already coded for Mac. It would be a "lite" version of the game, of course (for those who play--it would have Auction House, chatting, bank and inventory, etc.--the environments would add too much memory, but maybe one or two PvP areas...). If does this, I guarantee it will generate 500,000 new users within a couple months. I am serious!

does need to market a D-pad type accessory certianly, no question. Here's the link to the thread where we're discussing this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=5139011&posted=1#post5139011

And I like the idea of pimping the iPod Touch as the mobile gaming computer rather than the iPhone, though obviously we're talking about both.

 

[diamond.g]

Case in Point: could be the first to the market with a mobile version of World of Warcraft, the most successful video game in history. It would be a snap to write for the iPod/iPhone since the game is already coded for Mac. It would be a "lite" version of the game, of course (for those who play--it would have Auction House, chatting, bank and inventory, etc.--the environments would add too much memory, but maybe one or two PvP areas...). If does this, I guarantee it will generate 500,000 new users within a couple months. I am serious!

does need to market a D-pad type accessory certianly, no question. Here's the link to the thread where we're discussing this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=5139011&posted=1#post5139011

Blizzard doesn't need Apple to peddle it's digital crack. I would be suprised if they come out with a WoW client for the iPhone/iPod Touch. It would seem like a good choice, but then again it would also seem like a good choice to bring it to consoles as well and that hasn't happened yet.

 

[dr_lha]

The iPod Touch / iPhone is NOT a game console and never will be, nor should it. The iPhone is a MINI COMPUTER. It is a handheld Mac running a mini OSX. As such, is looking to be the first to bring COMPUTER GAMES to handheld devices, not console games. Don't think DS and PSP--we're beyond that.

Sorry - you lost me at this point. You're somehow stating that computer games are in some way better or more superior than console games, which is pure crap, they are simply different types of games.

The only thing that makes computer games "computer games" is their input method, i.e. keyboard and mouse. The iPhone has neither of these, so is no more going to play "COMPUTER GAMES" than a DS or a PSP. Most of the other things that used to set computers apart from consoles that are relevant for gaming (storage, power, network capabilities) all of the modern consoles have.

If anything the lack of push button controls on the iPhone will set it apart from "computer games" even farther than the DS and PSP curently are.

Input methods are going to be the amongst the hardest thing for stuff like "World of Warcraft". Also your point about it being already written on the Mac so easy to port to the iPhone shows some pretty small understanding of how game development works. For one thing, how much memory does the iPhone have (actual memory, not Flash storage)?

 

[natejohnstone@g]

Sorry - you lost me at this point. You're somehow stating that computer games are in some way better or more superior than console games, which is pure crap, they are simply different types of games.

When talking computer gaming vs console gaming, neither is better or worse (I like both, both have advantages), nor are the games always different--THAT'S my point. We're not talking mobile games like Tetris vs console games like God of War. I'm talking about the fact that Call of Duty 4 is playable on the computer as well as on the 2 HD consoles.

The only thing that makes computer games "computer games" is their input method, i.e. keyboard and mouse.

There I have to disagree with you, and that point was the purpose of my post--apparently I didn't state it well .

People in here were arguing against the iPhone because it would be an continually improving gaming device, citing the DS and PSP as examples of how true gaming devices CANNOT change, because this provides a non-frustrating experience for both early and late adopters. But this is not the case with computers. Unless you're talking about a new and heavy game like Crysis, most decent recent computers will play most recent games--they just vary in the quality of graphics, etc. My 1.5 year old laptop will play Call of Duty 4, but my cousin's new desktop with nice GPU plays it MUCH MUCH nicer. This neither turns me off to gaming in general or the genre of computer gaming in particular--it's just how it works. In this regard, computer gaming is vastly different from console gaming.

iPhone can continue to improve and allow games in 2-years to look good on the 1st Gen iPhone but great on the 3rd Gen. Eventually, games will come out that will not work on the 1st Gen iPhone at all--and that's not a horrible thing or a reason why gaming won't ever "catch on" on the iPhone as some have asserted. It's simply the way that computer gaming works. It seems to me that the games themselves could be just as good on the iPhone as compared to the DS, for example.

If anything the lack of push button controls on the iPhone will set it apart from "computer games" even farther than the DS and PSP curently are.

Agreed, but please read the last paragraphs of the post you cited . I think that new and unique games can and will be done for the iPhone's touch + accellometer scheme. HOWEVER, they will still need a (preferably -made) accessory that you slide your iPhone into w/buttons and analog sticks, etc. In my mind it looks something like a PSP of course, but that's my frame of reference. They simply have to make this, or the current gaming marketshare won't go for it.

Input methods are going to be the amongst the hardest thing for stuff like "World of Warcraft". Also your point about it being already written on the Mac so easy to port to the iPhone shows some pretty small understanding of how game development works.

I agree about input methods being essential. As far as writing the code for the iPhone, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you could "port" the game from OSX, that's crazy. I simply meant that Blizzard is a company that has already proven themselves willing and able to write for multiple platforms and I'm sure they would be able to write a small "WoW Lite" for the iPhone. The key there being small--a special mobile interface to access your character and chat in-game, etc. But being that the iPhone/iPod Touch is a mini computer and not a console, I do think that the iPhone would be much easier to code for than, say, the PS3. And I think we'd be much more likely to see WoW on this platform than on a console either.

With SEGA and EA already on board, we'll see some good games this year. I hope that someone takes it seriously and really tries to bring out the iPhone's potential--then we'll see what we see. The iPod is the biggest consumer electronics device in a long time, and I think that a lot of devs will jump at the chance to get in on a new market.

 

[dongmin]

I have no doubt that every game developer is seriously looking at the iPhone for game development. There are 4 million iPhones out there. 10-14 million by the end of 2008. With a iTunes App store built into the phone itself. It's an enormous opportunity.

It's not unreasonable to think that 10% (1-1.4million) of iPhone users will buy an iTunes App in the first few weeks to see what they can do with it.

arn

Don't forget that these games will work on the iPod Touch AND an Apple tablet/UMPC, if Apple ever introduces one. I expect Apple to move the entire full-sized iPod line to the Touch platform in the next couple of years.

So 20 million Touch devices per year is not that hard to imagine. And after a few years, there will be A LOT of these touch devices in circulation: 50 mil after three years, maybe 100 mil after five years.

There is a HUGE market for this. They are not exaggerating when they say this could be bigger than the PC in a few years.

 

[dr_lha]

.
People in here were arguing against the iPhone because it would be an continually improving gaming device, citing the DS and PSP as examples of how true gaming devices CANNOT change, because this provides a non-frustrating experience for both early and late adopters. But this is not the case with computers. Unless you're talking about a new and heavy game like Crysis, most decent recent computers will play most recent games--they just vary in the quality of graphics, etc. My 1.5 year old laptop will play Call of Duty 4, but my cousin's new desktop with nice GPU plays it MUCH MUCH nicer. This neither turns me off to gaming in general or the genre of computer gaming in particular--it's just how it works. In this regard, computer gaming is vastly different from console gaming.

I guess this is where we basically have differing viewpoints. You think that a moving target platform is a good thing, I don't. I don't think the public does either, otherwise PC gaming wouldn't be in the crisis it is in now (where its basically being propped up by WoW and The Sims), and the rest (i.e. the "Crysis"s of the world) are the domain purely of a small minority of hard core players, i.e. not the mainstream.

My point is, "Computer gaming" is not a model you want to follow right now, the console gaming model has proven itself to be vastly more mainstream and popular.

Unless they start clearly marking iPhones as "iPhone 2", "iPhone 3" - I don't think you can have a system where games only work on some version of the iPhone without pissing off the customers.

But being that the iPhone/iPod Touch is a mini computer and not a console, I do think that the iPhone would be much easier to code for than, say, the PS3.

What about the PS3 makes it a "console" rather than a "computer"? It has a CPU, GFX card, memory, USB ports and a Hard Disk. You can install Linux on it and turn it into a full fledged regular computer, so your logic is a little off here I think. For the record, I think WoW would be extremely doable on the PS3, what is holding it back is the need for a keyboard/mouse right now.

 

[onionperson654]

We've heard the iphone compared to a mini-computer, and that is the sort of games that will come out. Personally, I think that the biggest difference between computers and consoles is the interface, specifically the number of buttons on the keyboard. However, having games designed for specific systems that work perfectly on them (i.e. games designed for PS2, PS3, Wii, etc.) could be like the iphone, and certainly different from computers (hey, I just tried the Crysis demo on my 2.5 year old Inspiron laptop with 1.86 Ghz Celeron M (single core, old school), 128 mb graphics card, and 1 gb ram. It was certainly playable with lowest settings, still quite beautiful, and I'm proud of my system.)

Is the accellerometer make it like the Wii?

Does the bump in graphics make it like the Playstation 3?

Does the interconnectivity through itunes, Wi-Fi, egde make it like the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Live?

Does its broad appeal make it like the Playstation 2?

Is it forray into the games like the Sega Dreamcast?


Or, is it some combination of all? I guess the real question is how well it does those things, because that's the success of these systems (i.e. Wii success, PS3 low past sales but potential bright future).


Plus, hardware upgrades would be one area to entice new users the ipod touch (and iphone, after they get 3G, the huge upgrade) rather than only memory upgrades from here to eternity (most past ipod upgrades, exception 5.5g, added functionality).

 

[natejohnstone@g]

I guess this is where we basically have differing viewpoints. You think that a moving target platform is a good thing, I don't. I don't think the public does either, otherwise PC gaming wouldn't be in the crisis it is in now (where its basically being propped up by WoW and The Sims), and the rest (i.e. the "Crysis"s of the world) are the domain purely of a small minority of hard core players, i.e. not the mainstream.

My point is, "Computer gaming" is not a model you want to follow right now, the console gaming model has proven itself to be vastly more mainstream and popular.

Unless they start clearly marking iPhones as "iPhone 2", "iPhone 3" - I don't think you can have a system where games only work on some version of the iPhone without pissing off the customers.
now.

I pretty much agree on every point actually, lol. Seriously, i agree that computer gaming is going down and that it's not the preferred model to follow. I just think that whether we like it or not--and even whether likes it or not--the iPod Touch/iPhone lines up far more on the computer side of everything than it does on the portable gaming console side.

Can you imagine an iPod Touch that was still the "current' model but was 5 years old? Can you imagine using a mobile phone that's 5 years old? I have, it sucked. You can get away with these things on a game console, won't do it on the iPod or iPhone. That leaves you with two alternatives. Either you write software to the lowest common denominator (which hampers progress and creativity--not hallmarks of 's business strategies) or you allow developers to develop content specifically for the "newest" hardware if they so choose. As such, said game might not play as well on the older iPod/iPhones.

That is limiting, yes. I suppose it might piss people off--but I think that PSP "Fat" owners might be pissed off that God of War doesn't play as well on their device as it does on the PSP Slim (a rare occurrence of the "computer" style of game-making in the console world). But that's just progress. You have to find the line between marketability and advancement. [Sony couldn't quite decide last year--they kept putting out a ton of PS2 stuff instead of cutting it off and going only with the PS3--and it hurt the adoption of the PS3 (initially). On the flip-side, some have rumored that there will be a new XBOX console out in just 2 years--this would SERIOUSLY piss off their customers, and I don't think they'll do that. Somewhere there is a happy medium--I don't know where, I just play the games ]

I agree with you that it will be a long time before a game made for the iPhone "doesn't work" on the 1st Gen at all. We are talking about constant software updates and yearly hardware updates. The 1st Gen should be able to play games in 2 years--but it shouldn't be able to play them as well as the then "newest" version of the hardware. This is due to the simple fact that will continually update the iPhone--it must, the mobile phone market is a fast-moving and quickly-updating sector.

Therefore in 2 years they will either intentionally be making games for the older hardware, or intentionally making games for the newer hardware while keeping in mind that the older hardware needs to be able to play it as well (like with computers). I certianly hope they choose to make games for the iPod/iPhone that are as good as they possibly can be. If not, what's the point? If the games aren't good, people simply won't buy them. But if someone plays a game and says "Wow, maybe I don't need to buy a DS after all..." then and the game developers will both make some serious bread.

In short, I think should try to compete with the DS and PSP, but to claim that the iPod is a portable gaming console in the same way as the former is overstating things. Not to say that the games can't be just as good--they can be--or that the gaming market might not be just as affected by the iPhone as by the PSP, etc.

In fact, 's huge advantage is that so many people already want a new MP3/PMP anyway, and if they are also gamers, then that's so much more reason for them to go over the competition. Because of the fact there there will likely be just as many "gaming" devices on the market as the actual consoles, their impact on the market will be huge. Not to mention the new types of games that we could see develop.

 

[natejohnstone@g]

We've heard the iphone compared to a mini-computer, and that is the sort of games that will come out. Personally, I think that the biggest difference between computers and consoles is the interface, specifically the number of buttons on the keyboard. However, having games designed for specific systems that work perfectly on them (i.e. games designed for PS2, PS3, Wii, etc.) could be like the iphone, and certainly different from computers (hey, I just tried the Crysis demo on my 2.5 year old Inspiron laptop with 1.86 Ghz Celeron M (single core, old school), 128 mb graphics card, and 1 gb ram. It was certainly playable with lowest settings, still quite beautiful, and I'm proud of my system.)

Is the accellerometer make it like the Wii?

Does the bump in graphics make it like the Playstation 3?

Does the interconnectivity through itunes, Wi-Fi, egde make it like the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Live?

Does its broad appeal make it like the Playstation 2?

Is it forray into the games like the Sega Dreamcast?


Or, is it some combination of all? I guess the real question is how well it does those things, because that's the success of these systems (i.e. Wii success, PS3 low past sales but potential bright future).


Plus, hardware upgrades would be one area to entice new users the ipod touch (and iphone, after they get 3G, the huge upgrade) rather than only memory upgrades from here to eternity (most past ipod upgrades, exception 5.5g, added functionality).

Great post! I too hope it's a combination of all. I still wonder how much real power the iPhone has when compared to the PSP, but we'll see. At any rate, the ability to play current-style portable games with a D-pad type attachment and the potential for new Touchscreen + Accelerometer games is really exciting.

The potential is certianly here for the iPod Touch/iPhone to do to portable gaming what the Wii did for console gaming in terms of innovation and fun. But there's a big problem with that analogy too--Nintendo was an industry veteran (rather, founder) and is a gaming virgin.

And it's not up to 3rd parties at this point--it's up to . They have to court, woo, and suck up to the top game developers and give them sweet deals in order to insure that some great games will come out this year. If they can do that and iPod/iPhone gets a name as a real gaming device, then the rest of the games will fall in line simply due to high demand.

's main advantage is the sheer number of units it will already have in the wild. They may be new to gaming, but it's far from a start-up company. The other advantage is for internet games. Other devices have WiFi--but when you're out of range, you're out of luck. With the iPhone, you can play an online game any time you want. WoW Mobile for the win!

 

[diamond.g]

I pretty much agree on every point actually, lol. Seriously, i agree that computer gaming is going down and that it's not the preferred model to follow. I just think that whether we like it or not--and even whether likes it or not--the iPod Touch/iPhone lines up far more on the computer side of everything than it does on the portable gaming console side.

Can you imagine an iPod Touch that was still the "current' model but was 5 years old? Can you imagine using a mobile phone that's 5 years old? I have, it sucked. You can get away with these things on a game console, won't do it on the iPod or iPhone. That leaves you with two alternatives. Either you write software to the lowest common denominator (which hampers progress and creativity--not hallmarks of 's business strategies) or you allow developers to develop content specifically for the "newest" hardware if they so choose. As such, said game might not play as well on the older iPod/iPhones.

That is limiting, yes. I suppose it might piss people off--but I think that PSP "Fat" owners might be pissed off that God of War doesn't play as well on their device as it does on the PSP Slim (a rare occurrence of the "computer" style of game-making in the console world). But that's just progress. You have to find the line between marketability and advancement. [Sony couldn't quite decide last year--they kept putting out a ton of PS2 stuff instead of cutting it off and going only with the PS3--and it hurt the adoption of the PS3 (initially). On the flip-side, some have rumored that there will be a new XBOX console out in just 2 years--this would SERIOUSLY piss off their customers, and I don't think they'll do that. Somewhere there is a happy medium--I don't know where, I just play the games ]

I agree with you that it will be a long time before a game made for the iPhone "doesn't work" on the 1st Gen at all. We are talking about constant software updates and yearly hardware updates. The 1st Gen should be able to play games in 2 years--but it shouldn't be able to play them as well as the then "newest" version of the hardware. This is due to the simple fact that will continually update the iPhone--it must, the mobile phone market is a fast-moving and quickly-updating sector.

Therefore in 2 years they will either intentionally be making games for the older hardware, or intentionally making games for the newer hardware while keeping in mind that the older hardware needs to be able to play it as well (like with computers). I certianly hope they choose to make games for the iPod/iPhone that are as good as they possibly can be. If not, what's the point? If the games aren't good, people simply won't buy them. But if someone plays a game and says "Wow, maybe I don't need to buy a DS after all..." then and the game developers will both make some serious bread.

I understand where you are going with that, and I kinda agree that Apple could make some serious loot. But let's not kid ourselves. The iPhone isn't going to be placed in the same group as the DS.
For one it costs more, two to play games the battery life is going to not be so great (big screen, faster cpu, etc), and three Nintendo isn't making games for it.

I don't think making games backwards compatible at the expense of graphics is a good idea. IIRC the game you cite doesn't look any different it just loads slower. Frameworks are great, but if you want to see the real power of the platform developers will have to get down to the metal. Constantly changing hardware will make that harder, and in the end the games will suffer. Case: Look at the RSX in the PS3, with Cells help it can replicate graphics from pretty much any game out right now; that is a G71 pulling graphics that you would think a G92 is needed for.

 

[dr_lha]

That is limiting, yes. I suppose it might piss people off--but I think that PSP "Fat" owners might be pissed off that God of War doesn't play as well on their device as it does on the PSP Slim.

In what way doesn't it work as well? I ask as a "Fat" PSP owner who has played God of War on their PSP, or at least, the demo.

 

[natejohnstone@g]

In what way doesn't it work as well? I ask as a "Fat" PSP owner who has played God of War on their PSP, or at least, the demo.

Don't know from experience (sadly, I don't have a PSP...sigh), that's just what the developers said in an interview I read. A couple reviews mentioned it too. They talked about how when they started the game it was on the 233 then when they switched to the 333 some aspects were actually easier to code for...that's as far as I can tell you, since I know nearly nothing about writing game code, as we're already discussed, lol.

Apparently it's only noticeable in certain sequences, and you'd probably have to have both machines running side-by-side. In other words...no real difference to the typical player, just the anal hard-core type (which I would probably be if I were rich).

 

[diamond.g]

Don't know from experience (sadly, I don't have a PSP...sigh), that's just what the developers said in an interview I read. A couple reviews mentioned it too. They talked about how when they started the game it was on the 233 then when they switched to the 333 some aspects were actually easier to code for...that's as far as I can tell you, since I know nearly nothing about writing game code, as we're already discussed, lol.

Apparently it's only noticeable in certain sequences, and you'd probably have to have both machines running side-by-side. In other words...no real difference to the typical player, just the anal hard-core type (which I would probably be if I were rich).

Well that doesn't make sense, the PSP Fats can run at 333 just like the slims. AFAIK the only real difference (besides size) is the Slim actually has more memory than the Fat.

 

[suzerain]

those people who think that the iPhone isn't important as a game machine should go hang out in an Apple store for a few hours and watch the kids drool over them....

....and watch their parents buy them as presents. (god i feel like my parents abused me! )

a lot of kids own these things, and more will follow. if it plays games too, how many more will choose the iPhone before the psp/ds?

this IS an important area. all those texting game playing kids are a big market. a spoiled market. a market mommy and daddy, pay a lot to make happy.

Way more adults play games than kids nowadays. Several surveys recently have confirmed this to be true. I'm part of that demographic; I'm 36 and my generation grew up playing games. We're not going to stop until we're dead. Gaming is not a kids' market anymore.

But, I see where you were headed with it. Arguing aside, Apple threw down the gauntlet in the presentation. They just took on like three markets at once, and games are going to be a big part of it.

One thing people are overlooking so far is that the iPhone is going to translate into more Mac games, too. There are a lot of developers that ignore the Mac (Sierra, Valve, etc.), but they might not ignore iPhone. And, if they are porting their games to the OS X frameworks and OpenGL, well then, they basically have a Mac game anyway...

The iPhone is going to create a huge halo effect for the Mac market....far bigger than the iPod did.

For the people here who were saying "Apple pushing games is bad for the business market" I call ********. Case in point: Windows. Microsoft has always marketed it as a games platform, but it's entrenched in the corporate world. Business don't care whether the iPhone plays games or not; they just want it to do what they need, and it seems Apple's addressing those needs too.

I'm actually amazed to have seen Apple so aggressively go after two markets they have seemingly never cared about before...and all at once no less!