More on iPod Games?

[Mike Teezie]

Unless there is an add on device, the games would have to be controlled from the scroll wheel, which is severely limiting.

For what it's worth, I've never played a single game on my iPod.

It's just an awesome mp3 player for me.

 

[hartsft]

perhaps apple is just looking to do some work on the main UI, and not games so much- maybe they want to do things like the user transfer block thing in panther or just generally eye-candy up the interface

just a thought

 

[zimtheinvader]

perhaps apple is just looking to do some work on the main UI, and not games so much- maybe they want to do things like the user transfer block thing in panther or just generally eye-candy up the interface

just a thought

That's what I was thinking initially, a primitive visualizer perhaps? (hence 3d?)

Really though this is cool ---DOOM ON IPOD MINI!!! 🙂
lol

 

[zimtheinvader]

I had heard that the ipod OS was based on code from the newton... maybe even more advanced functionality soon? Esp w/ the arm processor, wouldn't this be major overkill for just mp3? I mean, variants of the older arm's run Quake II...

 

[ASP272]

I wouldn't mind Tetris on my iPod, seems like the click wheel would handle it great. But anything else would be a waste of my music playing battery life.

 

[aswitcher]

I hope any games etc are compatable and free to 4G ipod owners...

 

[rjrufo]

The scroll wheel would make an excellent steering wheel for a game like Gran Turismo.

I'm not much of a game player, especially on my iPod, but I'm sure there would be a small market for iPod games.

 

[Mavimao]

I'm all down with old-skool games like Pong, Centipede, Asteroids, Space Invaders, etc.

Maybe even revive the Atari 2600 version of E.T. 😀

 

[d.perel]

how 'bout some old n-64 games? The iPod processor could handle it...i guess. Maybe even super-nintendo games

 

[Littleodie914]

Hmmm... Not sure I like this idea. I think Apple should leave the iPod as an iPod, a digital media device. Even if they want to add video, I think that'd be okay, but games? I can already tell ya that there's no way I'm gonna play video games on my iPod... Dunno why exactly, just doesn't feel right. 😕

 

[Mavimao]

how 'bout some old n-64 games? The iPod processor could handle it...i guess. Maybe even super-nintendo games

There aren't any good emulators that can play n-64 games even on a G5!

I could see super nintendo games, but you'd imagine they'd have to have a seperate controller since the SNES had 8 buttons on its controllers.

It seems too cumbersome for Apple's style.

 

[GFLPraxis]

A job listing posted on Gamasutra which reveals that Apple is seeking out a programmer for the development consumer entertainment software with "experience working with embedded systems", "ARM7 RISC processor experience", and 2D and 3D graphics programming skills.

The job listing was posted on Feb 17, 2005. ThinkSecret suspects that this would indicates that Apple is interested in creating upcoming iPod games.

This is not the first time that future iPod games have been rumored. Previous rumors had reported that a 3rd party company (Digital River) would be creating downloadable games for upcoming iPods.

Apple's iPod present ship with 4 simple games - Music Quiz, Solitaire, Brick and Parachute.

Interestingly, the ARM7 is the processor used in the GBA as well.

 

[GFLPraxis]

this is the most stupidest thing I've ever read..! 🙄

why the hell does Apple waste R&D resources on developing games for the iPod??? why compete with PSP and Gameboy DS??? WHYWHYWHY???

Nitpick:
Nintendo DS. Not GameBoy.

And they're not competing. They're adding gaming capabilities (possibly GBA-level?) to their top-notch music player, giving it something the competition does not have.

 

[GFLPraxis]

There aren't any good emulators that can play n-64 games even on a G5!

I could see super nintendo games, but you'd imagine they'd have to have a seperate controller since the SNES had 8 buttons on its controllers.

It seems too cumbersome for Apple's style.

There's something wrong with you since I can play Mario 64 on my 1 GHz PowerBook (Zelda 64 lags, but hey, its a Geforce FX 5200, not even Ultra, with only 64 MB, and it's a trial version)

 

[applekid]

Alright, as long as the iPod isn't turning into some complex gaming handheld, but more like games for cell phones. Pick-up play for a quick fix. No developing story, no depth. Just simple arcade-style games. However, do remember your controls are pretty much the scroll wheel which gives you left and right or a complete 360° and one select button.

They should sell some games through iTunes Music Store. That would work nicely.

If I'm not mistaken, the ARM-7 in is the GBA and Nintendo DS. GameBoy game developers can pick this up easily.

 

[corywoolf]

doubt it....

i think apple will contract one company to make a dozen games that will be for sale via the itms. But I think the ipod photo is going to be discontinued very soon if it hasn't been already. look at the link.I own a 40 gb ipod photo. I wish I would have waited for the bluetooth one. but i used the compusa deal a few times. I wish they didn't end that program. the ipod photo doesn't seem polished enough to be considered the next gen ipod. It was a test to see what worked and what didn't. I wish they'd make a batter click wheel with no cracks/ moving parts. I think the 3rd gen is the best. My guess is tomorrow they will release new ipod minis and ipods replacing the clickwheel. There will only be 2 ipod shuffles, 1 ipod mini color, and 2 ipods with color screens.

amazonamazon

 

[aswitcher]

I wonder if hey will go for BT wireless games... 😉

 

[Mavimao]

There's something wrong with you since I can play Mario 64 on my 1 GHz PowerBook (Zelda 64 lags, but hey, its a Geforce FX 5200, not even Ultra, with only 64 MB, and it's a trial version)

Haha, yes, there's a lot wrong with me.

But, I should have worded myself correctly. It is POSSIBLE to emulate the N64 (one of the most underrated consoles IMO) on a Mac, but it's a lot tricker than say an SNES, and thus a small number of games play well on those emulators. I was merely trying to point out that an iPod, which I assume has a small microprocessor, would not be able to emulate an N-64.

Someone prove me wrong. That would so make my day.

 

[Eric5h5]

And am I the only one who doesn't think that Apple should spend a dime on games for the Macintosh? Seriously, buy a console if you want to play video games.

Hopefully you're the only one who thinks that...it would be pretty lousy for gamers if all we had was console games. I mean, I enjoy some of them, but 90% of the games I own are either computer games or are games that are better on a computer. Only a few straight console ports.

However, an iPod doesn't strike me as an ideal gaming platform.

--Eric

 

[jared_kipe]

As cool as it would be to play better games on the ipod, the controls would be one of the biggest problems. Someone would need to release some kind of a control pad to control said games. I think it might be some possiblity for being a PDA or something, but I think we all know what that would be like. Everybody is sust going to say how they want one but apple will never do it. But times are a changing, and I'd buy one. So come on apple, give us some kind of pda. And as much as I would love an apple phone, the combination with motorola rules that out for the time being.

 

[Otto Rehhagel]

Touch screen? Inkwell?

IF Apple wants to go the games route with their iPod, the click wheel is definately too limiting. Maybe they should try a touch screen? After all, it has been said on this thread that the iPod may be using Newton technology. (I guess) Together with Inkwell, touch screen games may be the only good solution.

However, it would be good to see how far the nintendo DS gets in this field.

ps: I realize touch screens would totally change the iPod experience, but just a thought

 

[~loserman~]

Haha, yes, there's a lot wrong with me.

But, I should have worded myself correctly. It is POSSIBLE to emulate the N64 (one of the most underrated consoles IMO) on a Mac, but it's a lot tricker than say an SNES, and thus a small number of games play well on those emulators. I was merely trying to point out that an iPod, which I assume has a small microprocessor, would not be able to emulate an N-64.

Someone prove me wrong. That would so make my day.

You are correct. The 90 mhz arm7 in the ipod could not run an emulator for n64, snes, nor could it emulate a gba it might be able to run an emulator that could do gbc or gb. possibly even nes.
A 200 mhz arm9 has just enough horsepower to run an emulator for snes.

If you are really interested in emulating nes/snes/gb/gbc/atari2600/gamegear etc on a good portable console get a zodiac. I added a 1GB sd card and I have over 1000 games loaded on mine that all work.

 

[Bunzi2k4]

I like the idea of putting games on the ipod. I don't think it will be as good as the Nintendo DS or the PSP, but it would be awesome to play different games on my ipod.... I've always wondered why they don't have snake on ipods... or... texas hold'em poker complete with wireless gameplay! o_0 Seriously guys, They have that game for every current system ( DS game is on the way!)!

 

[nighthawk]

Got it

There are two reasons I can think of for Apple to hire a Game programmer for the iPod.

1. To create the API for third-party developers.
2. To add OpenGL for other consumer (non-game) purposes.

I think it would be cool to have a Game API for the iPod. I think I would try to write a game for it and I know that a number of others would as well. I think the only reason why there hasn't been an API is because of the black & white screen. Now that the iPod Photo is out with color (and rumors of more color models), the iPod could be used for games. It would be up to the developer to figure out how to work with the click-wheel, but if you can play third-party games on a phone why not an iPod.

But the second possibility is even more exciting. With the current iPod Photo, the photo display capabilities are somewhat limited. Throw full OpenGL support and you could have a lite version of iPhoto on the iPod with full zoom and image editing and color correction all controlled from the click-wheel.

Another option -- Keynote for iPod. Imagine uploading your Keynote presentation to your iPod and using the click-wheel like a remote, only the iPod is driving the whole thing!

 

[LimeiBook86]

They should buy out Atari and port all the old Atari 2600 games that use the little wheel controller. I would totally be down for some Bluetooth Pong.

And am I the only one who doesn't think that Apple should spend a dime on games for the Macintosh? Seriously, buy a console if you want to play video games.

Fishes,
narco.

Atari 2600 games would be almost perfect. Think of it, the Atari 2600 had two types of main controllers:

1) Arcade Stick - 8 way directional joystick with 1 button = iPod Click wheel...touch the part of the wheel to go in that direction, hit the middle button to use the 1 button, or maybe press on one of the click wheel's sides.

2) Paddle Controller - A round circle that you can turn left and right for games like Breakout, Warlords, or Circus Atari, and there was a button on the side to press, thus again using the iPod's middle button or when force is used on one of the click wheel's 'button sides'

These games should run fine I would guess on any of the color iPods (past or present or future) - The Atari 2600 games are simple, fun, don't require a lot of speed, and you can control it without an external device. Bluetooth play would just plain kick ass 🙂

I just hope Apple reads this forum once and a while. Hell if they sold like 20 or so Atari 2600 games for the iPod for like $9 or $15 or something, hell I'd buy it. 50 cents a game? Eh? I don't think this would turn the iPod into a 'gaming console' because it would be completely be blow out of the sky by today's modern handhelds. Well unless Apple changed the iPod dramatically, which I personally don't see happening anytime in the near future. But I sure do like the sound of those Atari 2600 games...maybe that would be my sole reason to upgrade...other than my 5gb 1st gen iPod being 'special' 🙁 Damn FireWire port is going I think.

😀 Maybe It's just because I'm a retro Atari 2600 fan 😛