3D on iPad

Here's a clip of how 3D can be done on the iPad.  Last week, the rage was all about Nintendo's 3DS. Of course, this video coming up is a simulated 3D. I don't know how the 3DS will actually look like since we'll have to see it in person.

For now, this works for me.

iPhone - Great For Gaming? Nah...But Sega Thinks So

Is the iPhone and sibling, iPod Touch, for gaming as well as a countless of other multi-purpose functions? You know, a mobile computer?

Sega thinks so. In fact, according to IGN, they're more than just excited. They've got stuff cooking that they can talk to anyone about. The first game in a long time from Sega is Super Monkey Ball 2. It's not out yet but it certainly looks pretty good.

So, what are these developments that Sega cannot talk about? I guess we'll know shortly. No matter what they are, it's important to understand what's being said. Sega, creator of Genesis, Dreamcast, Game Gear, and tons of gaming properties, believes the iPhone is for real. Hey, if it's good enough for Sega, it's good enough for me.

At the moment, you'd think Gameloft and EA were the only two big development houses making games for the iPhone but you should take a look at the app stores and you'll realize Sega has 5 games already in the store.  But it's been a while since Sega released anything new and the games they released, besides, Sonic, are known properties, but they've created nothing new or port over their other their A-list games.

I'm talking Virtual Fighter, Phantasy Star, and Total War.  Sega has dozens more top games that can bring over to the iPhone.

To really make a splash on the iPhone, I'm hoping for Sega to create a new slate of characters like for the iPhone.  I'm looking for Sega to make history once more like they did with Sonic for the Genesis.

Personally, I think Apple has changed the dynamics of mobile gaming but I don't know if it has what it takes to take on Nintendo yet.  Maybe with Sega in Apple's corner, that just might really happen after all.

Now for some video on Sega's upcoming Super Monkey Ball 2.


More at IGN, and Touch Arcade.

It's Official: iPhone And iPod Touch Gamers' Preferred Choice

CNet provided Apple the opportunity to overtake other gaming platforms in five easy steps.  Since I'm a mobile fan and am an iPhone devotee, I already consider the iPhone platform to be my choice for gaming, at least for the next couple of years.

What's interesting is the poll that CNet put in the article.  The results did surprise me.

I was able to gather two things from the poll.  First let me say this that isn't a scientific poll as those conducted by professional consultants and even those are wrong half the time.  But CNet did provide an opportunity to say where the state of mobile devices and smartphones are and what it means to its users.

• Apple fans are nuts.  And we're proud of it.  However, this would not be the case if Apple did not come out with innovative products with the ease of use, app support, and design, I'm pretty sure this won't be the case.  From Macbooks to the iPhone platform to the changing iPod lines, as long as Apple continue to push the envelope, Apple fans will flock to and relish in the reality distortion field and will shell out top dollars for it.  For that matter, this is the situation for any company.
• I thought perhaps if the option for "Apple iPhone/iPod Touch" was replaced with say "Android/G1" or "Blackberry Storm", what the numbers might be.  Given all the gaming attention the iPhone platform has been given, numbers for Android and Blackberry won't nearly as high.  However, I would not be surprised if they are chosen in large percentage.  I think that is because of the evolution in how mobile gamers and users view their devices.  More and more, folks are interested in devices that can multitask - e-mails, surfing the web, playing music, games, and videos, and other forms of mobile computing.  Increasingly, Sony and Nintendo needs to look beyond gaming.  Nintendo has done this with the DSi but they risk losing ground to smartphones and mobile platforms.

Simply, focusing on one function, gaming as in this poll, is not how owners of the iPhone and iPod Touch look at their devices.  I think that in itself is more interesting and says a lot about how Apple has really changed the mobile market and behavior of users.

At the end of the day, Nintendo and Sony might still dominate gaming but it will be devices like the iPhone that dominate and dictate how mobile users use their devices.  

Coming away from the article which I didn't find a lot of information useful, I think CNet's suggestion that Apple allow larger app sizes for downloads.  Gaming apps is going to require that as Apple move the iPhone 3G S and the forth coming iPod Touch in the fall to next generation graphics, Open GL 2.0.  

Via CNet

Tracking Apple's Gaming Progress

There has been a plethora of articles and blogging posts (line continues to be blurred between the two) about Apple's iPhone platform and the inways its made in the mobile gaming market.

Personally, I think the final ruling is a bit further out.  Two or three years.  Still, there has been quite a bit of attention, including our own blogs (Onxo and here) about mobile gaming in general and how iPhones and iPod Touches can benefit as more mobile warriors use it beyond playing music, making calls, and surfing the Web.

I have to say that 90% of all my apps, both paid and free, are games.  They range from $1 and up.  And you know what?  During that time, I've not touched my other gaming gears.  And this isn't just coming from me.  Others have also noted this change. 

Perhaps it's time for me to make a declaration about Apple's gaming but honestly it really is too early to say.  Nintendo and Sony have yet to respond to the app store in any meaningful way.  And let's not forget that on the smartphone and mobile device markets, there are others like RIM, WM, and Android that can still come out of nowhere and make a meaningful move in the mobile gaming market (though not likely).

So, this is what we're gonna do.  We'll put together a list of articles on iPhone gaming as they come out.  We'll track them and see where we are with each article.  An iPhone gaming platform progress report that can give everyone an idea how Apple is faring in DS-PSP land. 

Here's the first one from NY Times.  "Electronic Playground" is what the Times is call Apple's mobile platform.  It's a must read as it details Apple's attempt at transforming mobile gaming and how DS and PSP is different from the iPhone.

The main issue the author has with the iPhone is very valid and one that I've been crying about to anyone who'll listen:  battery life.  Boy, crummy is crummy and the iPod Touch and iPhone really really short battery life.   

Onxo: DS and PSP Didn't Worry About iPhone Then. How About Now?

That's the question Onxo examined today.  Inspired by a post I read over Gizmodo today (must read for all gaming fans), I started wondering about Apple's prospects of supplementing Nintendo and Sony as the mobile gaming leader.

While that issue may be up for debate for years to come, what isn't is the facts that surfaced in recent days about Apple's moves on the mobile front and data that point to Cupertino gearing up for a mobile gaming war.

• 35K apps in the App Store.  Of those, more than 9,000 are games.  
• 37 million iPhones and iPod Touches.  We might see 70-80 million by the end of 2009.  
• 1 Billion downloads in about 9.5 months.  The next billion will not take that long.
• New iPhones coming in June along with iPhone 3.0.  
• Back-to-school iPod Touch giveaways with Mac purchases.  
• Apple commercials with iPod Touch and gaming.
• App Store seeing more games from tier one developers like EA and Sega.  
• Apple's recent hiring of former graphic chip heavyweights.
• Apple's chip takeovers in the last year.

These are just the facts and events that has taken place.  This is more than just about iPhone.  It's about creating a gaming ecosystem that is backed by powerful devices.  Furthermore, after years of watching Apple, I can say with confidence that pretty much is tied in with the Macs and maybe even Apple TV.  This is something that Sony and Nintendo cannot duplicate (though both Sony and Nintendo have their own gaming networks that Apple can't duplicate at this time).  

On top of that, we are certain that additional mobile devices, perhaps a tablet, is on tap in the next year or so (I love to be wrong about the timeline and see it sooner rather than later) that can add a whole new dimension to the gaming market.  

I don't know if Apple will be able to catapult itself ahead of Nintendo and Sony but it's certainly got the momentum, resources and deep pockets to do it.  I'm sure Nintendo and Sony aren't sitting idly by while Apple makes its run.  I can't wait to see DS2, PSP2, and whatever Apple's got on the market to fight it out for our hard-earned dollars.

Via Gizmodo and Onxo

Apple Should Buy Game Studies

With almost $30 billion in the back, this is what I would recommend ot Apple:  buy Sega.  What do you think?

Yesterday, Cook was quoted as saying Apple has $16 billion more than they really need to run Apple effectively.  So, why not get into the gaming business with $3 billion cash?  It's about a quarter of work given the cash flow that Apple was able to put in the bank last quarter. 

With exclusives from Sega for Apple TV, the iPhone platforms, and Macs, it stands to reason that Apple has a much better chance to really rock with gamers.  Outside of Nintendo, Sega, a former gaming hardware powerhouse, has been know to a great innovator in games and hardware.  Before Nintendo came out with the Wii, a lot of folks thought Apple should go in take Nintendo off the market.  I think the same can be said of Sega.

Plus, Sega has a brand that is known throughout the world.  Sure, Sega can still develop for other platforms but with Sega games in its profolio, it stands to reason that this will give gamers a reason to think that Apple is serious about their needs. 

And with Apple, Sega truly has someone with deep pockets, established platforms, and the management to really grow and innovate.  Who wouldn't want to see a Sega-powered Apple TV?  And is anyone really naive to believe that Apple's hobby won't one day include gaming?  With Sega gaming out of the block, it'll really bring Macs and Apple TV up another level.

And have anyone noticed that Apple has only a couple of apps for the iPhone?  One is the remote and another is a Keynote app.  No games.  Sega can correctly that easily.

Here are a few properties that Sega will bring to the iPhone and Mac:

• Sonic and buddies - obviously - with this, you've got the classic games.  And how about creating a reality world?  Parents, kids, and big kids (like myself) will love that!
• Total War series
• RPGs and MMOs -Phantasy Star series
• Sega Rally
• Sports games
• Ecco - live to see the little guy back on the iPhone. 

And while Sega has a lot to offer Apple, don't think Apple doesn't have a thing or two to teach Sega.  I think this can work to be beneficial for both companies.  Plus, geographically, this will offer Apple an in with the Japanese market as far as marketing Apple consumer gears to Sega's home market.  Once you start putting Sega in Apple stores in Japan, you can potentially attract a lot of folks who normally have no need to visit Apple stores. 

There are other studioes that Apple can potential pick up without breaking a sweat.  EA, Take-Out, Konami just to name a few but Sega is the big one.  Maybe with the other studios, Apple can throw some money out there and get gaming development going for the Mac and iPhone.  From the look of things, they eventually will do that (and have) but it stands that Apple can nudge things along to speed up the process.

Note: Right now, it's looks pretty pathetic that Sega has only one game for the iPhone considering how heavily Apple promoted Sega's role and iPhone gaming.

iPhone Game Thoughts: Duck Hunt and Footbal

Macworld reports that Apple pulled Duck Hunt from the app store at Nintendo's request.  Frankly, I'm very surprised by how long it took for Nintendo to make this request.

However, the developer will provide an updated version without infringing on Nintendo's copyright - meaning removing the graphics and music.

Now, sports games.  Today, Macworld wrote an article about football games for the iPhone and iPod Touch.  I thought "wow, how could I have missed those games completely".  I have been complaining about the lack of sports games.

Well, it turned out it's not real football like what we see on the DS or PSP.  No Madden.  Still, it's a great post that I recommend readers head over to read.  Instead of real football, it's finger football or paper football.  Basically, you flick something between a graphical pair of hands set up to look like the goal post to see if you can make the "field goal".

There's a game called "X's And O's" but I hesitate to call it a real football game.

So far, Real Soccer 2009 is the only sports game that is true to being what the specific sport is about.  But for developers out there looking to get into the app store where there isn't a lot of competition, sports games like football, baseball, hockey, and basketball are nonexistent and will millions of iPhone users who are also sports fans, you can probably charge a pretty dollar to get us to purchase and download the games.

Think about it.  We're waiting.

Mac-iPhone Update for October 9, 2008

With the Mac back in the news today.  Oh, sorry.  You heard right.  The Macbook is back to headline once again after ceding media and blog attention to its smaller mobile cousins, the iPod

Onxo Updates:

• Pole Position for iPhone 
• Can Apple make America read again?
• Need a better way to blog on the iPhone.
• Mac Hybrid
• Onxo on the best non-Apple Macbooks.
  
• Hand crank to charge the iPhone or iPod
• Podcaster via Jailbreak
• Onxo feels iPhone games should contain more depth.
  

iPhone-iPod Update:

• iSmashphone on iNotes for the iPhone.
• TUAW on Street View and special features for Japanese iphone users.  Emoji should have been on the iPhone to start with.  Next step, make it easier for people to read enovels and comics, Jobs.
• Touch Arcade on $10K prize for best iPhone/iPod game.
• Small Wave talks about App Store.
• iLounge on contract free iPhones in Mexico.
• Macworld  reports owners very satisfied with their iPhone despite problems.
  
• iLounge reports on iTunes store for Russia in 2009.  New Cold War is free market friendly.
• Indy Star reprints Bloomberg article on iPhone in biz.  MacDaily News reports first Japanese corporate customer.
• Keep an eye on this.  Judge allows lawsuit against iPhone ties to ATT to go forward.  Possible this may impact other devices and carriers.
• iPhone Atlas reports French Iron Man Blue-Ray copy has iPhone features.
• Macworld reports Norway demands Apple drop DRM.
  
• Apple Matters explains App Store as a prison.
  
• iPhone Atlas on take your iPhone overseas.

Mac-iPhone Update For October 6, 2008

We did not post a lot of Mac updates last week because there really was not a lot to write about and I don't want to waste your time for the sake of clicks.


Just to recap a bit from last week, Apple finally lifted their nondisclosure agreement for iPhone developers. I can't call it the right move.  It was just "a move" that really should have been done.  Apple really screwed up by not communicating with the iPhone community on this issues.


Also today, NDP stated the iPhone took command of the smartphone market with 17% of total units moved.  It's possible Apple has already broken through the 10 million mark it set for itself for total 2008 sales.


Onxo Updates:

• Pole Position for iPhone 
• Can Apple make America read again?
• Need a better way to blog on the iPhone.
• Mac Hybrid
• Onxo on the best non-Apple Macbooks.
  
• Hand crank to charge the iPhone or iPod
• Podcaster via Jailbreak
• Onxo feels iPhone games should contain more depth.
  

iPhone-iPod Update:

• iSmashphone on iNotes for the iPhone.
• TUAW on Street View and special features for Japanese iphone users.  Emoji should have been on the iPhone to start with.  Next step, make it easier for people to read enovels and comics, Jobs.
• Touch Arcade on $10K prize for best iPhone/iPod game.
• Small Wave talks about App Store.
• iLounge on contract free iPhones in Mexico.
• Macworld  reports owners very satisfied with their iPhone despite problems.
  
• iLounge reports on iTunes store for Russia in 2009.  New Cold War is free market friendly.
• Indy Star reprints Bloomberg article on iPhone in biz.  MacDaily News reports first Japanese corporate customer.
• Keep an eye on this.  Judge allows lawsuit against iPhone ties to ATT to go forward.  Possible this may impact other devices and carriers.
• iPhone Atlas reports French Iron Man Blue-Ray copy has iPhone features.
• Macworld reports Norway demands Apple drop DRM.
  
• Apple Matters explains App Store as a prison.
  
• iPhone Atlas on take your iPhone overseas.
  

Mac Update:

• There are some rumors flying about.  We won't be getting into it.  But one of them is feature specific in the sense that it's missing from current Macbooks.  A dedicated GPU.  Let's hope we see them finally in Macbooks.
• Esquire on Jobs and his legacy
  
• Computerworld on no need for Jobs.
• Net Applications on Safari growth - 6.65% for Safari, IE drops big time.  Include Chrome, Webkit share rises to 7.4% - striking distance of Firefox.  
  
• Net Applications on OS Share - scary thing, OS X within striking distance of Vista.  It will depend on Apple's plans but can happen.  Snow Leopard to gain Exchange support and we will certainly see Windows 7 delays.  Let's meet in 18 months.
  

Mac-iPhone Update for October 1, 2008

You probably already know unless On Apple is your sole Mac and iPhone information but Apple withdrew their NDA.


And just as we wonder why they continued to implement the NDA, we now switch to why withdraw it now?  Their claim:  competition.  


But it does make sense since all their main competitors, including Android, is out on the market or soon will be.  There won't be any need for Apple to hold developers hush-hush.  Although, I just have to wonder though.  


Since anyone can download the iPhone SDK and have a peek around, what why would the NDA be an issue?  We had speculated on why the NDA was so important to Apple but we were right when we said it wouldn't go on forever.


iPhone-iPod Update:

• Yesterday, the biggest news was Adobe making a boneheaded announcement about Flash for the iPhone pending Apple's approval.  With the NDA lifted, Adobe should be able to say more about it.  No word.  Wouldn't bet in it happen unless Adobe makes a lot of concessions to Apple.
• Cult of Mac does not think Apple will close the iTunes store if the copyright review board decides to increase royalty to publishers.  Now Apple shutting down iTunes in Norway, that's another story.  
• CNet's take on the copyrights fee.
• RCR Wireless reports on CBS's iphone app and finds that news is in the eye of the beholder.
• iPhone Atlas on take your iPhone overseas.
  
• Phone Arena reports no LTE network on ATT for another 5 years.  Maybe we'll have the iPhone on WiMax or another network by then.  Don't think Verizon. They're sharing their next gen network with ATT.  And Sprint has been evil  with plans to be stingy with WiMax .
• Onxo feels iPhone games should contain more depth.
  
• 9To5Mac believes unlocked iPhone 3G is a way to get into China with accepting China Mobile's terms.
• Macworld  reports owners very satisfied with their iPhone despite problems.
  
• Mobility Today says Pay and Go iPhone available in the UK - will cost you.  But no contracts is very attrative.

Mac issues:

• Onxo on the best non-Apple Macbooks.
• Onxo on our "Mac Hybrid".
  
• Ars Technica on impending Snow Leopard releases.
• Applelinks provides an overview of Adobe's new suite of creative programs.
• MacObserver  on new GIMP, open-source Photoshop-like program.
• Macworld  reports Netflix will allow Mac users to view video by the end of the year.
• Appleinsider reports one in five laptops were Macbooks.
• Net Applications on Safari growth - 6.65% for Safari, IE drops big time.  Include Chrome, Webkit share rises to 7.4% - striking distance of Firefox.  
• Net Applications on OS Share - scary thing, OS X within striking distance of Vista.  It will depend on Apple's plans but can happen.  Snow Leopard to gain Exchange support and we will certainly see Windows 7 delays.  Let's meet in 18 months.

Mac-iPhone Update For September 30, 2008

The biggest news, although it's really a non-news, is an Adobe director announcing that a Flash player would be available pending Apple approval.

Just to chime in, I doubt it is the case and if we do see Flash on the iPhone, it will not be in the form that we are used to seeing on the Internet.

As with all things Apple, time will tell.  But don't hold your breath.

The other big news today is the availability of IBM's Lotus Notes available on the iPhone as a web app.  I'm glad for three reasons.  One is that now iPhone users have another enterprise mail option and the iPhone also becomes an option for 140 million Notes users. Secondly, this reinforces the iPhone's place in the enterprise.  And lastly, I'm glad develop on the Web front continues.

• TUAW
• InfoWorld - IBM had two customers participate in testing iNote Ultralight and they love the implementation.  However, they do wish that eventually, iNotes would become a standalone app.

Speculation before the release of iPhone 3G was that Lotus Notes would be incorporated into the iPhone instead of Exchange.  Either way, it's a welcoming news that IBM's subscribers now have a choice of using the iPhone.  Welcome, new iPhone mobile warriors.

iPhone-iPod Update:

• Onxo wonders if Flash would really come to the iPhone.
• CNet News on Apple shutting down iTunes.  Game of chicken with the copyrights board.  Macsimum News reports Apple may have to increase prices.
• Macworld reports owners very satisfied with their iPhone despite problems.
• Onxo feels iPhone games should contain more depth.
• The iPhone needs a better way for blogging.
• Taking your iPhone overseas ?

Mac Update:

• For the last couple of days, analysts tussle over whether Apple is doomed in light of the economic woes hitting Main Street mobile warriors.  
• Onxo on the best non-Apple Macbooks.
  
• Onxo on our "Mac Hybrid".
  
• eWeek reports Macbooks account for $1 of every $3 spent on laptops.  But feels Apple needs to reduce prices to capture more marketshare.  (Via Cnet )

iPhone Gaming Request: More Depth and Parity with Other Platforms

I've got over 25 games on my iPhone.  Some are free.  Some are $0.99.  Others like EA's Spore and Super Monkey Ball tops out at $9.99 a piece.  But I find myself spending a little more time with the free or $0.99 games and I'm perplexed by it.

I love Spores.  And find Monkey Ball addicting.  And I paid more for them so why am I not playing them more often?  I don't know.  I chalk it up to personal preference.  In fact, I've rediscovered web apps lately as well.  Specifically, I've been trying to find games and apps that I can use with Safari that work just as well as apps that sit on my iPhone.  But that's chat for another time.

But as I got to thinking, I also looking at some of the recent games produced by big named developers.  Star Wars The Force Unleashed looks fun but at $9.99, I don't know if I would like it that much.  I might pick it up when it goes on sale.  I'm more of a Star Trek fan.  Then there's also Kroll blogged about by Touch Arcade .  From the forums, it's got only 9 stages.  Some of the commenters stated they when through a third of the game in 20 minutes.  It's the same complaint some folks about Force Unleashed.

Even as I play Spore, I realized too that the iPhone's version of the game is a shadow of the DS version.  I really shouldn't be surprised given that the iPhone version is $20 cheaper than the Nintendo handheld's version.

And that's the problem.  We are getting games with lower price points but they are less than their counterparts on other platforms.  And to me, that affects the game play in its entirety.

I don't mind play more to get the same entertainment value as one might enjoy on the DS or PSP.  After all, the iPhone has superior hardware on paper than Nintendo and Sony's offerings.

So, I wonder, even as I tell myself that the SDK is merely less than a year old, if we'll ever truly see parity with other gaming systems.  Only when that happen will we know if iPhone can compete as a gaming platform.

Only time will tell.  Most studios have a lot of time to familiarize themselves with development and the SDK and the iPhone SDK here likely less than a year old so perhaps with more time, we'll see the games that can really take advantage of the iPhone and iPod Touch's hardware.

And to developers, give us more game depth and value to the games and I am sure iPhone and iPod Touch users will not mind paying for it.

I'm interested to find out if the iPhone version of Puzzle Quest:  Challenge of the Warlords, which will also be released on the DS, PSP, Xbox, OS X, Wii, PS2, and other mobile platforms will have similar game play as the other mobile versions.

Note:  A reader on Touch Arcade mentioned the replay value of Gameloft's Real Soccer 2009.  Specifically, he mentioned the replay value.  What I want is a great hockey game.  The accelerometer would be a great fit.

Another Note:  We have the following sports game on the iPhone:  air hockey (yeah, it's a sport!), tennis, golf, racing, soccer, volleyball.  Where are baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and synchronized swimming?!

Mac-iPhone Update for September 29, 2008

Once again, the dominant story in Cupertinoland continues to be the iPhone related issues. First, Apple, who has opted to remain quiet through this developer revolt (I rather think that Apple is up to something brilliant during this period of silence) about app rejections and outcries about NDA. Nevertheless, work continues to be made on the app store.

• Now, if you don't buy an app, you can't provide reviews.  Finally!
• A minor step back.  You can't simply find free apps with a click.  Someone will have to provide that link in a blog or something.  Why do that, Apple?  My guess:  trouble with revs from developers as everyone downloads mostly free apps.  
• Apps are now ranked by release dates, not app updates.

TUAW thinks there are specific reasons for this, depending on how you feel about Apple and the iPhone.

Posts on changes to app store:

• iPodnn 
• World of Apple 
• Appleinsider 
• Touch Podium
• Silicon Alley Insider 

The other major news is the 17% drop in Apple stock today.  Heck, if hedge funds can no longer short bank stocks, let's short tech stocks!  Morgan Stanley and RBC Capital both provided short-sellers with a gift in a double downgrade today.  However, Piper Jaffray thinks there is nothing to prove that Apple will suffer from a slowdown...yet. 

Here's the thing, Apple keeps opening up new stores.  If things are bad, then what the heck are they doing?!  Well, check out where they are opening these stores.  

iPhone-Ipod Update:

For those looking hard at the iPhone or iPod Touch but have hear a bit here and there about T-Mobile's G1, Macworld (via PC World) has some facts related to these two devices.  It sounded pretty fair to me.  (For the record, I am an iPhone user and has pre-ordered a brown G1.  Yeah, brown.  What the heck, right?)

• Apple Matters explains App Store as a prison.
• Macworld reports Norway demands Apple drop DRM.
• Touch Arcade on a new Kroll game.  I suppose I'll get nothing done tonight.
• Macnn on Spreadsheet, the app, for the iPhone.
• iPhone Atlas on take your iPhone overseas.
• Onxo thinks the iPhone is not a gaming machine yet.  We're at least a year or so away if the iPhone/iPod Touch ever comes to term as a serious portable gaming machine.
• Macworld feels Apple should reset App Store review.  I disagree with a do-over but I think those "one-star I'm not paying for this" review should be taken out at the very least.  In fact, do a simple database check and take out reviewers who did not buy the app they supposedly "reviewed".

Mac Update:

• Esquire on Jobs and his legacy
• Onxo on the best non-Apple Macbooks.
• Onxo on our "Mac Hybrid".

iPhone Not Game Machine Yet

As many games as there are on the iPhone and the iPod Touch, Apple's newest mobile sensation is no closer to being a contender to even be consider a threat to DS or PSP.  In fact, we posed the question whether iPhone gaming may ruin mobile games because of the low prices and dropping prices that developers may not think it worthwhile to develop for any system if iPhone's pricing precedent takes hold.

Now, I love my iPhone and I'll be getting the new iPod Touch in days.  However, as much games I've got on for my iPlatform devices, most are by small parties, and they're excellent games.  Still, we are still being pitted as casual mobile gamers, not hard core portable gamers as DS and PSP gamers may be called.

Where are the Final Fantasies, Sonic Chronicles, and sports games like Madden and NHL.  Where is Capcom and Konami?

I'm expecting a Harry Potter game from WB but I won't hold my breath on that.

$10 cap.  That's why.  And the games that TUAW posted about pricing drops for App Store games supports this premise.    The author was noncommittal to any conclusion most blogs offer or offer analysis or forecast for App Store gaming future.  It did believe ad-supported apps could be the next thing developers try.

Most DS games are about $30.  PSP games are almost split evenly between $30 and $40.

I don't know if this is a factor of development difficulties but it would appear, all sales being equal, it may be easier for developers to recoup development costs faster and start making money with the incumbent systems.

At the same time, because of the nature of the app store, it offers a cheaper delivery system than retail sales.

I think the jury is still out as far as how the app store will work out for the traditional game developers.  If these games do come to the iPlatform, I think we should expect to see increase average prices.

We'll wait and see where this goes in the next year.  We have seen great games for the App Store.  But right now, it's still too early for anyone to call this one way or another.

My guess is most first tier developers are taking a way and see attitude for the moment.  Here are the numbers.  With both iPhone and iPod Touches being sold, we speculated there may be 30-40 million such devices by the end of 2008 and up to 100-120 million inside of a year.

Make quality games and charge decent prices, and you won't have to worry about profits.  It'll come.  I know I'm willing to pay $20-$25 for a good game that I can keep coming back to.  Amazingly Spore and Star Wars only cost $10 but it is only half the game length- and story-wise the DS version is.

Onxo Posts on iPhone gaming and app store:

• App store growth bigger than anyone predicts - you'll see.
• Can iPhone gaming take off or ruin mobile gaming completely?

Pokemon-Like Game For iPod Touch?

I was wondering about what Japanese themed RPG are out on the app store for the iPhone and if not, when will they be out.

Well, then I saw Vay (head over to Macworld).  But we're not here to talk about that.  I'l have a review this weekend or next week.

But Vay is it!  No more.  Now, I know Pokemon is Nintendo property but Sega, Konami, or anyone do not have anything to compete with Pikachu?

Heck, I'll settle for Cardcaptors or Digimons.  In a year, there will be 40 million iPhones worldwide.  In addition, there could be anywhere from twenty to thirty-five million iPod Touches.  For a combo of sixty to seventy-five million potential consumers, it looks right for these Japanese video game studios to jump into the pond.

And if these Apple devices are indeed more power than PSP and the DS and as powerful as the PS2, it's time to see Xbox and PS2 type games on the iPod.

Judging by the review for Vay, there definitely is a market for Square and more Sega RPG titles.