So the iPhone is the next gaming platform.

[iccanui]

Today apple released its roadmap for the iPhone and it looks pretty tight. They released not only a app store where apple signed software can be bought, but its also where unsigned free software can be given away. But beyond that something much more interesting surfaced and thats the new gaming initiative. So far EA has comitted a spore game that is in their words " console quality " and sega is onboard too.

So what does everyone think of this. I think we are about to see the emergence of a new mobile gaming device and as well the emergence of a new computing platform.


http://kotaku.com/364768/segas-first-iphone-sdk-title-+-super-monkey-ball

http://kotaku.com/364753/eas-first-iphone-sdk-title-+-spore


The way spore is a persistent world it would be really fun or even with a real MMO it would be fun to have access anytime you want it via wifi and edge/3g. This is really exciting i think. Looks like its capable of good graphics and can make use of the motion sensors too.

Well, good by jailbroken phone in 2 months. It was a blast.

[gonzooo]

No.

On a more serious note, though; I doubt the capability of the iPhone as a platform for gaming. I am welcome to being proven wrong, though.

[idleivey]

I dont know about that. Ive got MAME, ScummVM, NES, Genesis, GBA and a couple other emulators on my E62 (S60v3). Thats more then enough to fill my portable gaming fix. Also the lack of tactile feedback limits the sort of games you will be playing.

[iccanui]

True, it might be limited to the type of game. But you can say that about a PSP and a Wii but they are doing very well. I think it will just accel in types of games that the DS sport, but will have better graphics.

One game they demoed at the event was a flight game. If i remember right you tap the screen to fire and steer buy moving the phone around. Does that not sound fun? To have that ability on your portable phone/music player/ internet device/remote for media server/etc ? I cant wait.


Puzzlequest on your iPhone ftw?

[siraim]

No.

On a more serious note, though; I doubt the capability of the iPhone as a platform for gaming. I am welcome to being proven wrong, though.

Some of the games that have been released by the community using the toolchains to homebrew stuff has been pretty impressive. Now? Application Developers will have a real set of APIs and access to some of the more interesting features of the hardware without having to hack everything.

I'll be interested to see what kinds of things they can pull off on the iPhone. I'm not expecting it to look like a PSP, but I expect we'll get a higher quality gaming experience than you can find on most other PDA/Cell phones.

[nextgenxbox]

I'm excited to see the games and apps that the developers develop. Should be fun.

[jasonpoon]

Those guys from Apple wrote a Touch Fighter in two weeks and it looks interesting. I think the iPhone could be a great platform for mobile gaming if the developers use it right. (we knows that most of today's mobile games suck...)

Also, Spore and Super Monkey Ball, at least two great titles announced and be demonstrated even we still have a few months before the App Store opens. Spore gonna release in September, they said it's a full console game, not a trimmed-down mobile version. If developers do it right, iPhone gaming could be greater than those amazing Japanese mobile gaming.

[az0madman]

The iPhone has potential for a lot of games, that's for sure. Hell, a lot of the DS titles could probably work on the iPhone. Imagine playing a game like Advanced Wars or something.

I still have my doubts that the iPhone will ever take the place of my DS or PSP, but if Spore on the iPhone turns out to be just as feature complete as the PC version (since that's what I believe I read) and just as playable, then I'll be very pleased since that means I can carry even less stuff in my pockets.

[deadnoob]

i was wondering what apple would do if a NES emulator is put on the app store. technically its not illegal, but i wonder if they would take emulators down anyway

[jdk]

I really can't believe that the iPhone will be any type of viable handheld gaming system. Why would you be excited? It's still a phone... a PHONE.. nobody in their right mind plays real games on their phones. Besides a possible Harmonix game, it'll just be usual Bejeweled and Texas Hold 'Em fare that'll be in store...

[nextgenxbox]

i was wondering what apple would do if a NES emulator is put on the app store. technically its not illegal, but i wonder if they would take emulators down anyway

It wouldn't happen. Apple will control EVERYTHING on the store. They will approve it all. So nothing remotely 'illegal'. -- Of course that doesn't mean you can't get it somewhere else...

[andyaldrich]

The DS is a more popular (IMO) portable system than the DS because it is commonly seen as a light-hearted gamer's system. The PSP also lacks a sizeable library of great (not just good but great) games. IMO the PSP sells a lot of units because it can be hacked and great old games can be run on it quite easily.

If Apple we to note what factors are making the DS and the PSP popular then they would get a whole load of addictive games which are tailored to portable gaming, not just full games compressed onto a portable system and they would also make the iPhone open to anyone who wants to develop for it and that way they'll be popular with people who consider going to a shop to buy a game the normal practice and they'll also be popular with those who rarely pay for the games they play.

[ryudo]

So many have tried to challenge Nintendo in handheld gaming often with more powerful hardware and even strong third part support and every time they lose..Sony was the best chance and for the first time people thought a Handheld other than Nintendo would dethrone Ninty..Sony did grab a nice chunk but still has their butts handed to them by the DS.

Nintendo just knows something everyone else doesn't. I don't think even Apple has a chance to challenge Sony/Nintendo and remember before playstation from NES-SNES Nintendo and Sony were good friends and worked together in implementing Sony hardware in Nintendo machines and Sony also made games.
Apples only real background is the freaking Pippin even MS has a gaming history with PC games and PC gaming hardware and Dreamcast with Sega before Xbox/Xbox 360.

So at least they had some background so what if Apple has EA..EA backed N gage.

Apple will still be divided in the cell phone gaming group where it's not challenging the PSP or DS even if it gets some decent third party support and may have a few big titles most the bigger games will still go to DS and PSP where the biggest Marketshare and audience is plus don't forget 1st party games on PSP/DS ESP DS.

[four-4-two]

So many have tried to challenge Nintendo in handheld gaming often with more powerful hardware and even strong third part support and every time they lose..Sony was the best chance and for the first time people thought a Handheld other than Nintendo would dethrone Ninty..Sony did grab a nice chunk but still has their butts handed to them by the DS.



I don't think Apple really wants to take on the DS and PSP, I think their first target is Mobile Gaming, casual gamers. Innovation and creative non-traditional games are the one's that will shine. Without traditional controllers I think it will limit the device from true gamers. But, for the casual gamer I think this will be a great boon.

However, who knows what the developers can do from here to June. I'd love to be proven wrong and go all hard core on a iPod Touch or an 3G iPhone. I for one am waiting for June or will spring for a Touch in a few weeks. These devices do so much more than game, it fits my life pretty well. Trying to resist the urge to buy until June.

I'd forgot to add that I think Apple will hit 10 million by end of year, and I think they'll do it easily. The PSP after two years coming up on three has only sold 7.2 million. I think that's a serious platform, and one should never underestimate Apple.