Chuck your PSP, DS, XBOX and PS3 in the bin...

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:52

According to Apple, The Jeebusphone is the future of gameplay. Eurogammyleg

Quote:

Apple marketing exec Greg Joswiak has declared that the iPhone and iPod Touch represent "the future of gameplay" - unlike dusty old antiques the DS and PSP.

Joswiak was speaking in an interview with T3. Referring to the 1500 software titles already available for Apple products, he stated, "The gameplay I think has surprised a lot of people, because it’s not just the casual games... There are already so many games and as we look at it, to us it really seems this is the future of gameplay.

"Whereas a lot of these devices [Nintendo DS and Sony PSP] are more in the past," Joswiak continued. "And a big part of that is not just the device itself, which is easier to carry, and has the touch display and accelerometer which is great for gameplay, but it’s the electronic distribution of the apps as well."

According to Joswiak, it helps that "almost all" games for Apple devices cost GBP 5 - compared to around GBP 25 for "apps on other devices". "[Developers] don't have to worry about licensing and manufacturing hardware, they don't have to worry about forecasting, returns..." observed Joswiak.

"At under GBP 5 a game, not only are people saving money, they’re also discovering more because they end up buying more games - because they’re five games for the price of one on another console."

The games developers are working on now for Apple products will "blow everyone away", reckons Joswiak. "Because again the computer power and the 3D graphic power here," he said, referring to the iPod Touch, "Is significantly greater than what you have here," he added, picking up a Nintendo DS.

"So this allows people to do significantly higher quality games. And the Touch is always in your pocket, whereas you can’t always carry some other games consoles."

Discuss.

kalmar · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:54

Joswiak?

Are you sure about this Dimrill?

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:55

I didn't interview the poor heat struck swine. Eurogommo did.

myp · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:56

I've got an iPhone and I think they're being silly.

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16611

I've seen the advert on the telly and all the games look shit.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:57

The motorbike game on the new TV ad looks completely shit to control.

kalmar · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:58

Well, it has potential but I'm yet to see any really decent games on the Jeebusphone. There's some clever stuff but nothing really grabs.

Perhaps developers aren't putting in very much effort, because they're not sure about the rewards, or something.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:59

Or maybe they think developing for a device tied to a single network is a stupid thing to do.

kalmar · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:01

Dimrill wrote:

Or maybe they think developing for a device tied to a single network is a stupid thing to do.

How do you mean?
[edit] Oh, what the o2 / AT&T network? Well, A) it isn't tied if you unlock it, and B) who cares if there's sufficient numbers of them out there and C) iPod Touch

The Rev Owen · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:01

I played with my bro-in-law's iPhone and iPod Touch while I was in the States. Very useful for changing a Sainsbury's order in Idaho Falls airport after we missed our flight. And it feels very whizzy. And now I want one.

But, um, not the future of gaming. No.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:03

I'll stick with my N-Gage for now.

Bobbyaro · **Joined:** 18th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 11864

Quote:

"[Developers] don't have to worry about licensing and manufacturing hardware, they don't have to worry about forecasting, returns..."

But they do have to worry about making no money for the same dev costs, on a much smaller market, on a product which is over 3 times the price of a PSP. Or am I missing the point? I have never used a samG i96 touch.

kalmar · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:04

Zardoz wrote:

I'll stick with my N-Gage for now.

Gizmondo ftw.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:05

kalmar wrote:

Dimrill wrote:

Or maybe they think developing for a device tied to a single network is a stupid thing to do.

How do you mean?
[edit] Oh, what the o2 / AT&T network? Well, A) it isn't tied if you unlock it, and B) who cares if there's sufficient numbers of them out there and C) iPod Touch

You can unlock it if you hack it, yes. How many are savvy enough to do that? It's like someone making a phone licensed just to use the Swindon receiver mast, and then crowing about how bostin it is for cooking pies.

romanista · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:06

Zardoz wrote:

The motorbike game on the new TV ad looks completely shit to control.

motorace is quite good

myp · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:06

I expect the games are ok once you get used to the controls, but I find steering using the accelerometer really difficult. I suppose it's no different to the Wii, though.

Dudley · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 8679

myoptika wrote:

I expect the games are ok once you get used to the controls, but I find steering using the accelerometer really difficult. I suppose it's no different to the Wii, though.

The important difference being you can leap about in your hosue with the wii.

Little tricky on the tube.

And steering with the Wii doesn't also tip your TV.

Zio · **Joined:** 31st Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 6093

I bought Asphalt 4 for my iPhone and can confirm that with it's three unique control methods, it's a totally unplayable mess.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:13

Zio wrote:

I bought Asphalt 4 for my iPhone and can confirm that with it's three unique control methods, it's a totally unplayable mess.

At least you can blame your donkey. Eh! EH!? Ahhhhh.

metalangel · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:19

Bah to them, I say. A touch screen and some proper controls, or just a touch screen and an accelerometer? The former, please.

I don't want to sit there wildly tilting my expensive phone/mp3 player around... and heaven help me if I'm trying to do this on the bus or train being jostled around.

iPod is always in your pocket but a DS isn't? Doesn't he know how small a DS is? The cunt. I hope he dies.

myp · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:20

I hope anyone who hopes anyone dies, dies.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:21

They will. Everything dies.

kalmar · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:29

MetalAngel wrote:

I don't want to sit there wildly tilting my expensive phone/mp3 player around... and heaven help me if I'm trying to do this on the bus or train being jostled around.

That's a good point, you'd look a bit silly. There's only a few games which actually use the accelerometer as control though.

Quote:

iPod is always in your pocket but a DS isn't? Doesn't he know how small a DS is?

He has a point there. In order to have your DS with you, you have to remember to take it with you, and charge it up and so on. If you don't have a regular time when you're going to play it, like on the bus, then there's a good chance you'll never bother because it's hassle and who wants to carry a phone *and* another expensive gadget? And it is bulkier, and doesn't fit in your jeans pocket or a shirt pocket.

That's what I found anyway, and why I no longer have a DS. But my iPhone really is always in my pocket and is almost always charged up. So I occasionally play something on it. Usually tetris, because I am teh lame.

metalangel · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:31

Really? The advert would have you believe that it's acceleroheaven. Despite the fact that the chap playing the motorbike game is frantically sawing at the controls as you inevitably will trying to play a game like that with a fucking accelerometer.

And it's not hard to keep your DS next to your keys, so you pick it up as you go out the door. Remembering to charge it is rather like remembering to charge your phone.

kalmar · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:36

MetalAngel wrote:

Really? The advert would have you believe that it's acceleroheaven. Despite the fact that the chap playing the motorbike game is frantically sawing at the controls as you inevitably will trying to play a game like that with a fucking accelerometer.

Well, I haven't seen the advert. The one driving game I've tried, which was a mariokart clone, does have controls like that and was quite easy to get used to, but as you say you wouldn't want to within elbow or stare range of other people.

metalangel · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:39

But if you play Mario Kart, Girls Aloud will come over to your house and take it in turns to suck your greasy cock! Whereas Apple offer you NOTHING OF THE SORT. According to the advertising.

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16611

MetalAngel wrote:

Really? The advert would have you believe that it's acceleroheaven. Despite the fact that the chap playing the motorbike game is frantically sawing at the controls as you inevitably will trying to play a game like that with a fucking accelerometer.

And it's not hard to keep your DS next to your keys, so you pick it up as you go out the door. Remembering to charge it is rather like remembering to charge your phone.

The DS is small for what it is but it's a fair fucking lump in your pocket, not something I'd ever carry around just in case.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:45

A gentleman keeps his DS in his suit jacket inner pocket.

The Rev Owen · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:46

I forgot to bring my DS into work today.

Curses.

myp · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:47

But did you remember your phone?

kalmar · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:47

*thud*
What a stroke of luck that I remembered to put my lucky Nintendo DS in my breast pocket this morning!

*thud*
*argh, dies*

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:48

Are breast pockets those gaping wounds you see on "When Plastic Surgery Goes Bad!"?

The Rev Owen · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:49

myoptika wrote:

But did you remember your phone?

Yes. And my iPod.

metalangel · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:49

Excellent! You can play a simulated version of one of those old-fashioned 'roll a ball bearing through a maze' puzzles!

kalmar · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:50

Euw!
@dimrill

myp · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:50

The Rev Owen wrote:

myoptika wrote:

But did you remember your phone?

Yes. And my iPod.

Then Steve Jobs > MetalAngelbert Humperdinck.

The Rev Owen · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:51

MetalAngel wrote:

Excellent! You can play a simulated version of one of those old-fashioned 'roll a ball bearing through a maze' puzzles!

And a card game! And a rubbish circular breakout clone!

But also: Final Fantasy Tactics and Peggle.

And for some reason I keep wanting to buy Pole Position, even though I'm sure I'll hate it.

I'd get Phase, it being Harmonixy goodness, but I'm not sure if I'd actually play it much.

metalangel · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 13:18

Why the HELL isn't Peggle on XBLA yet, by the way? The twats. I hope they die too.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49237

HOLD UP.

You can cook pies with an iPhone?

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 14:06

Only in Swindon.

metalangel · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 14:10

Can I 'cook' Billie Piper's 'pie'? She's from 'Swindon'.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 15:05

kalmar wrote:

my iPhone really is always in my pocket

You must get funny looks when you answer calls.

myp · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 15:25

MetalAngel wrote:

Can I 'cook' Billie Piper's 'pie'? She's from 'Swindon'.

'No'.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Hmm. I'm much more bullish on the future of the iPhone as a games platform than you lot (although the PR stuff from the Apple guy is clearly tosh).

Yes, at 12+ million sold (plus the iPod Touch though), it's lagging way behind even the PSP in hardware penetration. But it has an electronic distribution network to die for in the form of iTunes, perfectly setting it up to own the £5 budget games market. There are bedroom programmers working on their own that are making $10k per month out of the iTunes app store. The potential to make money is clearly there.

Yes, hardware controls are finickity; I've yet to play an accelerometer game I can stand. But, if the game is touchscreen only, it can work just fine. Consider Aurora Feint, which has the play mechanics from Meteos (swipe to move bricks around) but with the added twist that rotating the iPhone rotates gravity, causing bricks to pile up against whichever bit of the screen happens to be on the bottom right now.

And let's not forget the phone itself is a brutal bit of kit, with a high-resolution, richly coloured screen and 3d acceleration almost as powerful as the PS2. Again, I say there is potential here, both from the unit itself to deliver compelling games, and potential for whoever writes the compelling games to make a ton of cash. So far we've mostly had shovelware remakes that don't work well, but I think this situation will change.

So, as an experiment, I just bought two games off iTunes, and downloaded the demo of a third: Wurdle, a Bookworm clone, Spin, and Galcon. I shall report back. You've made me put a valid credit card into iTunes, you bastards.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49237

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

You've made me put a valid credit card into iTunes, you bastards.

Technically we told you not to, utterly mocking the entire concept.

kalmar · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 15:39

Galcon's quite fun, but I am shit at it.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Craster wrote:

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

You've made me put a valid credit card into iTunes, you bastards.

Technically we told you not to, utterly mocking the entire concept.

SkyKid · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 98

kalmar wrote:

Galcon's quite fun, but I am shit at it.

I've only played the demo of Galcon. While I liked the ideas behind the game mechanics (and it's pretty well placed for iPhone control), I found the vast majority of the matches pretty easy. The trick is to go for your opponent's homeworld on your first move since they've inevitably sent ships elsewhere. If you're feeling cocky, send some ships off at their first conquest too.

I did not buy.

Runcle · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2008 19:28

Zardoz wrote:

The motorbike game on the new TV ad looks completely shit to control.

looks like no more heroes, which was shit to control.

theres a good free game out called trace though. which is pretty much a basic platformer where you have to draw your own platforms with the touch screen, its pretty good for a free game.

SkyKid · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 98

Bobbyaro wrote:

Quote:

"[Developers] don't have to worry about licensing and manufacturing hardware, they don't have to worry about forecasting, returns..."

But they do have to worry about making no money for the same dev costs, on a much smaller market, on a product which is over 3 times the price of a PSP. Or am I missing the point? I have never used a samG i96 touch.

At the moment, I think the financial risk (compared with other hardware) is pretty low. I don't expect Apple have QA requirements anywhere near Sony's, for example; nor are the products themselves expected to be anywhere near as big... partly due to the state of the current market and partly due to the lower average pricepoint- so the dev costs on a typical project will be far less.

Doubtless, the maximum potential return is lower too- but that's only an issue for the top slice of commercial PSP games anyhow since I expect many make a loss overall.

It's a different market, really, despite what Apple may claim- there'll be more sales (per interested user), to a narrower demographic and the games are much shallower.

Be Excellent To Each Other

Chuck your PSP, DS, XBOX and PS3 in the bin...
...Jeebusphone is the future

Who is online

Be Excellent To Each Other

Chuck your PSP, DS, XBOX and PS3 in the bin... ...Jeebusphone is the future

Who is online

Chuck your PSP, DS, XBOX and PS3 in the bin...
...Jeebusphone is the future