Iphone games? Nintendo weeps?

[TheGreenMan]

Iphone, meet Super Monkey Ball (http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/06/live-from-apples-iphone-press-conference/)

(Scroll down to see)

I wonder if Nintendo was thinking of making a acceleratometer based Gameboy or DS? Looks like Apple has beaten them to it.

[lostnomad84]

Here is the thing though, Apple has never been a company that has placed much importance on gaming. Apple's last venture into the gaming world was with their Pippin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Pippin) gaming console. Since that bomb, Apple has just relied mostly on developers porting a few games here and there. Since they've gone Intel, things have slightly improved with EA developing for them. The iPhone may be a change in their attitude towards games, but I'm skeptical they consider it a dominating, or significant factor in marketing the iPhone. But it doesn't mean game developers may tinkle with the device and try to promote it as a platform, but I am skeptical.

Nintendo has nothing to weep about, especially since their system has sold millions, upon millions of more systems than iPhones.

[Johnny]

Iphone, meet Super Monkey Ball (http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/06/live-from-apples-iphone-press-conference/)

(Scroll down to see)

I wonder if Nintendo was thinking of making a acceleratometer based Gameboy or DS? Looks like Apple has beaten them to it.


Actually there was a Yoshi game for the GBA which used this sort of technology although I'm pretty sure it was the only game (aside from a Warioware game) to use the feature.

[jecca-neko]

Iphone, meet Super Monkey Ball (http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/06/live-from-apples-iphone-press-conference/)

(Scroll down to see)

I wonder if Nintendo was thinking of making a acceleratometer based Gameboy or DS? Looks like Apple has beaten them to it.


Actually there was a Yoshi game for the GBA which used this sort of technology although I'm pretty sure it was the only game (aside from a Warioware game) to use the feature.


Was there a Yoshi game? I know there was Kirby's Tilt n' Tumble for Gameboy Color, which is obviously much older than any iPhone game.

[Johnny]

Was there a Yoshi game? I know there was Kirby's Tilt n' Tumble for Gameboy Color, which is obviously much older than any iPhone game.

Yoshi's Universal Gravitation (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-66-77-1-49-en-15-yoshi-70-dft-43-6.html) and Warioware Twisted (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-39-77-7-49-en-15-wario-70-py7-43-jk.html).

[fates]

Also, the iPhone still costs more than a full blown console :p I don't think it could compete very well in the handheld area at a price like that...

[Jarred]

The iPhone may be a change in their attitude towards games, but I'm skeptical they consider it a dominating, or significant factor in marketing the iPhone. But it doesn't mean game developers may tinkle with the device and try to promote it as a platform, but I am skeptical.

It will all come down to the sales of those first set of games. But the fact that they demo'd three games to show off the embedded OpenGL SDK support says something. I don't think you'll see Apple being a game publisher or developer, but they wouldn't mind be the service provider for other publishers to create casual games. They want to create that healthy ecosystem of apps for their "App Store" service, and no doubt they want cool little casual games to be a part of that ecosystem.

People got excited over the Wii waggle, no reason to think they won't also think the iPhone tilting is cool as well.

[Jarred]

EA Confirms Spore, Other Titles TBA for iPhone (http://kotaku.com/364772/ea-confirms-iphone-spore-other-games-coming)

I'd say if you get one of the biggest game publishers to rave about your "system" and provide content for it, it's a legitimate device for playing games. It will be interesting for me personally which handheld I'll be using the most at this time next year.

[TheLaughingMan]

I'd say if you get one of the biggest game publishers to rave about your "system" and provide content for it, it's a legitimate device for playing games. It will be interesting for me personally which handheld I'll be using the most at this time next year.

Yeah but when that company is EA it means nothing. They make crap games. Turn gems into mainstream failures. Dumb-down games. Try to monopolize the industry by buying their competitors.
EA raving about something would only make it suspicious of being crap and scare me away of it.

:P

[Jarred]

Was hoping the broad-stroke dogpiling of EA would be avoided in lieu of discussion about the iPhone being a legitimate casual gaming device, but alas . . . . :sigh:

[JeffDM]

I think it has plenty of potential. It may not be good for some games, but great for others. The cost can be prohibitive.

[Kinomoto_Shinji]

It'll fail if it costs more then $200...if they can get it down, it might be able to survive for a little while. But I don't see it reaching numbers anywhere near the DS or PSP.

[beatmania]

1 Talk to Blizzard
2 Port WoW to iphone
3 ?
4 Profit!

[jecca-neko]

1 Talk to Blizzard
2 Port WoW to iphone
3 ?
4 Profit!

Hey now, cell phones almost cause enough accidents. I don't want someone to hit me because they were on a raid with their level 32 dark elf.

[ADC]

First things first, coming from one who owns an iPhone. It's not a games console. It's not going to replace the DS. Nintendo has nothing to worry about.

That said, it's currently the most fertile soil for games in the cellphone market in the US. Its processor is more powerful than what goes into either the DS or the PSP. It's not locked into a fixed "keypad" interface like most phones. There's a lot of room for development now that Apple's released the SDK. Non-traditional games could work out really well on this thing. (The Ace Attorney games, for example, would be right at home.)

But there's no way Apple's going to market the iPhone as the next DS. That'd be stupid, and Steve's not stupid.

To Apollo: Yes, the iPhone is more expensive than the DS or PSP. No shit, Sherlock. It does more! Same goes for the iPod touch, which will be just as capable as a games machine.

To Shinji: The iPhone is already a success. Apple spent about $150 million on its development, and has made back at least twice that in sales. And that's before people start to really tap the potential of the device.

[beatmania]

1 Talk to Blizzard
2 Port WoW to iphone
3 ?
4 Profit!

Hey now, cell phones almost cause enough accidents. I don't want someone to hit me because they were on a raid with their level 32 dark elf.

I doubt you have to worry about that since they're still using that slow EDGE.

Unless you like to drive around places with hotspots...

[lostnomad84]

It'll fail if it costs more then $200...if they can get it down, it might be able to survive for a little while. But I don't see it reaching numbers anywhere near the DS or PSP.

Again, Apple is NOT in the gaming business. Apple is in the hardware business to make computers and tech gadgets. Their goal is not to market it as a gaming machine, but as a revolutionary cell phone. This was the way it has been since day one, and it has been successful so far. Apple has said they are still on track to make their goal of selling 10 million phones. So in that sense they are succeeding. But adding applications to the phone, including games, makes it a more versatile product that offers higher quality than before with the limited apps that are on it.

[TheGreenMan]

Actually, the title came from the idea that Iphone is like a Wii (tilt) and DS (touching the screen) put together and that Apple beat Nintendo to the punch to creating a device that does both. But as others pointed out, Nintendo has beaten Apple to the punch with tilt function in a portable system. I can't wait to see what developers do with the Iphone.

[TheGreenMan]

Here (http://www.gametrailers.com/game/6388.html)

Huh. They weren't kidding with the graphics. Looks like a console game.

I wants Katamari!

[Stormfalcon]

It'll fail if it costs more then $200...if they can get it down, it might be able to survive for a little while. But I don't see it reaching numbers anywhere near the DS or PSP.

Again, Apple is NOT in the gaming business. Apple is in the hardware business to make computers and tech gadgets. Their goal is not to market it as a gaming machine, but as a revolutionary cell phone. This was the way it has been since day one, and it has been successful so far. Apple has said they are still on track to make their goal of selling 10 million phones. So in that sense they are succeeding. But adding applications to the phone, including games, makes it a more versatile product that offers higher quality than before with the limited apps that are on it.

Bingo, and Apple's been terrible at supporting games anyway. They've never taken it seriously, and every time they come up with one of their gaming initiatives or committees to boost gaming on Macs, the people responsible get rotated out and whatever suggestions developers give them fall by the wayside.

Just ask Gabe Newell (http://games.kikizo.com/features/gabenewell_valve_iv_sep07_p1.asp)

I don't think Nintendo has much to worry about. Yeah, the iPhone/iPod Touch has potential to give the DS technical competition. The problem is Apple itself.

[Phil]

iPhone owners will be able to play games soon? Well good on them.

Get back to me when I can get one for $139.

[Jarred]

Apple has filed a patent (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/03/11/apple-to-track-iphone-gaming-high-scores/) for a "Media management system for management of games acquired from a media server", which includes talks about achievement-like functionality; high scores and other "game performance data" would be transmitted from the iPhone/iTouch through iTunes and into a "game community server".

[ADC]

Apple has filed a patent (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/03/11/apple-to-track-iphone-gaming-high-scores/) for a "Media management system for management of games acquired from a media server", which includes talks about achievement-like functionality; high scores and other "game performance data" would be transmitted from the iPhone/iTouch through iTunes and into a "game community server".
They shall call it iPhone Live! They will pay out Achievement Points!

… They'll get Popcap to make an iPhone version of Peggle. You'll never see me again. That game's like meth without the whole teeth falling out thing.

[Jarred]

… They'll get Popcap to make an iPhone version of Peggle. You'll never see me again. That game's like meth without the whole teeth falling out thing.
I have yet to succumb to the Peggle addiction. Don't do PC games and don't have an iPod, just iPhone. I think an XBLA version is in the works too, so soon I shall be picking at sores and scrubbing my linoleum clean.

[Stormfalcon]

… They'll get Popcap to make an iPhone version of Peggle. You'll never see me again. That game's like meth without the whole teeth falling out thing.
I have yet to succumb to the Peggle addiction. Don't do PC games and don't have an iPod, just iPhone. I think an XBLA version is in the works too, so soon I shall be picking at sores and scrubbing my linoleum clean.


My only wish as far as Peggle goes is if they make a full-fledged Orange Box-themed version (instead of just the sampler one you get with the PC Orange Box). The original Peggle is on the sacchariney side, but cutesy animals flambe on the other hand... :evil:

[Jarred]

ADC, looks like you better start planning for your Fear & Loathing in Peggle binge. In today's press release (http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/03/12iphone.html) from Apple touting 100K SDK downloads, there are a couple press bites from two game devs.

“We’re very excited about Apple’s new SDK and reaching every iPhone user through the new App Store,” said Scott Rubin, vice president, Sales and Marketing, Namco Networks. “We can’t wait to show off great new versions of arcade classics like PAC-MAN and Galaga that use the revolutionary features of the iPhone and iPod touch.”

“Apple’s become an important mobile game platform with the iPhone SDK,” said Jason Kapalka, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, PopCap. “The new SDK gives us the tools to innovate and reinvent games like Bejeweled, Zuma and Peggle. With the new App Store we can reach every iPhone and iPod touch user on the planet.”

[ADC]

:D

As for Namco, when will they make a Tales game for the iPhone? Or a SoulCalibur? That'd be awesome.

[Jarred]

As for Namco, when will they make a Tales game for the iPhone? Or a SoulCalibur? That'd be awesome.
I just don't see those kinds of games hitting the iPhone . . yet. How much penetration does Apple have in the JP market with the iPhone?

More than likely, I'm betting on PacMan:CE, the fancy new Galaga, Tekken, and Katamari.

Actually, I take back Tekken, don't know what I was thinking. I blame the F&LiLV reference. But Katamari would be awesome!

[ADC]

I just don't see those kinds of games hitting the iPhone . . yet. How much penetration does Apple have in the JP market with the iPhone?

More than likely, I'm betting on PacMan:CE, the fancy new Galaga, Tekken, and Katamari.

Actually, I take back Tekken, don't know what I was thinking. I blame the F&LiLV reference. But Katamari would be awesome!
iPhone's penetration into Japan … is zero! There's no carrier currently offering an iPhone plan. But I did see a thing where some Japanese dude modded his non-iPhone to make it look like one. Clearly there's demand. :D

But then, the Japanese have some crazy-ass phones over there. Probably because their carriers don't have their heads shoved up their asses like Verizon and T-Mobile. (Which isn't to say that AT&T's any better, but at least they got on board with a phone that wasn't designed specifically to make money for AT&T.)

[Mark]

Nintendo's managed to win the portable market for years.
If Apple is serious about getting into the portable games market, Nintendo could always release an add-on to the DS and have an install base of a billion consoles as a foothold in the mobile phone market.

[Jarred]

Nintendo's managed to win the portable market for years.
If Apple is serious about getting into the portable games market, Nintendo could always release an add-on to the DS and have an install base of a billion consoles as a foothold in the mobile phone market.
Yeah, that would look totally (http://www.8bitjoystick.com/archives/photos/ngage.jpg) awesome (http://money.cnn.com/2003/10/06/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/cm_nokia_gamephone.jpg) .

Again, to repeat what's been said, Apple is not getting into the portable games market. Apple is interested in building a democratized application development ecosystem for it's Touch devices; games just happen to be a part of it.

[JeffDM]

I just don't see those kinds of games hitting the iPhone . . yet. How much penetration does Apple have in the JP market with the iPhone?

There is no official iPhone offering in Japan. If it's sold there right now, it's gray market, i.e. outside of normal distribution.