Demiforce Releases "Trism", New Game for iPhone, iPod Touch

Game Set Watch is showcasing an interesting homebrew game called Trism from semi-pro developer Demiforce. The new game is designed to take advantage of the accelerometer in the iPhone and iPod Touch. While making use of this feature isn't new, this game certainly is pretty high on the simplicity and neat-factor scales. In addition to details about the game the site is also featuring a short interview with the developer.

Comments

iPhone could be a great innovative game platform

[RalphBNumbers]

With a nice big multi-touch screen, 3d accelerometers, proximity sensors, cameras, mics, positioning via wifi/cellular beacons, etc... all in a nice compact form factor, the iPhone and iPod Touch have the hardware to try a lot of really innovative and interesting things in terms of user interface and gaming. I've been looking forward to playing with that stuff since day it was announced last year.

I just hope the SDK Apple is introducing next thursday is reasonably complete and uncrippled.

Nintendo's Wii and DS have proved that unconventional control systems and innovative casual games can provide a lot of fun, and make a lot of money. By taking the next step down that road, Apple has the opportunity to finally make it big in gaming (after neglecting, and being neglected by, that market for years and years). It would be a real shame if they dropped the ball.

Re:Ho hum

[Brama]

Remember, its game play has been patented too by the author, as he mentions @2:25 in the interview.

So much for innovation. Let's show the prior art (tilt sensor games, anyone?)

Re:I wonder

[Anonymous Coward]

Got a link to back up this claim? You may be right, but your post history suggests that you're talking out your ass.

Patented game design?

[radimvice]

The video mentions that he has 'applied for a patent on the gameplay'. Is this a necessary step these days for independent/homebrew developers, so that their new ideas aren't simply snatched up by the big guys for their own benefit? Or is this move something that should be discouraged in the indie scene?

Re:Patented game design?

[xenocide2]

As an afficianando of both the scene and free software, I have to say it's conflicting. On the one hand, many people, Demi included, have taken wonderful games like Picross and made something similar. On the other hand, I recall hearing that shopping Drymouth around to publishers eventually wound up getting him screwed as someone basically took the work for free, so I can see why he'd take a new approach this time around. (I could be remembering a different guy's troubles, but the scene was small enough that even if it wasn't him, Demi's probably aware of who it did happen to).

Wouldn't it be sad if Apple beat him to the punch? They've got the resources, and they're not keen on sharing. Or if Nintendo took the DS Motion Card up and used his concept as a pack in? Its a tough battle hacking on closed platforms like these. The big guys have a huge advantage; in the time it takes for you to convince someone to take you up on it, they can have a game out and ready, slap a brand on it and suddenly half the world think's you're the copycat. To resolve this, does the GPL allow you to grant rights to the patent for a specific GPL'd piece of software? Perhaps its best not to eliminate software patents, but to reduce their lengths to a year or two.

Of course, this game is also very similar to a Nintendo Bit Generations game, so it's not at all clear he will be awarded the patent.