iPhone's Game Potential As a Threat to Java Phone Games

Ian Lamont writes "In the runup to Apple's WWDC 2008, Chris Tompkins thinks that the iPhone's gaming potential 'might finally put the lackluster Java-based cell phone gaming market to death.' He cites the iPhone's use of Core Animation adapted for ARM processors, which he says allows for the advanced effects of OS X and now OpenGL-accelerated 3D games, as well as the importance of an on-demand store and Internet connection. Tompkins says that while certain genres lend themselves to the iPhone's touch controls, such as real-time strategy games (think StarCraft) the lack of physical controls will force developers to creatively approach the multitouch and accelerometer on the iPhone. His advice to Apple — make a compelling overture to independent game designers, and treat them like rock stars. Tompkins, incidentally, is one of several people who have recently pointed to Apple's mobile gaming potential."

Comments

Do you guys seriously believe this?

[raving griff]

Do you guys seriously believe that the gaming market for the iPhone is going to just kick off? The iPhone was designed to play music, to surf the web, and to talk. Playing games was not and is not the focal point of owning an iPhone. You can't just release a device like an iPhone, wait a few months, and then call to arms the video game industry. The problem with the iPhone and gaming is that the iPhone isn't a gaming platform. People are not going to buy an iPhone with the express purpose of gaming.

Re:cheap plastic buttons

[shmlco]

"You're not going to get a DS/PSP beating experience with touch and motion controls."

You haven't even seen what's going to be offered tomorrow, much less a year from now after developers gain even more experience designing games for it, and you're still willing to make that pronouncement? It doesn't fit in with your preconceived notions of how a game works, so it's going to fail?

Does this sound familiar?

"No wireless. Less space than a Nomad. Lame."

I bet you and CmdrTaco can be staring members in the same club...