Android gamers craving unified console controls have been following the progress of Power A's ambitious MOGA controller solution since its debut at E3 2012. Come October 21 it's time to stop following and start playing.
The MOGA is more than just a clip on controller for your Android phone (and a stand-alone 360-style controller for Android tablets). It's a complete controller solution, complete with a software development kit that gives app creators a quick and easy way to integrate the controller into their existing games.
There are plenty of Bluetooth-enable gamepads out there that will work with Android devices, but few give developers an easy way to make them work. For most creators it's not worth the extra time and effort. By lessening those two factors, MOGA aims to change that trend.
The device has already garnered plenty of support from mobile gaming's top publishers, including Gameloft, Atari, Namco Bandai, Sega, and Remedy Entertainment. Gameloft has already integrated MOGA support for The Dark Knight Rises HD, Asphalt 7: Heat HD and Dungeon Hunter 3. Remedy has put it in Death Rally. Namco and Sega are so far on board that the system is bundled with copies of Sonic the Hedgehog Episode 4 and Pac-Man.
"The MOGA SDK made it quick and easy to make our steering controls feel more precise and natural in Death Rally," said Aki Järvilehto, SVP at Remedy Entertainment — creators of the Max Payne and Alan Wake console franchises, via official announcement. "Finally we have something that's easy to use, simple to implement, and provides console-like controls that gamers have been yearning for."
The MOGA package will be available for $49.99 at select game and mobility retailers on October 21. You can expect a review of the hardware from me before it drops in shops.