It's sad when a 3rd party has to do something that Apple should of have probably of done in the beginning. Then again, we know when Nintendo started this, they actually checked the games, then they edit it to a "Seal" instead of a "Seal of Quality" showing that they just look the other way when several of shovelware titles are released week after week, and I know that Apple is doing the same just so they can get the money... just like Nintendo.
Oh, Apple & Nintendo, you guys should seriously team up. You both would make BILLIONS. I'm sure of it.
@SanjiX: Great, now I have this picture in my head of a Nintendo exec walking into a room with a list of games to put their seal on, and showing it to an actual circus seal, that goes "ORK ORK ORK!" and claps its fins if it likes the name of whatever game is being read to it.
Naturally, the seal pretty much likes everything that is read to it.
@SanjiX: Er... but the seal of quality never was for "quality games".
It was a seal that garanteed that the game was tested by nintendo and it would play without capping your hardware. And it's the same for any game on any console now, but back in the day of the atari systems you could buy games that didn't even boot.
And that's the same that apple already does with their apps.
And it's kinda funny that anyone asks for this since people have been nagging apple since day 1 for the aprooval process and claiming how bad the censorship has been and now people want them to just put through the quality apps but not censoring anyone.
I do agree that there has to be a better way to sort through the apps to find them... in my case i just do the same as i do with videogames in any system... I read the review sites and articles and if something is interesting and has a lite version i use that one and if i like it i buy the game, or if it's cheap enough and seems fun enough i buy them.
You also can ask for you money back if you don't like something.
@Falsoman: There is a pretty big difference between console licencing and the applestore.
While nintendo/sony or microsoft doesn't reject everything below tripple A quality, there is quite an extensive list of requirements the game must fulfill and becoming a licensed developer to begin with can be quite a long process. From what I've read about the Iphone it's just a very small fee to become a licenced developer and you can publish pretty much anything.
An open platfrom sounds great for indies in theory, but in practise I just don't see it working. It's next to impossible to get any attention on a platfrom where there are 5 new space invader clones created by 14 year olds released every day. I think a licencing system is really needed to become a serious platfrom for games, especially for digital distribution.
Admittedly I don't own an Iphone so I don't know quite how bad the situation is. But if you download 5 random XBL Community games you'll quickly see just how important the seals of quality are
@beril: Yes I agree with you, but the point that i was trying to make, however badly expressed, is that half the people want apple NOT to regulate the content because that's just facist, and the other half want them to regulate so it's easier to sort through the mess and the shovelware.
It's no easy situation for apple.
It's like when the "I'm a millionaire" or something app made it through the appstore. People were bitching how apple was so iresponsible for letting some developer charge $1000 for an useless app. Then apple takes it down and people start bitching because how dare they censor an entrepreneur, and that if "people wanted to pay for the app they should let them"... or the whole debacle of the NFSW apps that apple was an evil corporation for not letting them through and now they are an evil corporation because there are too many damn fart apps. =)
Where i'm going with all this is that yes, applestore is very far from being a perfect busines model, but there's also the unrefutable fact that people are whiny bitches over the internet no matter what =D
@MrBionic: This may of course be a very good Competition for the DS, but the problem of the iphone is the unability to appeal to the younger crowd. I certainly wouldnt buy my 8 year old kid an iphone. May be some parents that would, but the trend is naturally to not do so
@MrBionic: I'm not sure about it going that far (at least not for a while) but I'm postponing getting my Touch from the end of June til September (pending announcements tomorrow).
I can't see it replacing my DS, but I want in on whatever is going on here!
@MrBionic: Because a bunc of devs created their own seal of quality to make their games sound good when they will turn out crap and not a seal of quality from apple themselves? Surely!
@MrBionic: the developers made the seal. So for all we know they are putting it on so they can make the games good. The seals were not given or will be given out by apple the company which should be marking the quality of the apps on their store. So how you could possibly think it could kill the DS or any future iteration is beyond my thoughts.
@mitch_93: It was a tongue-in-cheek response to all the media that the 'iPhone as gaming platform' gets, which this is just an extended part of. That's all.
@Gossy... strictly 4 my ninjas: Would you trust a seal policed and awarded by the manufacturer any more than this? I for one do not trust the Nintendo seal of quality with anything other than proving that the game will indeed fit into my console
guys, i like kotaku and all but writing something in the vein of the iphone now getting a 3d chip makes you sound somewhat uninformed, like when yellow press talks about gaming in between.
The iPhone had a 3d gpu since day 1, it just gets a better,newer one now.
Also anyone in this thread who says things in the vein of "blabla iphone will never be a serious contender in the gaming market, yadayada" should read some recent news.
Nintendo and Sony are trying to copy the iPhone with their newer devices and services, not the other way round.
Man, cell-phone gaming hasn't appealed to me since I was 12, so I don't feel touched by this at all.
I need my phone for CALLS, so I can't be running around wasting batteries on the umpteenth tower-defense I just bought on my iXpensive cellphone.
Yes, I am well aware these are avaliable on the iPod Touch. I have games on my LG Touch (which didn't cost nearly as much) but I don't use them due to the fact that my MP3 is always playing music when I use it, and when I want to use it I prefer there's battery left instead of it having been drained by playing a fart-app.
Sorry Apple, you never could sway me with your stylish yet over-expensive wares. My MacBook may be a decent computer, but not my system of choice.
I dont expect from Kotaku to know everything about technologie. But come on, the iPhone has an Dreamcast similiar GPU, stuff like that should be well known, in my opinion.
So since their adding a built-in 3D graphics chip, does that mean that games that take advantage of it, won't work on any of the current iPhones? Well that would be logical, though i don't see why Apple would want to fragment their userbase.
Well i realise its not confirmed yet and hopefully it won't be the iPhone only (so new iTouch with it).
@Xucuroz: they should abandon the ipod touch altogether and replace it with an ipod "game." they added video to the ipod.. and called it the ipod video, then they added a touch device and replaced that with the touch. its only natural they progress to a gaming device from there.
seriously.. if they released an ipod dedicated to playing games, and had it reasonably priced and didnt update it in a year... itd probably sell like crazy.
@NeoAkira: there are much better mp3 players out there for a fraction of the price. if you really want a device specifically for mp3s.. a 32 gig max device thats 400 dollars isnt a great choice. its already not an mp3 player first.
@Bouncer biggz: nobody's getting in.: why do people sometimes call apple "mac." thats like saying "why doesnt genesis just release a new system. after the dreamcast, genesis still could have kept going." what?
also, apple created the pippin, and bandai released the thing. it was a decent idea, but the price is mainly what killed it. that and the fact that it didnt have its own software that was console-eque. the way the gaming market is nowadays, they could just release a version of apple tv capable of producing graphics on par with 360/ps3... and then third parties could release their games on itunes right along side the other consoles.
@DoctorSaliva: I let my friends borrow my Steam games all the time. I just give them the acc info, they download it and play, and I log back on when I want it back.
Slightly off topic, but can anyone suggest any good phones? I am in desperate need of a new one, and have heard good things about both the Palm Pre and the G1. My perfect phone would be the Sidekick 2008, but they aren't sold in the UK.
I feel that the Palm Pre is too businessman-like for my needs, and have heard mixed reactions to the G1, though I do like its physical keyboard.
I am intrigued as to whether there will be an iPhone v3 announced on Monday, but I am a bit of a gadget freak I already have an iPod Touch, and getting an iPhone would rob me of the fun first few weeks of playing with a new gadget.
I wouldn't reccomend the Palm Pre unless the Sprint network in your area is unebelievably good.
Having uses the G1 and iPhone, I prefer the iPhone; but that's just me. The G1 is much more customizable as a phone, so it's really up to you there.
At the same time, the HTC Touch Pro 2 (for Verizon) that's coming it should be really good too as well as the Samsung Omnia Pro. In the end, I'd wait to hear news on the new iPhone and decide from there, but those are the 4 phones I'd recommend you considering to purchase.
Great, but it seems to be aiming for a market that isn't there. People that like portable gaming already have one of the handhelds this generation has spawned, what makes this one competition to them?
I know, I know, it's a phone too, but shit, I'm going to go out on a limb and assume those with PSPs and DS/is already have mobile phones, who doesn't?
Not to mention that the number of hardcore Apple fans who'd buy another iPhone just to game on it too just isn't high enough to warrant this.
Yes, there's a market there for mobile games. But what all of you are missing is that game sales on the iPhone and Touch aren't taking anything away from DS and PSP sales.
@NeoAkira: Yeah you gotta fair point but with Apple's new gamer centric additions to the new models it will definitely start encroaching on their space. I think both Nintendo and Sony realise that the iPhone is a massive massive threat and no fanboy rhetoric will change this fact. Hence both companies move towards downloads as well as portable entertainment. The appstore may not offer a vast library of cmpetetive gaming but then again why should. Most people only want a timewaster when they are on the train, not an in-depth, intense epic.
I think that handheld gaming has evolved past a simple timewaster. The large majority of people I know with handhelds use them at home more than away from home. I think this is fairly accurate as most people spend a lot of time at home. Therefore handhelds like the DS and PSP have become viable options to play video games at home outside of a console.
And as such, I don't think the iPhone platform is viable as such an option yet. This is the market that will be hard for apple to penetrate.
Am I the only one hoping for iTunes on the PSP Go? Even on the PS3, a joint venture between Apple and Sony would be most exciting given the casual slant gaming has acquired.
06/07/09
Oh, Apple & Nintendo, you guys should seriously team up. You both would make BILLIONS. I'm sure of it.
06/07/09
Naturally, the seal pretty much likes everything that is read to it.
06/07/09
It was a seal that garanteed that the game was tested by nintendo and it would play without capping your hardware. And it's the same for any game on any console now, but back in the day of the atari systems you could buy games that didn't even boot.
And that's the same that apple already does with their apps.
And it's kinda funny that anyone asks for this since people have been nagging apple since day 1 for the aprooval process and claiming how bad the censorship has been and now people want them to just put through the quality apps but not censoring anyone.
I do agree that there has to be a better way to sort through the apps to find them... in my case i just do the same as i do with videogames in any system... I read the review sites and articles and if something is interesting and has a lite version i use that one and if i like it i buy the game, or if it's cheap enough and seems fun enough i buy them.
You also can ask for you money back if you don't like something.
06/07/09
While nintendo/sony or microsoft doesn't reject everything below tripple A quality, there is quite an extensive list of requirements the game must fulfill and becoming a licensed developer to begin with can be quite a long process. From what I've read about the Iphone it's just a very small fee to become a licenced developer and you can publish pretty much anything.
An open platfrom sounds great for indies in theory, but in practise I just don't see it working. It's next to impossible to get any attention on a platfrom where there are 5 new space invader clones created by 14 year olds released every day. I think a licencing system is really needed to become a serious platfrom for games, especially for digital distribution.
Admittedly I don't own an Iphone so I don't know quite how bad the situation is. But if you download 5 random XBL Community games you'll quickly see just how important the seals of quality are
06/07/09
It's no easy situation for apple.
It's like when the "I'm a millionaire" or something app made it through the appstore. People were bitching how apple was so iresponsible for letting some developer charge $1000 for an useless app. Then apple takes it down and people start bitching because how dare they censor an entrepreneur, and that if "people wanted to pay for the app they should let them"... or the whole debacle of the NFSW apps that apple was an evil corporation for not letting them through and now they are an evil corporation because there are too many damn fart apps. =)
Where i'm going with all this is that yes, applestore is very far from being a perfect busines model, but there's also the unrefutable fact that people are whiny bitches over the internet no matter what =D
06/07/09
Could it happen?
*raises eyebrow*
06/07/09
06/07/09
I can't see it replacing my DS, but I want in on whatever is going on here!
06/07/09
06/07/09
06/07/09
wait.
What?
06/07/09
06/07/09
06/07/09
06/07/09
06/07/09
06/06/09
The iPhone had a 3d gpu since day 1, it just gets a better,newer one now.
Also anyone in this thread who says things in the vein of "blabla iphone will never be a serious contender in the gaming market, yadayada" should read some recent news.
Nintendo and Sony are trying to copy the iPhone with their newer devices and services, not the other way round.
06/06/09
06/06/09
I need my phone for CALLS, so I can't be running around wasting batteries on the umpteenth tower-defense I just bought on my iXpensive cellphone.
Yes, I am well aware these are avaliable on the iPod Touch. I have games on my LG Touch (which didn't cost nearly as much) but I don't use them due to the fact that my MP3 is always playing music when I use it, and when I want to use it I prefer there's battery left instead of it having been drained by playing a fart-app.
Sorry Apple, you never could sway me with your stylish yet over-expensive wares. My MacBook may be a decent computer, but not my system of choice.
06/06/09
btw
Dreamcast for the win!
06/06/09
06/06/09
I can feel it in me bones...
06/06/09
Well i realise its not confirmed yet and hopefully it won't be the iPhone only (so new iTouch with it).
06/06/09
seriously.. if they released an ipod dedicated to playing games, and had it reasonably priced and didnt update it in a year... itd probably sell like crazy.
06/06/09
No, please. The iPod Touch should always be an MP3 player first and foremost. It can be a secondary whatever-the-hell Apple wants after that.
06/06/09
06/06/09
06/06/09
Mac doesn't do games, they do money & U.I.
06/06/09
also, apple created the pippin, and bandai released the thing. it was a decent idea, but the price is mainly what killed it. that and the fact that it didnt have its own software that was console-eque. the way the gaming market is nowadays, they could just release a version of apple tv capable of producing graphics on par with 360/ps3... and then third parties could release their games on itunes right along side the other consoles.
06/06/09
Say goodbye to letting your friends borrow your games with the new system, iGame!
06/06/09
06/06/09
06/06/09
That's perfectly safe...
Seriously, I do trust my friends but not with *any* password or account info. That's just asking for trouble.
06/06/09
I'm sorry you have untrustworthy friends?
06/06/09
I feel that the Palm Pre is too businessman-like for my needs, and have heard mixed reactions to the G1, though I do like its physical keyboard.
I am intrigued as to whether there will be an iPhone v3 announced on Monday, but I am a bit of a gadget freak I already have an iPod Touch, and getting an iPhone would rob me of the fun first few weeks of playing with a new gadget.
Opinions on smartphones to help me out, anyone?
06/06/09
I wouldn't reccomend the Palm Pre unless the Sprint network in your area is unebelievably good.
Having uses the G1 and iPhone, I prefer the iPhone; but that's just me. The G1 is much more customizable as a phone, so it's really up to you there.
At the same time, the HTC Touch Pro 2 (for Verizon) that's coming it should be really good too as well as the Samsung Omnia Pro. In the end, I'd wait to hear news on the new iPhone and decide from there, but those are the 4 phones I'd recommend you considering to purchase.
06/06/09
having re-read my post I sound absolutely reatrded. please excuse the poor grammar and silly mistakes.
06/06/09
I know, I know, it's a phone too, but shit, I'm going to go out on a limb and assume those with PSPs and DS/is already have mobile phones, who doesn't?
Not to mention that the number of hardcore Apple fans who'd buy another iPhone just to game on it too just isn't high enough to warrant this.
06/06/09
If they've proved anything, it's that the market is most definitely there.
06/06/09
Yes, there's a market there for mobile games. But what all of you are missing is that game sales on the iPhone and Touch aren't taking anything away from DS and PSP sales.
06/06/09
06/06/09
I think that handheld gaming has evolved past a simple timewaster. The large majority of people I know with handhelds use them at home more than away from home. I think this is fairly accurate as most people spend a lot of time at home. Therefore handhelds like the DS and PSP have become viable options to play video games at home outside of a console.
And as such, I don't think the iPhone platform is viable as such an option yet. This is the market that will be hard for apple to penetrate.
06/06/09
I suspect the next year to be a very interesting one for the handheld space.
And I wonder if it would be smart to make any investment in a portable system right now.
*Hugs PSP-1000, iPod Touch G1 and DS Lite*
06/06/09
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06/06/09
Have you ever used the Zune Software ? It's 100x better
06/06/09
Is simplew = ugly, then sure. I guess that makes all apple products ugly too.
Maybe your computer is just old. I've heard slow computers tend to run applications slow. Shocking, I know.
06/06/09
*if simple
edit please.