Is a real video game ever going to happen for the iPod touch/iPhone?

[jkasanoff]

Some games on the iPod touch/iPhone are really great. However, every single one of these games is a mobile game. While I realize it is a mobile platform, it also has the processing power and capabilities of a computer.

It would be fully possible to get a PSP/DS-worthy game on the iPhone. In fact, with creative controls, it would be entirely possible to create a 3D platformer. (I think an FPS is in the works.)

Do you think that a full video game with levels, a story, and 3D (or very nice 2D) graphics is likely to come to the iPod touch/iPhone? Or do you think that developers will stick with safer mobile games?

[arn]

It's coming.

While the indy developer's efforts are impressive, once we get companies that are able to dedicate real resources into creating an iPhone game, we'll get better quality games.

id is working on it. As are a number of other "big" developers.

arn

[ChemicalWeather]

I'm sure it's coming.. and soon. We already have Vay which is an excellent port of an older console RPG. We've seen the graphics and quality of games such as Crash Nitro Kart which brings our favorite bandicoot to a mobile platform, it's only a matter of time before we have a full-fledged game specifically for the iPhone

[Gregz0r]

Fully fledged console games by major developers take many, many months to design, create and then test. That's why we are seeing so many small titles at the moment.
I read there was a 100MB limit on app sizes though, which may prevent any game from being even Dreamcast quality.

[MattB]

Fully fledged console games by major developers take many, many months to design, create and then test. That's why we are seeing so many small titles at the moment.
I read there was a 100MB limit on app sizes though, which may prevent any game from being even Dreamcast quality.

I may be wrong, but I believe I've seen a number of games that are over 100MB. However, as Carmack said, the huge benefit the iPhone has is the significant amount of memory it makes available for games. He said this is what gives the device near Dreamcast-caliber power.

[ChemicalWeather]

Fully fledged console games by major developers take many, many months to design, create and then test. That's why we are seeing so many small titles at the moment.
I read there was a 100MB limit on app sizes though, which may prevent any game from being even Dreamcast quality.

The limit on application size is actually 2GB, it's definitely possible to design a well-polished game with this amount

[oticon6]

I can see blizzard creating a modified version of WoW for the iPhone pretty quickly. There would be a pretty big market there if they could do it right.

[MattB]

Keep in mind developers will likely want to avoid too complex and powerful of a game because it'd eat the iPhone's battery life like crazy. Already we're seeing games, that don't take full advantage of the iPhone's hardware capabilities taking a hefty chunk out of the iPhone's battery. For example, MotionX Poker after 30 minutes of play took out over half of my battery.

Since a lot of people rely on their cellphones to receieve and send calls, check email, text messages, webpages, etc. most people won't want to buy games that drain the battery so quickly. The more graphically intense a game is, the more battery it'll drain in a quicker amount of time.

[ChemicalWeather]

I can see blizzard creating a modified version of WoW for the iPhone pretty quickly. There would be a pretty big market there if they could do it right.

While I wish this would happen I highly doubt it, Blizzard is known to sticking with PC/Mac games so i doubt they'll diverge from that path. Also as Matt said your phone would be dead in about 10 minutes. There is a video out there that shows them playing Second Life on the iPhone so there is the technology out there to do it, just not sure if it's up to the hardware's standards yet

Keep in mind developers will likely want to avoid too complex and powerful of a game because it'd eat the iPhone's battery life like crazy. Already we're seeing games, that don't take full advantage of the iPhone's hardware capabilities taking a hefty chunk out of the iPhone's battery. For example, MotionX Poker after 30 minutes of play took out over half of my battery.

Since a lot of people rely on their cellphones to receieve and send calls, check email, text messages, webpages, etc. most people won't want to buy games that drain the battery so quickly. The more graphically intense a game is, the more battery it'll drain in a quicker amount of time.

Definitely agree with battery life draining quickly with heavy-graphics games but I can play MotionX all day and my battery barely goes down, weird.

[MattB]

Definitely agree with battery life draining quickly with heavy-graphics games but I can play MotionX all day and my battery barely goes down, weird.

Do you have sound, music, and/or vibrate off? Turning those off helps a lot. Then again, I have a 1st gen iPhone, so the battery life probably isn't what it once was.

[Hickeroar]

Mobile games? There are a plethora of games already out for the iPhone/iTouch that are in no way possible on traditional mobile phones. I'm not sure what you're looking for, but as far as I can see, it's already here.

[ldkaplan]

There is a video out there that shows them playing Second Life on the iPhone so there is the technology out there to do it, just not sure if it's up to the hardware's standards yet


I think you are referring to the work at Intel Israel. That wasn't an iPhone but it should be possible on the iPhone as well with the right amount of work. Also, the processing was being done on a remote server/desktop and streaming to the mobile device over wifi (IIRC). So you never get away from having a desktop, just a remote control/display.

Personally, I'm not too interested in that type of game for the iphone. I want something that is a quick fix while killing some time. If I want to do real gaming, I can do that on a console platform and enjoy it more.

[ChemicalWeather]

Do you have sound, music, and/or vibrate off? Turning those off helps a lot. Then again, I have a 1st gen iPhone, so the battery life probably isn't what it once was.

I do have the vibrate turned off but i love the sounds. I myself have a 3G, so the battery is fairly new and i never played it on my older 1st gen iPhone. I'm sure it's probably because your battery is just older than mine.

I think you are referring to the work at Intel Israel. That wasn't an iPhone but it should be possible on the iPhone as well with the right amount of work. Also, the processing was being done on a remote server/desktop and streaming to the mobile device over wifi (IIRC). So you never get away from having a desktop, just a remote control/display.

Personally, I'm not too interested in that type of game for the iphone. I want something that is a quick fix while killing some time. If I want to do real gaming, I can do that on a console platform and enjoy it more.

Ah yes, I believe that's what I saw, and while there is potential there I don't see it having a big market. I do agree with you too, the games I play on my iPhone are for when I'm bored or waiting in line, if I really want to get into a game I play it on my Mac or my Wii.

[MattB]

Precisely, I think mobile games should be designed for the kind of real world situations they'll be in - long commute on the train to work, waiting at the airport, waiting in at the doc's waiting room, in the back seat of the car, etc. I have an Xbox 360 and a gaming PC for when I want to do some serious gaming.

I think what the OP is more looking for is proof of the iPhone's full prowess, and perhaps someday a big name developer will put out a game that truly wows everyone. For now, I'm enjoying the Galcons, the MotionX Pokers, the Aurora Feints of the mobile gaming world.

[QQQ]

I as say in my last comment (http://toucharcade.com/2008/07/16/rockfall-boulder-dash-clone-not-quite-ready/) even if devs want to keep focus on no new inovative gameplay/imput they can create an "virtual Analogic Stick" as it works pretty good on Mario 64 DS.

The battery life is an issue but for me its ok, if i play during work time its always short and if i bring my iphone when travelling i.e. i usally dont use the phone or data cellular a lot (too expansive if avaible in other country).

Since we dont see any kind of "Killer Battery Hydrogen long life style" coming, the probleme of a multi usages device will still remain, play or phone, listening musique or browsing the internet, etc, etc.

I eventually considering of buying an extra battery for specials non-phone-usage times like holidays, or long trip in train-plane-car.

Apolozize for my "english", hope you guys understant 1/2 of what im talking about.

[mikeadams]

personally i bought the ipod touch over the iphone because i planned on using it as a gaming device as well as mp3 player.

a. i paid a one time fee (purchasing the ipod) to use the internet (wifi is everywhere) as opposed to a monthly phone bill

b. id rather kill battery life on my mp3 player, rather than my phone in which i may have to make emergency calls with. itd be a shame to not be able to report the robber who shot you in the chest because re-volt killed your battery.

so i wouldnt mind hefty battery chunking games, cause id just play em plugged in or until my ipod dies.