iPhone Gaming Addon Controller Prototype

[wikoogle]

I wanted to show you a cool prototype picture I found for an addon controller...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielmacdonald/2127089390/

Before, this controller idea would've failed. But now, the iPhone's brand new 3.0 OS allows apps downloaded from the app store to use add on peripherals like this controller. There is a race right now among hardware manufacturers to be the first to create an awesome gaming peripheral for the iphone thats a hit.

Also...

Whoever makes the iphone's first gaming addon, three requirements are must haves...

1. The peripheral should look very sleek, flush with the phone and use the same black plastic found in the front of all iphones. iPhone owners care greatly about how thier device looks.

2. The peripheral must have dual analog sticks/nubs. Imagine the PSP's analog nub, but on both sides. Portable gamers have been clamoring for this feature forever now, so it's about time they get it. I can't overstress how important it is the the iPhone's gaming pad has DUAL ANALOG NUBS.

3. The peripheral must have two shoulder buttons and a solid D-Pad akin to the PSP/PS3's D-Pad to enable fighting games.

Do these things and the peripheral will be a big hit.

Also the smaller the add on, the better. It should be as small as humanly possible. People don't like large bulky addons. And it should have a rectangular design with curved edges identical to the iphone.

[dudez0r]

iphone isn't a gaming device...

[VWXYZ]

The iPhone is a gaming device, especially after the 3GS. Its much more than that, but after titles like CJS, Zen Bound and such. Its a platform.

For the controller I would just like dual analog stick, and 2 shoulder buttons. Keep it simple, and thats all I really want.

EDIT: just came to think of it... Maybe add in a battery extender... To make the gaming less rough on the battery.

[Sev]

iphone isn't a gaming device...

it's a device. it has games. conclusions?

[redsoxsrule424]

Ok everyone knows the iPhone is a gaming device, even Apple advertises it like that. But anyways this topic is posted in the wrong forum, it should probably go into the lounge.

[Karuko]

iPhone is a mobile platform. And problem with these addons that none will be official so the designing games around them will be difficult. The design would need to be standard so developers can adapt easily their games.

This is an example of a Bluetooth gamepad used for mobiles:
http://www.mobiletor.com/images/bgp100-game-pad-device.jpg

I prefer this platform to keep touch/tilt controls rather than adding physical ones, have more innovative games made around these inputs.

[VWXYZ]

Could apple throw down a standard? Because it is true that if every major and minor publisher did their own proprietary piece of hardware add-on none of them would sell.

If apple went out and said: this is how a gaming add-on should look (2 analog stick, 2 triggers, 4 facebuttons?) and then maybe did their own version. Then developers could easily make they own cheap 3rd party knock offs and bigger games could use it.

Then again... I wouldn't want to carry a ekstra controller around. So if this happens I still hope great games would be done for the iPhone alone

[redsoxsrule424]

You guys haven't seen this yet?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsIZ9I8U1h0

[iamthekiller]

iphone isn't a gaming device...

This kind of tiny, small-world thinking is what prevents products from evolving. Devices do not have perform one single task. The iPhone is well capable of playing games as we've seen. It doesn't have to be labeled as a gaming device.

[PredatorTA]

This kind of tiny, small-world thinking is what prevents products from evolving. Devices do not have perform one single task. The iPhone is well capable of playing games as we've seen. It doesn't have to be labeled as a gaming device.

I totally agree, and I would love to see this. (I would buy it too:D )

[Retean]

I like my touchscreen. As long as devs keep utilizing that then i dont need a addon controller. As soon as devs stop programming the touch screen gameplay and start using the pad for all buttons then ill b pissed. Lets not turn this into a bootleg nintendo ds :P

[Bad Hanson]

The only reason I would wish to attatch something that ugly to my iPod would be to give it longer battery life. For me it's down to game developer's to make touch screen games with controls that work -a lot of them achieve this, lot's don't. I've got a DS which has a control pad and great battery life but I'm not gaming on it anymore. The iPod/iPod touch has something different to offer. GOOD VALUE GAMES. I'm happy as is.

[Bad Hanson]

I like my touchscreen. As long as devs keep utilizing that then i dont need a addon controller. As soon as devs stop programming the touch screen gameplay and start using the pad for all buttons then ill b pissed. Lets not turn this into a bootleg nintendo ds :P
Hey Retean, you got in before me but I think we're on the same page buddy!

[astrosaurus]

I just hope that a huge publisher or developer (or hell, even a small one) comes out with a device that absolutely blows away the competition and is universal enough for people to develop for that unit even though they weren't the ones to come out with it. A standard. I don't want to buy 10 different accessories for it, I want one maybe two, max. I worry that the market is going to get extremely crowded extremely fast and eventually no one cares about add ons because of its over saturation.

By the way, the first prototype posted. I love seeing mock ups, but the swivel hinge to get the device connected might pose an issue. Usually when it comes to this sorta thing you try to keep away from as many moving components as possible.

[Clymos]

What better way to be flamed then to come to an iPhone game forum and say the iPhone is not a gaming device? :rolleyes: Seriously I have both a wii and a DS and I have played neither since I got my iPhone. I will probably not play my DS again for months. In fact I just bought okami for wii and I have not even started it because of the games on my phone. Ands to think I have bought hundreds of games (including free ones) for probably no more than it cost me for two or three horrible wii games, which are in abundance.

I too think apple should lay down a standard other wise they will be absolutely useless.

[antonioj]

I had ds and Psp. Sold both cause I only played iPhone since I got it. Enough said.

Regarding the controller addon, I once asked ngmoco about this in the coments of a TA article, they answered they would probably support such addon if a standard imposes itself.

[Brazilian Rider]

it's a device. it has games. conclusions?

Win?

[JoshC.]

iphone isn't a gaming device...

Why are you on this forum if you think that?

[Wegmans]

you guys really think some game company will develop an app specifically for those who have bought the gamepad?

[mrchennyken]

The iPhone is NOT a gaming device. Period.

[Slapshot]

The iPhone is NOT a gaming device. Period.

False, some people are saying it could revolutionize the gaming industry. :) :cool:

[Retean]

The iPhone is NOT a gaming device. Period.
But it is a device that plays games. May not be the same but its close enough. Especially when it has the biggest library of games out of all consoles

[iamthekiller]

The iPhone is NOT a gaming device. Period.

...more goofball/backwards/ignorant thinking.

According to this logic, people should not listen to music on their xbox 360, because that's a gaming device, not a stereo.

According to this logic, people should not browse the web on their mobile phone, because that's a phone and not a computer.

According to this logic, people should not watch movies/tv shows on their iPod because that's a music player, not a television.

Period.

[robertf224]

People need to stop trying so hard to make the idevice a traditional gaming platform. It shouldn't have buttons. People should take advantage of the capabilities the system has, and make games accordingly. Stop making first person shooters with two analog sticks. It shouldn't be that way. Make games like zen bound, eliss, touchgrind, sway, rolando, etc. Use the advantages of the platform to make your game, not the disadvantages.

[astrosaurus]

you guys really think some game company will develop an app specifically for those who have bought the gamepad?

Oh yeah, absolutely. If there's profit to be made they will most definitely do it. I'll practically guarantee an EA or Activision is working right now on how to make a music peripheral for the iPhone. Or if they don't develop SPECIFICALLY for the peripheral some will include it at least as an option. Just like on the DS, some games allow you do everything with your stylus or you have the option to use the buttons.

[Diablohead]

The iPhone is NOT a gaming device. Period.

I brought my 2g touch as a gaming device :rolleyes: shocking, no?

I also gave my DS to my young brother because I hardly play it, but the app store has many more things to my taste and i'm in love with it all.

[antonioj]

Stop making first person shooters with two analog sticks.

WHY? I want it. Others want it.

[Zatarra]

The iPhone is NOT a gaming device. Period.

That's because the iPod Touch IS. They both just happen to use the same apps. Anyways, I think the barrier of entry is where the whole debate lies. If you've played a lot of games the traditional way (i.e. control pad, arcade stick), then you will be more comfortable with a traditional interface. If you've started gaming with the iPhone, then the touch based interface makes a gamepad a non-issue.

[KugelNosh]

The iPhone is NOT a gaming device. Period.

I'd assume that that means that the iPhone is a multimedia device that shouldn't be turned into a hardcore buttons game console in which case, I agree. I do however believe that the iPhone is a great platform for games, It just shouldn't get all of these add-ons. If it was meant to be a game system, it'd have come with buttons in the first place and be called iGame or something.

[mofard]

Yeah I would love to carry something the size of a old xbox controller around and play a game for only two hours till the battery dies on me

The iPhone is a gaming device, especially after the 3GS. Its much more than that, but after titles like CJS, Zen Bound and such. Its a platform.


yes it is a great gaming device, for about a couple of minutes, then you get bored

[xVietx]

Yeah I would love to carry something the size of a old xbox controller around and play a game for only two hours till the battery dies on me



yes it is a great gaming device, for about a couple of minutes, then you get bored

Speak for yourself. I've had my iPod Touch ever since it came out and I;m still not bored with it.

[Dark NRG]

I find it uncanny how such a revolutionary device as the iPhone now have ppl trying to take it back to the stone age of electronics. I mean, a XBox/PSP-like controller now??? Even NINTENDO made the Wiimote to move forward, not backward. I should go get my 1/8 inch headphone jack and attach it to my bluetooth earpiece.

[Owl]

To those who say that it's not a gaming device:

There's a site dedicated to the giving out of information about games for the iPhone/Touch. It brings tons of people together to help improve games, promote games, announce games, test them, whatever. Now I'm not one who has a great memory of things, but I do happen to remember the name of that site.

Touch Arcade.

[ayearley]

sounds cool

[antonioj]

And so it beggins


http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/Zeemote+JS1+working+on+the+iPhone/news.asp?c=13890

The zeemote is already popular in other mobile platforms...should be perfect to use on the iphone

[TMAC34]

To those who say that it's not a gaming device:

There's a site dedicated to the giving out of information about games for the iPhone/Touch. It brings tons of people together to help improve games, promote games, announce games, test them, whatever. Now I'm not one who has a great memory of things, but I do happen to remember the name of that site.

Touch Arcade.

do u have a link for it??? Sounds cool. If I was on the site I bet I would have a few hundred posts after a few months.

[lord-sam]

the biggest thing it has to be Is portable. If you can't carry it in a pocket, don't bother making it!

[goldglover411]

I prefer this platform to keep touch/tilt controls rather than adding physical ones, have more innovative games made around these inputs.

alhough i do like the tilt/touch controls having a good controller like this could expand the gameplay greatly....with this kind of device the possibilities of a halo/COD game for the iphone could significantly increase

[antonioj]

So, anyone actually looked to the link i posted? :rolleyes:

[wikoogle]

First, I completely agree with everyone who says that such a controllers should ideally be made by Apple, Apple are you listening, please do it, you're the only guys who can.

Second, there's clearly a chasm here. There's the casual gamers who play the occasional game, couldn't care less about have physical controls or dual analog nubs, usually never buy the hardcore $10 games anyways, and think this whole addon idea is dumb.

Then there's the hardcore gamers who own PSPs and DSs and play them often and buy tons of premium iphone games and would love to have physical controls to improve the interface.

The thing is, the first group doesn't need to buy the add on, I'm certain that pretty much all games would function without out just because of hte size of the market, the addon would just make them control better.

This addon would be for the second group only.

And thus neglecting critical aspects like dual analog nubs that hardcore gamers deeply care about is out of the question imo.

[wikoogle]

Im just glad there does seem to be a reasonalbe number of hardcore gamers here.

[don_k]

I'm a casual gamer but I'd buy an addon controller the minute it's released.
Nothing beats real buttons for old-school platformers, and that's my fave genre :)

Basically many old-school games, including fighting. That genre just can't be done otherwise. Maybe it can, but it will be something like Iron Fist Boxing, Funky Punch or Touch KO, not Tekken or Virtua Fighter.

so yeah, old-school gamers in addition to hardcore gamers ;)