DEVS, what are YOU playing?

[Anders]

Even though our own games usually are pretty physics oriented and in 3D and all that, I tend to play rather different games.

I really like classic strategy games and Tower Defense games. I play Strategery almost every day (on brutal difficulty, of course) and I'm quite fond of geoDefense too. I love how balanced and hard it is. Still have one or two levels to go. I play Pinball Dreams every now and then too.

So, what do you other developers like to play?

[Little White Bear Studios]

Blocked is about the only thing I have time for on a daily basis these days.

[Kris Jones]

Kind of a hard question to answer for me.

For fun: I just finished up with Zombieville USA and iDracula (No endpoint, but I'm done with them for awhile.) I sometimes get distracted by iCopter. Next I'll probably be doing Edge and Galcon.

For research: I research many games to see their fun points and also their flaws. I play about 10-15 games a day, most for no more than 2 minutes before I turn it off.

[aniguchisan]

Kind of a hard question to answer for me.

For fun: I just finished up with Zombieville USA and iDracula (No endpoint, but I'm done with them for awhile.) I sometimes get distracted by iCopter. Next I'll probably be doing Edge and Galcon.

For research: I research many games to see their fun points and also their flaws. I play about 10-15 games a day, most for no more than 2 minutes before I turn it off.

That's a fair bit of gameplay. iCopter is quite the addicting one, most certainly. I guess if it stems from one of the most addictive online games ever, you'd expect it to be just that.

[mitrezom]

Here's a screen of my top played games.

Like most devs I play pretty much any game that I think I could learn from so the rest of my phone is pretty cluttered :)

[bit_Jon]

No time for play, have to create... J/K. I finally got Fieldrunners so that, iDracula, and Bejeweled 2 every once and a while. Along with a handful of others I don't play that much. not much time for any of them though :(

[aniguchisan]

Here's a screen of my top played games.

Like most devs I play pretty much any game that I think I could learn from so the rest of my phone is pretty cluttered :)

Must be awesome to have your own game in there too ;)

[Jeremy1026]

I'm hooked on iMafia right now.

[RegularStormy]

I WISH I had time to just play games (not much time between my regular job, my commute, my wife and working on the latest update to my game).

But I did get Wolfenstein3D and played through the first few levels. Ahhh, that brings back memories. I can't wait for Doom! :)

[Birdsoft]

Ive been playing iDracula and a bunch of my friend's at PDAMill's games and once in a while hit Dizzy Bee or FieldRunners yet.

Oh and my own of course...

[Naughty_Ottsel]

Pocket God and Famous

[Grumps]

I used to play Fieldrunner but now I'm just hanging around with iDracula, Oregon Trail and Monopoly haha!~

[ezone]

Because we use Unity3D to develop our bigger/3D games I usually grab any new game that Unity devs are putting out. I think Zombieville USA has had the most plays on my iPhone.

My kids love Flick Fishing.

[MuN]

Almost every day there is something new added to Gemmed!, so I mostly play it before going to sleep. If not, I check out new games I hear on these message boards, or see on the AppStore. If not, I love playing Sudoku!

[blue ox]

I like to play Gemmed!

Share and enjoy,

[pante]

i'm not a dev, but just want to post that this is such a great idea for thread :)
btw, i play prism a lot lately... :)

[InsertWittyName]

I don't buy many apps, I find it distracts me from what I should be doing ;)

I've tried a fair amount of free apps, but I've bought:

Rooms, Cro-Mag Rally, geoDefense, Pinch 'n Pop!, The Creeps!, AppSniper, Sneezies, Tweetie, Fieldrunners & Zentomino.

[gillygize]

Space Ninja and Thesus receive the most play time. I also play TanZen quite a bit. I want to buy Zen Bound, since everything about it seems like it is right up my alley, but I haven't had a lot of time to play games recently.

[Zwilnik]

Rogue Touch and just getting into Textropolis although I'm terrible at it (now my Mum's favourite non son written game). I've also been playing the Aussie Defence Jobs Games Supreme Air Combat one for kicks when I have a spare minute. Very simplistic but a fun freebie :)

[Hello]

Even though our own games usually are pretty physics oriented and in 3D and all that, I tend to play rather different games.

I really like classic strategy games and Tower Defense games. I play Strategery almost every day (on brutal difficulty, of course) and I'm quite fond of geoDefense too. I love how balanced and hard it is. Still have one or two levels to go. I play Pinball Dreams every now and then too.

So, what do you other developers like to play?

thats what she said :p

im surprised how much devs play apps they havent made and even help their comepltition

[Kris Jones]

I thought it would be interesting to address the post regarding helping our competition.

In a positive light: I think it's actually beneficial to support our competition to some extent. It allows them to make for better games, which in turns attracts more customers to the iPhone and the appstore. This helps out all developers who now have a wider audience and more people to spend money on games, including mine!

In a negative light: Developers can also purchase the products of other developers in order to steal the ideas that work great and leave out the failures of others in order to create a product to rival their competitors.

Its a give and take relationship. :D

[Future777]

I love Edge, Flight Control, Prism, Tiki Towers,

..and Sneezies!
Greetings to our friends at Antairgames! ;)


cheers
Future777

[lazypeon]

Favorite game right now is Rogue Touch. Whenever I'm bored, I fire it up :)

[Thomas Lund]

I keep returning to Puzzle Quest for some reason, although its getting tedious to play the same match-3 over and over again.

Other than that - Blue Attack and Pinball Dreams.

During development of our games I also play research games (on all platforms - not just iphone). Meaning "the competition", so I can learn from their mistakes and make better game design choices. Its called evolution btw and not "stealing from the competition".

Right now I play Heroes of Might and Magic V, Advance Wars Dual Strike, Fire Emblem, Kings Bounty and a few other games in that direction - guess that tells you a little about "whats next" here.

[arkanigon]

Playing Imprisoned! right now. After that I'll probably get back to Vay... I started that months ago but didn't get back to it...

[travistrue08]

I bought Chronicles of Itonia around December during my Winter Break from the Uni*******, and I just beat it last week finally.:cool: It was a very long game. I wish the framerate was much smoother, it could be easily accomplished. I have also been playing Trism a lot which is a really nice puzzle game! The main game I have been playing was the test version of Blitz Blok I had developed when I first became a developer. It has gone through many revisions, and there are plenty more to come to keep the game fresh, and fix some flaws. Aurora Feint is also a spectacular game! Its RPG elements still have me hooked from the very day I bought it back in July. Truly a masterpiece although I have not bought any of the newer ones.

[Anders]

I WISH I had time to just play games (not much time between my regular job, my commute, my wife and working on the latest update to my game).

But I did get Wolfenstein3D and played through the first few levels. Ahhh, that brings back memories. I can't wait for Doom! :)

Blocked is about the only thing I have time for on a daily basis these days.

Yeah I guess time is a big problem for everyone. The only time I have is right before I go to sleep usually, then I usually check my email (that alone is a 24h job) and play a round of Strategery and try beating that 2nd level on hard in geoDefense. Damn you level 2!!

Then of course, we play lots of games at work too apart from when we are doing research. We enjoy Motorstorm 2 a great deal, it's great for four players.

[tylerjhutchison]

I wonder if this will tarnish my image as an iPhone developer... but I actually do not own an iPhone or even an iPod touch. But I am hoping that if Crayon Ball is successful enough that one day I will be able to afford one.

However my coworkers Scott and Andy have iPods... so I still get to play stuff.

I really really like Edge. It has a walking robot made out of cubes!!!
Mouse House is also pretty awesome.
10 ball 7 cups has the best prizes ever... and a FREE TACO! Also it is probably the best skee ball game for the iPod.

The games that make me really want an iPod:
RogueTouch: This sounds like the most amazing thing ever... a copy of Rogue that I can play everywhere.

Touch Grind: This is so ingenious. When I was in sixth/seventh grade, finger boards were all the rage. That was before anyone had even manufactured them as toys... we used to make them in tech shop by cutting out plastic and using a heater to bend up the edges. It's a good thing that they were easy to make, because finger boards were frequently confiscated. It just makes me nostalgic for being 12 years old again. Now I am just a total poser and an old fart.

[underthesun]

I played almost all of the games that ever hit top 10, except for maybe oregon trail, because last time I tried to get it it's not available in australia.. what gives?

As for the real time-sucking ones, it was probably iDracula and orions. Finished edge as well, iShoot was great, finished enigmo, spent plenty of time with fieldrunners, spent a lot of time with flick fishing, zombievill also got plenty of playtime. Finished heavy mach too. Played a bit of theseus, pretty cool.

You know devs never play games. They do "market research", which is a more justifiable word whenever someone finds you slacking off ;)

[slembcke]

thats what she said :p

im surprised how much devs play apps they havent made and even help their comepltition

Because you don't think that game developers also like to play video games? :p

I think my two favorite games are Edge (just so freaking cool), and The Creeps. I also like Crayon Ball of course... :rolleyes:

[PebbleBug]

Wow, most stories sound the same: no time to play, need to test/design/code game I'm developing.

Same here.

Have been playing Sneezies a lot lately though. No thinking involved, just pretty pictures... tap... something happens. Wonderful.

[Kris Jones]

I think *most* developers are over-exaggerating on how little time they have to play... :p

Most wouldn't be into game development if they couldn't enjoy some of their favorite games.

I'm in the game development market and get my fair share of iPhone games, Nintendo Games, and my Xbox games. (Only system I don't have is the PS3. And yes, in my system line up I have the NES, SNES, N64, Commodore 64, and even built a computer gaming console that is an emulator for the old Arcade games, fully including 4 controllers and 4 joysticks. I am one lucky man. :D)

[wastedyuthe]

I think *most* developers are over-exaggerating on how little time they have to play... :p

Most wouldn't be into game development if they couldn't enjoy some of their favorite games.

I'll tell you a little story. I used to be so mad on getting the latest games from the app store, I was quickly becoming an addict. Then a few weeks back I changed all because I learned to program myself, and began devising my own game. And, you guessed it, I haven't spent more than 15 minutes, since creating my own game, playing other games! I loaded up iFishing since it's last update for ten minutes and I think that was it. I have had updates for others, and haven't bothered loading them to see how they have improved. I am working on my own game day and night till 2am- it is SO much more addictive than playing other peoples. Maybe I'll get back into playing other games when I have finished mine. But then I'll probably have an idea for another one ;)

[ibelongintheforums]

I bought Chronicles of Itonia around December during my Winter Break from the Uni*******, and I just beat it last week finally.:cool: It was a very long game. I wish the framerate was much smoother, it could be easily accomplished. I have also been playing Trism a lot which is a really nice puzzle game! The main game I have been playing was the test version of Blitz Blok I had developed when I first became a developer. It has gone through many revisions, and there are plenty more to come to keep the game fresh, and fix some flaws. Aurora Feint is also a spectacular game! Its RPG elements still have me hooked from the very day I bought it back in July. Truly a masterpiece although I have not bought any of the newer ones.

am i the only one who loves how v-e-r-s-i-t-y is banned?
no **********, uni*******, di*******
hilarious
no im not a developer but im trying to be!!!!
(Im playing iShoot)

[InsertWittyName]

I'll tell you a little story. I used to be so mad on getting the latest games from the app store, I was quickly becoming an addict. Then a few weeks back I changed all because I learned to program myself, and began devising my own game. And, you guessed it, I haven't spent more than 15 minutes, since creating my own game, playing other games! I loaded up iFishing since it's last update for ten minutes and I think that was it. I have had updates for others, and haven't bothered loading them to see how they have improved. I am working on my own game day and night till 2am- it is SO much more addictive than playing other peoples. Maybe I'll get back into playing other games when I have finished mine. But then I'll probably have an idea for another one ;)

It's the same for most developers, because you're creating something and you can see it grow you want to continue to nurture it.

Be careful of getting programmer burn-out (Google the term for lots of threads explaining it).

[jkrogh]

Right now I'm playing a lot of frenzic as well as just fill'n. I'm a fan of super simple gameplay that I can manage with one hand as I ride the streetcar to the studio.

[Kris Jones]

Wastedyuthe,

I completely understand that! Most of the games I play are for no longer than 5- 10 minutes. I just bought The Quest for 5.99, created a character, talked to some people, and shut it down. It's not that its a bad game, but I just don't spend that much time on them, especially since I don't want to be into a lengthy game.

[Medeival]

Bejewelled2, I bought it to PC and for iPhone :)

Also I played and completed Rolando Lite version.

[Scott30]

I think *most* developers are over-exaggerating on how little time they have to play... :p
:D)

Im not a dev but I would have to agree with that statement, its not as if those of us that aren't devs dont work long hours. Let alone alot of iphone gaming is done in short sessions like when you're on a break or what not so I dont buy the no time excuse at all. Of course I can see if you have a full-time job and dev for iphone is a 2nd job then yes its more understandable but still plenty of breaks during the day to check out other games if they wanted.

I think its more of a focus thing they want to stay focused on their game and dont wanna get sidetracked or be influenced by other games. Even if they aren't working or playing/testing their game they are thinking about it and would rather do that and keep focused on it then playing other games.

But it prob works both ways some devs might like to check out the competetion for ideas and thoughts and see whats hot or not or just to get away from their own for a bit.

[travistrue08]

am i the only one who loves how v-e-r-s-i-t-y is banned?
no **********, uni*******, di*******
hilarious
no im not a developer but im trying to be!!!!
(Im playing iShoot)

Haha, yeah I've never seen that one before...

[QuantumSquid]

I am posting under our main dev account, but currently I am playing Dungeon Hunter. I would say that I have played this game the most of any game on my iPhone so far.

I even found myself wanting to go back and play it for 20-30 mins even before the "forge fix" update was released. It was just relaxing (and enjoyable) to burn through an area a few more times for XP and loot. Yes, it's a pretty easy game, but the entertainment value is quite high (this from someone who has max level chars on all of the major MMORPGs since Ultima Online).

Previously the game holding the most time was Defender Chronicles. This is a very fun game as well, and IMO, underated...

[JoshCM]

I still like arkanoid on classic mode, but haven't had time to play. in testing mode now...

[LBG]

Perhaps the devs are too busy playing their own game maybe?
Or at least they should be ;).

[IUGOME]

Harbor Master is teh crack. I can't stop playing that.

Boxed in has been fun too.

And honestly, I still go back to ZA! That game will always have a place in my heart...

[PocketMonkey]

I am posting under our main dev account, but currently I am playing Dungeon Hunter. I would say that I have played this game the most of any game on my iPhone so far.

I even found myself wanting to go back and play it for 20-30 mins even before the "forge fix" update was released. It was just relaxing (and enjoyable) to burn through an area a few more times for XP and loot. Yes, it's a pretty easy game, but the entertainment value is quite high (this from someone who has max level chars on all of the major MMORPGs since Ultima Online).

Previously the game holding the most time was Defender Chronicles. This is a very fun game as well, and IMO, underated...

+1 to Dungeon Hunter and Defender Chronicles

[Stroffolino]

I mostly play and playtest my own stuff - both released and unreleased. I do pick up the occasional title that piques my interest (Hero of Sparta, Sally's Spa, Lion's Pride), but generally I let me 4 year old son do the appstore shopping.

My unreleased stuff includes a mix of not-yet-released and will-never-be-released projects such as (in no particular order):

- a port of BerzerkerBots (an FPS) that I did last October as one of my first dabblings in iphone development

- a multi-arcade emulator

- a top-down tank game

- Cathy's Coins, featuring coin-themed mini games

- Diver Dan (port)

- World to Conquer Touch, a turn-based fantasy themed combat game (being wrapped up now)

- Pocket Boxer (being wrapped up now)

As for my own stuff that I find myself returning to a lot, I quite enjoy Karate Fighter (Kung Fu Master inspired retro remake), Card Shark Solitaire, and Xiangqi

[Frand]

PathPix was my favorite for a long time (well, as long as there were levels to complete).

I've also bought and played pretty much every TD on the iPhone, but 7 Cities, GeoDefense and GeoDefense Swarm have been the only ones to provide great challenge with good difficulty ramping. Defender Chronicles degenerated into grinding.

It is funny to note how much the iPhone has stolen my attention from traditional console gaming. I turn the PS3 on quite rarely these days (and the Wii has gathered dust for almost a year now). Still anxiously waiting for Brütal Legend, though!

[spacecowgoesmoo]

I usually try to only have a few games going at once because I'm obsessive and like to 'beat' games; right now I'm playing Space Ninja, Tap Quest, DDR S, and Elder Scrolls 1 on OSX DOSBOX. Whoever it was who posted here a while back mentioning that it was freeware now, thank you! I'm also playing Eliss, but that doesn't count because I have no chance of ever finishing it :P

A few that I've finished recently and moved on from were Toy Bot Chronicles (never got them separately because I figured they would make a compilation), geoDefense Swarm, PathPix, and The Quest - IoIF (Waiting for the next update to get HoL...)

[qwiboo]

Not much time to play, but I loved EDGE when it came out. Last game I played was iBlast Moki.

Besides that I spent all my "playing" time testing new levels in Aqua Globs :)

[indigo8]

Don't have a lot of time to play games - *not* exaggerating.. Lately played KIL.A.TON a bit - enjoy that. I'd like to play Dungeon Hunter, but I'm really going to have to delete a lot of music to play the 220+MB game - no space right now. What I'd really like to do, once we finish off our current project (The Relic), is get back to Fable II on the 360. Haven't played much on the 360 in ages. Except Beatles Rock Band. :D Actually, I have a fair number of iPhone RPGs I need to get back into too..

[Anders]

God to see someone woke this thread up again ;)

In my initial post I said I played geoDefense a lot. That still holds true, as David added more levels not long ago, plus the new geoDefense Swarm kept me occupied a bit lately too, only one level left!

[Manny Calavera]

I keep coming back to Soosiz and Jet Car Stunts. Both tremendous games. Been playing some Prince of Persia Retro too, for old time's sake.