"Only the hardware behind iPhone and iPod touch makes a glossy, high-definition game like this [Infinity Blade] possible - PSP doesn't run in high-resolution, Nintendo 3DS isn't powerful enough, and Android handset configurations vary too much to support high-end games." -- Donald Mustard (Creative Director of Chair/Epic Games) Zing!
Why would devs bother making a game compatible with such a wide, and fast growing mobile platform? They have like a new phone every week it seems! iPhone has a steady, yearly phone release and the software is always updated too, so most newer devices are capable of running games.
@Big Albie If I said "never" I certainly didn't mean it, and I understand your MS/Apple point having lived through all of that. But... Despite the growing number of android handsets sold, the OS fragmentation issues and hardware differences make it really hard to take as seriously as Apple's approach. "Integrated" rather than "fragmented" isn't just a great selling-point, but also great for the user. And I'm not sure I understand what you mean when you say that Apple should expand the devices with iOS. Their sales are pretty astounding, and they likely will introduce iOS to more devices, but they won't do it half-baked. AppleTV has iOS. Can't install apps on it, but we know how seriously Apple takes design iteration. And beyond iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, well, can't think of how many different screens one needs at some point
Here's a great article on the subject from John Gruber at The Daring fireball titled "Where are the Android Killer Apps". He makes many excellent points, but this for me is why gaming on Android hasn't taken off like it has on iOS. Just look at Angry Birds - Rovio released it as an ad-supported, free game on Android, most likely because they were worried it wouldn't sell on the platform, even at $0.99.
That's one of the best Gruber pieces in a recent memory. Some say he's a tool, but he knows his stuff. Thurrot is the REAL tool.
Played with friend's android phone. Suprisingly good. So I say, there is possibility but perhaps, not now.
I think one of the best indicators is to go check out Gameloft's Twitter today. It's quite humorous to see how many problems they're having with distributing Dungeon Hunter for free to everyone. They just tweeted saying that the Samsung Captivate isn't supported. That's one of the best Android smartphones available and is certainly AT&T's best Android phone that only came out 3 months ago and yet it doesn't support Dungeon Hunter. Crazy.
I have an Android phone because that is what my carrier offers. I find that I need a phone to be a phone and my iPod Touch to be my gaming device. For me, I have the best of both worlds. Certainly less bulky to carry around those two devices as opposed to a DS or a PSP and I get to play on the go games easily. I don't really think it is one taking over the other, it is both living copacetically. Sure it is great to have one device sometimes and luckily there are some games on the Android that I like to play in short bursts. Because let's face it, if you are playing on a phone you are playing in short bursts. As for Android users not paying for games or being used to not paying for games - well if there was a unique Android game I bet people will buy it. I see people buying productivity and customization apps all the time. And some of them are pretty pricey. But when you HAVE Angry Birds for the iPod Touch, why would you want to pay for it again on your phone? There is double dipping and then there is greed and stupidity! Fruit Ninja is paid for the Android and often times I am tempted to get it but then I whip out my iPod Touch and play it. I am sure many Android owners are in the same boat as me - owning both. Look at the forums to see that people don't even like to spend for the same app for the iPod Touch and the iPad. It's the same debate. Yes Droid owners have been characterized as not paying for games but that is because that is what those users are used to. Palm Treo owners had to buy a little cartridge for some of their games. Even regular cell phone users buy games for their flip phones through their phone carriers. Some of the ports that are released on the iOS today are ports of those games. Its shortsighted to characterize everyone who doesn't own an iPhone as not willing to pay for an app or a game. Especially when the opposite is true, to me that is an excuse or a cop out. Perhaps it is merely the result of people who own those phones don't care for the games that are deep and would prefer a quick game of solitaire or matching jewels of some sort. There is the perpetual rumor about my carrier getting an iPhone and honestly at this point after 3 years I will believe it when I see it. But after NOT having one for 3 years and being able to talk on the phone while playing a game to pass the time I am not sure I could do anything different. There is the ultimate in multitasking for ya. I don't expect my experiences to affect anyone's opinion on this forum in the least but please do understand that though people love with is happening with the iOS platform these days, there are other platforms around that may or may not measure up. Some may be good for one thing while some for another. Some people can't live without a physical keyboard on their phone for instance, which will mean they will never get an iPhone unless it is redesigned. But again that goes back to my point about using a phone for productivity as opposed to entertainment. Why do these debates pop up so often? Do the OP's not realize they are on an iPhone forum and the overwhelming response will be that the iOS will rule the world one day?
No the phone supports the game, it is just that the way Gameloft has decided to sell their games - through the Gameloft website instead of the Android Market - the free game won't download to certain phones. Certain phones are set by default to not download any app from a third party source - as in not from the Market. Unless you change that setting then you won't be able to take advantage of that freebie. The tweets are misleading unless you really know what the problem for Droid owners is.
Yes and no. As I said before Gameloft has long ago decided to circumvent the Android Market to sell their apps only via their website and this time it came back to bite them. Their inability to make a stable website is going to cripple themselves. At one point during the day if you clicked on the link it would flash the Dungeon Hunter logo but ask if you wanted to download Asphalt 5 (or whatever number it is). So it is Gameloft's fault there. Sure you can blame Android too if you say it is Android's fault for allowing downloads to occur outside the market but that is beside the point frankly. One day of a free app for the Droid line of phones is not going to cripple the Android platform but the gaffe is going to make Gameloft look foolish for sure. Who knows? In the future offers of this month maybe they will replace all Droid freebies with trailers like yesterday instead!
From talking with a freind who uses android, it may not be possible to make a free app paid, or a paid app free, from within the android market.
Nah. MS only won coz lord jobs was kicked out of Apple by idiots Anyways, correct me if I got you wrong here, but did you really mean that apple should go MS/android's route and license iOS to other manufacturers? Seriously NO, apple should never consider licensing iOS to any other device they arent manufacturing themselves. They've been doing well and its not just luck. Sure androids are selling well and some of those might be good (or even better) than iOS offerings. But the fragmentation will never allow Android to be a better alternative to iOS even if they are selling better than iPhone 4. If apple starts licensing iOS to other manufacturers, then it'll be losing the main advantage it has (when it comes to gaming) over android. Also not to forget, android still doesnt have a real iPod touch competitor. Thats what I'd consider a mobile gaming console from apple. A big majority of iPod touch buyers are getting iPods solely (or atleast mainly) for gaming now. Androids are selling well coz they might be a better alternative to iPhone 4 for some people (for a variety of reasons), but a big majority of iPods are selling mainly for gaming (I dont have stats to back this up, just an observation which to me seems obvious enough, still feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). Thats another big reason to consider iOS as a gaming platform compared to androids which has still to prove itself as a gaming alternative. Apple has been improving both the iOS and iDevices hardware at a very good pace and with iPads thrown into the mix too, I find it really hard to picture iOS losing anytime soon, if ever. Closed hardware and software has been working really well for them and developers as well. There is definitely a lot of room for improvement (and so far, apple seems to be doing pretty well improving the iOS/idevices considering how far we've come from iphone 2G to the iPhone 4/iPod4/iPad), but licensing iOS to other manufacturers isnt really the best choice for apple IMO* * Just a reminder in case someone thinks I'm stating all of this as a fact. Its just what I think. I'm certainly not an expert here, so dont attack me saying I'm short-sighted, cant think outside the Job's RDF (which might actually be true I think, err... w/e )
I read Big Albie's statement of being tied to AT&T as Apple should expand across carriers. I would assume they would do that with the same device but since all carriers operate on a different network that might be nearly impossible. Some tweaks would have to be made to make them compatible with the other networks. Back to the rumor mill again, Verizon is rolling out a 4G network that apparently, depending who you talk to (and when and what mood they are in and well what the weather is even), Apple is waiting to tap into with a phone - whether it is the 4 or wait for the 5. Anyone's guess at this point, and of course only if it snows exactly 57 inches this winter, or rains 10 inches on January 4th. Point of me saying that is that talk to 10 people get 10 different Verizon iPhone stories. I think ultimately though it is comparing apples to oranges in the overall scheme of things.
oh well, thats pretty much rumored to death and though "when" is something no one can be sure of, it's pretty much certain that its gonna happen for sure. There's not really much doubt left about it anymore.
Yeah that is why in one of my earlier posts I said I would believe it when I see it. It might be the 4 it might be the 44 but at some point they have to cave! I think there is too much demand for it. Talk about crippling the Droid platform? That right there would do it. (But I also should add might slow the sale of iPod Touches as those that can not get an iPhone on their carrier use an iTouch.)
I think everyone has made some pretty fair arguments. My point overall is that we shouldn't discount or overlook the competition. I think that happens too often, and well, the mighty fall. Frankly, I carry an iPod Touch and iPad for my gaming, and have an Android phone for making calls. To say that there isn't a possibility that Android takes over the iOS in terms of gaming is short sighted. Things can change, and when they do, it can be happen quickly.
@Big Albie Not to intentionally butt heads or argue or anything, as I think you're position on the subject is very balanced and wise. I agree that "Things can change ... it can happen quickly," but imagine all the things that would have to change. Apple has such an advantage doing software + hardware in-house, whereas Android devices are all over the place, "Blur" layers etc put over the stock OS, different hardware... different resolutions... and what I find telling is that Gameloft chooses to NOT use Android Marketplace. And it's not like Google is going to standardize Android devices, as that's not the point... it's about licensing it to carriers. But at the end of the day, competition is great. I embrace it.
No worries hesty. I didn't take it as butting heads. I think it's always a good discussion to have. And I do agree with you that a lot of things would have to change before that happens. For us as end users, having choice is always a good thing and competition helps drive that along.
