Since the launch of the App Store, Apple has officially entered the mobile gaming market with the iPhone and iPod touch. Despite the wide influx of games and extremely talented developers that have embraced the platform, many are still left wondering whether the iPhone and iPod touch, will ever be able to rival more established and dedicated mobile gaming devices.
There’s no denying that the blockbuster success of the app store is down right astonishing. Massively successful game developers such as EA and Gameloft have already embraced the platform, and one independent novelty game developer was able to rake in nearly $250k in revenue.
EA Mobile’s 3rd quarter revenue was nearly $47 Million, of which the iPhone and iPod touch were surely a noticeable chunk. Games such as Spore and Real World Soccer have made some waves amongst Apple fans and gamers alike.
In the future we will undoubtedly be swarmed with new and better games for both the iPhone and iPod Touch, but will they ever truly compare to the Nintendo DS or Sony PSP? It is really dependent on how you measure comparisons. Some can compare the quality of graphics and overall gaming experience, while others may measure price and ease of access to new games. Let me clarify, I do not think that there is any doubt that the physical quality of the games offered through the App Store, coupled with the touchscreen user experience can truly compare to that of the PSP. The best way to measure this would be to try it out for yourself. If you are an iPhone or iPod touch owner and have an extra couple of bucks, go ahead and download a more premier action game such as Real World Soccer. You may instantly notice that there is not much in the way of graphics comparison and the touch screen controls make game play far more difficult than if the user had access to a d-pad.
iControlPad, for example, is a prototype shell that wraps around an iPhone or iPod touch giving it a very Sony PSP like feel. The outer casing provides a directional pad and four physical buttons for game play. And best of all, they hope to offer their final product for less than $30. A third paryt accessory such as this could definitely lend itself well to those seeking a more powerful, intuitive and natural game play. But couldn’t Apple take care of this themselves? It seems as though they want to make the iPhone, iPod touch and platform as a whole a serious contender for mobile gaming, all the while ignoring the need for a directional pad or physical buttons.
Apple has definitely broken the rules on a few things in the past, and at this point nobody can tell Cupertino what to do, or how to do it. But, if Apple wants the entire platform to be taken seriously by those in the market for a Sony PSP or Nintendo DS, options need to be given to the consumer. Surely someone who has a Sony PSP on their holiday wish list, specifically hoping for Grand Theft Auto won’t be swayed into an iPhone or iPod touch (for gaming). The device might woo them on other levels, but when it comes to that gaming experience, expectations will most likely fall short.
On the other hand, the average pricing for games available through the App Store is drastically less than those made for the DS or PSP. Users of the iPhone and iPod Touch also have far greater access to purchase new games. So the advantage for overall ease of obtaining games as a whole would certainly go to the iPhone and iPod touch platform. Imagine lying in bed on a Sunday morning, wanting nothing more than to remain sedentary and possibly ease a hangover by playing a new mind-numbing game. With the just a few swipes of the finger you have access to over 1,700 to choose from, while you can scoff at the idea of having to get in a car and go purchase a new game for a PSP.
Overall I think that, at this point it is a matter of preference, as both platforms have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps the hardcore gamer would not be satisfied with the overall performance of the iPhone and iPod touch’s game play, but maybe the everyday user could find these devices to be a more practical way to waste a couple minutes or hours of their day. There is a lot to be said for the future of the mobile gaming industry, and short of Apple releasing an entirely new device better equipped for the challenge, it remains up to the user’s personal preference to decide what type of gaming experience they require.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
12 Comments to “Will iPhone Gaming Ever Really Compete in the Mobile Gaming Market?”
As an owner of both an iPhone and a PSP I am definitely going to have to say that there are practical uses for both. I like gaming on the PSP more but its easier for me to game on the iPhone in certain circumstances like on my morning bus commute to work, where I am not walking around with an iPhone and a PSP in my pocket.
[Reply]
I truly just don’t see how the game you mentioned “Grand Theft Auto” could ever be played on an iPhone. It would NEED, NEED, NEED that icontrolpad housing. Otherwise you’d be getting lost and your accuracy driving around the city would be horrendous. I mean, how would you shoot that prostitute and beat the shit out of that cop without a d-pad ?!?!?!
[Reply]
If the revenue for games on the iPhone rivals the revenue of games for the PSP, THEN the iPhone is competing in the Mobile Gaming Market.
It’s not about the quality so much as the PROFIT for developers that makes the iPhone competitive.
For casual gaming, with so many games in the $2 to $10 price range, the iPhone can’t be beat.
For impulse buying of games, the iPhone can’t be beat.
Again, for developers, it is THE PROFIT which will make the difference.
To this end, the iPhone (with already 1700 games) is JUST GETTING STARTED when it comes to competing in the mobile gaming market. As a competitor, it is the 600 pound gorilla standing in the room, with Sony and Nintendo.
But then, THERE IS ROOM FOR EVERYONE.
But then, nearly everyone who owns one will be carrying the iPhone in their pocket, ready to buy a game at any time. Whereas, those with a PSP will keep it elsewhere, and not readily available.
[Reply]
well, it’s pretty obvious more demanding games that need a larger screen and button controls (even if on a touch screen) will not do well on the iPhone. but a slew of casual games do great. i know hard core gamers hate to admit it, but there are just as many of us casual gamers out there too. the iPhone is going to run away with that portable market, just like the Wii is wiping out the PS3 and XBox in the family game market.
And if Apple is really smart, they will add a larger version of the iPod Touch to the lineup, say with a 5″ or 6″ screen. that would directly take on the PSP and DS for all types of gaming, and computer netbooks too for light duty computing. well see …
[Reply]
I agree that a 5″-6″ screen to take this market head on would be a great idea, but I wouldn’t expect something along these lines any time soon. All I know is, if it happens, I’d be the first in line to buy one.
[Reply]
Wait, would that screen be all touch screen? Or would it have an actual directional pad? Or PSP like controls?
[Reply]
The iPhone will never be a gamer’s first pick. A Gamer wants a machine that was designed for games FIRST. That said: The iPhone will wipe the floor with the DS and the PSP. Why? There are more non-gamers who will buy a game for a non-gaming phone than there are gamers who will buy a “better gaming machine”.
To a gamer, the iPhone is subpar, but for all those non-gamers out there, it’s a darned fun machine.
[Reply]
I don’t think it’s a matter of preference like u say in the article. There is no preference. If you want one kind of gaming, you get the PSP, another kind, you get the DS, and for casual gaming while on the toilet, you get the iPhone or iPod touch.
let me explain though, the iphone and ipod touch have the app store, which sets them apart. so, the above sentence is strictly for gaming. there’s just so many angle to this argument, it’s ridiculous. every time i want to make a statement i need to make a disclaimer on the other side of the argument in order to protect myself from the blood sniffing commenters.
[Reply]
umm…so you say “If you want one kind of gaming, you get the PSP, another kind, you get the DS, and for casual gaming while on the toilet, you get the iPhone or iPod touch.” Wouldnt that still be your preference?
[Reply]
Yes, it would be your preference based on what type of gaming experience you’d be going after. The overall point is that gaming (especially handheld devices) is still not that universal. The iPhone/ipod touch experience is still pretty blah when compared to the psp or ds. it’s just the app store that makes it so amazing, or “better” as according to some people.
[Reply]
Uhm…has no one here noticed that the iPhone/iPod is already a huge player in the portable gaming arena?
Your opinions and mine mean little when the groundswell of consumers has already spoken.
[Reply]
And it’s so much more than games:
Retronyms Recorder Exceeds 200,000 Sales in iPhone App Store
Last update: 2:10 p.m. EST Nov. 6, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 06, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — The Retronyms announced today that their iPhone App, Recorder, crossed the 200,000 sales milestone. This announcement comes right on the heels of Apple’s announcement that the App store as a whole, including both paid and free Apps, reached 200,000,000 downloads on October 22.
Zach Saul, a co-founder of the Retronyms, said, “We’re excited to be able to announce this milestone, because as far as we know, we’re the first paid app to get this many sales. For all of the people out there on the Internet trying to guess what the free/paid split is in the App Store, this gives you an idea.”
Dan Walton, another co-founder of the Retronyms, said, “We designed Recorder to be as versatile as possible. However, musicians have specific recording needs. Because of this we worked with Sonoma Wire Works to build a portable four-track for the iPhone and 2nd generation iPod Touch. A four-track recorder allows you to record one track at a time while listening to the other three. The idea is that musicians can capture their music no matter where inspiration hits.”
Recorder is an iPhone App that allows iPhone and iPod touch 2G users to record and play back audio, email it from their phone and copy it via wifi to any computer. It was the first recording app to support email and wifi sync. Further information, including a demo video, is available at Recorder’s website, http://recordertheapp.com. Recorder is available in the App Store.
FourTrack is an iPhone App that allows musicians to create multi-layered songs on their iPhone. It provides the ability to individually fade and pan each track, and it includes the standard Retronyms wifi-sync module, letting musicians copy the individual tracks to their computer for editing in a DAW. Further information about FourTrack is available at http://www.sonomawireworks.com/iphone/. FourTrack is available in the App Store.
[Reply]