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MOBILE GAMING - IS THIS REALLY GAMING'S FUTURE?
Posts
Ratty524
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CloseBefore I go on, I'm going to say that a lot of my thoughts on this side of the industry is based mainly on quick glances and conjecture, and I have a high chance of being wrong about my assertions about it. I'm not a mobile gamer, and I probably never will be given the reasons I'm about to bring up for discussion among us game developers.
So... What the hell are people doing with this medium!? I often hear mobile gaming being touted as the next big thing for the industry, and yet every time I see an ad for a mobile game via television or the net, I'm baffled by this sentiment, I really am.
For what reason? Because the vast majority of these games are either heavily dumbed down variations of past games or just straight up clones. What's with everyone obsession with making Bust-A-Move Clone #147 and the movie edition, Bejeweled with candy and soda, Flappy Bird Everything, and... Good god it's like the developers of this platform are making a joke out of it.
Where are the games that push boundaries? Where are the games that actually use their platform's full capabilities to create something interesting? Where are the games that actually provide a decent challenge to non-casual players? I know that attempts at trying to milk off a previous game's success is nothing new. Hell, just about every "great system" we revere today (The NES, the SNES, Genesis, etc.) had a sizable library of shovelware. People tend to forget those mediocre games exist, though, which brings me to my main concern.
By and large, I only feel like there are... two or three truly notable games to come out of this market; the one's that are actually decently designed and not just living on fad hype. I guess the mobile market is great for making cheap games with the intent of making a quick buck, but would anyone honestly rather make something that people will throw away easily and leave you, as a developer, lost among a crowd, or do something bold and leave behind a legacy, even on a minor scale? Angry Birds accomplished that (I think), so why can't everyone else do the same?
The fact that people laud mobile gaming as such a big deal kind of terrifies me, because, at least in this day and age, it seriously looks like the most creatively bankrupt slum among everything else in this industry.
Enough with my rant, though. What are your thoughts on mobile gaming/games as a whole?
So... What the hell are people doing with this medium!? I often hear mobile gaming being touted as the next big thing for the industry, and yet every time I see an ad for a mobile game via television or the net, I'm baffled by this sentiment, I really am.
For what reason? Because the vast majority of these games are either heavily dumbed down variations of past games or just straight up clones. What's with everyone obsession with making Bust-A-Move Clone #147 and the movie edition, Bejeweled with candy and soda, Flappy Bird Everything, and... Good god it's like the developers of this platform are making a joke out of it.
Where are the games that push boundaries? Where are the games that actually use their platform's full capabilities to create something interesting? Where are the games that actually provide a decent challenge to non-casual players? I know that attempts at trying to milk off a previous game's success is nothing new. Hell, just about every "great system" we revere today (The NES, the SNES, Genesis, etc.) had a sizable library of shovelware. People tend to forget those mediocre games exist, though, which brings me to my main concern.
By and large, I only feel like there are... two or three truly notable games to come out of this market; the one's that are actually decently designed and not just living on fad hype. I guess the mobile market is great for making cheap games with the intent of making a quick buck, but would anyone honestly rather make something that people will throw away easily and leave you, as a developer, lost among a crowd, or do something bold and leave behind a legacy, even on a minor scale? Angry Birds accomplished that (I think), so why can't everyone else do the same?
The fact that people laud mobile gaming as such a big deal kind of terrifies me, because, at least in this day and age, it seriously looks like the most creatively bankrupt slum among everything else in this industry.
Enough with my rant, though. What are your thoughts on mobile gaming/games as a whole?
People blow mobile gaming way out of proportion, just because it's getting popular doesn't mean PC and Console gaming will die.
People discriminate mobile gamers for not being "hardcore" and it's really freaking stupid.
You're a gamer, casual or hardcore. Play what you like, have fun.
People discriminate mobile gamers for not being "hardcore" and it's really freaking stupid.
You're a gamer, casual or hardcore. Play what you like, have fun.
While I'm not a fan of mobile gaming in general, I really think the alarm that people have for it is sort of displaced. Gaming in general is growing, with it expanding to more mediums than it has before, and while there is definitely an argument to be made for a dilution of focus and resources, I really don't think you're going to see AAA western titles being vetted in favor of mobile anytime soon. They're just another market to appeal to those that it appeal to, and I don't think they're taking over.
The only real market I can think of where mobile gaming is doing a bit of displacement is Japan, and even then that only seems to be in Japan, and sure, they're appealing to their own demographic that's really into those games, but if they want to make worldwide money, they're going to have to hop on the ball and get back to big screen games as well, and they have, lately.
Me, personally? I get the appeal I guess, but I will never be in their target market. Playing games on the go!!! I guess applies to people who spend most of time on subways or running down the street peering down into a PSP, but when I'm 'on the go' I'm actually driving, or actually really fucking busy, so the only time I have to play video games I'm at home anyway, and if I'm at fucking home, I want to crank up my big ass TV and play games on that, and not a tiny ass screen.
That, and for the most part, mobile games are designed to shuffle on and off without being drawn in, and really hold no candle to the depth of bigger screen games. You're not going to see something like The Witcher 3 on mobile right now.
The only real market I can think of where mobile gaming is doing a bit of displacement is Japan, and even then that only seems to be in Japan, and sure, they're appealing to their own demographic that's really into those games, but if they want to make worldwide money, they're going to have to hop on the ball and get back to big screen games as well, and they have, lately.
Me, personally? I get the appeal I guess, but I will never be in their target market. Playing games on the go!!! I guess applies to people who spend most of time on subways or running down the street peering down into a PSP, but when I'm 'on the go' I'm actually driving, or actually really fucking busy, so the only time I have to play video games I'm at home anyway, and if I'm at fucking home, I want to crank up my big ass TV and play games on that, and not a tiny ass screen.
That, and for the most part, mobile games are designed to shuffle on and off without being drawn in, and really hold no candle to the depth of bigger screen games. You're not going to see something like The Witcher 3 on mobile right now.
Shinan
4314
http://www.shenandoah-studio.com/products/botb/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sid-meiers-ace-patrol/id583000830?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elevenbitstudios.twommobile&hl=en
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frozen-synapse/id634991828?mt=8
The real thing is a lack of curators. If anyone knows a really good site that covers mobile gaming I'd love to bookmark it. Browsing any of the stores is just a massive pain in the ass. In the end I play most of the mobile games on my PC because when they come out there I actually know that they exist.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sid-meiers-ace-patrol/id583000830?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elevenbitstudios.twommobile&hl=en
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frozen-synapse/id634991828?mt=8
The real thing is a lack of curators. If anyone knows a really good site that covers mobile gaming I'd love to bookmark it. Browsing any of the stores is just a massive pain in the ass. In the end I play most of the mobile games on my PC because when they come out there I actually know that they exist.
Mobile gaming is the next big thing because of its ability to be a tantalizing and always available skinner box with a potential audience ripe for microtransactions.
aka "Mobile gaming is the next big thing because there's money to be had"
aka "the mobile market is great for making cheap games with the intent of making a quick buck" ~Ratty524
E:
oh yeah, Shinan's post reminded me that discovery is a huge issue in the mobile market.
aka "Mobile gaming is the next big thing because there's money to be had"
aka "the mobile market is great for making cheap games with the intent of making a quick buck" ~Ratty524
E:
oh yeah, Shinan's post reminded me that discovery is a huge issue in the mobile market.
author=Shinan
http://www.shenandoah-studio.com/products/botb/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sid-meiers-ace-patrol/id583000830?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elevenbitstudios.twommobile&hl=en
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frozen-synapse/id634991828?mt=8
The real thing is a lack of curators. If anyone knows a really good site that covers mobile gaming I'd love to bookmark it. Browsing any of the stores is just a massive pain in the ass. In the end I play most of the mobile games on my PC because when they come out there I actually know that they exist.
Woah. This is some great-looking stuff you pulled up! (The google play link is broken, though)
See, my concern doesn't stem from the thought of the mobile market "taking over," That'll more than likely never happen (at least in the West). My concern was the lack of creative growth the market was displaying (at least 'till I saw those links), and that not enough developers are utilizating the platform to its full potential, if it has any.
And rats, I never thought that a lack of curators was a big issue in the mobile market. I often hear about the struggles of indie mobile developers in getting noticed, and now it makes sense.
I think the revelation with mobile games isn't just that there's money to be had, it's that there's -new- money to be had.
A large portion of people wouldn't be interested in PlayStation or PC, because gaming is immature or a waste of money. But now those people are playing Bejewelled clone 1235 or Simpsons Tapped Out! Either buying microtransactions or watching ads to unlock precious in game currency.
Plus it's on the go. While not relevant for everyone... There is a crazy amount this point does apply to. Simply put: non-gamers are gaming. That's new money.
A large portion of people wouldn't be interested in PlayStation or PC, because gaming is immature or a waste of money. But now those people are playing Bejewelled clone 1235 or Simpsons Tapped Out! Either buying microtransactions or watching ads to unlock precious in game currency.
Plus it's on the go. While not relevant for everyone... There is a crazy amount this point does apply to. Simply put: non-gamers are gaming. That's new money.
author=Dudesoft
I think the revelation with mobile games isn't just that there's money to be had, it's that there's -new- money to be had.
A large portion of people wouldn't be interested in PlayStation or PC, because gaming is immature or a waste of money. But now those people are playing Bejewelled clone 1235 or Simpsons Tapped Out! Either buying microtransactions or watching ads to unlock precious in game currency.
Plus it's on the go. While not relevant for everyone... There is a crazy amount this point does apply to. Simply put: non-gamers are gaming. That's new money.
"gaming is immature or a waste of money."
And yet they still play a game (some even do it to pass break time at work), and they spend money on microtransactions.
... To be fair, exploiting the ignorance of the masses to make a profit is nothing new in marketing.
Milennin
2060
Replying after only reading the thread's title: NOPE
Apart from purely turn-based games I can't imagine playing any of my other favourite games on mobile. They would all suck and be a broken, unplayable mess on a touch screen device.
Mobile devices lack precision input. They don't feel right for anything that requires multiple buttons to control. Touch controls constantly have your hand over part of the screen, obscuring parts of the game at all times.
Anyway, good luck playing something like Starcraft II on a mobile device. :)
Apart from purely turn-based games I can't imagine playing any of my other favourite games on mobile. They would all suck and be a broken, unplayable mess on a touch screen device.
Mobile devices lack precision input. They don't feel right for anything that requires multiple buttons to control. Touch controls constantly have your hand over part of the screen, obscuring parts of the game at all times.
Anyway, good luck playing something like Starcraft II on a mobile device. :)
Phone/Tablet-based mobile gaming is still relatively new. It opened up huge new markets for people who weren't "traditional gamers" and was easy to use and get into, because so many people have a smartphone!
I think the influx of new people who haven't played many games led to more relaxed games like Angry Birds, and I think that's great. OFC, since those games were the first big hits and it's not too difficult to develop for mobile, plus because of the gold rush mentality, the number of clones doesn't surprise me. I think, over time, those will fade away, or we'll come up with better systems for filtering to see only the games we wanna see.
So, in general, I love mobile games! I think everyone having access to a gaming device is great and I think it'll open up the medium in new and interesting ways, or it has the potential to, anyway!
I think the influx of new people who haven't played many games led to more relaxed games like Angry Birds, and I think that's great. OFC, since those games were the first big hits and it's not too difficult to develop for mobile, plus because of the gold rush mentality, the number of clones doesn't surprise me. I think, over time, those will fade away, or we'll come up with better systems for filtering to see only the games we wanna see.
So, in general, I love mobile games! I think everyone having access to a gaming device is great and I think it'll open up the medium in new and interesting ways, or it has the potential to, anyway!
Sooz
They told me I was mad when I said I was going to create a spidertable. Who’s laughing now!!!
5354
author=Ratty524
See, my concern doesn't stem from the thought of the mobile market "taking over," That'll more than likely never happen (at least in the West). My concern was the lack of creative growth the market was displaying (at least 'till I saw those links), and that not enough developers are utilizating the platform to its full potential, if it has any.
TBH I think if you look at the bulk of computer and console games in any era, you're going to see a hell of a lot more samey, uncreative drek than the gems we think about today. Just like old people complain about how much worse music is these days, we don't remember the flood of shit from our own halcyon days of youth.
I think also the fact that the bar for entry is practically underground now increases the perception: when anyone can make a game and easily distribute it, you'll get more cool stuff, but you'll also get a whooooole lotta derivative junk. (See: self-published books on Amazon.)
tl;dr: Calm down, things are pretty much as terrible as they always were, not worse.
Shinan
4314
author=Ratty524author=ShinanWoah. This is some great-looking stuff you pulled up! (The google play link is broken, though)
http://www.shenandoah-studio.com/products/botb/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sid-meiers-ace-patrol/id583000830?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elevenbitstudios.twommobile&hl=en
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frozen-synapse/id634991828?mt=8
The real thing is a lack of curators. If anyone knows a really good site that covers mobile gaming I'd love to bookmark it. Browsing any of the stores is just a massive pain in the ass. In the end I play most of the mobile games on my PC because when they come out there I actually know that they exist.
Damn. Well it was This War of Mine. (maybe that link works?)
Also http://www.inklestudios.com/80days/ is one I really want to try out. I've heard so many good things. (now that it's out on Steam too)
All of these end up in the multiplatform though. Some of them were PC games first, some of them PC games later. I think that there is pretty huge potential in hardcore turn-based wargames (I have an android device, otherwise I would have been all over that Battle of the Bulge game). Or maybe the market is not big enough for those :)
Most (maybe all?) of Telltale's adventure games are available on mobile devices too. I think their engine is pretty multiplatform.
When comparing what people play to what is actually good. Remember how many people have played Solitaire, Minesweeper and Tetris (and all the clones of these) over the years.
Sooz
They told me I was mad when I said I was going to create a spidertable. Who’s laughing now!!!
5354
I HOPE YOU ARE NOT IMPUGNING THE HONOR OF MY LADIES SOLITAIRE, MINESWEEPER, OR TETRIS, SIRRAH!
Shinan
4314
People who are middle-aged today will say the same thing about the Candy Crushes in twenty years.
author=Sooz
I HOPE YOU ARE NOT IMPUGNING THE HONOR OF MY LADIES SOLITAIRE, MINESWEEPER, OR TETRIS, SIRRAH!
I absolutely love those games. I have the "pop an ad every game reset" version of Solitaire on my phone! xD
i will respond more at work tomorrow assuming i have a slow moment becuase this is a topic that really interests me! however for now
Kindredz
7
Is mobile gaming the future? I really hope not...pouring tons and tons of time and money into micro transactions does not bode well for the future of gaming. Games need more love and less addiction.
Sooz
They told me I was mad when I said I was going to create a spidertable. Who’s laughing now!!!
5354
Microtransactions: truly the only feature of mobile gaming!
Kindredz
7
The feature that concerns me, yes...because that could end up being the future of all gaming. We're pretty much there, already...the most popular, successful games today(mobile or not) tend to include microtransactions.
If you know of any *popular* games that don't include them, then great.
If you know of any *popular* games that don't include them, then great.
