PittaGAF
Member
Are you sure they only need iPad Mini 3? My Mini 2 is the same thing without the Touch ID
We can try, I'm just the messenger.
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iOS Gaming June 2015 | The future is now
- Thread starter More_Badass
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We can try, I'm just the messenger.
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With all the talk regarding F2P, did anyone else read this article about Fallout Shelter's success?
http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/Fallout+Shelter/feature.asp?c=65977
Not my kind of game but kudos to Bethesda. Everything I've read has made it sound pretty tame by F2P standards as far as the necessity of IAPs. And free of timers!
But what struck me, even though I already kind of knew it in the back of my mind, was how few games have held that top grossing spot. Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans and Game of War have held the top spots all but 16 days in the past 18 months? That's a sad, sad fact. All power to those who like those games, but for three games to just obliterate so many other far more deserving (IMO) games is sick. Regardless of whether it's "whales" paying the bills or not, it still screams of corporate greed over game quality.
But guess the point of blame still lies with the consumers. Just want to take a ice cold bucket of water to the mobile gaming masses and say WAKE UP!!!
http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/Fallout+Shelter/feature.asp?c=65977
Not my kind of game but kudos to Bethesda. Everything I've read has made it sound pretty tame by F2P standards as far as the necessity of IAPs. And free of timers!
But what struck me, even though I already kind of knew it in the back of my mind, was how few games have held that top grossing spot. Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans and Game of War have held the top spots all but 16 days in the past 18 months? That's a sad, sad fact. All power to those who like those games, but for three games to just obliterate so many other far more deserving (IMO) games is sick. Regardless of whether it's "whales" paying the bills or not, it still screams of corporate greed over game quality.
But guess the point of blame still lies with the consumers. Just want to take a ice cold bucket of water to the mobile gaming masses and say WAKE UP!!!
SuperPac
Member
In large part the companies at the top of Top Grossing are spending money to make sure they stay there through user acquisition campaigns and heavy, heavy advertising. It's awesome that Fallout Shelter has managed to break in without(?) a user acquisition campaign, but the question is - can they stay there? I don't recall that they talked about a content update strategy when they announced the game, but if they're not doing that and they're not doing paid user acquisition (dunno for sure but I don't think they are) then I can only imagine it will be a short-lived stay.
The more interesting thing about Fallout Shelter is that its main audience are hardcore gamers who profess to dislike F2P mechanics playing - and they're spending money in it! Estimate is $982k/day.
That's not going to go unnoticed by big publishers - but I would imagine it'd be very challenging for another company to repeat this kind of success without a known IP. Like, for instance, Nintendo probably can and will...but I'm not sure who else could do it.
Yeah, I'm not sure it is both sustainable or easily repeatable.
Great product and launch strategy, leveraging a large franchise into a product suitable for device and using E3 to pull in hardcore gamers who are actually known to spend the most on mobile (contrary to belief of some of GAF). But as a traditional publisher I don't think they have the experience or process to keep that fire going at this level, and I don't know that anybody else can easily align the stars that way.
Maybe a gross generalization here, but it's funny how the tone of discussion on mobile gaming changes among 'serious gamers' when it's a familiar franchise or former console game creator involved. I mean, I don't even think Fallout Shelter is a particularly great mobile game, heh. The power of branding, I guess?
Saucycarpdog
Member
That's what I was thinking too. From what I've seen, mobile veterans find the game to be generally fun but nothing that they haven't already played many times before. Non-moblie gamers on the other hand seem to be having a blast with it.
Honestly as both a hardcore gamer and a mobile gamer, the game did nothing for me. Other than some of the dark Fallout humor, it's just dull to me.
And I love Fallout games. Maybe not a diehard fan, but I still would have much preferred a port of one of the first two games, which I think would be doable.
And I love Fallout games. Maybe not a diehard fan, but I still would have much preferred a port of one of the first two games, which I think would be doable.
More_Badass
Member
I deleted it pretty fast. Didn't find it very fun.
And yet the OT is almost 10 pages
Maklershed
Member
You just ethered mobile haters.
Yeah, I see that too. The same happened with Final Fantasy: Record Keeper recently. It's a fine game and I had a great time with it, but the game's UI is browser game-tier and the F2P mechanics are exactly like every game that uses the same gatcha style (it's actually even less generous with free pulls and the pricing strategy isn't the best), but the OT would still get many people professing how great a game it is and that it's the first mobile game in years that they had fun with. The tune would be pretty different if it wasn't attached to the FF IP imo.
Anyway, I like FFRK and I haven't even tried Fallout Shelter yet, but it's indeed sad/amusing to watch the exact same type of game we're used to seeing trashed in the mobile space getting praised when it comes in a different coat of paint.
The only reason why I was happy to see it be successful is that it doesn't seem to have a lot of the usual freemium trappings like timers so to me it shows a game can be successful without heavy handed IAPs/paywalls. That doesn't make it a good game. I didn't like it. And as others have noted, it's probably only the Fallout IP that even is making it a success.
If it was the same game without the Fallout name, I seriously doubt it would be in the same position it is now. Of course, being announced at E3 didn't hurt either.
More_Badass
Member
Father's Day sale on iTunes Codes through Paypal. 15% off
https://www.paypal-gifts.com/us/itunes-fathers-day-gift-card-promo.html
Only valid in US
https://www.paypal-gifts.com/us/itunes-fathers-day-gift-card-promo.html
Only valid in US
Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon by Slitherine is out for 19.99$
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id935248214?mt=8
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id935248214?mt=8
More_Badass
Member
These threads are meant to be a place where we can hang out and talk about games and have reasonable discussion, for gamers and developers alike.
Matt, all you're doing is fomenting a hostile uncomfortable atmosphere and I'd like that to stop.
Matt, all you're doing is fomenting a hostile uncomfortable atmosphere and I'd like that to stop.
It's deleted here, too. Wasn't my game, but it's really well made! Polished, it's f2p how I accept it and does not stop you from playing with any stupid timers, energy-bars....
Well, there are timers, A LOT imho, and things progress rather slow, but afaik you can't fast forward things by paying money.
More_Badass
Member
stephencottontail
Member
Seconding Xenowerk. It doesn't bring anything particularly new to the genre, but it's still entertaining.
Card Crawl isn't technically new, but it did have a major content update this week. It's a well-made card-based dungeon crawler.
Drylands is a fun RPG-platformer hybrid that takes place in a Fallout-esque setting with procedurally-generated loot like in Borderlands or Diablo.
belleannah
Neo Member
Omber looks interesting. It's an RPG made by the developers of a bunch of The Quest expansions.
I haven't tried it yet though.
More_Badass
Member
Sorry for the lack of the OP updates this week, been busy with writing for PG and my own blog and playing stuff I got in the Steam sale. Will definitely add new games this weekend
So far games I'm adding are: Hitman Sniper, You Must Build A Boat, Transistor, Warhammer 40k Armageddon, Xenowerk, FireWhip, and Omber. Any other OP-worthy releases?
So far games I'm adding are: Hitman Sniper, You Must Build A Boat, Transistor, Warhammer 40k Armageddon, Xenowerk, FireWhip, and Omber. Any other OP-worthy releases?
stephencottontail
Member
I have it downloaded but I haven't played it yet. Might just delete it if everyone's so down on it.
belleannah
Neo Member
I felt like I was missing something I was supposed to be doing in the game. There's really not much at all to do. Earning caps takes so long that you can hardly ever build anything. All you can do is collect resources from the rooms basically. Progress is so slow that it's really not any fun.
Yeah, nice work with PG so far.
And speaking of the Steam sale, did you end up getting The Talos Principle? Saw it's on sale for $13.49.
More_Badass
Member
Yup, it's great from what I've played so far. Haven't played much because I'm totally hooked on Hand of Fate now
Vainglory?
Cool. Saw Ori was on sale too. Even with everything else that has come out, Ori is still at the top of my GoTY list. Just unbelievably fantastic.
Chaos Rings 3?
Oh wow, I had no idea! Have been out of the loop as of recent and haven't checked Pocket Gamer for weeks. Congrats man!
Went and read your articles, they're as good as I expected them to be, definitely up to Bronxsta standards!
Darkest Dungeon and Sunless Sea
Thinking about nabbing these in the summer sales... Anyone know/heard if these are getting iOS ports? I'd prefer grabbing them on the iPad rather then the laptop.
I'm pretty sure I heard that Darkest Dungeon was meant to be coming, but it's been in early access since February...
--------------------
Kingdom Rush : Origins
Been playing this a bit recently... not sure if it's just me, or beause I'm playing the SD version on an iPad, but I find it quite clunky / unresponsive.
I think I am about 75% (?) or so through the campaign, and would have to say I would probably rate it as my least favourite of the series. Combination of the above "unresponsiveness" (and I'm not going to double dip for the HD version); think some of the maps are quite weak, and not finding the towers / heroes all that interesting?
Thinking about nabbing these in the summer sales... Anyone know/heard if these are getting iOS ports? I'd prefer grabbing them on the iPad rather then the laptop.
I'm pretty sure I heard that Darkest Dungeon was meant to be coming, but it's been in early access since February...
--------------------
Kingdom Rush : Origins
Been playing this a bit recently... not sure if it's just me, or beause I'm playing the SD version on an iPad, but I find it quite clunky / unresponsive.
I think I am about 75% (?) or so through the campaign, and would have to say I would probably rate it as my least favourite of the series. Combination of the above "unresponsiveness" (and I'm not going to double dip for the HD version); think some of the maps are quite weak, and not finding the towers / heroes all that interesting?
PittaGAF
Member
I've heard rumors about Darkest Dungeon coming to iOS too, but I guess it won't happen till the game is out of alpha on Steam at the very least.
As for Sunless Sea devs told me it can definitely happen after Fallen London (coming later this year on iOS).
I would love both on my iPad.
As for Sunless Sea devs told me it can definitely happen after Fallen London (coming later this year on iOS).
I would love both on my iPad.
More_Badass
Member
Those are no brainers. When and if those are coming to mobile aren't 100% concrete, so I'd go with the PC versions for now
The other game I'd recommend that's supposed to come to iPad but is already on PC is Lumino City. It's absolute gorgeous, looks amazing in motion, and the puzzles are great. From the devs of Kami and Lume
I think they would both transition really well from what I've seen. Only thing I could see on DD was a "maybe/rumor". Hopefully SS does well and they port it. If I like it I'll probably double-dip.
Twiddling my thumbs whilst awaiting the downloads... heading into the Darkest Dungeon now...
That looks kind of interesting, thanks for the recommendation... but decided to hold fire on that one, will keep an eye on it for iOS.
PS: Sent you a PM.
More_Badass
Member
Nihilistic Monk
Member
Xenowerk I just can't get into yet. Coming off how polished and likeable Space Marshals was. It feels like a different studio made it. Where's the heart?
There's no story, you're just thrown in. I'm levelling up guns with no idea what they do. I don't even see a benefit of levelling stuff up. Do they do more damage...do I unlock any features? There's no tutorial no nothing. The 3 star rating, is it against time? Damage taken? Exploration? I've no idea how I'm being scored. there's a multiplier I guess, so I just need to rush levels faster.
The graphics and lighting are beautiful. It's a very pretty looking game. It just feels slightly off at the moment. I'll give it some more time and see what I think after a few more hours.
There's no story, you're just thrown in. I'm levelling up guns with no idea what they do. I don't even see a benefit of levelling stuff up. Do they do more damage...do I unlock any features? There's no tutorial no nothing. The 3 star rating, is it against time? Damage taken? Exploration? I've no idea how I'm being scored. there's a multiplier I guess, so I just need to rush levels faster.
The graphics and lighting are beautiful. It's a very pretty looking game. It just feels slightly off at the moment. I'll give it some more time and see what I think after a few more hours.
Have to agree somewhat. It's more of an arcade shooter to be fair, but very repetitive. Looks great and controls well.
Space Marshals, however, was way better as far as story, more strategic gameplay with longer and more varied levels as well.
This is more in line with Halo Spartan Strike but that game also is far better IMO and much longer with a ton of replay value due to secondary objectives, perks like deployable shields, etc.
Again, we're also comparing a $2 game to a $7 game from a big studio.
I'm happy with my purchase but the 5-star review given by TA was too over the top. PG's 7/10 was more in line.
Saucycarpdog
Member
So is This War of Mine specifically tied to tablets? Can't be played on phones?
More_Badass
Member
Seems likely it'll only be iPad. Would be very difficult to play on a phone, screen is too small. You have to tap icons, tap to move, etc.
Lego Minifigures Online is coming June 29th to iOS/Android for 4.99$.
Also don't forget that "Her Story" a game told through FMV is coming to iOS this Wednesday for 4.99$. It just got a 90/100 from Pcgamer.
This War of Mine will be a universal app, playable on both iPhones and iPads. Although a tablet is recommended.
http://www.spidersweb.pl/2015/06/this-war-of-mine-mobile.html
Also don't forget that "Her Story" a game told through FMV is coming to iOS this Wednesday for 4.99$. It just got a 90/100 from Pcgamer.
This War of Mine will be a universal app, playable on both iPhones and iPads. Although a tablet is recommended.
http://www.spidersweb.pl/2015/06/this-war-of-mine-mobile.html
LMAO. Not going to get into a heated discussion but TA is asking for financial help from their community and advertisers. Maybe they'd be better off if they hadn't tossed a lot of long-time, valuable members who contributed more than most of what's left over there.
Hey, a certain higher up over there loves even obnoxious F2P systems and says it's just the "whales" that support them. Why not just get a few whales to prop up TA then?
Hey, a certain higher up over there loves even obnoxious F2P systems and says it's just the "whales" that support them. Why not just get a few whales to prop up TA then?
More_Badass
Member
Well, I know what my anticipated release this week is:
http://www.herstorygame.com/
It sounds fascinating.
http://www.herstorygame.com/
It sounds fascinating.
That looks interesting, if you preorder on their page can you choose the ios version?
You can't. Apple doesn't allow that.
Rodney McKay
Member
I never noticed any clunkiness or anything unresponsive with it and I also have the SD version on my iPad (Mini 2).
Never had a problem with the map designs other than the ones that had surprise paths open up and screw me over, but even those are only a surprise the first time you play it, then you plan for them the next time.
The towers are fine, but their final level powers aren't as cool IMO as some of the older games. I mainly just stick with the Wizard hero guy (with the tornado special power), but they did add the big guy that throws out explosive bunnies who transforms enemies into temporary allies and I've been enjoying him.
Overall I don't think it's a huge improvement over the last games (they added a hero power which I like), but it's no worse from my experience other than lack of maps which I'm sure will come as free DLC like the other games.
Holy cow, this is right up my boyfriend and I's alley! Can't wait to play this and only $5?! Count me in!