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[Mitleid]

http://www.modojo.com/features/20060219/42/

The deal:

2005 was a big year for mobile gaming. $600 million big, or $1.5 billion if you want to talk globally. So where are all the mobile gamers? A quick visit around the busiest, most-trafficked gaming forums shows a mild interest in the mobile platform at best, and disdain for the medium at worst.


IGN's Wireless gaming board has 1,300 posts. Their classic gaming board has 16,000, and their Xbox 360 board recently surpassed 1 million. That lack of online buzz isn't unique to IGN's community- every multiplatform gaming network gives wireless only cursory attention. It's a given that the mobile platform will never generate the excitement and online chatter of the console or PC mediums, but why do hardcore gamers take such an apathetic stance towards mobile?

Proposed solution:

The current generation of preview-reading, PS3-preordering gamers will be excited about mobile gaming when it presents them with videogame opportunities they can't get anywhere else. Games that utilize GPS and camera capabilities. Games that take advantage of the fact that 100% of its players are connected to a network. That's a connected percentage that Xbox Live will simply never reach.

A greater focus on mobility (think real world turf fought over in a virtual world, via GPS) and a greater focus on connectedness (think dynamic, evolving worlds via downloads) will create the hardcore mobile gamer.

For the most part, I'm hip. Right now, cell phone games are deservingly ignored by most hardcore gamers. I see no reason to touch any of them with a ten foot clown-pole. Some new applications like the article suggests MIGHT tickle my fancy, but it'd be a stretch. I'm not hardcore though.

But let's step out of my comfortable bubble and ask teh GAF: does anyone seriously give cell phone games consideration at all?

 

[UtadaBarkley]

When the cell phones have hardware that's actually functional, or games that are functional utilizing a cell phone’s dumbed down hardware. That's my #1 reason why cell phone games don't interest me. The buttons are too small, and the screen is usually too small to enjoy. You get hand cramps after 15 minutes after playing.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

the trend in cell phones seem to be getting sleeker and smaller, which means screens and buttons get smaller, which means the games (aside from stuff like tetris) are pretty much worthless shit aside from the occasional time waster.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Nothing, as I have no interest in playing games on tiny cellphone screens.

 

[Vennt]

Mobile gaming?

Ahahahhaha, never, not on a phone, NEVER. Nothing could make me care about it. Nothing.

 

[kaizoku]

I hate it, its not even a viable form of gaming.

BUT!! There is one game, the FREEKICK game which stars Zidane and Beckham lookalikes which is actually fun and addictive.

Also, online, why do we always play these little free and addictive flash games? Thats what Mobile gaming needs. But Splinter Cell? Sonic? WTF are they thinking?

oh and they want me to pay for it? Go to hell!

Same reasons I hate mobile web browsing or WAP or whatever. I feel sorry for people who actually use that kind of thing regularly. and people who download crazy frog ringtones.

Tetris, flash games, warioware type games. For free.

Basically they can't win can they.

P.S - nm - new thread time!

 

[RevenantKioku]

The problem is, I'm changing phones and carriers all the times. At least phones. Give me a system where I can go online, purchase the games, which the online service keeps record of what games I own, and let me connect it to my computer to swap the games I've got going, and also memory card based saving, and maybe, maybe I'd be interested.

 

[Community Forum]

Games. A killer app.

I'm playing FFIV on a micro right now, and I have no problems carrying *gasp* both a phone and a portable gaming device with me.

I suppose if FFIV was available on my Nokia, then I wouldn't have to carry two things around.

N-Gage I guess was a result of this train of thought, but damn it sucked so hard!

There would need to be a game of Mother 3 prestige that was ONLY offered on cell phones for me to even think about it.

Oh, BTW, Money Ball mobile makes me shit and vomit violently.

 

[VALIS]

My stomach turns when I read some article asking, "Hey guys! What about mobile gaming??" because you know it's almost certainly paid for or cross-promotional or in some way dishonest. NOBODY with an ounce of gaming knowledge or experience could say mobile gaming is anywhere close to being a viable platform at this time. Every cell phone game I've played either on my phone or friends' phones have been dismal, barely functional, difficult to control pieces of garbage. I'd rather buy three Gizmondos than pay for cell phone games, that's how bad they are.

 

[KeepitGeriatric]

As others have said, the TECHNOLOGY is not there. Wireless companies in the US are having a fun time selling inferior hardware to Americans and giving them terrible service to boot

Also, one thing that automatically kills cellphone games in my mind is just the system that they are set up on. I have Verizon, and you can't just BUY the game. You can only "subscribe."


...umm, hello? These are quick 2 minute games that I'll play once or twice a day, then forget about it. However, what if I want to play the game again a month later?

...

Oh wait .... I have to pay for it again. :|


Unacceptable buisness model.

 

[GDJustin]

No carrier is subscription only. You always have the option to buy OR subscribe.

 

[Mitleid]

My stomach turns when I read some article asking, "Hey guys! What about mobile gaming??" because you know it's almost certainly paid for or cross-promotional or in some way dishonest. NOBODY with an ounce of gaming knowledge or experience could say mobile gaming is anywhere close to being a viable platform at this time. Every cell phone game I've played either on my phone or friends' phones have been dismal, barely functional, difficult to control pieces of garbage. I'd rather buy three Gizmondos than pay for cell phone games, that's how bad they are.

So, did you read the article?

 

[meltpotato]

The keys to getting mobile gaming on the move is standardization and distribution. both of which are clusterfucked right now. if i heard about a specific game i wanted to play, 10 to 1 i wont be able to find it or it wont work on my phone or service provider.

 

[tanasten]

I'm a developer (www.microjocs.com) and I can confirm that mobile game bussines is the most casual per excellence.

Casual gamers doesn't care about buying game machines because they have no interest, but they buy phones wich had demos embeded on then. They play those games meanwhile on train or bus, and don't care anymore.

The interesting thing it's that some of that much people, enjoys searching and downloading games just for trying and they don't care of the quality, just the theme (sports, licensed movie or classic popular game a la tetris wich is the best selling phone game everywhere by now).

So, meanwhile consoles or PC drive people to have interest in gaming, the "phone gamer" doesn't have any interest on follow the industry.

I think that undestanding truly the market will lead a change on the consumer driving them with interest, and that's our focus now.

 

[Mr Mike]

I like how a lot of the people in this thread are passing themselves off as knowledgable on mobile games from just a passing experience with them.

Look guys, you may not think it's viable, but clearly companies are making money from this - and people are going back for more. They may not be people like you or I who masturbate over Japanese boxart, but that doesn't make their gaming platform of choice any less viable.

Of course, that doesn't mean that the hardware is viable. I'm always struck at how useless handsets are for games - the directional nubs and number keys just aren't built the way a Sony or Nintendo pad is. That's my real problem. I read lately that alot of the publishers and hardware companies are uniting to make a singlemobile platform for the software side - that sounds like an answer to the problems many have cited. If only some kind of compromise could be reached for hardware.

Wouldn't it be interesting if Nintendo released stuff like Super Mario Bros. or Wario Ware for mobiles? Downloadable levels, etc. (Actually, can't you already do this with Sonic and Metal Gear?)

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Alot of women in my workplace play cell phone games. They play stuff similar to bejweled or tetris. They play the same kind of games online too. They are gamers but just not in the same way that we are.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Only two words would interest me in mobile gaming: Absolutely Free. No airtime charges. No pay-per-play. If I want to game on the go I have a GBA.

 

[dog$]

This thread is great. Why?

I see no reason to touch any of them with a ten foot clown-pole

The buttons are too small, and the screen is usually too small to enjoy.

the games are pretty much worthless shit aside from the occasional time waster

Nothing, as I have no interest in playing games on tiny cellphone screens

Nothing could make me care about it. Nothing.

its not even a viable form of gaming

Every cell phone game I've played either on my phone or friends' phones have been dismal ... pieces of garbage

All the above are accepted without comment or question.

Yet when I say the same about handheld games, which should be said because it is fully true and applicable, I get crucified as if I'm spewing satanic verses on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral.

 

[tanasten]

There is no problem at all. Things could be better moreover on the side of every handset sharing the same "virtual machine" where Java Games runs over, but at the end, the limited memory and SlowCpu of some machines could hurt the game.

So in any case, what drive the person who plays a game on a phone to play another game?

It's just theme by know, and day a day good games are starting to sustain a market share, but isn't enough. But don't care, there are so many many millions of phones sell and so many posible buyers, that it's gona be OK for years, at leats until great 3D content is required, wich could hurt some developers because it request money invest in development.

Anyway, understanding the industry is the key for the developer of phone games.

P.S: Of course, for a real gamer there's NOTHING to care.

 

[Jive Turkey]

All the above are accepted without comment or question.

Yet when I say the same about handheld games, which should be said because it is fully true and applicable, I get crucified as if I'm spewing satanic verses on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Wait...Are you actually comparing shitty cell phone games to portables? I'm not hardcore portable gamer myself but this is one of the silliest things you have ever posted and that's saying something!

 

[Link1110]

I would only care about mobile gaming if they made Phoenix Wright for it.

They did? Nevermind.

 

[djtiesto]

Releasing the DQ1 and 2 mobile versions over in the US...

 

[UncleScr00ge]

I consider myself "hardcore" (I bought many systems at launch, own every current console, etc) and I enjoy mobile gaming. Currently on my RAZR I have about 15 games. Some of my favorites include Doom RPG, Star Wars Battlefront (awesome persistent-world style gameplay that makes use of a GPRS connection), and several quality Gameloft games. Having said that, I usually only play mobile games if I don't have my Micro, DS or PSP with me.

 

[Mitleid]

I like how a lot of the people in this thread are passing themselves off as knowledgable on mobile games from just a passing experience with them.

Look guys, you may not think it's viable, but clearly companies are making money from this - and people are going back for more. They may not be people like you or I who masturbate over Japanese boxart, but that doesn't make their gaming platform of choice any less viable.

Of course, that doesn't mean that the hardware is viable. I'm always struck at how useless handsets are for games - the directional nubs and number keys just aren't built the way a Sony or Nintendo pad is. That's my real problem. I read lately that alot of the publishers and hardware companies are uniting to make a singlemobile platform for the software side - that sounds like an answer to the problems many have cited. If only some kind of compromise could be reached for hardware.

Wouldn't it be interesting if Nintendo released stuff like Super Mario Bros. or Wario Ware for mobiles? Downloadable levels, etc. (Actually, can't you already do this with Sonic and Metal Gear?)

You're right about mobile publishers making some serious bank, but I don't think that's the point. I think the question is really what it's going to to take to get "hardcode" gamers playing cell phone games. A passing experience with mobile qualifies just fine as a valid opinion - it indicates that titles right now aren't worth checking out to more critical (critical != superior) players. Nothing wrong there.

 

[GDJustin]

Right.

The article basically points out that mobile gaming has becoming a billion dollar business on the shoulders of casual fans. What is going to get hardcore gamers, the people that post on GAF, interested in the medium?

 

[kaizoku]

This thread is great. Why?

All the above are accepted without comment or question.

Yet when I say the same about handheld games, which should be said because it is fully true and applicable, I get crucified as if I'm spewing satanic verses on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Are you trying to be an evolved form of Drinky Crow?

anyway back on topic, the question was "What would make you care about mobile gaming?" and the answer is.....flash types, tetris types or warioware type minigames.

I will never ever play any full blown kind of game on my mobile, I will never seek out these games and pay for them or read reviews on them. The day I show an interest is the day mobile gaming has come so far it has effectively merged with portable console gaming and/or pda gaming.

I do know that my friends will buy a new phone and think "shit lets accessories this baby to the max" and that will include gettings videos, ringtones, mp3s, wallpapers etc on there, and that includes mobile games. They're not part of gaming as such, they're in the same bracket as downloadable ringtones, which are not alternatives to music or your mp3 player!

I have clocked quite abit of time into classic nokia snake though Thats the kind of gaming which will eat up my time, but never my money.

 

[TekunoRobby]

I believe cell phone games are advancing a bit too quickly for their own good. A lot of games lately are simply snazzy tech demos which look great on a cell phone with absolutely no basic fundamentals in design. This leads to poor controls, poor frame rate, poor level design, and being just plain boring. I'd say they should concentrate more on simple yet excellent gameplay and build up from there. I sure as hell don't want to play an online FPS or an MMO on a cell phone (before you ask they've already been done), way too complex for such a tiny device. And this is without mentioning the literal FUBAR it is to optimize a game on so many differing devices.

One great example that I felt nailed the idea of a cell phone game perfectly was the Doom RPG. Realizing that recreating Doom on such a limited device; Fountainhead Entertainment along with the help of Carmack sought out to create an experience that's both engaging and simple enough to work with such a small device. Check out the reviews and see the awards given and they'll all echo the same thing:
http://wireless.gamespy.com/wireless/doom-rpg/664087p1.html
http://wireless.ign.com/articles/652/652161p1.html
http://wgamer.com/gamedir/game-5655&page=REVIEW
http://www.digitalentertainmentawards.com/finalists2.html

And yes I actually do believe it’s a great platform and I am interested in various titles. Give it time and it'll expand beyond the lucrative casual market and we'll start seeing titles that are more in line with traditional experiences that you'll find on the handheld and yes even the console working quite well on these devices.

EDIT: PHOENIX WRIGHT

 

[White Man]

Phoenix Wright.

 

[jooey]

phoenix wright.

OH HEY

 

[Sabaku Ika]

People talk on phones. Phones are made to be talked upon.

Theoretically, a mobile game based on talking could escape being horrible.
Like, a game where you call someone and argue with them and the phone decides who wins. Argument dueling. This will require major technological advances that are very far off. In other words, no, mobile gaming is not worth caring about for me at this time.

 

[Chittagong]

Wait until E3.

Seriously.

 

[White Man]

Thanks for the heads up on this Doom RPG. It rox.

 

[human5892]

When a DS or PSP lets me call people on it.

 

[chinmonster]

Releasing the DQ1 and 2 mobile versions over in the US...

And some Final Fantasy. Why the U.S. hate, Square?

Metal Slug is pretty cool onthe cell phone, though, imo. It's a bit choppy but it gets the job done for short bursts of play.

 

[Community Forum]

Thanks for the heads up on this Doom RPG. It rox.

White Man: Hates all games.*



*Except mobile.

 

[Warm Machine]

Until public transportation is more widespread, used daily, and the trips are long enough North America will be a mobile gaming wasteland.