(2) Spore also launched on the iPhone this week -- how important are mobile games in general?
I haven't had a chance to mess with many (or any) iPhones games, but I've seen some impressive software running on the unit that certainly makes me want to. I think a lot of gamers write-off mobile gaming as hastily designed, make-a-buck shovelware, and in many cases they're justified. But there's actually a fair amount of solid and imaginative mobile titles out there, you just need to know what to look for. As for their importance, if there's money to be made ... will the iPhone overtake the DS as the mobile platform of choice? I don't have an iPhone, so it's hard to say; if Apple wants to send me one, I'll get back to you on it. ;)
I'm just not a big mobile gamer, but I can definitely see where it's important. In areas where mass transit commuting is the way to travel, nothing is better than whipping out a DS to game on. Of course Apple just dropped a virtual bombshell when it claimed it was the premier mobile gaming platform with the iPhone. I gotta admit, some of it looks pretty impressive, but for now I'm perfectly happy gaming on a big screen with surround sound. Perhaps if there were more co-op portable games playable over cellphone networks? That could be cool.
Mobile games seem to be spreading at the moment. With an increase in the interest for portable gaming in recent years, it's only common sense to start embracing mobile gaming more. More or less everyone owns a mobile phone, so giving those people their own gaming platform is a great move. Especially with things such as the iPhone touch screen allowing for more original games.
Mobile games continue to grow in popularity as casual games make bigger splashes in the gaming industry pool. Even though I'm not convinced the platform has seen its requisite "killer app" to win over the hardcore, it has an even greater potential to crack into the mainstream after the success of the Nintendo Wii and DS. Although, I don't see it ever reaching an audience the size of Nintendo's portable market in most regions.
If you asked me a year ago, I really thought no one would download and pay for mobile games. But since the launch of the Apple App store, I see people download games for their iPhone without any hesitation. Will that level of success trickle down to mobile game portals? I don't think so.
What do you mean by important? I certainly don't play as many mobile games as I do console, PC or handheld games. That's because I view mobile games primarily as time-wasters. Bejeweled and Tris are all I need at the moment.
As a lucrative business, I have no doubt that mobile games are already important and growing; as a platform for quality gameplay experiences, there has yet to be a game that's disproven the common wisdom that cell phone games are terrible. They'll get better but – much like PC games – it will be tough for cell phones to compete with affordable portable consoles designed just to play video games.
Mobile games at this point in time are more important for the casual gamer who is sitting on the bowl, wanting to pass some time with a game on their phone. Games on mobile platforms are great for passing time, but it has to be a short amount of time or else you run a risk of completely running out your battery and having neither a game to play or a cell phone to use.
I actually purchased an iPhone just for the games! I don't think the platform will be overtaking the PSP or DS anytime soon...or at all. I do think it is a great way for new, fresh developers to get their products out there. The app store is a fantastic way to spread new games, and for anyone to try their hand at creating something fun and unique. Right now, I'm playing a lot of 'Catch the Egg' from Hudson!
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"No, that's not acceptable. Of course that's not confirmed and probably never will be. " -Nick Puleo "Every modern day console has had failure problems. Whether they've been as bad as the 360 I do not know." -Chris Taylor FYI- Confirmed Microsoft Failure Rate >66% PS3 Failure Rate < 1%