Topic: iPhone/ iPad gaming thread

@ReddLionz: Sadly no. Game Center won't be on the iPad till November. When it comes out, I'll be sure to let you know!

@SMF64: The way a lot of people are releasing App games lately is they give it out free and you can buy an in-app purchase which unlocks the full game. It's a good strategy; it gets people to play your game and allows them to quickly spend money for it.

Oh, well that's good. If that's the case, the free version will probably just be the main game mode, and the others will be locked until the full purchase.

Yep, probably. :3

I like Real Racing, but I just can't really get into it. I preffer Asphalt 5 or Jet Car Stunts. Jet Car Stunts is really good btw. Ive been recently addicted to Eliminate Pro (Damn you upgrade system!). I just found this great free game called stardunk, really fun small game. Chaos Rings is pretty good if you are into JRPGs, very impressive for iOS.

@pixelman
Not only does it do that, but selling the content as an in-app purchase also prevents Jailbreakers from using Installous to download expensive games for free. No way around in-app purchases.

Too bad about Game Center, but at least its coming to the iPad.

Also, Jet Car Stunts is an awesome game. Although, I havn't gotten around to full purchase yet, only the first 5 levels in the lite version.

Im kinda getting tired of all the different networking systems on the iDevices. Im glad Apple came out with an official one, I just hope that in one magical motion they replace all the other 3rd party ones.

@ReddLionz: Ahh, that's good to hear. I imagine people could hack the game if they really wanted to not pay for it that badly, though. Anyway, I'm thinking I'll release my iDevice games like that - it's a very sound method.

@GabeGreens: I gotta admit that OpenFeint is pretty slick. I've been using it a lot lately - I really like its interface. It was painless to set up too. I'm looking forward to seeing how Game Center compares.

Quick dev question to anyone that knows: Do you have to run your own server for multiplayer with Game Center? I've been digging around in the Apple Developer docs, and while it says it supports outside servers, it never says they're required.

@pixelman, I would think so, but im sure Plus+ has servers, but im not entirely sure. I switched to Android dev (I know, less exciting) after some annoying Apple support.

Hmm, k.

Also, Geometry Wars: Touch is only 99c right now. Should I pick it up? :3

I probably get the most use out of Word Warp and Tetris. What is Angry Birds, a lot of people mentioned it, so I may want to check it out.

Also, has anyone played GTA: Chinatown Wars on the iPhone/Touch? I'm interested in how it compares with the DS version, since it's cheaper.

I love the iphone for gaming, as long as it doesn't have an on screen d-pad set up. I just can't keep my fingers in the right place while I play (Stupid Sonic the Hedgehog, the one capable port onto a portable system with controls I can barely use).

Angry birds is a physics-based tower destruction game. It's kinda like a 2D Boom Blox. It's a lot of fun, but it gets repetitive after 50 levels or so.

Texting of the Bread - $1.99

@Token Girl
I have Chinatown Wars on the iPhone. I don't like the touch screen "invisible analog stick" controls. Definitely annoying compared to the DS controls. But the game is excellent, I just could never get too far because of the controls.

@pix - it's worth noting that the download-to-buy conversion ratio for those types of games is really, really low. I've read some figures that actually indicate that games without demos (only full versions) can sell better than games with demos, since in a lot of cases the demo is enough for the person to play/get bored with the game, or makes them realize that the game isn't really worth their cash, whereas some people will take the plunge when paying is the only way to experience a game concept.

I gotta say Angry Birds only kept me entertained for like 5 minutes...I hate those types of games

Also, for anyone who doesn't know, Espgaluda 2 and Dodonpachi Resurrection are both on the App store now ($8.99 apiece) and control beautifully. Definitely the two best shoot-em-up experiences on the store--I'm getting to the point where I almost prefer touch-screen control to arcade stick or joystick input.

@Swerd: Ah really? Interesting. You know, I can see that not working for a lot of games, but if you did it right it could definitely work in your favor. (For instance, pay to unlock new sets of levels, modes, or multiplayer, etc.). The game would certainly have to be entertaining enough to keep people playing.

I'm getting to the point where I almost prefer touch-screen control to arcade stick or joystick input.

Mmm, can't agree with that. I just played the free version of Geometry Wars: Touch, and I could not for the life of me control it accurately. The v-sticks works in some cases (had a good time with NOVA and Zombie Infection), but physical feedback will always be preferable to me. :3

@pix - that's cause you're playing geometry wars Dual-stick shooters suck anyways--virtual sticks don't help. Espgaluda 2 and Dodonpachi are both bottom-up shoot em ups in the classic style, and they feature relative-position controls (move your finger anywhere on the screen, ship moves the corresponding distance wherever it is--suuuuuper effective)

And yeah...you gotta remember that those figures take into account all the feces on the app store. A good game is a good game--it's really just the fact that there's so much content on the store, the sea of subpar games is really easy to pass on when you can try out the mediocrity for yourself for free before purchasing.

I suggest getting the demos for both Espgaluda and Dodonpachi--search Cave in the app store. I think you'll see what I mean...plus the games are gorgeous.

Also don't take my quote out of context--this is literally the only game type I feel that way about. Virtual sticks/pad/buttons are still a complete joke.

Whaat. Geometry Wars is awesome, k.

But yeah I'll check those demos out. Like I said before, I have an iPad; I'm not crazy about buying iPhone games and running them scaled up.

You've never heard of it? Do you EVER check the top 25? Anyway, it's pretty much the most awesomest iTouch/Phone game ever. At the moment there's over 150 levels with more constantly being added, for the small price of $1. Basically you sling birds (ahem angry birds) into these piles of boxes that are protecting these green pigs that you must destroy. Trust me, it's fun.

It recently passes 6.5 million downloads, which appears to be an iPhone record for a game that's not free.

Or the top 2, for that matter, lol.

Or just, the top. lol