How Apple iPhone could dominate handheld gaming industry
I was watching a recap of WWDC 08 (see it at CNET), when I thought of the possibilities of iPhone as a gaming console. I know that this topic may have been done to death with the thoughts of everyone and their uncle, but I still cannot resist tabling my own thoughts.
Note that this is not a typical fanboy post mentioning only positive points, nor is it yet another list post (though there are a couple of lists).
iPhone: The killer handheld console
Others might say a bazillion things about why iPhone could be the perfect handheld console, but to me, three words define it best: always with you. To me, every gaming console, whether it be the adorable Sony PSP or the everybody’s-favorite Nintendo DS, has one stark downfall: that you have to carry it with you for the sole purpose of gaming.
The concept of iPhone as an awesome console would be easier to digest if you consider an analogy: how everyone now prefers camera phones to stand-alone cameras for casual photography.
However, unlike casual photography with camera phones, iPhone has real potential to be a killer because of the following:
- Mac OS X is one graphically intensive platform. To render it in all its glory, the iPhone certainly has hardware capable of bearing the brunt. Applications requiring resources are also present. Games should not be much more difficult (though Apple would be wise to publicize iPhone as a phone plus console while coinciding with the launch of a newer iPhone with upgraded hardware).
- Small games are already available on iPhone, and Apple knows its hardware best. So, Apple would be in a good position to make their own simple but addictive games(considering that Apple knows how to make addictive software
) with proper optimization, to begin with (and hand over the reigns later). - Apple has the iPhone apps/iTunes stores, which can be extended to become a games store. With the 3G iPhone, waiting times for game downloads would also be significantly reduced. Nothing would be more addictive to Apple loyalists than to purchase games quickly for iPhone while waiting for a flight, for example. Proof of this is continued sales of tracks via iTunes, even when Amazon et al sell DRM-free tracks.
The touch screen advantage
iPhone has a brilliant multi-touch touchscreen, which can be used effectively in games. I am sure that Apple would be the last company not to think of that possibility. If many thought Microsoft Surface to be useable, think of how much more useable it would be for games. Apple will have to scratch-proof that touch screen more (though it does a decent job right now for the phone usage).
The tilting advantage
Unlike other mobile phones which might consider getting into handheld console industry, iPhone holds a distinct advantage: keypad-less design. Critics might frown at iPhone’s lack of keypad, but it is actually advantageous in this case. Coupled with the orientation detection system, games that require wide-screen experience could finally have it (and which game doesn’t?). The iPhone could be held in landscape mode and keys could be displayed on either sides, making it Sony PSP-ish.
Challenges awaiting Apple
Like any other engineering innovation, turning iPhone into a gaming console would create several challenges. With Apple’s track record (iPhone, MacBook Air), these might also get solved.
- Pricing: Given Apple’s track record of pricing more and getting away with it, the games could also see a similar fate. I think this would be a big mistake, because a good part of the games would be bought by casual gamers or even non-gamers who start playing games because “it’s on my mobile phone”.
- Screwing up game developers: If Apple decides to restrict games as it restricted applications on iPhone pre-SDK, then the number and quality of games would drop. For example, Apple could allow only games purchased through the game store (which requires authorization/license), leaving free games out in the dark. They could also be restricted in processing power, if Steve Jobs decides to go for superior battery life (as he did with iPhone 1.0).
- Battery: Currently the bane of any mobile device, gaming functionality would only make iPhone more power-hungry. Coupled with iPhone’s currently not-so-stellar battery performance, this could create a major stumbling block in Apple’s path.
Of course, Apple has improved battery capacities of devices in succeeding generations (think iPods), and this might not be a big problem at all.
- Durability of device: While iPhone and its touch screen might stay resilient towards general usage, gaming would create much more physical wear. Heck, the analog stick of my Xbox controllers are worn, and I can only imagine it would be greater on a handheld.
The concept of iPhone as an awesome console would be easier to digest if you consider an analogy: how everyone now prefers camera phones to stand-alone cameras for casual photography.
Great Post