Conversation 006: We’re Back With A Discussion Of The Games We Played In 2008

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2 responses to “Conversation 006: We’re Back With A Discussion Of The Games We Played In 2008”

1. 

   February 10, 2009

   Suberunker

   Though I haven’t finished the episode yet, iPhone gaming has become a big part of the market because (a) it does have a lot of similar touch gaming elements like a DS, (b) we’ve now seen it perform almost as well as the DS in terms of 3D games, and (c) this is what the DSi is really aiming to become.

   It’s funny how a game on the iPhone feels expensive at the $6 and up price point, but naturally, something similar could still be at the $20 price point or higher on the DS and I know I won’t play all the way through it anyways. Thus, $6 hits the right spot if you’re really looking for casual gaming on the go. Developers love the platform because there’s a much higher purchase rate (due to impulse) and those of us that play tons of games on it like the amount of quality free titles, the random cheap sales, and the instant gratification of getting the title right away. When your main overhead cost is $99 and Apple taking away ~30% of your sales, you really only need to sell 150 copies of a $0.99 game before you’re making money (minus taxes, legalities, etc). It’s a really win-win marketplace for games.

   Nintendo knows this and wants to get on the action right away with the DSi. Selling $2-5 games on an SD card is a brilliant strategy and it only costs Nintendo the price of bandwidth. We already can expect Nintendo to re-release older titles for the service, though if you’re looking for something new (or slightly different), you can go to the iPhone (or iPod Touch 2G) for an equal (though likely better) experience with instant mobile games.

   I mean, there’s already a plethora of great games for the iPhone that are free and a ton of demos are readily available. Even hardcore gamers can’t flat out say all the games are casual when there’s titles like ExZeus, Internal Force, Space Deadbeef, 2079, rRootage, and 1112. And even from that list, they’re all free minus ExZeus ($6) and 1112 ($7).

   We can’t forget that there’s also whole studios now getting legions of followers (like ngmoco). Long comment, I know, I just have a much different take on the iPhone gaming scene nowadays than from when I first started (coming from being a major DS fanboy). It’s a platform that can truly change a lot in the next few years.

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2. 

   February 14, 2009

   Brett

   Nice episode, guys. I definitely recommend Fallout 3 to anybody. And Prince of Persia, as well. I know a lot of people didn’t like it, but I loved the new art style and the new Prince. It was a pretty good year for games.

   That aside, I am so ridiculously excited for Street Fighter IV. I’ve got the Collector’s Edition for PS3 paid off. I’d be more than happy to throw down anytime I’m on, my PSN ID is “Dasamurai”, minus the quotes.

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